Sponsored by Beijing City International School (BCIS). Located in Beijing’s CBD, BCIS lives by its motto: “Empowering and Inspiring Through Challenge and Compassion.” This not-for-profit, co-educational day school provides a personalized, inclusive international curriculum under the International Baccalaureate (IB) World School system, offering the PYP, MYP and DP to both expatriate and Chinese national students from Toddler to Grade 12. For more information, please email admissions@bcis.cn
With enrollment nearly at 1,000 students, it is no longer the case that BCIS should be considered a relatively “small” school. It remains the case, however, that growth in student numbers is not making BCIS any less inclusive when it comes to its growing and thriving Athletics Program. Students from both Elementary and Secondary School levels compete in sports events as part of the International Schools Activities Conference (ISAC) and the Association of Chinese and Mongolian International School (ACAMIS), as well as with all the other major international schools within Beijing.
Athletics have always presented students with unique opportunities. There’s the chance to become a functioning member of a team and to enjoy the success that good teamwork brings — an invaluable life skill and experience. There’s also the chance for them to travel to other cities such as Shanghai, Suzhou and Hong Kong, meet other students and broaden their horizons.
Over the past couple of years, BCIS students have written and reflected on their times taking part in sports activities, both as part of a team and also sometimes as a coach for younger students. Below we have some extracts, firstly from Grade 12 student, Tiger Liu:
“Socializing is a big part of sports. When participating in the sports teams, it’s easy to meet students you don’t know and make new friends. During my time playing for the school sports teams, I have met many students from other grades. Most of my peers have kept their friends mostly to those in their own grade. However, I know the people who participate in sports from Grades 8 to 12. I have also started up my own badminton [extracurricular activity], during which I have tried to help younger badminton lovers improve their skills.”
— Tiger Liu, writing in 2014, currently in Grade 12 preparing to graduate in 2016
Grade 11 student, Antoni Gillert, also discussed his time as a football coach for the U14 team, and how it has helped him develop at school:
“As with every year, getting involved in the coaching program helped me gain awareness of my own strengths and weaknesses. This season, I worked particularly hard on the clarity of my instructions, making sure that players understood exactly what we asked of them…Many of the skills I have acquired on the pitch are also applicable to the classroom. In particular, I have gained more confidence when speaking in front of a larger group of people and am more willing to assume leadership roles.”
— Antoni Gillert, writing in 2015, currently in Grade 11
Finally, Grace Wang in Grade 10 discussed her experiences as Captain of the U19 Volleyball Team, and in particular an ISAC Division 2 Tournament they took part in:
“It was a tough tournament. However, as captain, I am extremely proud of how far our team has come this year. I started playing volleyball when I was in Grade 6. Throughout these five years of participating, I accomplished a lot. From playing in the U12 team, to the U14 team and now in the U19 team, I have realized that these years of practice have not only developed my skills in this sport, but have also been a great influence in developing my sportsmanship and my team bonding skills.”
— Grace Wang, Captain of the U19 Volleyball Girls Team, Grade 10
Training hard and working together has paid off, particularly this year as BCIS Warriors are enjoying great seasons filled with victory. In January, the Boys U19 Basketball team made school history by enjoying a second undefeated season, winning their ISAC Division One Championship one week, and following the next with a stunning win in the ACAMIS Green Division Basketball Tournament final against Kaohsiung American School team from Taiwan. Grade 12 player, Sean Williamson, was awarded MVP of the tournament! A tidal wave of Warrior pride washed over the school, as the third season of the year also kicked off to an amazing start with BCIS winning all three of their first encounters against international schools in Beijing.
The Warrior Spirit prevails, and also educates! As the program grows, our community looks forward to more and more continued success.
Photos: BCIS
