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August 28, 2013

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Home » Supplement » Education

Seasoned co-principal joining YCIS in Puxi

By Zhao Wen | August 28, 2013, Wednesday | Print Edition

Yew Chung International School of Shanghai (YCIS) has recently appointed new Co-Principal Richard Swann PhD, who has years of experience in leadership and administration. Swann has taken over the job as Western Co-Principal of YCIS Shanghai Puxi Secondary Section.

“YCIS has a phenomenal reputation as an international school recognized throughout the world. Joining the school is quite an honor for me,” he said.

Swann holds a bachelor’s degree in music and education, a master’s degree in education from the University of Western Australia, and a doctorate in music education from Florida State University. He also has completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Coordinator Level 2 Accreditation, a certificate of international school leadership, and is currently completing a Certificate of International School Business.

Even though principals are usually quite busy, Swann thinks a good principal should always be available when students need help.

“I hope I am approachable. People can come to me and they will be listened to on any aspects of the school, no matter whether they are my colleagues or students,” Swann said.

“Principalship covers many diverse responsibilities. Being approachable and being able to listen, I think, are the most important attributes that a principal can have,” Swann said.

He said a principal has to oversee students and their learning, be responsible for the teachers and staff, and be able to communicate with parents in order to get the best perspective on the school’s development, as well as to seek their support.

“Being effective is very important, in order to secure all the responsibilities, hold them in balance and make sure that every voice is heard,” Swann said.

Before joining YCIS in Shanghai, Swann held positions in many aspects of school administration in Australia, the United States, Dubai and Thailand.

He was director of choral activities and a lecturer in musicology, psychology and conducting at the School of Music at the University of Queensland. He was the school improvement manager, school curriculum coordinator and coordinator of instrumental and vocal music in Deira International School in Dubai.

“Teaching is part of my life. I have some 35 years of teaching experience and I was also a practicing musician, a performer, a singer, a conductor and instrumentalist,” Swann said.

“My various experience in different educational postings gives me insight and perspective on how a school operates and functions,” he added.

Swann said he looks forward to working with Vicki He, Chinese co-principal of the section. He said the dual-principalship idea is one of the most exciting things at YCIS.

“In most cases, the country-of-origin leader of the school is much more geared toward the relationship with the government and has very little to do with the education and learning program. But at YCIS, there is a balance between the Western philosophy of international education and the Chinese philosophy of international education as both co-principals work to blend two cultures together,” Swann said.

Swann and his team soon will be celebrating the results of students’ external and IB examinations. They are also gearing up for another exciting year for students to be able to explore other cultures and nations via the school’s World Classroom Program and Education Outside the Classroom Program.

“We want to be able to say that every student who comes to YCIS has an opportunity to explore who they are, what they want to be and how the pathway at school will lead them in those directions,” Swann said.

Swann, born in England and raised in Australia, has a family that mirrors the places he has lived. “My wife is American. My five-year-old son was born in Dubai. My one-year-old daughter was born in Thailand. We are about to have a third baby who will be born here in Shanghai,” he said.

Swann said his main challenge now is learning Chinese. “In fact, there are many things to learn and many exciting challenges ahead of me. I am excited by the opportunity and pleased to be able to explore,” he said.

 

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