Wellingtonian No.1

1. From the Master
Friday, 2nd September 2011
Dear Parents,
Welcome to our first edition of „The Wellingtonian‟, the College newsletter, which will now appear weekly, with alternate editions for the Senior and Junior schools. On special occasions, such as this, our inaugural edition, we will adopt an all-school approach. What a fortnight! This is my third new school and it has easily been the smoothest and the most problem-free. There have admittedly been the odd hiccups: one school bus broke down and the gas has still not arrived in the Science laboratories, but generally a great deal has gone very well. Wellington is firmly up and running in Tianjin. The First Parents‟ Assembly, held last Friday, was a great success, with the College Theatre nearly full. The Director of Music, Steve Griffiths performed miracles to get the various musical performances up to such a standard in only five days, though pride of place has to go to Ms Georgina Chakos, our Drama teacher, who earned a deserved ovation for her singing of a piece from Puccini‟s „Tosca‟.
Contents this week:-
From the Master 1
Family Ties 2
All aboard at the Junior School 4
Great Expectations: English Classes in Wellington,
Weeks I and II 6
Music at Wellington College 7
Head‟s Tales No. 1 8
Proverb for the Week 8
- 1 -
I am delighted to announce that our next Parents‟ Assembly is a week away, Friday, 9th September, when Dr. Anthony Seldon, Master of Wellington College in the UK, will be joining us for the first time since the College was opened. The Assembly will again last an hour and you are all cordially invited to what will be another very special occasion. I look forward to seeing you all there. The school buses will again be leaving the College at around 4.15pm.
This Monday, 5th September, the Wellington activity programme will commence, with activities for all your children every day, except Friday. I hope you agree with me that, for a relatively small school, we have come up with a very good selection of activities.

2. Certainly, my children did not find it easy making their choices. Our thoughts are now turning to the Wellington Weekend Activity, which I remember talking to many of you about, when you first visited the College earlier in the year. I will be sending you details of the programme in due course, in addition to the relevant charges , but I can confirm that we will be offering courses on Saturday morning in English, Mandarin, the performing arts, and the major sports, amongst others. We are currently seeking specialist coaches for some of these disciplines, though many of our teachers, including myself, will be involved. Our aim is to get the programme started after the October holiday. We also hope the Wellington café will be open by then, so allowing you to have a relaxing cup of coffee or tea, while your children pursue their various interests.
All this is looking forward, so returning to the events of the last fortnight, I would like to finish with the words of A.C. Benson, the son of Wellington UK‟s Founding Headmaster, Edward White Benson, which I read out to those of you who were in the First Parents‟ Assembly, last Friday. He wrote: I am sure it is one's duty as a teacher to try to show his pupils that no opinions, no tastes, no emotions are worth much unless they are your own. Such is the central core of a Wellington education and this is what we have now begun to do in Tianjin.
Best wishes,
David Cook
- 2 -
Family Ties
From the Second Master
It is often said that it is the little things that matter most. Take the Wellington College tie – mainly black, with thin stripes of orange, light blue and yellow crossing diagonally. It‟s distinctive and classy. As new members of the Wellington family, we wanted to echo this, but also make our own mark, much as we have with the buildings themselves: definitively Wellington, but definitely 21st century.
Not content with just a single redesign, we have three new ties: for Juniors, Seniors and Sixth Formers. All share that traditional combination of colours, but with the stripes gradually thickening as pupils progress up the school. As you will have seen on your sons and daughters, it is a bold and confident identity, reflecting the school‟s outlook, at the same time as acknowledging our proud 152 year history.
This sense of clear deliberation and purpose is shared in our other ties - those that bind us closely to Wellington College and Eagle House in the UK, and about which I wrote in February‟s newsletter (still available on the College‟s website). Since then over half our teaching staff have attended a three day induction course, based at both schools in the UK, where

