The future will ask a lot of our children. Their success will depend on their ability to adapt and draw connections between a variety of fields of knowledge. They will need to be resilient, self-aware and know how to collaborate across cultures. Meanwhile, a strong sense of values will guide them like a rudder as they navigate the world. Many of these qualities cannot be measured by grades or test scores, but they are essential to holistic education. When we educate pupils in mind, body and spirit, when we help them cultivate not only computation skills but also critical thinking and creativity, our children will grow up to be active participants in life. They are fully engaged in the world and are always ready to make a meaningful contribution wherever they are. They enrich the communities to which they express themselves within. And they set an example for the rest of us.

At Wellington College International Shanghai, there is no stronger proof point of this than our Wellington Scholars.

Wellington Scholars are leaders among their peers. The colour-coded pins and ties on their uniforms (yellow for academics, red for the arts, blue for sport) help to distinguish them as role models on campus, setting a positive example for other pupils. In the wider community, they represent our school and embody the Wellington Values of Courage, Kindness, Respect, Integrity and Responsibility, taking a lead role in effectuating change driven by passion for their respective specialisms.

Some of our impressive pupils are Scholars and Aspirants of multiple specialisms

Whether it is for academics, the arts or sports, receiving a Wellington Scholarship is a significant achievement. Wellington Academic Scholars are chosen because they exhibit a singular focus and an unquenchable curiosity in their subject area. Arts Scholars demonstrate an innate talent and an indefatigably creative spirit whether it is visual arts, dance, drama or music. Sport Scholars are awarded to pupils with clear athletic talent and a desire to always go faster, higher, stronger, further.  

Arts Scholars and Aspirants benefit from deeper immersion in their creative pursuits. Musicians, for instance, attend regular individual voice or instrument lessons and commit to participating in Wellington’s regularly scheduled music recitals. Pupils pursuing dance, drama or musical theatre hone their craft with extra workshop activities and are enrolled in advanced repertoire and Wellington Academy courses. They are also expected to study their artform in IGCSE, IB and co-curricular activities wherever applicable while they actively participate in performances, dance shows and productions throughout the academic year.

Meet some of Wellington’s Academic, Arts and Sport Scholars

“My speciality is in the academics and especially studies of the humanities. I am also an Arts Scholar and of course enjoy drama and the theatre. I enjoy the English language immensely. I see my scholarship taking me to very exciting places in the future with a career that makes use of skills in debating. Hopefully taking me to the universities that I would like to go to, certainly something akin to Oxbridge.”

“I specialise in dance and musical theatre. I have several performing arts classes each week as well as Centre Stage at Wellington every weekend which includes singing, acting, dancing training. I like the creative aspects of the arts, I love expressing myself through this medium. The people here are amazing and one of the biggest reasons why I love what I do here. They challenge me by expanding on the material that I am working on.”

“My main specialism is tennis, which is really an independent sport. You rely on yourself and not others. A little error can cause a big change in the outcome of the match. Being a Sport Scholar is a step toward becoming a professional player someday, when I can replicate some of my idols and have a great career. Even perhaps becoming an international coach.”

For most pupils who are apply to an elite university, outstanding grades and exam scores are a foregone conclusion. A Wellington Scholarship, however, provides a pupil with that X factor that sets them apart from others in the applicant pool. "Universities around the world are always looking for pupils that have pushed their academic passions and pursuits beyond the curriculum,” says Joshua Beard, Wellington Shanghai’s Director of Higher Education, “and that is exactly the kind of opportunity Wellington’s Academic Scholarship Programme provides.  Furthermore, many universities, particularly those in the United States, want applicants who will contribute to their broader communities through sports and the arts, making our Sports and Performing Arts Scholarship Programmes an ideal way for our most gifted pupils to hone and showcase their talents to such universities."

A Wellington Scholarship, therefore, speaks of a pupils’ dedication and focus. Every year, we send Wellington Scholars to top-ranked universities, where they make meaningful contributions. And when they finally graduate, the go out into the world as confident, competent young adults poised to make a positive impact no matter what they pursue. 

Do you know anyone who has what it takes to be a Wellington Scholar?

Applicants must submit a personal statement on one A4 page outlining why they believe they would make a good Wellington Scholar. Scanned copies of the personal statement should be submitted to Wellington College International Shanghai’s Admissions Office by email to admissions.shanghai@wellingtoncollege.cn.