Each month we will feature an article written by senior leaders or faculty which will delve deeper into aspects of education that all schools are dealing with or are fundamental to their success. These articles will give our community a better understanding of the teaching and learning process as well as the value of the SUIS Gubei experience. 每月，协和古北校领导与一线教师将在本刊撰文，聚焦前沿教育议题、深耕学校核心育人理念，展开专业且深度的解读。助力大家洞悉教与学的底层逻辑，深刻感知上海协和高级中学（协和古北）独一无二的办学底蕴与校园求学价值。
In the previous issue of ‘Insights’, Academic Principal, Mr. Rick Spadafora, introduced SUIS-Gubei’s new set of Mission, Vision and Values, with a focus on the mission itself and how all of these drive our decision making. In this issue, he will focus on the school’s vision and what it sees in the near and longer term future. 在《洞察》上一期里，学术校长 Rick Spadafora 先生向大家介绍了协和古北全新的使命、愿景与价值观体系，并重点解读了”使命”如何驱动我们的每一项决策。这一期，他把目光投向学校的”愿景”，谈谈我们在近期与更长远的未来，希望成为一所怎样的学校。
“A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.” —Rosabeth Moss Kanter “愿景不只是一张关于’可能’的图景，它更是一种召唤——召唤我们成为更好的自己。” —罗莎贝斯·莫斯·坎特
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” —Peter Drucker “预测未来的最好方式，就是去创造它。” —彼得·德鲁克
The educational landscape in Shanghai is an increasingly competitive one. Although fewer international and bilingual schools are being built, the market is one in which the overall quality of the product is a determinant of success. 上海的国际教育市场，竞争一年比一年激烈。新建的国际学校和双语学校在减少，但行业整体水准在提高——这意味着，国际教育成败的关键已不再是”有没有”，而是”好不好”。
Parents are far more selective about the schools they want to send their children to particularly as it’s an investment that requires a decent return in these economically challenging times. With a shrinking demographic, existing schools will have to work that much harder to win hearts, minds and wallets. 家长的选择也比以往更挑剔。教育是一笔不小的投入，尤其在经济承压的当下，大家更希望看到实实在在的回报。面对生源缩减的现状，学校若想赢得家长的信任、学生的青睐以及这份沉甸甸的投入，就必须付出加倍的努力。
Our recently new vision statement declares that ‘we aspire to be one of Shanghai’s most respected international schools’. In many ways, I believe we have already achieved that through our academic results and university offers, particularly in recent years. We can compete with some of the best schools in the city. Our reputation has strengthened, not only due to scores and accolades, but also due to our commitment to providing a solid holistic education and producing confident, agile and resilient leaders who can make a difference to their communities. But SUIS-GB is not one to rest on their laurels. 我们的新愿景是：”立志打造上海一流国际学校。” 坦率地说，我认为在很多方面，这个目标我们已经做到了。尤其是这几年，我们的学术成绩和大学录取结果，完全有底气跟上海最顶尖的学校同台竞争。声誉在提升，不只因为分数和奖项，更因为我们始终在做的——提供扎实的全人教育，培养自信、灵活、有韧性的领导者，让他们有能力为所在的社区带来改变。但我们不会安于现状，时代在变，我们也不能停下脚步。
We need to embrace change and determine what is best for our students, whether that be diversifying pathways, broadening our exposure and participation in international competitions or developing our sports and arts programmes to maximize their potential. We need to be on the lookout for and vigilant about threats such as AI overreliance and unethical practices whilst welcoming opportunities that help our students develop and flourish in a volatile, changing world. 无论是拓宽升学路径、鼓励学生更多参与国际赛事，还是将体育和艺术项目做到极致，我们都必须主动出击，精准判断什么才是对学生最有益的。对于AI依赖、学术不诚信等潜在威胁，我们要时刻保持警惕；而对于能帮助学生在动荡多变的世界中扎根、生长的机会，我们则要张开双臂去拥抱。
SUIS-GB is also a ‘vibrant community’. A walk through the hallways during break, lunch or after school will clearly showcase this attribute. It is a positive, lively atmosphere where students and staff feel safe, nurtured and encouraged to develop their full potential. For our students, we see this in the classrooms, playground, canteen and even in the exam room. 协和古北是一个”充满活力的社区”。课间、午休或是放学后，只要你在大厅里走上一圈，就能深切感受到这份”活力”。那是一种积极向上的氛围，在这里，学生和老师都感到安全、被呵护，并被鼓励去释放自己的全部潜能。这份活力，在教室里能看到，在操场上能看到，在食堂里能看到，甚至在考场上也能看到。
For our faculty, this is evident in our induction week, in social celebrations and in our new professional growth and development framework where every staff member creates clear, realistic goals and works with others to carry out action-based research on an area of pedagogical impact. 对于教师而言，这份活力同样真实可触。它体现在入职培训周里，蕴含在各种校园庆祝活动中，也融入了我们全新的教师专业成长与发展框架——每位老师都会设定清晰、务实的成长目标，并与同事们携手，针对特定的教学课题开展行动研究。
Most importantly, SUIS-GB is a learning community ‘where every student is challenged, supported and inspired to grow’. We don’t believe in allowing students to settle easily into their own comfort zones. We encourage students to exceed even their own potential and to maximize the resources available to them here at school and beyond. 最重要的是，协和古北是一个学习共同体，致力于”让每位学生都能在挑战中成长、在支持中进步、在激励中超越”。我们不会让学生停留在舒适区，恰恰相反，我们鼓励他们突破自身的上限，将校内外所有可用的资源用到极致。
We are there for our students when they fall, and they will most certainly do so, helping them pick themselves up and striving forward, whatever their endeavors. Our teachers, counselors – academic and psychological – are here to work alongside students, ensuring they can reach their goals and helping them navigate the complex landscapes they will be entering. We inspire our students to grow – in the classroom, on the field, in the art and drama studios and in our daily interactions, building solid, lasting relationships. 毋庸置疑，他们难免会跌倒——而当他们跌倒时，无论他们正在经历什么，我们就在那里，扶他们站起来，陪他们继续前行。学术导师、心理老师以及升学指导老师，始终站在学生身边，助力他们达成目标，并引导他们从容应对未来将要面对的复杂局面。我们在教室里、在运动场上、在美术和戏剧工作室里，甚至在每一次日常的相处中，用一段段牢固而长久的人际关系，点燃学生成长的火花。
The foundations for our vision have already been laid. We will continue to build on these day after day, year after year. We strive to maintain and exceed our already strong reputation in the community. This vision articulates that goal and paves a path forward. 我们愿景的根基早已筑牢，未来我们将日复一日、年复一年地在此基础上不断垒高。我们将坚守并努力超越在社区中已赢得的良好声誉。这一愿景不仅清晰地阐明了我们的目标，更为我们铺就了一条笃定前行的道路。
▲ Written by Rick Spadafora, Academic Principal
▲ 本文由学术校长 Rick Spadafora 撰写