The Week Ahead

Early Entry Maths

Mock examinations began this week, with our accelerated early entry Year 10 IGCSE Maths pupils having their final practice before the actual examinations in May. Only the highest performing mathematicians globally are entered early for these exams, usually so that they can then go on to take the IGCSE Additional Maths qualification into Year 11. Many aspects of the Additional Maths course are considered harder even than the A-Level; I know our aspiring Year 10 pupils and teachers will relish the additional challenge next year.

At Wellington College International Hangzhou, 50% of our cohort are on this accelerated pathway to early entry in Maths, which perfectly reflects the awe-inspiring mathematical ability of our pupils. I also like to think of early entry Maths as a key indicator of our institutional commitment to ensuring that our pupils experience high levels of challenge in their learning, always pursuing academic excellence.

These formal exams will be the first time many of our pupils have had sitting papers set by external examination agencies. The routines and behaviours they will experience such as sitting in rows in the exam hall, preparing a see-through pencil case, working in total silence and managing time at home to revise may all be new and feel strange, but acquiring this knowledge represents a key milestone for our outstanding school - it heralds our arrival at maturity next year with our first cohort of Year 11. 

We have very high hopes for all of our pupils, but I hope you can join me in wishing this particular group of students on the early entry Maths pathway the best of luck. I look forward to reporting back on their successes in August.

Stewart Brown

Head of Senior School

This week's message from Sixth Form is about 'independence' and being an 'independent learner'. Students at university are required to be independent learners, meaning that they are expected to be able to demonstrate initiative and manage all their work on time. They should not need continuous instruction or monitoring. University students are expected to research various ideas through reading to understand their subject better. These study habits do not develop as soon as pupils attend university. Instead, they need to be practised and honed throughout school life. 

Here are some ways to help develop independent learning skills:

Pupils who master these skills at school have an excellent foundation for learning at university. However, it is essential to take the initiative with one's own learning and exercise resilience. Being an independent student takes time and practice, and there is no better time than the present to begin developing these skills.

Upcoming Events

 

 

 

 

Scan the QR code above to sign up for the lecture.

Info Session: 

School of Humanities

Rice University
Friday 25 March 

10:00pm (CST)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Studying at Highly Selective Institutions in Canada, the UK, and the US

Cambridge, Johns Hopkins, Toronto

Tuesday 29 March 

7:00pm (CST)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw and Unfiltered: Advice from Young Graduates

Middlebury, Davidson, Claremont McKenna

Tuesday 29 March 

8:00pm (CST)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undergraduate Student Panel

Cambridge, JHU, and Toronto

Thursday 31 March 

7:00pm (CST)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Info Session: 

International Students

Rice University

Thursday 31 March 

8:00pm (CST)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hatty Leung

Head of Sixth Form

Reading for pleasure

It has been delightful to see our pupils walking through the school, clutching and holding their reading books this week. Pleasure reading can be defined as freely chosen reading or that readers willingly and enthusiastically continue after it is assigned. Children improve with practice and develop themselves through new related interests and capacities.

So many of our pupils read for pleasure. But, of course, they all benefit from access to world-class online and physical library spaces, not to mention our wonderful librarians who are keen to help pupils define and explore genres and text types.

Some of the ways we actively promote reading for pleasure in school include:

The Children’s Book Award 2022 shortlist has been announced, with children from the UK choosing their favourite books from the last two years. Of course, we will be stocking many copies of these in our libraries.

The full shortlist for the Children’s Book Award 2022 is as follows:

Books for Younger Children

Books for Younger Readers

Books for Older Readers

Matthew Coleman
Head of Primary School

This year, the Grand Theatre will be taken over by a fantastic group of pupils singing, dancing, and acting to this year’s musical production of Seussical Jr. The Musical. Please look carefully at the poster and save the date.

Now and again, we will slowly announce our characters. This week, I would like to share with you that the following pupils will play the part of The Cat in the Hat: HSH – Rachel J. (G5), Barry L. (G6), Angela J. (G7) and WCIH – Daniel A. (Y8).

Get ready to be amazed by this beautiful story inspired by the works of Dr Seuss.

Alejandro Montoya

Director of Performing Arts

Pupils in the senior school participated in several basketball drills. We choose to include basketball in our physical education curriculum because playing basketball helps to improve motor coordination, flexibility, and endurance. It also encourages speed, agility, and strength. These skills are shown to positively promote a healthy body weight and promote more physical activity, enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness and self-esteem.  

Pupils in primary school developed their tennis skills. Of course, tennis is a fun game played socially and competitively. Studies have also shown that playing tennis can improve critical thinking, mental alertness, and tactical thinking by making connections in the brain.

Timothy Schulze

Head of PE

Please scan the QR code below to tune into our Dukebox radio to enjoy various shows throughout the week

Listen from 9:00-12:00 every weekday for “Marty James Morning Show”, “The big yellow bus show” at 6:00, Baz’s Motown Classics at 18:00, Dukebox Best Ever Song Show at 20:00 and the Rock Show at 22:00.

Don’t worry if you missed any of the live shows as you can access them all through the QR code below for our exclusive “Catch Up” service. Click on the date and time of the show you missed and “Listen Again”.

Please have a look at some of the wonderful content being created by our pupils and staff available in our podcast section below:

Martin Bailey

Dukebox Presenter