WASHZ丨Unleashing Academic Excellence

Letter from?Executive Head?

Dear Parents,

In today's rapidly evolving world, academic excellence extends beyond traditional subject knowledge. Equipping pupils with essential 21st-century skills is vital to their success in the modern workforce. At Wycombe Abbey School, Hangzhou, we recognize the importance of these skills and have developed an outstanding academic system that nurtures and cultivates them.

Collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, communication, and adaptability are the cornerstones of 21st-century skills.?

Our curriculum is designed to foster these skills by incorporating project-based learning, group discussions, and real-world applications of knowledge. Through collaborative projects, our pupils develop the ability to work effectively in teams, solve complex problems, and think critically about global issues.

Each semester has different thematic courses, and at the end of the semester, there will be a public exit point to 'evaluate' what the children have learned. There are various forms of presentations, including handmade projects about the Earth and Mars, mechanical devices assembled from local materials. For younger children, they may even 'open a restaurant' and invite parents to dine, where the children take charge of everything from the menu to the service.

To encourage creativity and innovation, we provide opportunities for our pupils to engage in artistic expression, entrepreneurial endeavors, and interdisciplinary exploration. Our pupils learn to embrace diverse perspectives, think outside the box, and generate innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

Communication skills are nurtured through presentations, debates, and written assignments that emphasize effective written and verbal expression. Our pupils develop strong communication skills, enabling them to articulate their ideas, collaborate with others, and present their findings with confidence.

In an ever-changing world, adaptability is crucial. Our academic system promotes flexibility, resilience, and the ability to embrace new technologies and ideas. We foster a growth mindset, encouraging our pupils to view challenges as opportunities for growth and to continuously seek new knowledge and skills.

By cultivating these 21st-century skills, we equip our pupils with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly interconnected and competitive world. They graduate from Wycombe Abbey School with a well-rounded education that goes beyond academic knowledge, positioning them as confident, adaptable, and forward-thinking individuals.

Our esteemed members of staff are the driving force behind our academic excellence. Highly qualified and dedicated, they possess advanced degrees, certifications, and specialized training.?

A large number of Chinese and foreign teachers graduated from top UK G5 institutions and world-renowned universities ranked within the top 100. Moreover, more than half of them hold master's degrees. In the Lower School classroom, you will encounter teachers with strong academic backgrounds both domestically and internationally. For example, there is a Chinese language teacher who completed both their undergraduate and graduate studies at Peking University, a mathematics teacher who holds a bachelor's degree from Zhejiang University and a master's degree from the University of Manchester, and a music teacher who completed their undergraduate studies at the Central Conservatory of Music and holds a master's degree from University College London, UK.

Many of them are recognized experts in their fields, bringing their expertise and passion into the classroom. Their commitment to excellence fosters a love for learning among our pupils, igniting their curiosity and nurturing their intellectual growth.

In the new academic year, we have a new Assistant Head (Academic) joining us, empowering the remarkable development of the academic system at WASHZ.

We hope that the teachers' belief in excellence can influence students' passion for learning, ignite their curiosity, and nurture their growth.

Thomas Fyfe

Executive Head of Lower School

Thomas Fyfe is delighted to working as the Executive Head of the Lower School at Wycombe Abbey School Hangzhou. He went to a boarding school in the UK from the age of 8, and he firmly believe that it was this experience that has made him the person he is today. Thomas is highly motivated to deliver that same experience to the pupils, where they can develop their skills and values through a huge range of activities and opportunities.

• l??He graduated with a Masters in Engineering from Exeter University before beginning his career in education as a Teacher of Physics at one of the most academic schools in the UK, The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School.

Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School is located in the north of London and was founded in 1690. The school’s aim is to “enable bright boys to achieve high standards and to prepare these confident, resilient young men to face challenges.” The school has an impressive track record of graduates, with 22% of students each year gaining admission to Oxford and Cambridge universities. Notable alumni have excelled in various fields such as media, art galleries, film, and racing, among others.

