The Week Ahead 6 December 2019

From the Master 来自校长 마스터

Dear parents It will not have escaped your notice that the school is looking distinctly festive this week, as Christmas decorations have appeared across the estate. For many people, particularly those from countries which do not mark Christmas as a major part of their cultural experience, it can appear to be little more than a time of commercialism and excess. Certainly, the ‘spirit of Christmas’ has changed a great deal from its roots in pagan ritual, marking the mid-winter, and the Christian message of the nativity. The religious significance of the yuletide is still of central importance to many, of course, but as the world has become a more secular place, those seeking a deeper meaning to this season often look to charity and the practice of helping others. At Wellington, a commitment to service projects and charitable causes is ingrained in the DNA of the institution. As much as anything, we recognise that an opportunity of an education at Wellington is one that very few children will be lucky enough to experience, and that as such a young person’s time at the school is both a precious gift as well as a responsibility. Wellingtonians have a wider role to play in service to others, not just in the selfish pursuit of personal goals. In charitable giving, for example, we have had some startling achievements this term, with events such as the Jian Hua orphanage sleepover in September raising almost 3,000 RMB, the Pink Day in October made 14,394 RMB for cancer charities and the recent Movember, 20,250 RMB. These are huge sums for a community of our size and reflect the deeper characteristics of Christmas - a tradition of generosity and giving. Admirable as these figures are, I think we can still do more to serve the community beyond our gates. Cash donations are, of course, welcome, but we are determined to explore further learning opportunities from such events. As a result, the next steps for us involve a greater emphasis on service as a way of supporting our charitable causes. In this way, groups like the International Duke of Edinburgh (IDoE) Award scheme and the Scouts, both available as activities here at Wellington, can offer enormous opportunities for young people to help others (and themselves) by doing projects in the local community or further afield. Membership of the Scouts, or a commitment to the IDoE, can offer a real chance for Wellingtonians to show that they too can use their privileged status to make their world a better one for all. As we move into the Christmas season, I hope that all our pupils have the chance to reflect on the ways in which they contribute to their communities, be it at home, in school, across the city or any other. Christmas need not be a hollow experience, dominated by a desire for gifts and food; it can be a time for us all to think about how we want our world to be and what part we will play in shaping it to that vision. Further details of the school’s Scout activity and IDoE programme are available on request. Email Ms Emma Shi (emma.shi@welligntoncollege.cn) for the contact details.   Best wishes Julian Jeffrey MASTER MEET THE MASTER AND BURSAR Duke of York’s Room 1400hrs-1500hrs, Thursday 12th December   This week’s Meet the Master and Bursar slot is open to parents of pupils in all year groups. If you would like to attend, please confirm via email with Ms Emma Shi (emma.shi@wellingtoncollege.cn) by Wednesday 11th December. NEST PARENT BRIEFING: PARENTING YOUNG CHILDREN Common Room 0900hrs - 1015hrs, Wednesday 11th December   Every other Wednesday morning from 0900hrs-1015hrs, 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. For this week's meeting, Mrs Melissa Meyers, the Deputy Head of the Junior School, will provide an opportunity for parents of NEST children to gain some further insight as to how they can best support their child/children in their development and learning. The session will cover stages of development, ideas of how to foster independence and why nurturing a growth mindset matters. There will also be time for questions after the session. It starts at 0900hrs in the Common Room. FROM THE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND ADMISSIONS Charity Christmas Bazaar Dining Hall 1500hrs-1700hrs, Friday 13th December   Christmas is fast approaching, and I am delighted that once again we are hosting an annual charity Christmas Bazaar. The bazaar will be on Friday, December 13th (1500hrs-1700hrs). The theme is the ‘Season of Giving’, to tie in with the broader messages of the Christmas season. Proceeds from the Bazaar will go to those charity organizations we have been supporting across the school. FROM MRS DOVEY, MUSIC Junior School Christmas Show Theatre 1300hrs-1400hrs, Friday 13th December   On Friday December 13th at 1300hrs the Junior School will be performing their version of 'The Nutcracker' in the Seldon theatre. The Nutcracker is traditionally a ballet with music by Tchaikovsky but in order to include all pupils from Years 2 to 6, songs and narrators will be included. 'The Nutcracker' transports you to a wintery land of hot chocolate, candy canes, flowers and the sugar plumb fairy. If you wish to be inspired by the magic of Christmas please come along, sit back and enjoy! FROM MR FORSTER, MP 1 COORDINATOR Year 2 Exit Point Black Box 0930hrs – 1030hrs, Monday 9th December Year 1 Exit Point Classrooms 0930hrs - 1030hrs, Friday 13th December   We have been learning all about ‘Buildings’ and ‘Healthy Eating’. We have prepared an exhibition of our work that we would like to share with you. We would like to invite you to bring a traditional dish of food to share during our Exit Point that you have prepared together at home. Please be advised that the dishes cannot contain any nuts or nut traces. A polite reminder that the dish needs to be healthy. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible. FROM MR CAMERON, MP3 COORDINATOR Milepost 3 Exit Point  Theatre 1315hrs – 1445hrs, Wednesday 11th December   MP3 have been learning about 'Climate Control' and how our planet is changing and affected by our climate. As a Milepost, we will present to you what we have been learning and sharing information about our ever-changing world. In addition, we will be sharing the importance of recycling, reusing and reducing our waste. We look forward to seeing you all there. 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 09 December 2019 All Day Week 16 (B)   9:30AM - 10:30AM Year 2 Exit Point (MF) (Black Box)   8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: French class (LL) (MB 125)   11:00AM - 12:00PM Senior School assembly (JMS) (Theatre)   4:00PM ISCOT League HS Boys and Girls Basketball vs TEDA (a) (RG)   Tuesday 10 December 2019 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)   Wednesday 11 December 2019 8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: Yoga class (LL) (Black Box)   1:15PM - 2:45PM Milepost 3 Exit Point (NC) (Seldon Theatre)   2:30PM - 3:30PM Nest parent briefing: Parenting young children (MM) (Main Building)   3:05PM - 3:45PM Junior School assembly (RA) (Theatre)   4:00PM ISCOT League HS Basketball vs TIS; Boys (h), Girls @ TIS (RG) (Sports Centre)   Thursday 12 December 2019 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 and Bursar: all year groups (ES) (Main Building)   4:00PM ISCOT League MS Volleyball Boys and Girls vs TEDA (a) (RG)   Friday 13 December 2019 8:30AM - 11:00AM FOW: Art class (LL)   8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: Pilates (LL) (Black Box)   9:30AM - 12:30PM Open Day: Nest (PR) (The Nest)   9:30AM - 10:30PM Year 1 Exit Point (MF) (Classrooms)   1:00PM Junior School Christmas show (AD) (Theatre)   3:00PM - 5:00PM Christmas market (PR) (Dining Hall)   Saturday 14 December 2019 9:00AM Saturday Activity Programme (SAP) (EvK)