Today, VPA held the MYP launch event, officially introducing to everyone our upcoming middle years programme that will open next semester.
Dr. Koong shared the historical story of Victoria Primary School, which started in 1984. When she spoke about her experience as an elementary school teacher in the United States during the 1980s, a sense of joy and pride appeared on her face.
Our Vice Principal, Dr. Li, then introduced the curriculum of MYP. During the middle school stage, we will continue to emphasize integrated courses, balanced bilingual education, personalized learning, and diverse learning experiences, building upon the foundation established in primary years.
UOI will become science, design, and other humanity courses. This change will provide students with the opportunity to delve deeper into these subject areas and acquire more specific knowledge and skills from them.
Today, we also had the honor of welcoming two outstanding VSA graduates: David and Eliam. David is currently a third-year student in the Dentistry program at the University of Hong Kong, while Eliam is a recent graduate who will be attending the Music School at the University of Oxford. They shared their experiences in IB learning, showcasing their unique and inspiring paths towards achieving their dreams.
David grew up in Xi'an and attended a local public school. When he entered middle school, he realized that the learning method lacked flexibility and personalization. So he decided to pursue IB education and applied for VSA.
At VSA, David discovered that not only was the English environment rich and immersive, but the learning methods were also diverse and enjoyable. Students engaged in various activities. Teachers encouraged independent inquiry and continuous exploration. Additionally, in science courses had many hands-on experiments, allowing him to truly experience the fun and excitement of learning. These immersive and interactive learning experiences have sparked his curiosity and passion for knowledge, making his educational journey even more fulfilling.
During a school-organized volunteer trip to Thailand, David realized the limited medical resources in many parts of the world. This realization further fueled his passion for biology and chemistry. When it came time to apply for college, he made the decision to pursue a degree in dentistry at the University of Hong Kong. Since then, he has been walking the path to becoming an outstanding dentist.
David shared his personal journey at VSA, recounting how he initially struggled with English comprehension as a 200-pound "chubby" student who could only understand one word per class. However, he continuously challenged himself to improve. Starting with a mere two points in English, he actively prepared various oral presentations with his classmates, learned to use disciplinary language in writing research papers, and participated in English debates alongside native speakers. He worked hard to adapt to the English-speaking environment and eventually transformed into the confident and fluent "handsome young man" he is today, achieving outstanding academic results.
Unlike David, Eliam has been studying at Victoria since childhood, but like David, he also discovered his passion here.
The school's clubs and various interesting courses provided him with opportunities for exploration and self-expression. During his time at school, he created music videos, engaged in music composition and production, and actively participated in composing the school anthem, combining his passion for photography with music. Through these experiences, he realized his love for music and photography, which ultimately led to his successful admission to the Oxford University Music School.
He also performed a live show for us, very impressive! We hope that he will continue to shine and excel on the path of his passion.
When asked about his study techniques, Eliam specifically mentioned his task management skills. His passion for music also inspired his approach to learning, as he tried to find rhythm in his studies by breaking down each task into smaller divs, just like the measures in a musical score. He is a highly self-disciplined student who excels in utilizing various learning techniques to make studying enjoyable. He seamlessly integrates art and academics, truly embodying the concept of learning through play and playing through learning.
Both Victoria and IB education are committed to cultivating lifelong skills in children, such as intrinsic motivation, self-control, independent inquiry, and critical thinking. They aim to shape students into individuals who possess the ten IB learner profile attributes. We firmly believe that equipped with these qualities, students will embark on a broader future, embracing greater opportunities and making a positive impact in the world.
The path to further education is a question that often causes anxiety among parents. We often hear them ask, "Which path should I choose for my child?" However, there is no standard answer to this question because each individual has their own unique journey. The world is full of unknowns and changes, and it is not up to others to choose for them.
IB education and Victoria Academies have always been dedicated to providing children with diverse opportunities to try different things, teaching them skills to tackle various challenges in the future, cultivating good learning habits, and ultimately guiding them to discover their true passions.
And that are the paths for them.
