Family Profile
Family Profile
Balance Is Key To Becoming An Effective Learner
There are no shortcuts in education , especially if it is your own child ’ s . From providing basic necessities to developing social skills or everyday skills , every step in a child ’ s development needs the support , both emotional and practical , of both parents . And as parents take on and overcome the challenges of a highly competitive world in their own lives , there is often a feeling of helplessness in trying to live up to the expectation of raising a child that we have often set for ourselves . Grade 9 studen Cherry Tian and her parents may have found ways to meet the expectations for their daughter ’ s education , while also balancing their own individual growth – professionally and personally . Her father , Tian Fei , is the deputy general manager of a state-owned enterprise , while her mother Feng Ruiyan is a partner and financial director of a joint venture . Though Cherry has only been with Keystone for less than 18 months , she has already made an impression on her teachers . “ She excels academically , and it is a pleasure to teach her ,” say her teachers . Her warm , friendly and pro-active demeanor also appeals to peers and adults alike . Speaking to The Keystone Magazine ( TKM ), Cherry and her parents tell us about their education philosophy , and how they balance their individual and family lives .
It was at this time that I contacted Keystone , and saw that the teaching here could give our daughter what she needed and wanted . We hope that Keystone will help our child to develop into an adult with a global outlook while remaining true to her Chinese heritage .
Mother : It was actually Cherry ’ s decision to change schools . We have always given our daughter the liberty to make her own decisions and share her opinions with us . She thought it through , and gave us clear and rational arguments as to why she wanted to move to another school . After that , my husband and I discussed it before coming together as a family and choosing Keystone . The biggest factor is that Cherry enjoys learning
64 The Keystone Magazine
TKM : Before coming to Keystone , Cherry attended a good public school . When you decided to switch schools , what factors did you take into consideration ?
Father : Cherry ’ s previous school was very good with cutting-edge teaching methods and excellent resources . These helped its students to develop a positive outlook , accompanied by excellent study techniques and a good grounding in Chinese . However as our daughter grew older , she wanted more .
TKM : It has now been a year and a half since Cherry joined Keystone . How would you say the shift has been ? What have been the changes ?
Cherry : I love the environment and vibe at Keystone , especially when it comes to my love for music and sport . The teachers are really experienced and patient . Any time I have a problem with my schoolwork , they are always ready to help me , sometimes even with detailed answers , in person or via email . I also like that many of my teachers have initiated after-school activities through the