The Week Ahead 20180601

The Week Ahead..............this week, it’s all about children!   On Saturday, we welcomed over 800 people to our spectacular Summer Carnival. The event, now in its second year here at Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai brought together members of the Wellington community and beyond to enjoy a wonderful array of entertainment, games, sports, arts and craft activities and talented vendors. As the Carnival loomed large, there was some concern regarding whether the rain would stay away and if we would need to put PLAN B in to place. As luck would have it the rain stayed away, and the day was a warm, humid and happy one. Events such as these afford an opportunity to step back from my leadership role and reflect on the story behind the scene created. I remember events and occasions as scenes, pictures and photographs. My memories, like most peoples are stored as video clips, photo albums and art galleries; they are visual stills and short movies. I recall visual details with much more accuracy than spoken or written words. Sights, smells and sounds enhance and invoke memories, making them a multisensory experience. Here goes, then. Picture a scene where there is a feeling of genuine warmth and satisfaction, a sense of anticipation of what the day ahead must hold. Every inch of the surroundings is filled with the sounds of chatter, busyness, laughter and excitement – a real buzz, a party feeling……it is CARNIVAL time, after all. This creates the atmosphere and essence of our scene. The background to our scene is made from the shades of fun and games; fencing, football, sailing, golf, arts, crafts, mazes, bouncy castles and ball pools, merry-go-rounds, games, sugar crafting, horse rides and face painting. Building depth on to the background are the colours of artists; a jazz band, drama group, traditional and modern musical performers, magicians, hip hop dancers, Dai dancers and flamenco performers. In between the strokes of colour are the subtle hues of DJs and musicians to fill the canvas to the very edges. The bright highlights come from the people; tall and short, large and small, young and old, walking, running, playing, relaxing, chatting, eating and wallowing in the joy of the scene around them. Like shooting stars, they add the light and life to the scene, sparks of contentment and happiness.

 

This glorious scene had much preparation before any colour or embellishment could be added; the canvas prepped by a multitude of people who asked for no recognition or credit - the marketing team who worked to ensure that the event was known to the community and all elements came together; the operations team who ensured that the physical set up reflected exactly what was required; the property management company who worked alongside operations to bring the event to realisation; the security team who ensured our safety throughout the day; the Wellington non-academic and academic teams who staffed the areas and supported where required; and the parent volunteers who made it their duty to serve others to make the event a success for all. This event was not a College event, it was a Wellington community event, led by Mr Zhang, our Parent Representative. Mr Zhang worked tirelessly to ensure that every detail of the event reflected the families here at Wellington, never losing sight that the children were the absolute focus for the day.

   

Upon reflection, the story is one of togetherness, of people selflessly giving time, energy and effort for the sake of others happiness to create memories that last long beyond the day itself. I’ve written once or twice (or maybe a hundred times) before that I am extremely proud to be a part of the Wellington community, there is a genuine sense of belonging here that underpins everything that we do. Without a sense of belonging, there is a disconnect. However, with a sense of belonging there is trust, partnership, openness, shared vision and values. Where there is a sense of belonging, there is belief in each other. The stakes are too high not to believe in each other. As educators, we are trusted to do our best with the most treasured of possessions: the children who are our youngest Wellingtonians. In return, we believe in the families; that they will always work in partnership with us to ensure that every child becomes the very best, uique version of themselves. Isn’t that what early years education is all about? I believe it is. Our parents believe so too.