Tsinghua International School (THIS) held the Curriculum Afternoon on Friday, September 6, 2025, a long-standing tradition that seeks to strengthen the synergy between home and school for students’ comprehensive growth.
Curriculum Afternoon is designed to strengthen the partnership between families and school. It gives parents a chance to gain deeper insight into the teaching and learning that happens in our classrooms. Rather than passively receiving information, parents are invited to engage in interactive workshops led by both homeroom and specialist teachers.
The expectation is that parents walk away with a clear understanding of our curriculum, teaching approaches, and how we support students in their academic, social, and emotional growth.
The Meeting with the Principals was an essential part of this year’s Curriculum Afternoon. THIS Executive Principal Zhu Ying began by presenting the THIS admin team for this academic year.
She commended THIS students and faculty members who participated in voluntary teaching programs during the past summer break and those who attended academic events both at home and abroad. She also updated parents on the various renovation and construction projects undertaken on campus over the summer.
In her keynote address, "Growth and Progress towards Dreams," Principal Zhu said that THIS has chosen "Growth" as this school year's keyword, urging students to achieve even more in the new chapter ahead.
Mr. Scott Pare, the Academic Principal, talked about "Academic Upgrading." He detailed the university placements of the previous year's graduating class and provided a comprehensive explanation of the "Home-School Communication Pathways."
He emphasized the importance of smooth, efficient communication between the school and families, urging timely feedback and open exchange to build a harmonious partnership that supports every student’s growth.
Curriculum Afternoon always receives high attention from THIS Admin Team:
Renee Zhu, Executive Principal
"At THIS, education is a collective effort of everyone. Through our experiential course presentations, we make it clear to every member of the community (especially parents) what the students are learning and how they are learning it. At the same time, this is also a test that can play a positive backwash effect in enabling the school to teach better."
Scott Pare, Academic Principal
“We love for parents to learn more about our teachers and to see what it is our teachers do with their children. The connections between teachers and parents are essential for student success.”
Weiky Liu, Vice Principal & Head of Secondary
"We hold the Curriculum Afternoon each year to ensure that every member of our community—including parents—has a clear understanding of the children’s academic plans and learning goals across all subjects for the year.
It is also the perfect opportunity for parents to connect with their child’s teachers and strengthen the home-school partnership right from the start."
Rachel Rudisaile, Head of Primary
"Our goal is twofold: first, to ensure parents feel confident about what their children are learning and how they are being supported; and second, to foster open communication and collaboration between parents and teachers.
By sharing presentations, sample lessons, and opportunities for Q&A, we hope parents leave with practical ways to connect school learning to home, a clearer picture of grade-level expectations, and a stronger sense of community. Ultimately, Curriculum Afternoon reflects our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and student success."
After the Meeting with the Principals, parents attended homeroom sessions where homeroom teachers briefed them on topics such as students' physical and mental development at school, behavioral expectations, classroom management, grade-level activities, and the collaboration between home and school.
In these subject-specific sessions, respective teachers detailed their own academic and educational backgrounds, syllabus and objectives, teaching methods, homework, and assessment structures. This helped parents gain a more concrete understanding of the learning content and schedule for each subject, providing better insight into their children's daily academic life at school.
This year's Curriculum Afternoon featured a new format: parents participated in "class rotations" in that they moved to different classrooms just as their children do, to attend sessions with various subject teachers.
Parents shared their thoughts on the Curriculum Afternoon and its new format:
Jolie Yao, mom of Blaire Yao (G3)
This year’s Curriculum Afternoon was a wonderful experience very helpful and very informative. Compared with last year, the structure was much clearer, giving us a better understanding of what our children will be learning.
I especially enjoyed the interactive style of the homeroom and Chinese presentations, which made us feel like we were part of the classroom. Overall, it was a big improvement from last year, and I left feeling both connected and excited for this school year. I am very much looking forward to next year as well!
Eileen Feng, mom of Evelyn Song (G3)
This year's Curriculum Afternoon exceeded my expectations. The parent workshop format adopted this time turned us from "onlookers" to participants. This immersive experience allowed me to truly feel the ingenuity of the curriculum design and better understand the learning state of children in class. It also made me realize that a curriculum briefing is not just a channel for "conveying information", but also a bridge for "building resonance" between home and school.
Only when parents can experience the courses in person can they more accurately cooperate with teachers to guide their children, and have more confidence to work with the school to provide a solid guarantee for their children's learning in the new school year.
Feng Yiying, mom of Edward Guan (G8)
"It is truly remarkable to witness how fortunate our children are to learn and grow in such an exceptional school environment. The principals shared inspiring visions for the school's future. What impressed me most were our Grade 8 subject teachers — not only did they enthusiastically introduce their curricula, but they also demonstrated genuine concern for our children’s psychological and physical development.
The teachers showcased how they guide young learners to discover themselves, identify their strengths, and achieve emotional balance and mental stability. These educators go beyond teaching academic content; they empower students to regulate their mindset and optimize learning readiness.
I enjoyed the walk-around in this year’s Curriculum Afternoon. It was more efficient than sitting in one classroom throughout the entire afternoon. Teachers did a better job, too."
Fumika Yagi, mom of Kaoru (G10)
"Walking between classrooms to attend each course’s guidance session was a refreshing and engaging experience. It reminded me of being a student again, trying to find the right classroom.
As a parent, it was incredibly reassuring to see the actual learning environment firsthand. Thanks to their (THIS faculty) thoughtful planning, the event was not only more immersive but also more efficient than previous years…. Especially, in the AP classes, teachers clearly explained how these courses differ from others, outlining how students will be assessed and the support available to them.
The guidance was clear and practical, which helped both my child and me feel more confident about the next steps."
Tsinghua International School always remains student-centered and curriculum-focused. The Curriculum Afternoon not only provides parents with an in-depth understanding of the school's teaching and curriculum but also builds a vital bridge for communication between home and school. It is a valuable opportunity to gain a deep understanding of THIS's educational system and the specific learning plans for the academic year.
The Curriculum Afternoon is more than a simple course introduction; it is an in-depth home-school dialogue about education.
In primary school, we focus on stimulating students' interest in learning and fostering their ability to think independently. Upon entering secondary school, the curriculum places greater emphasis on academic rigour and exploring diverse developmental pathways. Through this coherent and progressively challenging curriculum, we provide students with a structured path for steady growth and all-round development.
Let us embrace "Growth" as our guide for the new academic year, nurture dreams for the future, and move forward with light. Through strong home-school collaboration, we can support the holistic development of every student and celebrate each child's wonderful achievements!