3. they were able to immerse themselves in what it is that makes both institutions tick, and make some of the initial contacts that will keep our ties strong and lasting.
At the end of our first week of term, as many of you will have seen for yourselves, we hosted two of our UK Governors, Mr. Paul Cabrelli and Mr. Howard Veary, at the Parents‟ Assembly. They were enormously impressed with what they saw. Fast on the heels of that visit comes the arrival of Dr Anthony Seldon, Master of Wellington UK, on September 9th, for our next Parents‟ Assembly. Later in the term we will be visited by Mr David Wilson, recently appointed as International Liaison Coordinator at Wellington UK, accompanied by his opposite number from Eagle House, on the first of what we aim to be termly visits. And as if all that is not enough in itself, and clear evidence of our intent and determination, we are already planning for the visit in February 2012 of a delegation of Wellington UK staff.
Our term here in Tianjin started some three weeks before that of the two UK schools, but with the academic year about to resume there too, some of my colleagues have already been in touch with their opposite numbers to arrange collaborative work, and we
- 3 -
plan to give our staff here full access to the teaching resources available on the Wellington UK intranet site. There is much excitement about the prospect of video-links, to allow joint assemblies or shared lessons, or even some one to one tuition help in subjects that we don‟t yet teach here in Tianjin, but in which some of our students are interested.
We have opened with a Nursery building named The Nest, just as at Eagle House – it even has a replica sign on the wall! Four of the seventeen Houses that exist at Wellington UK are the founding houses here – the Stanley, Blucher, Wellesley and Orange – and are the basis of the pastoral care system. We will be linking the China and UK houses once term has started over there, initially with an exchange of House photos, but many more opportunities will be there for the taking as time goes on.
Perhaps the most exciting benefit of our close family ties is the chance for our senior pupils (Year 8 upwards) to visit Eagle House or Wellington UK. I was delighted to be approached the other day by three smiling Year 10 girls, keen to know what they needed to do to stand a chance of going on such a visit – I assured them that we will be running the first of these during this academic year, at which point their smiles got wider still! Clearly, minds are already opening up to the possibilities, and our pupils are thinking big.
For the musicians and performers amongst the pupils (of whom we have many, as our recent Assembly showed), it is hard to think of anything bigger than being on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London, where we will be taking a small group in April 2012, in a celebration of the growing Wellington family.
Pupils from Wellington College UK, The Wellington Academy UK, and Wellington College International Tianjin will all be there - united by history, united by name, united by ambition…..and by those wonderful ties!
Murray Fowler

4. From the Head of the Junior School
All Aboard !
It was indeed a truly proud moment to see our wonderful team of Junior School teachers take the stage shortly before our opening on Monday 22nd August. Within a very short time classrooms have been established and learning has flourished.
For each of us working at Wellington we all share a deep sense of commitment and determination to making the College the very best place for the students it can be. A school where the Eight Aptitudes is clearly visible in the children‟s daily life both in and out of the classroom.
As well as settling the children in over the last two weeks, teachers have been busy assessing their students in English, Mathematics and Mandarin so as to gear the curriculum appropriately towards personalized learning for all. Literacy at all levels will be a big focus for the year, and children are being encouraged and supported to read regularly and enjoy books. We very much look forward to working ever in closer partnership with parents in this regard.
Establishing good routines is at the heart of a successful and happy school, where children understand the boundaries and develop awareness of the expectations placed on them, Good behaviour supports happy relationships, themes we will be exploring at upcoming assemblies.
In the Junior School we have already held two weekly assemblies. Children from each class have shared their hopes for the year ahead as well as presented their own selected work. From the outset, this sharing is vital to establishing the culture of learning and the pursuit of high standards across the curriculum. The students are to be commended for the work they have already produced. As the term progresses, students‟ progress and achievement will be recognized and rewarded with merits and certificates.
- 4 -

