This Week is all about HAPPINESS
Art Festival week took place last week and what a time was had by all! The pupils threw themselves in to being creative and worked on some astonishing pieces of art work. At the end of the week, EY2s had an art jam, the results of which you will see very soon as this installation will be housed next to the Language and Literacy Room. Under the creative direction of our art consultant, Lorna and our wonderful interns, Dalia and Yasmin all pupils produced a unique piece of art work, under the theme of ‘Seasons’. With music and mood boards to stimulate imagination, the pupils were provided with choice in technique, application and colour. The results are astonishing and the installation is housed on the staircase of building A (on the way to the EY3 classrooms). Please do take a moment to view the latest piece of art by the pupils, I feel sure that you will agree that is it beautiful.
More on the importance of play
Research from the USA indicates that mental health disorders are increasing in children and adolescents (
www.psychologytoday.com) with the increase not being associated with realistic dangers and uncertainties of the larger world. The increase does not correlate with economic cycles, wars, or any of the other kinds of world events that people often talk about as affecting children’s mental states. The changes seem to have more to do with the way that young people view the world than the way the world actually
is. Much of this is related to the perception of taking control of one’s own life; the ability to solve problems, develop one’s own interests and become competent in pursuit of one’s own interests.
The research identifies that a major contributing factor is the increase in adult-directed learning environments and the decline in play opportunities for young children, and that by depriving children of opportunities to play on their own, away from direct adult supervision and control, children are deprived of opportunities to learn how to take control of their own lives. Author Dr Gray PhD states, “More weight is given to tests and grades than ever before. Outside of school, children spend more time in settings in which they are directed, ranked, judged, and rewarded by adults. In these settings adults are in control,
not children.” He concludes that as a society, we have determined that children must spend increasing amounts of time in the very setting where they least want to be. The cost of that belief, as measured by the happiness and mental health of our children, is enormous. Dr Gray then reinforces that settings where freedom, play, and self-directed exploration prevail, providing freedom and opportunity, without coercion afford learners the opportunity to educate themselves. This certainly supports why we do what we do!
An Old Wellingtonian hits the headlines!
Sir Anthony Seldon, former Master of Wellington College has been making news again this week with a heart-felt article entitled ‘Why all schools must teach there is more to life than exam results’ (
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-4327958/Schools-teach-life-exam-results.html#ixzz4c1itKPNJ). Sir Anthony is an eloquent writer and paints an honest picture of himself as a student, “I was unhappy during most of my time at school, and it made me determined throughout my long teaching career to ensure that classrooms were much more stimulating and sympathetic places”.
An advocate of wellbeing and mindfulness, Sir Anthony has championed his cause for many years, introducing wellbeing in to the curriculum at Wellington College, one of the first UK schools to acknowledge its importance. More recently, wellbeing has been acknowledged by the UK government, “Hurray then that the Government has at last woken to the idea that schools should be preparing our young not for a lifetime of exams in sports halls, but for the real world of joy and tears, work and play, family responsibility and citizenship……….Above all, it has realised that, if it looks after the wellbeing of the young and develop their character, they will not only fare better at higher education and in jobs, but the school will also see exam results rising.”
Sir Anthony, a co-founder of Action For Happiness (
www.actionforhappiness.org) promotes a vision for a happier world (GREAT DREAM), with fewer people suffering with mental health problems and more people feeling good, functioning well and helping others. The website is a fabulous resource filled with news, facts and ideas that can be used to create a happier you in a happier world.
March 20th marked International Day of Happiness with Norway announced as the happiest place on Earth, according to a United Nations agency report. The World Happiness Report measures "subjective well-being " - how happy the people are, and why. Nordic countries Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland and Finland complete the top five, with Denmark being knocked off pole position for the first time in many years (www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-39325206). The Happiness Research institute in Copenhagen support Danes being amongst the happiest people in the world because of their investment in HYGGE (pronounced hoo-ga). What is hygge? Essentially, it is ‘homeyness, coziness, and togetherness. It is purposeful laid back bonding without agenda’. (www.amotherfarfromhome.com) What does hygge feel like?
