Relationship building with sister schools in China

The visit enabled the school to explore potential sister school relationships with schools in China and gain some understanding of the complexities of working within the Chinese education environment.

To make sure they got the most out of their visit, Janine joined forces with Terry Holding, Relationship Manager from Belmont Intermediate’s pathway partner on Auckland’s North Shore, Takapuna Grammar. Terry’s depth of experience in China was invaluable to Janine, who was embarking on her a first marketing-focused trip to the country.

Janine says, “Going on the visit with Terry meant plenty of opportunity to discuss how we might collaborate more, and for me to see how I might use his school’s networks for our own marketing.”

The Sister Schools’ funding covered Janine’s travel costs, with Belmont Intermediate School paying for accommodation and other expenses.

“The funding allowed us to accompany Takapuna Grammar on their full marketing trip, which included visits to schools and agencies in Beijing, Xi’an, Kunming and Shanghai.”

Janine is aware that cultivating relationships takes time and patience, but there are some encouraging early signs, including:

• Sister school relationship agreed to in principle with Shanghai Far East School.

• Signed an agreement with an important agency.

• Visiting the parents of two students currently studying at Belmont Intermediate, thereby elevating the status of the school and reinforcing the school’s brand as trusted partner.

• Getting a good overview of the full range of Chinese schools – from primary to high school, and both private and government-run.

• Securing four short-term students for Belmont, all of whom have the potential to become full-time students for the school next year. This effectively paid for the other costs of the trip so as making the venture cost-neutral for the school.

• Setting tentative dates and sketching out plans for reciprocal school visits.

• Engaging with several students and parents that may lead to future enrolments.

• Gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and approach to business.

• An appreciation of the way the New Zealand primary school curriculum can be adapted and run in parallel to the traditional Chinese curriculum, was just one of the valuable insights Janine gained during her trip. One thing that came as surprise to Janine was the high level of English language competency of many of the students and general population.  

“The idea of sending intermediate-aged children to New Zealand is a relatively new one for many schools and education bodies in China, and I’ve learned to be comfortable with the fact that it may take several years for some of the relationships to bear fruit.”

Janine says, “I benefitted enormously from visiting China. There are so many things – big and small – that you just can’t grasp unless you go there. Although I was only able to skim the surface on my short trip, it all contributes to a greater understanding of the cultural and educational environment our Chinese students have come from and our education partners, such as agents, teachers and schools and are operating in.”