Dear Parents Welcome back to a new term and a new year at Wellington. I hope that you all had a restful holiday; I am pleased to hear that the children have returned in purposeful mood. I am delighted to welcome some 20 new pupils to the school this week and parents of Year 1 pupils will already know that Mrs Karen Turdeich has joined the teaching staff. I know you will join me in welcoming all of them to our community. I have set three key targets for us this term. The underlining theme that connects them all is an emphasis on raising pupil achievement across the school. The first is academic, of course. Our public examination candidates, from IGCSE to A Level and IB Diploma, face the most searching few months of their school lives as they prepare for the summer term’s examinations. They have mock exams this week and next that will provide an excellent measurement of progress as well as acting as an invaluable guide to areas of focus for the revision that stretches ahead of them. My colleagues in the classroom will be offering expertise and advice to all of them, but as I wrote in my end of term letter in December, the informed support of parents and families over these coming months is also so important in achieving ambitious grades for all our pupils. Working together in this way, we can make the most of the time that remains. My second area of focus is our Annual Review from Wellington College. Achieving the commendation and advice from this group of critical friends helps both to confirm the best parts of our practice, but equally importantly, helps us to continue to improve as a school. Parents have a key role to play in informing the Review, both through the parent panel that is interviewed by a team of our reviewers during the visit, but before then, through the annual parent survey. This will be sent out to all our parents on Monday, and is available in our three main languages of English, Chinese and Korean. In the last two years, we have only averaged just over 35% of potential responses from our parent community. I am determined that we can get for a fuller picture by seeking completed forms from at least 70% of our parent body, so I would be very grateful for your help in getting close to this figure. It will take only 10-15 minutes to complete online. Finally, we will use the term to work collectively in producing another memorable school musical. Les Misérables will be China’s first official school production of this hugely popular and exciting show. For the first time, pupils will be heavily involved at all stages of the production, from costume and set design to stage management and front of house duties. It promises to be another highlight of the school year and will act as a showcase for so much of the talent we have in our pupil body. In these three ways, as in so many others, we are committed to working hard each day to making the school into the remarkable institution I know it can be: pupil achievement, in all its forms, lies at the heart of the school’s desire to be the best. Best wishes Julian Jeffrey Master MEET THE MASTER: CHILD PROTECTION BRIEFING Common Room 1330hrs-1515hrs Thursday 11th January This week, the Meet the Master slot is aimed at giving a briefing about the child protection measures in place to protect your children at Wellington in Tianjin. If you would like to attend, please confirm via email with Ms. Emma Shi (emma.shi@wellingtoncollege.cn) by Wednesday 10th January. Bursar’s Office 1400hrs-1500hrs Wednesday 10th January Meet the Bursar will be on Wednesday 10th January. We will have a review of the last meeting’s actions and a discussion on this month’s key topic: swimming pool maintenance and next steps in swimming activities. Please send Ms Lisa Liu (lisa.liu@wellingtoncollege.cn) a message if you are planning to attend and any specific topics you would like to raise. This will help us to ensure we have enough space and refreshments.   Chinese Cultural Trip to Xi’an The Mandarin Department would like to arrange a Chinese culture trip for Senior School pupils to Xi'an from 30th March to 2nd April 2018. A parent letter is ready for pupils who are interested in this trip. For further details, please contact Ms. Zhou (yang.zhou@wellingtoncollege.cn). 2018 Spring Festival Charity Market You are cordially invited to join our 2018 Spring Festival Charity Market whichwill be open on the 9th Feb 2018. If you would like to arrange a stall,introduce your friends to us or support the market in anyaspect, please contact the Marketing Department or email catherine.jia@wellingtoncollege.cnbefore 22nd January.   Positive Parenting Class (basic) Chinese Language Only MB125 9:30-11:30, every Monday Date:  22nd and 29th January, 5th and 26th February, 5th, 12th , 19th and 26th March Cost: 30RMB/time or 200RMB/8 times Positive Discipline is a programme designed to teach young people to become responsible, respectful and resourceful members of their communities. Based on the bestselling positive discipline book by Dr. Jane Nelsen, this course teaches important social and life skills in a manner that is deeply respectful and encouraging for both children and adults. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE PARENTS’ CLASS? Parents will learn to avoid power struggles while helping their children to develop self-control and self-discipline. Classes are in a small group setting, allowing deeper discussions and a very personalized experience. The Positive Discipline Way (developed by Lynn Lott and Jane Nelsen) provides a step-by-step approach to starting and leading experientially based parenting groups. This programme stands alone or offers significant enhancement to any programme; it emphasizes experiential activities that reach the heart to inspire deeper understanding and change. Parents love the Parents Helping Parents Problem-Solving Steps because this process provides a fun and effective way for them to get specific help with real problems. Learning Objectives Include:

1. Learn research based effective tools and techniques for teaching parents how to use discipline that is kind and firm at the same time (non-punitive, non-permissive).
2. Learn how to facilitate a parent class from the position of a non-expert.
3. Gain practice with experiential exercises that help parents go beyond intellectual understanding to be able to respond in empowering ways that teach children.
4. Learn how to use materials and activities in group settings, parenting classes and individual work with families.
5. Provide parents with valuable information and practical strategies to build mutually respectful relationships.
6. Explore the challenges of daily routines, incorporating downtime and family time, using effective strategies for discipline, and much more.
7. Learn how to re-frame challenges into "opportunities to learn", address feelings compassionately, set limits and understand misbehavior in order to respond more effectively to the needs of your child. You will also be empowered to focus on long-term solutions: help your child develop cooperation, responsibility, and problem-solving skills while creating a more peaceful family environment.

www.positivediscipline.com Art Class Junior Art Room 0830hrs-1100hrs, every Friday 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. Monday 08 January 2018 All Day Annual Review surveys (to 16th)   Tuesday 09 January 2018 0830hrs - 0930hrs WCA English Class: beginners (PF) (MB 235)   1100hrs - 1200hrs WCA: Pilates (Black Box / Dance Studio)   Wednesday 10 January 2018 1400hrs - 1500hrs Meet the Bursar (LL) (Bursar's Office)   Thursday 11 January 2018 0800hrs - 1500hrs MS Basketball vs TIS (a) (SC) 1100hrs - 1200hrs WCA: English Class - Intermediate/Advanced (PF) (MB 231) 1330hrs - 1515hrs Meet the Master: Child Protection Briefing (ES) (Common Room)   Friday 12 January 2018 All Day The Nest: Tapestry Reports published (DZ) 0830hrs - 1100hrs WCA: Art Class (KM) (Junior Art Room) 0930hrs - 1030hrs WCA: Pilates (Black Box / Dance Studio)   Saturday 13 January 2018 0800hrs - 1530hrs ISCOT MS Basketball (Boys @ TEDA IS; Girls @ IST) (SC)