The Week Ahead 15 February 2019

Dear parents

A warm welcome back for this second stage of the Lent term. I hope you all managed a happy and restful holiday, and that the new year has dawned full of promise for each of you and your families. As I wrote to you before the break, the school is already geared up to the challenges of the next few weeks: exam classes will be working flat out to meet their ambitious targets; our Annual Review process is in the last week of term; and our fabulous musical, West Side Story, promises to be yet another triumph for our performing arts. You will hear a great deal more about these, and other highlights, in upcoming editions of the Week Ahead. I wanted this week to draw your attention to a growing concern for parents and educators across the world: the issue of keeping our children safe from online abuse. We have developed a comprehensive e-safety policy and supporting documents here at school, and our own version of the internet firewall is a robust defence against most of the common forms of online threats. Having said that, our children are not just vulnerable to external threats online; they can be subjected to unpleasant behaviour and cyber-bullying by their peers. Whilst such incidents are mercifully rare in our school, misconduct of this nature is best dealt with through a carefully structured programme of information and education. Parents are central to supporting the school’s drive on increasing the safety of our pupils online, and Mr Markovic, our Director of Educational Technology, has drafted his key advice for parents who may be confused about how best to support their child. He writes: “Next week, Wellington College International Tianjin will organise activities to mark Safer Internet Week, our very own extension of Safer Internet Day observed worldwide, with this year’s global theme: ‘Together for a better Internet’. Everyone has their part to play in making the Internet a better place, including you! Have a look at the tips below with some suggestions on how to get you started. Our Internet, our choice, so… 1. Choose to have a conversation Talk regularly with your child about how they use technology, and find out what their digital life is like, including what their favourite sites and services are and also how being online makes them feel. Listening to your child will give you the best possible idea of how you can support them. 2. Choose to take a balanced approach As parents it’s natural to feel worried about the risks posed by your child being online, but for young people the online world is exciting and fun, as it brings so many opportunities for them. Remember that your child will use technology and the Internet differently given that they are growing up in a world immersed in all things digital. Try to look at both the positive and negative aspects of being online and empower your child with safe choices they can make instead of overwhelming them with restrictions. 3. Choose to make use of the tools available to you There are lots of tools to help you manage the devices used by your family. For example, knowing how to activate and use parental controls can help protect your child from seeing inappropriate content online. 4. Choose to get help and support It can sometimes feel like young people are the experts in all things digital but remember – you are the life experts. You are always there to help your child, and you can take steps to support your child online by using features such as privacy settings on social media and understanding how to make a report on a range of apps, games and services. 5. Choose to be current and topical This Safer Internet Week focuses on the very relevant topic of consent in the digital world. Use this as an opportunity to support your child with how they tackle digital consent within relationships and friendships as well as how online services use the data we provide.” Pupils will be provided with a range of learning resources and information across the week, helping to give them the tools to remain safe online. For parents who wish to know more, further details and advice can be obtained directly from Mr Markovic (gregor.markovic@wellingtoncollege.cn) and Mr Ratcliffe, our online safety coordinator (matthew.ratcliffe@wellingtoncollege.cn). Best wishes   Julian Jeffrey MASTER MEET THE MASTER Duke of York’s Room 1400hrs-1515hrs, Thursday 21st February This week, the Meet the Master slot is aimed at parents of pupils in Years 7-11. If you would like to attend, please confirm via email with Ms. Emma Shi (emma.shi@wellingtoncollege.cn) by Wednesday 20th February. FROM MS CHAPMAN Charity Sleepover Black Box 1600hrs, Friday 22nd February Following the success of the charity sleepover held in the previous term, we are delighted to announce that there will be another charity sleepover held on Friday the 22nd February from 1600hrs, ending at 0900hrs on Saturday 23rd February. The event is open to pupils in Years 7-13 and has been organized by