Junior School 

• Fri 5 April – Last Day of Term/ Songkran Break Begins
• Tues 23 April First Day of Term 3 – Children return
• w/c 23 April – Global Citizenship Week
• w/c 29 April – WEx and Music lessons begin
• Thursday 2 and Friday 3 May – Year 3 Residential to Bang Sai
• Mon 6 May – School Closed
• w/c 7 May – Whole School and Class Photos
• w/c 20 May – KS2 Production Week – Dragon Days
• Mon 3 and Tues 4 June – School Closed
• w/c 10 June – Bangkok Games (Y5 and 6 students)
• Wednesday 26th June – Move Up Morning
• Fri 28 June – Last day of the academic year – Half Day

• Fri 5 April – Last Day of Term/Songkran Break Begins
• Tues 23 April First Day of Term 3
• Tues 30 April – Hopetoun House Open Morning
• Thurs 2 May – Year 8 PTC
• Thurs 9 May - Year 10 Parent and Staff Social (17:00 onwards)
• Mon 20 May - Orange House Open Morning
• Thurs 23 May – Years 7-10 House Swimming
• Thurs 23-Sun 26 May FOBISIA Football (Under 13 and Under 15)
• Sat 15 June – Summer Formal
• Thurs 20 June – Senior School Production – Little Shop of Horrors (More details coming soon!)
• Fri 28 June – Closing Ceremony
• Fri 28 June – Last day of the academic year

Dear Parents

Last week, I gave a presentation on Future School Design at an educational conference. As I prepared my talk, I was surprised to find myself writing ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. Surprised because I have never liked that sentence. When I was young, I never appreciated other people paying attention to me, and being nosy about my business.

But it’s a pretty valuable idea. Our school is a lot like a village. Not everyone in a village is best friends – but we share basic values. People don’t agree on everything – but we know we have to get along with each other. And, in the end, villagers are proud of where they live, and want to protect it.

I’m certainly very proud of our community – and passionate about its values. Respect, Integrity, Courage, Kindness, Responsibility. Any of us might occasionally fail to uphold one of those values: we are only human. So being able (and willing) to repair the resulting damage is also important.

And the biggest obstacle to such damage-repair is personal pride.

* * *

A number of people spotted Bangkok Patana’s announcement on Monday about their introduction of a new heavy-drone transport system to move early years students around the campus. Some asked me why Wellington are not doing the same. Well done, Bangkok Patana. It was a good April Fool!

* * *

This has been a very busy term: your children certainly need a break from school, and some quality time with you! I wish everyone a happy, enjoyable, and suitably wet Songkran holiday.

See you for the start of Summer Term on Tuesday 23 April (which happens also to be Shakespeare’s birthday).

With best wishes

Chris

Dear Senior School Parents

What a second half of Lent Term it’s been! We began with a fiercely competitive House Football competition, a wonderful Year 10 Parent-Teacher social evening at the Rabbit’s Grove, and an Open Morning for Hill parents. Murray parents had to wait until later in term for their Open Morning – but it was equally successful!

Our fortnightly Lunchtime Lectures have continued in this half of term, written and delivered by students who have really begun to rise to the challenge. We also celebrated World Book Day with author visits and a dress-up day, as well as International Women’s Day. We also held our inaugural A Level Options Fair at which Y11 students and parents were invited to join subject presentations to learn all about which A Levels to choose when they commence Sixth Form Studies in Year 12.

Week 9 saw three intrepid pioneer Year 11 students take the first of their IGCSEs – the Spanish Speaking Exam – and while we will have to wait until the summer to receive the formally verified results, !lo hicieron ellos muy bien!

There has long been a tradition at this school that every student learns to play an instrument, and I have to congratulate Ms Corrigan and the music team (not for the first time) on what a remarkable job they do. It was a delight to attend both Y9 Music Recitals during week 10 to see everything from seasoned performers at the height of their musical powers to students working at a more introductory and intermediate level all performing for each other, and in front of many parents, in a wonderfully supportive atmosphere in which each and every bit of individual effort and achievement was being celebrated.

This half-term has also seen a Piano Showcase and a Music Scholars’ Recital which took us to heights as yet unreached by our incredibly talented musicians.

In weeks 10 and 11, Mr McCraw launched The Great Debate – a competition in which Wellington Students went into battle against invited participants from other schools to argue, in the Year 7-9 age group, “Which place should receive greater historical recognition?” and in the Year 10-11 age group, “What individual should receive greater historical recognition?” Students in each category displayed an impressive range, breadth and depth of historical understanding and a passion for uncovering hidden and neglected places and people from world history. The competition was fierce, and I am very proud of the fact that Wellingtonians took first place in both age categories.

