The Week Ahead 26 January 2018

Dear Parents Thank you all very much for taking the time to complete the recent Annual Review survey. There was a record level of response, with 209 completed forms. It is a very gratifying result and it means that we have a huge data sample to draw on for the next stage of school development. I will be sending out the full results and analysis in a few weeks, but one thing I wanted to stress was how keen we are as a school to get parents involved more in our day-to-day events. The survey showed parental enthusiasm for such activities was high, and I hope that the term diary, the online calendar on the website and the regular Week Ahead all help to provide information for you. The WCA now has a range of social events each week to which all parents are warmly welcome; membership of the WCA is automatically extended to all family and friends of the College, so if you are keen to find out more, please refer to the section at the foot of this edition of the Week Ahead to see what is available for parents each week. If you are already involved, and would like to offer parents other opportunities to meet and engage, then please do not hesitate to contact Mr Peter Randall, our Admissions’ Director, for information. He is available by email. peter.randall@wellingtoncollege.cn Chinese New Year is almost upon us, affording parents another great way to get involved with the school through the activities of the WCA. Please do consider joining us for our celebrations to mark the arrival of the Year of the Dog, and perhaps consider signing up for any one of the nine other programmes currently available through the WCA. Best wishes Julian Jeffrey Master MEET THE MASTER Common Room 1400hrs - 1515hrs Thursday 1st February This week, the Meet the Master slot is aimed at parents of pupils in Years 12 and 13. If you would like to attend, please confirm via email with Ms. Emma Shi (emma.shi@wellingtoncollege.cn) by Wednesday 31st January. DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES Black Box 0900hrs - 1000hrs Wednesday 31st January 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, next week’s meeting, Mrs Samantha Wood, from Student Guidance and Welfare, will introduce how to deal with mental health issues with you and your children.     Parent Lecture: How does Wellington support your children to go to their dream university Common Room 1830hrs - 1930hrs Monday 29th January There will be a Parent Lecture on Monday 29th January in the Common Room from 1830hrs to 1930hrs. The theme of the lecture will be how Wellington College supports your child to get them to their dream university. The lecture will contain an element of wellbeing as well as focusing on the university application process. Chinese New Year Week 5th - 9th February Parents are warmly invited to our Chinese New Year Assemblies in the Theatre. We have prepared a series of games and performances to celebrate one of the most important and exciting events in the College calendar. Nest Assembly 1000hrs - 1100hrs Thursday 8th February Senior School Assembly with House Singing Competition 1540hrs - 1645hrs Thursday 8th February Junior School Assembly 1310hrs - 1430hrs Friday 9th February After watching the many pupil performances, we will close the week with the, Charity Spring Festival Market in the school Dining Hall. All are welcome to attend. The winning Chinese New Year work can be viewed at the Black Box foyer from 1430hrs.     Positive Parenting Class (basic) MB125 9:30-11:30 every Monday Date:  22nd and 29th Jan, 5th and 26th Feb, 5th , 12th , 19th and 26th Mar Charges: 30RMB/time or 200RMB/8 times Chinese Language Only Positive Discipline is a programme designed to teach young people to become responsible, respectful and resourceful members of their communities. Based on the best-selling positive discipline book by Dr. Jane Nelsen, it teaches important social and life skills in a manner that is deeply respectful and encouraging for both children and adults. Parents will learn to avoid power struggles while helping their children to learn self-control and self-discipline. Classes are in a small group setting, allowing deeper discussions and very personalized experience. www.positivediscipline.com   Art Class Junior Art Room 0830hrs-1100hrs every Friday  After a long week of taking care of your beloved children it's time to think of yourself as well. A little oasis from everyday noise, ART classes can give you much needed relaxation. An excellent way to cope with your everyday stress routine, and to prepare yourself for the upcoming busy weekend. Painting, sculpture, drawing, acrylics, aquarelle, crayons won't be a mystery to you anymore. All the things you always wanted to try but didn't have time for, now in the most convenient time and place for you - when your kids are at school. Each month we will be focusing on something new that you might like to try. Expressing yourself in an artistic way combined with relaxing, inspiring music and a glass of tea or coffee can help you find your new daily joy. Come and join ART classes every Friday as soon as you leave your little one(s) in school. The Junior Art Room will be open for you from 0830hrs to 1100hrs to learn some new skills, chat with friends, and share your love of art. Looking forward to seeing you in the Junior Art Room. Lower Level EAL Class MB 235 0830hrs-0930hrs every Tuesday 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  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. Pilates Black Box 1100hrs-1200hrs every Tuesday  Dance Studio 0930hrs-1030hrs every Friday Pilates is physical exercise system developed by Joseph Pilates. It is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit. Pilates focuses on core strength and balanced muscle development as well as flexibility and increased range of motion for the joints. So, don't hesitate, join our classes and feel better. You are warmly welcomed.   What a wonderful start to the second term with the Year 1 and 2 Assembly, which linked into their IPC project – All Dressed Up. We began the assembly by listening to Rita playing a superb piece on the piano. Then the Mile Post 1 pupils showed off their traditional costumes from 16 different countries. The pupils explained about their chosen country and why they liked their costumes so much. I thought that Queen Elizabeth and the Beefeater costumes looked marvelous – with a very British feel. Over the last few weeks, I have reviewed all the wonderful ‘goings on’ in our Junior School, and I would like to share them with you.

