Principal's Weekly Update 02 Fresh news from Concordia, Ready for the IB PYP Accreditation Visit!

Dear Primary School Parents,

I hope you have all had a wonderful week! As always, thank you for your continued support and involvement in our learning community. 

This week, I would like to take a moment to talk about something that is at the heart of our school’s mission—international-mindedness. As we prepare for our IB PYP accreditation visit, one of the key

aspects that the visiting team will be looking at is how we foster global awareness, cultural understanding, and open-mindedness in our students. 

At CISNP, we believe that international-mindedness is not just about learning about different countries or speaking multiple languages; it is about developing a mindset that embraces diversity, respects different perspectives, and sees the world as interconnected. So, what do we do at CISNP to nurture international-mindedness in our students?

How We Foster International-Mindedness at CISNP

A Multicultural Learning Environment

Our school community is diverse, with students, teachers, and families from different cultural backgrounds. In our classrooms, we encourage students to share their traditions, stories, and experiences, helping them appreciate the richness of different cultures. 

 A Curriculum that Promotes Global Inquiry

Through the IB PYP framework, our students engage with big ideas that go beyond their immediate environment. We explore real-world issues, global perspectives, sustainability, and international collaboration, helping students understand their role as global citizens.

Language Development and Communication

Language is a key part of international-mindedness. At CISNP, we provide opportunities for students to develop both English and Chinese, ensuring they can communicate across cultures and develop an appreciation for multilingualism.

The IB Learner Profile in Action

The IB Learner Profile attributes—such as being caring, open-minded, knowledgeable, and principled—help guide our students to be thoughtful, globally aware individuals. We encourage

students to ask questions, listen to different perspectives, and develop empathy towards others.

Celebrating Cultural Festivals and Global Events

Throughout the year, we celebrate events like Chinese New Year, International Day, and Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as explore global holidays, traditions, and international perspectives. These experiences allow students to appreciate different customs while strengthening their own sense of identity. 

Encouraging Global Citizenship and Perspective-Taking

Our students develop an awareness of fairness, kindness, and global responsibility. We nurture this by encouraging them to reflect on their actions, consider different perspectives, and explore ways to make a positive impact in the world. 

A Special Message for Parents

As part of this week’s communication, I have recorded a short video message to provide more details on our upcoming IB PYP accreditation visit and what it means for our school. I encourage you to watch it when you have a moment—it will help you understand why we are on this journey and how you can support your child at home.

Your role as parents is essential in this process. By continuing to ask your children questions about their learning, encouraging curiosity, and exposing them to different ideas and cultures, you are helping to shape truly internationally minded young learners.

Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement. I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming coffee mornings and information sessions (schedule TBC), where we will explore the IB PYP in more depth. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead!

Warm regards,

Ian Barnes

Principal

Concordia International School Ningbo Primary