You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
HANGZHOU FAMILY<br />
DISCUSSING<br />
THE FUTURE<br />
@ WELLINGTON<br />
FESTIVAL OF<br />
EDUCATION<br />
HANGZHOU<br />
One cannot discuss the<br />
future of humanity without<br />
placing great importance<br />
in the role that education<br />
will play for the future generations<br />
of the world. In the midst of all this<br />
discussion, the city of <strong>Hangzhou</strong>, and<br />
more specifically Wellington College<br />
<strong>Hangzhou</strong>, is playing its part. For the<br />
first time, the Wellington institution<br />
that is Festival of Education was<br />
held right on our doorstep, an event<br />
that celebrates, as well as puts the<br />
spotlight on, the sphere of education<br />
and the issues that surround it.<br />
<strong>Hangzhou</strong> was the second stop on<br />
the caravan-like tour that saw the<br />
festival moving all around China: from<br />
Shanghai and <strong>Hangzhou</strong> in southern<br />
China to its final stop of Tianjin in the<br />
North. The turnout for the <strong>Hangzhou</strong><br />
event surpassed expectations, with<br />
attendance by well over 500 people,<br />
including those living locally as well<br />
as people travelling from overseas<br />
coming to see and hear the speeches<br />
and seminars given by a range of<br />
top names in their respective fields.<br />
<strong>Hangzhou</strong> has changed tremendously<br />
over the last few years and with it the<br />
need for high-quality education and<br />
the need for discussions on the role<br />
of education in present-day society.<br />
Wellington’s Festival of Education<br />
is an embodiment of the point to<br />
which the city of <strong>Hangzhou</strong> has<br />
developed, and spells great things for<br />
the people working and living here.<br />
While the focus of the festival changes<br />
each year to address hot topics and<br />
issues most in need of discussion,<br />
the theme of this year’s event was<br />
wellbeing. With problems including<br />
those relating to exam pressures, the<br />
effect of social media in the classroom,<br />
and the binary system of pass/fail that<br />
is every present even in the classrooms<br />
of today, the 29 presentations that<br />
occurred over the 2-day duration<br />
of the event touched upon many<br />
key issues in need of addressing.<br />
Paul Rogers, Executive Master of<br />
Wellington College <strong>Hangzhou</strong>, was<br />
overwhelmed with the success of<br />
the festival, drawing attention to the<br />
role of Wellington College <strong>Hangzhou</strong><br />
in playing its part in the wider role<br />
that Wellington Schools in general<br />
have in their pursuit of improving<br />
education for all: “Wellington College<br />
has a long history of providing a<br />
world-class, progressive education,<br />
and as part of the Wellington<br />
College family of schools, Wellington<br />
College International <strong>Hangzhou</strong><br />
follows this tradition, providing a<br />
world-class international education<br />
to children of <strong>Hangzhou</strong>.”<br />
Due to the success of the inaugural<br />
event, Wellington has already begun<br />
plans on next year’s event, and plan<br />
to make it bigger and better than<br />
ever. If you are a teacher, parent,<br />
or just interested in the field of<br />
education, make sure you don’t<br />
miss it next time it comes around.<br />
redstarhangzhou.com 45
Change language