Heavyweight attraction! Shanghai Famous Principal Zhao Junning is appointed as our school headmaster, Hong Kong and Shanghai Famous Principals create a new benchmark for Hong Kong and Macau schools in the Bay Area!
At the beginning of the New Year, the international education sector in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area welcomed the first heavyweight guest of the year - Principal Zhao Junning, who officially assumed the post of ASJ Principal, together with Mr Tam Yat- Yuk,the Principal of ASJ,the ‘evergreen’ who has been serving the education sector in Hong Kong for more than 40 years, and the former Principal of Pui Ching Middle School, to promote the historical mission of ASJ to raise the academic and management level to a new level, injecting new vitality and hope into this hotbed of education. Mr Zhao Junning knows that education is a cause of love, the core of which lies in feeling and transmitting the deep emotion with heart. This love is not only embodied in the pursuit of knowledge, but also deeply rooted in the living life of each student. He stressed that education is a spiritual dialogue with each unique living being, a process of sowing hope and nurturing dreams in each young heart. With 37 years of rich teaching experience, Principal Zhao has devoted himself to education since graduating from Shanghai International Studies University, focusing on English teaching. During his 30 years of teaching career, he has not only gained an in-depth understanding of the Chinese education system, but also a unique insight into American education. This cross-cultural educational experience has enabled him to discover the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western education in comparison, and has injected richer and more diverse colors into his educational philosophy. Principal Zhao Junning Principal Zhao Junning is a highly regarded Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) of English in the education sector and a graduate of the long-established and prestigious Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). During his illustrious career, Principal Zhao has not only served as Vice Principal of Shanghai International Studies School (SISU), a renowned institution, but also as Chief Principal of Vanke School in Pudong, demonstrating outstanding leadership and a deep love of education. He has also served as Executive Director of the Foreign Language Teaching Committee of the China Education Association and Director of the Foreign Language Schools Department, making indelible contributions to the development of foreign language education in China. As the head of the International School Accreditation Expert Group of the Shanghai Municipal Education Evaluation Institute, Principal Zhao has provided a strong guarantee for the quality improvement of international schools with his unique educational insights and strict accreditation standards. Principal Zhao's teaching experience is extremely rich. He is not only proficient in general high school education, but also has an in-depth understanding of a wide range of curriculum systems such as bilingual education, IB (International Baccalaureate), A-Level (British High School Curriculum), AP (American Pre-University Program) and DSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination). He has travelled to Seattle, USA to teach, and has lectured in the UK, Japan, Italy and many other countries, combining Chinese educational concepts with advanced international teaching methods, and promoting educational and cultural exchanges and integration. Principal Zhao has also been actively involved in public service in education, helping to establish foreign language schools and international schools in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, and personally travelling to Ningxia and earthquake-stricken areas in Sichuan to deliver education, thus fulfilling the responsibility and bearing of educators with practical actions. In terms of academic research, Principal Zhao is equally fruitful. He is the chief editor of a series of English textbooks for foreign language schools across China (covering primary, middle and high schools), which have been highly praised by teachers and students for their scientific content organization and practical teaching methods. At the same time, Principal Zhao has published many papers in authoritative newspapers and magazines such as China Education News, Foreign Language Teaching and Research in Primary and Secondary Schools, Shanghai Minsheng Development Report, Jiefang Daily, Wen Wei Po, Shanghai Education, etc., which have discussed the current situation and development trend of foreign language education in depth, and provided invaluable theoretical support for the promotion of the reform and development of foreign language education in China. Since 2001, President Zhao has been offering a unique ‘The Analects of Confucius through English’ course at SFSU and Confucius Classroom. The aim of the course is to ‘read Confucius and be a good Chinese person; tell a good Chinese story and show the faith of benevolence and propriety’. Through this course, Principal Zhao not only enabled the students to appreciate the charm of traditional Chinese culture, but also inspired them to tell Chinese stories and spread Chinese culture in English. To this day, Principal Zhao still sticks to the front line of education and continues to write a brilliant chapter of education with his wisdom and passion. 2025 Principal's First Lecture
At the first flag-raising ceremony of 2025, Principal Zhao Junning delivered the ‘Principal's First Speech’, the following is an excerpt of his speech. Hello everyone, I am very honored to be part of this lovely school. It is an outstanding school, and I feel honored and blessed to be able to bask in the sunshine, grow with the students, and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and pleasant weather on campus. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of talking to Jason, a first year student, to find out what he has been up to. He told me that he recently went through a minor surgery but is recovering quickly. We had a great conversation and the school is very concerned about him and has arranged a special bus for him. In this school, we care about each other, help each other and live in harmony. I believe that with our joint efforts, we will become one of the best schools. At the flag-raising ceremony, I listened to two students delivering speeches in fluent English, and I have full confidence in you and believe that we can become the best English speakers in China. In this era of globalization, we need excellent English speakers to speak out on behalf of China, for the new generation and for mankind. I once heard a true story featuring Dr Tang Qi, UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Education, who is, by far, China's highest official in charge of education at UNESCO. He told me in Guangzhou that international organizations need numerous Chinese people, but it is often difficult to find suitable representativesbecause of language barriers and lack of expressive skills, and most of them fail to be selected because of their English and expressive skills. Therefore, the importance of English cannot be overstated.
Of course, there are exceptions. Staff members from Hong Kong and Macau, who are fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese, have made a great contribution to their country and to mankind in international organizations, and their personal careers have been adequately developed. At the same time, I would like to say to all of you that we have to be patient and help each other. To the teachers, I know that you are full of love, and that this love is selfless, sufficient and beautiful. Because to me, love is patience. When the children come to you for help, please help them again and again, day after day, week after week. Please try to be patient when the children need your help. By the way, when you are happy, you can forget about me; but when you feel faintly sad, unhappy or helpless, please come to me - Principal Zhao. I have a good ear and am willing to listen to you. As the English idiom says, ‘I'm always ready to listen’, or in Chinese, ‘洗耳恭听’. You can reach me anytime because I am always in school, either in my office or in your classrooms. Finally, I would like to wish you all a happy New Year and a happy Chinese New Year. But before we celebrate the Spring Festival, we have to take the upcoming final exams. Students can't run away from exams, but we can get good grades by working hard. Just like what Cao Yu said in his essay, ‘A drum is a drum, then a drum is a drum, then a drum is a drum, then a drum is a drum, then a drum is a drum, then a drum is a drum, then a drum is a drum.’ We have to have the courage to face the exams, especially those who take the big DSE exams, you will be able to get into your ideal university. As long as you dare to reach out for it, God will give it to you. Just like Cao Yu summed up the experience of fighting a war, exams also need courage and perseverance. I believe our school is the best school, our students are the best students, and our graduates are the bravest graduates. They will surely be able to realize their dreams in life. |
