Bridging Worlds: Navigating Communication, Culture, and Conflict in the Bilingual Boarding Environment
连接不同的世界：在双语寄宿环境中应对沟通、文化和冲突
NESSIC Workshop
Host School:
Date:
Fees:
66 Haide Road Su-Xi-Tong Science and Technology Industrial Park,Nantong, Jiangsu
Friday & Saturday, 12-13 March, 2027
NESSIC Schools: RMB1,400 per participant
Non-NESSIC Schools: RMB2,000 per participant
*Early Bird Discount expires on February 12, 2027. 早鸟折扣将于 2027 年 2 月 12 日到期。
This two-day professional learning experience is designed to bring together boarding leaders, pastoral staff, and residential teams to explore the conversations, relationships, and leadership practices that shape strong boarding communities. Grounded in the realities of bilingual and private schools across China, the workshop will focus on strengthening communication across boarding teams, students, parents, academics, and school leadership.
The event format will combine keynote framing, practical workshops, language-based deep dives, and collaborative discussion spaces designed to surface both shared challenges and contextual solutions. Suggested topics (to be refined) include restorative conversations, safeguarding communication, leading boarding teams, parent partnership, staff onboarding and development, and building relational cultures within residential settings.
Sessions will be facilitated across both English and Mandarin, with opportunities for participants to join language-specific workshops, scaffolded discussion and practical application groups throughout the event.
这个为期两天的专业学习体验旨在将寄宿领导、教牧人员和住宿团队聚集在一起，探索塑造强大寄宿社区的对话、关系和领导实践。该研讨会立足于中国双语和民办学校的实际情况，重点是加强寄宿团队、学生、家长、学者和学校领导层之间的沟通。
活动形式将结合主题演讲、实践研讨会、基于语言的深入探讨以及旨在提出共同挑战和情境解决方案的协作讨论空间。建议的主题（待完善）包括恢复性对话、保障沟通、领导寄宿团队、家长伙伴关系、员工入职和发展以及在住宅环境中建立关系文化。
工作坊将以英语和普通话进行，参与者有机会参加特定语言的会议。整个活动期间都有研讨会、支架式讨论和实际应用小组。
Overarching
Goal
总体目标
By the end of the workshop participants will be able to apply effective communication skills to build relationships with parents, students and academic staff.
工作坊结束时，参与者将能够运用有效的沟通技巧与家长、学生和学术人员建立关系。
Outcomes
结果
During this learning experience, you will learn and practice how to:
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Understand the dynamics of leading change and the critical role of accountability in sustaining it.
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Navigate the challenges of "influence without authority" to move initiatives forward.
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Master delegation techniques that empower colleagues rather than simply offloading tasks.
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Utilize evaluation frameworks to measure the impact of change and the commitment of team members.
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Prepare for and facilitate accountability-focused conversations.
在这段学习经历中，您将学习并练习如何：
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了解领导变革的动力以及问责制在维持变革中的关键作用。
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应对「无权影响」的挑战，推动各项举措向前发展。
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掌握授权技巧，赋予同事权力，而不是简单地卸载任务。
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利用评估框架来衡量变革的影响和团队成员的承诺。
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准备并促进以责任为中心的对话。
Agenda 议程
This two-day bilingual workshop explores one of the greatest challenges in boarding education: ensuring that students, families, residential staff, teachers, and school leaders experience a coherent and connected community, even when language, culture, expectations, and perspectives differ. Through collaborative case studies, practical communication frameworks, and restorative approaches to challenging conversations, participants will develop strategies for building trust, strengthening partnerships, and responding effectively when tensions arise.
With activities, discussions, and peer-learning opportunities available in both Mandarin and English, the workshop creates a rare opportunity for Chinese and overseas educators to learn with and from one another while tackling the realities of communication in today's bilingual boarding environments.
这个为期两天的双语工作坊探讨了寄宿教育中最大的挑战之一：确保学生、家庭、寄宿工作人员、教师和学校领导体验到一个连贯且相互联系的社区，即使语言、文化、期望和观点不同。通过协作案例研究、实用的沟通框架和具有挑战性的对话的恢复性方法，参与者将制定建立信任、加强伙伴关系以及在紧张局势出现时有效应对的策略。
工作坊以普通话和英语提供活动、讨论和同伴学习机会，为中国和海外教育工作者在解决当今双语寄宿环境中的沟通现实的同时，为彼此学习和相互学习创造了难得的机会。
Meet Your Facilitators
MINDI DRYER
Residence Coordinator
RIS Ruamrudee International School
Mindi Dryer is a highly dedicated and experienced Head of Boarding, bringing nine years of leadership in residential management and a comprehensive 20-year career in international education across diverse regions, including China, Korea & Thailand. Her expertise lies in transforming residential halls into supportive, high-achieving communities, with a core philosophy rooted in student well-being and proactive safeguarding. Mindi is deeply committed to mentoring boarding staff, fostering strong partnerships with parents, and implementing structured routines that enable students to thrive emotionally, academically, and socially away from home. Her dedication to creating a supportive environment ensures that every student finds a true sense of belonging.
Recommended Hotel
Address: 29 Jiang’an Rd, Chongchuan, Nantong
(5-min drive away from school)
Price per night: RMB 322-560, including breakfast
Contact Details: Available Soon
About the Host School:
Simon Kenworthy
School Master
Hiba Academy Nantong
Building on a legacy of more than 160 years of excellence at Wellington College UK and bolstered by an extensive global network, Hiba Academy Nantong is Wellington College Education's global flagship bilingual boarding school. We are committed to cultivating tomorrow's leaders through personalised university and career guidance, a rigorous A Level curriculum and a diverse array of enrichment programmes, all supported by an outstanding teaching team. Our immersive English and Chinese language and cultural experiences, combined with a nurturing and inclusive environment, empower pupils to excel academically and develop the skills they need to succeed in an evolving global landscape.
南通惠立学校作为惠灵顿教育集团全球旗舰双语寄宿学校，整合海内外优质教育资源，致力于培养面向未来的杰出人才。学校将严谨的A Level课程体系及个性化升学路径与职业发展规划深度融合，依托多元化的素质拓展课程及雄厚师资团队，全方位塑造学生的领导力与创新精神。基于惠立教育独具特色的沉浸式双语言、双文化教学模式，结合开放包容的国际化校园氛围，我们助力每位学子在成就学术卓越的同时，全面提升核心竞争力，赋能其在日新月异的全球化变革中脱颖而出，成为推动社会进步的新生力量。