After a relaxing summer break, YCIS Shanghai students and families are already back into the swing of school life. While the weekdays are filled with learning, the school values opportunities to build the community at the weekend in a more relaxing context. Therefore, the annual YCIS Shanghai Pudong Back to School Picnic, which took place last weekend, came at the perfect time, bringing together students, families, and staff, who celebrated the start of the new school year with a wonderful community-building event. 

Despite a week of torrential rain in the buildup to the event, YCIS’ community members weren’t deterred and attended in droves, their steadfastness rewarded with beautiful blue skies and glorious sunshine, complementing the green scenery and YCIS blue that covered the Regency Park Campus playing field. 

YCIS Shanghai Pudong community partners staffed booths across the site, with representatives from home furniture, arts and crafts, sports providers, and healthcare industries, among others. For the youngsters in attendance, they enjoyed playing merrily on the school’s playground equipment, tried their hand at some fun games, had the opportunity to get their faces painted with cute designs, and were keen to try out the bouncy castle. 

An interactive cycling activity was very popular with Primary students, but the biggest draw, yet again, was the Big Dumpling dunk tank, where students could – with one deftly-aimed throw of a tennis ball – dunk their teachers into an enormous vat of water! YCIS Pudong Performing Arts Director Mr Nick Adgemis displayed his musical talents again by assuming DJ and MC duties to keep the music going, creating a fun party mood throughout the day.

After perusing the stands and enjoying the various games and activities, everyone had built up quite an appetite, so the crowds started moving toward the delightful aromas wafting over the campus to indulge themselves in a bevvy of food options. There was plenty to choose from, with delicious Eastern and Western cuisine choices, including snacks, smoothies, juices, and hearty meals, as well as delectable desserts. There wasn’t an empty stomach in sight! The festivities continued after lunch until the middle of the afternoon, before families started to return home and enjoy the rest of their weekend activities outside the school.  

Events like the Back to School Picnic are perfect for new and existing YCIS families, as they allow community members to meet, talk, and relax together. The YCIS experience extends far beyond the classroom and involves not only the children but also all of the members of their families. It is fantastic to have everyone together on these occasions, and the community is looking forward to more school events to come throughout the school year. 

For more information about the many ways that parents can become involved in school life at YCIS Shanghai, please click here.