Dr. Lily Liu – Head of School
Introducing Our Senior Leadership Team
XLIS offers the IB-Primary Years Programme, IB-Middle Years Programme the Diploma Programme continuum from kindergarten to high school. XLIS is the only SAT and AP test center authorized by the American College Board in the northwestern region of China.
Dear Parents,
I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to you as we begin the 2025-2026 academic year at XLIS! Whether you are returning to our community or joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to have you with us.
Our Key Focus: Reading
This year, we are placing special emphasis on reading as a cornerstone of student learning and as a direct pathway to achieving Goal One—making every teacher is a language teacher as well as supporting students to develop their competencies in XLIS’s language of instruction. Strong reading habits build vocabulary, deepen comprehension, and strengthen communication skills, all of which are essential for mastering the language of instruction. They also enrich students’ knowledge, enhance academic performance in all subjects, and inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. I invite every parent to join us in building a reading culture, reading with your children, discussing books together, and modeling the joy of reading at home.
Preparing for the Year Ahead
Before the school year began, our senior leadership team, new teachers, and staff participated in a comprehensive two-week orientation. The program covered XLIS’s mission and vision, education- related laws and regulations, school policies, homeroom teacher’s responsibility, child protection, reading strategies, teaching planning, approaches to teaching, assessment and data analysis, gap analysis, and sharing of best practices. These preparations ensure we are ready to provide the best learning environment for your children. As of now, XLIS has 96 Chinese and foreign teachers from over 20 countries and regions. Please follow the link to view the updated information.
Meet our international educators for 2025-2026!
To better support our children’s education, I encourage every parent and community member to review our key school policies: the Child Protection Policy, Restorative Practices Policy, Academic Integrity Policy, and the Parents and Caregivers Code of Conduct. These are outlined in the parent and student handbooks, which were emailed to you by our PR Department on August 11th, 2025.
Upcoming Events
XLIS Dragon Cave
Dormitory Challenge M3A/B
August 25 to September 5
The XLIS Dragon Cave Dormitory Challenge is a unique residential initiative designed to provide our MYP2 and MYP3 students with an opportunity to further develop their self-management and essential life skills, thereby encouraging greater independence. This initiative has also been reviewed and strongly supported by our PTA, reflecting our shared commitment to fostering students’ personal growth.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this program, please feel free to contact Ms. Lu Liu, the Dormitory Coordinator, at lu.liu@xalis.com
Staying Connected
These communications will highlight key events, student achievements, and practical tips for supporting your child’s learning this year. You will also receive reading recommendations tailored to different age groups.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s education, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my secretary, Ms. Amy Li, at amy.li@xalis.com, to schedule a meeting with our SLT member. I am always available to collaborate with you to ensure your child’s success.
Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success. — Henry Ford
Head of XLIS
Email: lily.liu@xalis.com
WeChat: lily6_sunshine
Mr. Brian Lalor – Deputy Head of School
Welcome to Xi’an Liangjiatan International School, where our mission is to enable confident, open-minded, global citizens, through life-long learning and a sense of community.
My name is Brian Lalor, and I currently serve as the Deputy Head of School. I have worked in teaching roles as well as a curriculum coordinator and principal. I came to the school in 2014 with a two-year-old and a one-month-old baby. I now have three daughters in the school, with two of them in middle school. I work for the IBO in the role of Team Chair for Multi-programme and synchronized visits, where I support the development of schools in our region. I also volunteer regularly for ACS WASC in the role of Visiting Team Chair.
A lot has happened in the XLIS journey over the past years, but perhaps the most notable event for me was the school becoming fully accredited by The Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Through this process the school was able to gather input from parents, students, staffand our governing body. This community agency led us to develop our four schoolwide goals. These are the four goals we will be working on over the next five years.
XLIS Schoolwide Goals
Goal 1: Supporting students to develop their competencies in XLIS language of instruction.
Goal 2: Vertical articulation – Align curriculum between PYP, MYP & DP to ensure smooth transitions of students between the programs.
Goal 3: Implement self-study recommendations to create a cohesive organization.
Goal 4: To increase communication between parents and the school. To gradually work with our PTA to develop stronger community partnerships.
I greatly appreciated being part of the process to listen to various stakeholders, analyze student data and consider our demographics in developing these four goals. We have made much progress on these goals this year and have a plan in place to achieve them systematically in the coming years. Goals 2 and 3 have us focused on creating one cohesive learning experience as students go through our school. One area in particular is the major transition students experience as they move from PYP to MYP. Students move from having one homeroom teacher and four single subject teachers to having eight single subject teachers. Through a new homeroom system which we are developing, we are planning to improve this transition. Also, by aligning the curriculum much more closely, students will experience a seamless transition.
