The Week Ahead 17 January 2020

From the Master 来自校长 마스터

Dear parents I have spent this week enjoying a series of superb Spring Festival concerts from across the school. Pupil performances, from the soloists to the choirs, dancers and actors, showed the power of teamwork, dedication and perhaps above all, courage. Many of the performers were on the stage for the first time in their lives, and each of them will have overcome considerable nervousness to deliver those memorable performances. As ever, I was so proud of our young people and the determination they showed to be a part of the school’s celebrations. For many children and young adults, though, it is not always so easy to overcome their fears. Countries across the world are facing what amounts to an epidemic of mental health issues in school-age youngsters. I have written many times before in this column about the plight of those affected by depression, anxiety and a host of other mental illnesses, and how we as a community have a responsibility to address these. The week after the New Year holiday is mental health awareness week, and we will be ‘finding our brave’ across the school. A series of events, lectures, workshops and in-class activities will serve to highlight the blight of mental illness. By talking about such issues openly and frankly, we hope to reduce the stigma and shame that is often associated with such conditions, and to help our community to face up to the challenges that we, collectively, share in raising and educating our children. Modern living, with all its apparent trappings of wealth, access to technology and easy communication, seems to be taking a toll on those who grow up struggling to comprehend the pace and scale of change. As adults – parents and educators – we need to be more mindful, more informed about, the dangers posed by mental health issues, so please do join us in the week-long focus on finding the brave from 3rd February. The resilience and courage shown by our performers this week shows what can be achieved by young people who are leading confident, self-assured lives within a nurturing educational community like Wellington. But as I am acutely aware, we must be very sensitive to the needs of those whom do not find life as filled with joy, and the week’s focus will help to make our community a more caring and understanding one.   Best wishes Julian Jeffrey MASTER MEET THE MASTER Duke of York’s Room 1400hrs-1500hrs, Thursday 6th February   This week’s Meet the Master slot is open to parents of pupils in Years 7 to 11. If you would like to attend, please confirm via email with Ms Emma Shi (emma.shi@wellingtoncollege.cn) by Wednesday 5th February. FROM THE STUDENT GUIDANCE AND WELFARE Mental Health Awareness Week - 'Finding Your Brave'  3rd - 7th February   Everyone, no matter their age, has fears and anxieties. Maybe it is the monster under the bed, sitting exams, making friends or standing up in front of an audience; whatever it maybe, it presents a real challenge for the individual. This Mental Health Awareness week provides the opportunity to discuss these fears, and, I hope, to find ways to face them. We are particularly fortunate to have Mary Chan, a psychotherapist and counsellor, from Raffles Medical Group, joining us on Wednesday 5th February. Please join us for her Parent briefing (0900hrs – 1000hrs) and Parent Question and Answer session (1015hrs – 1100hrs). FROM THE HEAD OF SIXTH FORM Year 11 and AL Induction Group Parents' Evening: A Level Options Black Box 1700hrs, Tuesday 4th February   The A Level options’ evening for pupils and their parents in Year 11 and AL Induction group will be held on Tuesday 4th February. There will be a presentation on A Levels in the Black Box at 1700hrs by Mrs Sabio. After the 25-minute presentation, pupils and their parents are invited to attend short introductory sessions organised by the academic departments where each of the subjects will be introduced and there will be opportunities for questions. The schedule for the evening is below and a booklet with brief introductions of all the subjects will be available on the evening in English, Chinese and Korean. We hope to see as many parents there as possible – A Level choices need to