The Week Ahead 21 September 2017

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Dear Parents I have spent some time this week reading and thinking about the world beyond Wellington. The recent troubling geopolitical developments in our region, and across other parts of the globe, suggest that Wellingtonians need to be ready to face a world with complex and deep-rooted instabilities. The binary world of the Cold War, with its more predictable centres of conflict, is long gone. Future generations are faced with economic and political changes that are far harder to predict and manage. In such a context, the emphasis in schools must be to help young people to make sense of the shifting world around them. It is no longer enough to produce examination automatons, isolated from the realities of the century. Employers have long recognised the need to produce informed, confident graduates as a part of any robust educational system. In such an atmosphere of change – often at bewildering speed – Wellingtonians who embrace their learning, and the opportunities it affords them, can expect to emerge from school as resilient, engaged and emotionally competent young adults. You will know that Wellington’s educational philosophy seeks not only to help your children to achieve great examination results and admission to the finest universities, but that we strive to offer an education for life. From the very structure of our lessons, aimed at fostering inquisitive and reflective learners, to our wellbeing programmes, the tutoring system and the multiple opportunities for pupil leadership roles, all combine to produce resilient and independent young adults, ready for the uncertainties of a life beyond school. Furthermore, our activity programme underpins the practice in the classroom. Membership of the MUN, the World Scholar’s Cup teams, International Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme or the Global Social Leaders’ course all help to engender deeper understanding of the world. These activities, and more, are part of the rounded education your child has access to here at Wellington. In this way, pupils can learn about the world and its likely challenges in a safe and supportive environment. If you would like more information on any or of the opportunities we offer, please do not hesitate to contact my office: emma.shi@wellingtoncollege.cn Best wishes Julian Master

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MEET THE MASTER Master’s Office 1400hrs-1515hrs Thursday 28th September This week, the Meet the Master slot is aimed at parents of pupils in the Nest. If you would like to attend, please confirm via email with Ms. Emma Shi (emma.shi@wellingtoncollege.cn) by Wednesday 27th September.

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UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS: THE NEXT STEPS Black Box 0900hrs-1000hrs Wednesday 27th September Every Wednesday morning from 0900hrs, parents will have the chance to engage with the school in sessions that cover all aspects of your child’s education, from the Early Years to A Levels and university admissions. The venue will vary according to the anticipated audience, and for next week’s meeting, Mrs Jayne Sabio, the Head of Sixth Form, will give a lecture on ‘University Admissions – the next steps’. All parents are welcome to attend and there will be refreshments available.

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Healthy Eating Week Healthy Eating Week starts on Monday 25th September. Pupils will be researching, studying and completing activities and challenges throughout the week to raise their awareness of healthy eating. We would like our parents to get involved too! We are asking parents to send a favourite healthy recipe and a photograph of your child preparing the recipe at home. There will be prizes for the best entries. We hope that we will have one recipe from every parent to make a Wellington parent recipe booklet. Thank you in anticipation for all the healthy ideas!

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Instrument Discovery Evening Black Box 1700hrs-1830hrs Thursday 28th September All parents of Year 4 pupils and above are welcome to attend the first Instrument Discovery Evening on Thursday the 28th September in the Black Box. This is an exciting occasion for you and your child to meet instrumental specialists, and be exposed to a large range of orchestral instruments which your child can access. Teachers will be happy to discuss ABRSM examination requirements, practice expectations, the new instrumental tuition policy as well as the possibilities of the instruments that they teach. I highly encourage your child to join the College orchestra as soon as they are able. Pupils will gain an invaluable skill set as part of their music education at Wellington. Lunchtime Recital Black Box 1255hrs-1320hrs Friday 29th September This week, our chamber choir and the Junior choir participated in a masterclass with Simon Williamson, the Director of Music from Wellington College. The chamber choir performed ‘The Blue Bird’, a beautiful choral work inspired by an English folk song, composed by the British composer C.V Stanford. We warmly welcome you to see the results of the chamber choir's hard work, as well as that of other soloists in the first of a series of lunchtime concerts. This will take place on Friday 29th September at 1255hrs in the Black Box.  

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  Mid-Autumn Festival  Next week will be Chinese culture week to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. There will be various activities throughout the whole week for Nest, Junior and Senior pupils to enjoy. The Chinese drama ‘Sunrise/Endless Dawn’ (Thursday 1540hrs-1645hrs in the Theatre) is open to the Senior School and parents are welcome. It promises to be an impressive performance and one of the most important production of the Year 11 A Level, Induction year.

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Cooking Activity Week An exciting week ahead for all our Nest pupils as we celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival and learn how to care for ourselves during the Cooking Activity Week. The week will commence with activities focusing on understanding the importance of developing a healthy lifestyle through personal hygiene, keeping our body fit through a balanced diet and regular exercise and strategies that help promote mental wellbeing. Year 1 pupils will be participating in a food activity with Chef Olivier on Wednesday, 27th September. A permission form was sent to parents and should be completed and returned in order to participate. On Friday, 29th September, pupils are requested to wear Chinese traditional clothes as they join in workshops from the Mandarin department. Wishing everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

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Each week we will have workshops and lectures on various and colourful topics held by our school parents and friends. This is to enhance our bounds as a Wellington Community and we would love to welcome all of you to join us! 

