In a terribly British way, right down to the red, white and blue bunting, it was a time of reflection at the British School of Nanjing Friday, as the official opening of the school’s new campus took place, marking the end of an eight year long journey from very scenic but significantly more humble beginnings in rented accommodation on the shores of Baijia Lake.
Nothing humble about it anymore. The new British School of Nanjing is among the finest international schools in the country, boasting the impressive range of facilities that has become mandatory for schools of this stature (swimming pool, state of the art auditorium etc.), along with one or two features unique to BSN, such as “The Valley”, an area dedicated to outdoor learning. To top it all, the whole campus is set into the side of the densely wooded Cuiping Mountain, amid a quiet residential community only a few minutes walk from the metro line that links Nanjing South Railway Station with Lukou International Airport.
Standing before an audience of several hundred, head boy and girl Alex Stubbs and Nuskaiym Kaniet Kyzy led the ceremony, giving an inspirational speech that also spoke of their own personal journey of growth along the road to this new campus.
In attendance were Stuart Fry, chairman of the board of governors of mother organisation The British Schools Foundation, along with headmasters from other schools in the group, including BSN’s first headmaster, Adam Johnson, now head of the British School of Yangon. Visiting Nanjing for the school’s opening, they were joined by 80 students from other schools in the group to also take part in the British Schools Foundation Music Festival which BSN has hosted for the past week.
Among the musical performances from both local students and visitors, the Foundation Stage choir gave a touching rendition of “This is My World” that left few dry eyes in the house.
In his speech, visiting dignitary Matthew Forbes, Deputy British Consul (Shanghai) stressed the importance of having international schools as a means of attracting investment into the local economy, while also using the opportunity to bang the gong for the creative education system that exists in the UK.
The Deputy Consul then took to the stage along with Stuart Fry, headmaster Matthew Shepherd, officials from local government, head boy and girl along with two students in the school when it opened back in 2007, to cut that very red, white and blue ribbon.
