The Week Ahead

The Study Skills Handbook

As a school that prides itself on keeping academic excellence at the heart of all that we do, we are constantly looking for new and better ways to support our pupils to maximise their academic potential. Our pioneers in the school’s first-ever Year 10 cohort have done a sterling job sitting their exams over the past month. However, teacher evaluation concludes that there is still more to be done for all our pupils to empower them to work even smarter, but in most cases, not harder. 

Wellington College International Hangzhou has recently partnered with Enhanced Learning Educational Services, a globally respected Australian educational consultant who built the famous ELES Study Skills Handbook. This is a great online resource for parents and pupils to find a huge volume of activities, multimedia experiences and valuable resources designed to help grow and develop even more impactful and efficient study skills. The goal of working with the Handbook is, of course, to improve examination grades. However, it also provides useful and practical advice to pupils on diverse topics such as overcoming procrastination, asking for help and managing stress, plus a helpful section on how pupils can live their best lives.  

To learn more about the Handbook, please scan the QR code below. Your child’s tutor will share the login and password details this week. I encourage all parents and students to take advantage of this opportunity to further develop their students’ study skills abilities through this great online resource. 

Stewart Brown

Head of Senior School

Many pupils who have transitioned from IGCSE to A-Level studies will talk about a ‘jump’ between the two courses. This is difficult to quantify for our current IGCSE learners when they are the first in our school to make this ‘jump’. However, speaking to my previous pupils and witnessing their progress through the different Key Stages, there was a common theme about what they found challenging and how they could make the change as smooth as possible.

So why is there a difference between studying for IGCSEs and A-Levels?

The emphasis on A-Level studies is that pupils are preparing for university-style learning, and therefore the approach requires much more independent learning from the pupils. The class sizes are smaller, so pupils’ contributions to discussions are more valued, so preparation for lessons is key. As a result, the workload will increase, even though individuals will be studying fewer subjects than the IGCSE level. Assignments will generally require higher word counts, and the content in each subject is both more challenging and greater in volume. The emphasis is really on the pupils to manage their workloads as this will help prepare them for higher education. 

With small class sizes and a high frequency of subject lessons per week, pupils will get to know their A-Level teachers very well. The pupils will also be expected to meet their teachers during study periods or free time if they need further help understanding their subject. 

Though the start of A-Level studies may be a little rocky, the reward is certainly worth the extra effort. The important thing to remember is that all staff are here to support our pupils, and we will always help your child build their independence in preparation for university and beyond.

Hatty Leung

Head of Sixth Form

‘Oracy is the ability to articulate ideas, develop understanding and engage with others through spoken language.’

At WCIH, the language of immersion is English, and as such, we encourage our pupils to speak it at every opportunity, in and outside the classroom. We have many planned opportunities within lessons and throughout the broader curriculum. In school, oracy is a powerful tool for learning; by teaching students to become more effective speakers and listeners, we empower them better to understand each other and the world around them. It is also a route to social mobility, empowering all students, not just some, to find their voice to succeed in school and life. 

Oracy at WCIH is not a programme to be completed one year and gone the next or an extracurricular endeavour for a select few, but rather an essential facet of our practical, empowering and expansive education. We are proud of the provision in place and the accelerated progress our pupils make. There are plenty of inclusive opportunities for our pupils to practice their spoken language through formal events, some of these such as Speech Day and Year 6 Graduation coming up soon.

Matthew Coleman
Head of Primary School

Maintaining pupil access to library resources during the evenings, weekends, and holidays supports our learners in their academic pursuits and their interests. The eLibrary is key to this 24/7 access and provides our pupils with many options. It is also constantly evolving, with our offerings being adjusted to meet the changing needs of our school community over time. Most eLibrary resources can be accessed using a school email and password. Where a resource requires a shared login, these are available from the library team or your child’s teacher. Over the next few weeks, I will use The Week Ahead to highlight some of our key resources. If you would like to explore the eLibrary yourself, please scan the QR code below. The eLibrary is regularly updated with new information, features and resources. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact the library team.

Digital books and magazines 

Pupils can access eBooks and digital magazines through our EBSCO and Flipster resources. In addition, they can access thousands of hours of reading material to suit their needs using these. These can be accessed either through the eLibrary or through an APP. If using the APP, there is a shared password that the library team can provide. Please scan the QR code below for more information, along with other details about reading resources available from the school library.

Bronwen Duffield

Head Librarian

Our pupils are having a great time bonding while competing in ways different from how they typically interact on the court and playing field.

The team building activities create an opportunity for our pupils further to build their trust and cohesiveness as a team. They find the activities to be so impactful and life-changing.

So, why is team building so important in sports?

Timothy Schulze

Head of PE

Martin Bailey

Dukebox Presenter