Finally, there are just two things I am focused on and they are the following. I desire for every child in our school to have their social-emotional needs meet, by being in a safe and supportive environment. I also desire that every child will achieve his or her full academic potential while with us.
Brian Lalor
Deputy Head of School
Mr. Shameek Ghosh – Secondary Principal
My name is Shameek Ghosh, and it is an honor to serve as your Secondary Principal into the second year. I also serve with the IB as a consultant, School visit leader, Workshop leader and curriculum developer. In addition to that, I also teach Theory of Knowledge for the DP and volunteer for ASC WASC.
Last year, we made progress in our strategic plan to a great extent, focusing on better aligning our vertical curriculum. However, we felt that our goal of improving the language of instruction is something we would like to focus on further this year. Our idea of addressing our goals will be through a carefully coordinated approach of a reading programme in the homerooms and enhancing literacy in our different subjects. This year, we will continue to build on the professional development that we have had so far and implement our existing knowledge.
Students across the division have engaged in meaningful learning experiences that have been demonstrated through meta projects through service as action, CAS and the first ever collaborative Math and Science fair that was heavily student led. The Week without walls experience is indeed one of the highlights of last year as our students continued to build connections and discover themselves in the process of growth. Our next week without walls this year would be taking some new dimensions to challenge students further and make them more resilient.
As we look forward to the new academic year, my goals include continuing to strengthen the secondary curriculum, mentor teachers, support students to develop their competencies in the language of instruction and communicate with you. I am eager to work together with all of you to achieve our mission of making our school not just good, but great.
Thank you for your support last year and let us continue this journey together for our community.
Warm regards,
Mr. Shameek Ghosh
Secondary Principal
XLIS
Ms. Marly Song – Primary Principal
Dear XLIS Community,
Welcome to the 2025 – 2026 academic year at XLIS! We have much to look forward to in this upcoming year, as we strive to work towards our mission of enabling confident, open-minded global citizens through lifelong learning and a sense of community.
We continue to have many wonderful initiatives that have been growing and developing over the years, that lead our students to become open-minded global citizens. The International Day of Peace, our ECA program, Student Council, mathematics competitions, weekly assemblies, and our swimming and athletics programs are just a few of the ways our students can pursue their passions. As a growing community, we celebrate our diversity and encourage our students, teachers, and parents to get involved and contribute to our school culture. We offer monthly parent workshops to help our parent community learn more about the Primary Years Programme, teaching and learning at XLIS, while offering suggestions on supporting children at home.
At XLIS, we strive to provide the best education for the students and families we serve. Through data collection and analysis, we are able to set school-wide goals that aim to ensure every student is successful. This year our primary goal continues to be on supporting students’ language acquisition, especially in their reading development. This goal can only be achieved when all staff see themselves as language teachers. In classrooms, English is the primary language that is heard and translanguaging is used as a tool that is planned for to help our students deepen their understanding of the concepts taught. Language acquisition, as with any skill, will only be mastered through practice. Teachers, they are the coaches. This year, several strategies are being used to help us achieve this goal, such as the use of explicit phonics teaching from P1 – P3, working with Erin Kent Consulting for the second consecutive year for professional development on best literacy teaching practices, and the beginning of our whole school, curriculum review cycle.
We have an amazing team of educators who are committed to life-long learning and building a sense of community at XLIS. Together, we will work towards achieving the mission of XLIS!
I look forward to working with all of our XLIS community to make the 2025 – 2026 school year productive, enjoyable and memorable!
Sincerely,
Marly Song
Ms. Echo Zhao – Director of Brand Development
Welcome to the XLIS Community! I’m Echo, Director of Brand Development. Our BD Team bridges diverse stakeholders aligned with the impact on student learning and well-being.
Our work is centered on two core commitments essential to building a vibrant learning community. The first is crafting the future of our school community. We organize targeted admission activities to offer a glimpse into our innovative educational philosophy, creating immersive IB exchange programs with local kindergartens and schools. We not only seek international families with similar educational philosophies, but also contribute to retaining talents for the development of regional internationalization. Meanwhile, through parent workshops, collaborative PTA meetings, and coffee mornings, we actively build bridges for effective home-school communication.
The second is rooted in our role as cultural ambassadors and storytellers. We promote our school on the school homepage, WeChat official account, and overseas media, featuring stories of students’ awards, teachers’ achievements, and alumni shares, which helped our school become a representative brand for education in China. We also need to create year-group handbooks for families and staff, simplify the annual information flow, and reform the PTA election processes in our community to increase opportunities for parent voice.
In this community, every role is integral, and every voice matters. Welcome to join XLIS and together shape our community’s future!
