In recent years, Shenzhen Merchiston International School has achieved remarkable accomplishments: not only has it received awards that reach for the stars, symbolic of global academic excellence, but our students have also secured offers from the University of Cambridge, gold medals in international competitions, and other distinguished achievements, establishing the school as a leading British international school in the Greater Bay Area.
Behind these shining transcripts lies the deep cultivation of MIS's "holistic education" philosophy, the relentless pursuit of excellence by our students, and, equally indispensable, a warm and steadfast pillar of support—the MISPA. It is this tightly-knit bond of trust that infuses MIS's educational ecosystem with vitality and warmth.
As the new year of 2026 approaches, we sat down with the newly appointed Chair of the MISPA, Dr. Vicky. A mother with fifteen years of living and learning in New Zealand and a profound understanding of both Eastern and Western educational strengths, she shares her unique insights on "home-school collaboration" and the depth and warmth of education at MIS as she sees it.
△ Dr. Vicky (left)
Q1: What was the core reason for initially choosing MIS for your child? Over the years of your child's enrolment, which specific educational details have consistently affirmed your trust in the school's philosophy?
A: During my first visit and trial class at MIS, learning about the school's long history in the Napier School History Museum on the eighth floor instantly transported me back to New Zealand, where I lived for 15 years. I left China at 17 to study alone in New Zealand, completing my Year 13 studies at a local high school. In the fifteen years that followed, I encountered many British-style schools with histories stretching over a century, but I never expected to find an international school with such profound heritage in a young city like Shenzhen. The traditional accumulation from its British alma mater and the approachability of the teaching faculty were the core reasons for my choice. Both of my children were under 5 when they joined MIS. My husband and I have always held the educational belief of "character first, knowledge second," which aligns perfectly with the "holistic education" advocated by MIS.
Over the past three years, guided by the teachers' principle of positive reinforcement, my two children have continuously carved their own paths for growth, achieving self-transcendence step by step. The teachers' passion for education has deeply inspired the children. They lead by example, dedicating themselves to both teaching and non-teaching duties with great care. They provide multidimensional support for the students and set truly positive role models.
△ Dr. Vicky (fourth from right, front row) with representatives at a 2022 MISPA event.
Q2: Transitioning from a "MIS parent" to "Chair of the MISPA," how do you perceive the role of the Committee? What core goals do you hope to achieve in home-school collaboration in this new capacity?
A: My children have been learning at MIS for 3 years, and I have been involved in the MISPA work throughout, which served as a warm-up for the role of "Chair." In my view, the title "Chair of the MISPA" isn't the most important thing. Whether as a regular parent or in a leadership role, I am committed to supporting the school's development wholeheartedly. The foresight of the past MISPA members has elevated its interaction with the school beyond event organization, steering it towards genuine, in-depth collaboration in "home-school co-education."
I hope the MISPA can lead our parent community to truly become one of the three most crucial pillars in our children's learning journey (a responsible school, respectful students, and empathetic parents). Among these, the parents' role is particularly vital as we are the first participants in our children's growth. Our words, actions, and every choice subtly influence them. Parents with a strong core will undoubtedly reflect that strength onto their children. Therefore, rather than being 'hands-off' parents, adopting a positive mindset to participate in our children's growth and maintaining a constructive approach to solving problems and facing challenges is the most optimal role we can play in the formula for our children's successful education.
△ MISPA representatives meeting with the school leadership in 2025.
Q3: MIS consistently emphasizes "Academic Excellence with the Warmest Community." What specific actions do you think the MISPA can take to strengthen the "home-school warmth" and build bridges of trust?
A: This academic year, the MISPA will create more opportunities for interaction within the parent community. The Executive Committee members will fulfill their duties by holding regular meetings with school leaders. We aim to serve as an effective communication channel focusing on three main areas: academic enrichment, student wellbeing, and social activities. We will relay the general feedback from parents and students to the school while also disseminating the school's vision and mission.
Q4: In your opinion, is the core of quality home-school collaboration "consensus" or "complementarity"? How will the MISPA balance common and individual needs from parents of diverse backgrounds to make the collaboration more efficient?
A: Both 'consensus' and 'complementarity' are very important. Parents come from different backgrounds and hold different values, but I believe that sending their children to MIS ultimately stems from a common goal: to nurture a healthy, outstanding child who can stand firmly in society and create value for themselves and the community. Once this core objective is clear, the path to achieving it may present various challenges and setbacks. At such times, we must firmly believe in "letting experts handle their specialized tasks." Efficient communication is the key to efficient collaboration. The Committee will respect individual needs and assist with personalized communication and coordination, but we will always prioritize the common needs of the community.
Q5: MIS has recently delivered impressive results in university placements, competitions, and personalized development (e.g., the Cambridge offer, international competition gold medals). How do you hope the MISPA can collaborate with the school to further support student growth?
A: MIS's commitment to competitions and personalized development is commendable. Moving forward, MIS parents with relevant experience and resources can assist in guidance and competition preparation. Our parents come from various professional fields. We can leverage our expertise to share with students the connections between what they are learning and real-world applications. We encourage more parents to enter the classrooms for such sharing sessions. This not only provides children with practical examples of how knowledge is applied but also inspires and motivates their quest for learning.
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