LITTLE BOOK OF GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
W elcome
The Editorial Team: Iris Taylor Finlay Lock With the support of Ms Estella Gutulan and Ms Jessica Brown Artwork by Lilibet Williams and Audrey Dennis Publishing Design: Joshua Design Group
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Welcome to the Wellington College Little Book of Global Citizenship. When we started this project, we were planning to call this book The Little Book of Heroes – and that would have been a fitting title indeed for a book that chronicles the work of so many phenomenal members of our community. But we wanted to make something specific: something that honed in precisely on how we reach out here at Wellington – something, in short, that would both showcase and encapsulate the five core values that are at the beating heart of the College: kindness, courage, integrity, responsibility and respect. Our work was inspired by The Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls series and aims to celebrate a range of the incredible (and sometimes unnoticed) initiatives that are achieved through the new Global Citizenship programme. This book documents a tiny portion of the mass volunteering that every Wellingtonian takes part in, every Wednesday afternoon – and (as you will see) beyond. We have covered only a fraction of the 101 different initiatives that the school commits to in both our local community and the wider world. The diversity of these projects is striking: activities range from regular visits to local schools and care homes, to working on a long-term basis with prestigious international charities. The sheer breadth and volume of Wellington’s Global Citizenship programme could never be contained in one book, but we hope you enjoy reading about a few of our favourite activities. Some of the projects you will read about in these pages have been independently launched and led by individual pupils, outside of the remit of the GC programme. But every tale in this book is in spirit a part of the Global Citizenship movement, embracing and promoting the Wellington Values that drive not only this scheme, but so much of what we do and how we live. We would like to thank Ms Park for her brilliant leadership and for inspiring this project; we also thank all our contributors, whose words, ideas and hard work have been condensed into this little book. We cannot wait for Volume II! Finally, we would like to dedicate the first Wellington College Little Book of Global Citizenship to all the students, staff and community partners who give up their time each week to be the change they want to see: you make the world a better place.
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C ontents BIODIVERSITY
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RWANDA
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KINDNESS
KINDNESS
DANCEATHON
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CARING FOR CALAIS
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EMOTIONAL RESCUE
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TEACHING LATIN AT EDGBARROW
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TRIP TO KENYA
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WELLY LEADERS
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ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIETY
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COURAGE
COURAGE
RESPONSIBILITY
RESPONSIBILITY
INTEGRITY
INTEGRITY
RESPECT
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B iodiversity
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he Biodiversity Team this year are working on creating a video to celebrate the surprisingly exciting range of wildlife that co-habits with us, largely unnoticed, here at Wellington. As exposed in a recent survey by The Natural History Museum, the team learned that nearly a quarter of Britons are unable to identify the flora and fauna in their own gardens.Through exploring Wellington in their filming, the Biodiversity Team are bringing to light a range of wonderful and intriguing facts: from the birds at Swan Lake captured in slow motion, to time-lapses of trees, the video will contribute fascinating insights to our understanding of our campus environment. As well as investigating our local ecosystem, the team also got to grips with the ins and outs of film production, editing software and compiling an engaging mini-documentary that would warrant the approval of Sir David Attenborough. By studying the flora and fauna of the campus, they have been able to help in its conservation and have tried to find new species. Did you know? Wellington College has a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on campus - a peat bog home to two uncommon species, the bog bush-frog and the keeled skimmer dragonfly. It is one of the richest in the country for bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) and flowering plants. Despite some trampling damage to it, the tiny site is highly diverse in soil types and vegetation, some of which is not found anywhere else in Berkshire, which is why it is important to scientists.
KINDNESS
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R wanda WCPCI TRIP 2019
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he Wellington College Peace and Conflict institute (WCPCI) specialises in teaching students how to become peacemakers in today’s turbulent society. Beside eye- opening charity trips to Calais to help the refugees there, the students have travelled to Rwanda on several occasions, observing the way the Rwandan people have coped with and recovered from the genocide of 1994. Wellington pupils visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a stark reminder of Rwanda’s history; one of the most striking features of the museum is that it does not attempt to conceal the graphic horrors of the genocide. However, the WCPCI team were struck by how the local population had moved on, coming together with unity. Compared to their previous trip to Rwanda, WCPCI noticed the emergence of the young in Rwanda as a political force: the young people of Rwanda today are keen to learn from the conflict of the past but they will not be defined by it. Pupils spent lots of time playing with local children noting the quality of education in Rwanda, with children studying GCSE standard science. They were also fortunate to be invited to the Rwanda Peace Academy, who have since formed a relationship with the school. They learned about The Kigali Principles, an act that aims to protect citizens in view of preventing another genocide. This act has been signed by 47 countries. Having meet with representatives of the United Nations Institute for Research and Training (UNITAR), WCPCI now plans to develop a Peace Builders’ Programme and develop their syllabus whilst working with UNITAR to help people with careers in the UN.
