New Chapters in an Evolving Partnership
17 Jun 2026
Last week, leadership members from Benenden International Limited (BIL) arrived at BBSG for their regular visit. From strategic meetings to immersive classroom observations, and from collaborative faculty workshops to parent seminars, this visit was more than just a routine check-in. Our "old friends" brought with them new faces, pioneering projects, and a shared educational vision that transcends borders.
BIL Group Strategy Officer Mr. Matt Commander (second from right), Strategic Projects Director Mr. Gareth Newman (second from left), and Assistant Director of International & Strategic Projects Mr. Nick Rendall (first on the right), alongside CTFEG Executive Director (External Affairs) Ms. Winnie Tsoi (first from left)—met with parents to unveil new initiatives for our partnership.
From Kindergarten to Senior Secondary, and from the classroom to the sports field, a more robust and integrated global network is beginning to take shape.
A New Leadership Perspective:
The Educator's and Parents' Lens
As a new member of the visiting team, Mr. Gareth Newman brought a fresh perspective to the collaboration. Having spent over a decade with the British Council in areas including Southeast Asia, South America and the UAE, Gareth possesses a profound understanding of English learning.
However, it was his personal experience that truly resonated with our parents: "I have stood where you are," he shared. "I have been the parent searching globally for the right school for my own children."
This dual perspective allows Gareth to approach the partnership with a nuanced eye. During his first visit to BBSG, he was impressed by the warmth of the environment and the vibrancy of the students. These observations have already sparked new ideas for cross-cultural learning experiences that will soon benefit the entire Benenden community.
Three Pioneering Projects for
A Complete Education
During the visit, the Benenden team shared three new initiatives that expand our collaboration across all age groups.
Primary Excellence:
Orwell Park School Joins the Family
Last year, Benenden School established a deep strategic partnership with Orwell Park School, one of the UK's leading prep schools (ages 3–13). Sharing Benenden's A Complete Education philosophy—balancing academic rigour with character development—this partnership opens doors for our younger students in BBSG to engage in exchange programmes in the UK, nurturing global citizenship from an early age.
Student Exchange Programmes between Benenden School and BBSG have seen over 30 Secondary students heading to each other's cities for immersive learning experiences
An Authentic Benenden Summer:
Exploring Sustainability
This summer, Benenden School launched its inaugural Summer Programme focused on Sustainability, and two BBSG students were among the select few to attend, alongside 13 students from around the world. Students will reside in the historic Hemsted House.
Through project-based learning and interdisciplinary workshops, students will be challenged to transform complex global challenges into actionable solutions, all while experiencing the authentic boarding life of a Benenden student. Beyond their rigorous academic schedule, students have the opportunity to engage deeply with Benenden peers while discovering the beauty of the UK. From scenic landscapes to the historic halls of Oxford, they will truly experience the depth of British academic heritage.
The English Cultural Ambassador Programme
Following a rigorous year-long selection process, two Benenden graduates will arrive in Guangzhou this August to act as English Cultural Ambassadors for a full term.
Mr. Nick Rendall shared that both students possess a keen interest in the Chinese language and culture, having already studied Mandarin at GCSE level. They will bring an authentic taste of British culture to Guangzhou while immersing themselves in the local Chinese culture.
Exchange students from Benenden School experiencing Lingnan culture in Guangzhou
This marks a significant shift from short-term exchanges to long-term cultural immersion, representing a truly innovative step in our collaborative initiatives.
A Race Against Time:
The Shackleton Global Relay
The visit culminated in the sounding of the whistle for the first-ever joint "Shackleton Global Relay." Now in its second year at BBSG, this endurance challenge is inspired by the spirit of exploration.
Last year, the first BBSG Shackleton Relay finished with 328km in 24 hours
This year, the stakes were raised: a 48-hour, 500km non-stop relay. In a beautiful display of global synchronicity, the two schools used the time difference to their advantage. As the sun set in Guangzhou, our students passed the baton digitally to their peers in the UK, who ran through the day before handing it back to China.
More than just a long-distance run, this was a relay of friendship, resilience and community spirit. Even 9,000km apart, we move with the same pulse.
As our international learning community continues to grow, we look forward to creating "100 possibilities" for the next generation together.
