The Week Ahead 1 November 2019

From the Master 来自校长 마스터

Dear parents It has been really wonderful to hear so many of our pupils becoming more informed about the world beyond school through their engagement with current affairs. For some, this involves discussion and debate through such prestigious organisations as the Model United Nations (MUN), hosted once again last weekend by the Tianjin International School. We also run the Master’s Society, meeting once a month as a discussion body to learn from one another and find out more about philosophy, science, history or sociology. For younger pupils, in the Junior School for example, the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) offers a host of chances to develop a genuinely international outlook through the work done in the milepost units. In the Nest, learners embrace other cultures and languages through the bilingual programme, music and their work in ‘understanding the world’. Our trips’ programme, offering each year group at least two educational visits each year, explicitly seeks to boost our pupils’ understanding of the world beyond their familiar comfort zones. In conversation with colleagues over the past week, it seems that there is a huge increase in the number of young people in the UK and US applying for university courses in politics and international relations. In the UK, universities report a 27% increase in the applications for politics-related degrees. There may not be a single cause for this surge in numbers, but the evidence suggests that such extraordinary events as Brexit; the influence of unashamedly populist leaders in the US and Europe; climate change and #MeToo protest movements; regional geopolitical tensions; and seemingly endless trade disputes have all combined to make politics more engaging for those preparing for university. I think this is generally a positive thing. Children and young people should know more about the world around them, developing an active interest in topics such as the environment and civil society, and schools have a key role to play in this process. Wellington, of course, offers an education that is underpinned by internationalism and interculturalism, in line with our commitment to CIS accreditation and our philosophy. All of the events, trips and programmes I mentioned in the first paragraph reinforce that message, but we continue to seek out new ways to give our pupils access to information about the world. In this context, international competitions such as USAD and USAP are crucial, as are the rich resources of the library and a powerful sense of connectedness, via the internet, provided by our IT infrastructure. In August 2020, we will be offering a CIE IGCSE in Global Perspectives. This is a challenging programme of study, offered by a number of the world’s leading international schools and, “encourages awareness of global problems and offers a range of opportunities to explore solutions through cooperation and collaboration. The course is not about getting everybody to think identically; rather it is a matter of opening minds to the complexity of the world and of human thought, and encouraging empathy for the diversity of human experience and feeling.” (source: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/502817-2021-syllabus.pdf). Young people are often left bewildered by the information overload and rapid pace of change in today’s world. This can mean that they lack a sense of who they are as individuals, or how they can make their way in a world too puzzling to comprehend. Adults who are disengaged with events or feel detached from decision-making are more prone to fall victim to the influences of excessive nationalism or prejudice as a means of gaining simple answers to complex issues. That is what a Wellington education seeks to avoid by creating generations of informed, curious and creative thinkers, well-prepared for the complexities and challenges of life beyond school. If you would like further details of the CIE Global Perspectives course for IGCSE, or indeed any of the events and activities I have mentioned, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best wishes Julian Jeffrey MASTER PARENT BRIEFING: MANDARIN FOR NATIVE SPEAKERS Common Room 0900hrs - 1015hrs, Wednesday 6th November   Every other 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. For this week's meeting, Mrs Yang Zhou, the Head of Mandarin Department, will give details of the Mandarin curricula for native speakers across the Junior and Senior Schools. It starts at 0900hrs in the Common Room. FROM THE HEAD OF ART  House Art Competition - 'Autumn Trees'   This week, the entries for this year's House Art competition will be going on display outside the Black Box. The theme is 'Autumn Trees' and each House has been asked to create their House family tree. Engendering a sense of belonging and identity, the project allows each