be thought about carefully and being well-informed is key to helping your child to make the right choices. The Sixth Form team will be available all evening to take individual questions. FROM THE HEAD OF EARLY YEARS Nest Parents' Evening The Nest 1700hrs – 1900hrs, Tuesday and Thursday 4th and 6th February   An ongoing communication between home and school is a good predictor of pupil success and one of the many ways we facilitate this is through our termly Parents' Evening. Parents and teachers will have an opportunity to celebrate each child's success as well as identify any areas for development in order to achieve their age-related expectations. We invite all Nest parents to this upcoming event on 4th and 6th February and a sign-up sheet is now available. If you are unable to attend, kindly contact your homeroom teachers so an alternate appointment can be made. FROM MR DENTICO, SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Iceland Trip: Parent Briefing on Visa Applications Common Room 1700hrs, Thursday 6th February   There will be a Parent Briefing about the visa application process on Thursday 6th February at 1700hrs in the Common Room. The school agent will provide a list of required documents and explain the process to you.  If you are unsure about the visa application process you are strongly advised to attend this meeting. French Every Monday 8:45-10:00 MB125 Mrs Audrey Barthelemy audrey.barthelemy18@gmail.com   Art Every Friday 8:30-11:00 MB125 Mrs Markovic ksenija.jakic@wellingtoncollege.cn   Mandarin Every Tuesday 10:15-11:15 MB125 Mrs Yuan and Mrs Zhang yizhang001@foxmail.com   EAL (Beginner level) Every Tuesday of Week A 8:30-9:30 MB125 Mr Furse David.Furse@wellingtoncollege.cn   EAL (Advanced level) Every Thursday of Week B 8:30-9:30 MB125 Mr Furse David.Furse@wellingtoncollege.cn   Pilates Every Tuesday 8:45-10:00 Black Box Mrs Stofkova dstofkova@yahoo.com   How to use Chinese daily life Apps Every Tuesday 13:00-14:00 MB113 Mrs Kim donghong0904@naver.com   Pilates Every Friday 8:45-10:00 Black Box Mrs Stofkova dstofkova@yahoo.com   Yoga Every Wednesday 8:45-10:00 Black Box Mrs Havlíková havlikann@gmail.com   Yoga Every Thursday 10:45-12:00 Black Box Mrs Havlíková havlikann@gmail.com   Traditional Chinese Medicine Every Thursday 9:00-10:30 MB113 Mrs Markovic ksenija.jakic@gmail.com   Notice: Any changes of time/date/venue please follow the notice according to the course organiser. UPCOMING EVENTS   Monday 03 February 2020 All Day Mental Health week begins (to 7th) (RA)   All Day Week 20 (B)   8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: French class (LL) (MB 125)   11:00AM - 12:00PM Senior School assembly (JMS) (Theatre)   Tuesday 04 February 2020 8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: Pilates (LL) (Black Box)   10:15AM - 11:15AM FOW: Mandarin class (LL) (MB 113)   1:00PM - 2:00PM FOW: How to use Chinese daily life apps (LL) (MB 113)   3:05PM - 4:50PM Middle School Inter-house basketball competition (RG) (Sports' Centre)   5:00PM Senior School parents' evening: Year 11 options (DP) (Black Box)   5:00PM Nest parents' evening (DZ) (The Nest)   Wednesday 05 February 2020 8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: Yoga class (LL) (Black Box)   3:05PM - 3:45PM Junior School assembly: Class 4A (RA) (Theatre)   4:00PM ISCOT League HS Boys Basketball vs TIS (h) (RG) (Sports Centre)   Thursday 06 February 2020 All Day UKMT Intermediate Mathematics Challenge: Years 9-11 (EIW)   8:30AM - 9:30AM FOW: English class (advanced level) (LL) (MB 234)   9:00AM - 10:30AM FOW: TCM class (LL)   10:45AM - 12:00PM FOW: Yoga class (LL) (Black Box)   2:00PM - 3:00PM Meet the Master: Years 7-11 (ES) (Main Building)   5:00PM Nest parents' evening (DZ) (The Nest)   5:00PM Parent Briefing: Iceland visa application (GD) (Common Room)   Friday 07 February 2020 All Day Mental Health week: Time to talk day (SW)   8:30AM - 11:00AM FOW: Art class (LL)   8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: Pilates (LL) (Black Box)   2:00PM - 3:00PM Food Committee meeting (Main Building) (LL) (Duke of York room)   Saturday 08 February 2020 All Day Open Day: AL Induction Year (PR) (Main Building)   9:00AM Saturday Activity Programme (SAP) (EvK)