Parent Community | An Annual Retrospective of FOW

In the 2023-2024 academic year, Wellington College Hangzhou marks its sixth year with the continued support of FOW.  

A significant change has taken place this year. As Wellington College Hangzhou becomes increasingly integrated, so does the WCCH community. After completing its mission over five years, Friends of Hiba (FOH) has announced the handover to the FOW, i.e. Friends of Wellington College Hangzhou Executive Committee. 

Following interviews, communication and discussions with the school leadership team, the new FOW Executive Committee has appointed a co-chair, a vice chair for charity, finance and activities, and a communication support specialist for each of the three schools, namely HNH, WCIH, and HSH. What a dynamic team of old and new members, enthusiastic and dedicated to the development of the school community. 

List of members of the new FOW Committee

FOW has been in close communication with the school this year and devoted to three initiatives to foster strong partnerships between the school and the families: supporting Wellington College Hangzhou during key annual events, organising community workshops to provide a diverse range of activities and communication platforms for community members, and providing Wellington Talk sessions to equip pupils with expert insights and guidance. 

As of April this academic year, FOW has organised six diverse and insightful community workshops both on and off campus, supported 12 school events, and hosted three Wellington Talk sessions. These community workshops have contained richer content and varied forms with higher participation. Some examples are the first-ever school-wide class representative meeting, a floristry workshop, a Longjing countryside hiking activity, a sharing session with international university students, and a parent-child education session. The parent community workshop provides a platform for parents in the community to communicate, learn, and share information from different fields, allowing them to learn from each other and grow together. Each parent workshop has been met with high praise and positive feedback from the attending parents. 

The first major event organised by FOW this academic year was the celebration of Teachers' Day, where FOW members and parent volunteers prepared sunflowers and traditional pastries from Zhiweiguan in advance to express their gratitude and appreciation towards all the teachers. 

In December 2023, the three schools held their first joint Winter Fair. Parents from all three schools participated in the FOW Christmas charity sale, raising valuable funds for the group.  

During the Chinese New Year celebration in February, children collected stamps, distributed lucky bags, tasted traditional food, and participated in interactive games. The parent and FOW stalls created a festive atmosphere, allowing children to experience the festive atmosphere in advance.  

At the annual sports day, FOW distributed sports cheering bags, and the 300 limited bags were actively purchased by parents from all three schools.  

In May, FOW will partner with the school to organise a school-wide multicultural event for parents, teachers, and pupils to experience the traditions and characteristics of different countries around the world.  

June is an eagerly anticipated month for children, marked by the succession of the Summer Carnival and the annual musical. This year, FOW introduced an ice cream stall alongside others offering games like ring toss and the sale of FOW-branded merchandise. Supported by the school, FOW launched a stall selling pre-owned school uniforms, an initiative aimed at sustainability and fundraising. Following the Carnival, the annual musical was staged, where the makeup for all performers was provided by FOW and parent volunteers, as has been the tradition.

To conclude June, FOW will host its inaugural Coffee Event, a novel approach to community engagement akin to the Wellington Talk. This event is designed to foster a deeper understanding of FOW among parents through casual dialogue, to gather extensive feedback and suggestions, and to enhance and refine FOW's future endeavours. 

The Wellington Talk is a series of thematic lectures co-hosted by FOW and the school, which regularly invites parents and distinguished guests from diverse fields to share and exchange their expertise. This initiative is designed to guide pupils in gaining a deeper understanding of the world, to disseminate professional knowledge and innovative ideas, and to offer support for their career aspirations. Additionally, it serves as a platform for the Wellington College Hangzhou community to engage in the exchange of professional insights, share personal experiences, and inspire learning and critical thinking. Throughout this academic year, FOW has welcomed esteemed guests from a variety of industries to deliver three thematic sessions covering topics such as biomedicine, financial investment, and art curation. 

It’s worth mentioning that FOW and the school have made significant progress in promoting home-school integration and exchange this year. FOW has held monthly meetings with the school and the Food Committee was fully involved in the next year's catering bidding process and regular supervision for canteen operations. The parent choir also performed at the Chinese New Year celebration and the Summer Carnival in June. 

Besides, the Wellington College Hangzhou Community Football Team has become a major feature of community activities, organising and participating in over ten training sessions, inter-school competitions and friendly matches during the academic year. Through football, parents, staff and Wellington families are linked together to immerse themselves in this highly welcoming community atmosphere. 

We would like to express our gratitude to the committee members, class representatives, and parent volunteers who supported and participated in FOW's various initiatives this year, which has laid a foundation for our sound development. FOW will continue to work closely with the school and grow together with the community, supporting school events, enriching community workshops, and promoting high-quality Wellington Talk sessions. We remain committed to providing community members with a sense of care, warmth, and continuous growth within the Wellington College Hangzhou community.