30 minute read
Speech Day
SPEECH DAY 2020
Although the Big Top (seating 4,000) was replaced by thousands of individual screens, Speech Day still delivered its customary mix of style, sparkle, and sheer entertainment. As the strains of the school song (taken from the 2012 Albert Hall recording) beamed across the ether, it was clear that Speech Day this year was going to be a celebration not only of this academic year, but also just what it is that defines a Wellington education. Our Heads of College, Issie Thorneycroft and Charlie Bradbury, introduced proceedings and what followed was a beguiling mix of the old and the new. The much anticipated Master’s Entrance Video was there of course, featuring Sheriff James Dahl riding into College to impose new standards of law and order, as was the formal welcome from the Duke of Kent in what was to be his 50th Speech Day as President. Despite the seeming limitations of the virtual medium, we enjoyed stunning performances from the College Choir, the Wellington Dance Company with an inventively choreographed Chandelier, and the orchestra (with no fewer than 60 players on screen simultaneously), showing not only great musicality, but also stunning cohesion. The Wellingtones, as breath-taking as ever, put their unique mark on You are the Reason, while the Global Citizenship video tugged at the heartstrings as it confirmed the vital work of the Wellington outreach programme and its commitment to social responsibility.
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Prize-winners were recognised, their achievements broadcast against backdrops of College Art and Sport, the musical accompaniment real proof of the range and professionalism of Wellington’s creativity. Recorded speeches from Peter Mallinson (Chairman of Governors) and the Duke of Wellington himself, leant style and solemnity to the occasion, but it was the words of The Master — James Dahl, and the Heads of College that lingered longest. As the Master said, he knew that Wellington was a special place before the Covid-19 crisis, but the College’s response since has confirmed that Wellingtonians will always rise to the challenge. The virtual provision in the classroom has been magnificent, but what has really impressed has been the range of academic extension and cocurricular activities on offer, with over 150 clubs, societies, and opportunities available; the concept of a holistic Wellington education remains as alive and vibrant as ever. Charlie and Issie spoke about the personal journeys that they had enjoyed at Wellington and, drawing on the metaphor of a blank canvas, explored how all in their year group had painted the most magnificent, colourful, and unique pictures during their time. The incoming Heads of College then read the citation for the Queens Medal which were then presented to Charlie and Issie, before Wellington’s first virtual Speech Day was brought to a close with a poignant rendition of We’ll Meet Again, a sentiment most dear to all Wellingtonians, both past and present.
James Dahl
Your Majesties, Your Royal and Serene Highnesses, Your Grace, my Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning from the Master’s Lodge and a very warm welcome to this year’s virtual Speech Day. To say that this is not quite how I envisaged addressing the Wellington Community on my first Speech Day would be something of an understatement, but I do hope, wherever you are in the world, that you and your families are safe, happy, and healthy.
The campus, here in Crowthorne, may have been closed since March, but the concept of a Wellington education remains as alive and vibrant as ever, albeit delivered via Microsoft Teams and OneNote. I would like to begin this morning by thanking all parents, pupils, and teaching staff for their efforts in making the very best of a situation which none of us wanted, and for which none of us was responsible. In particular, our Heads of Department have shouldered a particularly large burden in recent months, and I am hugely grateful to them.
It would have been easy simply to focus on delivering online lessons and leaving it at that. But, true to Wellington College’s core aim of providing the very best holistic education, virtual Wellington has given so much more. No fewer than 24 academic extension clubs and societies were offered in the first four days of this term; we have enjoyed fireside lectures and ‘Life Beyond Wellington’ webinars with academics, entrepreneurs, and arctic explorers; we’ve listened to podcasts and followed training regimes across numerous sports; music and dance lessons have continued; Interhouse sports competitions abound. And we have seen the launch of WellyHub, an online app designed and built by Welly CompSci’s Gregor Maclaine and Arjun Naha, which allows all Wellingtonians to access resources and post content for over 150 different cocurricular activities from CCF, sport, and enrichment, through to Academic Extension and Global Citizenship. The entrepreneurship, vision, creativity, collaboration, and sheer community-spirit of WellyHub is Wellington at its very best. I thought that the College was a special place before lockdown, and I could not be prouder of what we have achieved as an online Community over the past five weeks. It is, of course, not the same. But our aim has been to deliver the best we can, given the circumstances.
