Home-to-School Partnership
Medical Education CCA
"Mom, my classmate's mom often comes to school to tell stories. Can you come too?" Those words prompted Dr Xiaoxia Zhu, a busy healthcare professional, to email Primary Deputy Principal Crick Chen to suggest organising a team of medical professionals interested in public service to deliver introductory healthcare lessons to the primary school students. The proposal was greeted with wholehearted enthusiasm by the school.
Dr. Zhu teaches CPR in the first aid class
Dr Zhu invited Professor Jiye He along with several parents volunteers to join the initiative. Together with primary teacher Vicky Ye, they then formed the Medical Education CCA, which involves a series of engaging lessons covering basic first aid, human anatomy, healthy habits, and the prevention of common illnesses. These weekly classes used plain, accessible language, vivid demonstrations and hands-on activities to help students explore the mysteries of the human body and discover the wonders of medicine.
More than three years have passed since the Medical Education CCA was launched. The team has faced various challenges, from turning professional medical knowledge into lessons kids can understand, to coordinating teaching around busy hospital schedules. Thanks to the combined efforts of volunteer doctors, teachers and administrators, these hurdles and others were all successfully resolved.
Hands-on experience with microsurgical instruments
Observing orthopedic surgical procedures
Learning the Heimlich Maneuver (First Aid)
Learning the Bass Brushing Technique
Learning about genetic odds through games
Exploring the operating room through videos
Finding the dominant eye
"I chose this CCA because I wanted to learn more about medicine. It is a whole new field for me," said Year 5 student Summer Xia. She cited CPR as her favourite session because she enjoyed the interactive activities like practising chest compressions on a mannequin. She learned that compressions must be quite firm, about 5 to 6 centimetres deep, to get the blood flowing.
Summer already started applying what she learned in everyday life. She uses the Bass brushing method to clean her teeth, knows how to bandage small wounds, and has learnt ways to protect her eyesight. To her, this CCA is practical, fun, and has been very helpful.
Victoria Li is getting hands-on experience with a stethoscope
Year 5 student Victoria Li said she joined the Medical Education CCA because her mother works in a hospital and she hopes to follow in her footsteps. "My favourite lesson was the one that discussed the science behind eyesight," she said. She learned how the eye is structured and how it works, why people develop nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, why some people need to wear glasses, and practical ways to protect vision. "My mom has always worried I might become nearsighted because I love reading and sometimes the lighting is poor or I sit with bad posture," she said. From the CCA she has learnt myopia prevention strategies, such as ensuring daily outdoor time in sunlight. "I'll do my best to avoid needing glasses," she said.
"This programme allowed me to enter the children's school life and witness the power of education," Dr Zhu reflected. Looking ahead, the team hopes to refine the curriculum with more practical sessions, as well as recruiting more parents to join them. Together, they hope to nurture student curiosity and broaden their worldview through discussion on modern medicine and scientific research.
Pao School Community Choir
Pao School's high school campus hosts a special choir made up of Pao School parents, united by a shared passion for music. The group was formed eight years ago and has, come rain or shine, maintained their weekly rehearsals ever since. What began with a dozen or so members has grown to more than sixty today.
The community choir performed at the Primary school's spring fair
For years the Pao School community choir has given multiple performances at the Shanghai Concert Hall. They enjoyed an especially busy year in 2025. Under the professional guidance of conductor Wei Liu, the choir sang at the spring fair of the primary campus in April, and in May took the stage at the Shanghai Symphony Hall as part of Pao School's Art Kaleidoscope showcase, performing 'I Want to Sing' and 'A Million Dreams.'
The community choir performed at Pao School's " Arts Kaleidoscope"
The choir's significance extends well beyond music. After rehearsals parents stay to swap parenting advice and life insights, discussing everything from educational approaches to health and wellbeing. Over eight years since its foundation, the choir has grown from a casual gathering into a bridge between Pao School and the student families.
While parent efforts may take different forms, all exemplify the deep collaboration between Pao School and its students' families. Every parent is an indispensable member of the educational community, enriching the school's educational programme, and bringing new possibilities to each student's personal growth.
*Thanks to Dr. Xiaoxia Zhu and Choir Leader Rong Cheng for their contribution to this article.
