Senior School Scoop A LOOK INTO A-LEVELS
By: Maple
The opening of sixth form marks an exciting new chapter for students at our school It’s a significant transition from the structure of earlier years to a more independent and self-directed style of learning
With a wide variety of unique subject combinations ranging from PE to Photography, each student has managed to find their own unique path through the beginning of the A-level courses.
Time management becomes a crucial skill in sixth form, as balancing A-level coursework, extracurricular activities, and social life becomes more important than ever. Many students find that creating a schedule or using a planner helps them stay organized and reduce stress
One of the most noticeable changes is the freedom that comes with free periods and access to the sixth form room These free periods are not just a break from the classroom but a valuable chance to manage your own time Whether it’s revising for an upcoming test, catching up on assignments, or researching university courses, the sixth form room provides a dedicated space for focused work or collaboration with peers, creating an environment where students can take control of their studies.
This new opening of our sixth form is an exciting time as we all start taking on greater responsibility, building independence, and planning for the future together
SPORTS UPDATE
U13 BOYS WCIB TEAM
BY: MEGA AND SHANA
NIST VS WCIB
Just recently, before half term break, Wellington’s U13 boys football team (A team) had a phenomenal match against NIST’s U13 boys (A team) The U13s ended up with an incredible win with 7:4 in a mere 50 minute match, truly an impressive win They have started off the oncoming season well
PATANA VS WCIB
In the first half we were tailing NIST 1-0, losing some moral NIST played hard right away, scoring in the first half and keeping it that way for the whole half. The Wellington boys kept pushing and suddenly they scored. Cheers filled the pitch after this goal. Then, the boys started building momentum and finally caught the flow of the match. NIST scored another three very soon, but the Wellington boys then scored another six amazing, jaw-dropping goals. The match ended there, and the win was for Wellington!
The Wellington U13 boys have also been involved in numerous matches and tournaments and before half term had a U13 match against Bangkok Patana, winning with an impressive 19:5. Kick off stated at 3:30pm on 24th October It was a home match The boys scored amazing goals and shocked Patana with their skills. TT and Harry were voted as the MVPS of the game by their teamates since they both scored a huge amount of goals that day, they dribbled and played very well. Well done!
THE 2024-2025 TWC
EXCHANGE
WELLINGTON UK STUDENTS VISIT BANGKOK
As part of the prestigious connection between our school and Wellington College UK, students in year 10 are able to take part in an exchange program In late October this term, four of our successful candidates from our application process last year Ploen, Sainahm, Miki, and Dew welcomed their respective students from the UK, Sophie, Francesca, Edie, and Arlo to our campus
During the two weeks the exchange students spent in Thailand, they were able to experience school life on the Bangkok campus and also explore the exciting sights that our country has to offer From escape rooms in the bustling downtown of Siam, to the relaxing grandeur of Hua Hin, and the natural beauty of Khao Yai during the Duke of Edinburgh expedition, the students made lasting friendships and memories
Francesca, Sophie, Edie, and Arlo arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday, the 27th of October Later that day, they explored Bangkok’s extravagant malls for the first time before starting their journey as Wellingtonians in Bangkok the following day That week, the UK students attended the school’s Halloween Disco, which they thoroughly enjoyed They also visited Chinatown and Siam District, two of Bangkok’s most vibrant and popular areas
The following weekend, the exchange students, along with some school friends, travelled to the tropical paradise: Huahin During their stay at the resort, they played in the pool, visited night markets, enjoyed a thrilling sofa boat ride, and participated in games This weekend was a highlight of the exchange, a time when everyone grew closer a valuable experience that cannot be gained at school
During their second week at Wellington College Bangkok, the UK students joined the Year 10 students on their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze qualifiers in Khao Yai This trip gave them more time to bond with their WCIB partners and their expedition teammates, further strengthening their friendships
On their final full day in Bangkok, Ploen, Sainahm, Miki, and Dew took their exchange partners to visit the royal temple and palace where they learned about Thailand’s rich history, culture, and religious traditions Later, the students spent time in the luxurious Icon Siam mall! That evening, everyone enjoyed a dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River, marvelling at the golden lights illuminating temples, buildings, and bridges This marked the perfect conclusion to the exchange program, as the UK students departed the following day
Overall, it was an excellent experience for both our students and their UK counterparts We look forward to the second part of our exchange programme, where our students will be spending 2 weeks on their campus in
by Miki
EPICUREAN ELITE
BY: MINI AND SAIDA
Food plays a central role in our lives here in Wellington, and the dedicated team at Ecipure’s kitchen ensures every meal meets the highest standards Let’s take a peek behind the scenes to see how their staff experts work tirelessly each day to craft the dishes that make every bite unforgettable. From preparation to plating, their commitment to quality and flavor is what makes Ecipure’s food truly exceptional
First of all, how do you know that the food and products you make are of good quality?
