Dear parents

I do not think there is a more feared, more loathed, word than ‘plateau’ in the world of learning. I don’t mean in the lexicon of physical geography, of course, where the term enjoys considerable status, but rather in the context of language acquisition. Anyone who has tried to learn a language will, almost inevitably, have experienced a plateau at some stage in their learning journey.

Just as in geography, a plateau describes a landscape (either physical or mental) in which the surface remains largely flat. In learning, the symptoms are readily identifiable. A child’s progress slows down, and they seem to be making little headway in terms of developing more sophisticated language structures; a time when effort – often increasing amounts of effort – appear to be having no impact on learning. Such plateau periods are often accompanied by a dip in a child’s confidence as frustration sets in and the learning tools they have developed over the years prove useless in overcoming this stagnation. It can be equally difficult for parents, as they watch helplessly as their high-achieving child struggles to adapt to this newer, slower rate of progress.

I know from my conversations with pupils and parents that little in a child’s time at school causes more frustration than reaching a plateau. Happily, there are ways to address just such situations. The first thing to bear in mind is that a plateau in learning is nothing unusual. It is universal – we all experience it at one stage or other in our development. Given that, it is how we deal with the experience of a plateau that makes the key difference to the length of the stagnation and the degree of frustration felt at its duration. Language learning is not, as we discussed in the roundtable forum last weekend at the Festival of Education, a straightforward linear experience. Progress is often erratic. Learners and parents who recognise that most fundamental of principles may well still grow frustrated at periods of plateau, but at least they are armed with the understanding that such phases are temporary and that there are strategies to help accelerate through them.

I have three brief suggestions to help pupils and parents who may be experiencing this most annoying part of language acquisition:

If you are concerned that your child may be experiencing a language learning plateau, please do talk to one of our ELA experts. Our wonderful College library is also available to parents; with its huge range of graded reading options, graphic novels and e-books, it is an invaluable resource for all our community.

Best wishes

Julian Jeffrey
MASTER

Duke of Wellington Room (MB109)
1400hrs-1500hrs, Thursday
29th April

This week’s Meet the Master slot is open to parents of pupils in the years 7 to 11. If you would like to attend, please confirm via email with Ms Emma Shi (emma.shi@wellingtoncollege.cn) by Wednesday 28th April. Parents of children in other year groups are, of course, more than welcome to join as well.

Parents’ Evening for year 8 and year 11 AL induction group
1700hrs-1830hrs, Tuesday
27th April
Parents’ Evening for years 7, 9 and 10
1700hrs-1830hrs, Thursday
29th April

There are two parents' evenings in the Senior School next week. One is for parents of pupils in years 8 and year 11 A Level Induction which will be held on Tuesday, 27th April and the other will be held for parents of pupils in years 7,9 and 10 on Thursday, 29th April. The meetings will be held in the dining hall. Sessions will start at 1700hrs and will finish at 1830hrs. Please note that meetings can last between 3-5 minutes.

Years 11, 12 and 13: Study leave arrangements

Study leave for exam year group candidates will start on 28th April. Pupils are still required to attend school from that date, but they will be allowed to leave school at 1500hrs. Please note that buses will not be provided at 1500hrs and that pupils who wish to leave early will need to provide signed permission from parents and arrange their own transportation at home. The form that needs to be signed has been sent to parents. 

During the day, pupils will attend lessons as per their timetable and have guided revision with their teachers. Pupils can miss lessons only if they have exams that they need to sit at that time.

Year 13 pupils can stop coming to school after their final exam has taken place.

From 8th June, Year 11 pupils will have work experience organized in school for them. The work experience is a mandatory part of the programme here at Wellington.

For year 12 pupils, teachers will start teaching year 13 (AS) content from 15th June.

2021 Star Quest Singing Contest

Theatre
1505hrs, Thursday
29th April

The first Senior School singing contest will be held at 1505hrs on Thursday 29th April. A judging panel made up of teacher musicians will choose the first three prize winners. Most excitingly, the pupils will vote in the most popular singer award! This event welcomes parents. Please come and support your favourite singer!

Readers of the week

The English and ELA department is delighted to announce that this week’s Readers of the Week are:

Michael in year 9, who was nominated by Ms. Stevens for having read a lot of books in the holiday, as a result of being inspired by Mr Furse's reading challenges!

Eric and Dana in year 7, nominated by Ms. Shen for their lovely book reading as well as the posters and videos they made.

Huge congratulations to Michael, Eric and Dana – what impressive achievements!