Wellington Today Wellington Today 2018 en | Page 42

2018 WE ARE WELLINGTON INTRODUCING THE FOUNDING TEAM OF WELLINGTON COLLEGE BILINGUAL SHANGHAI Stella Zhou Chinese Principal Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai Stella graduated from East China Normal University with a bachelor’s degree in Chinese language and literature and a master’s degree in education. Gerard MacMahon Executive Master Wellington College Shanghai Gerard MacMahon has been appointed Executive Master for Wellington College Shanghai after twelve years as a school principal in England and the Middle East and one year as the Master of Wellington College International Shanghai. He will be leading both the International and Bilingual schools of Wellington College in Shanghai. In 2004 he was appointed head teacher of Sheldon School in Chippenham, Wiltshire. In 2008, Sheldon was judged outstanding in all 38 inspection categories by Ofsted. Gerard was made a National Leader of Education in 2010, and Sheldon was identified as one of the top 100 schools in England when becoming a Teaching School in 2011. Gerard was born in Dublin (something he has in common with the Duke of Wellington) and raised in Bristol. He graduated in economics from the London School of Economics and trained as a teacher at UCL’s Institute of Education. He was the founding head of sixth form at Balcarras School, Cheltenham. He moved to Qatar in 2012 to be headmaster of Al Khor International School, one of the world’s largest international schools with over 4,000 students. In both 2016 and 2017, Gerard was named one of the ten most influential international school heads in China. Vanessa Szucs-Hussain Yuki Gong Head of Early Years Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai Deputy Head of Early Years Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai Graduating from Edinburgh with a BSc in podiatric medicine, Vanessa practiced biomechanics and paediatrics for the National Health Service in the North East of England. During this time, Vanessa studied for a PGCE and following her appointment as lecturer at Durham School of Podiatric Medicine moved in to an academic role teaching honours degree students in the field of human growth, development and paediatric disorders. Holding a strong desire to see personal and professional growth, Vanessa led a team of academics to write the first foundation degree for assistant practitioners in podiatry (UK). After graduating from Fudan University law school and completing a degree in Chinese language and literature at East China Normal University, Yuki Gong became involved in early childhood education. With six years in public kindergarten, five years in bilingual kindergarten and nine years in international schools, she gathered a wealth of experience through twenty years’ teaching practice, as well as a solid knowledge of Eastern and Western education philosophies. She uses her expertise to lead the teaching practice at Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai, aiming to provide personalised and holistic education for every pupil. After 15 years in Higher Education, Vanessa relocated with her family to Abu Dhabi, UAE where she retrained in Early Years education and management of Early Years settings. After five years in the UAE, Vanessa moved further East to be an active part in the changing educational landscape within China. The opportunity to afford children an inspiring and current early years education underpins her motivation whilst bringing teams of like-minded practitioners together to provide excellence in early years’ education forms the underpinning ethos of her work. Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai (early years) holds shared values and vision at the very heart of its culture and this, to date is Vanessa’s greatest achievement. Yuki’s experience in leadership has resulted in the ability to create a safe, fun and enabling learning environment where the awareness of responsibility and autonomy is stimulated among teachers and pupils. She believes that building mutual trust and respect between pupils, parents and colleagues is at the heart of an inspiring early childhood provision. Only by promoting playing and exploring, active learning, creativity and critical thinking can we support our children to grow up to become effective learners. Prior to joining Wellington, Stella has enjoyed more than 10 years teaching experience in YCIS-Shanghai as a Chinese teacher and a class co-teacher, working closely with international teachers. Stella has also worked with her colleagues to develop an online tool for teaching Chinese as an additional language, and has compiled textbooks and workbooks for publication. In 2014, Stella was appointed as the founding Chinese principal of a bilingual school established by Yew Chung Education Foundation. Together with the expatriate principal, Stella led the founding academic team to explore and implement a bilingual curriculum for Chinese pupils. Stella is a passionate educator who is deeply aligned to the philosophy and ethos of Wellington College in providing a truly holistic education that also delivers excellent exam results. She hopes to bring all her experience to Wellington and is keen to establish a world class bilingual school in China, which will bring quality bilingual education for more Chinese families. Away from work, Stella enjoys traveling and when she does have a break, she pursues her lifetime goal of developing her appreciation of music. Laura Ge Laura graduated from Dalian University of Foreign Languages, majoring in English language and literature. Early in her teaching career, she taught English at Shandong University, one of the top universities in China. She was elected as the ‘Young Backbone Teacher’ for her creative problem solving and tireless work ethic. She has been devoted to international education for over ten years. Laura joined Yew Chung International School of Shanghai in 2008. Since then, she successfully held the posts of Chinese language teacher, Chinese studies subject leader and Chinese year group coordinator. In 2015 she worked as a founding member of the leadership team at Yew Wah International Education School, a bilingual sister school founded by Yew Chung Education Foundation. Laura was a key contributor in the process of setting up the primary and secondary curriculum and other managerial processes. Laura believes that the goal of education is to motivate pupils to be lifelong learners and help them become the very best young adults they can be. consecutive primary schools in the county of Worcestershire, United Kingdom. Paul joined Great Malvern Primary School, Worcestershire in 2009, leading a successful period of change and development which saw the school move upwards from a ‘failing’ category to ‘good’. During his tenure, the school excelled at sport securing a National Primary School Gold Level award. Paul also demonstrated his internationalism by forging links with a school in Tanzania, Japan and six schools across Europe. Paul’s hobbies include travelling and history. Both Paul and his family have travelled widely, visiting Japan, India and South-East Asia, Africa, North America and Europe. Paul is now looking forward to exploring China and its near neighbours. Outside of work, Laura has a wide range of interests, including music, travelling and reading. Maggie Zhou Deputy head of Primary Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai Maggie Zhou graduated from East China Normal University with a BA and MA. Paul Jackson-Read Head of Primary Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai Born in Kingston-Upon Thames, England, Paul started his professional career as a property surveyor working for NatWest bank and London Regional Transport. He discovered a passion for teaching while working as an EFL teacher in Japan and returned to England to train as a primary school teacher at Birmingham City University, graduating in 1996. Paul secured his first deputy headship within eighteen months of qualifying as a teacher and attained the National Professional Qualification for Headship in 2007. He has successfully led improvement at three She has over 20 years’ experience in teaching and school management. Prior to joining Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai, Maggie worked in Shanghai as the Head of International Education Department of Shengda Garden Primary School. Her passion in exploring Eastern and Western cultures inspired her to develop the best bilingual curriculum for Chinese pupils by combining the strength of Chinese compulsory education and the concepts of collaboration and investigation promoted in Western education philosophies. She genuinely looks forward to working with the talented Wellington team of local and expatriate educators to establish a world- leading bilingual school in China. Head of Junior High Wellington College Bilingual Shanghai 81 82