The Week Ahead

The future of education

I have had the pleasure recently of attending several keynotes and conference discussions that address the future of education. The traditional model of education which we adults have been in since our childhood is being questioned more and more in terms of its sustainability, with aspects such as the ratio of teacher to pupils, improvements to physical environments, potential changes to assessment models plus the expanding role of technology in the classroom all being examined and reviewed.

While the future of education will almost certainly look different, for now, I am very comfortable with the model of teaching and learning that we have developed at Wellington College International Hangzhou. Our expert teachers, leading learning in small classes of children face to face in world-class and custom-designed spaces, is the most guaranteed route towards academic excellence. Our pastoral team ensures wellbeing support, training, care, and intervention for our pupils when required. The rigour of the IGCSE and A-Level assessment systems gives us clear feedback and signposts us towards accurately measuring pupil attainment and success. So the current education model we have works just fine for now.

That isn’t to say we don’t embrace change. On the contrary, I see change as a strong force for good and believe that change should always be seen as an opportunity, not a threat. The rise and importance of technology in education is inescapable and exciting. To equip our pupils with the technical knowhow and capacity to flourish in the tech-enhanced future world of work, we must keep up to speed with technological change. 

Recently we have entered a trial with Century Tech, a UK company who have developed a fantastic revision website to assist pupils with their core subjects. The website operates using artificial intelligence, which learns about the individual pupil’s strengths and weaknesses as they work, making suggestions about the topics they need to cover next to best help their learning grow. It is a remarkable tool that we expect to have a huge and positive impact on both the language skills and the attainment of our pupils. We are one of a select number of schools in China currently working with Century Tech, and we proudly share our commitment to ensuring that our pupils have cutting edge opportunities to embrace the technological revolution in the classroom.

Stewart Brown

Head of Senior School

I often meet with pupils and parents who are keen to know how a university application can be strengthened and how one can obtain a competitive edge over the thousands of other applicants. Students need to have a passion for learning their chosen subject and then clearly demonstrate this in their personal statements and essays.  

So how do you demonstrate a love for your subject? First, read as much relevant material as possible and form your own opinions. Reading is a fantastic way to deepen and broaden your understanding while improving your English and learning more about the subject you love. Put time and effort into selecting relevant books, reading them and thinking about them before applying to university. Then, the admissions officer can make a reasonable assumption that you will be an engaged and interested student.

I will be sharing a suggested reading list with pupils this week and encourage you to support your child in pursuing their academic interests. 

Hatty Leung

Head of Sixth Form

As we move towards Term 3, I would like to take the opportunity to share some of the wonderful, new learning environment displays. As pupils return from the Qing Ming break, they will be met with reimagined and updated displays to help inspire and motivate throughout their Summer term learning.

Educators talk a lot about documentation versus decoration in learning environments. The purpose is to document the serious learning that has happened so that pupils can feel proud of their achievements or how we can inspire our pupils to engage with future learning.

When you walk around the school and see a display of pupil work and learning, that story will include work samples, photographs, language samples, and a little narrative about how that experience came to be. We even include QR codes with links to recital performances or virtual learning experiences, such as trips to a museum.

Because we document and display pupil learning, we send a message that we value their thinking and understanding and their questions about their world. We also send a message to adults in the lives of these children about the importance of the work that happens in the classroom.

Matthew Coleman
Head of Primary School

Being part of a musical ensemble brings numerous benefits to academic and personal development. Among those benefits are:

Confident Learning
Developing Social Skills
Teamwork Collaboration
Healthy Competition

Adding to the above, it gives us the perfect opportunity to practise our school values (courage, respect, integrity, kindness, and responsibility). It develops our school identity (Inspired, Intellectual, Independent, Individual, and Inclusive).

For the past two weeks, a few pupils from the orchestra from HSH Junior High and WCIH Senior School have been preparing for the Chamber Group competition. Pupils in this chamber group were requested to perform for 8 to 10 minutes without a conductor. It created a new challenge for us. We worked hard to improve the four pieces we prepared for the competition. 

Please scan the QR code below for our Duke Box radio and listen to the recording of our 12 wonderful musicians. They have excelled in developing excellent musical skills in such a short time.

Unfortunately, this year’s competition has been cancelled due to the current restrictions. Please scan the QR code below to view the performance from our talented pupils.

Alejandro Montoya

Director of Performing Arts

The Senior School competed in the FOBISIA 5km Virtual Running Challenge. In a truly epic display of determination, all runners gave their all to make themselves, their houses and their school proud. Mike C was the fastest runner, with 21 minutes and 43 seconds. Our results have been sent to FOBISIA, and we look forward to seeing how we rank amongst other schools. We also look forward to competing in and winning FOBISIA sporting competitions, featuring athletics and team games such as basketball and football.

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. Please scan the QR code below for full schedule.

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

Please listen to the wonderful content being created by our pupils and staff available in our podcast section.

Martin Bailey

Dukebox Presenter