Enhancing Boarding Practices and Safeguarding in Private Bilingual Schools
NESSIC 2-Day Workshop
Host School:
Dehong Beijing International Chinese School 北京市通州区德闳学校
Building 2, District 2, Yubinjin Yuan, Tongzhou District, Beijing 101100
北京市通州區壁富路魯能格拉斯小鎮內
Date:
Fees:
Saturday & Sunday, 21-22 March, 2026
Early Bird Rates Currently Available until 31 January 2026!
NESSIC Schools: RMB1,400 per participant
Non-NESSIC Schools: RMB2,000 per participant
Join us for a comprehensive two-day workshop aimed at improving residential boarding practices, safeguarding, and professional development in bilingual and private schools in China. This workshop will offer both foundational and advanced learning, providing participants with the skills and strategies needed to foster safe, supportive, and effective boarding environments.
Day 1:
Foundational Practices in
Boarding and Safeguarding
The first day will focus on building a strong foundation in key areas of boarding and safeguarding, ensuring that all participants are aligned on the basics of student care and protection. Topics will include:
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Legal Responsibilities & Safeguarding Basics: Understanding your role as a responsible adult in a boarding environment.
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Creating Trust: How to build positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.
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Building a Supportive Environment: Effective structures, routines, and community-building strategies.
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Managing Homesickness & Student Adjustments: Practical ways to help students feel supported away from home.
Day 2:
Advanced Programming & Professional Development
Once the basics are mastered, the second day will dive deeper into more advanced concepts, empowering participants to think creatively about continuous improvement in their boarding programs. Topics will include:
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Student Development & Reflection: Practical reflection models and understanding age-specific student needs.
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Proactive Behaviour Management: Techniques for managing behaviour positively and teaching self-discipline.
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Collaboration & Communication: Working effectively with parents and academic staff to ensure a cohesive student experience.
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Self-Care and Stress Management: Building resilience and preventing burnout in a demanding 24/7 environment.
Learning Objectives:
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Develop a strong understanding of safeguarding and boarding practices relevant to bilingual and private schools in China.
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Acquire practical tools to improve communication, structure, and student development within residential settings.
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Reflect on personal experiences and challenges while identifying actionable strategies to implement immediately.
Why Register?
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to gain practical insights and develop tailored strategies for improving boarding practices in your school. By engaging with peers in similar roles, you will build a supportive network and leave with clear, actionable steps to enhance your professional practice. With an affordable price point, this event is an excellent investment in your professional development and the well-being of your students.
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.
NICOLA COOK
Head of Primary Boarding
Malvern College Chengdu
Nicola currently serves as the Head of Boarding at a private bilingual school in Sichuan. Her professional background is rooted in student wellbeing and SEN, which led her into boarding with a clear commitment to supporting the holistic development of young people.
Her experience includes working across the senior boarding house and subsequently leading the girls’ boarding community, where she focused on establishing consistent routines, enhancing safeguarding practice and promoting a supportive residential culture. In her current role within the Prep School, she aims to strengthen students’ self-awareness, resilience and confidence through well-structured pastoral systems and thoughtful guidance.
KATY PIPER
Boarding Mistress
Wellington College Education Hangzhou
Since joining Wellington College Hangzhou in 2019, Katy Piper has been an integral part of the boarding community, initially serving as a boarding mentor while fulfilling her primary teaching role. In 2022, she stepped into the position of Boarding Mistress, overseeing Ming House—a vibrant boarding community for almost 200 students aged 8–18 on a part-time basis (Sunday to Friday).
Committed to fostering a warm, safe, and inclusive environment, Katy embodies Ming House’s vision: "A home away from home where every child is known, valued, and inspired to thrive." She takes pride in creating a supportive space where both staff and pupils feel a sense of belonging, ensuring boarding life is enriching, structured, and full of opportunities for personal growth.
Recommended Hotels
No. 60, Fuqian 1 Street, Tianzhu, Shunyi District, Beijing, China, 101312
北京市顺义区天竺镇府前一街60号
Tel: +86 10 5810 8888
Terminal 3, 1 SanJing Road, Beijing, China, 100621
北京市顺义区三经路1号
Tel: +86 10 6458 8888
About the Host School:
As a sister school to Dulwich College International schools, Dehong Beijing draws upon the extensive experience and robust global network of Education in Motion (EiM) in operating multiple schools worldwide. We maintain close collaboration with all DCI sister schools around the globe, sharing the group's rich educational resources and talent advantages.
Guided by our shared mission of “Creating the best International Chinese Schools in the world and enabling our students to make a positive difference in China and the world,” we are committed to integrating the essence of high-quality education with China’s local culture. This enables us to create an innovative learning environment that is both rooted in traditional Chinese values and enriched with a global perspective. Through extensive and in-depth inter-school exchanges and cooperation, Dehong Beijing provides students with a learning community that encourages academic exploration, stimulates creativity, and embraces diversity. Our students are supported by an experienced international faculty and future-oriented campus facilities.
Dehong Beijing not only continues the distinguished traditions of its sister schools in academics, arts, and sports but also emphasises nurturing a deep sense of cultural confidence, global-mindedness, and the ability to lead in a new era. Here, every student receives a well-rounded education that values both personal development and well-being, empowering them to become future leaders with strong local roots and international competitiveness.
Located in Grass Town, Tongzhou District, Beijing, Dehong Beijing offers a complete educational pathway including kindergarten, elementary, and secondary school sections.
Coco Fan
Executive Principal
Dehong Beijing International Chinese School
