About the Host School
Ningbo Zhenhai High School has 2,000 students on roll aged 16 to 19 years old. It is the best school in the district and therefore students need to be academically strong in order to be admitted. As a result, students are focused and work oriented and this has helped to develop a culture where academic excellence has predominated.
The history of Zhenhai High School can be traced back to 1732, when a school of Confucian teaching was founded on the site. Zhenhai High School was formally established as a modern high school in 1911 (the year of the Xinhai Revolution) by a local businessman.
The school places great emphasis on mathematics and science education. Students have won numerous awards in national and international mathematics and science Olympiads. In recent years, however, Zhenhai High School has moved away from the more exam focused model and has started to emphasise an all-round education with a wide range of extra-curricular activities and clubs. Students have won top prizes in national invention and national singing competitions.
The school underwent major renovation in 2000 and now has a new science building, IT building, gymnasium, indoor swimming pool and well stocked library. The school campus encompasses several acres but it has also been attractively developed with many garden enclaves and fish ponds. The school has a splendid history and parts of the campus are devoted to archival materials.
The A Level Centre
The A Level Centre was established in 2008 and has 180 students on roll. We have 12 foreign teaching staff and 6 Chinese teaching staff.
In terms of results, many students gained A grades in the sciences and Mathematics at A level, AS level and IGCSE level. The weaker area has been English and this is an area we are addressing this year.
In order to enter the centre, students need to pass an entrance test in English but their grasp of English varies a great deal. We've found that those who are performing well tend to be achieving at the optimal level.
We have access to all the required resources including laboratories, studios and lecture theatres. We also have reasonable access to reprographic facilities including photocopy machines and printers.
We offer a number of extra-curricular activities from the centre, including: Creative Writing, Business Club, Art Club, Magazine Club, Science Club, Table Tennis Club, American Football Club and Mathematics competitions.
Lifestyle
The school is located about 45 minutes taxi ride from the city centre by the port area, hence most teachers only tend to venture to the city centre at weekends. The local area has plenty of small shops and local restaurants however.
Ningbo city itself is set 20km inland and has a number of historical sites linked to its importance as a key port throughout China's history. Tianyige Library is said to be the oldest surviving library building in China . It also has all the shopping and leisure facilities typical of a large city. Typical Ningbo dishes feature local seafood. The airport has flights to many Chinese airports, including Hong Kong.
The countryside around Ningbo is lovely and there are numerous temples and pagodas to visit. A few hours by boat north of Ningbo and south of Shanghai is the island of Putuo Shan – it is one of the four Chinese mountains sacred to Buddhism, and a charming, isolated place with sandy beaches, green hills and monasteries.
Please view the following sites for further information:
http://www.helloningbo.com
http://www.ningboguide.com
http://english.ningbo.gov.cn
Teacher Case Studies
John Crowe, Centre Principal and Teacher of English
I started with Dipont in September 2009 and I am an experienced High school Principal and University teacher with a doctorate in psychology of education. I've written a number of textbooks and my research and study interests extend to all areas in education as well as to the divisions in societies caused by historical prejudices.
I feel that my role in this centre is not the traditional Head teacher role. This centre is small and interpersonal relations are of crucial importance. Not only does one have to weave a team work path as far as the teaching staff is concerned, but one also has to contend with ensuring that one's relationship with the host school is maintained. Good communication and vehicles to enable these networks to prosper are again of crucial importance.
One gets to know people well and I'm sure one can develop lifelong friendships. The students are friendly, generally hardworking and well motivated, and these factors ensure good working relationships with them. I would describe my lifestyle as quiet and serene.
Daniel Worrall, Teacher of Chemistry
My time at Ningbo so far (I started in September 2009) has been a positive and enjoyable experience. I decided to come to China after completing my PGCE in Cardiff. Working here has given me the opportunity to work with colleagues from every corner of the globe in a supportive, friendly environment. The main highlight of my role as a chemistry teacher is having the opportunity to work with such committed and enthusiastic students.
There are of course a number of challenges which arise when taking up a teaching position in China. The standard of English can vary considerably within each class. Teaching IGCSE and A level Chemistry to those students can be difficult at times and patience is a must. There can also be a language barrier between foreign and Chinese members of staff at the school. Most of the time this is not a problem, although misunderstandings can occur and patience is essential.
The school found me an extremely nice 3 bedroom apartment just a short walk from the school. The rent is slightly higher than my Dipont accommodation allowance but the quality and size of the place makes up for this. I would never be able to afford to live in such a place within the UK.
I enjoy the working environment in the school which tends to dominate our lives in this small community. We do eat out nearly every night in one of the very large selection of cafes and restaurants at a fraction of the cost in the UK and this plus the gym and some sporting activities constitute our lives here.
The school is situated in Zhenhai district which is a fairly quiet suburb of Ningbo and it is a 45 minute taxi drive from the centre of Ningbo. There is very little that one may describe as western entertainment except for the Karaoke bars, European style pubs and restaurants. In fact it is very difficult to spend one's salary here. We also have a local community park here where the locals dance and sing. This has also been surprisingly entertaining for us.
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Student Case Study
When did you start at the A Level Centre and how would you describe your experience there?
I started studying here in September 2008. My experience here has been refreshing and has offered me many chances to get on with foreigners, prepare for overseas and study in new ways. The atmosphere here is friendly, co-operative and relaxed.
What have been the benefits for you in studying here?
My time management skills have improved since I have to prepare for many tests including TOEFL and SAT and balance these with my A Level studies and extra-curricular activities. In the Chinese system, we followed the instructions of the teachers. My ability in English has also improved.
What have been the challenges?
The language issue was a problem at first. I had to devote a lot of time to tackling this problem. Secondly I had to get on with foreigners. I experienced some kind of cultural shock in trying to get along with westerners at first. We differ in our ways of doing and thinking about things and there can be misunderstandings.
What grades have you obtained?
I obtained an A grade in A level Maths after one year and I also achieved A's in Chemistry, Physics and Economics at AS level.
What are your plans for university?
I plan to apply to the top universities in the USA and I may also try a few British universities. I may be majoring in Economics.
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