• l??Then moved to Wycombe Abbey School Changzhou in January 2019, where he worked as a Housemaster, before moving to the Hangzhou campus to be the founding Head of Science and Head of Boarding. He has extensive experience working with international pupils, having worked at an international summer course, called Discovery Summer, at Radley College for many years.

Radley College, established in 1847, is an elite public school that rivals Eton College in reputation. The school was founded by two Oxford alumni, modeled after the University of Oxford, and boasts excellent academic, boarding, sports, and extracurricular facilities. Its vision is to create more future global citizens, with a majority of graduates advancing to renowned universities in UK.

"Collaboration" is an important value at WASHZ, and the Lower School places great emphasis on close communication and cooperation between the Chinese and foreign management teams and teachers.

Mr. Thomas Fyfe, together with Chinese Principal Ms. Zoe Ye, works hand in hand with the Lower School teachers to uphold WASHZ's educational philosophy of "Every Child Can Excel." They aim to help children find their goals and discover more skills to tackle global issues that they will face in the future, empowering them to become active participants in the world.

Ms. Ye graduated with a master's degree from the English Education program at the School of Foreign Languages, Suzhou University. She has 23 years of teaching experience and 12 years of management experience. Prior to joining WASHZ, she held a managerial position at a well-known bilingual school. Her recognition of the holistic education concept led her to choose WASHZ. She firmly believes that with patient companionship, the sound of every blooming flower will eventually emerge.

Jonathan O'Sullivan, with a degree in education from the University of Winchester, he is an accomplished educator with a demonstrated history of success both in England and China.

Jonathan gained significant experience in China at an international school in Shenzhen, where he served as Head of Year from 2019, demonstrating his versatility and aptitude for leading in diverse learning environments.

From 2020 to 2023, Jonathan served as an Assistant Headteacher in England, showcasing exemplary leadership skills in managing curriculum, early reading and phonics, behaviour management, teacher training, and operational management of the whole school. His innovative approach to education saw him implement effective strategies such as deep diving subject leader performance and collaboration with external school improvement officials, leading to a substantial improvement in school standards. As a Year 6 teacher, his diligence and commitment were reflected in his pupils’ achievement, with results exceeding national averages.

Jonathan is excited to return to China and contribute to the community here. He and his partner Theresa are looking forward to joining the WAISHZ community in the upcoming academic year. Jonathan brings with him an enriching blend of global experience and a deep understanding of teaching methodologies, making him a valued addition to the team.

Studies University. She has teaching experience in countries such as the United Kingdom and South Korea, as well as domestic experience in teaching Chinese language in primary schools. She excels in home-school communication and believes in establishing strong home-school connections to promote students' growth and progress together. She sees herself as a lifelong learner and strives to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of Chinese language and culture, integrating both traditional and modern aspects.

Each class is assigned one foreign homeroom teacher, and two Chinese teachers. The school employs highly interactive, student-centered teaching methods and creates an immersive bilingual environment through the collaboration of Chinese and foreign teaching teams. This approach maximizes the exploration of children's potential in areas such as science, art, music, and sports.

Here is a partial list of Lower School teachers

Anna obtained a Master's degree in Education and has extensive international education experience. She has previously worked in overseas child education social work and taught international curricula such as the IB. Anna is passionate about the psychological development of students and has received training in psychological care. She actively integrates her knowledge into her daily educational work.

She obtained a bachelor's degree in Film and Philosophy and has nearly 20 years of English teaching experience. She has taught IELTS and TOEFL courses and served as an English-speaking teacher for many years at various international schools. She has also held positions such as Teaching Director in the field of education.

He obtained an Honors Master's degree in Theology and Philosophy from Queen's University in the United Kingdom and holds a PGCE qualification as a primary school teacher from the University of Cumbria. He enjoys utilizing creativity and fun in the teaching process and excels in teaching in the areas of sports and arts.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Peking University and a Master's degree in Ancient Chinese Literature from the same field. She has studied abroad in Taiwan and Germany, and has worked at Beijing Foreign Studies University International Education Group and Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press. She has a deep understanding of teaching positions and the standards of teaching evaluation. In her teaching, she adheres to the motto of "helping adults achieve their potential.

