About the Host School

Currently there are over 1,600 students enrolled within the ages of 15-18. The facilities are excellent and include computer and language labs, indoor and outdoor stadiums and dormitories for the large cohort of weekly and full boarders. The first student intake for our Pre-IB centre was in September 2011, with 78 students on roll. The school attracts a very high proportion of well educated and well qualified teachers. It is a highly sought after destination for Chinese Graduates.

About the IB Centre

The Pre-IB Centre opened with the first student intake in September 2011. Currently there are 78 students with 5 expat teachers and 6 Chinese teachers. Our students are lively and interesting young people who are adapting to a new pedagogy, new school and new teachers. Many are also boarding for the first time. They are keen to learn and excited about the challenge of the IB and the requirement to study in English. The centre has access to all resources from the host school. including Labs, IT, studios, and lecture theatres. It also has its own classrooms, study rooms, teacher rooms, printing room and meeting room. A pre-IB CAS programmme is being designed. It will be run by teachers and assisted by US college graduates (fellows). It will provide opportunities for Dance, the Environment, Sport and Public Speaking.

Lifestyle

In the words of Shanghai Centre's Chris Murphy; Shanghai is an exciting "cutting edge" cosmopolitan city with a multitude of activities. There are exhibitions, jazz clubs, shopping malls and many quaint side streets with small restaurants to sample. With friendly local people and a large expatriate community it is easy to make friends. Shanghai offers a fast-paced urban lifestyle for the on-the-go professional with simple or sophisticated tastes. Travel opportunities abound and include Hainan Island, Beijing, Guilin, Hong Kong and many other destinations.

Teacher Case Study

Margaret Hadley, Centre Principal Shanghai Centre at Shanghai High School Affiliated with Jiao Tong University

I have been in education for 35 years. 15 years of my educational career was spent as a School Principal of K-12 school for 850 students in Sydney, Australia. Prior to that I was a Vice Principal of a Melbourne Girls School and a Head of Science. I have taught Physics, Chemistry and Biology to A level and I also have qualifications in and have taught sport including hockey and athletics. I have taught and consulted in Australia, the UK , Kuwait, Abu Dhabi at both school and University level. I have joint UK and Australian citizenship and have homes and family in both countries. Before I began my career in education, I was a research scientist.

My post as a Centre Principal of a Pre-IB Centre is a very’ hands-on’ role. I am responsible for guiding new staff and students into an entirely new pedagogical learning environment. I work very closely with a team of expatriate teachers new to China to form a strong working group who support the students and one another, and also with the Chinese staff from Dipont and the school to build a supportive team with a common mission. I am fully engaged in a partnership other pre-IB centres to produce essential curriculum documentation to prepare for implementation of the IB Diploma programme in 2012. I also work with my team to create a suitable IB learning environment, both physical and pedagogical, within a school which also provides the Chinese Curricula, while building a sound relationship with the school’s senior management and the teaching staff.

I see many opportunities to benefit professionally and personally in China; I can guide young Chinese students to’ learn how to learn’, assist young Chinese students to successfully achieve the IB Diploma within a Chinese state school, and deliver the IB Curriculum which ensures all involved teachers are continuous learners.

Additionally, I am enjoying this opportunity to work in China and be involved in an entirely new and challenging learning project, and it has been my pleasure to teach such enthusiastic students.

All teachers at our centre work very hard and the school day is lengthy, i.e. 7.30am-5.10pm on three weekdays. We all have good accommodation quite close to the school, and we have good opportunities to explore Shanghai and other parts of China. We are all enjoying getting to know our Chinese students and colleagues.

» See teacher case studies from all schools

Student Case Study

Yico, Shanghai Centre Student

When did you start at the Pre-IB Centre and how would you describe your experience there so far?

I began on the 1st of September. So far I have been in this programme for over a month and my life has changed enormously. I adapt myself to the boarding school and the strict rules about plagiarism. I fell really grateful and glad to be here as a member of the pre-IB. I love the knowledgeable and humorous teachers and the tranquil surroundings of study. A variety of activities also broaden my mind and help me to practice my skills. Another thing I have to face is speaking English every day. As a second language, English is a challenge for me. The handwriting, the speaking and listening can improve my English quickly. I hope to be successful then!

What are the benefits to you of studying in this programme?

After three years studying, I’ll gain the ability of innovation, be a thinker, a risk taker, and a communicator. In addition, I will care more about others, be able to accept other ideas, think before acting and seek knowledge as well. Sure, I will obviously improve my English, and then I can easily succeed at University abroad. I can gain knowledge that not only teaches me how to answer questions but also how to think about them, and the reasons why we answer them as we do. I’d like to go to an Ivy League University and I will struggle for it! I believe that I can be a successful student.

What are/have been the challenges of\r difficulties for you personally in studying in the programme?

In my view, the challenges for me are English, innovation of the mind and strict rules about being responsible for myself. Difficulties are how to arrange my spare time, learn more about causes and memorize English words and the different meanings of one word. I know that good fortune favors the brave and courageous, so I always want to enlarge my vocabulary, broaden my mind and learn more. The pressure on me is immense, however I’m determined to be brave and a risk taker. Despite the shortage of learning time, I’ll try my best to use time for studying. “Time, says the proverb, “is money.” This means every minute well spent may put some money into our pockets.

What are your plans for university/college?

I think I will go step by step in improving scores, never give up or be too lazy to do hard work. Then I wish to get 7s and get the base marks. I’m taking TOEFL courses and I wish to get 100+ so I can go to an Ivy League University in the US. I think that only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired and success achieved. I dream of Harvard University, Columbia University, Cornell University and so on. I’d like to choose Economics or Business or something in Literature as a Major.

» See student case studies from all schools