The Shen Wai International School Spotlight


David Ho   |   December 7, 2019

SWIS VALUES

Integrity

Well-Being

Perseverance

Creativity

Empathy

SWIS wants students to be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for safe, healthy, confident lifelong learning and for building enriching relationships. We help our students develop a life-skills toolbox from Kindergarten to Diploma and elements of well-being are at the heart of many SWIS units of study. Health, self-management, collaboration, respect, responsible action, and relationships are a few examples. We ask our students to be caring not just to others but also to themselves. To see mistakes as tools for learning and to accept challenges as good for our development.

As an institution, we develop expectations and procedures linked to well-being:

  • Child protection includes safe recruiting practices, Police and reference checks for anyone working at SWIS.
  • Security guards ensure our community is protected.
  • Medical and counseling staff are on hand for all SWIS community needs.
  • Our campus is adapted for easy access for all.
  • An anti-bullying policy helps students and staff recognize what this is and how to get help.
  • Behavior expectations for staff and students are shared and upheld.
  • Formal procedures for fire, intruder and natural disaster mean we are ready for any event that may occur.

SWIS has well-being as a value because it is vital for humanity to thrive and upholds the IB Mission to make the world a better place for all.

Anne Laurenson – Early Years & Primary Principal  
Jennifer Hager
– Secondary Principal

Message From Deputy Director (Academics)

Dear SWIS Community,

During the SWIS values review process, I was very pleased to see that the SWIS community overwhelmingly placed importance on well-being. For this reason, well-being was elevated to one of SWIS’s core values. In the pursuit of well-being for ourselves and our children, I would like to focus on the topic of sleep.

One of the most important equations in balancing our lives is ensuring we get enough sleep. The research on the importance of sleep, especially for children, is clear; children need adequate sleep to prevent obesity, poor mental health, attention or behavior problems and even type 2 diabetes.

The amount of sleep that our children require may surprise you.

  • SWIS Pre-K students should be sleeping 11-13 hours
  • SWIS PYP students should be sleeping 10-11 hours.
  • SWIS MYP and DP students should be sleeping 8.5 – 9.25 hours.

Let’s do the Math. Assuming that your child can bounce out of bed at 7:00 am and be ready to arrive at SWIS at 8:10, the SWIS Pre-K student should be in bed by 8:00 pm, the PYP student by 9:00 pm and the MYP/DP student at 10:30 pm – Minimum! 

If you are missing these bedtime targets, it might be time for your family to rebalance to ensure well-being.

Here are some tips to meet these bedtime targets.

  • Schedule an evening that winds down towards bedtime. For example, dohomework and entertainment earlier in the evening, shut off electronics anan hour before bedtime, prepare for the next day and finish with a book in bed.
  • No electronics in the bedroom.
  • No big meals, caffeine or sugar before bed.
  • Try to keep a consistent bedtime – even on the weekends.
  • Avoid over-programming your child with after school activities that push their bedtime later. If your child is not getting enough sleep, he/she is just doing more on a low battery and that is not efficient.
  • As parents – model good sleep habits. A well-rested family should produce a happy family.

Good night!

Daniel Legault

Information and image are from: https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/children-sleep.htm

News From Coordinators

Four members of the SWIS Primary and Secondary Leadership Team were fortunate enough to attend the Future of Learning Now 2019 conference at the Western Academy of Beijing. The focus of this event was to explore topics about the future of teaching and learning along with the environments, technology and pedagogical practices that are required to help us move forward as innovative and adaptive educators. The conference was filled with exceptional presentations and discussions all aiming to discuss the latest research and most innovative practices. They had a range of presenters which included Sir. John Jones an inspirational leader and educator, Karen Bosch an expert in the classroom and educational learning environments, and Dr. Jane Goodall. In addition to exploring the presentations at the conference, we were also able to examine the school that hosted the event, Western Academy of Beijing (WAB).

WAB is a 25-year-old school that is considered by many to be one of the top IB schools in China. It was a joy to see many of their innovative practices, to explore their stunning campus, and to meet and talk with their faculty and staff. What struck many of us who explored WAB, was just how far we have come here at SWIS in such a short time. Many of the practices that WAB has built over considerable time have already found their way into our school practices, and are personified in the way we teach and how we innovate. In the same vein, many of the struggles they face at WAB, mirror those of our own. We were excited by just how much we have achieved and buoyed by the quality of the work we have done, especially over such a short time. As a leadership team, and part of the SWIS community, we look forward to sharing the lessons we learned and incorporating our new inspirations into the work we do to help SWIS continue to grow and innovate.

Chinese Name: 深圳外国语学校国际部(SWIS)

Place Address: Shen Wai international School, No. 29, Baishi 3rd Road, Nanshan, Shenzhen, China 518053 中国深圳市南山区白石三道29号, 深圳外国语学校国际部 邮编:518053

Website:Shen Wai International School’s Website

Place Phone: 86 (755) 86541981/86541963

Email:[email protected]

PAST EVENTS OF SHEN WAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL:

Shen Wai International School Pre-K to Grade 4 PYP Art Exhibition 2017

SWIS Celebrates International Children’s Day

Join us at the SWIS Winter Celebration 2017 

Shen Wai International School (SWIS) Student Publishes Report on Dachong Reconstruction 

Shen Wai International School PYP Chinese Ensemble is Established Now

SWIS Robotics Won Rookie All-Star Award in the U.S.A

The SWIS Evereads Story – Evereads

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