Welcome YCIS-BJ's New School Vice Principal | 认识我们学校的新任副校长

As announced by our CEO and School Supervisor, Dr Betty Chan, before the end of the last semester, our former Vice Principal, Head of Primary School, Mr James Sweeney, has been appointed as the new School Vice Principal and he is joining the School Leadership Team (SLT) at Yew Chung International School of Beijing. Starting from August 1st, Mr Sweeney will be working together with his fellow SLT members, Dr Rae Wang and Ms Fanny Du, to oversee the smooth running and continual enhancements of our Honglingjin campus.

Earlier this week, we had a chance to speak with him about his time at YCIS Beijing so far and what his vision is for the school in his new role.

Time at YCIS Beijing

Hailing from Birmingham, England, Mr Sweeney secured his master’s degree at the University of Worcester before working as a teacher and school leader in both his home country as well as South Korea. In his five years at YCIS Beijing, he has taught and led different year levels across the Primary School and was instrumental in the conceptualizing and execution of our school's innovative Learning Communities.

He was a key member of the team that designed both the physical space but also, more importantly, the pedagogy that drives our Learning Communities. “We are continuing to develop and enhance our programme and have even been invited to lead several presentations internationally about how our Learning Community approach works here at YCIS-Beijing” Mr Sweeney remarked.

In addition to the implementation of Learning Communities, he also led teams in the development of the Dimensions of Learning, which are the skills that we aim to develop in our students which will see them thrive both in school and beyond. Besides the continual development of the Primary programme, other significant developments he has overseen include creating further opportunities for all members of our school community to keep connected by leading a range of parent workshops and increasing the use of technology in order to enhance communication between home and school

Plans for the future

According to Mr Sweeney, the priority at the moment is the beginning of the school year and ensuring a seamless transition. “We are putting plans in place to ensure a smooth start to the school year in what is a very difficult and uncertain time for all. The needs of our students and their families are at the forefront of our plans.”

In addition to this, Mr. Sweeney is working with other school members, in correlation with parent feedback, to enhance the e-learning. “Through ongoing teacher training in our e-learning platforms and the pedagogy of e-learning, coupled with keeping abreast of the technological developments during this time, we plan to continue to provide an excellent e-learning experience for our students and ensure that all feel supported during this time, from ECE through to Secondary” commented Mr Sweeney.

During his tenure as School Vice-Principal, Mr Sweeney sets to enhance the following aspects of our school:

01

Student Agency

"Students must be at the centre of the learning process. They learn best when they are active participants in the learning and teaching process and will, as a result, have increased pride in what they achieve. Our excellent teachers guide and support our students, giving them greater ownership of their learning. In turn, we see students who want to do well, want to improve and try hard each day to do so.”

02

Connections Within the Community

“I desire to see more members of our community to be on campus working with our students. I love seeing parents involved in their child’s learning, each step of the way. We truly believe that students will achieve their best when home and school can partner together, creating meaningful connections with a common goal"

03

Improve Transitions Between School Sections.

“I would like to continue to work with our different school sections to enhance the transition from ECE to Primary and Primary to Secondary. We will look for ways in which we can streamline these transitions in terms of consistency and support networks both in terms of academics as well as the social aspect of school life.”

04

Maintain High Academic Results

“Our school has a long history of high academic results and we look to continue this. Our students leave YCIS fully equipped and are presented with opportunities to attend a wide range of universities both in Asia and around the world."

In closing, Mr Sweeney relayed that he is always looking to improve what we do ...

”We are an excellent school and we need to build on what we are excellent at which is our bilingual, multi-cultural learning. We have a tremendous cohort of staff who in a school of our size can truly connect with all students and bring out the best in each and everyone. 

Our school encourages innovation in practice which benefits teachers and students alike. More importantly, YCIS-BJ is a truly strong and supportive community with a shared goal. Alongside my fellow SLT members, I look forward to leading such an exciting and vibrant school."

                                            ***

正如行政总裁兼校监陈保琼博士所宣布的，从2020年8月1日起，小学部副校长James Sweeney先生被任命为北京耀中国际学校的新任副校长。加入学校管理团队后，James Sweeney先生将与华籍副校长汪小瑞博士和学校业务总经理杜菲菲女士合作管理学校，确保北京耀中的稳步向前。

本周，我们有机会向Sweeney先生了解了他在北京耀中的经历以及他对新职位的愿景。

在北京耀中的时光

Sweeney先生来自于英国伯明翰。他拥有伍斯特大学签发的教育学研究生证书。他曾先后在南韩和英国的学校工作，担任不同学科和学习阶段的领导职务。在北京耀中工作的五年中，他曾在小学不同年级担任教师以及领导者的角色，大力促使了学习社区教学法的发展。

Sweeney先生是学习社区设计以及推广的代表人物，他说：“我们正在继续发展和加强我们的课程。我曾被邀请在许多教育会议上介绍我们北京耀中的学习社区。”

除了学习社区的推广，他还带领团队提出了“学习的维度”这个概念。学习的维度指我们认为的对于学生在学校内外的发展至关重要的技能。除此之外，他通过引领家长课室和探索科技方法为家校间建立了更多沟通渠道。

对未来的计划

Sweeney先生表示，目前的首要任务是确保新学年的顺利开始以及学生的无缝过渡。“我们正在制定计划，以确保顺利渡过现在这个特殊时期。学生和他们家庭的需求是我们在制定计划时首先会考虑的问题。Sweeney先生正在与学校同事一起，根据家长的反馈，探讨如何继续提升线上教学质量。“通过对教师进行持续的线上教学与教学法的培训，并加入各种前沿科技，我们会为从幼儿园到高中的学生持续提供高质量的线上教学与支持。”Sweeney先生说。

作为学校的新任副校长，Sweeney先生还希望致力于以下几个方面的发展：

01

以学生为中心

“学生是学习最重要的组成部分。只有当学生积极参到学习的过程中，学生才会获益并为自己的成就而感到骄傲。我们优秀的老师会引导并支持学生，让他们在学习中拥有更多的自主权。反过来，我们也会看到学生每一天都在努力和进步。”
 

02

加强家校沟通

“我希望看到更多的社区成员参与到学生的学习中。我愿意看到家长参与到孩子每一步的学习和成长中。我们坚信学生的成功需要家庭与学校紧密合作。”

03

改善不同学部间的过渡

“我愿意继续与学校不同的部门合作，确保学生从幼儿园到小学以及从小学到中学的过渡是顺畅的。我会继续寻找方法建立纵向的学术与社交关系链接。”
 

04

保持高质量的学业成绩

“在学生学业成绩方面，我们学校一贯获得较高评价。我希望将此继续保持。很多从北京耀中毕业的优秀学生都获得了进入亚洲和世界其他国家顶级学校学习的机会。”

最后，Sweeney先生补充道，他一直在不断探索与改进：“我们需要在我们擅长的双语、多元文化学习上再接再厉。我们拥有一支庞大的教职员工队伍，在我们学校里，他们能够与学生建立真实的联系，满足每个学生的需求，帮助学生们成为更好的自己。我们鼓励在实践中创新，这对老师和学生都有好处。最重要的是，北京耀中是一个强大的、有爱的、有着共同目标的社区团体。我期待与学校管理团队一起领导这样一所充满活力的学校。”