The Week Ahead 20151218

We have held the last open day for 2015 and already the January 2016 days are almost full, with only a few spaces left for 23rd. Our ‘Getting to Know You’ sessions continue and the December open day parents will all be seen before we take our winter break. The remodelling carries on and Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai continues to evolve, realising the dream that we have for the pupils joining the Wellington family in March. Team Bilingual celebrated their festive lunch together today and had an opportunity to reflect on all that has happened in 2015. We have been so busy and have accomplished such a lot that the sense of pride and achievement was clear to everyone present. During my career, I have had the pleasure of working with a team of astonishing clinicians and academics at Durham, a fabulous team of international Early Years’ educators in Abu Dhabi and now, a wonderful team who work tirelessly and selflessly to make amazing things happen here at Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai. I’m extremely humbled and proud to work with such like-minded and determined people who constantly strive to do their utmost in providing the very best for our pupils and their families. No matter how hectic life gets, we always maintain that there are 102 reasons to keep going – the 102 founding pupils of Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai. As Early Years’ Education providers here at Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai, we believe in what we do. However, when practice is supported by educational psychologists from one of the world’s top universities, it adds credit to what you do all the more. Recent research from Oxford University’s Department of Education has demonstrated that high quality early years education makes the child a more effective learner. A summary of the research findings was published by the BBC (www.bbc.com/news/education-35070985) on 11th December 2015, acknowledging that preschools help to boost the academic careers of children who have fewer educational experiences at home and that preschool boosts a child’s chances of doing well at school. It states that, “Parents who provide children with stimulating learning experiences as toddlers, give them a big educational advantage throughout school”. The report identifies that a child’s educational experiences at home when they are under five really matter to their later academic success. It also recognises that unfortunately, not all children get the same support and for these children, preschool is especially important. This is my last Week Ahead for 2015; the next will be published by Yuki, our Deputy Headmaster. I would like to take this opportunity to wish those of you celebrating Christmas all the very best for the festive season. Over the winter break, if you have any questions or queries that cannot be answered from the information on our website (www.wellingtoncollege.cn/bilingualshanghai), please do not hesitate to call on 021 50342296, email info.bilingual@wellingtoncollege.cn or admissions.bilingual@wellingtoncollege.cn. Please note that we will be closed from 23rd – 25th December and on 1st January 2016. Kind regards, Vanessa Szucs-Hussain British Headmaster, Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai