In case you missed it: April 2024

On 11 April, we welcomed Mr William Jackson, Vice President and Chair of Governors from Wellington College UK. This was Mr Jackson’s first visit to Wellington College International Shanghai. On his tour, he met with school leadership to gain insights into how our College operates. He was particularly impressed by our outstanding facilities and the support systems in place for our community. As Chair of Governors, he aimed to understand how our College upholds the Wellington identity while adapting to the local context. The visit allowed him to witness our commitment to excellence and strengthened ties between our schools. 

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The 7th China Festival of Education was yet another resounding success. We welcomed more than 800 guests and nearly 50 thought leaders in education, mental health, wellbeing and technology with a goal of ‘Empowering Learners for a Connected World’. As ever, the emphasis lay heavily on the word ‘Festival’. This was not just a professional conference. It was a celebration, a gathering of passionate and like-minded practitioners. It was an opportunity to gain deeper insight into the current state of education and how we can have the greatest possible impact on young minds. It was an opportunity to forge friendships and have some fun too.

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IGCSE and IB drama pupils were in for a treat as EdFest keynote speaker and actor Jassa Ahluwalia hosted an acting workshop in our Blackbox Theatre. Mr Ahluwalia, who is recognisable for his roles on hit television programmes such as Ripper Street and Peaky Blinders, taught our pupils some of the fundamentals of delivering powerful and evocative performances on the big and small screen. 

For Book Week, the whole College took part in five action-packed days of activities. Books were hidden around the school like Easter eggs, and whoever found them got to keep them and discover their next great read. We transformed our classroom doors into book jackets. For our annual cosplay day, children dressed up as their favourite book villains. Our older pupils attended a compelling ‘Hacking Your Creativity’ workshop. We also found a way to integrate the Wellington value of kindness by reading for a good cause with a Readathon. Pupils pledged a donation and read as many books as they could within an allotted time.

Our MFL Department, in collaboration with the school library, organised an exciting trip to Biblioteca Cervantes as part of a World Book Day Spanish tradition. Our year 7 Spanish pupils got to experience the traditional celebration of Saint Jordi's Day, a festival to celebrate love and literature. The pupils learned why roses and books are given on that day in Spain and then enjoyed a delicious Mediterranean meal at a local restaurant.

'Hear the Love, Embrace the Future' brought together choir and string groups from six international schools, including Wellington, and a hearing-impaired children's choir. The event aimed to bridge communication between the hearing-challenged and their hearing counterparts while showcasing student talent. Organised by Shanghai Daily and Sonova, a hearing care solutions company, the concert raised awareness about hearing loss through musical performances. The highlight was the Dolphin Hearing Disabled Children's Choir, featuring performers with cochlear implants, demonstrating how music can enrich lives despite hearing challenges.

Earth Month engaged the entire Wellington Community in environmental awareness and action. Our year 12 pupils spearheaded the initiative, advocating for pledges to reduce individual environmental impact. Our Senior School pupils read eco-themed books to Prep School classes, sparking conversations about environmental stewardship. An eco-quiz assembly saw our House Coordinators go head-to-head in a friendly competition. Pupils designed badge concepts to raise funds for the Million-Tree Project. On Earth Day proper, a group of pupils attended a conservation forum hosted by Disney and National Geographic. Our pupils also set up the Wellington Thrift Store to promote reusing daily items. Our pupils also encouraged our staff to reduce, reuse and recycle. Meanwhile, our Gardening CCA has planted succulents to sell at our upcoming Summer Festival.  

Wellington welcomed a delegation from the Sanlin government, including Party Secretary Xu Min, Deputy Mayor Ding Minyan and other officials. During their visit, the representatives toured the campus facilities and learned about the school's operations. Discussions explored opportunities for future community partnerships and resources. The following day, our Senior School string ensemble performed ‘Purple Bamboo’ at the Shanghai Folk Culture Festival and Sanlin Temple Fair. Adapted for Western instruments, the piece showcased cross-cultural integration. The visit strengthened ties between Wellington and local leadership, while our pupil performance celebrated the richness of diverse cultural traditions.

Four budding Wellingon entrepreneurs participated in the University of Delaware's Diamond Challenge global finals this month. Competing against over 4,000 students from 940 teams worldwide, they secured 3rd place. Making this victory all the more impressive, they were first team from China ever to place in the competition. Throughout the event, they sharpened their business acumen through lectures, pitching their ideas to judges and networking with their peers. They returned to China having gained invaluable experiences, friendships and prestige from representing the College and setting a new standard at the competition. Congratulations to all of them!