Jayne Needham became the principal of the British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi) in August 2021, but only set foot on campus in January – due to travel restrictions and three weeks of quarantine in Shanghai – alongside students beginning their second semester. No wonder the best thing about Jayne’s arrival has been seeing the school and meeting the community for the first time. “It has been such a long wait as we knew we were coming to Beijing over a year ago and the anticipation has been building,” Jayne tells Jingkids.
Since her arrival, things have lived up to Jayne’s expectations. “The teachers say that the best thing about BSB is the students and I can definitely see why they say that. They are articulate, focused, and very welcoming. It is great to be out and about in the school and to see the learning taking place.”
Jayne is all about learning: “I am a lifelong learner and a lifelong educator, having always been a teacher. [I started] out as a mathematics teacher and [embraced]many diverse experiences along the way such as Head of Mathematics, IB DP Coordinator, Head of a Secondary School, and Vice Principal, and Principal. My passion is still with promoting and ensuring excellent teaching and learning and love nothing more than being in classrooms and having my finger on the pulse of this most important aspect of school life.”
When asked why she chose to come to Beijing, and more specifically BSB, Jayne explains that “BSB chose me! Nord Anglia Education matched me to the school that was most suitable given my background and experience. Given my knowledge of the UK National Curriculum, passion for, and commitment to the IB Diploma Programme, and desire to experience China, it was an obvious choice and a perfect match. [After] leadership roles in three IB World Schools, including my last post as the principal of a large international school in Dubai, we were ready for a new challenge and adventure in a different part of the world.”
To prove her adventurous spirit, within the first few weeks of her arrival, Needham and her family had already journeyed out from Shunyi to the heart of Beijing by subway. They just couldn’t wait to get out and about, walking, exploring, and enjoying the city they had waited so long to see. Likewise, with the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival coming up, we asked what her plans are. “I am looking forward to experiencing my first Chinese New Year and to being part of all of the activities that the school has planned and then taking some time to reflect on the first weeks in school and getting ready for a productive second half of the school year.”
Aside from walking and traveling, Jayne also enjoys a good book. “I love beautifully written classics with vivid description such as Cider With Rosie by Laurie Lee, but equally books like Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg have shaped who I am and want to be. How can anyone choose a favorite book? I haven’t finished reading, yet!”
In line with her lifelong learning attitude, Jayne brushes off any notion of culture shock. “Outside of school, not being able to understand or be understood puts you right out of your comfort zone but I am determined to learn the language and had my first Chinese lesson this week – you are never too old to learn something new!”
Jayne is looking forward to cultivating a community “who supports and respects each other, who learn together and play together, who strive to be the very best they can be” at BSB Shunyi. “The [graduating]cohort of students have worked under the most challenging circumstances and will graduate near the end of a worldwide pandemic. I very much hope that they emerge into a post-pandemic world strong and resilient as a result of all they have endured and benefit from the adaptability and transferable skills they have had to develop.”
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Images: British School of Beijing Shunyi, Jayne Needham