KINDNESS
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D anceathon
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he main purpose of organising this event was to raise more awareness for mental health: to let people know that it is ok to be hurting and to try to eradicate the stigma surrounding this increasingly relevant issue. It is important that people feel safe and supported at Wellington, as it can sometimes feel like a large and overwhelming place. Nothing like the Danceathon has ever been attempted at Wellington before and the passion and creativity invested in it, set it apart from other fundraising events. It reminded us that sometimes it is necessary to get away from pressures… and just dance! In September 2019, during Mental Health Week, Lottie (C) organised this ambitious challenge of a 24-hour ‘Danceathon’ to raise money for the charity Mind, along with raising awareness about mental health in school. Lottie worked with the help of her Combermere friends. Before long, the sets of night-time silent disco headphones had arrived, a ton of chocolate had been gathered and a killer playlist had been arranged. When the rest of the school, including staff, joined in to support Lottie and her cause, it was overwhelming – in the most positive sense of the word. The event was not without mishap. At around 5 o’clock in the morning, the kettle, working overtime to produce copious amounts of coffee, somehow set off the College fire alarm. While the Security Team rushed to the rescue, the girls continued dancing and laughing ‘til dawn. By the time the sun, rose the sense of achievement was becoming palpable: they had made it! When the stop-clock hit 24 hours, the Old Gym was brimming with teachers and students all dancing. A massive cheer went up. As this exciting event drew to a close, everyone felt a sense of relief (finally, we could collapse!) but also of community and pride. Lottie and her friends hope that those who took part will remember the Danceathon and are now more aware of the importance to be open and supportive about mental health. All in all, Lottie more than doubled her fundraising target, and, crucially, she reminded us all of the importance of being kind – kind to others, kind to ourselves. Thank you, Lottie!
COURAGE
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C aring F or C alais
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ne crisp November Exeat weekend of 2019, no fewer than 28 WCPCI volunteers set off on a life-changing journey.
The charity Care4Calais supports refugees across France and Belgium, providing essential items, from clothing to tents. The main aim of the trip was to restore elements of humanity to the lives of the refugees they interacted with, taking the opportunity to hear some of the stories these resilient people had to share, whilst allowing the team to reflect upon everything that they are so fortunate to take for granted. Over the course of two days, the WCPCI volunteers sorted donations in the warehouse to prepare for upcoming distributions, in addition to handing out warm clothes to camps in Calais and Dunkirk. What struck them most was the refugees’ overwhelming sense of hope in the face of adversity. Their small acts of kindness by handing out tea and coffee or giving out a pair of tracksuits ultimately symbolised so much more than just a physical act of assistance. The story of one young man in particular has remained with one of the volunteers from the L6: the young man spoke of how he travelled from Syria to Calais and lost his family during the journey. It was clear that those applying for asylum in the UK are doing so because they have no choice and are willing to risk risk everything for the chance of a better life. Whether they’ve fled war or religious persecution, come from Syria or Afghanistan, refugees have no choice and it is our duty to help in any way we can.