And the same is true for Speech Day. We might not be gathering in the Big Top or enjoying the cricket on Turf, we might not be admiring the drum corps on South Front and standing in awe at the Field Gunners, but that concept which lies at the heart of a Wellington Speech Day — the gathering together of the entire Community to celebrate the achievements of our wonderful pupils — remains central to what we want to deliver this morning.
Much will be different over the next few hours but, for those of you who have experienced a Wellington Speech Day before, I hope that much will also seem familiar. And I trust that this familiarity will put a smile on the faces of pupils, parents, Governors, guests, and staff as we look back at a year like no other and rejoice in the remarkable achievements of our wonderful Wellingtonians.
At the heart of our educational vision, is a fundamental commitment to the life of the mind and academic excellence. Following our record-breaking IB and GCSE results last summer, academic extension activities have reached new heights under the leadership of Mrs Campion. It has been a pleasure to reopen the doors of the Master’s Lodge for our Fireside Talks, and it has been standing room only for so many of this year’s speakers, covering global history, national populism, astrophysics, forensic psychology, communism in Eastern Europe, Britishness and Identity, life as a QC, and even an opportunity to meet the spy creatures from the hit BBC1 Series Spy in the Wild.
It was a delight to hear Andrew Strauss on leadership, to welcome back 13th Master Sir Anthony Seldon on the office of the Prime Minister, and the cherry on the cake was, of course, Mary Berry in conversation with our very own Murray Lindo.
It is a core aim of mine to instil in all Wellingtonians a curiosity in the world around them, and to inspire them to open their hearts and minds to different ways of thinking, and new areas of interest. As W.B. Yeats allegedly said, education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire, and we will build on the new academic extension competitions introduced this year — the Professor Peter Frankopan and the Professor Klaus Dodds prizes. I want us to do more to light these fires earlier in a Wellingtonian’s career, which is why nurturing academic aspiration and intellectual curiosity will be a core priority in September.
In a year widely accepted as the most competitive yet for independent school pupils to win places at Oxford and Cambridge, we were delighted that 18 Wellingtonians were offered places — many congratulations to them all, and also to the 25 Upper Sixth heading off to university overseas, including six scholarships to the US — Stanford, Duke, NYU, Parsons New York, Colorado, and Wheeling universities.
And just to prove that academic extension is not only for our pupils, three members of the Common Room have had books published this year: Mr Allcock’s anthology for Ancient Greek; Dr Cromarty’s commentary on Tacitus; and Dr Hendrick’s latest tome, How Learning Happens. All three are cracking reads and are available from any reputable bookshop!
The hallmark of a Wellington education is far broader than academic excellence, however, and as well as celebrating the life of the mind this morning, we will also celebrate the life of the body and the soul, which is harnessed so powerfully through our cocurricular programme. And what a year it has been for Wellingtonians in their endeavours beyond the classroom. I cannot remember the quality of the performing arts being stronger or, indeed, more pupils involved. The remarkable and entirely studentled production of Medea The Musical was a tour de force — well done Hayley — as was the mesmerising Sweeney Todd. We often claim that our productions are West End quality, but it is not hyperbole to say that February’s musical was exactly that. We have been challenged and thrilled in the Christopher Lee Theatre by the Sixth and Fifth Forms in Our Country’s Good, and also by the Third and Fourth Forms in their productions of I am David and 100.
And it remains another key aim of mine that the co-curriculum at Wellington provides as many transformational opportunities for pupils via mass participation as it does for those who are performing at the top end of their particular area. So, what a wonderful addition to our Arts programme these year group productions have been, as was the Welly Fringe back in October, which saw so many locations around the campus turn into pop-up venues for poetry recitals, arts performances, and concerts.
