Graduation season at Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing) is an electric time of year. The air is charged with the eager anticipation of the unfurling of ever-expanding realms of possibility for our talented scholars.On Wednesday, 19 June, we held our annual Early Childhood Education (ECE) graduation ceremony for our K4 students in the school Auditorium. Our K4 graduation was an opportunity to recognise the achievements of the oldest of our ECE learners and mark one of life’s first significant educational milestones, the transition from ECE to Primary School. Proud families and teachers met in the auditorium for the ceremony, which included musical performances by the tiny graduates.

ECE Coordinator, Ms Maryanne Harper, and ECE Chinese Coordinator, Ms Bridgett Ren（任敬）, welcomed the audience and introduced the large graduating class, as the young students quickly took up their positions across the stage, to officially open the ceremony with a vibrant drumming performance. Next, attendees were treated to moving bilingual vocal performances, which left even a few faculty members sniffling. First, the students sang a song titled “Gan Xie” (Thank You) in Chinese, to express all of their heartfelt gratitude to their teachers and parents for the love and support that has carried them to this moment. Next, was an interpretation of “How Far I’ll Go” from Disney’s Moana soundtrack, where they cleverly changed the word ‘daughter’ in the ballad to ‘student’ as they sang of their ambitions to make their parents proud.

Then Co-Principals Dr Timothy Gray and Dr Rae Wang took the stage to share a few words with the excited parents and confer the certificates of completion upon the happy, but nervous little graduates. Afterwards, Ms Harper retook the stage to introduce the assembled parents and students to the Co-Vice-Principals of the Primary School, Mr James Sweeney and Mrs April Peng who expressed all of their eagerness and optimism for the coming year and congratulated the K4 class on their impressive performance during the festivities. Finally, the magical morning was drawn to a close by the K4 graduates retaking their positions on the stage risers to deliver a bilingual, closing rendition of “If You’re Happy & You Know It, Clap Your Hands”, before adjourning to the K4 Learning Community for their graduation party.

As the graduates enjoyed cake and punch with their parents, ECE teacher, Ms Tilly Asafu-Adjaye commented:“It is wonderful to see how much they [K4 graduates] have grown since August. They’ve worked hard all year and really grown in both confidence and competence. Though it’s a bit sad to see them go, it’s quite exciting to see how they’ve progressed.”

At YCIS Beijing, we believe it is most important that children see themselves as competent learners and know they are valued and understood. That is why the Kindergarten Section of our school provides a nurturing environment for children that puts the joy of learning at the heart of the educational programme. And as reflected in the words of Ms Asafu-Adjaye, the positive effects of our beliefs and practices are apparent in our students.

Scan the QR code below to view more photos from the K4 graduation and concert, or click here.