COURAGE
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E motional R escue
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hen we joined a gaggle of excited Wellingtonians (the regulars at this activity) on a crisp Wednesday afternoon, we didn’t know quite what to expect... We were preparing to pay a visit to a group of individuals who are infamous for their noisiness, their difficult pasts, and their love of human contact. It was strangely exhilarating to be about to meet beings so different from those we usually spent our Wednesday afternoons with at school. Our destination was Binfield Dogs Rescue, home to a motley assortment of pups in need of care. Established in 1966, the local shelter’s work with vulnerable animals is vital to the county. Despite our own love of dogs, we confess we were still (shamefully) apprehensive about how the dogs would respond to new visitors. On arrival, we were overwhelmed by a cacophony of howling as the dogs leapt at the walls of their enclosures, desperate to get in on the action. Although (slightly) quieter ourselves, we were equally curious: many of these dogs, confined for their aggression or nervousness after years of previous abuse, would rarely be walked without the help of Wellington students. Sadly, we were to learn that even the puppies at the shelter were not too young to have avoided mistreatment and abandonment. By walking them, not only were we giving the pack a much-needed run around, we were also restoring their trust in humans. This slowly rehabilitates the dogs to become more adaptable – and therefore more adoptable. And so, with us students chin-wagging and with the canines tail-wagging, we set off for an stroll in the Bracknell countryside, really touched by the knowledge that we were making the dogs’ day. Wellington’s relationship with man’s best friends extends further than the Binfield Dog Rescue, too. As an antidote to homesickness and exam anxiety, the Mallinson Library hosts dog therapy sessions, where students missing their four-legged friends can relax in the company of the College pups. And it was true that, after an outing with the Binfield Dogs, we felt we’d been rejuvenated by the fresh air and the boisterous company. As is so often the case with homo-canine relationships, this Global Citizenship activity is a definitive case of ‘you scratch my back, I’ll put my muddy paws on yours.’
RESPONSIBILITY
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T eaching L atin
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E dgbarrow
AN INTERVIEW BY FINN LOCK
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very Wednesday, in a corner of the locally-based Edgbarrow School, you will find a combined group of Wellingtonians and Edgbarrow students, fixated on a mutual focus. Their purpose? Unlocking the linguistic and literary mysteries of the Latin tongue – together. One Wellingtonian explains the thinking behind the student-led scheme: “We were keen to build an academic partnership outside of the Wellington grounds and develop our relationship with the local community. As more people attempt Latin at Edgbarrow, the partnership will grow, and we’ll offer more student-run sessions.” The Sixth Form Classicists from Wellington who teach the course have found the scheme addictive and rewarding, even outside of the consolidation it offers in their subject, “we’d highly recommend getting involved – it’s an experience that has really developed our inter-personal skills. It makes you a more well-rounded individual, and a better student as well as a better teacher.” The Edgbarrow students who are coached in Latin through the programme are also hooked. Classics does not tend to feature in the public education system, so the collaboration offers an insight into a cultural backbone that would otherwise remain obscured to them. One Edgbarrow student said they kept “falling into the traps that the linguistic rules of Latin can pose” but that the Wellingtonians had helped them to overcome these difficulties. “Being able to share our learning methods is really beneficial to both them and us,” agreed another Wellington student, “you become better at explaining concepts to people efficiently – and effectively.” The intellectual atmosphere in the room is tangible – both sets of students are relishing their pursuit of a common goal. Another Wellingtonian finds the experience expands beyond just an academic extra-curricular, defining the truly collegiate spirit of a Wellington service, “At first you feel out of place here, but almost instantly you start to feel like part of a family, because everyone around you shares a common interest.” Do the groups of students think there’s limited value in studying a dead language? From their reaction, absolutely not - it seems they’ve found Latin to be alive and kicking. “The skills we’re learning and applying will be useful in the workplace and later in life,” they insist. Both schools’ parting words, indeed, look not to the past but to the future: “Latin – it’s the way forward!”
RESPONSIBILITY
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T rip
to
K enya
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n October half term 2019, Chrissy and Harry travelled to Kenya, to work in the slums of Nairobi – specifically, in the schools supported by the UK charity ‘Porridge and Rice’. They called it an “incredible experience”, which allowed them to fully realise just how fortunate they were themselves. Coming away from the amazing opportunity, they were keen to share their findings and life-changing memories amongst their network in the UK, and they opened up about their experiences in an assembly following the trip. From talking to the children in the slums, it became evident to the Wellingtonians that the food they received was frequently their only meal of the day. Through their work with ‘Porridge and Rice’, Chrissy and Harry were able to provide them with wholesome and filling meals every day. They found it extraordinary to consider how easy it was for them to provide two kilos worth of beans, rice and a porridge-like drink at the price of only £2. The work forced them to reflect on the on-tap nature of their own meals in comparison and was an eye-opening but precious experience. The hard facts of the trip continued when the students took part in conducting a height and weight programme monitoring the children’s growth. Seeing children squeezing their feet into long outgrown trainers was commonplace - they often wore shoes with large holes or even soles completely unattached. Socks frequently lacked toes or heels and often, the childrens feet were exposed. Shoes and clothing are expensive even in the poorest outskirts
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of Nairobi, and once again, Chrissy and Harry found it deeply rewarding to ameliorate this problem for many of the children, protecting their safety to play and travel in the act of replacing their shoes and socks. Perhaps the most shocking condition which Chrissy and Harry helped to work on was in relation to the slums’ infrastructural underdevelopment. An open sewage system runs through the slums’ streets, including a large channel directly outside one of the schools, separating the nursery class and the main school building. Uncovered, the sewage remains a hotbed of disease, often attracting rabid dogs, and the Wellington students helped to plan towards a longer-term project to solve this urgent issue. A marked victory during the visit, however, was the successful installation of a hand-washing station in two schools. It was clear from Chrissy and Harry’s speech that the experience was gruelling, moving and invaluable – both to themselves as citizens of the world, and more importantly to the children who so urgently needed basic food, clothing and sanitation. The Wellingtonians took their memories home with them and continue to work towards supporting this vital cause.