The Chapel Choir has been on sparkling form — Evensong at Guildford Cathedral, a wonderful tour of Germany in the footsteps of Bach, and a fantastic community performance of Mozart’s Requiem with the Crowthorne Choral Society and many Wellington parents singing alongside our pupils. And the symphony orchestra and other instrumental ensembles continue to thrill in equal measure. The recent concert in honour of the Duke of Kent’s 50 years as President of the College reminded us all that we are living through a golden age of Wellington music. And I couldn’t have been more pleased to spend my birthday in the GWA with the entire school for another vintage House Singing competition.
It has been a brilliant year for dance, and the House competition back in November remains one of my favourite events of the year for two reasons. Firstly, the sheer sense of community and mutual support which permeated the atmosphere on the evening was electric; and secondly, the sheer quality of both the girls and the boys who performed.
It is a source of great pride to me that the College is a place where boys’ dance is celebrated and supported like never before,
and, as I wrote at the time, we must never forget the unique opportunity which we have, as a coeducational school, to break down outdated and unhelpful gender stereotypes on a daily basis. I want Wellington College to be a school where every pupil learns that they can achieve anything in life regardless of their gender or identity.
This is why I have been equally proud to see the CCF celebrate the 40th anniversary of female cadets this year. And how fitting that our heads of section in the army, navy, and RAF have all been girls; more proof if ever we needed it, of just how far the College has come in terms of equality of opportunity and the deconstruction of old- fashioned and outdated cultural norms. I am sure that the Iron Duke would be proud of the journey Wellington has made in this regard. He would also, I am sure, want to pass on his congratulations to the two Upper Sixth Formers — Hugo and Emily, who have been awarded Army Scholarships this year.
On the sporting front, it would be remiss of me not to thank this year’s Upper Sixth, who have been remarkable role models in this area of school life, as well as winning more national and international honours than one could imagine. The inclusiveness and mutual support which the girls and boys in the Upper Sixth have shown for each other has reset the culture of what sport means and looks like at the College.
To give just one example, the Jimmy Higham netball match between the 1st XV boys and the 1st VII girls was an absolute joy to behold and, to the younger years, all I can say is look to the example which the departing Upper Sixth have set and seek to emulate it. You will find no better role models, and it was an absolute pleasure to mark the contributions which they and so many of our pupils have made to sport at Wellington over the years, via the new initiative of the Sports Dinner in January.
I would like to thank each and every pupil who has given their all on the sports pitch this year, whether a member of an unbeaten and national championship winning side, or an enthusiastic team performer. Under the leadership of our new Deputy Head (Cocurricular) and our new Director of Sport, we are turning the page on an exciting new chapter in the development of sport at Wellington, and I look forward to building on the remarkable legacy which our Upper Sixth will leave behind this summer.
Finally, Wellington has been such a pioneer and leading voice in the world of wellbeing and teenage mental health, that it has been a source of great pride to me — thanks to the efforts of Mrs Lynch, as well as the parent, pupil, and staff mental health committees — that we have put this vital issue right back at the heart of what we do at Wellington this year. September saw Lottie’s brilliant 24hour Danceathon in aid of the charity ‘Mind’, and the remarkable community wellbeing and mental health day in February brought so many different groups from the Wellington Community together to shine a spotlight on the importance of positive mental health in our lives. This will remain a constant priority for us in the years to come.
There are so many other aspects of this academic year which have been highlights, that I could go on for hours, and I am so sorry not to have been able to mention them all. Quite simply, it has been a joy to serve as the College’s 15th Master this year, and to look on with awe at everything which our pupils have achieved. For so many reasons, this has been a year which I will never forget.
But enough from me. Without further ado, let me pass on the Speech Day baton, and let’s sit back and enjoy the rest of the show.
