HRH the Duke of York to become Visitor to Wellington College International Tianjin

Monday, September 13, 2010

HRH Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, attended the Inauguration Ceremony of Wellington College International Tianjin on Friday, 10th September 2010. During a lively and witty address, the Duke of York announced that he would be delighted to become Visitor to the new College. Her Majesty the Queen currently enjoys a similar role for Wellington College in the UK.  This will ensure that HRH will return to the College on a regular basis, thereby becoming a close supporter in the years ahead of both the school and the city of Tianjin.   

Tianjin was at its best for the Inauguration Ceremony, with clear skies, plenty of sunshine and a pleasant cooling breeze. The new buildings, deliberately evoking the classical style, described as French rococo, of Wellington College in the UK, looked resplendent amidst the spacious inner-city campus, overlooking the Grand Canal in the Hongqiao District of Tianjin. The Duke of York and Madam Zhang Junfang, the vice-mayor of Tianjin, unveiled a plaque to commemorate the Inauguration. Others present at the ceremony included Zhang Xiu Qin director of the Central Ministry of Education, Dr Anthony Seldon, Master of Wellington College in the UK, leading officers from the Institute of Foreign Affairs, officials from the Tianjin Foreign Affairs Bureau and Education Commission and prominent members of the Hongqiao District government.   

Founding Headmaster of Wellington in Tianjin, Mr David Cook, described the ceremony as “an historic day for Tianjin, Wellington College in the UK and, above all, everybody associated with the new College. This is the most exciting of educational ventures for all of us, creating something which will last well beyond our lifetimes, a combination of English, or should I say Wellingtonian, educational know-how with Chinese vision and drive”.  

Dr Seldon followed Mr Cook by emphasizing the strength of the partnership between the two schools, and how it would ensure the best of educational provision for Tianjin in the future, adding, “Just as you have replicated our buildings in Tianjin, I have no doubt that you will now emulate the very high academic and extra-curricular standards of Wellington College, in what is our first overseas partnership school. For this reason alone, the College here will always have a special place in the hearts and minds of everybody connected with Wellington College in the UK.”

The College in Tianjin is now open for registrations for the academic year 2011-2012, which commences on 22nd August 2011. The intention is to open all year groups for children aged 3 years to 15 years. Further details of the admissions procedure can be found under Admissions on this website or by emailing registrar@wellingtoncollegeintl.cn.