From the very beginning, starting with receiving raw materials, we rely on highquality suppliers. That’s why we use Betagro for all our chicken and pork products Everything goes through these trusted suppliers we don’t buy from just anywhere.
Secondly, is what you do every day in your daily routine a good job? Can you describe your process from the start of your workday?
The moment we clock in, everyone scans their face it’s standard practice here After that, we clean ourselves and change into uniforms Then we begin work. For everything we do, we prepare in advance every day
How do you store fresh ingredients?
Fresh ingredients that we order are mostly frozen We store them in chillers and thaw them for daily use. We use Fisher refrigerators and temperature-controlled storage units, keeping everything organized separately by type of food or ingredient
And the most challenging part?
Also food-related making the kids satisfied is difficult because their preferences vary greatly Each day’s menu is different, and some kids like it while others don’t Everyone has unique tastes and preferences, which can be quite challenging
What do you do with leftover food every day?
We throw it away
What’s the best part of your job?
The experience of working and seeing the kids happy when they eat the food
How do you ensure cleanliness meets standards?
Usually, when we cook, we make sure that the cooking temperature is correct in each batch Besides that, we collect samples of every dish we prepare for quality checks. If a student or anyone eating our food encounters a problem, such as food poisoning, we can take the samples for lab testing to check for contaminants or ensure cleanliness We store daily food samples and rotate them weekly for instance, Monday’s sample will be disposed of the following Monday. This allows us to trace back and test if any issues arise during the week
HALLOWEEN DISCO
Spooky Season
By Meimei and Elsa
On the last day of October, our sixth-form students Tris, Éclair, and several other volunteers organised an incredible Halloween disco, marking only the second-ever Halloween event at our school The celebration welcomed everyone from Year 7 to Year 12, transforming the Skylight building into a spooky wonderland. The space was filled with eerie decorations, including spiders, balloons, and much more Everyone students and staff alike dressed up in unique and creative costumes, impressing us with their efforts and enthusiasm.
As the sun set, painting the sky with a breathtaking palette of fiery orange, soft pink, and deep purple, the Skylight building’s lights illuminated the scene, signaling the start of the party. Upon entry, the first thing that caught your eye was the dazzling, flashing lights
Moving further inside, the aroma of delicious food greeted everyone The menu featured pizza, spring rolls, gummies, crispy snacks, donuts, tamago, popcorn, and more!
The DJ set the tone with popular music that had everyone singing at the top of their lungs, jumping, and waving their hands in sync with the beat Many used their phones as flashlights, adding extra color and vibrancy to the atrium. The evening also featured talented dancers who showcased their moves, took song requests, and energized the crowd even more Between freeze dance rounds, popping balloons, and simply enjoying the moment, the night was filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Special appreciation went to the DJs, who kept the vibe alive and ensured the music was always on point
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
by: Ella M. & Annabel
On Tuesday 19th of November, the school theatre was filled with excitement as students gathered to witness the highly anticipated, first annual Battle of the Bands The event showcased incredible musical talent, creativity, and house spirit, making it an event to remember
In the weeks leading up to the Battle of the Bands, countless hours were spent by the bands to perfect their songs Practice rooms were all occupied and fought for during lunchtimes, with the sounds of guitar strings and hammering of the drums And this dedication paid off!
This grand event was led by three talented judges: Mr Scammells, Khun Wise, and Khun Wutti, who gave out fair and honest scores and feedback to all the houses. We, of course, can't forget the team who planned out the event and helped backstage Finally, Thank you to Mr Denyer Green for managing and leading the entire competition
Highlights of the Evening:
Hill performed the classic song ‘Kiss Me’ by Sixpence None the Richer The relaxing and beautiful vocals immersed the audience in the performance
Talbot started the competition off with a moving rendition of ‘Creep’ by Radiohead Setting the bar high with beautiful harmonies and a surprise guest dinosaur
Anglesey took a different approach to the competition with the song ‘Falling’ by Alicia Keys The beautiful deliveries and softer tone of the song captured the attention of many.