As we near the end of this virtual Speech Day, I hope you will forgive me for spending just a few minutes looking to the future. So much is, of course, uncertain, but two aspects of the College’s mission will not be derailed by Covid-19.
The first is our deeply held commitment to being a proactive and generous partner with organisations beyond the confines of the College here in Crowthorne, on a local, national, and international stage. Those that have the most, have a moral responsibility to do the most, and this is never more true than in a time of national crisis. I have been so proud of the way in which members of the Wellington Community have responded to the current situation: housing key workers in our boarding houses, producing thousands of pieces of PPE and scrubs for front-line health-workers, volunteering so generously for the vulnerable within our local communities, funding food packages and vouchers for the poorest families at the Academies and within our partner schools, and sharing our teaching resources fulsomely with others.
And we have done all of this not to satisfy some public benefit test or to justify our charitable status, but simply because it is the right thing for a school like Wellington to do. We will not cease in this endeavour, which is why we have re-energised the
‘Prince Albert Foundation’ this year — our bursary scheme which enables children from backgrounds of disadvantage to come to Wellington; it is our aim to increase the number of award holders in the College at any one time to 40 pupils by September 2025. Widening access remains a key priority, but as well as growing the ‘Prince Albert Foundation’, we will also expand our provision across all the partnership work which we do: our Teaching School Partnership, whereby we support the professional development of teachers across numerous local state schools; our Independent State Schools Partnership, by which we support the academic development and aspirations of thousands of local pupils in partner schools each year; and also our ‘Wheeler Programme’ which is now in its third year, and which offers ongoing support and the transformational opportunities of a Wellington education to an ever-increasing number of students from partner state schools each year. This mission is deeply important to me, and I make no apologies for the fact that you will hear a great deal more from me on this topic in the years to come.
Secondly, we want a Wellington College education to continue to be the best possible preparation for the world of tomorrow. Our commitment to full and balanced coeducation remains as strong as ever, as does our commitment internationally. By September 2025, for the first time in the College’s history, the pupil body will reflect the balance of genders in wider society, completing a journey which started in the mid 1970s when the Apsley first opened up a Wellington education to girls. We will also deepen our relationships with our existing partner schools in China and Thailand, whilst exploring opportunities to take Wellington’s unique educational ethos and offering to new parts of the world. We will develop more meaningful collaboration with the other Wellingtons around the globe and offer more opportunities for Wellingtonians to take advantage of this incredible international network.
In the post Covid-19 world, developing a global outlook and making connections around the world will never have been more important. And at this point, I would like to thank formally all the staff in our international schools for all the support, counsel, and guidance they have given us during the recent months. We value our relationship with you so much, and it was a real pleasure to see Wellington College China celebrate its 10 th birthday earlier this year. We look forward to celebrating many more important milestones with our international schools in the years and decades to come.
I must also take this opportunity to express my gratitude to those members of teaching staff who have left or are leaving us this year — Mr Zeqiri, Mr Carpenter, Dr Lambert, Mr Edwards, Mr Ellis, Mr McGarey, Mr Ben White, Mr James Clarke, Miss McColl, Mr Grant, Mr McPherson, Mr Wood, and Mr Sharma. Thank you for everything you have given to the College during your time with us.
We are truly blessed at Wellington to have the most committed, passionate, and adaptable staff — both teaching staff and College staff — and I would like to thank each and every one of them for their contributions this year. Wellington is a vast ocean-liner of an organisation, and it would, quite simply, not operate as it does without brilliant staff. As has been the case in so many institutions, they have had to show immense resilience, flexibility, and ingenuity over recent months, but they have done so with great gusto, huge success, and no complaint. It truly is a privilege to serve and lead such a brilliant group of people.
I must also thank all the staff and pupils who have worked so hard in recent weeks to put this virtual Speech Day together, led brilliantly, as always, by the indomitable Mr Clements.
