The Week Ahead
Senior School Matters
With great pleasure, I am writing my 40th article for The Week Ahead, the last one this year, to finish my first year as Head of Senior School at Wellington College International Hangzhou.
Once again, I want to pass on my thanks to the parents and our wider community for welcoming me to the school and Hangzhou. Your support has been resolute, caring and helpful – I am truly grateful. A school serves not just its pupils but the whole community and the vigour with which you throw your support behind us is always warmly appreciated.
I am immensely proud of our school, especially our teachers and their hard work, which has enabled us to enjoy the successes already achieved. We unashamedly offer a world-class British style international education, and we are well on the way to establishing ourselves as the international school of first choice in Hangzhou. Next year promises to be even more fruitful, with our first cohort of Year 11 pupils sitting their IGCSE exams next summer. From this, I fully expect confirmation of the high expectations for academic excellence from a Wellington College International Hangzhou education.
Additionally, and of equal importance, we will roll out enhanced wellbeing and pastoral care programmes in the quest to support every single pupil in the school to achieve personal happiness and flourish. Our memberships of both local and international groups and associations continue to mature, hopefully, next year, enabling your children to participate in a full range of sporting, creative, dramatic and musical competitions and events, ensuring that every pupil will experience golden opportunities to learn, to have fun, to build their networks and to develop lifelong skills.
Wellington College China is a remarkable organisation, already synonymous with the absolute best in British style international education in China but also well on the road to becoming one of the top education providers in the Asia-Pacific region. I feel privileged to be a part of it, excited about what the next year holds both for us in Hangzhou and our sister schools elsewhere in China, and honoured that you have chosen us to educate and nurture your children. Thank you for your ongoing loyalty and unwavering support.
The end of term is always busy. This week, in addition to their regular lessons, pupils will enjoy keynote lectures, Speech Days, an enhanced wellbeing session, afternoon tea, celebration assemblies and a games afternoon with the PE team. But once the leaving speeches are complete, the final farewells will commence. I wish all pupils, teachers and parents a restful and relaxing break.
I will look forward to seeing you again in September. Stay safe.
Stewart Brown
Head of Senior School
Sixth Form Matters
In this final week of term, we welcomed the Class of 2024 into Sixth Form through our two-day induction programme. Pupils were introduced to the successful methods for studying their A Level subjects, learning the differences between IGCSEs and A Levels and what life will be like for them at Wellington College Hangzhou Sixth Form. They were particularly excited by changes such as a new dress code and the use of the kitchenette facilities. This marks an exciting start to the transition they will make over the next two years. They will become independent young adults with a sense of responsibility and an understanding of their role as global citizens.
The Sixth Form Induction programme culminated in groups of pupils giving presentations to our Master on what they believe a 21st-century education should include. For example, many believe technology and personal health should play a greater role in building life skills such as cooking. It is always wonderful to hear pupils’ views on such matters as though they are young; they have clear ideas about the future.
I wish you all a wonderful and restful summer holiday, and I am already looking forward to the start of the new year and the new phase for you.
Upcoming Events
Navigating university admissions with a project qualification
A webinar for students interested in the benefits of completing a project qualification
Date：
13 July 2022
Time：
6pm (BST)
Link:
http://surl.li/cgvuw
Virtual Creative Workshops
To join one of the 2022 workshops, click the links below to learn more and register.
Colour – Your Personal Voice
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Professor Xavier Pick
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6 July 2022
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10.00am
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sign up here: http://surl.li/btndu
The Magical Banyan Book Tree
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Professor Xavier Pick
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3 August 2022
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10.00am
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sign up here: http://surl.li/btnea
Hatty Leung
Head of Sixth Form
Primary School Matters
Among the highlights over the past few weeks have been the triumphant whole school production of `Seussical the Musical`, the very first Primary Speech Day that follows a long history and tradition of Wellington Colleges around the globe, and of course, the lovely Year 6 Graduation Ceremony, which was also magnificent. We were delighted to welcome parents to these events.