• Mrs Escobar’s Year 3 class won the attendance award – Well done Year 3.
• Orange House was the House winner this week by 6 points.

Could I please politely remind parents that children in the Junior School require approximately 10 -11 hours’ sleep per night. Research has also shown that it is not advisable to allow children to play on electronic equipment just before bedtime, as it takes longer for the child to settle into sleep. May I, therefore, request to please ensure that your child is in bed at a good hour, perhaps after a bedtime story, so that he/she can come into school in the morning refreshed, happy, and ready for the day ahead. ISCOT Chess On Saturday 20th, eight pupils from Years 4 to 6 represented Wellington College in the annual ISCOT chess competition, hosted at TIS. A lovely change of pace from the usual hustle and bustle of other ISCOT competitions; this event was a feast for the more intellectual pupils amongst us. I am delighted to announce that Wellington emerged victorious thanks to JiHo in Year 6 who secured gold by way of a flurry of flawless performances. My congratulations to him and all who attended.   Wellington Community League - Football On Friday 19th of this month saw the launch of the Wellington Community League (WCL) in the Junior School. This time around the focus was on football, and I am pleased to announce that six fun-packed matches were played between Wellington College and a local Chinese school. Mr Popovic and I were impressed with the level of effort and intensity our pupils displayed, whilst retaining a sense of sportsmanship and a concept at the heart of the WCL ethos. My congratulations to all that participated, and thanks to Mr Popovic for his help on the day, and to the PE team for their help in organising such a successful event. All Day  Mental Health Week (to 2nd) (SW) All Day Senior School Open Door Week (to 2nd) (DP) 0930hrs - 1130hrs WCA: Positive Behaviour (Beginner Level) (MB 125) 1830hrs - 1930hrs Parent Lecture: How does Wellington support your children to go to their dream university? (JMS) (Common Room) Tuesday 30 January 2018 0830hrs - 0930hrs WCA English Class: beginners (PF) (MB 235) 1130hrs - 1200hrs WCA: Pilates (Black Box / Dance Studio) Wednesday 31 January 2018 0900hrs - 1000hrs Parent Briefing: Dealing with Mental Health Issues (SW) (Black Box) Thursday 01 February 2018 1100hrs - 1200hrs WCA: English Class - Intermediate/Advanced (PF) (MB 231) 1400hrs - 1515hrs Meet the Master: Years 12-13 Parents (ES) (Master's Study) Friday 02 February 2018 0830hrs - 1100hrs WCA: Art Class (KM) (Junior Art Room) 0930hrs - 1030hrs WCA: Pilates (Black Box / Dance Studio)