INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS Puxi ~ Shanghai, China

Parent Participation

We believe education is a partnership between School and Parents, to ensure that the potential of their child is developed to the full.

We maintain regular contact with parents regarding their child's progress. Each pupil in the Secondary School has a homework diary that facilitates communication between teachers and parents. There is a particularly close relationship between the Class Teachers and the parents of the children in their classes. Written reports are sent out twice a year and Parent/Teacher Conference Evenings and Parent Information Meetings are held regularly. These meetings enable parents to see how their children are progressing and to discuss with the teachers how best that progress can be further enhanced. Parents are also welcome to discuss their child's education with teachers, the Primary Headteacher, Secondary Headteacher or the Principal at any time.

Parents and Friends Association (PFA)

All parents become members of the Parents and Friends Association (PFA) as soon as their child joins the British International School, Shanghai. The association is run by a committee that arranges many social and fund-raising events. This is an excellent opportunity for parents to become involved in the life of the school. The goal of PFA is to promote co-operation and communication between the school and the parents; to help advance the education of the pupils in the school through social activities and fund raising initiatives; and to provide assistance to the school at the discretion of the teaching staff. Membership of the association is open to all parents and teachers of BISS Puxi. The PFA committee consists of a small group of volunteers who organize the social events of the year, act as a liaison between the school and parents, and maintain the relationship with the nominated charity of the year. The Committee is governed by the PFA Constitution which was established in 2006. The members of the Committee are chosen once a year at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee plans the calendar of events for the entire school year, and organizes sub-committees for each event which consists of all parent volunteers. PFA welcomes all parents to volunteer, whether to serve as a head of a committee, or become a room parent, or volunteer to read with the children. PFA is also a great social support group for parents.

The Spring Bud Charity Project, Gansu Province 

Gansu Province is the second poorest province in China next to Tibet. The average resident of the village of Wang Jia Zhuang earns only 2000 RMB annually.

The BISS Puxi's PFA committee for 2008-2009 decided in its first meeting of September 2008 to donate all the proceeds earned this year with the activities organised by the PFA to this charity project.

The children of this small rural town lost their school in the earthquake one year ago. Nord Anglia has committed to re-building a new school for the village. The PFA, with the support of the parents attending the activities (Christmas Fair, Quiz Night, BISS Ball), will fund the resources and materials for the school to ensure it will be up and running for the students once it is built.

A few of the PFA members visited the school recently to fully understand the equipment and teaching facilities required and the amount of money needed to provide this.

One year on from the earthquake that destroyed so many lives, we would like to help build a future.

BISS PFA Committee

Room Parent Coordinator 

Room Parent Coordinators are parent volunteers who act as a liaison between the parents and the teachers. Each Room Parent is responsible for one particular class. Room Parent provide all the necessary information to the parents of the class, such as PFA minutes, school news and events, volunteers needed for reading, as well as arrange coffee mornings or other interactive activities for parents to socialize and get to know one another. Sign up sheets to become a Room Parent is available at Meet and Greet which is held at the first couple weeks of school year.

Country Ambassador 

For the new parents of BISS Puxi, if you feel overwhelmed and stressed with your new life in Shanghai and wish to speak with someone from your home country who has been living in Shanghai, you can contact the Country Ambassador of your home country, who will assist you in getting acclimatised with the new environment and what is available in the community.

Charity 

PFA strongly believes in contributing and helping the less fortunate in Shanghai and abroad. PFA works with several different charities each year. Our main fund raising events are the Christmas Fair and the Charity Ball.This year, PFA will donate portions of the proceeds from Christmas Fair to Bo Ai Rehabilitation Center, a residential rehabilitation centre in Shanghai for children with cerebral palsy. PFA will also donate portions of the proceeds from Christmas Fair to support the Rwandan Rugby Volunteer Program, where BISS students have traveled to Rwanda to assist in sports and educational needs of the Rwandan students. The primary charity that PFA will support this year is the Chi Heng Foundation, which supports the education of AIDS orphans in China. All proceeds from the Charity Ball will be donated to the Chi Heng Foundation.If you would like to volunteer and help with organizing the Christmas Fair or the Charity Ball, please contact Anita Hearn for Christmas Fair and Gaby Campos for the Charity Ball.

Communication 

You will receive news about the PFA and its events in the weekly E-News at “PFA Corner”. Monthly PFA minutes are distributed to Room Parent Coordinators who then forward them to each individual parent. PFA also held several general meetings for parent to discuss various issues.