Each and every academic year the Xiehe Education Group conducts cross-campus professional development days, where teachers from different campuses, different subjects and different divisions are invited to gather together to learn and collaborate. At these annual events, we ‘press the pause button’ on our busy, weekly teaching duties to explore the current educational environment, learn new educational concepts, and focus on our self-development. Our aim is to learn how to better educate children and to help Xiehe students learn how to adapt to the ever-changing world. The theme of this PD Day is “Encouraging Student and Teacher Motivation to Meet the New Challenge in Education”.Due to COVID-19 preventative measures, the Jiaoke Campus served as the main campus for the day’s morning activities, consisting of welcome, opening and keynote speeches which were broadcast live to all other SUIS campuses. In the afternoon, each campus organized workshops on their own.
Ms. Maxine Lu, General Principal of the Xiehe Education Group
After the initial welcome speech, Ms. Maxine Lu, General Principal for the Xiehe Education Group, provided the Jiaoke Campus and remote audiences with an opening speech that served to describe the current environment of private international education, growth and changes that have taken place over recent years, and potential development trends for the future. Maxine summarized the current situation with the acronym “VUCA” (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) and suggested that teachers become “subject experts and life advisers” who are confident, truth-seeking, and humble.
Dr. Yafang Liu
The opening speech was followed by keynote speeches from Dr. Yafang Liu and Mr. James Nottingham. Dr. Yafang Liu is an experienced school manager and a Professional Development Qualification (PDQ) program leader. She spoke on the topic of “Motivation Theories and their Application on Teaching & Learning”, leading the audience through a review of theories about motivation, and connected these theories to teaching and learning, sharing some real experiences from both teachers and students.
Mr. James Nottingham
Mr. James Nottingham connected with us remotely from the UK. Through the concept of the “Learning Pit”, a metaphor he created, Mr. Nottingham provided an overview of three related themes: Encouraging Motivation, Self-Efficacy and Independent Learning for All Students. He also shared with the audience examples of success stories at international schools in London, Sydney, and other locations around the world, and encouraged teachers to think about “how to encourage students to step out of their comfort zone” and “what are some of the ways teachers can boost students’ self-efficacy”.
WORKSHOP
In the afternoon, faculty and guests at the Qingpu Campus provided a series of unique educational and well-being workshops. “Micro-topics and Teacher Professional Development – Be a Happy Researcher”, “Creatively Improving Intercultural Communication”, “Teaching by Design”, and “Understanding by Design” were just a few of the workshops on offer.
WELL-BEING
The last part of the PD day involved SUIS Qingpu faculty participating in several well-being activities organized by PE teachers. Tai Qi, archery, and meditation workshops helped teachers to not only relax and refresh, but also to learn how to offer such well-being activities to students.
Finally, we have one more piece of exciting news!
The SUIS Qingpu Fitness Centre has officially opened! Available for use by middle and high school students, faculty and staff, it has been designed specifically to provide a strong platform where children and adults can learn what it is to be healthy, strong and confident, and in doing so build healthy and active living habits which will last them a lifetime. Anyone who wishes to use the Fitness Centre must complete a 30-minute induction with PE teachers. We hope that everyone at SUIS Qingpu can develop good habits for maintaining their fitness, enjoy a healthy body and lead a confident and cheerful life!