House an opportunity to think about the role every person plays and present it creatively. Houses are allowed to use any medium and the end result should be a brilliant example of collaborative effort against the clock! We look forward to the final pieces and everyone is welcome to come and have a look! FROM THE ACADEMY PROGRAMME AHA Heartsaver ® First Aid CPR AED Training Course   Wellington’s Academy Programme offers the American Heart Association (AHA) Heartsaver ® First Aid CPR AED Training Course for parents in November. During the two half-days of training on Saturdays, participants will learn more about the usage of CPR and AED for adults and children/infants. The training will also include basic first aid, how to act when one is choking and to deal with any opioid-associated life-threatening emergencies. The training will be given by Wellington College Tianjin’s Head nurse Candy Chang, who is a certified AHA instructor. Drinks and snacks/fruit will be provided during the training. After the successful conclusion of the training, the participant will receive a Heartsaver ® First Aid CPR AED course certificate, which is valid worldwide for two years. The training is open to any adult in the wider Wellington community. Heartsaver courses are intended for anyone with little or no medical training and background who needs a course completion card for job, regulatory (e.g., OSHA), or other requirements. These courses can also be taken by anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency in any setting. For sign-up and/or more information, please contact Academy department’s manager Eelco van Kuilenburg; activityprogram.tianjin@wellingtoncollege.cn or 186 2291 2362. FROM MR WILLIAMS 'MOVEMBER' 2019   The 1st November once again sees the return of Movember to the College. For those unaware of what Movember is, it’s a worldwide charity tackling men’s health issues. These include prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health issues. To help support this very worthwhile cause, we are welcoming any donations and holding a Movember Moustache competitioN. Parents, Teachers, Support staff even the SLT are all welcome to join in. The rules are simple but before that, the entry fee is 100rmb with all of that going directly to the charity and you then become a Mo Bro. RULE ONE: Once registered (email Eamonn.williams@wellingtoncollege.cn) each person must begin the 1st Movember with a clean-shaven face (no stubble!). RULE TWO: For the entire month of Movember each person must grow and groom a moustache. RULE THREE: Don’t fake it. No beards, no goatees (it must not join at the bottom) and no fake moustaches. RULE FOUR: Use the power of the moustache to create conversation and raise funds for men’s health. RULE FIVE: Each Mo Bro must conduct himself like a true gentleman. The final will be held at the end of the month, you must name your creation and submit a photo by the 27th. Students will then get a chance to donate and vote on the 29th November. The winner will have their name placed on the trophy and take the title of Movember Champion 2019. We are aiming to raise 5000rmb this year so even if you don’t wish to compete, please donate and grow or don’t grow a moustache, but please start conversations about men’s health. Any questions or donations please send them to me or email Eamonn.williams@wellingtoncolege.cn and more information about the charity can be found atwww.movember.com UPCOMING EVENTS Monday 04 November 2019 All Day Nest friendship week (to 8th) (DZ)   All Day Week 11 (A)   All Day House art competition 'Autumn Trees'   All Day Junior School Drama week (to 8th) (RA) (Theatre)   8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: French class (LL) (MB 125)   11:00AM - 12:00PM Senior School assembly (JMS) (Theatre)   Tuesday 05 November 2019 8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: Pilates (LL) (Black Box)   8:30AM - 9:30AM FOW: EAL - Beginner Level (LL) (MB 234)   10:15AM - 11:15AM FOW: Mandarin class (LL) (MB 113)   1:00PM - 2:00PM FOW: How to use Chinese daily life apps (LL) (MB 113)   2:00PM - 5:00PM Senior School inter-house football (RG) (Sports Centre)   5:00PM Senior School parents' evening: Years 7, 8 9 & 10 (DP) (Dinning Hall)   Wednesday 06 November 2019 8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: Yoga class (LL) (Black Box)   9:00AM - 10:15AM Parent briefing: Mandarin courses for native speakers - Years 2-13 (ES) (Main Building)   3:05PM - 3:45PM Junior School assembly: Class 5A (RA) (Theatre)   Thursday 07 November 2019 All Day UKMT Senior Mathematics Challenge: Years 11-13 (EIW)   9:00AM - 10:30AM FOW: TCM class (LL)   10:45AM - 12:00PM FOW: Yoga class (LL) (Black Box)   2:00PM - 3:00PM Meet the Master: Nest parents (ES) (DoY)   4:00PM KS3 assembly (DP) (Black Box)   Friday 08 November 2019 8:30AM - 11:00AM FOW: Art class (LL)   8:45AM - 10:00AM FOW: Pilates (LL) (Black Box)