On August 15, 2024, BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen (BBGM) welcomed our first students to campus. Since then, we have grown into a vibrant and growing learning community. Please enjoy “snapshots” from some of the many events this year. While the pictures and explanations are nice, we invite you to come to campus and experience first-hand why BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen is truly a bright light in the BASIS International & Bilingual Schools network.
Upper School
The first year in upper school at BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen saw growth in our student community—academic, social, and physical growth! As students and teachers look forward to their summer holidays, we all feel a sense of pride in what has been accomplished. Students have produced work detailing their growth in English, Chinese, math, and the sciences. We’ve traveled to other BASIS International & Bilingual Schools campuses to participate in fine arts and sporting events, our small speech and debate team has set a strong foundation for year two, and Grade 9 students have volunteered as ambassadors for parent events and open houses, showing leadership skills that will serve them well as we approach our first student council election. Students and teachers alike look forward to coming back to school in August as veterans, as we launch our second year successfully!
Primary School
Our Primary School focused on developing culture this first year. We are creating a sense of belonging, empathy, and community while merging academic and social-emotional learning. Through the repetition of ordinary moments of clear expectations, consistent routines, shared language, and respectful interactions, some extraordinary moments transpired. Our entire community—teachers, students, and parents—has grown tremendously this year, and we look forward to the promise that year two brings.
ECE
On May 13, we celebrated our beautiful BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen mothers with our first-ever Mother’s Day Tea. Our children gifted their mothers handmade cards and lovely art projects to mark the occasion. ECE teachers prepared heartwarming videos of children describing their Moms. Children serenaded their mothers with sweet songs, and some recited poems. Everyone enjoyed delicious snacks together. We ended this special event by taking photos in our lobby.
Boarding
Boarding is a significant part of our school’s identity, and this year, our BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen boarding program arranged many events and activities exclusively for our boarders. Towards the end of the year, we held a Voice of BBGM singing talent show for our students. Participants were excited to show off their musical chops to their peers, and the audience members enthusiastically cheered on the performers. Faculty, including the Music teachers and the Head of School, joined the fun as judges to encourage the students to give their best performances. Students had a great time, and the support from teachers and other students highlighted the wonderful environment that we have created in our BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen boarding community.
House League
Our House League is an integral part of our community, and it all started with the Sorting Ceremony. Students from Grades 1–9 came together to find out whether they would join Air, Earth, Fire, or Water House, and to learn who else would be a part of their house community. The suspense was palpable as the students stepped forward to get sorted, and cheers erupted from all corners of the auditorium as students went to join the teachers, staff members, and other students who had already been sorted. This simple act of creating communities across different divisions, departments, and demographics jumpstarted a friendly, competitive spirit that we expect to continue to see for years to come.
Fine Arts
The Art of Collaboration: Building Our Fine Arts Legacy
In our founding year, the Fine Arts Department at BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen brought together a diverse team of creators, performers, and educators to launch something truly special. Across Visual Arts, Music, Drama, and Performing Arts, we embraced collaboration as both a mindset and a method, transforming individual strengths into shared success. Together, we hosted 29 unique Fine Arts events, ranging from dynamic concerts and dramatic showcases to cross-campus art exhibits and environmental sculpture installations. Each event reflected the imagination of our students, the dedication of our faculty, and the spirit of our growing school community. In every rehearsal, every brushstroke, and every standing ovation, we witnessed the joy of creation take root. The foundation we’ve built this year is not just strong—it’s vibrant, inclusive, and ready to bloom. We look forward to the many chapters of creativity and connection still to come.
Reimagining Waste: Sculpting a Sustainable Future
One of our most memorable experiences in Visual Arts this year was journeying beyond the classroom—literally. In October, BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen students traveled by train to Wuhan for a weekend Recycling Art Workshop hosted by BASIS International & Bilingual Schools Wuhan. This journey marked the first off-campus event for our students, giving them the chance to collaborate with peers from other campuses, experience new perspectives, and explore the power of repurposed materials. Over 2,500 recycled objects were transformed into meaningful sculptures that reflected creativity and environmental awareness. As someone deeply passionate about sustainability and poetic reuse, this event reinvigorated my belief in art’s power to tell stories—and to connect us. It showed us that BASIS International & Bilingual Schools • China, and its community, truly cares about both creativity and our planet. For our students, it was an unforgettable experience filled with friendship, collaboration, and inspiration. As one student shared: “We didn’t just make art—we made something that matters.”
The Stage as a Classroom: Growing Confidence Through Performance
In our inaugural year, the Performing Arts program at BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen gave students the chance to shine in many forms—singing, dancing, acting, storytelling, and imaginative play. From The Fables Show and Fairy Tale Puppet Theater to Dragon Tales and our Earth Day Showcase, students learned that performing requires more than talent—it takes preparation, collaboration, and courage. Along the way, they discovered joy in rehearsal and confidence on stage. Whether remembering cues, improvising in character, or supporting one another behind the scenes, our young performers embraced creativity with heart. These experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong love of performance and the arts. We can’t wait to see what stories they’ll bring to life next year!
A Roaring Success: The Lion King Takes the Stage
This year in Drama, Grades 4–6 students brought The Lion King to life through a spectacular performance that united over 150 students across classes and the after-school Drama and Art Clubs. It was a massive collaboration between teachers, Art Club members, LETs, student affairs, and administrators, showcasing how the arts connect us across disciplines. Behind the scenes, the Art Club created stunning Broadway-style papier-mâché lion masks, using recycled paper, clay, and imagination to support the production’s visual storytelling. Students also contributed original logos and storyboards, channeling their creativity into every detail. Months of rehearsals and studio work culminated in two unforgettable performances filled with energy, teamwork, and pride. The Lion King wasn’t just a show—it was a shared triumph that embodied the spirit of the Fine Arts at BBGM.
From First Notes to Final Applause: A Year of Musical Growth
One of the most joyful highlights of the year came during the Lower School Winter and Spring Concerts, where students from PreK to Grade 3 shared their musical progress with pride. From singing in harmony to playing instruments on stage, students developed not only musical skills but also courage and teamwork. It was inspiring to see their growth between concerts—voices grew stronger, rhythms tighter, and confidence brighter. The concerts brought smiles to families, applause from staff, and a deep sense of accomplishment for every child. In every note played and every song sung, the heart of BBGM’s young music program came to life.
Orchestras in the Making: The Spring Finale Concert
The Spring Finale Concert marked a triumphant end to Upper School’s first year of music at BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen. Students in Grades 6–8 performed in full ensembles, blending wind, string, percussion, and rhythm instruments in polished performances. Grade 9 students led the way with a dynamic guitar ensemble, showcasing months of dedication. What made this moment extraordinary is that many students picked up their instruments for the first time this year, and by May, they were confidently performing in front of a live audience. The concert featured rock, jazz, pop, and classical selections, reflecting both their musical range and spirit. The Spring Finale wasn’t just a celebration of music; it was a celebration of growth, collaboration, and possibility.
Conclusion
From the excitement of opening day to the final notes of our Spring Finale Concert, the 2024–25 school year at BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen has been a remarkable first chapter. Across classrooms, stages, studios, and dormitories, our students and teachers have built a strong foundation rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and care. In its first year, BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen has made a wonderful addition to the BASIS International & Bilingual Schools network.
Watch the recording of our live webinar about teaching at BASIS Bilingual School Guangming Shenzhen on our YouTube channel.
For more information about teaching abroad with BASIS International Schools, visit our careers website.