She graduated from Zhejiang University with a major in Computer Science and Technology, and obtained a Master's degree in Quantitative Finance from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. She also holds a postgraduate certificate in Education from the University of Nottingham in the UK and Qualified Teacher Status. Having lived in the UK for many years, she has the ability to teach in English. Prior to joining WASHZ, she served as the head of the grade math preparation group in an international school, bringing with her extensive experience in teaching international curricula and a deep understanding of international education, primary education, language teaching, and mathematics education.

She holds a Master's degree in Education and is a certified K-12 teacher in the United States. and?Qualified Teacher Status in UK.?Prior to joining WASHZ, she taught at a renowned international school for foreign children in Hangzhou, where she gained extensive experience in bilingual teaching. In her classroom, Ms. Sheng excels at stimulating children's enthusiasm for learning mathematics through games, competitions, and interactive activities, thereby establishing a solid foundation for their mathematical education.

She obtained a Master's degree in Education Management from the University of Massachusetts Boston in the United States. With over 10 years of teaching experience and rich international teaching experience, she has previously taught at a school in Boston, USA, and is well-versed in both Chinese and Western teaching styles and methods.

01 Celebrating Pupil Achievements: Inspiring Excellence

Every achievement of our pupils reflects the academic strength of WASHZ. We celebrate their accomplishments, including academic awards, and participation in renowned competitions. Our pupils consistently demonstrate their exceptional abilities, showcasing their academic growth and the support they receive from our dedicated faculty and staff.

These stories not only inspire our current pupils but also exemplify the transformative power of education provided at our institution. From the establishment of the school until now, the elementary school students have transitioned from adaptation to enjoyment, and ultimately achieved outstanding results, making our yearbook even more remarkable.

02 Accreditation and Recognitions: A Symbol of Excellence

Our commitment to academic excellence is evident through our accreditations and recognitions. We are proud to be working towards accreditation from esteemed educational organizations, demonstrating our adherence to rigorous standards of quality and continuous improvement. With the support and guidance from the academic interaction, boarding, teaching staff exchange, quality control, and digital teaching of Wycombe Abbey School in the UK. Our affiliation with prestigious institutions further attests to our dedication to providing an exceptional educational environment for our pupil.

The Council of British International Schools (COBIS) is a membership association that represents 257 schools and organizations, globally.?COBIS, which educates over 165,000 students can be found in 80 countries. COBIS Supporting Associates provides a wide range of services and resources to the international schools' sector. COBIS accreditation criteria: student welfare, equipment& facilities, supervision, values, boarding school leadership, off-campus and community activities, etc.

Boarding School Association (BSA) is the world's largest association for boarding schools, covering 35 countries worldwide. The association represents over 600 independent and state boarding schools. It is responsible for setting industry standards for boarding schools, as well as accreditation of schools and professionals in the boarding school sector.

03 Data and Statistics: Empowering Transparency

We believe in the power of data to drive continuous improvement and inform decision-making. We compare our performance against regional and national benchmarks, ensuring that our pupils receive an education that prepares them for future success.

**InCAS is an English developmental assessment system that has been professionally designed and preserved records through the analysis of millions of data points. It primarily targets adolescents aged 3-19 and has been providing educational assessments to over a million young people worldwide since 1983.

InCAS is one of the most advanced educational assessment technologies in the world today. It can tailor a set of assessment papers specifically for each student to ensure that they receive an evaluation report and learning recommendations that align with their individual circumstances. Teachers and parents can also understand the strengths and weaknesses of students' learning from the reports.

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At Wycombe Abbey School, Hangzhou, our academic strengths set us apart as a leading institution committed to providing an exceptional educational experience. From our accreditations to our pupil’s achievements, our focus on academic excellence shines through. By nurturing a love for learning, inspiring intellectual growth, and empowering our pupils with the skills they need to succeed, Wycombe Abbey School, Hangzhou stands at the forefront of educational achievement. Let’s expect.