Students and staff are off to a fabulous start to the 2019-2020 school year at Jiaxing Senior High British Columbia Offshore School. We have 47 fantastic new grade 10 students joining us this year, and they’ve already demonstrated a passion for learning and a keen interest in building student leadership capacity throughout our school. The grade eleven students are also starting the year right, and they have made many improvements since last year by improving their English through our Speak Up English Immersion Program and taking on more significant leadership roles. For the grade twelves, it is always a busy year. We’ve already had our first grade twelve meeting with parents and students to discuss future goals and how to reach them through community service, outstanding academics, and a plan for university application. The meeting was hugely successful, and afterwards, one student commented that they could feel the positive energy and hopefulness for the year ahead.
Fortunately, there are already several enhancements to whole-school initiatives well underway in 2019-2020, and these will provide increased opportunities for more holistic student education. Our selection of clubs has expanded this year, and we’ve allotted specific Club-Time each week for students to harness their passion and focus on building real-life skills alongside like-minded students and teacher leaders. Each student selects one Club-Time per semester from the following: Engineering Club, Dance Club, Choir Club, Media & Art Club, Soccer Club, and Computer Game Design Club. Students in all three grades are already taking advantage of this new Club-Time opportunity, and hopefully, they can integrate cross-curricular learning and personal goal setting into their clubs this year!
As for our new grade 10 and 11 students, they are already adapting very well to the academic aspects of the BC curriculum program. The next step is for them to focus on seeking out leadership and volunteer roles throughout the school community. This can be accomplished in many ways. Our Reading Room is a student-lead project, and any grade 10 and 11 students can sign up to volunteer under the guidance of our key grade 12 leaders, Ellie and Yolanda. Both girls and boys basketball teams have just begun, and all students are encouraged to join. Our BCOS Speak up teams also provide plenty of opportunities to improve English skills, help others, and take on a leadership role. Also, don’t forget that during Club-Time, special bonus points will be awarded to students who always participate actively and model leadership and community service through their Clubs. Last year, BC inspectors commended us on our extensive opportunities to develop student leadership capacity, and we hope to continue to impress!
Meanwhile, our grade 12 students are focused on university research and applications for the first several months of the year. Senior students understand it is crucial to perform well academically, but they also know the importance of leadership, collaboration and staying organized throughout the application process. Through CLC and additional after school time, Ms. Mercer and Mr. Hughes will guide the students in researching requirements, deciding on Dream, Realistic, and Back-up schools, and following through with care on application steps. Parents can support their students by communicating openly and often so that the student, parent, and school clearly understand the same shared goal for the student’s post-secondary future. If students ask questions and stay informed and organized, they will have a smooth and successful transition from Jiaxing Senior BCOS to the university of their choice!
Sincerely,
Danielle Mercer, Principal
Jiaxing Senior High School – British Columbia Offshore Program