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English Class This year we will again be offering free English courses for all parents. If you would like to improve your English please do come along each week; we have a wide range of resources, readers and activities to help you engage with English, improve your confidence to communicate and of course to make new friends! There are two levelled classes, one lower and one higher. Both are taught by members of our highly experienced EAL team. Lessons are for 1 hour and will focus on:

• Improving speaking skills in formal and informal situations
• Gaining confidence in using language more fluently
• Writing skills - from emails to essays
• Reading - both fiction and non-fiction
• Grammar & vocabulary practice

Lower Level EAL Class MB 235 0830hrs-0930hrs Every Tuesday from 19th September This class is for beginner level learners who would like to improve their grammar, vocabulary and all round language skills. Higher Level EAL Class MB 231 1100hrs-1200hrs Every Thursday from 21st September This class is for more confident learners who would like to extend their grammar and vocabulary and will have a focus on improving spoken fluency.  

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Art Class Junior Art Room 0830hrs-1100hrs every Friday  Come and join us in exploring different feelings, approaches, materials, techniques in WCA Art Classes. Enjoy the beauty of exploring your inner space and have fun doing that in a good mood with nice company. We have fun through Art every Friday 0830hrs-1100hrs in Junior Art Room. Looking forward to seeing you!  

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I cannot believe that we have already completed four weeks in school. The amount of excellent learning that has taken place in class is fantastic. I have had over ten children sent to me showing off their amazing work and over sixty children have been awarded ‘Star of the Week’. The Junior School has won several ISCOT football games, and we still have two weeks left. Over the next two weeks, staff will be carrying out the in-house teacher assessments. This is a snap-shot of what your child has learnt in Literacy, Maths and Reading over the last 4 weeks. The targets, expected attainment and progress will be shared during the Parents’ Evenings on 24th and 26th October. Thank you to the parents who have attended our Celebration Assembly on Friday morning. It is a great pleasure to see so many children on stage being awarded for a variety of excellent areas. The Nest children attend the Junior School celebration every other week (they will be attending on this Friday, 22nd September). The Week Ahead letters are sent via ISAMS on Friday. If you do not receive your weekly newsletter, please go to Ms Cissy Zhao on Monday morning and we will give you a paper copy. Mr Cameron’s Year 4 won the attendance award last week with 100% attendance – it was very close with several classes at 99%. Also, the Orange House had the most points. Well done to all the children in the Orange House: you all must have worked exceptionally hard to achieve over 500 points. Milepost 2 children went on their trip along the river on Thursday and Friday. Their behaviour was exceptional. Thank you to all the staff that went and made the trip extra special for the children.  

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Milepost 2 River Cruise Years 3 and 4 travelled down to Ancient Culture Street last Thursday and Friday to understand the geographical importance of rivers from their IPC topic “Around the World”. The children’s excitement grew as we neared the quayside under the beautiful blue sky. The crew welcomed us with warm smiles as the pupils were keen to take their seats and open their assortment of snacks. A highlight was the imposing sight of the Tianjin Eye. We waited on the deck as the huge wheel loomed over us in the dazzling sunshine – a sight that many of the children later drew when we recorded our trip. All the pupils were behaved impeccably and they were a shining example of responsible behaviour around the members of the public who were on the same boats. All the children wrote wonderful accounts of their adventure once we were back in school - many of which are on display along the Years 3 and 4 corridors. The teachers were delighted how the pieces incorporated strong adjectives and the use of the past tense. The Year 4 pieces also included excellent adverbs and time connectives.  

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Monday 25 September 2017 All Day Healthy Eating Week (to 29th) (JL) All Day Nest: Cooking Activity Week (to 25th) (DZ) (The Nest) All Day Celebration of Chinese Culture: Mid-Autumn Festival (to 29th) (YZ) 1500hrs - 1830hrs HS Volleyball vs IST (a) (RG) Tuesday 26 September 2017 0830hrs - 0930hrs WCA: Lower Level EAL Class (RD) (MB 235) 1100hrs - 1200hrs WCA: Pilates (Black Box) 1600hrs - 1730hrs MS Football vs TEDA IS (h) (SC) (Sports Hall) Wednesday 27 September 2017 0900hrs - 1000hrs Parent Briefing: University Admissions - the Next Steps (JMS) (Black Box) 1200hrs - 1230hrs Assembly: Years 10-11 (EIW) (Theatre) 1400hrs - 1800hrs ISCOT Cross Country (@ IST) (RG) Thursday 28 September 2017 1100hrs - 1200hrs WCA: Higher Level EAL Class (PF) (MB 231) 1400hrs - 1515hrs Meet the Master: Nest Parents (ES) (Master's Study) 1500hrs - 1830hrs MS Football vs IST (a) (RG) 1540hrs - 1645hrs Mandarin Drama "Sunrise" (YZ) (Theatre) 1700hrs - 1830hrs Instrument Discovery Evening (FG) (Black Box) Friday 29 September 2017 0830hrs - 1100hrs WCA: Art Class (KM) (Junior Art Room) 0930hrs - 1030hrs WCA: Pilates (Dance Studio) 1200hrs - 1230hrs House Competition: Poetry Competition (JL) (Theatre) 1255hrs - 1320hrs Lunchtime Recital (FG) (Black Box) 1330hrs - 1530hrs House Football (Years 4-6) (JM) (Sports Hall)