The Week Ahead 6 June 2019

Dear Parents June often brings with it a rising sense of excitement and anticipation. Excitement as result of the imminence of the long summer holiday; anticipation from the subsequent step up in year group which must follow the break. For some, the latter can verge on trepidation, particularly if the new year marks a move from one key stage to the next, such as that of Year 1 to Year 2, or from Year 6 to the first rung of the Senior School in Year 7. Most children embrace the change with equanimity, confident in the prospect and in their capacity to cope with new teachers and fresh surroundings. Others need a little more reassurance, and it is particularly for these pupils that we organise a series of transition events over the second half of the summer term. The key is to familiarise those moving up with the new classroom environment, the expectations of the teaching and the way in which the school day is organised. In this way, children can face the holidays and new academic year safe in the knowledge that they have the tools to cope with whatever the new class can throw at them. Whilst much has already been done to prepare pupils, next week sees the most important part of this process with the transition days. Pupils will spend time in their new rooms, meeting their teachers and Housemaster/mistresses and sampling lessons. In many cases, parents can be even more anxious about the step up to a new year than their children. This is quite understandable, given that parents are, inevitably, one step removed from the pupil experience and this can lead to some uncertainty. To help allay these fears, Mr Ali and Mrs Popovic have both run parent briefings for those parents of children moving to the next key stage, but they are available for further consultation before the end of term if you have a particular concern about your child. Please make an appointment if you wish to meet with them via Agnes Cui (agnes.cui@wellingtoncollege.cn). Parents can help the transition process over the coming weeks by some simple means:

• Talk to your child about the next stage and help to contextualise their thoughts. It is best however, to avoid projecting any of your own uncertainties in any such conversations. If you are in doubt about the process or the new expectations, come in and talk to me or my senior colleagues before the holiday.
• One of the most common challenges which children face when stepping up to a new key stage is that they find an expectation of increased independence and personal organisation. If your child is prone to erratic time management or is known to be poorly organised, please take some time over the summer to talk to them of the need to be more mindful of their work. It also helps to encourage them to do things like pack school bags for themselves, rather than having everything done for them, as this independence is a life skill they will need to nurture from an early age.

Children soon settle to the new expectations of life in the next year group, and parents can help accelerate this process by being informed and supportive in the weeks leading up to the start of the new year. The school is here to help, so please, if you are worried or anxious about the next stage, please do not hesitate to contact us.   Best wishes   Julian Jeffrey MASTER MEET THE MASTER  Duke of York’s Room 1400hrs-1515hrs, Thursday 13th June 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 12th June. PARENTS BRIEFING: Q&A SESSION DEVELOPMENTS FOR 2019/20 Common Room 0900hrs - 1015hrs, Wednesday 12th June Every 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. The venue will vary according to the anticipated audience, and for this week's meeting, Mr Julian Jeffrey, the Master, will hold a Q&A session in the Common Room to discuss plans for the school’s further development in 2019/20. Refreshments will be available. FROM THE COLLEGE LIBRARIAN The Summer Book Fair Library 0830hrs-1700hrs, Thursday and Friday 13th and 14th June I would like to invite all parents, students and members of staff for the Summer Book Fair, which will take place on Thursday 13th June and Friday 14th June, from 0830hrs to 1700hrs in the Library (2nd floor). As summer break draws nearer, it is worth reminding your children how crucial it is to read during the long free days to avoid the risk of "summer slide". The summer slide is a decline in reading ability and other academic skills that can occur over the summer months when school isn’t in session. Numerous studies show that children who don’t read during summer vacation slip in reading ability. The secret to preventing the summer slide is very simple: keep reading! The Summer Book Fair is a part of our Year of Books celebration, and a great opportunity to discover new fascinating titles, which you can enjoy during the summer break. Our partner, one of the biggest foreign language bookstores in Beijing, will provide hundreds of quality books (English and Mandarin) with a wide assortment for all reading levels. FROM MRS DOVEY, MUSIC DEPARTMENT Junior School Summer Gala Theatre 1730hrs, Friday 14th June This year the Junior School Summer Gala will be held in the Seldon Theatre on June 14th at 1730hrs. It is entitled 'The Emerald Crown,' The performance is linked to the conservation of the rainforests and includes poetry, song and dance. The Emerald Crown is the term given to the luscious green canopy that covers the Amazonian rainforest. Under attack from profit-hungry developers, the jungle richness and tranquillity are protected in this story by its animals. All children from Years 2 to 6 have been invited to perform. We hope it will be a colourful event which raises a world issue of concern to us all. FROM THE HEAD OF EARLY YEARS Nest: Father’s Day Friday, 14th June The Nest children would like to invite their fathers to a special classroom event to remember and celebrate their love and dedication to their families on 14th June. Each class has prepared fun activities that both children and fathers will enjoy. So, save the date and we hope to see you then! FROM MRS MARKOVIC FOW Art Trip to Beijing’s Art District 798 Wednesday, 19th June. FOW Art Classes will be organising a trip to the famous Art District 798 in Beijing and visiting several galleries: UCCA, Continua, Art Bridge, just a few to mention. All FOW friends interested in joining the Art trip please send an email to Mrs Markovic ksenija.markovic@wellingtoncollege.cn and get more info. Submissions for the trip by Wednesday, 12th June. All Art lovers welcome to join! Art Every Friday 8:30-11:00 MB125 Mrs Markovic ksenija.jakic@gmail.com Mandarin Every Tuesday 10:15-11:15 MB125 Mrs Yuan and Mrs Zhang yizhang001@foxmail.com EAL (lower level) Every Monday 8:30-9:30 MB231 Mr Findlay paul.findlay@wellingtoncollege.cn EAL (higher level) Every Friday 8:30-9:30 MB231 Mr Findlay paul.findlay@wellingtoncollege.cn Pilates Every Tuesday 8:45-10:00 Black Box Mrs Stofkova dstofkova@yahoo.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 Glamour Handmade Course Every Wednesday 14:00-15:30 MB125 Mrs Chen kevingutongxuan@163.com Traditional Chinese Medicine Every Thursday 9:00-10:30 MB207 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 10 June 2019 All Day Week B   8:30AM - 9:30AM FOW EAL (Beginners) (PF) (MB 235)   3:05PM - 3:45PM Senior School Assembly (JMS) (Theatre)   Tuesday 11 June 2019 8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW Pilates (ES) (Black Box)   10:15AM - 11:15AM FOW Mandarin Class (ES) (MB 125)   Wednesday 12 June 2019 8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW Yoga (ES) (Black Box)   9:00AM - 10:15AM Parents' Briefing: Q&A session - Developments for 2019/20 (JAFJ) (Common Room)   3:05PM - 3:45PM Junior School Assembly (RA) (Theatre)   Thursday 13 June 2019 9:00AM - 10:30AM FOW: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) (ES) (WCA Room)   9:00AM - 12:00PM FOW Reading Group (ES) (MB 125)   10:45AM - 12:00PM FOW: Yoga (ES) (Black Box)   2:00PM - 3:15PM Meet the Master: Year 7-11 parents (ES) (Duke of York's room)   Friday 14 June 2019 All Day Nest: Father's Day (DZ) (The Nest)   8:30AM - 9:00AM Nest Assembly (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)   3:45PM Senior School Ultimate Frisbee (RG)   5:30PM Junior School Summer Gala (RA) (Theatre)