5. - 5 -
Equally, it is important for children across the Junior School to become familiar with presenting their work to others and gain confidence in public speaking. When considering that some of our children are relatively new to English, it is indeed deeply rewarding to see these students take their first steps to communicate in English in front of an audience. Such skills will surely and valuably serve throughout their lifetimes. Class assemblies, led by each Year group and starting with Year 6, will begin from the end of this month.
Please do refer to the information on the College website regarding the Junior School curriculum: http://www.wellingtoncollegeintl.cn/ junior_school.html. As well as the curriculum summaries and timetables, there are also useful links to educational websites with many great age- appropriate activities online. The Mandarin section now contains the Junior School curriculum in detail and the Library section has a wide range of information too. Happy reading !
There have been many successes during these last two weeks. Of course school is about learning, and sometimes from mistakes. Overall, as good routines are established, I firmly believe Wellington College will be truly happy and fulfilling place for children to learn, for which these photographs are testament to some of the many wonderful moments already experienced at our school.
Finally, thank you to our parent community for their support as we get the year underway. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome and I very much look forward to seeing everyone at our next Parents‟ Assembly on Friday 9th September.
John Zermani

6. - 6 -
Great Expectations: English Classes in Wellington, Weeks I and II
Dr Steve Jacobi, Director of Studies
This week I seem to have talked a lot about Charles Dickens‟ novel „Great Expectations‟. There is at least one perfectly good reason for doing so, as the book is on the A Level syllabus. Another more pragmatic one is a need to discuss with all classes how stories are put together, and the importance of showing narrative in action.
As a number of my resources are still en route from England, and the opening scenes of David Lean‟s film of „Great Expectations‟ are one of the few things I can readily access on my computer, Dickens has become a frequent visitor to many of my classes.
I have heard that Dickens is much liked in the East, and particularly in Japan, where the England he describes – that is, a mixture of doll-like women, grubby London streets, wicked villains, flawed heroes, strange customs, awful food, copious drink, epic sideburns, and big hats – is viewed as reassuringly quaint.
Not that Lean‟s film, made more than sixty years ago, cut much ice with the lot to whom I showed it. „Too black,‟ one girl told me. „Too old,‟ said another. „Is that a problem?‟ I asked. „Too old and therefore of no interest,‟ added a boy with extremely shiny and, with luck, uncomfortable shoes. „Well, I‟m old,‟ I said, „so am I also of no interest?‟ „Exactly,‟ said the first girl, with no hint of irony or, indeed, anything else to suggest she considered it worth
How can the opening of „Great Expectations‟, either in book form and on celluloid, not captivate? Pip alone on the Kent marshes, out to visit his dead parents in the cemetery. Pip meeting the escaped convict, Magwitch, who literally turns his life upside down. Pip stealing his sister‟s pork pie and brandy, having promised Magwitch – on pain of having his heart and liver torn from him – that he would bring him food and drink. Pip being thrashed by his sister for being late home. Pip‟s youthful agony at being caught between honouring a promise and dishonourably becoming a thief. Pip excitedly joining the soldiers on the hunt for the fleeing prisoners.
All good. But, of course, literature works in other, more puzzingly indirect ways, too. Having great expectations, the sense of being a pip and growing from seed, joining in, and being turned upside down; present circumstances at Wellington strike the same chords. Perhaps that‟s what drew me to so immediately and impulsively to Dickens. Or, miles from home, maybe I just craved reassuring images of England, no matter how old or hackneyed?
At any rate, and while we‟re all here and starting up a new school, „What larks we‟ll have…‟ as Pip‟s brother-in-law says. „What larks!‟
Dr. Steve Jacobi

