Written by: Melissa Shaw, Primary Coordinator
While Kian Ji is not new to YCIS, we welcome her in her new role as School Business Manager at YCIS Pudong. She will be working as part of the Senior Leadership Team and in close partnership with our Co-Principals. Let’s welcome Kian to our school community and find out a little more about her!
Firstly, congratulations on your recent appointment to the YCIS Pudong School Leadership Team (SLT) as School Business Manager! What attracted you to your new role?
Thank you! It’s the people and the community here that attracted me the most. Although I am very new to the role, I have known the Pudong team here for a long time through my Admissions experience.
Can you tell us a bit more about the role and how this aligns with the Co-Principals to form the SLT?
The School Business Manager’s role is to work closely together with the Co-Principals to allow high-quality teaching and learning to take place while ensuring that the school will continue to improve and strive for excellence. Both eastern and western perspectives, as well as academic and non-academic aspects are taken into consideration, benefitting our students.
What do you hope to achieve as the School Business Manager at YCIS Pudong?
My top priority is to support the school’s operation and ensure the health and safety of our children and staff. Despite the challenge brought by COVID, I have been amazed by how our teachers and staff have come together, making tremendous efforts to put procedures in place for a successful year.
Credits go to our amazing parents and students as well, who have shown the school a great extent of understanding, support and collaboration. Without them, the Health and Safety procedures would have been mission impossible.
Can you tell us about your previous roles at YCIS in the Admissions Team? You must have met lots of YCIS families already over the years!
Working in the Admissions team over 12 years has truly been a blessing. The team has accompanied nearly 10,000 families in their enrollment journey with YCIS Shanghai. Many of them stay connected with us even after graduation. At YCIS, we believe finding the right school for children is a big decision to make and we want parents to have an authentic experience to inform their decisions. This is very well supported by the school’s Mission, Principles and Practices.
You’ve been at YCIS Shanghai for 12 years! What has kept you working with this organisation for so long?
When your personal belief and values are in line with the work you do, you tend to lose track of time!
What have been your most memorable moments during your time at the school?
There have been so many! When families tell me how much they love the school and they are glad they chose the right place for their child; when kids see me on campus and call out to me; when I see students on stage for graduation ceremonies and the memories of their first day of school flash back.
What do you like to do in your spare time when not at school?
I enjoy spending quality time with my family, especially with my 7-year-old son, reading books together, playing sports, or even just some chatting can be so much fun.
Can you tell us something interesting about you that people probably don’t know (a skill or hidden talent)?
Hmmm I have cats at home since I was 10 years old and am learning skiing at the moment.
What are your hopes and dreams for the academic year ahead?
This year our theme is YCIS Connected. I want to ensure that everybody in our school community stays connected through our school news and updates. My hope is that we can enhance home and school partnership and communication.