- A warm drink after a cold day
- Lying on the couch under a blanket with your loved ones
- Relaxed, calm togetherness
- Safety, security and belonging
Basically, it is feeling at home with those you love the most. There are simple tips on how to make hygge work for you as a family and next week, I’ll write more about how you could introduce hygge over the break so that it becomes a part of family life and maybe imparts a little more happiness for all.
The next chapter begins for Dalia and Yasmin
Our amazing interns leave us this Friday after their three month stay in China. Dalia and Yasmin have made a significant contribution to the setting and the Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai team – they are part of the family now and we will miss them very much. Dalia will be returning to work at an HR App development company in London before studying Civil Engineering at University in the Autumn. After she returns home, Yasmin has an internship lined up in London before she starts studying Chinese at University. The girls have made a lasting impression on us here at Bilingual and we sincerely hope that we see them again in the not-too distant future. We wish them every success, and feel sure that they will make their mark on the world, as unique and inspiring individuals. The next chapter of life starts……..who knows where it may lead?
Classroom News for week beginning 27th March 2017
Early Years 1
This week we will be learning about shadows! We see shadows when something or someone stands in front of the light. We see our shadows outside on a sunny day. To learn more about shadows, we are going to practise shining torches in dark places. We will practise shining light on cellophane to see how light can make multiple colours. We will also review “on” and “off,” shapes and colours. During carpet time, children will be helped to learn to say, “I am here” when their names are called. They will also learn to say, “It is mine” when asked “Whose water bottle is this?”
- We are reading: Open! Open!, Peekaboo, That’s not my _____ (e.g. sheep), Ying zi shi wo de hao peng you
- We are singing: You are my sunshine, How’s the weather today?, Hello Mr. Sun, Open and Shut, Cai ying zi, Chun tian zai na li
- A special note from the EY1 team: Please have your child bring in a small torch or toy which can light up to use for the whole week.
Early Years 2
Time flies! Our Sensational Seasons theme wraps up this week with an exploration of our final season – Winter. The children will discover the joy of a cold winter’s day by making snowflakes, painting a snowman, counting snowballs in our Small World tray, and making mittens. Bundle up for a momentous week filled with icy adventures and even a snowball fight! To conclude our theme we’ve planned an exciting Outdoor Education day the end of the week. Weather and AQI permitting we’ll take all our learning outside, experiencing the beautiful spring weather and observing seasonal changes around our setting.
- We are reading: 《下雪了》，乌里·舒列维兹, The Snow Day, by Ezra Jack Keats, The Jacket I Wear in the Snow, by Shirley Neitzel
- We are singing: 踏雪寻梅, Little Snowflake, I’m a Jolly Snowman
- A special note from the EY2 team: Please come dressed to spend the day outdoors on Thursday (Kittens and Puppies) OR Friday (Bunnies, Lambs, and Ducklings). Toileting, naps, and lunch will be indoors as usual. We’ll check weather forecast and adjust the dates for this as needed. Please check your child’s Wellington Weekly for updates!
Early Years 3
The children very much enjoyed learning about Jack and the Beanstalk last week, we have started to be able to re-tell the story and talk about what we like and dislike. This week, our activities will continue to be focused around the story. We will even be having a go at changing one of the main events and drawing / painting our own ending to the story.
- We are reading: Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and the Three Bears
- And he went higher!；Fee-fi-fo-fum!；I am the golden hen；We’re rich!(http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/schoolradio/subjects/music/jack/what_shall_we_do#)
- We are singing: What shall we do?, Jack went to market, And the beanstalk grew, And he went higher!, Fee-fi-fo-fum!, I am the golden hen, We’re rich! (The above can be found at http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/schoolradio/subjects/music/jack/what_shall_we_do#) “采蘑菇”
- Special dates: Fairy tale afternoon tea – Thursday 30th March. We invite the children to come to the setting dressed as their favourite fairy tale character!
- A special note from the EY3 team: Please continue to encourage your children to bring in any fairy tale stories that they have at home – they really do enjoy sharing their favourite books with their friends.
