About Us

NESSIC connects schools, enriches student experience, and develops educators

What is NESSIC?

The Network for Enriching Students and Schools in China (NESSIC) is a private not-for profit professional organization for private bilingual schools in China. NESSIC was founded by experienced Heads of Bilingual Schools to provide professional development and extension in student sports and activities for bilingual schools in China. NESSIC is designed to offer high quality services that are cost-effective for participating schools. Several high-profile conferences are held each year in different regions of China that address bilingual school issues within the China context. These events bring China experts to share experiences and increase awareness of regulations and practices through networking.

NESSIC Values

BE YOURSELF 做你自己

Know and develop your differences, and celebrate diversity

BUILD BRIDGES 搭建桥梁

Create links, build connections, collaborate, and broaden the network

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY 承担责任

Take the lead when possible so you can make things happen

TRY NEW THINGS 尝试新事物

Create, innovate, be brave and push things forward

Welcome from the CEO

Welcome to all who pass this way to discover more about NESSIC. It is already three years ago on September 22, 2023, that a group of 23 experienced, visionary school leaders from eight different schools gathered at Shanghai United International School Qingpu, to explore how a new professional organisation for private bilingual schools in China might be created. The day ended with the fundamental structural concepts needed to create such an organisation, Articles of Association, Values statements, guiding principles, and a list of events and activities of value and a sample budget for a non-profit entity.

Tom Ulmet, CEO of NESSIC

Click here to view his profile

One year later, with approval and license in hand, NESSIC was born on August 1, 2024 and in November with 14 new member schools, our first NESSIC Leadership Conference was held at Harrow Haikou LiDe School, hosted by Founding Members Olly Wells and Li Yan. And it was a great event that exceeded expectations of curious attendees. (An archive of past Leadership and Bilingual Schools Conferences can be found at the bottom of the webpage “Staff Development.”) By the time our third Leadership Conference takes place this coming November 27-28 in Wuhan, NESSIC will have grown from 8 Founding Members to nearly 50 private bilingual schools in just two years. If you are from a member school reading this you can take great pride in being part of a concept of enrichment with professional connecting and sharing at its heart. NESSIC is not for everyone as our participation criteria defines, but if you are interested in learning more, have a good skim through this information and reach out.

We are succeeding where other groups have failed because NESSIC:

was created and is led by Heads of private bilingual Schools for bilingual schools.
functions as a not-for profit organisation
has a diverse governing body and executive office of China veterans with vast experience within the China context, on average, about 18 years each
has a team of committed, determined volunteers who believe in the mission
surveys constituents annually to determine what kinds of events and activities they actually want
offers a range of activities that provide extension for students beyond the school curriculum
offers a range of events and activities that help to develop staff by creating understanding of the China context
provides cost effective events, hosted by member schools.