This month in our ‘Meet YCIS’ series, we sit down with Mr Devreaux Poole, Primary Learning and Teaching Coordinator and Child Protection Officer at the Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing).

Based in Beijing since October 2009, Mr Poole holds two Bachelor of Education (Honours) degrees in Inclusive Education and Psycho-Educational Support, respectively. He is also furthering his education with plans to complete a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Management in October 2021.

Mr Poole joined YCIS Beijing in August 2014. He firmly believed the school’s authentic international community and emphasis on character development would be a good fit. He began as a Year Level Leader and has been the Primary Learning and Teaching Coordinator since August 2017. Today, he is tasked with further responsibility as a Child Protection Officer.

During his tenure at YCIS Beijing, he has appreciated the chance the school has given him to pursue his drive for excellence in education and professional development and the freedom to follow his love for music and choral singing in particular. He was offered the opportunity to establish the upper primary choir in 2018. This initiative has given students an opportunity to perform at interesting venues and community events around the city – including the Hilton Hotel and the British Embassy Christmas bazaar.

“The diverse culture of the staff and student cohort makes YCIS Beijing an exciting place to be,” he feels. Before moving to China, Mr Poole lived in England for five years and, while there, travelled across the UK and Europe. After moving to Beijing, he explored China and Southeast Asia, with Cambodia being one of the more memorable destinations.

After hours, Mr Poole enjoys rugby matches, avidly following his home country South Africa’s national team, the Springboks. He also practises Krav Maga, a modern self-defence system.

This might be followed by a memorable dining experience and fine wine. His favourite foods include high quality red meat and delicacies from the sea.

If he were to give his students one piece of advice, it would be to live in the moment, to be grateful, kind and brave.

Mr Poole is a highly experienced member of our Primary school team that is headed up by Ms Jane Martuneac Kang, Head of Primary, and Ms April Peng, Primary Chinese Vice-Principal. The Primary school curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England and a Chinese Language and Culture Programme. Each class is taught by a Chinese and Western teacher who both work together to integrate the languages into the teaching process. To learn more about the Primary programme at YCIS Beijing, please click here.