最新资讯
Latest News
10 Years, Three Words: A Wellington Family's Story
2026-03-09
When Cathy was asked to summarise a decade at Wellington Shanghai in three words, she didn't hesitate: "Value, diversity, fun."
This year marks her family's tenth anniversary with the school. In 2016, her daughter Annabel joined Early Years. Now, Annabel is in Year 7, and her son Arthur has started Year 1. What began as a family's first encounter with the school has evolved into a profound connection.
Arthur's first day of school
"Right, this is the one."
When the family relocated from Hong Kong SAR to Shanghai, they visited the Wellington campus for the first time, and the impression was immediate.
"Massive!" Cathy marvels. "It had a nice indoor swimming pool and a big grass field. We immediately felt, 'This is the one.'"
2016
Annabel's first day of school
2026
But what kept them there for 10 years went far beyond the facilities.
"Wellington embodies strong values that align with ours," Cathy says. The three that resonate most are integrity, courage and kindness — "essential values for shaping a child's mindset."
She recalls a moment from years ago: during a casual dinner, when Annabel was just seven or eight, they asked — half‑jokingly — whether she'd ever want to change schools.
Her answer came instantly: "No. I feel safe here."
Cathy still remembers her surprise. "She was only seven or eight years old, yet she had such a strong impression of the school." For Annabel, safety meant space to explore, teachers she trusted, and friendships that mattered. For Cathy, that is one of the most precious gifts Wellington has given her child.
Diversity: A Window to the World
"Diversity is the second word," Cathy continues. "We have teachers and students from various backgrounds, cultures and languages — it creates a wonderfully diverse community." She believes this mix matters: children learn to understand and adapt to differences naturally.
The curriculum also offers broad exposure to academics, arts and sports. Annabel has tried tennis, volleyball, flute and clarinet, each step bringing her closer to her passions. The annual school production taught her that performance is not just about acting, but teamwork—the collaborative effort behind the scenes.
"The third word is fun," Cathy adds with a smile. "Even when they have days they don't feel like going to school, they're motivated to get up and go. That motivation explains a lot behind it, right?"
Smooth Transitions
and Strong Connections
Transitions, like advancing from Early Years to Primary, can be daunting for parents and children alike. But Cathy saw how intentionally the school approached them.
"Young children need to know what's ahead," she explains. When Arthur was moving up, the school organised parent workshops, campus tours and opportunities for younger pupils to spend time with older ones — reading together, watching performances in the theatre.
"It gave them peace of mind. They knew where they were going and recognised familiar faces around the school."
A Partnership Beyond Education
Cathy hasn't just watched her children grow — she's contributed to the community herself, serving as Class Representative for seven years. It meant extra time and effort, but the joy it brought back was more than she expected.
She fondly recalls one class project: a Christmas tree artwork made of handprints from twenty children for their teacher. "That moment when we gave it to her—it was so rewarding, so happy, so powerful and so memorable."
And there were the unexpected moments of connection. "Instead of having your own child coming to you and giving you a hug, you have, like, 20 of them coming to you. It's actually very sweet!"
The Christmas tree artwork
For Cathy, the relationship between school and parents is mutual. Parents can get involved in many ways: reading in class, volunteering at sports events and attending workshops. And sometimes, a small gesture makes all the difference.
She remembers one challenging morning when Lynn McLaren, Assistant Head of Early Years, saw her at the Early Years Centre gate. "She saw me, patted my shoulder and gave me a hug. She asked if I wanted to talk."
The support meant everything. "Even a small gesture means so much. It makes you feel not alone. Parents also need to be seen." Her voice still catches as she recounts it.
A Decade of Connection
A little girl holding her mother's hand as she enters Pre‑Nursery, later striding confidently into Year 7. A family once daunted by an unfamiliar campus, now an integral part of its community.
When a daughter says, "I feel safe," when a teacher's hug steadies a parent, when transitions are thoughtful and values remain constant—these are the moments that build a lasting bond between a family and a school.
"It's not built in a day or a year," Cathy concludes. "It's a long-term partnership."
A Wellington College Education School
(+86-21) 5185-3866
info.shanghai@wellingtoncollege.cn
No.1500 Yao Long Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 200124 China (Campus main gate: No. 100, Hai Yang Xi Road)
Copyright @ 2025 Wellington College International Shanghai
最新资讯
Latest News
10 Years, Three Words: A Wellington Family's Story
2026-03-09
When Cathy was asked to summarise a decade at Wellington Shanghai in three words, she didn't hesitate: "Value, diversity, fun."