The end-of-year celebration in an international school is always bittersweet because we inevitably must say goodbye to pupils and colleagues whose families are relocating overseas. Among our staff farewells this year are two key individuals in the history of the school to date - Mr. Philip Stainton and Ms. Megan Gallagher, both of whom have been at the school since inception and both have played critical roles in helping lay the foundations of the school we know and love today. We wish Ms. Gallagher, Mr. Stainton, and all departing staff safe travels and the best of luck in your new roles.
To our pupils who are relocating overseas, we hope our school values continue to retain significance in your actions and thoughts and that you remember your time as a Wellingtonian fondly. We also wish you well for the future and hope you flourish in your new schools and new countries.
We wish you a safe and enjoyable summer holiday. We welcome your children back to school at 7.:30am on Wednesday 1 September 2022.
Matthew Coleman
Head of Primary School
Library Matters
Summer holidays are almost upon us, and I am excited to introduce our 2022 summer reading challenge to you. This year, the theme is Read It – Hear It – Watch It to encourage pupils to explore stories in more than one format. Pupils can complete the challenge by only reading books, but they can also listen to books and watch a television or film adaptation of a book they read for the challenge to gain additional points.
Each pupil has been given a summer reading record booklet, with space to record their activities and points. Pupils can earn achievement pins and certificates by reaching either 50 (bronze), 75 (silver) or 100 (gold) points. Those who achieve a pin will also be added to a prize draw for Obido book vouchers and other reading-themed prizes.
More information, including a PDF of the summer reading record booklet, can be found by scanning the QR code below.
Bronwen Duffield
Head Librarian
Performing Arts Matters
"Creativity is intelligence having fun" – Albert Einstein.
Performing arts teach children language and communication skills, helping them to communicate effectively and confidently with others. In addition, Performing Arts are all about self-expression, exploring alternative options and embracing individuality.
We closed our year with the WCIH Primary Speech Awards, on which we recognised our skillful and talented pupils' love and commitment to performing arts. The year six graduation was another fabulous opportunity to celebrate our children's achievements and efforts.
We closed the year with the SingUp song video recording by our outstanding WCIH Choir. We will share this video with SingUp UK, an education platform based on singing that makes a digital choir every year with entries from schools worldwide!
It is a wrap-up, and we could not be any prouder of our pupils and everything they have achieved throughout the year. The Performing Arts at our Wellington College Hangzhou is alive thanks to the children's and parents' passion and commitment.
We are already looking forward to the new academic year. We will hold auditions for our musical, orchestra, bands, dance project and other performing arts groups during the first two weeks after the holidays. So use the holidays to keep making music, dancing and investing in activities that fulfil your mind and soul.
Have a fabulous summer.
Alejandro Montoya
Director of Performing Arts
Sport Matters
This week the pupils were introduced to a game called Tchoukball. Tchoukball involves running, jumping, throwing and catching. There's no stick, hoop, racquet or other equipment carried by the players. Instead, anyone who can throw and catch a ball thrown the length of a typical basketball court can play tchoukball.
Why play Tchoukball? Tchoukball is a non-contact sport where team members work together to achieve a goal, scoring points and stopping the other team from scoring. Unlike traditional team sports, the defending team does not put up direct opposition to the team with the ball. Instead, they must position themselves strategically to be able to catch a shot without interfering.
The strategy needed to score points in tchoukball is counter-intuitive to most team sports. Thus, tchoukball is a blend of athletic and strategic elements.
Timothy Schulze
Head of PE
Dukebox Matters
Dukebox radio
https://dukeboxradio.cn/
Schedule
https://dukeboxradio.cn/show-schedule/
Catch Up
https://dukeboxradio.cn/china-catchup/
Podcast
https://dukeboxradio.cn/podcast-archive/
Martin Bailey
Dukebox Presenter
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