In June of this year, right before their Year 5 graduation, classmates Francis and Francesca were interviewed to share more about their time at Pao Primary School.
Francis Weller, a Pao School Year 6 student of both English and Chinese heritage, embraces this vibrant complexity in his everyday life. He joined the school as a Year 1 student in 2020, and especially loves attending art class, where he can express his creativity through drawing. He expresses particular gratitude for Mr. Evans, his Year 4 English teacher, who shares his father’s great sense of humor. Among his favorite aspects of school are the CCAs, such as Volleyball, Cospaces, Football, and Student Council activities.
Francesca Sartor, a Year 6 student of both Chinese and Italian heritage, began her journey at Pao School in 2023 as a Year 4 student. She loves art class, especially when her teacher plays music, which she finds inspiring. She also enjoys physical education, which she appreciates for keeping her active and connecting her with classmates. Francesca fondly recalls the way her Year 4 teacher, Ms. Serene Piao, attentively helped her adjust to the school, with Ms. Lily Jin also showing exceptional kindness and support. Francesca is grateful for the many valuable lessons she has learnt at Pao School, preparing her for the future challenges of middle and high school.
“The strongest feeling I carry is the immense support the teachers provided for my daughter,” shared Francesca’s mother. “They truly understood each child and helped Francesca feel involved and connected to the school from the very beginning. This care made her transition so much easier and gave her the comfort and confidence she needed.” As a result, Francesca joined the swimming team, played in the orchestra, and even performed at the school’s art and music events. “The school has opened so many doors for her, allowing her to grow and shine in her own unique way.”
Pao School places special emphasis on cultivating students’ global thinking in its curriculum design. In a Year 4 Exploratory unit, Ms. Piao shared how students examined climate change from multiple perspectives. They collaborated on a Climate-Fresk puzzle game and established class goals, such as repurposing paper. Witnessing them unite as “protectors of the planet” was a moment when nationalities faded away, and a shared purpose emerged.
Outside the classroom, students choose their own co-curricular activities (CCAs), connecting through shared interests. Observing children from various countries learn, play, and grow into one community serves as a constant reminder that language—and the culture it embodies—truly brings people together.
“For most students whose native language is not Chinese, studying Chinese at Pao School requires more than just a basic foundation in vocabulary, phrases, and sentences,” added Ms. Jin, who has extensive experience in Chinese language support. “As they progress through the years, they also face heightened challenges in literary comprehension. Therefore, from a language support perspective, Pao Primary School places particular emphasis on accumulating the language skills necessary to enhance reading ability.” In this way, non-native Chinese speaking students receive the tools they need to begin studying Chinese literature with appreciation.“As a teacher, I enjoy teaching people how to fish” she said.
A repurposed paper example kept by Ms. Piao, made by Arianna, Francesca, and their friends in Year 4
Reflecting on her experience with students like Francesca, Ms. Piao emphasized that Pao School strives to develop ‘global citizens with a Chinese heart.’ Through a balanced approach to bilingual instruction, involving both local and expat teachers, and with goals that extend beyond mere fluency, “it aims to instill an understanding of the spirit behind each language. This cultural awareness is what truly connects people. When students grasp the stories, traditions, and perspectives embedded in a language, they cultivate a deeper sense of belonging in a diverse world. To achieve this, the curriculum encourages students to think like global citizens.”