I remain deeply grateful to the Governors, who have been a constant source of support to me throughout this year, to the Executive Leadership Team and Senior Group, who have done so much to enact our vision of the sort of school we want Wellington to be. And in particular to Cressida Henderson — I could not have wished for a better Second Master — and also Stephen Crouch who, as Bursar, has played such a key role in the ongoing journey which the College is on. And the two people who keep me in check and ensure that I have some idea of what I am doing on a day-to-day basis — my wonderful EA Angela Reed and my phenomenal wife, Kat — thank you for everything you have done to allow me to function and flourish as Wellington’s 15th Master. I could not ask for two better people to have on my side.
Thank you, finally, to our wonderful pupils, in particular the Upper Sixth who have been a vintage year and who have been denied the swansong they deserve thanks to Covid-19. Back in the summer of 2013, Mr Head and I were reading the various references sent to us by the Headteachers of their previous schools. At one point, Mr Head turned to me and said, “You know James, we need to ensure that as well as getting the cleverest ones, we also need to select a brilliant cast for My Fair Lady, as well as picking the teams which are going to win us national titles in rugby and hockey”.
Looking back, seven years on from that conversation, we could not be prouder of what this year group has achieved in every facet of their Wellington College lives. And what we will never forget about this very special year group is that, despite all their achievements and excellence, they have also been the most delightful company, and have lived the College Values on a day-to-day basis. In particular, I would like to thank the College Prefects, and Charlie, Issie, Zach, Annabel, and Alicia, for being the most wonderful support to me in my first year as Master. I feel blessed to have had them, and indeed the entire year group, by my side for the past five years.
We did, however, lose one of their number this year. Oli Strode was a delightful young man — bright, a talented sportsman who loved the outdoors, his friends, and the family he had around him. He is sorely missed and let us mark his life now with a brief silence.
As we record this message and I come to the end of my address, it is uncertain when we will be able to reopen as a physical school and, to quote Vera Lynn, ‘meet again’. When we do, however, I know that the remarkable spirit which makes Wellington College such a special place to live and learn, and which we have celebrated this morning via this virtual Speech Day, will return. And when it does return, I have no doubt that it will be even stronger than ever. In the meantime, I wish you and your families every health and happiness in the weeks and months ahead, and I do hope that we will see each other soon.
Peter Mallinson
Your Royal Highness, Your Grace, my Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, whilst deeply regretting not being able to be with you all live today, albeit not regretting the powerful Arc lights and intense heat we experience up on stage, I am delighted that we are able to perform our first ever virtual Speech Day thanks to modern technology and the brilliance of our production team, led by the inimitable Dan Clements.
I want to also congratulate the amazing performers we have seen and heard this morning, indicative of the breadth and talent in the arts, we have been blessed to have at Wellington. I have often remarked to friends, that if you closed your eyes whilst listening to our annual musical, you would barely know you were not in the West End or on Broadway, and I am sure you will agree with me that this year’s Sweeney Todd was no exception. Simon Williamson, you and all the arts teachers and instructors are to be applauded for all your contributions that make Wellington such a vibrant artistic community.
This has been a year like no other — we think the first time, even including the 1st and 2nd World Wars, that we have not had a “live” Speech Day; but interestingly, NOT the first time that the school has shut its doors in Crowthorne during term time. Back in 1892, following an outbreak of diphtheria, the whole school moved to the spa town of Malvern for a term. Sadly for them, we think exams still had to be sat!
I reiterate my sadness that our leavers have not been able to experience the traditional end of term festivities, which always started with this very day. But I do want to recognise and congratulate the entire Upper Sixth form for their contributions to the College, and particularly thank the College Prefects, led by Issie and Charlie, for their terrific leadership throughout the year. This was also the year when our first ever internally appointed Master began his tenure, and we have been delighted that James Dahl has made such an energetic and impressive start, especially as he and his team have been confronted with the completely unpredictable scenario we have found ourselves in. He, Stephen Crouch, and the whole Executive and Senior Leadership Team deserve enormous credit for the way they have led the school these last few months. They, and in fact the entire staff, have really stepped up to the challenge posed by Covid-19. And whilst no one would have wished remote teaching on anyone, I hope you will agree that they have done everything possible to make the Wellington learning experience as full and effective as it could possibly have been.
