The Parent's Voice

Upon completing his middle school education, my child chose Wellington to begin his high school journey. Today, as he graduates and embarks on his university studies in the UK, I have been invited by his teacher, as a parent of a graduate, to share reflections on his growth and transformation over these past three years. Initially, I considered summarising his academic achievements, but ultimately, I found that the truly memorable aspects were not academic, but rather the rich and unforgettable youthful experiences that Wellington provided. 

Reflecting on my own junior school days, the first thing that comes to mind is not the classroom knowledge, but the annual lantern parade during the Lantern Festival in which the entire school participated. Children brought a variety of lanterns from home—red goldfish, yellow roosters, rotating horse lanterns—and under the guidance of teachers, we paraded around the campus and then onto the streets outside the school, attracting the attention of numerous passers-by. That evening was filled with laughter, joy, and the sweet taste of various snacks. However, such traditional activities seem to have gradually disappeared from my child’s generation, with academic pursuits occupying most of their time.

I often wonder whether, thirty years from now, they will have such warm memories when looking back on their childhood. Fortunately, Wellington stands out in this regard. Every year, it hosts a grand musical production. Pupils manage everything—from casting actors to orchestrating the band, from designing costumes to decorating the stage. Each pupil has the opportunity to participate, vie for roles through competition, and after months of diligent rehearsals, deliver an unforgettable performance on stage. My child, a member of the band, participated in the productions of "The Wizard of Oz" and "Jekyll & Hyde" for two consecutive years. These experiences are undoubtedly among his most precious memories at Wellington. 

Upon contemplating this question, two words quickly come to mind: "Reassured" and "Enriched".  

My child transitioned from the national college entrance examination system to the international curriculum system in Year 12. As a parent, the initial period of transition was met with some anxiety and concern. I worried whether my child could swiftly adapt to the new teaching framework and integrate into the new environment. Additionally, my lack of sufficient understanding of international education led to doubts about whether my child could achieve the desired academic outcomes for a successful progression to higher education. 

As my child gradually adapted to the school's environment, their educational routine soon fell into place. Observing their positive and diligent attitude towards learning, along with the commendations from the teachers, put my mind at ease. The academic life at Wellington is incredibly enriching. The timetable for subject lessons is well-structured, and the small class sizes allow teachers to give ample attention to each pupil's progress. The foreign teachers, highly experienced and exceptionally dedicated, provide personalized academic guidance with enthusiasm and patience, tailoring their teaching to suit individual needs. The school arranges a variety of extracurricular activities tailored to different age groups. Even pupils in their final year have opportunities to participate, fostering their interests, enhancing their skills, and offering a respite for their well-being.  Wellington's campus is clean, safe, and well-managed, with state-of-the-art facilities. The school's all-English teaching environment and entirely foreign faculty are well-aligned with stringent international educational standards, providing parents with considerable reassurance and peace of mind. 

The ease of mind is further enhanced by the regularly scheduled parent-teacher meetings each term. These meetings grant parents the opportunity to visit the campus and engage in face-to-face discussions with each subject teacher. This not only allows for timely updates on the child's school performance and learning status but also affords candid feedback and professional teaching advice from the staff. Such insights assist pupils in identifying and addressing gaps in their learning with focused strategies. Most noteworthy is the school's university guidance team, which is exceptionally professional, dedicated, and experienced. From the moment a pupil enrols until the application process is completed, the team provides comprehensive support. This includes guidance on course selection, exam preparation, enhancing personal profiles, choosing universities and programmes, and preparing and submitting application materials. They offer individualized support based on each pupil's strengths and attributes, significantly aiding the application journey.