Four years ago, a family made a decision: to send their children to Hailiang International School (HIS).

Back then, brother Karti had just entered middle school, and sister Kritika was still in primary school. With a little unease about the unfamiliar environment, they came here from overseas.

Today, four years later, Karti is a confident and composed senior in Grade 11–2, and Kritika has become a warm, shining “little sun” in Grade 9–2. Time has left its mark on their growth — not just in height, but in a complete transformation from the inside out.

Kritika: From “Sitting Quietly in the Corner” to “A Warm, Shining Little Sun”

When she first arrived, Kritika was always quiet. Kind and thoughtful, she was too shy to express herself actively. The new surroundings, all-English classes, and classmates from different countries — everything felt challenging for the 9-year-old girl.

But she found like-minded friends here.

From standing quietly on the sidelines at first, she now plays hula hoops with her partners, takes part in campus fairs, talks about the magical world of Harry Potter, and shares the joy of pop music. Thanks to the sincerity of her friends and the encouragement from teachers, she has gradually moved from watching from afar to active participation and found a strong sense of belonging in the warmth of the collective.

Today’s Kritika performs confidently on stage during cultural festivals, speaks up bravely in group discussions, and is the first to offer care when classmates feel down. Her classmates call her “little sun” — because she always lights up those around her.

Academically, she has shifted from “adapting to challenges” to “exploring proactively”. Faced with diverse and challenging courses, she no longer fears difficulties; instead, she enjoys the pride of solving tough problems. When confused, she knocks on teachers’ office doors. After finishing assignments, she sets small learning goals for herself. Her teachers say: “There is light in this girl’s eyes now.”

Karti: From “Following Passively” to “Leading Proactively”

Karti’s growth has been an awakening from within.

When he first joined HIS, the academic pressure of IGCSE and A‑Level left him feeling passive at first. But he soon made an important decision: he would no longer wait to be led.

He began to take the initiative. He brought textbooks and workbooks to teachers, clearly explaining the knowledge gaps he wanted to fix. To prepare for exams, he planned daily review schedules in advance. To master difficult questions, he gave up lunch breaks for extra tutoring sessions.

“I used to be pushed forward. Now I choose to run on my own,” Karti says. This drive to pursue goals — even giving up leisure time — turned him from a “lost traveler” into a “dream chaser with light in his eyes”.

In the community, he grew from a participant to a pillar of support for his peers. When others avoided tough events like long‑distance running at sports meet, he stepped forward and volunteered for the most tiring tasks. In the Ivy Cup Football Tournament, he was not the top scorer, but he was the most reassuring teammate — he encouraged those who made mistakes and cheered loudly for those who scored.

He also joined the Chinese Bridge competition and traditional Chinese cultural activities. From being unfamiliar with Chinese, he now speaks it fluently with classmates. Through these cultural experiences, he has truly put down roots in this country.

A Family’s Choice. A School’s Promise.

Four years ago, the parents chose HIS not only for academic excellence, but for its holistic education philosophy. They supported the school’s university counseling plans and trusted the school to let their children grow through challenges.

Four years later, they saw the answer.

Karti and Kritika’s story is not unique. At HIS, every day, students move from timidity to courage, from passivity to proactivity, from “me” to “we”.

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Epilogue

Four years is long enough for a seed to take root, grow, and become fully itself.

At HIS, we do not shape children into a fixed mold — we nurture them like fertile soil. We believe great education means seeing each child’s uniqueness, then walking with them as they find their own light.

At HIS

growth is never lonely

Beautiful things

are always meant to happen