Warm regards,
Echo Zhao
Director of Brand Development
Mr. Alex Rambaud – Director of Student Wellbeing & Dormitory
Dear XLIS Community Members,
My name is Alex Rambaud, and I am honored to serve as the Director of Student Wellbeing and Dormitory Director at XLIS. As we embark on the 2025-2026 Academic Year, I extend a warm welcome to each of you.
In my role, I have the privilege of leading a dedicated team of specialists who are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, nurturing a love for reading, and managing our unique dormitory program. Together, we strive to create an environment where every student feels supported, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Our team is excited to collaborate with students, educators, and the entire XLIS community to uphold our school’s mission and vision. We look forward to another year filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences.
Here’s to a fantastic academic year ahead!
Warm regards,
Mr. Alex Rambaud
Director of Student Wellbeing & Dormitory
XLIS
Mr. Kriss Parker – Director of Logistics & Child Protection Officer
I’m Kriss Parker, and I’m proud to continue serving as the Director of Logistics and Child Protection Officer at XLIS for the 2025–2026 academic year.
As we begin another exciting chapter together, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to all new and returning staff members and parents. This year brings new goals, new challenges, and new opportunities to grow as a learning community, and I’m genuinely looking forward to supporting every step of that journey.
My role at XLIS focuses on ensuring that our campus runs smoothly and safely every day, for every student and staff member. From facilities and operations to IT, health, and safety, the logistics department is dedicated to providing a reliable foundation that allows teaching, learning, and innovation to thrive.
Our mission at XLIS remains clear: to nurture confident, open-minded global citizens in a secure and supportive environment. And behind every inspiring classroom moment is a network of professionals working behind the scenes to make it all possible, and I am honoured to lead that team.
Whether you’re stepping onto campus for the first time or continuing your journey with us, know that the logistics team is here to help. It’s a privilege to work alongside such passionate educators and dedicated staff. Together, let’s make this school year one of collaboration, growth, and meaningful impact.
Looking forward to another successful year at XLIS!
Warm regards,
Mr. Kriss Parker
Director of Logistics & Child Protection Officer
Kathy Wei – Director of Human Resources & Staff Wellbeing
Dear all,
Having worked at XLIS for eight years, it continues to be a privilege to grow alongside this community, and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all staff for your ongoing support and teamwork.
As we begin the 2025–2026 academic year, I warmly welcome our new colleagues. We are excited to have you join us and look forward to the energy and ideas you will bring to our community.
As a Director of HR, I am committed to working closely with my dedicated HR team members to provide thoughtful and effective support for every staff member. Our goal is to maintain a positive, respectful, and collaborative work environment.
In my additional role as Director of Staff Wellbeing, we will organize a variety of initiatives—including Staff Swimming, Women’s Day, Teacher’s Day, outdoor excursions, and seasonal celebrations—aimed at enhancing both physical vitality and emotional balance. Promoting a healthy and enriching environment remains one of our key priorities.
I also oversee the university application process, collaborating with our school counseling team to assist students in navigating their academic futures with confidence and clarity.
Wishing you all a successful and fulfilling year ahead!
Warm regards,
Kathy Wei
Director of Human Resources & Staff Wellbeing
Mr. Zach Dwyer – Director of Athletics and Activities
What an exciting time it is to be a Blue Dragon! I am privileged to be serving the XLIS community as the new Director of Athletics and Activities starting in the 2025-2026 school year. From school teams to extracurricular activities, whole school events to external competitions, and camps to exchanges, the Athletics and Activities team is here to provide students with opportunities to engage in meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom and taught curriculum.
Last year was a major milestone for the XLIS Blue Dragons, as our high school students competed in the ACAMIS Green Division for all three core sports (volleyball, basketball, and soccer). We hope to build on this achievement by increasing the amount of training time for high school core sports teams, while investigating ways to expand opportunities for participation at the middle and primary school levels. As usual, XLIS will contribute to our local and regional athletic conferences by hosting several significant tournaments, including:
· XIAC U14 Basketball Finals – 2025 November 1
· The Chang’an Cup U19 Basketball Invitational – 2025 December 4-6
· XIAC U11 Mini Volley Finals – 2026 January 17
· ACAMIS Jr. (12U) Swim Meet – 2026 March 13-14
In terms of activities, this year will be a transition where all extracurricular activities, school events, external competitions, holiday camps, and exchange programs are consolidated into one office. The goal for 2025-2026 is to streamline communication for these various activities and develop a strategic plan for improving each program over the coming years. Much of what makes the XLIS a vibrant and welcoming community can be seen through the events, extracurricular offerings, and camps that the school provides.
As we begin the new school year, I’d like to invite every community member to bring forth any ideas or suggestions they may have to improve the athletics and activities offerings at XLIS. The door to my office will always be open and my inbox is waiting for any innovative feedback you may have.
Sincerely,
Zach Dwyer
Director of Athletics and Activities