Looking Back from Spring 2018 回顧今年

One of the favorite recollections from childhood is from a hike my family used to go on several times each year in Hong Kong. The hike began with about an hour of steps, non-stop, through a thick brush and forest. In the summer heat, it was gruelling, especially for an elementary school student! I vividly remember counting drops of sweat dripping off the end of my nose on the stone steps. But after an hour, the forest cleared, and the view was incredible: ocean, islands, and rolling mountains. But more importantly, we could see the tiny road from which we started below us and could be amazed at how far we’d come.

小時候一個最深刻的記憶是,我跟家人在香港一年會去好幾次的登山之旅.那個旅程,通常第一個小時,是在濃密的樹林裡不停地走。在炎炎夏日,這段路實在很煎熬,尤其對一個國小學生來說。我很有印象,當時在石頭階梯走時,汗水不停地從我的鼻子上滴下來。但一個小時後,離開樹林的風景非常優美:有海,島嶼和不斷的山脈。但更重要的,我們可以看到腳下,從起點走來的小徑,並很驚訝我們走這麼遠。

During these last two weeks of the school year, I’ve been able to take some time to reflect back on where we’ve come as a school these last two years, and I’ve been enjoying the view.

在過去兩個學年,我時常利用時間回顧一路走來的過程,且非常欣賞看到的景色。

Since the fall of 2016, I’ve spoken a lot with parents about how a good education is about three key ingredients: knowing, being, and doing. At MAK we’re always looking at ways to improve in these three aspects so that we can play an important part in the spiritual, character, and academic development of the next generation. The following areas of growth for us, whether having to do with knowing, being, doing, or some combination of the three, are reasons to sit back and celebrate as we enter the summer holidays.

自從 2016 年秋季,我就常跟家長們聊好的教育有三個關鍵:知識,作為,和實行。在 MAK,我們一直在尋找可以加強這三個方面的方法,以扮演在下一代的心靈,人格和學業發展的重要角色。當我們迎接暑假的同時,以下幾個層面的成長,是讓我們能好好慶祝的原因。

BEING 作為

The 3 Bs 三個 B

This year we extended our 2016-2017 elementary school behavior rules into middle school: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Engaged. This has helped our middle school students clearly understand school expectations. Read more here.

今年,我們延伸去年 2016 – 2017 學年度國小行為指標到國中部:尊重,負責,融入。這幫助我們的國中生更清楚的了解學校對他們的期待。延伸閱讀請按此

Secondary Advisory Program  國高中輔導課

For two years now we’ve been proud to say that every one of our secondary students has an adult mentor on campus. This year our Advisory Coordinators have continued to refine our weekly lessons to effectively promote social, academic, and spiritual growth.  

兩年來,我們很驕傲地讓每位國高中學生,在學校都有搭配一位成人的輔導師。今年,我們的輔導員持續改進每個禮拜的課程,更有效地加強社交,學業及心靈的成長。

Elementary CommUNITY Week 國小社區活動週

For the second year running, our elementary school has dedicated a full week in the fall to student character growth. Our hope is that these weeks can help our ES students understand what it means to have character like Jesus. Read more here.

今年是第二年,我們國小部利用秋季一整週的時間,來加強學生品格的發展。我們希望,這個時間能幫助國小學生了解,擁有像耶穌性格的意義。延伸閱讀請按此

Secondary House Program 國高中學院制度

We’ve furthered the leadership and mentorship possibilities within houses by changing our Student Council to a House Council, and by reorganizing our lockers by house instead of by grade level.

我們透過將「學生會」改為「學院會」,讓各學院內的領導及互助機會延伸。另外,我們將學生的鐵櫃,以學院非年級來分類。

Parent Workshops 家長座談會

This year we worked to increase our parent-school connection by hosting three workshops on technology and the home. Keep an eye out for more parents workshops in the coming year!

今年,我們透過三場關於科技及家庭的座談會,來增加學校與家長的交流。明年還會有更多喔!

BEING & DOING 作為與實行

Impact Week 戶外教學週

This past fall we combined all our 6-12 Impact Program trips into the same week. This not only made our student travel more convenient but also gave seniors the opportunity to be leaders on each of our grade 6 to 11 trips. Read more here.

去年秋季,我們將六至十二年級的戶外教學之旅,全部併在同一週進行。這不僅讓旅行安排更方便,也給十二年級學長姐,有機會在各年級的團裡當領隊。延伸閱讀請按此

BEING & KNOWING 作為與知識

Student-Voice Conferences 學生會議

For two years now we’ve included students in our parent-teacher conference. This has made conferences not just about grades but rather a conversation about the whole student.

我們已經在過去兩年,讓學生參與老師家長會。這讓會議不只是關於成績,也是關於學生全人發展的對話。

Sharknet: Sharkademics & Relationsharks  「鯊關係」和「鯊令營」

If a middle schooler is struggling either socially or academically, they are now required to take part in our Relationsharks or Sharkademic programs, in which they meet weekly with a high school mentor.

