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 XLIS Community Members,
As Head of School, I bring three decades of professional experience in education. My career began as a homeroom teacher and Chinese language educator in Xi’an and Shenzhen. I have served as Head of School at Xi’an Liangjiatan International School (XLIS) since 2013, and this marks my 14th year leading our institution. I hold a deep‑seated love for this school. Colleagues, students, and parents from all corners of the world are among the most meaningful people in my life. My aspiration for our school is steady, progressive growth, so that every child can achieve meaningful learning outcomes.
As we open our school doors on August 17, I extend a heartfelt welcome to every student, parent, faculty and staff member joining our learning community. A special welcome goes to all new students, new faculty, and new families who are joining our XLIS family for the first time.
Guided by our school’s mission and vision, we ground our practice in the core tenets of the IBO mission, alongside the aspirations of China’s international‑education development. At XLIS, global‑minded IB philosophy takes root in local Chinese cultural traditions. We strive to nurture learners who hold deep cultural roots while embracing global understanding and cross‑cultural respect.
Our school is a living community. Every member — students, parents, and educators — shapes the growth and well‑being of our children. Our individual words, choices and behaviors carry real impact on young minds. This calls for shared accountability: we each bear responsibility to model integrity, empathy, and mutual respect. Together, we co‑construct an inclusive, compassionate learning environment for all learners.
I look forward to embarking on this new academic journey side‑by‑side with you.
Sincerely,
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
Ms. Gill Presland – Secondary Principal
It is a privilege to join the XLIS community as Secondary Principal, and I am excited to begin this new chapter alongside our students, families, and staff.
With more than 30 years of experience in education and over 25 years in international schools, I have held a range of leadership roles in IB World Schools and spent six years with the International Baccalaureate, supporting schools and educators across the Asia-Pacific region. These experiences have strengthened my belief that exceptional schools are built on strong relationships, a commitment to continuous improvement, and a genuine sense of belonging for every member of the community.
As Secondary Principal, my role is to work collaboratively with students, teachers, parents, and our leadership team to ensure every learner is supported to achieve their personal best. I am passionate about high-quality teaching and learning, student wellbeing, and creating an environment where young people feel challenged, valued, and inspired to grow. Equally important is fostering a culture where parents feel welcomed, listened to, and recognised as valued partners in their child’s educational journey.
I am excited to contribute to the fantastic work already taking place at XLIS and to build on the school’s many strengths as we continue striving for excellence together. I look forward to getting to know our students and families, celebrating their achievements, and partnering with you in the continued success of our wonderful school.
Warm regards,
Ms. Gill Presland
Ms. Marly Song – Primary Principal
Dear XLIS Community,
Welcome to the 2026 – 2027 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 CCA 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 third 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 2026 – 2027 school year productive, enjoyable and memorable!
Sincerely,
Marly Song
Ms. Echo Zhao – Director of Brand Development
Dear Members of XLIS Community,
It is my great joy and privilege to welcome you to the XLIS International Community.
I’m Echo, Director of Brand Development. Our BD Team bridges diverse stakeholders aligned with the impact on student learning and well-being. As a truly international community, in the 2026 – 2027 school year, our Admin team and PR team will continue to serve 700+ international families from 53 diverse nationalities.
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 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.
XLIS is never a lonely journey, but a warm gathering of people who walk hand in hand with the same educational philosophy. Welcome to join XLIS and together shape our community’s future!
Sincerely,
Echo
Director of Brand Development at XLIS
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
Ms. Leah Zhang – Director of Logistics & Child Protection Officer
Welcome to the 2026–2027 academic year at Xi’an Liangjiatan International School!
It is a privilege to welcome you to another exciting year at XLIS. Whether you are joining our community for the first time or returning for another year of learning and growth, we are delighted to have you with us.
Having been part of XLIS for the past 17 years, I am honored to serve as the Director of Logistics and Child Protection Officer. Throughout my journey at the school, I have seen how a caring community and strong teamwork create the best environment for students to learn, grow, and succeed.
The Logistics Department is committed to ensuring that our campus is safe, welcoming, and operates smoothly every day. From facilities, health and safety, security, and information technology to resource management and operational support, our team works behind the scenes to provide the reliable foundation that allows teaching, learning, and innovation to flourish.
As Child Protection Officer, I am dedicated to helping create an environment where every student feels safe, respected, and supported. The wellbeing of our students will always remain at the heart of everything we do.
At XLIS, we believe that education is built on strong partnerships between students, families, and staff. My team and I are committed to providing responsive support and outstanding service to help every member of our community feel welcomed and valued.
Thank you for being part of the XLIS family. I look forward to working together with you to make the 2026–2027 school year a successful, rewarding, and memorable one.
Warm regards,
Leah Zhang
Director of Logistics & Child Protection Officer
Kathy Wei – Director of Human Resources & Staff Wellbeing
Dear all,
Having worked at XLIS for nine 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 2026–2027 academic year, I warmly welcome our 18 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 Director of Athletics and Activities starting in the 2026-2027 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 2026-2027 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