For me the beginning of September is always a great time of the year. This beginning of another school year is in many ways another ‘new year’ and as such, one of new beginnings and opportunities for our students. As this too is also my first year at Shanghai Nanyang Model Private High School, it is also a new beginning for me – something I very much look forward to. After over 25 years in education I still feel an excitement and anticipation of what our students can accomplish, both individually and together as a school.
Over the past year I learned about the great reputation of our school. I look forward to, in the coming days to meet all the staff, students and parents. I have been so incredibly impressed by the quality of our students – past and present. The reputation that Shanghai Nanyang Model Private High School amongst universities in Canada and throughout the world speaks very highly of the students and the learning they have received. The staff commitment to provide quality education throughout this current year with the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly noticeable and for me was something that makes me want to be very much part of such a dynamic school community. This is certainly something that we want to not only continue but also to cultivate into bigger and better things.
I am very excited to work with the staff and students, and to meet the parent community, this coming year. I am especially looking forward to see how our students can grow in their knowledge and learning. We are now in full-swing with the new BC curriculum and it has lived up to its expectations of providing students not only solid content knowledge, but also providing them with the means to develop their individual skills and talents. This is a great undertaking – to develop students into thoughtful, hard-working and empathetic individuals. In doing so we not only will help them better meet the many challenges of the 21st century. I have every confidence that our staff and students will be ready for the challenges that lie ahead and not only meet them, but also continue to excel at them.
To all the parents, students and educators of the Shanghai Nanyang Model Private High School community, I wish you all the best this school year.
Mark J.H. Wuerch
Principal, Shanghai Nanyang Model Private High School