A New Chapter Begins

As our young learners approach the end of their Early Years journey in Kindergarten, they stand at the threshold of a new academic chapter. Each student is about to transition to the next phase of their educational journey. While some will remain in Early Years, our Kindergarten students are embarking on a journey to Primary School. This pivotal moment is a testament to the dedication of our Early Childhood educators, the unwavering support of families, and the hard work of the students themselves. Throughout their Early Years, all students have had the opportunity to develop essential early childhood skills that serve as the building blocks for their future.

The Significance of Grade One Transition

The transition to Grade One holds immense significance for our Kindergarten students. One key element of a successful transition lies in developing foundational skills acquired during their Early Years experience. These skills span various domains, including language, literacy, numeracy, social-emotional growth, and cognitive development. By focusing on these fundamental skills, our educators empower students to build a robust academic and social-emotional foundation during these crucial early years—an essential support system as they progress through their educational journey.

Language and Literacy: Unlocking Communication

Within the realm of language and literacy, Early Years students learn to fluently express themselves in spoken language. They also build and expand their vocabulary while developing phonemic and phonological awareness. These skills are pivotal for language development and lay a strong groundwork for reading and writing. Our educators foster an environment that encourages children to express their thoughts and ideas through mark-making and cultivate a love for reading by exploring various types of texts. This lifelong passion for learning begins here.

Numeracy: Counting, Shapes, and Mathematical Mindset

Similarly, in numeracy, our Early Years students learn to count, identify shapes, handle data, and grasp basic mathematical concepts. These early mathematical skills form the bedrock for more complex reasoning in later grades. By engaging students in hands-on activities and real-world problem-solving tasks, we nurture a robust mathematical mindset. These skills prepare them for academic success and equip them with practical problem-solving abilities.

Social-Emotional Development: Nurturing Compassion and Cooperation

Beyond academic skills, Early Years play a crucial role in fostering social-emotional development. Students learn essential life skills such as cooperation, empathy, and conflict resolution through interactions with peers and teachers. These social-emotional competencies create a positive learning environment and lay the groundwork for building meaningful relationships throughout their lives.

Guided by Skills and Experiences

As our students celebrate their achievements at the end of this year, they carry with them a rich tapestry of skills and experiences. These will guide them to the next grade level and throughout their lifetime. By facilitating the development of foundational skills, we ensure that each student possesses a strong academic and social-emotional foundation—a compass to navigate the exciting journey ahead.

Contributed by Ms. Fiona Morris – Early Years Principal at the Western International School of Shanghai.

WESTERN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SHANGHAI

555 Lian Min Road, Xujing Town, Qing Pu District,

Shanghai, PRC, 201702

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WESTERN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SHANGHAI

555 Lian Min Road, Xujing Town, Qing Pu District,

Shanghai, PRC, 201702

enquiry@wiss.cn

+86 (21) 6976 6013

+86 (21) 6976 6015

13816451034

13816450346

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拥抱多样性：全球创新学习联盟会议在新西兰奥克兰举行

全球创新学习联盟（GAIL）是一个著名的学校网络，致力于促进教育领域的创新、合作和文化交流。上海西华外籍人员子女学校（WISS）很荣幸成为全球创新学习联盟（GAIL）的成员，并兴奋地宣布将参加即将在新西兰奥克兰举行的全球创新学习联盟会议。此次会议为上海西方国际学校的学生提供了一次难得的机会，他们将在校长 David Edwards 先生、学术与创新部主任 Timothy Pyeon 先生和设计教师 Nwanneka Okwuosa 女士的陪同下，与其他 GAIL 成员学校共同促进多元化发展。

在中断四年之后，GAIL 会议将在新西兰奥克兰汇聚来自全球各地的教育工作者、管理人员和学生。今年的会议将特别关注多样性，承认多样性为教育机构带来的巨大价值。接受多元化观点、文化和思想的重要性无论怎样强调都不为过，GAIL 的目标是增强教育工作者创造包容性学习环境的能力。

WISS 始终站在倡导多元化和培养学生全球思维的最前沿。学校曾在 2019 年主办过 GAIL 会议，因此对这一活动的意义并不陌生。在 David Edwards、Timothy Pyeon 和 Nwanneka Okwuosa 等主要代表的陪同下，WISS 的学生将有宝贵的机会与来自其他 GAIL 成员学校的同学合作、学习和分享自己的独特经历。

本次会议的主要关注点是多样性，与会者可以期待一个深入探讨文化、种族、语言和社会多样性各个层面的丰富活动。研讨会、小组讨论和互动环节将为与会者提供在自己的学校创建包容性环境所需的工具和知识。会议旨在培养跨文化能力，弘扬学生和教育工作者的不同文化背景。

GAIL 会议之所以如此具有影响力，其中一个关键因素是它强调合作。与会者有机会参与合作项目，交流促进多样性和包容性的想法和最佳做法。通过这些互动，与会者将获得宝贵的见解和创新策略，并将其应用于各自的学校社区。

对于 WISS 的学生和更广泛的 GAIL 社区来说，在新西兰奥克兰举行的 GAIL 会议将是一次难忘的活动。当他们沉浸在一个多元、包容的环境中时，与会者将学到关于同理心、尊重和文化交流之美的宝贵经验。这次会议无疑将成为通过教育创造一个更加和谐和宽容的社会的垫脚石。

在即将于新西兰奥克兰举行的会议期间，WISS 与其他 GAIL 成员学校一道，热切希望为有关多样性的讨论做出贡献。通过参与此次全球对话，学校重申了其促进文化理解、拥抱多样性和推动教育创新的承诺。毫无疑问，GAIL 会议将成为积极变革的催化剂，教育工作者和学生将通力合作，共同建设一个重视和赞美我们丰富差异的未来。

WISS 主办 GAIL 会议（视频链接）

Navigating Transitions: Building Strong Foundations for Lifelong Learning