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Anyone who has ever sent a child to school, or knows anyone who has ever sent a child to school, will remember that the end of November and all of December are activity-filled months. Whether the celebrations are pagan or religious, country-specific or more universal (or to simply mark the changing of the seasons) the calendars are heavy with gatherings and happenings.
The international school scene in Shunyi is no exception. This week you will find many things to look forward to as the days grow colder. So why not bundle up and head on out to any one (or more) of these activities at the district’s schools?
Academic Life
If you are currently looking at kindergarten options for your children aged 22 months to 5 years, you might be interested to know that Daystar Academy is holding an open house on Wednesday, November 27, from 9-11.30am. Head down if you want to hear about Daystar’s 50/50 bilingual Chinese and English program.
Your child can also join a trial class in the toddler or kindergarten program. The toddler class is for children aged 22-36 months old. A new kindergarten class (for children 3-5 years) will be opening in February 2014.
Keystone Academy will host an information session on Thursday, November 21, from 1-3pm. Hear from Head of School, Malcolm McKenzie, Dean of Admissions, Rachael Beare, on the school’s bilingual immersion program, teaching methods, and admission standards. Keystone Academy is preparing to welcome students from Foundation Stage to Grade 9 from the 2014-15 school year. Foreign and Chinese families welcome.
The school is also hosting a Salon Series, which will feature a talk on how older students hoping to gain admission into US universities can prepare themselves. It will again be presented by Rachael Beare, alongside Head of Middle School, Michael Yi, and will cover topics such as the type of students that elite US universities look for and how they can prepare for college and their career. Thursday, November 28, 4-5pm.
To reserve your place or for details on the venue, please call 5825 6008 or email event@keystoneacademy.cn
Extra-Curricular Activities for the Entire Community
Concerts at Dulwich College
With the support of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dulwich College Beijing is welcoming pianist Hugh Tinney and violinist Fionnuala Hunwith to perform in Beijing. Both originally from Ireland, they are accomplished, award-winning international musicians. Thursday, November 21, 7.30pm at the school’s Edward Alleyn Theatre. RMB 60/adults, RMB 40/children.
Dulwich College Beijing also premieres "Lessons in Love," a music and drama production written, produced, and performed by DCB music students. The show features West End Theatre and UK Television stars Aoife Mulholland and Morgan Crowley in their first appearances in China, as well as songs from the musicals Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd, and many more. Friday, November 22 at 7pm at the new Wodehouse Theater. RMB 80/adults, RMB 50/children.
Please e-mail RSVP@dulwich-beijing.cn for ticket reservations to either evening. For more information, including the program, check here.
Springboard International Bilingual School is holding an International Expo Day to celebrate all the different cultures represented at the school on Saturday, November 23, 10am-4pm.
The fun-packed day will include international food tasting, international music and dances, culture quiz, face painting, and various tables set up by organizations serving the expat community. A tour of the international nursery and primary schools will also be available.
Bazaars Hosted by Schools
The popular Western Academy of Beijing annual Charity Bazaar will be held on Saturday, November 23 from 10.30am-3.30pm. Get that special gift for the holidays or treat yourself to something nice – all in the name of charity! Second-hand books will be sold by Roundabout to support their various projects, pre-loved toys will be on sale to benefit WAB’s Charity Link projects, and beijingkids will be there to make Christmas cards with your children. Learn more here.
Save some energy for the afternoon though, because The British School of Beijing’s Christmas Fayre is also on on Saturday, November 23, from 4-7.30pm. There will be an outdoor German-style Christmas market, an indoor Christmas activities center, and a tree-lighting ceremony. Come to see the variety of homemade baked goods, jams, cheeses, as well as homemade handicrafts, cards, and jewelry. Entertainment will be provided by the school orchestra, wind band, and choirs. Santa will be present to take photos with all kids (and kids at heart).
And finally, why not come to the Dulwich College Coffee and Books Christmas Bazaar from 10am-2pm on Wednesday, November 27? Jewelry, silks, gifts and gift wrap, food, and more will be available. Table fees go to DCB’s various charities. All proceeds from the sale of drinks and baked goods available at the parent-run Coffee and Books coffee shop also go towards supporting the school’s charity efforts. For more details, email Mary Kate at brownmarykate@yahoo.co.uk
Photo courtesy of GoneApey (Flickr)
We’d like to hear from you! What are your Shunyi favorites? Any recommendations or bits of news you’d like to see here on Shunyi Happenings, please feel free to send it on to us via email to: danamercado@beijing-kids.com
Dana is the beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent. Originally from the Philippines, she moved to Beijing in 2011 (via Europe) with her husband, two sons and Rusty the dog. She enjoys writing, photography, theater, visual arts, and trying new food. In her free time, she can be found exploring the city and driving along the mountain roads of Huairou, Miyun and Pinggu.
