In light of the AI-driven future, every parent hopes their children to have the future-oriented core competencies and the expectations to horn abilities to manipulate science and technology in future.

But what are these constant core competencies?

How to develop children's competitiveness in the right manner?

How can we educate children with such abilities? 

Parents are confused. 

VBS held two education sharing sessions on 24th November and 28th December for nearly 300 families with 500 participants. It was more than an Open Day but to disseminate educational ideologies. The school delivered advanced educational ideologies 'teach for the unknown, study for the future' to the participants through every activity - Principal Yang's speech, trial lessons and workshops, including campus buildings.

Running the future-oriented education

A person's life even the family's future depends on the way he/she is educated as a child in education today. This is not just an issue for Chinese parents and students, but also the issue for education around the world. 

As an educator herself, Principal Yang told parents not to have excessive anxiety about the upcoming AI era but to focus on crucial and never-changing core competencies and qualities. These were critical thinking, problem-solving skills, communication, teamwork, leadership and versatility, adaptability and characters such as grit, inclusiveness, optimism developed during teaching activities. 

These were the things that enable students to do well in the unpredictable future.

Principal Yang subsequently explained how the school philosophy aligned with the student development by introducing the school curriculum, school objectives and school running methods. The results achieved by the school had demonstrated the far-sightedness and manoeuvrability of the school philosophy could offer to students for their future. 

After the lecture, students started their trial lessons and workshop session. 

Colorful trial lessons to facilitate independent studies

Haiku

You do not need thousand words to express your love. Three lines will do. Mr Huang's class gives students opportunities to express their emotions concisely.

Basketball

Enjoy basketball when getting challenged physically and mentally. Students are having lots of fun in the class. 

Rock climbing

As a featured sports activity in VBS, Rock Climbing is compulsory for every student. The school also offers student societies, electives and school team training to enthusiastic students to develop their skills. As the coach teaches skills to do rock climbing, students start to practise on the climbing wall. 

Architecture

With the resources from Vanke Group, the school offers compulsory Architecture lessons to guide students to practise in the Architecture field. Ms Monna Sun teaches students how to build geometries. By working in teams, practising and communicating with one another, students are able to learn additional knowledge beyond a normal school curriculum can offer them.

Professional workshops to motivate creative thinking

AI 

As one of the featured lesson in VBS, AI class allows students to understand Machine Learning and Deep Learning via Scratch, LOGO, Python, Open AI MasterBoard, 3D Printing. Taught by Ms Wu, students are exposed to various cases to develop their AI awareness, social responsibility, application skills, innovation mindsets.  

Life planning

As the other featured lesson in VBS, Life planning combines career education with psychology to facilitate character development, enable students to recognise themselves and explore the outside world before building a firm foundation for their lives. 

STEM

VBS Interactive and Integrated Science emphasises the combination of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics with the structure and application. Simon introduces buoyancy force with how objects will sink or float. Students are also exposed to the idea of density and do experiments on stacking different liquids. Using hypothesis, observation and conclusion, the lesson improves students' participation and efficiency. 

Fun Mathematics

Using the content from 'Recognising irrational numbers', Mr He's Mathematic class selects the highlights of Hippasus' exploration on irrational numbers in the history of Mathematics to motivate students to learn mathematical signs, logical deduction and innovation. He designs multiple fun activities such as puzzles and deductions to allow students to explore the fun and beauty of Mathematics.

Literature reading

At VBS, Chinese language class is unique. Ms Guo encourages students to think, explore and speak on questions about personal growth. Students practise their speaking skills and learn knowledge at this class. 

Bilingual teaching

VBS Bilingual teaching is not just about the translation of teaching content and language, Ms Victoria and Mr Jordan offered a comprehensive innovation in terms of cultural understanding, subject knowledge, teaching objectives from the global perspective. This class offers students opportunities to practise bilingual curriculum and improves their academic English.

A campus for the future

Finally, parents and students had a guided tour and understood further on the school.

VBS woud like students to study at places close to the nature, the school complex adopted multiple ground floors to absorb the 3D natural landscape with the rooftop farmland, mezzanine garden and sunken podium.

Teaching centre, STEAM centre, Arts centre, Sports centre and general service centre allowed the school to function well with efficiency. Indoor swimming pool, rock climbing wall and gym enabled students to master one sports which could benefit them for life. Drama theatre, Harkness roundtable classrooms, debate hall, PBL study zones were here to develop future leaders. Dancing studio, performing hall, painting rooms allowed students to develop their aesthetics. Baking classrooms and occupation trial area taught students important life skills.

Every spot in VBS would be a learning space to meet the needs for students to study when safeguarding their curiosity.

Education is a gradual and enriching process. VBS has excellent and professional educators with global visions, study models and space to motivate students to study and the strength to carry love and care.

VBS are here make things happen. 

Time does not stop for anyone. VBS will embrace the future with students. 

Parents said,

The school facilities and atmosphere is wonderful. Students are lucky to study here.

We agree with Principal Yang's educational ideology and believe students can develop better here.

Message from VBS Principal

Working in education sector has allowed me to students who have the purest mind and the most emotion. They are a gift in my life and connect me with parents and teachers. I always expect to run a school that allows us to make the future-centric education - teach for the unknowns and study for the future. 

I think VBS is such a new international school for that purpose. We break the boundaries to establish an advanced study platforms for students. We promote creation and perception on our students by utilising an international curriculum with various lessons. Over here, the culture of Orient and Occident, past and future come across. Students, parents and teachers become partners to grow altogether. Every student graduating from VBS will have the confidence and enrichment inside their hearts and embrace the future without fears.

About VBS

VBS is a nine-year system private school which offers full-day primary and junior secondary school programs to students.The school adopts small-sized class teaching. Based on the compulsory national curriculum, VBS takes in advanced educational ideologies and pursues innovation. VBS　strives to nurture Chinese citizens who possess sound personality, academic excellence, international horizons, patriotism and the courage to create a better future. Founded in September 2018, the school has Primary 1 to 4 and Junior Secondary 1 to 2 levels with 24 students per class for Primary School and 32 students per class for Junior Secondary School. Currently more than 600 students are studying at VBS.

Author: Glora

Photographer: Linda

Formatting: Judy

Translated by DC Lai