Kathryn Richardson
Master of Wellington College Hangzhou
It has been wonderful to see all the pupils return to school after the summer break. The first week is always an exhilarating time, for many, it is a chance to reconnect with old friends and forge new friendships. While for others, it is an opportunity to start fresh and set new goals for the academic year ahead.
During this first week, pupils have been meeting their new teachers and starting to learn their new subjects, exploring new topics and acquiring new skills. It has been terrific to see parents attending curriculum information sessions and finding out more about the personalised approach we have at Wellington College Hangzhou.
The start of the year is always my favourite time in school, it is full of excitement and anticipation. The school corridors are buzzing with laughter and the sharing of summer stories. I have been proudly observing the growth of our school over the past few years, and seeing so many of our grades now completely full is pleasing.
I must also mention our amazing new Grade 1 pupils who have settled so quickly into our school routines. For the many who transitioned from our EY3 classes, it's clear to see that the transition processes have been very successful. With the grade now at full capacity and considering Hangzhou has become increasingly popular among expatriate families, we are already planning and preparing transition events for our current EY3 pupils.
I am looking forward to seeing our pupils make the most of all the opportunities they have and watching as they achieve their academic and personal goals.
Livestream sessions
As the new academic year has commenced, we are pleased to announce that we will launch a series of livestream sessions to offer you an in-depth insight into the unique educational model and practical experience at Wellington College Hangzhou. There will be a broad spectrum of topics, such as pathways, curriculum, sports activities and teacher professional development, presenting a comprehensive and dynamic portrayal of the school.
The series of livestream sessions will be launched on Thursday, 14 September at 14:30. Our inaugural session - Discover exceptional educators for nursery - will be delivered by Sophie Brookes, Head of Early Years, and Erica Yang, Deputy Head of Early Years. We will explore the core criteria for selecting nursery teachers and the essential qualities of an exceptional educator for early years children.
A nursery serves as the first stop in a child's educational journey, rendering the role of an early years teacher of paramount importance. Not only do they possess a solid foundation of professional knowledge and teaching skills, they must also exhibit qualities of compassion and patience. What attributes can we find in an exceptional early years educator? We will delve into the question with our two quests, drawing upon their extensive experience and insights.
Other than the qualities of a teacher, Sophie and Erica will also share with us their definition of an 'exceptional' teacher. As leaders at the nursery, they guide and motivate their team of teachers. Their definition and benchmark of what makes a teacher exceptional will unveil the vital importance of teachers in shaping the growth of children.
Please join us online to watch the livestream session and listen to Sophie and Erica for their insights. Their valuable wealth of experience and wisdom will inspire us and invite thought-provoking discussions. Please feel free to interact with us by leaving your comments and questions at the comment session, and we will answer them during the Q&A session.
Thank you for your continued support of Wellington College Hangzhou. We look forward to engaging with you next Thursday.
