The Week Ahead

Comings and Goings

For me, the most bittersweet aspect of working in international education is the transient nature of our pupil and teacher populations. The end of each academic year is a happy time for celebrating the successes of another wonderful year, but also a time for reflection as we bid farewell to those moving on and taking their next steps in other places. This year is no different; we are saying goodbye to several colleagues and families, some of whom have been with us since the school’s inception. The redeeming feature in the melancholy of saying farewell is our global alumni network, which continues to grow each year. For those who are departing, I genuinely hope they will always feel like Wellingtonians at heart. The friendships they have made during their time at Wellington College International Hangzhou will hopefully endure great distances and time and continue to provide untold golden opportunities in the future. I bid our departing pupils a fond farewell and wish all members of our community who are leaving Hangzhou this summer the very best of luck with your new adventures. 

At this time of year, parents can be concerned that teachers’ departure may disrupt the school’s smooth running. It is a sadly unavoidable fact that some great teachers are leaving Hangzhou this summer, but I am confident that the positive legacy and impact of their work in our school will maintain. I thank them all and wish them well for the future. Despite this, our mission to achieve academic excellence remains on track and unwavering. Our strong global brand, synonymous with the very best in British-style international education, and our reputation as the international school of first choice in Hangzhou mean that we attract high-quality and well-experienced candidates, all keen to join us and put their mark on the school as we grow. We are fully staffed and have recruited strongly for next year from both within China and overseas. I have expanded our staffing significantly in core subjects and key areas. Having personally interviewed each of our new colleagues, I am excited to welcome the passionate, enthusiastic expert teachers. They are joining us in the community in August, and I look forward to the new and engaging ways they will find to help our pupils flourish. 

From next week, departing staff will tell pupils they are leaving. We will ensure this is done sensitively and is well managed with support from our world-class pastoral team to minimise disruption to pupil learning. I am sharing the Senior School academic team list for 2022-23 with you below, and regular WeChat posts have been going out over the past few weeks to introduce some of the new colleagues joining us this summer. I hope this information not only reassures pupils and parents but also excites you about our ever-increasing potential as Wellington College International Hangzhou goes from strength to strength. 

Please scan the QR code to view the Senior School academic team for 2022-2023.

Stewart Brown

Head of Senior School

As this academic year draws to a close, we not only reflect on the past year's events but also look forward to the new year. 2022-23 will be a momentous occasion for us as the pupils complete the final chapter of their secondary education. When building a new section of a school, naturally, practical decisions are made about academic programmes and learning environments. We have, for example, chosen the A Level programme for its academic rigour and challenge and its recognised status as the gold standard of English education. However, the intangible components that make a successful and happy learning environment are just as important as the practical ones. In the example of buying a house, owning the property would be the practical solution; however, making the house a home would be the intangible component that would lead to a happier living solution. So how do we build our Sixth Form to be a 'home' for our pupils?

I am very excited to be extending the academic 'home' for our pupils into the Sixth Form next year, and though we are yet to see this year out, I am already looking forward to the next.

Hatty Leung

Head of Sixth Form

Following last week's highlight of our EBSCO eBook and Flipster Digital Magazines resources, this week's Library Matters focuses on our BrainPop resources. Five BrainPop options exist, and our pupils can explore each to support their learning and personal interests. BrainPop features animated films, reading material and learning activities. The topics include science, arts, social students and much more. You can access BrainPop by scanning the QR code below and choosing the option you want. A shared login for our community can be provided by your child's teacher or the library team.

Alejandro Montoya

Director of Performing Arts

Increased sprinting and endurance running, both on offence of defence. In addition, there are definite elements of high-intensity interval training.

Interval Training burns calories and increases resting metabolic rate and tolerance to the burn. 

Increased Agility from the quick turns, pivots, throws and jumps. 

Full Body Workout, whether squatting or jumping to catch a disc. The game works legs and hips when throwing a disc. There is lots of leg work, but arms can feel it too, especially pupils playing a handler role in the offence. 

Boosts Mood, Healthy injection of endorphins and other happy hormones- any form of exercise can promote this. However, the best scenario is when our pupils exercise for more than 30 minutes at a moderate to intense pace. 

Social Interaction. Ultimate frisbee makes you part of a community and teaches our pupils to work as a team. 

 Timothy Schulze

Head of PE

The count down has started for Seussical Jr. The Musical. One more week to go. So save the date for Saturday 25 June.           

Alejandro Montoya

Director of Performing Arts

Martin Bailey
                          Dukebox Presenter