7. - 7 -
Music at Wellington College
Mr. Steve Griffiths, Director of Music, outlines his plans for Music in the College.
We hope to encourage all pupils at Wellington College to participate in some form of music-making and music appreciation, whether it be in the classroom as part of the music curriculum or as an element of an extra-curricular activity.
Classroom music-making will involve singing, ear-training, learning to read music notation, listening to different styles of music and the appreciation of sounds in general. Lesson content will also focus on composing either at the keyboard or on percussion instruments, and will include improvisation and performing.
During these music periods within the timetable, we hope to make music-making and learning about music a fun experience and to nurture a love of music in all our students.
Aside from music within the timetable, we shall be offering a number of optional musical activities outside the classroom. These will include a Senior choir (for pupils in years 7 to 11), Junior Choir (for pupils in years 5 and 6), Wind band, String Group, and eventually a small chamber orchestra when we feel the time is right. There may also be other smaller ensembles. All students who play an orchestral instrument are encouraged to join one of the instrumental groups, and all musicians (as well as non- instrumentalists) are encouraged to join one of the choirs. We also hope within the first term to form a lower
In terms of performances , we hope to give students in both the choirs and the instrumental groups an opportunity to perform throughout the year, whether in public concerts, informal lunch time recitals or school and house assemblies. Individual instrumentalists and singers will also have the opportunity to perform as soloists if the appropriate high standard has been reached.
During this first academic year, the music and drama department hope to stage a full length musical production in our theatre auditorium involving both senior and junior pupils. Auditions for this major performing arts event will be announced during the first term.
Finally, I would like to draw parents „and pupils‟ attention to the programme of individual instrumental lessons we intend to offer and operate after half term - starting October 8th. This will involve students who either wish to begin learning a new instrument or those who already play one opting to continue taking lessons at Wellington during school time. These one–to-one individual lessons will last for one school period of 40 minutes and will be charged termly and in advance. The fee structure will be announced shortly in a separate letter from the Music Department.
We hope to provide teachers for the following instruments: piano, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, recorder, guitar, trumpet, trombone, saxophone, oboe and bassoon. All individual instrumental lessons will take place in the music department at Wellington College on a once-weekly basis, with pupils being withdrawn from a different subject lesson each week.
A letter containing more details will be sent out to parents of those students interested in pursuing instrumental lessons during school time will be distributed shortly.
Steve Griffiths

8. - 8 -
Head’s Tales No. 1
Every now and again in „The Wellingtonian‟, I will pen for you a Head‟s Tale, on some or other subject of a general or personal interest, which I hope will interest you too.
Just over two years ago, a historic milestone, which, I suspect, none of you were aware of, was passed. This milestone concerns something which we all know, or should know, and which is at least 1,500 years old. A few of you might now have guessed what it is, but for those who have not, it is the English language. The milestone is that in June 2009 the language acquired its millionth word.
What you might ask was the millionth word? Take a deep breath. It was „Web 2.0‟, which I would immediately question as being a proper word. It is apparently an internet term, or word, signifying, and here I take an even deeper breath, “the next generation of web products and services, coming soon to a browser near you!” There were some rivals, such as „Jai ho‟, an English word, or words surely, drawn from Hindi, which means a major success, and „slumdog‟, definitely a word, if popularized at the time by the Oscar-laden film, Slumdog Millionaire.
Nevertheless, the achievement of a million words, or neo-words, is a remarkable achievement, particularly as experts now say there are ten English words for every single French word. Truly is English now the undisputed lingua franca (a French term I might add) of the world. Today an estimated 1.5 billion speak English, as a primary, secondary or business language. Some 300 million are believed to be studying the language in China alone.
The number of new English words is estimated to be around a thousand a year, which can be compared with the great English playwright, William Shakespeare, who, in his remarkable body of work, is only credited with adding fifty words to the language. But the Bard did not live in a period with so many technological innovations, the vast majority of which originate in English-speaking countries, and when his native language was spreading so rapidly around the globe. So now you all know why you must take every opportunity to practise your English speaking and writing skills. Jai ho!
Proverb for the Week
“There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”
(Oscar Wilde, „The Picture of Dorian Gray‟, 1891)
David Cook
(Master)