Yew Chung Yew Wah Education celebrated Founder's Day on 8 October 2021. The annual event was co-hosted by YCIS Hong Kong and YCIS Chongqing, a school which also celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Students, teachers and school communities in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Tongxiang, Yantai, Rizhao, Shenzhen and Silicon Valley in the US, participated in a virtual celebration of the 89th anniversary.

This occasion also kicked off the countdown to a fast-approaching milestone 90th anniversary for YCYW Education.

In her opening address, Dr Betty Chan, CEO cum School Supervisor of Yew Chung Yew Wah Education, described the moment as historic, a triumph over adversity.

This year Founder's Day is truly special, a time where we rebound from uncertainty and rejoice in our history and legacy in the lead up to our 90th anniversary next year.

The tenacity, perseverance and commitment shown by our founder, Madam Tsang Chor-hang, is a tremendous and timeless asset, a great inspiration that guided us as we learn to navigate the many unforeseeable challenges today and in the future.

Along with YCIS Chongqing, this year also marks the 20th anniversary of YWIES Shanghai Gubei, the 15th anniversary of YCIS Qingdao, as well as the 5th anniversaries of YWIES Beijing Yizhuang and YWIEK Qingdao.

Offering her congratulations, Dr Chan observed that with every new additional strand the school's multicultural weave had been enriched and strengthened.

As a community, we are joined by streams of young learners of all stripes along the way.

With every new stream, the sea becomes deeper, richer, stronger. The students, parents, alumni and staff are what make up our YCYW community. For sure, we have great facilities and internationally renowned and rigorous curricula, but it's the people who make YCYW the place for learning and the community we experience.

Here are some more highlights from the live stream sessions at our campuses.

In Hong Kong, a group of 16 special guests officially launched the 90th anniversary countdown on stage with a blast from an air horn. The group included Prof Paul Yip, Chairman of Hong Kong Yew Wah International Education Foundation, Dr Betty Chan, Dr Esther Chan, Deputy CEO (K-12 Education), Dr Lydia Chan, Deputy CEO (Tertiary Education), and Mr Felix Hsu, Deputy CEO and CFO.

Our Fellows-in-Residence Division composed a special song to remember our founder, Madam Tsang Chor-hang. Titled "Banana Bread", the piece was inspired by her favourite baked treats. The song has become part of our 90th anniversary musical tribute.

YCIS Hong Kong students performed the piece that traces the group's roots to when Yew Chung Yew Wah began as a tiny seed planted in Hong Kong. From that humble beginning the enterprise has been transformed into a modern international education system.

Group-wide scholarship

Dr Esther Chan, Deputy CEO (K-12 Education) announced the launch of a network-wide scholarship programme, highlighting its role in securing the long-term development of our community.

The Yew Chung Yew Wah Scholarship Programme recognises the highest level of academic achievement, leadership, and service to the school and our community.

It targets highly motivated and talented students from around the world who can benefit from a multicultural learning environment with a strong creative element. Through this new programme, we hope to provide more opportunities for students to develop and exercise special skills and qualities.

We continue to educate and shape the world's future generation in a supportive and vibrant environment. We nurture our Chinese students to be rooted in our country, while having a global perspective. Our expatriate students learn to understand and appreciate China and Chinese culture so they can act as a bridge between their home countries and China, working together to build a common humanity.

The 2nd YCYW Alumni Hall of Fame

This year's Alumni Hall of Fame has honoured two high achievers – Teriver Cheung from YCIS Hong Kong's class of 2004, and Jialang Woo from YCIS Shanghai's class of 2011.

The Alumni Hall of Fame was established last year to acknowledge those who have made an outstanding contribution to society. Teriver Cheung is an international jazz guitarist and composer, actively engaged in music education, and Jialang Woo works in biotechnology with a focus on improving people's lives.

During the induction ceremony, Teriver expressed gratitude to Yew Chung for a stimulating learning environment where diverse ideas could mingle. This allowed him to explore his musical potential.

And, through a video, Jialang shared the global citizen identity and community service concept shaped by the Yew Chung experience.

Inductee of the 2nd Alumni Hall of Fame delivered his acceptance speech through a pre-recorded video.

Sport is the theme of our Founder's Day every year. It's a unifying force and embodies our competitive spirit, which helps shapes students'character and core values.

This year's Founder's Day was no exception. Each campus drew up a wonderful line-up of sport combined with intellectually stimulating discourse and cultural activities.

Sport is the theme of Founder's Day where students of YCIS Chongqing demonstrated their favourite sport through a video.

YCIS Hong Kong

In addition to sport activities, students of YCIS Hong Kong also rocked the stage with a series of musical performance, from solo, duet to ensemble, classical to pop music, bringing the celebration to a climax.

YCIS Shanghai

Students of Pudong and Puxi campus dressed in their respective house colours and participated in sport activities including football, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, golf, archery, cricket, tchoukball, frisbee, tug of war, etc. Students also enjoyed refreshments and snacks including Founder's Day cupcakes.

YCIS Chongqing

Students showed off their vibrancy through participating in a treasure hunt, octagon game and 'colour run'.

YCIS Qingdao

Students remained enthusiastic for the day, despite a switch from outdoor sport to indoor activities. They enjoyed a day of art and craft, and took part in ball games such as Ping-pong, bowling and golf.

YCIS Beijing & YWIES Beijing Yizhuang

Students across grades and campuses took part in tug of war, relays, floorball, dragon boat competitions and other activities, demonstrating tenacity, self-confidence, and teamwork sportsmanship.

YWIES Shanghai Lingang

Both primary and secondary students took part in a series of drawing and painting activities, as well as ball games, and quizzes. The school also prepared a cake to share the joy of the Founder's Day celebration.

YWIES Shanghai Gubei

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the school. Teachers, students and parents created nine art pieces featuring various themes. In addition, students from the Singing Club performed a medley of songs, which added colours to the celebration's atmosphere.

YWIES Yantai

Students and teachers showed off their competitive spirit through a tug of war game.

YWIES Rizhao

Students were excited to play indoor games including hoop rolling, paper boat racing, jianzi and 'running on knees'.

YWIES Guangzhou

Students fostered their teamwork and collaboration spirit through a series of sport activities including ultimate frisbee, dodgeball, three-legged race, yoga, football game, relay, etc.

YWIES Tongxiang

Upper secondary students competed in the ultimate frisbee game.

Yew Wah International Education Kindergarten

YWIEK Chongqing Rongke

YWIEK Chongqing Forte

YWIEK Shanghai Biyuen

YWIEK Rizhao

YWIEK Qingdao

YWITEC Shenzhen

Students from YWIEK Chongqing Rongke, YWIEK Chongqing Forte, YWIEK Shanghai Biyuen, YWIEK Rizhao, YWIEK Qingdao and YWITEC Shenzhen participated in a series of fun-packed sport games.

Toddlers dressed in Founder's Day outfits and explored the day in their own way to celebrate the occasion.

While this celebration has ended, we continue on a journey packed with surprises and endless possibilities.

We look forward to the 90th anniversary celebration next year!