Two key objectives that James set out in his vision for the school, were further improving and enhancing our coeducation and secondly enhancing our commitment to public benefit. On the former, Governors have approved and supported the transition of the Talbot to become a full girls’ House over the next five years, and to initiate plans for an 18th boarding House for Co-ed Sixth formers. And on the latter, we have broadened our offering to local state schools, including initiating a grant programme of at least £1m to support projects not covered by the government at local secondary schools. During the pandemic, our staff and students have taught the children of key workers at Eagle House, forged a closer relationship at Frimley Park Hospital, and provided online support for our Teaching School Partnership.
In closing, I would like to congratulate and thank our President, the Duke of Kent, who this year has completed his 50th year in office, an event which we celebrated with a delightful concert in his honour in Waterloo Hall, at which a number of former Masters were present. In fact, His Royal Highness has outlasted six Masters and Chairmen of the Governors, and we are deeply grateful for his continued patronage and interest in our school.
Despite the times, our school motto remains particularly relevant today — Semper Domus Floreat — May this house always flourish.
Remote Teaching
Although the government announcement of school closures on the 18th March brought the Lent Term to an abrupt end, Wellington College teachers were not caught napping. At the end of February, as the virus gathered momentum, conversations started to happen about what our digital offering might look like for two scenarios: a hybrid of some students being physically in lessons and some in isolation, and a second more extreme version of the whole College closing.
Our first trial was in the first week of March with a willing Upper Sixth Chemistry class, and the novelty factor (and the ability to stay in House), along with the superb Wellington Wi-Fi, led it all to go swimmingly. The next Tuesday, we ran solid training sessions all day for the teaching staff, and after sharing the modifications and tweaks that naturally came up as we thought about this from different departments, we had a plan. Responding with remarkable flexibility and energy, Wellington teachers were united in their determination not to let our pupils fall behind in their studies or feel isolated whilst away from our physical base.
Over Easter many hours were spent adapting resources for online lessons, as well as writing new engaging courses to take our Fifth Form and Upper Sixth students beyond the confines of their prior curricula and prepare them for future studies at IB, A Level or university. Since then pupils have been enjoying live teaching across a full range of subjects from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Teachers have been using a range of approaches to add variety and challenge to their lessons through online quizzes, games and discussions. Reading plays together, performing in ensembles, and investing virtual funds in the stock markets are just some of the class activities that have helped to keep our pupils connected as they learn. Tutors report that their tutees are relishing the focus of home learning and are actively participating in the array of academic extension and enrichment activities on offer. HMs have been delighted to receive emails from students and parents thanking the teaching team for all that they are doing.
Teachers are, however, missing their students and the buzz of life at Wellington. We are looking forward to being back in our physical classrooms as soon as possible. As the light at the end of the lockdown tunnel begins to glimmer, albeit faintly, Wellington staff are already looking towards the next stage of this process by reflecting on what we can learn from our experience of virtual education and planning how we can deliver ever better lessons whatever the future may bring.
Few could have imagined how well the staff and students would adapt to this mode of working. They have, as ever, been patient, flexible, and developed their skills in such quick time — a true example of the whole of Wellington College pulling together for a common goal. We have also gathered together a group of trailblazers to ensure that we continue to offer the very best digital provision for our students whether they be in Crowthorne or Croatia, Surrey, or Singapore.
Even virtual school is so much more than just lessons. While it is right that schools should focus on ensuring the academic progress of their pupils is in no way compromised by inconveniences such as lockdown, we were all determined that, as far as possible, the unique features of an all-round Wellington education should remain unchecked.
