Culture

Navigating Leadership Across Continents

by Simon Jacobs Leading in international schools offers a unique blend of challenges and rewards, requiring adaptability and a deep understanding of diverse cultural contexts.
My journey through three distinct schools – in China; Argentina; and now in London – has profoundly shaped my approach to educational leadership.
In my first leadership role in China, I was tasked …

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Developing and Sustaining a Strong Organisational Culture in a Dynamic 21st Century School

by Juma Nyamori In my leadership journey, I have found that school culture has a profound influence on the achievement of the various goals and objectives the school pursues.
Every school will have a culture, whether this is developed deliberately, or grows organically.
This culture, if based on certain key principles, will exhibit certain characteristics …

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Cultivating a Culture of Mentorship

by Nicholas Nightingale In the ever-evolving landscape of international education, fostering a culture of mentorship is paramount.
At Ardingly College Zhongshan, we believe that mentorship should extend beyond the confines of hierarchical levels, encompassing senior management, middle management, and our dedicated subject teachers.
This interconnected mentorship model is the cornerstone of our commitment to professional …

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Journeys in International Education – Culture, Identity and Belonging

by Simon Probert Only through Time, Time is Conquered* I’ve been reflecting recently on my journey through international education, the different schools and communities I have worked within, and ways in which international education is different to education systems in local contexts.
Through that time, I have become aware of ways I have changed and …

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How to Reset the Culture In Your International School: A Case Study

by Dr Liam Hammer Introduction As Osterwalder et al.
(2016) say, “Don’t let your company culture just happen”.
If you are not driving the culture in your school, then others will be.
Recently, at the International School of Lusaka, our staff spent some time reviewing our school culture because “every school has a culture, and …

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There is a Culture in the Gap

by Lily Liu.
The Educational Philosophies and Aspirations of the East and the West are Highly Consistent – To Make Individuals Become Better People.
As the principal of an internationalized bilingual school, I’m often asked about the key differences between the education at Dehong School and those within the traditional education system.
My typical response …


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Building a Strong School Culture in International Schools: Fostering Excellence and Identity in China

by Don Lyu.
In the ever-evolving landscape of international education, the concept of school culture stands as a cornerstone.
It not only defines the ethos of an institution but also lays the groundwork for effective education management and continuous instructional enhancement.
Nowhere is this truer than in the dynamic context of International Schools in China, …

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Founding Schools in Happiness

By Phil Mathe- Head of Student Opportunities at the British International School of Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
Begun in 2014 by UNESCO Bangkok, The Happy Schools Project (HSP) offers an alternative approach to improving learning experiences by prioritising school happiness.
By focusing on well-being, engagement, and sense of belonging at school, the HSP helps foster …

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What Is An Effective School Culture?

By André Double- Founder & Author of Leading Your International School.
“If culture was a house, then language was the key to the front door, to all the rooms inside”.
  Khaled Hosseini, Afghan- born American novelist and physician  The Problem: If not careful, the international school leader can (unwittingly) create a culture of dependence.
The Solution: A …

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Achieving a Cultural Shift

By Timothy Glare- Vice Principal at China World Academy, Changshu, China.
No one wants to be the ‘bad guy’, but as a school leader, when it comes to making changes in school culture, having the courage of your convictions is everything.
  I always as myself two simple questions:    If a clear rationale is not present, …

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