Update from Dr Dawber - Day 5

16.6.16  Update from Dr Dawber

Yesterday was blisteringly hot and very humid, so I didn't get outside much. However, the effort of sitting in the sun for half an hour on Tuesday (which was also pretty unpleasantly hot) as a cure for jet lag paid off. I finally slept well! 

Yesterday morning I did lots of admin and planning of lessons and experiments and, in the afternoon, I taught a yr11 (U5) revision lesson. Only 6 students in the class (I think there are only about 6 in ordinary year 11 as a whole, but they also have a 'pre A level group of year 11s who are not doing English igsces). The poor things were a little distracted by the thought of their IGCSE chemistry paper 2 an hour later, but it was fun and went well, nonetheless.

I also gave various Wycombe abbey science resources and schemes of work to the teachers here, they were very, very grateful! 

After dinner I got a guided tour of the swimming pool, so no excuses for not getting some exercise in any free time I have now! Sadly I forgot the mosquito repellent for my evening stroll so now I'm covered in bites, yuck.  

Today we tried out the Paper Pan project using the meths-types burners that they use here in science instead of Bunsen burners (the Chinese government has banned all use of gas in schools as I understand it). Sadly they don't get very hot and it took 45 minutes to boil the water - about as exciting as watching paint dry - so we've had to abandon that idea. The rest of the morning was mostly spent planning alternative experiments - I have a few up my sleeves but they don't have very much apparatus here yet and it's surprisingly difficult to get hold of everyday things we take for granted - but I think it's looking ok for the next two weeks. 

This afternoon I had another lesson with the yr11s (U5), mostly on Electromagnetism. They were really appreciative and wanted another! So after a meeting with the head of 6th form (who's also a house master) about UCAS and university preparation,  I gave an extra lesson to the yr11s going over everything they found hard. It was really rewarding, as they seemed to get so much out of it. I suspect I may see some of them again before their IGCSE physics paper 2 tomorrow afternoon! 

The pupils here are very friendly, (perhaps partly because I'm a bit of a novelty!?).  They all say hello, and give a little wave at the same time when they meet you in the corridor, even ones I've never met. It's very sweet! Especially with the tiny ones from primary and kindergarten 😊

Dr Dawber's visit (Day 2)

13.6.16

A very productive day and interesting day today - and the sun has been shining! I've met all sorts of people and found out a lot about how tutoring and boarding work here, from talking to the head of boarding, the deputy head (pastoral) and one of the tutors. Most things are quite similar to Wycombe Abbey but there are a few differences, too - like male heads of female boarding houses who don't live in! I've met with the Science department - very small compared with Wycombe Abbey but it is expanding a lot from September as student numbers climb - and I've shared lots of resources with them. I've also chatted to some of the students (including primary, kindergarten and even some BOYS!)

I've even started to help mentor one L6 boy who is doing an EPQ on gravitational waves - complex stuff.

Tomorrow I will finally get into the classroom - helping out with some revision classes for U5 and U6 Physics students. They carry on having revision lessons whilst they're doing external exams here!

Dr Dawber's visit to Wycombe Abbey International School, Changzhou (Day 1)

12.6.16

Arrived in Shanghai on Thursday morning after the 'excitement' of having to have my passport and visa couriered to meet me at Heathrow airport! Was met by Feynman (head of HR at CZOIC) and whisked off for the three hour drive to Changzhou, where I met the headmaster. He took me on a guided tour of the school. They have some very impressive buildings and facilities, some huge and five stories high. They even have their own boat house and lake! Everything is very modern.

It is a national holiday here for the Dragon boat festival, so most of the pupils have gone home, only those in the middle of external exams are here, so it’s quite empty.

On Friday I had a visit to Shanghai just for a couple of hours and saw the Bund, the very imposing riverside skyline with all its skyscrapers. Am hoping very much to come back and see it lit up by night.

Quiet day today but hoping I might get out on the speedboat later if it stops raining! I get my first taste of lessons here tomorrow"