What does it mean to be a Wellingtonian?
Julian Thomas 14th Master of Wellington College
This is a tough question because every child is different, but we aim to develop a set of characteristics in every child that makes them recognisable as a Wellingtonian. So what does a Wellingtonian look like when they leave the College? The answer to this question goes to the heart of everything we do and, more importantly, why we do what we do. We do not want to define success solely in terms of examination results, not if behind those results the child has not achieved their full potential. Instead, we are focusing on the education of every student and letting the results follow on naturally, ensuring that every child is equally important. It is absolutely vital that our bright students (and there are many) go way beyond the requirements for A* success. And so back to the question: what does it mean to be a Wellingtonian?
To be a Wellingtonian is to embrace, adopt and engage with our identity, aptitudes and values – these three inter-linked areas of our educational model provide all students at Wellington College with an education unsurpassed anywhere in the world.
The Wellington Identity Our Identity is what we want Wellingtonians to be. These are the skills with which we want to equip students during their time at the College, so that when they leave they realise that their learning journey has just begun. Inspired, interested and engaged students lead happier and more fulfilled lives. Inspired / Intellectual / Independent / Individual / Inclusive
The Wellington Aptitudes
The Wellington Values
Our Aptitudes describe the holistic approach to educating the whole person and how they provide a framework for how we educate all Wellingtonians, so they can become the very best version of themselves as possible:
Our Values encapsulate how Wellingtonians should conduct themselves. They will continue to underpin the conversations we have with pupils, the messaging we give in assemblies and chapels, and will be embedded at the heart of our rewards and sanctions at the College:
Logical / Linguistic / Cultural / Physical / Social / Personal / Moral / Spiritual
Courage / Integrity / Kindness / Respect / Responsibility
T h e W e l l i n g to n I d e n tit y
I am inspired. We want Wellingtonians to have been genuinely excited by everything they have done during their five years at the College. They will have developed a zest for life so that they, in turn, go into the world ready and able to inspire others. This is the core pillar of the Wellington Identity.
T h e W e l l i n g to n I d e n tit y
I am intellectual. Wellingtonians must move into the world able to think critically and to engage in deep learning. They will be able to study beyond the bounds of any curriculum, to be inquisitive and ask questions of everything around them, and be imbued with a life-long love of learning.
T h e W e l l i n g to n I d e n tit y
Wellingtonians will develop the personal, cognitive, social and study skills to enable them to cope with the challenges of university and their lives beyond. They will adapt, cope and thrive within an ever-changing world. This will be reflected in our academic curriculum, our co-curricular programme, our commitment to the coaching philosophy, and our continued focus of character development and leadership.
I am independent.
T h e W e l l i n g to n I d e n tit y
The aim of a Wellington education is to allow students to develop themselves fully in every sense. The pastoral care and focus on student wellbeing values each and every student as a unique person. The journey to individuality will also be reflected in the broad curricular and co-curricular opportunities, where every student discovers and develops fully their talents, passions and interests, knowing that interested children become interesting adults.
I am individual.
T h e W e l l i n g to n I d e n tit y
I am inclusive. Wellingtonians will leave the College, not in a bubble of elitism, privilege and exclusivity, but with the moral values and social conscience to serve others and do good in life. This inclusivity includes a strong pride in coeducation, a commitment to internationalism through the IB and our overseas schools, and a service programme unrivalled in schools.
T h e W e l l i n g to n I d e n tit y
We will measure success against how well we develop the Wellington Identity in our students. It gives us a framework on which we can build an education and allows every one of our students – no matter how diverse in personality – to say ‘I am Wellington’ and for it to mean something very special.
What is the Wellington Community?
At Wellington we are very lucky to have an amazing group of parents, alumni and friends who already do a huge amount for the College. As a central part of delivering the Master’s Vision we now want to integrate and harness this Wellington Community even more – to inspire and support the students as well as being a wonderful social and professional network for all its members. As part of this initiative we will be launching a number of networks that will provide a range of opportunities for all members of the community that match their interests, passions and skills to our Vision for the College over the next decade and beyond. Each person’s connection with Wellington will be unique to them, but what we all have in common is a care and a passion for its future – together, we are Wellington.
Who is the Wellington Community? In a nutshell, it is anyone whose life has been touched by the College: Students OWs Parents (past and present) Staff (past and present) Friends Partner Schools
The Networks Opportunities to get involved and join the networks We want every member of the Wellington Community to be able to enjoy and benefit from their association with the College and the Community. We have a number of exciting opportunities across the five networks for members of the Community to be part of.
Business Educational Enrichment Careers
Social Philanthropic
The Wellington COMMUNit y
We are sharing expertise. Our Educational Enrichment Network We want to mix your professional experience with the academic life of the students and look to our community to deliver masterclasses or lectures to enrich what happens in the classroom. We will set up programmes for skills for life, work placements, entrepreneurship, enterprise and much more, because we want our students to be inspired and, in turn, able to inspire others.
The Wellington COMMUNit y
Our Careers Network We want our students to benefit from the expertise of our global community. We will build a careers network of OWs, parents (both past and present) and strategic industry partners to help our students with careers advice, guidance, work placement opportunities and networking links – a truly inspirational platform which embraces both the practical and the innovative.
We are thinking differently.
The Wellington COMMUNit y
We are creating opportunities. Our Business Network We will be building up a peer-to-peer professional network for OWs and parents, both past and present. We want to bring together industry sectors and disciplines and meet regularly to share ideas, make contacts, facilitate career development and create business opportunities for all members.
The Wellington COMMUNit y
We are making life-long friendships. Our Social Network Theatre and gallery trips, wine tastings, informal drinks, reunions, overseas trips, and much much more. We are continuing to build up a vibrant events and communications programme for parents and OWs to enjoy, meet new people, make friends and have a lot of fun along the way – we want our community to form the same life-long bonds that our students do.
The Wellington COMMUNit y
Our Philanthropic Network We are delivering some truly ground-breaking programmes and projects which will require support from our community. From creating the new Cultural Quarter and the Performing Arts Centre, which has already been voted the ‘Best Educational Arts Building on the planet’, to building up our outreach work with our partner schools and academies, through to enriching our curriculum to promote independent learning, your support will be invaluable.
We are shaping the future.
We are changing lives. Through our Philanthropic Network we plan to widen access and open our doors to boys and girls of promise, ambition and talent, but with limited financial means. Each year we aim to offer many more young people the opportunity to experience a Wellington education through our Prince Albert Foundation bursary programme.
The Wellington COMMUNit y
We are behind you. One student, 28,000 supporters The College is what it is because of every person who has passed through it, each making an indelible impact. By embracing the passion for Wellington College and channeling our skills we can together create a truly inspiring community and provide an inspiring education.
We are now reaching out to the wider Wellington Community and inviting you to become involved in one, or as many, of the networks as you wish. Together we can all help deliver a truly inspirational education unsurpassed anywhere in the world. Together – We are Wellington. To get involved please contact Murray Lindo: msl@wellingtoncollege.org.uk