As we reach the end of another semester, I would like to extend my warmest regards to all the students, staff, parents and alumni who make up the SCIE community, and wish you a happy holiday period.  As I write, the Support Services staff are preparing festive fare for our Christmas lunch and we are all looking forward to a well-earned rest.  Let's all enjoy the break and take some time to recharge our batteries.



        This semester has seen some changes, most notably the departure of our long-serving Executive Principal, Mr Zhu, who has moved on to teach more young geniuses.  Longmont Xu, who many of you know as the Head of the Recruitment Department, has stepped in to take over maintaining continuity and stability.
         So far, four A2 students have received offers to study at Oxford University in the coming academic year, and we hope for more offers in the New Year.  In addition, the new US university applications counselors have already shown their value, with students receiving early decision offers from among others Brown, Cornell and Northwestern Universities.  In the future we hope to see communities of SCIE alumni becoming established in top universities not just in UK and USA, but in Canada and Australia as well. 



        In response to the feedback we receive from our alumni, we continue to make efforts to improve the standard of English of our graduates so that they are equipped for study abroad.  This has been another major focus of our efforts to improve this semester and I feel that students are, sometimes reluctantly, making progress in this area.  I commend the efforts which the Chinese teachers have made to improve their English to meet the needs of the students more effectively.
          Next semester we look forward to continuing improvement as the college prepares itself to become a member of the Council of International Schools.  To become a member of this council a school needs to meet high standards, to show its commitment to international education and to excel in carrying out its mission statement.  It is my intention that by joining the Council of International Schools, SCIE can take its rightful place alongside the world's top international schools.
       I would like to extend my thanks to all the staff of the college for your support and efforts this semester and commend you  on an excellent semester's work.  To those of you, SCIE alumni, who have left, I would like to make a request that you keep in touch.  Let us know about your experiences after you have left and come back and give our existing students some advice about studying abroad.
 
        Merry Christmus and A Happy New Year!
 
J. B. Greenwood
Academic Head
Shenzhen College of International Education