two Year 11 pupils: Leo and Sunny. This event will be in support of a local charity called E+, an organization that is collaborating with Wellington pupils in their Global Social Leaders’ project. The cost will be 50 RMB entry fee (all of which goes to charity), along with money for dinner and snacks (we recommend 50 RMB). In addition, students should bring their own breakfast food to the event and there will be some additional snacks on sale. Some of the activities on offer will be pass the parcel, guess the song and a scavenger hunt. There will also be an option to watch movies in the common room. Remember your comfortable clothing, warm pyjamas and a sleeping bag! If you are participating and would like to raise extra money through getting sponsors, pick up a sponsor form from Ms Chapman in Room 232. If collecting your child from school after the event, please be there by 9am on the 23rd at the latest. Please note that there are no buses on the Saturday morning. Ms Chapman has just finished reading ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ by Arthur Golden. NEST PARENT BRIEFING: FUNDAMENTAL BRITISH AND CHINESE VALUES Nest Library 1000hrs - 1100hrs, Wednesday 20th February For this month's parent briefing, we will be joined by our Master, Julian Jeffrey and Deputy Head, Dr. Yang Yang, to discuss the importance of instilling important fundamental values at a young age and in turn, will help our children to lead not just a successful but also a meaningful one. We hope to see you then! FROM THE HEAD OF THE SENIOR SCHOOL Mock examinations Black Box 1000hrs, Saturday/Sunday 23rd/24th February The mock examination re-takes will take place on 23rd and 24th February in the Black Box. These exams provide another opportunity for pupils whose performance was not up to the standards required in the recent examination series in January. The work done for these re-takes will clearly also be part of their preparation for the IGCSE and A level exams looming in May/June. Pupils will be provided with a schedule for the day. They should come to the exams dressed in their school uniform and with all the equipment required (pens, rulers, calculators etc.) In the event that a pupil has exams both in the morning and afternoon sessions, a packed lunch should be brought from home. FROM THE HEAD OF MATHS Maths competition 1100-1500hrs, Thursday 21st February Our most talented mathematicians in the Senior School will be competing in the annual maths competition on Thursday. Two teams of four pupils will compete against other schools from Tianjin and this year, for the first time, Wellington College International Shanghai is sending a team up to take part. FROM THE HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL PE Junior School WCL Badminton  1600hrs-1700hrs, Friday  22nd February Next Friday will mark the first of three home fixtures for the Wellington Community League in the Lent term, and the second sport for the WCL - badminton. Our pupils from Years 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to compete against each other in a series of matches. I am sure that as always, we will see high levels of sportsmanship and competition from our young sports’ stars. UPCOMING EVENTS Monday 18 February 2019 All Day Staying safe online: safer internet week (to 22nd) (GM) 8:30AM - 9:30AM FOW EAL (Beginners) (PF) (MB 235) 8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: Yoga (ES) (Black Box) 3:05PM - 3:45PM Senior School Assembly (JMS) (Theatre) Tuesday 19 February 2019 8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW Pilates (ES) (Black Box) 10:15AM - 11:15AM FOW Mandarin Class (ES) (MB 125) Wednesday 20 February 2019 8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW Yoga (ES) (Black Box) 10:00AM - 11:00AM Nest Parents' Briefing: Fundamental British and Chinese values (DZ) (The Nest) 2:00PM - 4:30PM ISCOT Heads Meeting (TIS) (ES) 3:05PM - 3:45PM Junior School Assembly: 3EP Yangtze (RA) (Theatre) Thursday 21 February 2019 8:30AM - 9:30AM IT Committee (GM) (Duke of York's room) 9:00AM - 10:30AM FOW: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) (ES) (WCA Room) 9:00AM - 12:00PM FOW Reading Group (ES) (MB 125) 11:00AM - 3:15PM ISCOT Mathematics competition (EIW) (Main Building) 1:00PM - 2:00PM Health & Safety Committee meeting (VW) (Duke of York's room) 2:00PM - 3:15PM Meet the Master: Year 7-11 parents (ES) (Duke of York's room) Friday 22 February 2019 8:30AM - 9:00AM Nest Assembly: Eaglets (DZ) (Theatre) 8:30AM - 9:30AM FOW EAL (Advanced) (PF) (MB 231) 8:30AM - 11:00AM FOW Art Class (KM) (MB 125) 8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW Pilates (ES) (Black Box) 9:30AM - 11:30AM Nest Open Morning (PR) (The Nest) 4:00PM onwards Charity sleepover (to 23rd) (LC) (Black Box) 4:00PM - 5:00PM Junior School WCL Badminton (JM) (Sports' Hall) Saturday 23 February 2019 9:00AM - 3:45PM Examination retakes (to 24th) (DP) (Black Box) 9:30AM - 11:30AM A Level Induction Year Open Morning (PR) (Main Building)