TES Annual Report

EMBRACING DIVERSITY

British Primary Section The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) has offered a truly transformational way for our students to understand and embrace diversity. With the concepts of home, host and adopted countries as key to all units of study, students have been able to research and analyse via the lenses of multiple perspectives, which has helped them to learn to challenge prejudices and stereotypes. Investigating more about their own myriad cultures and displaying research and learning from the wide array of countries our students hail from has offered really enriching opportunities for students to learn from and about one another. French Section The school's commitment to building an inclusive and respectful community was a central theme throughout the year. Race, ethnicity, and culture are fundamental aspects of individual and collective identity, shaping perspectives, experiences, and opportunities. Understanding these elements is crucial for fostering a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive school environment where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. By exploring these topics, the French section students aim to build a community that celebrates differences, challenges biases, and promotes understanding across all backgrounds. The core concepts of race, ethnicity and culture were identified as key elements that needed enhancing across the school. When isolated instances of inappropriate conduct occurred, they served as a vital opportunity to reinforce our core values. By confronting these challenges directly and consistently, we transformed difficult moments into powerful lessons, demonstrating our commitment to creating an environment where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered. This commitment also drove proactive initiatives to prevent such issues and promote inclusion. The section initiated a comprehensive curriculum review to embed principles of diversity, equity, and anti-racism across all subjects, ensuring our teaching reflects and celebrates the richness of our community. German Section We embrace diversity in various ways, including celebrating cultural events from different backgrounds, fostering interaction and collaboration among the sections, and integrating diverse perspectives into its educational program and activities. The kindergarten celebrated the Lantern Festival to mark the end of the Chinese Spring Festival, with children celebrating under painted lanterns and eating glutinous rice balls. They also learned about the story of the Nian monster and why red decorations are used for good luck, and sang the Chinese New Year song ‘Gongxi Gongxi’. While the German Section celebrated St. Nicholas Day and Carnival (Fasching), which are German traditions, the inclusion of significant Chinese cultural events demonstrates embracing the local culture. The primary school trip to Toucheng included activities like planting rice and wearing farmer clothes, described as an "absolutely unique experience" and visiting the Lanyang Museum, integrates local Taiwanese experiences. Inter-Section Collaboration and Events show the beauty of the school with three school systems under one roof. There was a German-French Christmas Celebration involving students from Klassen 7, 8, and 9 of the German and French Sections. Students introduced Christmas traditions in France and Germany, participated in a bilingual Christmas choir singing songs like 'Oh Tannenbaum' and 'Mon Beau Sapin' and used French and German in a communicative exercise. A wide range of learning opportunities for the 7th and 8th-grade students of the German and French sections was given at the commemorative ceremony organised to celebrate the Élysée Treaty of 22 January 1963, a significant milestone of the Franco-German friendship. Mr. Hofem, Deputy Director of the German Institute, provided a vivid historical overview through a series of images, while Mr. Paris, Director of the French Office, highlighted the unique and collaborative relationship between France and Germany. He emphasized that true partnership means seeking dialogue and involvement, even without always agreeing. Students had the chance to actively use both French and German in a real-world context, encouraging them to apply their language skills beyond the classroom. A lively Kahoot quiz tested their knowledge about both countries, followed by a shared snack of croissants and pretzels and a friendly soccer match in mixed teams. Overall, the day reflected the spirit of cooperation, intercultural

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