The 3rd session of co-curricular activities (CCA) has begun at YCIS Beijing. This is an important aspect of our whole school curriculum and provides opportunities for students to follow their hobbies and passions as well as enhance their learning in a wide range of areas.

This session, there is a wide range of activities including robotics, photography, basketball, French Club, MUN, knitting, Student Council, Jazz Band, and Math competition club.  Additionally, we have a number of academic support clubs on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays where students can get additional input on a range of subjects they may be finding challenging. 

Joy Moore, our Lower Secondary Coordinator and Lead CCA Coordinator, talked to us about the importance of CCA’s in YCIS Beijing’s Secondary School and the essential skills that they help to develop in students:

Students in YCIS Beijing’s Secondary School are encouraged to engage in CCA’s because it brings them a balance of skills and interests, helps to take them out of their comfort zones, and helps them meet students form other year levels. For our non-native English speakers, it’s a great way to improve English skills in a more casual, non-academic learning environment as well.

Students acquire numerous soft skills through their involvement in CCA’s. At YCIS Beijing, our students are given the opportunity to lead their own CCA’s, which offers valuable leadership experience; some older students, facilitated by YCIS Beijing teachers, coach younger teams, while others are involved in hosting charity and school events on campus. Through our involvement in ISAC and ACAMIS sports leagues, our kids are exposed to healthy competition, which in turn teaches them teamwork, how to behave in winning or losing situations, and how to deal with adversity. If they are not interested in competition, we also encourage students to play sports simply for personal enjoyment and health benefits.