The move to virtual has seen remarkable ingenuity. The Master paved the way with our first ever distanced End of Term Assembly back in March, and since then Full School and House Assemblies have kept all pupils connected with their teachers and each other. Group tutorials and one-to-one Tutor periods continue as important moments in the life of each pupil, and Wellbeing classes remain a priority.
The new Chaplain, Father Adrian Stark-Ordish, has ensured that Wellington’s spiritual flame has continued to burn brightly on its new online platform; Sunday and midweek services have continued, with prayers, readings, sermons, and talks; congregational music has also featured, autocue text of favourite hymns accompanied by real time organ accompaniment (and special thanks to Mr George de Voil for his exemplary playing and imaginative reharmonizations), giving a lift to all our spirits.
Monday evening Fireside Talks, WellingTens, and visiting (virtual) speakers across many departments and subjects have been beamed across the ether, ensuring that at this time of all times, Wellingtonians continue to look outwards and beyond the narrow confines of their own worlds. There has also been a significant growth of online student-led academic societies.
Houses have set up a variety of challenges, some for the sheer joy of connection, others to maintain their charitable purpose. The 2.6 Challenge in late April provided much needed variety, purpose. and fun, from prodigious feats of physicality to astonishing ingenuity in the kitchen and baking world.
Music, Art, Sport & Drama.
The Montgomery Singing Competition and the Junior Instrumental Montgomery both took place online, as did the House Ensemble Competition, where teams of four or more recorded and submitted their entries. The Eve of Speech Day Concert moved online from its traditional setting in the Combermere Quad, but was still broadcast live.
Art was very much not in lockdown, as the House Art competition continued to provide inspiration: not only for individual entries, but also testing the collective ingenuity of all the students as they strived to come up with online collaborative pieces. Dance workshops continued throughout the week, regular weekly yoga sessions allowed for moments of calm reflection, and the Sports Department encouraged all pupils to join them for their regular live workouts, led by our crack fitness and conditioning coaches.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, featuring a cast of students from Wellington, was broadcast on DukeBox throughout June, and this year Shakespeare in the Garden was replaced by Shakespeare from their Gardens, with students and staff recording and submitting their favourite speeches, which were then spliced together for a stunning final College collage. And to the future: virtual Visitors Days, online admissions interviews with students from around the world, and Open House mornings all continue to take place, as parents still seek to secure places at Wellington, knowing that whatever the future holds, a Wellington education will best secure that future for their youngsters.
Launching The WellyHub
The story behind the WellyHub is one that demonstrates our pupils’ vision, collaboration, expertise, and perseverance.
WellyHub is a social learning platform and the newest addition to myWelly — ‘an app run by students, for students’. The WellyHub was developed to coordinate Global Citizenship, the Arts, Sport, CCF, Academic Extension and Enrichment activities, and gives students and teaching staff access to nearly 150 activities. Wellington students Arjun Naha (Hg) and Gregor Maclaine (M) — President and Vice-President of WellyCompSci, respectively — are the main developers of the project, which has been coordinated by Dr Lays Valim, Head of Computer Science.
In what should have been the last week of the Lent Term, after students returned home due to the Covid-19 outbreak, Laura Nicoli (C) drafted the proposal for a platform she called WellyHub. Her idea, which aimed to create a sense of “togetherness” during lockdown, was featured in Mr Dahl’s speech at the very first virtual End of Term Assembly and, after making its way to the Computer Science Department, fuelled various conversations amongst staff and pupils. The myWelly team worked tirelessly through the Easter holiday to prototype, build, and test the platform and in a little under four weeks the Hub was ready.
Whilst the launch of WellyHub has been an important milestone, the platform is still very much in development. It is constantly evolving to meet the requirements of the whole College community, and the benefits are already exceeding the team’s initial goals. Drawing from its potential to centralise resources for pupils and to make them available 24/7 all year round, the WellyHub will soon be the home of the Third Form Entrepreneurship and Life Beyond Wellington programmes, as well as the Library’s News Digest.
It is just the beginning for WellyHub — exciting new features and content will be coming soon to a screen near you!
