Sports day - Go Wellington Lions!

Our sports mascot – Welly the Wellington Lion has made its debut on our sports days!
 

"Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose-it teaches you about life." — Billie Jean King
 

In September 2023, the Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou and it will inspire all to participate in sports. For centuries, the importance of sports has been widely recognised. In the pursuit of becoming higher, faster and stronger, sport has always looked to technology to enhance the experience, and today, artificial intelligence (AI) is taking it to a whole new level. However, the human factor is what brings excitement and surprise to the world of sport – and that is something AI can never compete with. Wellington College Hangzhou is committed to academic excellence and the all-around development of our pupils. Through our professional physical education, we guide them to build an active and healthy lifestyle and flourish. In line with the spirit of the Asian Games, our annual sports day also aims at increasing participation and building a better future. More importantly, sports day is a happy event conducive to one’s well-being. According to the Journal of Happiness Studies, there is evidence showing a consistent positive relationship between physical activity and happiness. From Primary School to Sixth Form, our pupils thoroughly enjoyed our sports day.
 

Nathan Witter
Director of Sports

Wellington Primary sports day was a resounding success! In the morning, all Year 1 and 2 pupils enjoyed a range of fun sports-based activities, competing in pursuit races with a focus on engagement, inclusion and high levels of teamwork.

Meanwhile, the Year 3 to 6 pupils participated in an athletics carousel of events, including long jump and distance throw, with the 200-metre sprint being a highlight of the day.

Pupils were recognised for both their athletic excellence and Wellington values. Due to impressive parent attendance, parent races were organised, providing a fantastic spectacle for our Primary community, cheered on enthusiastically from the sidelines by our young sporting participants.

Dr Swati, Year 3 parent
"It has been a great day! Each and every child has been encouraged and there has been good safety at the event."

The afternoon focused on house races, including sack races, egg and spoon and relay races which were highly entertaining and enjoyed by all.  Pupils' achievements were recognised with medals for both their athletic excellence and for displaying our Wellington values in competitions.
 

The sensational winner of Wellington Primary sports day 2023 was House Raglan. The children were highly competitive, supporting their own house whilst also showing support and Wellington values of responsibility, respect and kindness to winners from other houses. At the end of this highly successful sports day, all children joined together united as one Wellington team to chant, Go Lions! In fact, Welly, our very own Wellington Lion mascot, made his debut at this year’s sports day. Wellington College Coat of Arms is steeped in history and based on the ducal crest of the Duke of Wellington and symbolises Courage and Strength. 

Victor, Year 4, House Raglan
"I like winning medals, especially gold ones! It’s nice to be competitive. Today, what I enjoyed most, was trying to win."

 

Our Wellingtonians in Senior School competed courageously in this year’s Senior sports day. A new format was devised to increase the element of competitiveness for our eldest pupils. This was created by combining Wellington Senior, Hiba Junior High and Sixth Form pupils into one amazing sports day event. The athletics championship resembled an actual athletic meet. The pupils within these year groups showed determination to succeed and to achieve their personal bests. Responsibility was the key Wellington Value promoted to encourage those pupils, especially in the U14/ U16 championship events, to be more responsible and show independence. Divit, Year 9, used three words to describe sports day. “Excited, nervous and fun!” A series of fun events also took place alongside the championships, including team games and ultimate frisbee.

Erin, Year 8
"I had lots of fun taking part in all the activities and waving green balloons and flags to support our house in the team games."
 

The ultimate winner of the Wellington Senior sports day 2023 was House Murray and the quotes below show how proud they all were to have wrestled back this prestigious title.

Kerry, Year 11
"Murray House is feeling really powerful, it means so much because we haven’t won in 5 years, not since 2018."

Bruce, Year 11
"We feel so exhilarated and recognise it took teamwork and cooperation. It was great to see everyone working hard for us to win."
 

Community is integral to Wellington Identity, and this spirit was evident from the incredible support shown by our parents, cheering on our fantastic pupils. Friends of Wellington and Hiba also supported the event by providing food and beverages to those parents who came to spectate.

Jessie, Year 4 parent
"Great day! My son really loves to run around outside and to win medals as well, makes it even better!"

Monika & Deepak, Year 9 parents
"It is our first time attending sports day at Wellington and we are very excited to watch our son compete in shot put and long jump."

On sports day, pupils challenged themselves and reaped victory, they also enjoyed the competition, friendship and growth. Our annual sports day will continue to pursue the Wellington vision of sporting excellence and we plan for improved success each year. Indeed, we hope to continue spreading the message of Wellington College Hangzhou sport by competing both in-house and within the best federations in Asia. Furthermore, the whole College campus is looking forward to supporting the much anticipated Hangzhou Asian Games coming to our beautiful city in September.