If education is likened to a long-distance race, then inner interest is undoubtedly the most enduring source of motivation.

In the second week of term, the YWIES Tongxiang Electives and CCA Fair arrived as scheduled. Courses spanning the humanities and culture, business and entrepreneurship, STEM, arts and sports were all made available. Through close-up interaction and hands-on experiences, students began to consider an important question: What do I love, and who do I want to become?

At YWIES Tongxiang, learning does not follow a predetermined track; instead, it opens up ever-widening possibilities. When passive reception gives way to active exploration, every student can gradually develop ownership of their own learning.

Expanding Boundaries

Breaking Down Year-Group Barriers

& Learning Through Real-World Experimentation

Why do we offer elective courses alongside the mainstream academic curriculum? The answer is simple: to take knowledge beyond textbooks and connect it with the real world.

Here, electives are not merely theoretical discussions; they are practical spaces in which abstract concepts can be transformed into tangible outcomes.

Following a review of last academic year’s elective achievements, students began to take part in a range of hands-on experiences. 

They moved between the metaverse, fashion workshop, art room, music room and technology laboratory, discovering the enjoyment of different disciplines at first hand.

“Experience first, choose later” — the thinking behind this approach is equally straightforward. Rather than rushing to define a child’s strengths or future direction, we provide ample room for them to discover where their interests lie through genuine experience.

Moreover, electives extend the boundaries of learning through collaboration across year groups. Courses are no longer divided strictly by age, but brought together through shared interests. The logical depth of older students and the fresh intuition of younger students can meet and complement one another within the same project. This not only reflects the diverse collaboration of the real world, but also provides targeted support at different stages:

G6–G8(Lower Secondary):

Electives serve as a ‘testing ground’ for exploring the unfamiliar. Through practical experiences, younger students can clarify their interests and gain valuable insight to support future IGCSE subject choices.

G11–G12(Upper Secondary):

Older students take on leadership responsibilities within projects. By guiding younger peers in subject exploration, they strengthen their leadership skills and sense of responsibility.

This academic year, the elective programme also embraces a special opportunity: the celebration of YWIES Tongxiang’s tenth anniversary. Courses have been fully integrated with the dual themes of an entrepreneurial mindset and the tenth anniversary, with each of the four subject areas contributing in its own way:

Humanities and Culture

Exploring school history and campus memories, using writing and storytelling to share the school’s unique narrative.

Visual Arts

Drawing upon symbols of school culture to create tangible outcomes, from posters and badges to 3D art installations and murals.

Performing Arts

Blending world music with contemporary arrangements to produce original pieces for anniversary performances.

STEM and Technology

Using algorithmic design and 3D printing to complete the full product-development cycle, from concept and prototype to testing.

In addition, for G11–G12 students, the school is one of only eight worldwide — and just two in China — invited to pilot the new Level 3 Qualification in Entrepreneurship, which will support students in strengthening their university applications.

A Stage for Student Leadership

From Comprehensive Provision to Student-Led Creation

If electives form part of the school’s academic foundation, then CCA(Co-Curricular Activities) offers another expansive space in which students can unleash their potential and explore their interests.

The CCA programme at YWIES Tongxiang covers a wide range of areas, including academic enrichment, technological innovation, competitive sport, creative arts, social service and leadership. From the precise adjustments made in technology clubs, to the excitement of the football pitch and the expressive power of the drama stage, CCA provides opportunities for students of every strength and passion to flourish.

Yet the most striking feature of this year’s fair was not simply the breadth of the programme, but the shift in who takes the lead: at some stands, the initiators of the activities were the students themselves.

Student-initiated CCA programmes have become an ideal platform for demonstrating initiative and leadership. From the earliest spark of an idea, to planning the course content, designing promotional posters and recruiting participants at the fair, students have taken responsibility for every stage independently.

“We decided to launch a music project because we wanted to create something different. Through a project led entirely by students, we hope to develop everyone’s leadership and teamwork skills.”

“Through the MEC CCA, I hope more people will learn about this project and become interested in business and entrepreneurship.”

When ownership of learning is returned to students, what is awakened is not only their ability to organise and communicate, but also a valuable sense of responsibility and belonging. They begin to understand how to turn an abstract passion into purposeful action, how to take responsibility for their own decisions, and how to find their place within a team.

True Growth

Is Finding Inner “Certainty”

After an afternoon of hands-on exploration and meaningful exchange, students returned to their classrooms with their own reflections, ready to begin planning the next stage of their learning journey.

At YWIES Tongxiang, we do not wish to fill children’s minds with standardised answers. Instead, we place the power of choice in their hands. The future holds many uncertainties, but what will enable them to move forward with confidence and resilience is an inner sense of certainty: knowing what they enjoy, while remaining curious about the unknown.

The Electives and CCA Fair lasted only one afternoon. Yet for our students, a much longer journey of self-discovery and personal growth has quietly begun.