Pao Highlights

On the morning of June 5, Year 3 students at Pao School welcomed Dr. Zhu Xiaoxia from Huashan Hospital, for a tailor-made science lesson on heart health, as part of their 'Human Body Factory' exploration unit. An ambulance also arrived on campus, equipped with popular science exhibits from the Shanghai Medical Emergency Centre.  This allowed students to observe emergency equipment up close and even handle it themselves. The talk and exhibit was followed by enthusiastic questions. Many students are already looking forward to continuing their health education in the 'Little Medical Experts' co-curricular activity, hoping to apply what they have learned to the protection of their own families' health.

Following acclaimed performances by three classes last semester, the three remaining Year 1 classes took to the stage this semester, with their own adaptation of the picture book The Gruffalo, bringing the forest adventure to life with a childish charm that delighted the audience.

Year 3-5 students delivered a polished performance featuring songs and dances from Wicked and The Wizard of Oz. Taking full ownership of the creative process, they developed their own dialogue and choreography, bringing original interpretations to familiar characters. The production was distinguished by a strong sense of collaboration and mutual respect, with students working supportively both on stage and behind the scenes. The final presentation was a testament to their creativity, commitment, and collective effort.

Year 5 students also wrote and directed a Chinese drama, Bian Que Cures the King, inspired by a classical Chinese text they had studied in class. The students of Class 5B took the initiative to form a drama club and divided the work among themselves, from script adaptation to prop making. They later adapted the play for younger audiences and performed it for Year 1 and Year 2 students. This was not only a labour of love but also a precious graduation gift to themselves.

This academic year, the Music and Performing Arts Department has provided students with a rich and diverse array of performance opportunities. The Lower Primary Music Celebration of Learning & CE Appreciation, together with the Summer Concerts, featured a blend of Chinese and Western instrumental and choral pieces that celebrated the fusion of both cultures. These experiences have not only strengthened musical literacy, vocal techniques, ensemble skills and stagecraft, but also nurtured teamwork, empathy and self-confidence. This semester, the department hosted parent workshops on 'Experiential Learning' and 'Creative Music Technology,' inspiring many families to try new approaches to learning at home.

Fu Yue, a student in the Primary Section, has been elected as a council member of the Ninth Shanghai Red Scarf Council. From serving as a flag-raiser to organising joining ceremonies, from designing display boards to participating in community service, she has always embodied the belief that 'serving others is the best way to grow.' Upon her election, she expressed her commitment to actively fulfilling her duties, from listening to her fellow Young Pioneers, voicing their concerns, caring for their needs, and serving them with enthusiasm and action, to living up to everyone's trust.

As the term draws to a close, the Year 4 Story Team successfully held their 'showcase assembly.' Parents organised a lively quiz game, leading teachers and students through a review of the books they had read together this semester. The assembly also recognised students who had actively participated in reading. Primary School Principal Rosalie Pietsch presented certificates to this year's Story Team members on behalf of the school, expressing gratitude for the parents' longstanding support and dedication.

June saw many parents attending the school art show 'From Mind to Matter' to appreciate the student artworks. The show was an opportunity for self-expression, based on careful observation, reflection, and selection of suitable materials, forms, and colours. Students from the Curation Art CCA also planned and organised a variety of collaborative activities, including 'the Heart Weaving Relay,' 'Blindfold Heart Drawing,' and 'Friendship Bracelet DIY,' which encouraged still-further student participation and engagement with artistic creation during their lunch periods.

The Hongqiao Campus Drama Group staged 'Puffs' from June 9 to 13, for an audience of students, teachers and parents. This comedy drama of American playwright Matt Cox, directed by Ms. Madison and Mr. Jorgensen, is a play full of humour and magic. It retells the story of seven years at Hogwarts from the perspective of the oftenoverlooked Hufflepuff students. Using voice, movement, and expression, the cast brought this funny, heartwarming story vividly to life on stage.

Hongqiao Campus reflected upon its recent Service Learning projects in June, at year-level assemblies organised by mentor groups. Students tackled issues such as campus safety; anti-bullying; recycling and paper waste; the mental well-being of children in difficult circumstances; and public-space maintenance; using videos, posters, original songs, interviews and models. One team turned an unused rooftop into a garden. Year 8 applied drama therapy to caring for children with special needs, and learning that service is a matter of mutual growth rather than simply helping challenged people. Together, these projects demonstrate students’ social commitment and their ability to turn community needs into meaningful action.