INTEGRITY
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W elly L eaders
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elly Leaders is an enrichment activity which takes place every Wednesday; its aim is to allow students to improve not only their own leadership skills but also those of the children they work with. In Michaelmas this year, a group of students ranging from Fifth form to Upper Sixth planned individual activities for 34 children from local schools. They decided to use low ropes (which contrast to high ropes by being just under a metre off the ground), a fun activity which would test the leadership skills of the students whilst keeping the younger children excited and engaged, encouraging them to develop physical skills and resilience. For Wellington and primary students alike, developing leadership skills is a long-term investment that drives each student to fully participate. Welly Leaders is thus giving back to the local community – and in the words of a team member, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing so many smiling faces all around, as children clamour to do it again! This reaction is a long way off Wellingtonians initial trepidations of feeling ‘like lots of BFG’s clumped together’. The enthusiasm, good humour and encouragement demonstrated by the Welly Leaders established and will continue to maintain a really friendly environment. This is an opportunity which allows younger children to build self-confidence in less obvious ways, such as really expressing themselves in conversations with young adults. By the end of a session, they are delightfully confident in establishing a connection that they may otherwise not have with their teachers. As after all “we are children at heart, and need other real children to bring out our playful sides”, as one of the Welly Leaders remarked.
INTEGRITY
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E nvironmental S ociety “COMBINE EDUCATION AND AWARENESS-RAISING WITH ACTION AND POLICY INFLUENCE”
Tell us a little bit about your society? We meet every week to discuss environmental issues and their impact, focusing on raising awareness and on global concerns. All profits from our fundraisers go to global and local environmental charities of our choice. Why do you think we don’t strike at this school? We are not allowed to... But by influencing people to come to Environmental Society, we will hopefully inspire people to feel passionately about the environment and to go to the strikes in the future, to get a real involvement on a more personal level. Have you seen visual change in the way things are done at this school since you started this society? We feel there is much more of an acceptance towards caring about environmental issues around the globe, no matter how small they are. The committee runs more frequently now, so we feel it is more accessible to everyone around the school, being student-led. We are even creating a Wellington-branded water bottle (Swellingtons) to promote the Environmental Society – and of course to help the environment, as the water bottles are reusable. Do students seem to be more caring for the environment since you started this society? Yes, they definitely are. More students are getting involved in the newsletter, fundraising and Instagram. Our Instagram page is hugely influential in raising awareness.
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How has running this society challenged some of your own reconceptions on the climate crisis? We have really learnt that social media platforms are very biased and don’t always give accurate information. Our top tip is: don’t just accept the views which the article portrays…. always question them! What advice would you give to someone feeling very anxious and overwhelmed by the climate crisis? We all feel anxious about the climate crisis. You just have to remind yourself that as an individual, there is only a certain amount you can do. People of our age are the future and can influence active change. Who have you had as a guest in your Environmental society who was able to give their perspective on striving towards a better future? We were visited by the founder of CROW (Crowthorne Reduce Our Waste), who is a member of the Wellington community. She showed us how action on a local scale can make a difference – so many nearby shops and independent businesses are making a change. @environmentalsocwc
RESPECT
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Wellington College, Crowthorne Berkshire, RG45 7PU www.wellingtoncollege.org.uk +44 (0)1344 444 000