Mrs Salisbury, as you all know, has been working hard all term to prepare students for their IGCSE exams. She has also found the time to send Year 11 students to the BCB Medical Conference and the Canadian Universities Fair. It was a delight to have our new universities counsellor, Bevin Clark, come into school to talk to teachers and to meet students. Mr Clark also hosted an inspiring session for interested mathematicians, medics, and engineers with Dr Matthias Dörrzapf from St John’s College Cambridge. Year 9 students have of course been busily selecting their IGCSE Options choices while Y11 students have been working increasingly hard in the final push towards IGCSE exams. There has been an air of intellectual ferment around the Senior School over the past few weeks.

On the subject of exciting visitors to the Senior School, it was a delight to have Ms Jane Sharp, the new Head of Senior School, and Mr Scott Colton, the new Head of Sixth Form, in school last week. Mrs Sharp brings huge experience and expertise – I will be sad to hand over the reigns, but I cannot imagine a better person to take the Senior School forward next year. Mr Colton has been working with us behind the scenes to create the new Sixth Form, so he is well placed to be launching that most senior section of the Senior School from August.

Of course, the end of Lent Term brings us to Songkran. Kru Bee and the Music Department treated us to a truly beautiful Assembly yesterday, while today has combined the solemn reference of Giving Alms with the refreshingly wet Songkran House Challenge. Can someone pass me a towel?

After all that, a rest is deserved. For Year 11 students, there will be lots to do over the break. They all know that setting a regular schedule for carefully planned work is the way to move from now to exam success. I wish them all good luck with the work they will do over the holidays. For those students for whom exams are further away, a bit more down time might be a possibility – and a very well deserved one. Whatever you are doing over the break, I with you a very happy Songkran and a restful holiday.

Best wishes

Jim

Dear Junior School Parents

As we approach the fun of Songkran, it seems like the perfect time to pause and reflect on what has been yet another highly successful (and incredibly busy) half term in the Junior School.

Sustainability and the ability to think about how to look after our environment has been a theme running through various weeks. Just after half term, students were treated to an assembly led by Max and Matt (Senior School students) as well as our very own KS2 Green Team, introducing everyone to the inaugural Wellington ‘Recycle Relay.’ The aim, of course, to promote recycling in our community and continued awareness of how to be more sustainable.

It certainly had this impact, but learning did not stop following this collection. Instead, it extended through to this year’s ‘Green STEAM week’ – with students considering problems linked with how to better the environment and designing possible solutions. Questions such as how we can bring more insects into the Wellington grounds led to the creation of bug hotels in Year 2. There were also creative solutions for sustainable footwear in Year 5 and inventions as to how best collect water in Year 4. It was lovely to see this lead to a really fun Dragon’s Den where students were pitching their solutions to their parents! A great week, enjoyed by all.

Trips outside of school continue to be a big part of Wellington life, opening the eyes of our students to new places and possibilities. Year 5 spent two nights and three days exploring the temples of Ayutthaya, further enhancing their classroom learning about ancient civilizations. Whilst Year 4 learnt all about the different digestive systems of animals in Khao Yai – further supporting their Science learning. How wonderful to see the ever-increasing independence and confidence of our students as they spend time away from home.

For our younger children, whilst a residential is still a few years away, it was great for our Year 1 students to have a trip to Mini Murrah Farm. Making pizzas, feeding the animals, and even riding on a train tractor – I can’t think of a better way to spend the day!

Children in Early Years have also been keeping themselves busy with great learning experiences; Nursery’s ‘Wheels Day’ as well as Reception’s ‘Fairy Tale Ball’ were just two special examples. Such creative and inspiring ways to capture the imaginations of our young children, getting them both physically active on their bikes and scooters, as well as immersed in the stories of fairy tales at their magical ball.

And of course, we must also remember and celebrate this year’s Book Week, linked with International Women’s Day and theme ‘Change Makers.’ Throughout the week, students were engaged in different age-appropriate texts, immersing them into the lives of strong female characters who were set to be change makers to those around them. What an inspiring context, fully supported by the collection of secondhand books for Banpubon School - alongside a reading rockets House competition and dress up events – a week truly enjoyed by all.

Then finally, this week, the school has been in celebration as we build up to Songkran – with Pool Parties, water pouring ceremonies, and water play throughout. So much fun!

Next term, we look forward to our Global Citizenship week, helping our children to be inspired and become increasingly knowledgeable about the world in which they live. We have many visitors coming to school to talk with our children, as well as trips out of school to help children understand how they are able take action to do good and help others. This, in addition to our KS2 Production of Dragon Days and many transition activities as we prepare towards the new academic year, ensures there continues to be so much to look forward to.

Uniform will be of focus for all children after the school holidays – so please do ensure you purchase some smart black shoes for your child to wear if they don’t currently have these!

