The Activity Programme

As at Wellington College and Eagle House in the UK, here at the Tianjin campus education will always go much further than the walls of the classroom. Whilst never losing sight of the importance of academic endeavour, we aim to provide a wide-ranging Activities Programme that acts as a counterbalance to academic self-absorption. Vital aspects of our mission at the school are to encourage the pupils to try new things, to help them stay physically and intellectually healthy, and to guide them in the discovery of lifelong interests and opportunities for self-expression. All these contribute enormously in the growth of truly rounded, balanced individuals, all of whose aptitudes have been cultivated and developed.

We want the Activity Programme to be a process of self-discovery for the pupils. Hidden skills and attributes will come to light, with pupils experiencing a real sense of achievement from succeeding in an unexpected area, while established skills and interests will be taken to a new level of performance.  It is also a great opportunity to make new friends away from the classroom and house.

Afternoons

Our main Activity Programme runs from Monday to Thursday after lessons have finished, from 3.45pm to 4.45pm. This includes a broad and exciting array of activities, covering all the major disciplines, such as sports, art, music and drama, supplemented by a multitude of other pursuits, many of which will reflect a particular interest of the teacher overseeing the activity. There will be some rotation of activities during the year, except in those cases where pupils need to stay in a particular one – for example members of the basketball team.

For Senior School pupils, our ultimate aim is for them to have activities on all four afternoons, with at least one sport / physical activity required; whilst the school is still growing however, some may only have three. In the Junior School, reflecting the younger age and demands of the school day on the pupils, we only expect involvement for two of the four afternoons; indeed, we would actively discourage three or more activities a week, especially in the lower end of the Junior School. Our Activities Programme is not simply a ‘late stay’ facility, and plans to involve younger pupils in more than two afternoons per week should be discussed first with the Head of the Junior School.

Lunchtimes

In the life of a busy and flourishing school, it is inevitable that all available slots will be used, and thus many of our lunch hours see the Activity Programme in operation. From Junior and Senior Choir, Wind and String groups, to Public Speaking / Debating, and the WCUK Links Club, there is plenty to stretch the creative talents of the pupils.

The Saturday Programme

This is an opportunity for our pupils, and we hope parents too, to extend their extra-curricular life yet further. The activities on Saturday mornings during term time are all on campus, staffed by both our own teachers and experts from the local area.

Details of current activities are available below.