Dear Parents
As a former (very bad) lead guitarist myself, I am always delighted to see student bands emerging. I really enjoyed watching the video of Y4’s Sussy Baka performing, and winning gold medals, at the recent International Music Talent Competition in Bangkok. Today Thailand, tomorrow the world!
This week, I’d like to write briefly about the Junior School and Early Years teachers who will be moving on at the end of the year. It’s always bittersweet to see a member of our team take the next step in their own career journey – but that’s definitely the nature of international education, and I always remember that Wellington has one of the lowest teacher turnover rates amongst competitor schools here.
Ms Georgia Weaving joined Wellington in 2019. Over the course of her six years here, she has been a wonderfully kind, professional and caring teacher in Nursery, building and developing such a strong curriculum and ethos for the year group. She has also been Head of Nursery for the past three years.
Ms Katie Wyke joined the school three years ago as a Reception teacher. Katie did exceptional work in establishing the very successful Read Write Inc phonics programme in the Junior school. At the same time, her class teaching has never taken a back seat: she loves the Reception year group and is always committed to the success of every child. Katie returns to the UK to continue her career.
Ms Laura Balfour joined our Early Years team in 2023, and immediately established such wonderful relationships with all of her children and parents. She is a teacher, and a person, who radiates such kindness and patience in all that she does. Laura moves on with her husband to the Middle East.
Ms Clare Milan also joined the school, in 2023, as a Year 1 teacher. Her calm, reassuring and gentle presence has proven to be so supportive of the children in her care: Year 1 will very much miss her expertise and expertise, as well as everything else she has to share. Clare returns to the UK.
Ms Kesta McLeish, who has taught with great success in both Year 6 and Year 2, also joined in 2023. Kesta is particularly passionate about developing children's love for reading, and can always be relied on to find many creative ways to inspire them. Kesta also returns to the UK for the next phase of her career.
Ms Hazel Brinkworth, another from the 2023 intake, has taught classes in Year 5 and Year 3 over her two years here. Her ability to really understand and support children is one of the keys to her success as an educator, using her coaching ethos to discover the full potential in everyone. Hazel will remain in Thailand, as the next step in her career takes her in a slightly different direction.
Mr Ben Cooper has brought so much energy and enthusiasm to the school during his two years here. He is always involved in one sport or another at playtimes with the children, modelling both healthy competitiveness and fair play. Ben is also famous for the skills he has demonstrated in the ultimate frisbee enrichment! Ben departs for the Middle East with his wife.
Mr Tom Ratcliffe came to Bangkok in August 2022 and has taught classes in Year 5 and Year 4 during his time with us. Tom is a keen sportsman, and someone who is always able to find a way to get his students motivated and excited to learn. Tom also returns to the UK for the next step in his career.
Mr Jason Dass has been with us for three years. Dynamic and upbeat, he is known not just for his excellent class teaching but also for cricket, triathlon and for organising two outstanding ski trips to Japan. He really does get involved in all things Wellington. So much energy and enthusiasm brought to the classroom! Jason is planning to travel to South America, and will take some time in Thailand preparing.
Mr Nick Cadman, our Junior School Art specialist, came to Wellington in 2022. He has inspired so many of our Y3-6 children in their love of art. His kind and gentle manner supports each child's developing confidence and ability to flourish. His next step will be in China, where he joins Dulwich Beijing.
Ms Beth Upton, who has been here since 2021, began her Wellington career as a Year 2 class teacher, before moving into the Junior School Lab as our Science Specialist. Beth built and established our full Junior School Science curriculum, ran the hugely successful Green Team, and created Upton Zoo! She will leave us to join her next school in the Middle East.
Ms Caitlyn Cheng has been teaching Mandarin with us since August 2021. She always displays such creativity and so many ideas in her teaching of the subject – and it has been particularly wonderful this year seeing her work on the Early Years Mandarin curriculum. Caitlyn will continue her career in Thailand.
Kru Aut, Thai teacher, has only been with us for one year. In this time, she has shown herself to be such a calm and confident teacher of Thai, with a real passion to always work hard and deliver the best for the children in her classes. She will move to the USA with her family – and, we hope, teach some Thai to the Americans!
Have a great long weekend; see you on Wednesday!
With best wishes
Chris