For now, please rest and enjoy the holidays.

Kind regards

Hannah

Dear Parents,

Warm greetings to you all!!

This Lent Term has been interesting in many ways. We started off with PM 2.5 and ended with the heat !!

Still, we also witnessed the impressive development of the school. The session with the 3 new members of Senior School, the Head of Senior School, the Head of Sixth Form, and the Lead University Guidance Counsellor was inspiring.

During the term, I also met with many parents and members of the community where we got to exchange views. I’ve received many views and great feedback concerning FoW, Christmas Fayre, and other activities. All views are heard, they are valuable and they are being taken into account.

The 2nd FoW has tried our best to conduct the elections but as it was our first ever elections as for the first two we didn’t have elections, there were more details than we thought. I have to thank all the FoW Committees for trying their best and volunteer to help the elections. I also have to express my heartfelt appreciation to the school management team especially our Master, Director of Marketing and Admissions, and Head of IT for their contributions and assistance. Upon knowing that the FoW didn’t have the proper body of Election Committee, the school came to help. Upon knowing that the voting system was incomplete, the school came to help. And upon knowing that FoW didn’t have any governing Constitution, the Master drafted it during his holiday. These clearly demonstrate the close collaboration and the cordial relations within our community.

So the new FoW or the 3rd FoW Committee will work under the Constitution. I believe the draft constitution has addressed many of the feedbacks and comments within the community thanks to the experience of our Master. There are many details of the constitution which will be officially revealed later but some of them are that the Committee can be in the position in the maximum of three terms, the FoW will have to provide the annual reports and statement of accounts, the minimum quorum has to be met in each meeting and the voting decisions would have to be put in writing and signed by all committees, a guideline for procurement, a change in the number of the committees, for example.

And as the elections have been reset, it will be opened again for anyone who is interested, so please think about it. All in all, the change was made in order to ensure the efficiency and transparency of the Committee but the most important part is that the Committee should be a volunteered body who work for the benefits of the whole community, all-inclusive and genuinely for all!!

Our activities and community will be sustained and will continue in a Wellingtonian way !!!!

For the time being enjoy your holiday and see you all in our Summer Term.

Notachard Chintakanond (Noat)

FoW Chair

Songkran Celebrations

We are very grateful to our friends at Eternity Verdure who provided delicious drinks at our Scholars Recital on Friday 29 March. Our parents and teachers very much appreciated this generosity and it certainly helped us cool down and relax as we listened to the beautiful music!

School Shop Opening Hours

Our School shop hours are as follows –

• Mon 8 April – OPEN 8.00 – 12.00
• Tues 9 April 2024 CLOSED ALL DAY
• Weds 10 April – OPEN 8.00 – 12.00
• Thurs 11 April – OPEN 8.00 – 12.00
• Fri 12 April – Fri 19 April – CLOSED
• Mon 22 April onwards – OPEN AS NORMAL 7.15 – 16.15
• Monday 29 April 2024 CLOSED ALL DAY

We are sorry for any inconvenience. Please let me know if there are any queries. Admissions@wellingtoncollege.ac.th

This week, our Director of Sport, Ms Helen Mathews shares her round up of the term. And what a term it has been!

Dear Parents

As we bid farewell to another term filled with thrilling sporting action, it's time to reflect on the remarkable achievements and outstanding performances of our Wellington athletes. From the greens of the golf course to the courts of the basketball arena, our students have demonstrated unparalleled skill, dedication, and sportsmanship throughout the term. Join us as we highlight the triumphs and successes that have defined this term's sporting journey at Wellington.

Golf

Lent term has been another successful term for golf at Wellington. Across 5 ISGT events Wellington has consistently placed inside the top 3 teams across all events most of the season. The thing I’m most proud about this term is turning up to not only the main ISGT tour event but the Development tour event at Amata with over 30 kids from Wellington participating. That’s significantly more than any other school can put out and shows the depth of golf here at Wellington.

Top Performer goes to Marker Year 9

Most Improved goes to Pei Pei Year 4

Football

The Under 18 girls' and boys' teams have successfully completed their GBAC league and tournaments, showcasing some stellar performances. Particularly noteworthy is the admirable teamwork displayed by our Year 11 boys, who rallied together to ensure a full team for every match. Despite our team's youth compared to others, their achievements are commendable, and we are immensely proud of how they've represented WCIB with pride. Our Under 13 and Under 15 teams engaged in friendly matches at NIST, while 50 Under 9 players participated in a friendly football festival at Bangkok Patana School, including competitive fixtures.

