Since 2009, Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing) has held its annual Global Community Day (GCD) to celebrate the diversity of cultures and languages and bring the community together for a day of fun and entertainment.

This year, the school hosted its 2021 Global Community Dayon campus once again, albeit with certain restrictions to ensure the health and safety of all.

Students and their parents were invited to attend along with school staff and the faculty. Our community came together to enjoy the festivities on Saturday, 22 May, meeting old friends and making new ones while browsing a variety of stalls, activities and performances throughout the grounds. They explored booths set up by staff and the Parent Organisation as well as stalls run by students who had organised all this with their teachers' assistance.

The event kicked off bright and early with a Fun(d) Run covering three routes – 1km, 2.5km and 5km – around Honglingjin Park, where participants enjoyed the spring morning while raising money for charity.

Meanwhile, on the school grounds festive with coloured bunting, blue tents encircled a jolly bouncy castle that proved a big draw with the youngest. Parents and children licked on ice cream and sampled food and snacks from around the world as they viewed jewellery and tried their hand at arts and craft.

There were dodgeball games for all and, favoured by students, but less so the teachers, the very popular sponge throwing contest. And for those escaping the heat of the day, an indoor video arcade and cool seating areas beckoned.

As always, a highlight of the day was the non-stop entertainment and music on stage. For this, appreciation should be extended to the Music and Performing Arts Department, led by Mr Gordon Robb. Guests were serenaded throughout the day. Students along with the Parent Organisation put in excellent song and dance performances. The cast of We Will Rock You returned to delight attendees with a Queen medley and the orchestra played a wide range of pop and classical music to appeal to all ages.

All proceeds from GCD will go to improving the wellbeing of YCIS students on campus and the school facilities.

The great success of this event can be attributed to the tremendous effort made by various departments, from the School Leadership Team (SLT) to the Support and Maintenance Department and the faculty – not forgetting of course the event organiser and the school's Marketing and Admissions Officer, and Community Relations Officer, Ms Amber Dang.

As we await next year's GCD, parents and students can look forward to many upcoming activities. YCIS Beijing hosts a wide variety of events and performances throughout the year to bring the community together and showcase the excellent work of its students. These range from musicals, such as the recent We Will Rock You, to family days like Global Community Day and much more. Please refer to our upcoming events page here to stay updated on the latest happenings at school.