若有國中生在社交或學業上有困難,他們現在必須參與「鯊關係」和「鯊令營」。在其中,他們會與一位高中學長姐每週碰面。

Inter-School Transitions  升學過渡期

This year teachers worked extra with both students and parents to ease the transition from ES to MS and MS to HS by hosting workshops for parents and transition activities for kids.

今年,所有老師們更努力地與學生和家長合作,透過家長座談會,和學校活動,來幫助國小升國中,及國中升高中的過渡期.

Process and Product Grades in Middle School  國中部過程與結果成績

In a major step move toward standards-based grading, our middle school staff began separating behavior elements of grades from purely academic elements. This has helped clarify for teacher, parents, and students alike how they are really doing in their classes. Read more here.

我們在轉向標準制評量的過程中跨了很大一步。我們國中部的教職員開始將行為成績,從課業成績中分開。這幫助老師,家長和學生更清楚了解他們在課堂上的表現。延伸閱讀請按此

DOING  實作

Middle School Exploratory Courses  國中探索課

For two years now, our middle school exploratory courses have emphasized creativity, risk-taking, and collaboration. Read more here.

過去兩年,我們的國中探索課,將強學生的創造力,冒險心和團體合作。延伸閱讀請按此

Middle School Fine Arts Program  國中藝術課

One major change to our middle school schedule this year has been the addition of a dedicated Performing Arts period. Now all middle school students are required to participate in theater, set design, band, or orchestra. This has provided a major boost to our performing arts programs!

今年國中課表最大的變化就是新加入的藝術課程。現在,所有國中生都必須參與戲劇,舞台設計,樂團或管旋樂。這讓我們的表演藝術課程有很大的鼓舞。

KNOWING  知識

Mastery Connect in Elementary School  國小的 Mastery Connect

This year our elementary staff took on the use of Mastery Connect for recording student progress. The result has been an increased focus on specific learning benchmarks and mastery of those outcomes. Read more here.

今年,我們國小部教職員利用 Mastery Connect 的系統來記錄學生的進度。在幫助加強學生較弱的學習評效上,成果顯著。延伸閱讀請按此

MAP Testing (Grades 1-10)  MAP 測驗 (一至十年級)

This year we began our second year of the MAP test, which has provided our grade 1-10 math and language arts teachers with oodles of data to guide instruction.

今年是我們用 MAP 測驗的第二年,這個測驗提供老師們,在一至十年級的數學及語言上,許多參考指數。

MS Resource Period  國中資源時間

Another scheduling change in middle school has been the addition of a Resource Period each Friday. This 40-minute gem has allowed students time to meet with teachers, review their week, or take make-up assessments.

另一個國中課表的改變,是每個禮拜五的資源時間。這個40分鐘的時間,給學生機會跟老師碰面,回顧該週,或補考。

KNOWING & DOING  知識及實作

High School Elective Period  高中選修課

Like in middle school, our high school schedule changes have also allowed for more creativity in student learning. Three times each week our high schoolers have a genuine elective period in which they can pursue the arts, robotics, current issues, or programming. See more here.

就如國中,高中課表的改變也讓學生的學習過程中,增加許多創造力。一週三堂選修課中,高中生可以在其中學習藝術,機器人學,時事或寫程式。延伸閱讀請按此

Senior Capstone  十二年級總整課程

These final two changes are in the works still, but I can’t resist including them here. Next year our seniors have the chance to pursue their own passion project in our new Senior Capstone course. Here they will be able to apply what they’ve learned throughout high school and partner with a professional mentor to produce something amazing.

最後兩個變化還在進行中,但我還是想提出來說。明年,我們十二年級學生,在十二年級總整課程裡會有機會追求他們有興趣的題材。在此,他們將可以 實際應用 整個高中所學,並與一個專業的的良師一起創造很棒的作品。

School Maker Spaces  創客空間

Finally, as a result of our Annual Fund efforts this year (through which we raised over 700,000NTD!), we are in the midst of building two maker areas in the elementary school, enhancing our Media Lab, and constructing a secondary school Creation Lab – complete with several new 3-D printers and a top-of-the-line laser cutter. The possibilities are endless.

終於,在今年年終募款的努力下(共募了台幣七十多萬元!),我們目前正在國小部,建造兩個創客空間,來補強媒體室。而在國高中部,我們在建設一個創造室,其中裝置許多新的 3D 影印機和頂級雷射切刀。未來學生將有無限的創造空間。

Needless to say, the view from the top of the hill is quite incredible. Not only that, but the path ahead looks great as well. We could not be the exciting learning community we are without the tremendous efforts of our gifted and passionate staff and without you, our supportive parent community. As I’ve said many times this year, it is so good to follow Jesus – and it’s so fun to be a part of the adventures on which He leads us! Thank you for joining us on our adventure; have a restful summer.

不用說,從高處往下看的風景很美。不只這樣,前面的道路看起來也很棒。沒有我們充滿天份及熱誠的教職員一起努力,及各位家長的支持,我們無法製造今天如此令人興奮的學習環境。就如我今年已經說過好幾次的,追隨耶穌真好,走在祂帶領我們的探險中非常有趣。祝大家有個輕鬆的暑假。