Cathy, the chairperson of the parent committee, tells the 'warm stories' of children's growth.
At CIS, countless heartwarming family stories shape the journeys of our students. Today, we share the story of Mr. Zhou’s family—a shining example of balancing academics with character, and weaving service and responsibility into daily life. Their daughters, 9-year-old Milly and 4-year-old Zenith, are currently in Grade 4 and PK4 at CIS.
Mrs. Cathy Zhou, mother of Milly and Zenith, also serves as the founding chair of the CIS PTA. As a parent, she has been deeply involved in strengthening home-school connections and has witnessed her children’s all-round growth at CIS.
1. Academic Growth Confident Expression & Breakthrough Thinking
Over the past year, Milly and Zenith have shown remarkable progress in language skills, classroom engagement, and cognitive development.
Their mother, Cathy, highlighted a key strength of CIS’s curriculum—the integration of the IB PYP framework with Alberta’s early childhood and elementary programs. With clear learning goals and thoughtfully designed content, the curriculum reflects the strong teaching capacity of the CIS faculty. Disciplines are well integrated, with instruction aligned to developmental milestones, creating a clear and effective academic support system.
In this immersive English learning environment, Milly’s listening and speaking skills have improved significantly. She has grown from a quiet observer in class to a confident, expressive, and proactive learner. Now, she communicates with teachers in English, participates actively in discussions, and completes tasks independently—marking not just a leap in language skills, but also in academic thinking and expression.
The younger Zenith quickly adapted to the rhythm of learning in an international kindergarten. He made great progress in self-care, classroom behavior, and collaboration. During the “Sharing the Planet” and “How We Organize Ourselves” inquiry units, the school integrated physical education with class activities—using animal movements, balance exercises, and visual cues—to develop gross motor skills and spatial awareness, while also fostering early understanding of symbols, community roles, and logical thinking.
At CIS, Milly and Zenith’s growth is a testament to the school’s thoughtfully designed curriculum and dedicated teaching — and a true reflection of our commitment to “Academic excellence， Caring community” in every detail.
2. Character and Competence in Harmony Shining Through Art and Sports
At CIS, Milly writes her own story of growth each week through music and movement. Guided by instructors from the Xinghai Conservatory of Music in Guangzhou, the CIS Northern Lights Orchestra provides her with structured training in both violin and ukulele. With bi-weekly classes covering music theory and performance, Milly has built a solid foundation while gaining confidence through a wide range of on-campus and off-campus performance opportunities.
CIS Northern Lights Orchestra
From semester showcases to the annual music festival, every time Milly steps onto the stage is a moment for her to bravely express herself and shine.
In the areas of sports and health, CIS provides comprehensive support and nurturing for both children. The school incorporates swimming, badminton, basketball, soccer, table tennis, golf, and more into its regular curriculum, helping students build strong bodies and enjoy the fun of sports.
With a scientific, balanced, and varied monthly meal plan, Milly and Zenith have grown taller and become more energetic over the past year. As their mom Cathy said, “This is exactly the change every parent hopes to see!”
Among many sports, golf holds a special place for this family. It’s more than a hobby—it’s a legacy. Three generations—from grandparents to parents to children—share a love for the game, often practicing together and enjoying the calm, focus, and self-challenge on the course.
Milly has grown up in this environment and, through dedication and training, has achieved:
She completed the race under scorching heat and finished the last hole in cold rain and wind. This focus and perseverance have gradually become a shining part of her daily studies and social interactions, embodying CIS’s commitment to holistic development.
CIS Rising Star Golf Academy has established a close partnership with Royal Orchid International Golf Academy, one of the most prestigious golf academies in the Greater Bay Area. This collaboration aims to discover and nurture young golfers like Milly, who are passionate, focused, and competitive.
CIS Rising Star Golf Academy
3.Social Engagement Feeling Love and Responsibility in the Real World
Philanthropy is a value passed down through generations in this family. From Grandpa Zhou Zhikun’s long-term dedication to charity, to Mr. Zhou and Cathy’s active involvement, and now Milly and Zenith’s enthusiastic participation, the seeds of responsibility and love have been deeply rooted throughout their growth.
Shunde Beijiao, home to CIS, is a modern city that balances strong economic power with social warmth. It hosts many leading companies, including Midea Group—one of China’s top 100 enterprises—and fosters a mature, diverse ecosystem of public welfare. From rural revitalization to community care, and from elderly services to child support, Beijiao continually expands the boundaries of public well-being while driving urban development.
CIS consistently encourages students to step beyond campus and care for the community, turning classroom knowledge into real-world acts of kindness. Milly and Zenith participated in the “Tech Rising, Innovation for All” 3861 project, experiencing the social impact of technology and creativity. They also brought warmth to children with autism through the “Reading with Stars” intangible cultural heritage lacquer fan activity.
Milly and Zenith participated in a charity event
Milly joined CIS students on a visit to Hetai Center, a community care facility funded by the He Charity Foundation and supported by the Shunde Beijiao Town government. This center is a model of public welfare and urban governance working together, offering children a meaningful lesson in respect and companionship. Together with the elders, the children created simple crafts, sharing warmth through their sincere and heartfelt actions.
Milly visited Hetai Center for a community outreach activity
Through repeated community service, Milly and Zenith have learned to listen and embraced the idea that“action is care.” This not only sparks their sense of responsibility but also reflects CIS’s holistic education—helping students become caring, responsible global citizens.
4. Home-School Partnership From Parents to Co-Educators
In the 2024 school year, Cathy served as the inaugural chairperson of the PTA, connecting families and the school to jointly support the children’s educational growth.
She once wrote in the CIS yearbook:“It is my great honor to serve as the founding chairperson of the PTA at CIS...Throughout the year, the PTA has supported numerous school events, raising more than 55,000 RMB... Beyond contributing time and resources, we’ve also collaborated with the school to enhance dining services, dormitory management, and campus environments... reflecting CIS’s commitment to care.”
Head of School Nathan presented Cathy with a certificate
Under her leadership, the PTA integrated nearly30 high-quality community resources throughout the year, supporting over 20 on- and off-campus events such as the music festival, sports day, International Day, reading sessions, volunteer trips, and charity drives. She also courageously launched herfirst-ever live broadcast—strengthening community bonds while boosting CIS’s brand, curriculum development, and enrollment growth.
From listening and providing feedback to actively engaging in school affairs, Cathy exemplifies the evolving role of parents today: not just as supporters, but as partners, practitioners, and drivers in their children’s education journey. In their eyes, she not only cares for their growth but leads by example through hands-on involvement in school-family collaboration — a warm and powerful model to follow.
5. Mutual Commitment with CIS Rooted in Vision, Realized through Action
When asked why they chose CIS, Cathy, a mother, said, “We want our child to become a responsible global citizen with independent thinking.” This parenting vision perfectly aligns with CIS’s philosophy of “Academic Excellence，Caring Community.”As a member of the CIEO Group with over 20 years of international education experience, CIS not only offers a strong academic foundation but also fosters a campus environment that respects individuality and encourages diverse growth.
Here, children are seen, understood, and encouraged to continually surpass themselves; parents are truly valued as partners in the educational journey, witnessing every step of their child’s progress together.
For this family, choosing CIS is more than just a decision for their child’s enrollment—it’s a shared journey of growth for the whole family. From the first step on campus, to integrating into school life, to becoming active contributors to the school culture, they have built a strong and lasting trust with CIS.
As their future unfolds, CIS will continue to accompany them with warmth and professionalism, supporting every shining milestone on their path to becoming the best version of themselves.
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