Our biggest worry in taking the huge step to move to China was how our children, Stephen (11) and Catherine (9), would adapt away from family and friends in a totally different environment.
Two months on, all our fears have proven unfounded. School was a huge consideration. Stephen had been attending StMary's National School in Rathfarnham, Dublin, while Catherine (9) had been a pupil at Loreto National School across the road. Both were extremely happy.
Last November, on a week's visit to Beijing prior to officially taking up the position of Asia Correspondent of The Irish Times, I visited two international schools. I was most impressed with what I saw at the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB)
WAB attracted us because of the emphasis it put on Chinese culture and language, the small class sizes, the facilities and the open communication channels among the teachers, pupils and parents. There are only 13 pupils in Stephen's class and 20 in Catherine's and we can already see how they are benefiting from the extra attention. All pupils have access to a computer.
Both children are learning Chinese and, in addition, have been taught about local Chinese customs.
Stephen's class, for instance, was taken to the Temple Fair in Beijing during the Chinese New Year celebrations at the end of January. They are going on a field trip to Inner Mongolia in the north of China in two months' time.
Science is a big part of the curriculum here. Catherine did a "light and sound" project recently in a collaboration between pupil, teacher, and parents, while Stephen has already completed projects on electricity and earthquakes.
There is also a lot of focus on sports and physical education, with supervised after-school sports during the week.
The children have more homework than in Ireland, up to 45 minutes on occasion. That is not easy after a long day, which starts at 7.40 a.m. when they catch the school bus from the compound where we live. Classes start at 8.30 a.m. and finish at 3.15 p.m. with two breaks in between.
The school has a counselling service for families who are finding the adjustment to Beijing difficult. Thankfully, we haven't had to call on that yet!
One of the greatest benefits for Stephen and Catherine is the interaction with children from all over the world. The children in WAB are from Asia, Africa, Europe and the United States. Last weekend, Stephen had two Finnish friends on a sleepover, while Catherine has been at birthday parties in recent weeks for children from Denmark and Canada. The children love the more informal classroom atmosphere in WAB and of course the fact they don't have to wear a uniform. They are encouraged to speak their minds (within reason) and the focus is on the development of the pupil's personality as well as academic achievement.
We fully appreciate that they have been handed a wonderful opportunity and are very privileged. One has to only to look at the poor facilities available to millions of Chinese children to know that they are the lucky ones.
WAB is a fee-paying school, and an expensive one at that. The teachers, recruited from all over the world, are well paid and are dedicated professionals.
Next August WAB moves to a new multi-million dollar complex in the north-east of Beijing. The facilities will include a canteen, an auditorium, a swimming pool, library and a range of other sports facilities.
Stephen and Catherine bounce out of the apartment every morning eager for another day at WAB. On the odd occasion when we are feeling bewildered by this move, their enthusiasm for China and their new school gives us the lift we need.