During the week of 12 June, the inaugural 'Voices Unbounded' Debate Showcase at Hongqiao Campus concluded after three weeks of lively debate. Y6–Y8 teams had tackled campus‑relevant topics, demonstrating confidence, clear reasoning and strong teamwork. Emphasising growth over winning, the Showcase offered students practical experience at expressing ideas and engaging different viewpoints, underscoring YK Pao School's commitment to critical thinking and collaboration.

To mark the Dragon Boat Festival's traditions of praying for good fortune and warding off evil, the Campus Operation Department ran 'Make Zongzi' lunch activity in the canteen. Guided by two expert Zongzi-makers, students folded leaves, filled them with glutinous rice, and tied them into dumplings, experiencing hands‑on traditional craftsmanship. The event deepened their understanding of the festival's history and culture while highlighting the value of teamwork.

Four teams from YK Pao Middle School won First Prize in the 'AI Algorithm Challenge' at the 6th Yangtze River Delta Youth Artificial Intelligence Olympiad. Organised by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and its partners, the challenge asked students to use AI and mathematical modelling to predict colour ageing in ancient paintings and calligraphy. The contest drew 284 teams from 109 Shanghai secondary schools. After online prelims, an onsite final and presentation/defence, only 14 teams received First Prize, four of them from Pao School, all part of middle school's new  Mathematical Modelling program.

In the 6th Yangtze River Delta Youth Artificial Intelligence Olympiad Challenge 'WAIC YOUNG AIGC Music Creation' category, 14 students from the Hongqiao campus won a total of 12 awards, including 2 First Prizes, 4 Second Prizes, and 6 Third Prizes. All award-winning students are part of this year's newly launched after-school program, AI Exploration and Innovative Practice. Through the program, they have explored the integration of AI technology, music creation, and cultural understanding, while engaging in interdisciplinary learning that promotes their creativity and practical abilities.

The Year 11 TOK exhibition presented students’ internal IBDP assessments on June 3, exploring IB knowledge questions through realworld examples drawn from a mixture of personal experience, classroom learning, and observation. The varied displays, artworks, technology, keepsakes, and socially themed items, reflected a remarkable breadth of interests and insights. Students guided visitors through their analyses while Year 10 toured in preparation for DP study. For the first time the exhibition was open to Years 10 and 11 parents and visitors from other schools. The TOK Department later hosted an interschool training session on curriculum design and assessment.

For Service Day, Year 9 students were split into six teams for city-wide projects: tutoring and companionship; visits to the elderly; courtyard mural painting; children's emotional‑education and art‑therapy sessions; riverside conservation; and water‑purification workshops. In addition, a student‑led team organised and hosted children from Hilton Integration Education School.

On June 10, Year 10 students Jolie Zhou and Elsa Yun hosted 'ForWord' together with the TEDx student team. The event plays on the pun between 'foreword' and 'forward.' In involved two student speakers, Y9 Harry Zheng on art’s visibility and Y10 Maxine Ji on positive thinking, along with three external guests whose contributions ranged from disability‑inclusive social cafés to crystal research, and whose personal and professional insights were inspirational to both students and staff.

Thursday's end-of-year concert opened with the jazz ban's high-energy Latin set. The orchestra and Pao Singers blended synths, orchestral textures and live vocals, moving from dance anthems like 'Don't You Worry Child' to the classic‑turned‑TikTok hit 'Midu Mountain Ballad.' It closed with the Pao Singers' eagerly-requested arrangement of 'Golde' from the 2025 K‑Pop film Demon Hunters.

Swim for Love 2026 involved 36 participants swimming a total of 2,230 laps, with two of the three top-distance swimmers coming from the XingTa team. It partnered with a café that employs autistic young adults from the team, to which all funds raised through the swim and charity sales were donated. The event deepened connections with team members and parents, who valued the rare chance for their children to swim in dedicated lanes. The event looks forward to further growth in future years.

Songjiang Campus hosted its fourth annual Amazing Race for staff in late June. Over 20 Chinese and international faculty and staff formed teams, who then raced through the aisles of a local supermarket, completing timed tasks that tested observation, quick thinking, teamwork and clear role‑sharing. The event offered everyone a chance to step off campus and experience local life while helping international colleagues integrate in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. More than just a test of stamina and smarts, the Amazing Race has become a treasured source of team memories, showing that the strongest bonds are built by tackling challenges together.