Additionally, preseason fixtures against Bangkok Patana were held for our Under 13 and Under 15 teams. The Under 11 girls received an invitation to the prestigious Harrow International 7's Tournament, where their determination and performance were sources of immense pride for us. Next term promises to be bustling with football activities as our Under 11-Under 15 teams gear up for their respective seasons. Our Under 13 girls' and boys' teams will travel to Chiang Mai to compete in the FOBISIA Football Tournament. Moreover, we are hosting various football tournaments, making it a busy and exhilarating term on the horizon.

Basketball

It's been another fantastic term on the Basketball court here at Wellington, as we launched our first off season schedule with around 80 students returning to our programme to develop their skills and play in competitive matches.

We kicked the term off, with our first appearance of the year at U11 FOBISIA Basketball in Rugby School which was a terrific event and a great experience for all of our students. Both our boys and girls performed really well on the court and managed to finish in the top five, which was a great achievement given the standard of competition at FOBISIA, with some of Southeast Asia's premier Basketball schools in attendance.

In terms of matches, all age groups were able to get game experience in friendlies and performed extremely well in these fixtures, which highlighted the hard work and dedication of our coaches and students to improve every time they step onto the court which was great to see.

U15 took centre stage just after half term, as they headed to FOBISIA with Rugby school again hosting the event. It was another outstanding weekend of Basketball, with our boys demonstrating heart and determination to compete in each game but didn't quite get the placing they were after, despite being extremely competitive in each match.

Our Girls then solidified their status as our team of the season, with a second-place finish which was an incredible achievement given the level of competition that FOBISIA provides. Winning a silver medal at FOBISIA is no easy task and Gaemyui and her team can be extremely proud of a great season, and the schools highest Basketball placing to date at the Championships.

As well as all of the action on court, the school has also secured an agreement to host the Thailand Ladies Basketball Team for the whole of summer term, as they prepare with Coach David for upcoming international tournaments in Europe and America. This is a fantastic opportunity for our Basketballers to gain access to international players, and we will be running lots of different sessions with our students to make it an enriching experience for them.

Swimming

The Wellington Swim Team have been working very hard and it has shown at competitions. Competing for first time at FOBISIA saw our team come 5th overall but winning the Net Points trophy which showed that our swimmers have great quality in the water. Our juniors and Seniors combined together at the GBAC Swim Meet where we saw lots of best times and string swimming. In March our top juniors and seniors swam at the prestigious Martins Cup , a very busy programme with over 170 teams, Wellington finished an amazing 4th place, coaches and swimmers we amazed. Our final

competition was the Puppy Dash and our beginners and juniors swam their best to finish 4th place and again having top Net points which shows that our swimmers have great quality.

During the Songkran break 11 of the Wellington swimmers will be competing at the Thailand National Age Group Championships held at ABAC University. We wish them the best of luck in the world.

Tennis

This term, our tennis players participated in the FOBISIA Tennis event in Hua Hin, showcasing outstanding performances across the board. Punn, Nate, Emily, and Jackfruit demonstrated remarkable dedication, receptiveness to feedback, and game intelligence throughout the tournament. We extend heartfelt congratulations to Emily and Jackfruit for their exceptional achievements in winning their respective age categories. Their success fills us with immense pride!

Table Tennis

Table Tennis has enjoyed its most exciting and successful term ever at Wellington, under the guidance of our Thailand national team coach, Khun Pla. The Wellington ‘A’ Team of Mattie (Year 7), Gabriel (Year 5), Ai (Year 7), Punn (Year 4), and Harry (Year 6) won the inaugural GBAC tournament in February. On Saturday 30 March, we hosted The Wellington Cup, with home success in the Bronze Race, as Sky (Year 4) won the tournament beating Jordan (Year 4) in the final. At the end of the term, we also held an intramural tournament, with Gabriel successfully defending both his Singles title, beating Mattie in the Final, and the Doubles, playing with Home (Year 7). Gabriel, Mattie, Sky, Ocean, and Raphael (Year 4) have also started playing in TTAT National ranking tournaments, with Raphael quickly reaching the top 20 in the country for Under 9. In Summer Term, we look forward to our regular friendly matches with the academies at SISB and PPIP. Thank you again for the continued coaching support of Mr De Prisco and Kru Jam. 

Cricket

Cricket in Lent Term has been focused on preparing our teams for the annual Summer Sixes Tournament in June, which promises to be a bigger event in 2024 with 15 teams registered. We found time to play an Under 10 friendly match against a developing team from Bromsgrove School, which was a resounding victory for the Wellington team led by George (Year 6). Medals were presented for the top batters of the term – 1st: Gabriel (Year 5), 2nd: Felix (Year 7), and 3rd: Mike (Year 7) – and the top bowlers – 1st: Nate (Year 5), 2nd: Jade (Year 6), and 3rd: Doln (Year 6). There was also a presentation to acknowledge two years of coaching service to Wellington Cricket by Mr Dass and Mr Mammen.