2024-25 All Staff Training: Transforming Through Actions

On Wednesday August 14, 2024, we welcomed back our THIS Family to start the 2024-25 school year. The morning started with a Chinese breakfast where staff could get reacquainted with each other and meet our newest staff members.

Following breakfast, our Executive Principal, Ms. Ying Zhu and our Academic Principal, Mr. Scott Pare led the first session. Ms. Zhu started the session by speaking of our theme for 2024-25 which is the word “Action”. She talked about the actions we have taken this summer to make the campus a better place for the THIS Family, as well as emphasizing the Tsinghua spirit of “actions speak louder than words”.

Next Ms. Zhu talked about the work that has happened around campus this summer such as fixing the road in front of our building and changing all the lights in the hallways and classrooms to be better for our eyes. We fixed our stairway and repainted it, as well as purchased new furniture for classrooms and ordered a new iPad Cart for the primary school.

Ms. Zhu shared how our dedicated teachers, support staff and administration worked over the summer holiday. Our support staff worked hard behind the scenes to ensure our building got the attention it needed, as well as that our new teachers were well supported as they transitioned into THIS. Two of our teachers spent four weeks holding an English Language Support summer camp to help our students improve in their English. We also had teachers who went outside Beijing with groups of students. Ms. Wenting Bai and Ms. Leah Zhang took a group of grade 8 students to do volunteer work in Minquan, Henan Province. Ms. Fontaine Yang took a group of grade 8 students to do volunteer work in Wulateqianqi, Neimenggu. Lastly, Mr. Chao Qian took groups of students around China for Chinese Debate Competitions.

The next part of the presentation focused on reminding staff of our connections made during the last school year, as well as our accomplishments. Staff were introduced to our new teachers in both the primary and secondary divisions. Principal Zhu finished her speech in talking about how we can connect our dreams with action.

Mr. Scott Pare then took over the presentation to talk to staff about changes to the faculty handbook, as well as to talk about upcoming professional development on Child Protection and Safety. He went over procedural information that the staff would need to know as we approach the first day of school.

On Thursday August 15, 2024, sessions were held in both English and Chinese with all THIS staff to introduce them to the THIS Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Code of Conduct. Mr. Scott Pare, Academic Principal led the session in English, while Ms. Laura Zhang, Secondary Counselor led the session in Chinese.

During the session, staff were walked through the expectations for all staff when it comes to Child Protection. They were introduced on how to report a safeguarding concern regarding a child’s welfare, as well as what the process is throughout the investigation.

Staff were also informed about the training that all staff are required to do. The school contracted with TES, a global education company to have access to online Child Protection training for International Schools. Teachers spent the afternoon working on the training program, which when completed will issue each teacher with a certificate which is accredited by the government of the United Kingdom.

THIS is committed to student safety and will continue to have workshops which build the capacity of the staff in their duty of care in recognizing our responsibility for Child Protection.

Ms. Dong Wenbo, Vice Principal of Operation, gave the teachers a comprehensive introduction and advice on all aspects of the school’s daily maintenance and operation, including constructions and facilities, logistics and cleaning, and campus management. The Primary and Secondary training sessions were conducted by Rachel Rudisaile, Head of Primary, and Liu Wei, the new Head of Secondary. The teachers of all departments and homeroom teachers held different meetings to prepare for the arrival of the new school year and to welcome the students with confidence!

On August 16, 2024, a team building activity for all teachers and staff with the theme of “Dragon Boat Racing, Advancing Forward” started with passion on the sparkling Yanqi Lake! Foreign teachers and Chinese teachers challenged the traditional water sport–dragon boat race together, which not only enhanced the friendship between each other, but also showed the harmony of Chinese and foreign cultures and the spirit of unity and cooperation.

Early in the morning, the teachers arrived at the venue, listened to the introduction of the traditional Chinese water sport “dragon boat racing”, and carried out warm-up activities. After drawing the dragon eye, with the drums rumbling, the dragon boats competed on the lake, a colorful dragon boat cut through the water like an arrow off the string, setting off layers of waves. Teachers divided into small groups, under the command of the drummer and coxswain, worked together and paddled hard, showing amazing tacit understanding and strength.

This dragon boat racing group building activity was not only a test of teachers’ physical ability and endurance, but also a profound interpretation of the teamwork spirit. During the intense race, THIS teachers encouraged and supported each other to face challenges and overcome difficulties together. Through communication and collaboration, they solved all kinds of problems encountered in the rowing process and gradually formed a strong team cohesion and centripetal force.

After the activity, the foreign teachers said that this dragon boat racing group building activity not only let them experience the charm of Chinese traditional culture, but also enhanced their understanding and friendship with each other. They believed that this kind of group building activity can stimulate the creativity and cohesion of the team, and inject new vitality and impetus into the education and teaching work of the school. This dragon boat racing team building activity is also an important embodiment of the school to build a diversified and inclusive campus culture. In the future, the school will continue to cultivate the educational model and culture of “East meets West”, create more activities for teachers and students to empower each other, and jointly promote the vigorous development of the school’s education.

On August 20, 2024, in order to further improve the emergency rescue ability of the teachers and the school’s response to sudden cardiac arrest, AED first aid training activities were held at the school. Trainers from professional medical institutions, through vivid case studies and in-depth explanations, introduced to the teachers in detail the hazards of sudden cardiac arrest, the golden rescue time and the important role of AED in first aid.

Afterwards, the training entered into a practical exercise. Under the guidance of the professionals, the teachers carried out simulation operations in groups and experienced the process of using AED. From confirming the patient’s status, activating the AED, attaching and placing the electrode pads to defibrillation, each step was carried out in strict accordance with the specifications. Through repeated practice, the teachers not only mastered the correct operation of the AED, but also learned how to remain calm, make quick judgments and decisively administer help in emergencies.

“This training has made me deeply realize the importance of first aid knowledge.” A teacher said with emotion after the practice, “Each of us may encounter emergencies, and mastering the skills of using AED can save lives at critical moments. I will pass on what I learned today to my family and students so that more people can benefit.” The school will continue to strengthen campus safety education to create a safer and more harmonious campus environment for teachers and students.