The 2022 Autumn semester is now coming to an end. Although the recent waves and epidemic adjustments has disrupted the normal lives and learning for many families, we choose to embrace the beautiful thought that winter will soon turn to spring, and after this latest period of adjustment and adaptation a resumption of our normal lives are imminent.
After the Spring Festival our Kindergarten will usher in our Spring Semester, and that means in a few short months our K3 students will leave the familiarity of kindergarten and start their new lives in Primary School. In addition to adapting to the new environment, they will also face fundamental changes in learning styles and interpersonal relationships. Many parents have concerns about how to prepare their child for this important change in their lives.
Will your child be able to sit still in class when they are in Primary School?
Will they fall behind their classmates if they don't learn primary school content in advance?
Are there proven methods to support parents through this phase?
How can schools and parents work together to guide and support their children?
Virtual Information Session
We believe that this is a problem that many parents will face during this transitory period in your child’s life. If you have had any of these concerns, we invite you to join us on Saturday, January 7th from 15:00-16:30 for our virtual Information Session with our Ardingly College Zhongshan Lower School principals.
We will share some research and insights on the transition from Kindergarten to Primary School, and some details about our curriculum of our Primary School.
Saturday 7th January, 15:00pm-16:30pm
Click on the image below to sign up
Preparation Course in Kindergarten
Primary School Entrance Under IB Philosophy
Curriculum of ACZS Primary School
The most important aspect in the transition from kindergarten to primary school is not the advanced learning of subject knowledge, but the ability to prepare children holistically in all areas for the transition. The Ministry of Education's Guidance for Kindergarten Readiness Education clearly states that there are four main areas of preparation for kindergarteners to transition to primary school, including physical and mental readiness, life readiness, social readiness, and academic readiness.
In ACZS, the preparation for Primary School is also developed in stages and different content according to children's physical and mental development, from psychological preparation, self-care, social development and cultivation of a strong interest in learning and good learning habits, to gradually achieving the full range of academic knowledge from K1 to K3 and then finally on to primary school. In this Virtual Information Session, we will also share how to develop a step-by-step approach to kindergarten and primary school development.
As one of the few IB PYP candidate schools in Zhongshan, ACZS (Kindergarten) uses the IB PYP as the core framework for curriculum design and always upholds the ten IB learner profiles.
In our school curriculum, teachers with professional IB training will explore a series of transdisciplinary themes to develop inquiry-based learning preparing them to think at a primary school level. Our Inquiry-based learning approach bridges the gap of intellectual stimuli from Kindergarten to Primary School and begins the process of encouraging children to think critically. Through the process of inquiry, children are guided to think proactively, learn to express themselves, and understand the changing roles of different stages of life and develop a positive mindset.
In addition, strong emphasis on physical fitness and character building are also the foundation for future physical and mental growth. ACZS is particularly focused on enhancing students physicality through a well-designed campus environment and a number of elite physical fitness programs, allowing students to play and explore a myriad of sports and exercise under the guidance of professional physical education teachers, while developing their resilience, endurance, tenacity, perseverance and teamwork skills.
Through this virtual information session, we have invited Dr. Colby Hazouri, Head of Lower School for ACZS, to share with you some details about our curriculum and features of our Primary School. Parents of our K3 students and those who have been following the curriculum and admission requirements of the Primary School will be able to get a glimpse of the latest information of the Primary School through the virtual information session on January 7th.
ACZS Primary School is rooted in the Chinese National Curriculum, for content with a student-centered, inquiry-based and project-based bilingual integration model that tracks and supports each child's learning in depth. Going beyond the traditional classroom format, our teaching team is trained in delivering classes in an inquiry-based teaching approach to deliver the National Core Curriculum in an interdisciplinary inquiry-based manner.
In addition, an innovative extended and inquiry curriculum supports students' in-depth study of English mathematics, Extended English, our school developed ‘World Ready’ programme, and our STEM programmes, guiding them to use their theoretical knowledge and apply it to solve various challenges in their lives. Parents may be particularly interested in the content of our Co-Curricular programmes, and how students can choose their own Co-curriculum Activity schedule from the six categories including Maths, Language, Science, Arts, PSPE, and Social Studies, with more on this to be discussed during our virtual information session. Parents who are concerned about the curriculum and faculty in our Primary School should not miss this!
Dr. Colby Hazouri, Head of Lower School for ACZS, Ms. Hannah Han, our Head of Early Years, and Ms. Caroline Luo, our Deputy Academic Director & Lower School IB PYP Coordinator, will be in the live chat room and answering any questions you may have! Come and share your questions or concerns about our Primary School Entrance process or your child's developmental journey, and they will be there to answer your questions!
Deputy International Head of Lower School
Holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership
Holds a Doctorate in International and Education Law
Holds the IBO Principal's Certificate
Nearly 10 years of experience in bilingual education and management in China
Specialising in the design and research of bilingual integrated programmes in K12 schools, helping many students gain admission to the world's top universities and serving over 3,800 families
Chinese Head of Early Years
Holds a Masters Degree in Education
University of Cambridge TKT Module 1 to 3
Former Principal of Angel International Kindergarten in Ningbo
The member of Management Team of Shenzhen Royal International Kindergarten
Over 15 years of international teaching experience and practical experience in early childhood education management
Deputy Academic Director & IB PYP Coordinator
Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature
Holds IB C1,C2,C3 certificates
English teaching qualification
Worked as an examiner for Cambridge YLE, KET and PET
Worked as a PYP Coordinator and English Teacher in Shenzhen Oriental English College
Over 15 years of experience as IB PYP Coordinator
Ardingly College Zhongshan
(Kindergarten)
Ardingly College Zhongshan is proud to carry on the educational genes of Ardingly College, UK, one of the top 10 IB co-ed schools in the world. We are proud to deliver a high-end private bilingual school offering a 15-year consistent educational pathway for families in Zhongshan and the Greater Bay Area. The school provides a Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, and Dual path Senior High School with an expected enrollment of approximately 3,000 students who may choose to attend as day or boarding students. Ardingly College Zhongshan(Kindergarten) officially opened in the autumn of 2022.
As an important part of the school, Ardingly College Zhongshan(Kindergarten) is an IB PYP candidate school officially approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization, combining the essence of Chinese and Western pedagogies. The aim of the IB PYP is to provide students with an inquiry-based transdisciplinary framework incorporating 6 Units of Inquiry.
Additionally, we supplement our programme with the UK EYFS standards for learning, development and care, which prioritises A Unique Child, Positive Relationships, Enabling Environments and Learning and Developing. Lastly, we fully align with the Chinese Kindergarten 3 to 6 year-old guidelines which are crucial to building a strong foundation in Chinese culture and development of each child.
Exploratory Learning, Transdisciplinary Inquiry
Immersive Environments, Multilingual Thinking and Development
Physical Exercise, Combining Chinese and International Standards
Integrated Practice, Empowered by Art and Science
Personal Socialization, Caring for Psychological Development
Mr. Alan Wang, of EVA Architects and former chief designer (education projects) of Perkins-Will, a world-renowned architectural firm, is an Australian and British Royal Certified Architect who served as the chief designer of the school. Our campus was designed to reflect a micro-city, to encourage socialisation, creativity, and inclusion all within the Ardingly College Zhongshan campus. Our school spaces serve to empower our students with the core value of using spaces as a platform to enhance global leadership and global competencies.
As a popular entry in China and abroad, the school has lived up to its reputation by earning the recognition of highly renowned international organisations. This includes the Muse Design Award and the Golden Bund Award, as well as other distinguished awards!
