This week we experienced what is known as Red Rain. A storm that was so hard that it cancelled school, and the city of Shenzhen fell to a standstill, resulting in a three day week on campus, a day off, and then a Friday of online learning. After weeks of lockdown and uncertainty surrounding government regulations, working from home was a much-needed break for some. For others, it was a distraction and another obstacle to learning.
Regardless of how we received the news of home learning, one thing is sure. Senior Leadership made the necessary pivot (and quickly too), contacting the IB to arrange the non-examination route for our students due to adverse circumstances, solidifying the plans for the next two days. Yet another challenge for our Grade 12 students as they navigate a turbulent final year in High School. The show went on, and teachers took the disruption in their stride and continued to deliver high-quality lessons to their students.
I put the finishing touches on our weekly newsletter during the Friday session. I was struck by how much content there was for only a three day week. Many highlights included ‘shout-outs’ to teachers who had recently completed our internal language coaching program, pictures of Grade 6 presentations, a hilarious Middle school production, and updates from our students who are busy filling their time capsules. All of this activity had occurred by Wednesday. A lot is going on, and there is no evidence that our program has become less rigorous due to the COVID restrictions we are now facing.
As the rest of the world moves on and travel resumes, it is easy for those living outside of China to forget that life here is far from normal. Daily COVID tests, no parents on campus and last-minute changes to established protocols. We have now become adept at administering whole school COVID tests, testing the entire secondary school in around 30 minutes each day; this must be some record! Sometimes, the process seems to make little sense. Ours is not to question why; we respond in the best way for learning. It is what we must and should do.
During these times, laughter, kindness and caring have become the focal point for our community. Ensuring that we acknowledge that someone may be carrying a heavy burden or find a particular situation more challenging than others is necessary. We have done this well. Teacher Appreciation Week was a recent opportunity to reflect on the contributions of and daily interactions with every faculty member as we hand wrote notes to each community member. At times like these, you notice the time and dedication that teachers put into their every day at school. There is nothing left to say except thank you.
The Assistant Principal 