This year marks her family's tenth anniversary with the school. In 2016, her daughter Annabel joined Early Years. Now, Annabel is in Year 7, and her son Arthur has started Year 1. What began as a family's first encounter with the school has evolved into a profound connection.
Arthur's first day of school
"Right, this is the one."
When the family relocated from Hong Kong SAR to Shanghai, they visited the Wellington campus for the first time, and the impression was immediate.
"Massive!" Cathy marvels. "It had a nice indoor swimming pool and a big grass field. We immediately felt, 'This is the one.'"
2016
Annabel's first day of school
2026
But what kept them there for 10 years went far beyond the facilities.
"Wellington embodies strong values that align with ours," Cathy says. The three that resonate most are integrity, courage and kindness — "essential values for shaping a child's mindset."
She recalls a moment from years ago: during a casual dinner, when Annabel was just seven or eight, they asked — half‑jokingly — whether she'd ever want to change schools.
Her answer came instantly: "No. I feel safe here."
Cathy still remembers her surprise. "She was only seven or eight years old, yet she had such a strong impression of the school." For Annabel, safety meant space to explore, teachers she trusted, and friendships that mattered. For Cathy, that is one of the most precious gifts Wellington has given her child.
Diversity: A Window to the World
"Diversity is the second word," Cathy continues. "We have teachers and students from various backgrounds, cultures and languages — it creates a wonderfully diverse community." She believes this mix matters: children learn to understand and adapt to differences naturally.
The curriculum also offers broad exposure to academics, arts and sports. Annabel has tried tennis, volleyball, flute and clarinet, each step bringing her closer to her passions. The annual school production taught her that performance is not just about acting, but teamwork—the collaborative effort behind the scenes.
"The third word is fun," Cathy adds with a smile. "Even when they have days they don't feel like going to school, they're motivated to get up and go. That motivation explains a lot behind it, right?"
Smooth Transitions
and Strong Connections
Transitions, like advancing from Early Years to Primary, can be daunting for parents and children alike. But Cathy saw how intentionally the school approached them.
"Young children need to know what's ahead," she explains. When Arthur was moving up, the school organised parent workshops, campus tours and opportunities for younger pupils to spend time with older ones — reading together, watching performances in the theatre.
"It gave them peace of mind. They knew where they were going and recognised familiar faces around the school."
A Partnership Beyond Education
Cathy hasn't just watched her children grow — she's contributed to the community herself, serving as Class Representative for seven years. It meant extra time and effort, but the joy it brought back was more than she expected.
She fondly recalls one class project: a Christmas tree artwork made of handprints from twenty children for their teacher. "That moment when we gave it to her—it was so rewarding, so happy, so powerful and so memorable."
And there were the unexpected moments of connection. "Instead of having your own child coming to you and giving you a hug, you have, like, 20 of them coming to you. It's actually very sweet!"
The Christmas tree artwork
For Cathy, the relationship between school and parents is mutual. Parents can get involved in many ways: reading in class, volunteering at sports events and attending workshops. And sometimes, a small gesture makes all the difference.
She remembers one challenging morning when Lynn McLaren, Assistant Head of Early Years, saw her at the Early Years Centre gate. "She saw me, patted my shoulder and gave me a hug. She asked if I wanted to talk."
The support meant everything. "Even a small gesture means so much. It makes you feel not alone. Parents also need to be seen." Her voice still catches as she recounts it.
A Decade of Connection
A little girl holding her mother's hand as she enters Pre‑Nursery, later striding confidently into Year 7. A family once daunted by an unfamiliar campus, now an integral part of its community.
When a daughter says, "I feel safe," when a teacher's hug steadies a parent, when transitions are thoughtful and values remain constant—these are the moments that build a lasting bond between a family and a school.
"It's not built in a day or a year," Cathy concludes. "It's a long-term partnership."
A Wellington College Education School
Contact Us
(+86-21) 5185-3866
info.shanghai@wellingtoncollege.cn
No.1500 Yao Long Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai 200124 China (Campus main gate: No. 100, Hai Yang Xi Road)
Useful links
Copyright @ 2025 Wellington College International Shanghai | 沪ICP备16027332号 沪公网安备31011502008459号