Teacher Profile Dec 2019 – Shahida Kandhai

For each newsletter, we will interview a BSB Teacher so that parents and students can get to know interesting facts about our teachers. This month, we interviewed Ms Shahida Kandhai, who joined BSB this year as our Secondary Science Teacher and Whole School STEAM Coordinator.

1. What brings you to BSB Shunyi?

I have been a teacher for almost 20 years having taught in my home country South Africa, travelled and taught in the UK and to date I have taught in China for 6 years. What brings me to work at BSB Shunyi is the opportunity to work in a truly International School with its many different nationalities of students and staff. The opportunity to teach IB Diploma Biology was also a deciding factor after spending about 13 years of my teaching career teaching IGCSE Biology Curriculum.

2. Please describe your role and responsibilities at BSB Shunyi.

I am the Form Tutor of Year 10C. I teach Year 7, 8 and 9 Science. I also teach Year 10 Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) IGCSE Biology and IBDP Biology to Year 12.

3. What is a typical day for you at BSB?

I arrive at school at approximately 7:50 am. My teaching classroom is based in one of the science laboratory’s. I check my emails and get ready for registration. After morning registration my teaching schedule begins and before I know it, it’s the end of the day.

4. Please tell us about your role as our Whole School STEAM Coordinator

I have recently taken on the role of Whole School STEAM Coordinator. BSB offers secondary students a variety of subjects such as KS3 Science, Design and Technology, Arts and Mathematics to mention a few. Through these subject students are exposed to a variety of skills and knowledge which aligns with those of STEAM.

I am currently coordinating with Primary and Secondary to enrol students to participate in the Nord Anglia STEAM Festival China which will take place in February 2020. The Year 8 cohort led by Ms Alia Gargum will also be taking part in a STEAM day on the 5th of December at BSB Shunyi. STEAM days for other year groups are also in the planning stages.

5. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

No two days at school are the same- teaching is very unpredictable. Teaching has also provided me with the opportunity to be a lifelong learner.

6. Are you involved in any ASAs?

In Season 1, I ran the Primary school ASA for Cross Country which I thoroughly enjoyed because of working with students who seriously enjoyed the sport. Currently, I’m running the World Scholar’s Cup ASA. I like to choose ASAs outside my teaching subjects as it also me to use and improve on other transferrable skills and knowledge.

7. Please tell us about other members of your family and any interesting places you’ve visited in China?

My family and I have been living in China for the past 7 years. I have a son and two daughters. My daughters and I love travelling and spending time together. We have traveled to a few places in China namely: Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuxi, Suzhou and Xiamen to name a few. In time we will cover Beijing. My husband loves travelling around China by himself. He has a keen interest in Chinese history and culture.  

8. Please tell us about your hobbies.

When time permits, I enjoy dabbling in painting. I also have a Bischon Fraise whom I love spending time with. Her name is Dora and she is a true explorer.

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