The Value of Art Education

Jun 12, 2023

At the Western International School of Shanghai (WISS), we prioritize learning in four key areas: Academics, Sports, Arts, and Community Service. Art is an integral part of our curriculum, spanning across the Early Years, Primary, and Secondary schools.

The Arts are essential as it provides numerous benefits for students. First and foremost, it enables students to express themselves creatively and develop their unique voices. It also helps students develop valuable life skills such as critical thinking, communication, and emotional awareness. Additionally, art education promotes cultural understanding and appreciation, which is crucial in our increasingly diverse world. By incorporating art into our curriculum, we nurture students to become well-rounded individuals capable of making meaningful contributions to society.

How A Musical Production Drives Positive Change

May 5, 2023

What a great idea! A Primary School musical production aimed at raising awareness of environmental challenges and getting young children involved in learning about sustainability. Recently, our Grade One through Grade Three students and teachers incorporated themes such as recycling, conservation, and the impact of climate change into the storyline and music of their performance. It was a fun way to encourage creativity and teamwork among the students. Overall, using art and performance to connect with people on important issues is a powerful tool for positive change.

Arts Education at WISS

Apr 25, 2023

Can you imagine a world without art? No driving down the highway with the windows down and the music blaring. No staying up all hours of the night binge-watching your favorite television series. No visits to the Art Gallery to take in your favorite artists. No one to create movies, music, or paint. This doesn't sound like a very stimulating environment, does it?

Some educational philosophies only emphasize the importance of academic studies and that Art is simply a hobby or something we do during our free time. Yes, the academic side of education is vital in the development of our youth, but so are the arts. A report by Americans for the Arts states that students who frequently partake in the arts are four times more likely to be admired for their academic accomplishments than those students who do not.

WISS Art Exhibition a Triumph!

Apr 14, 2023

The WISS Education rests on four unyielding pillars of learning: Academics, Sports, Arts, and Community Service. At the Western International School of Shanghai (WISS), Arts are essential to our curriculum across our Early Years, Primary and Secondary School.

The Visual Arts Programme offered at WISS skillfully aligns with the IB curriculum. It focuses on teaching students to critique and reflect on their work and develop analytical and problem-solving skills, which are critical for success in the 21st Century Workplace.

Top Awards at Shanghai Students Film Festival

Apr 3, 2023

Lights, Camera, Action: Celebrating the Best of the Best at the Shanghai Students Film Festival.

The Shanghai Students Film Festival is one of the year's most anticipated events for student filmmakers in China. The festival, organized by Mr. Simon Jackson, WISS’s talented Head of Visual and Creative Arts, celebrates the best student films produced by the most talented young filmmakers nationwide, providing a platform for up-and-coming artists to showcase their talents work and network with industry professionals.

Now in its 16th year, the Shanghai Student Film Festival (S2F2) symbolizes creativity, innovation, and hope for the future. Every year the students’ work becomes more professional and groundbreaking, often going on to win awards in far larger international festivals. The festival brings together talents from international schools across China who compete through various film challenges.

Enrichment Week at WISS

Apr 3, 2023

As a learning community, the Western International School of Shanghai shares the responsibility to help students achieve their academic goals, such as gaining their high school diploma or receiving those anticipated offer letters from top universities.

Ultimately, we aim to prepare students for life after WISS—for life outside of the classroom and experiences in the real world. The approaches to learning cultivated at WISS include social skills, critical thinking skills, communication skills, research skills, and self-management skills.These skills are relevant far beyond the confines of the IB Diploma or Career-Related Programmes and WISS itself. The time spent at school on these activities is just as crucial as the knowledge of mathematical equations and chemical reactions.

The Importance of Fostering Creativity in Young Learners

Jan 18, 2023

Research informs us as educators that creativity within curriculums enhances intellect, metacognition, creative, independent thinking, and innovation, skills essential to the future of our children and society. At the Western International School of Shanghai (WISS), we believe that every child is an individual with unique talents. As part of the WISS Education, we aspire to empower students to unlock their talents and reach their potential as creative thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers.

Students Showcase Creative Arts Talents

Jan 13, 2023

At the Western International School of Shanghai (WISS), Arts form an essential part of our balanced international curriculum.

The WISS curriculum is built on four pillars: Academics, Sports, Arts, and Community Service. We provide students with the opportunities to explore the elements of being successful artists and learners of the arts. Learning through Arts is fundamental to the development of the whole child and nurtures students to think creatively and critically, explore the unfamiliar, innovate, and experiment.