Learning in Huili schools is inspired by the following 3 principles:
- The Huili Values and Identity
- Bilingualism
- Developing a deep understanding of the heritage and culture of China and using this to establish the aptitudes and skills needed to be a successful global citizen
Together these principles shape life at the school and inspire the entire community. To truly understand the educational model, it will be necessary to explore each principle more deeply.
The Huili Values and Identity
The philosophy that drives learning at Huili is consistent with the vision for all our schools including that of our sister schools in the UK and beyond. That is, an education rooted in our traditional values coupled with a progressive approach to learning and development. All aspects of life in the school imbue the Huili values of:
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Courage
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Respect
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Integrity
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Kindness
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Responsibility
The values drive the vision and leadership of the school and are modelled by all members of the community and cultivated within all learning experiences, whether in the classroom, in the theatre or on the rugby pitch. The values are a tangible entity that permeate the pastoral programme, pupil’s experience in their House and through the co-curriculum programme.
We define the product of a Huili education in terms of our identity. This is not merely a reference to academic outcomes, but instead defines the character and the attributes of a Huilinian children. Our identity underpins excellence in academic performance, but also much more. Successful individuals possess a wide range of traits beyond merely academic results and in the 21st century there exists demands on individuals that are not always inherently promoted within established education systems.
A Huilinian child will be:
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Inspired
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Intellectual
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Independent
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Individual
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Inclusive
Together, these 5 features make the Huili identity.
Learning is holistic in nature in that the intention is to develop the whole-child, aspects of an individual that we know are profoundly important for thriving in the world today. Pupils are inspired through the unique pedagogical approach at Huili so that learning experiences rouse interest and passion, both in the classroom and beyond. Pupils are required to be intellectual, to learn beyond the confines of any syllabus, but learn in a deep and critical manner that reflects passion and interest in the subject. Independence is a key attribute for individuals, this can involve independence in thought and perspective as well as having the skills needed to be self-directed and autonomous.
All aspects of education at Huili is individual and personalised. This includes the way pupils engage with learning through to the world class pastoral care that is synonymous with Wellington College. Pupils will become self-aware and able to motivate and manage themselves in order to be successful at the College and beyond.
Pupils will learn within an inclusive environment, a milieu that promotes pupils to develop a pluralist outlook through an understanding of people and their cultures along with establishing the skills required to be a team member and leader.
The Huili Identity is at the heart of our vision and what we passionately believe is fundamental to our pupils living successful lives at and beyond the College.
Bilingualism
At Huili our unique approach to language acquisition comprises a equal exposure to Chinese and English fostering bilingualism. In order to achieve our aims of bilingualism, we must be clear on establishing a definition of what a bilingual learner is:
“We define bilingual as an individual who is able to make a seamless transition between the two languages of instruction.”
A bilingual person can read, write, understand, think and speak in the two languages without hindrance at all levels. This is to say that they are able to make the intercultural and linguistic transitions seamlessly, whether it be for study, business or leisure. Bilingual leaners think, dream and tell jokes in the two languages. The bilingual immersion experience offers each and every pupil their own, personalised learning journey.
Adopting a research-based approach to language acquisition, learning is carefully structured and provides personalised experiences coherently across the full breadth of the curriculum. Wellingtonians will not only be fluent in Chinese and English, but possess the technical language and cultural understanding to allow them to thrive as Chinese citizens learning and working in international contexts.
Chinese heritage and culture
An education at Huili is strongly rooted in the traditional values and progressive approach associated with all Wellington College schools. The strength of our educational model is our authentic and close partnership with Wellington College in the UK that ensures the Wellington values and identity are consistent across all our schools and form the fabric of every aspect of the College. Learning and development is fundamentally structured around our unique approach to providing the very best holistic education, including pastoral systems and boarding experience that are consistent with each Wellington College.However, learning at Huili is a rich fabric constructed with fibres that are inherently Chinese. An essential outcome from an education at Huili is that pupils will have developed a deep understanding and appreciation of the rich heritage and culture of China. We aim to cultivate pupils that are inspired by their home nation, that celebrate and passionately learn about their history and traditions, grow an understanding of what it is to be Chinese and embrace social practices and norms. Our pupils will utilise this strong sense of being Chinese as a prism through which to learn about and understand other cultures and develop the aptitudes needed to be successful global citizens.
We take a Chinese perspective when constructing all aspects of life at the College, the Huili educational model has been carefully crafted by educational specialist within Wellington supported by a wide range of Chinese and International experts; including University Professor in China and England, prominent school leaders in China along with subject specialists from China and England.