Orange displayed a variety of styles with their three song medley Starting off with the unexpected ‘Fe!n’, continuing with ‘Locked Out of Heaven’ and finishing with "Die with a Smile”
Picton House came prepared with banners, glow sticks and costumes They began with a soft version of “Treasure” by Bruno mars, before transitioning to the original upbeat variant
Lynedoch showcased the memorable performance of ‘Die with a Smile’ and ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ The talented performers all gave it their all to pull off their win.
Hopetoun performed the song ‘Mamma Mia’ from the highly recognised musical The dancers and vocalists contributed to the house’s performance Murray ended the evening with a two song performance, the classic song ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” and remixing it with the newer ‘APT’ Truly original!
The judges praised the bands for originality, stage presence, and of course, House support! After much deliberation, Lynedoch was crowned the winner, earning bragging rights and a House Trophy for their extraordinary performance!
Lynedoch: “Die with a Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga, “If I Ain’t Got You” Alicia Keys
Puifai – Piano
Nida – Singing/Guitar
Michelle – Singing
Shawn – Singing
Sana – Bass Guitar
Sunny – Drums
Marker – Guitar
Congratulations to Lynedoch!
FLASHBACK TO... LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS THE WELLINGTON COLLEGE 2024 MUSICAL
By Ella M. & Mira
Let's look back to last year ’ s unforgettable production, which took place in the plant-filled world of Little Shop of Horrors. With jaw-dropping set designs, and a man-eating plant that had the audience both terrified and thrilled, it was a production that left us all humming “Suddenly, Seymour” for weeks. In anticipation of this year ’ s production: The Addams Family, the question remains: can we top it? Let’s take a look back at the magic of last year as we prepare to meet our delightfully spooky new family on stage
The 2024 Wellington College production was Little Shop of Horrors, which follows Seymour, a nerdy florist who discovers a strange and unusual plant that has a taste for blood As the plant grows and becomes more demanding, Seymour finds himself caught up in a world of chaos and destruction
The whole cast was amazing! From the Do-Waps and the Ronnettes to the Dentist and the Plant, and every single member of the cast worked tirelessly for two terms to make this musical the best it could be. The production consists of big, whole cast dances and one-toone scenes
As always, music is one of the main features in our productions, and the musicians have been working incredibly hard this year Led by Mr Denyer-Green and Ms Corrigan, the band has been practicing tirelessly during enrichments, after-school, and even on weekends Their dedication has
paid off, with a range of catchy and memorable tunes that are sure to be amazing The band is made up of many senior school musicians, including scholars and non-scholars There are also wonderful music teachers like Mr Pat, Mr Mark, Mr Tate, Mr. Findlay, and Ms. Sha.
The final performance was on Thursday 20th June, and many students, friends and family came to watch It was a huge success! Special thanks to Mr McKee who was the director, and Mr Ji, but also Mrs Bope who was a key figure in making it all come together
EXCITMENT BREWS FOR THE ADDAMS FAMILY SHOW
By Aran and Ria
The dedicated actors from Wellington have been rehearsing for the exciting upcoming production of The Addams Family since the start of the year! They have been practicing on Monday, Wednesday and even some lunchtimes. Read on to find out more about the amazing show!
Rehearsal
To ensure that the show will be wonderful, the cast have been working harder than ever The dedicated actors have been rehearsing to perfect their performances; they even practiced until 5:00PM! Now, they are working on their movement, facial expressions, their positioning, their lines, and lyrics. It is no easy feat to remember all the lines!
Back stage
Orchestra
While the actors are performing, behind the stage there are also many backstage students helping, whose roles are vital to enable the show to go on! They have been supporting the actors by working on the lightings and SFX on stage, makeup, and costumes for the cast, also props to express the spooky, tense atmosphere of the show For example, Pugsley’s electric chair! In this moment, backstage students are learning about stage lighting to enhance the stage with many varieties of colours, while considering which one will suit each scene
As for the amazing music playing on stage, this is played by the orchestra, another talented group of Wellington students. This group is led by Mr. Denyergreen They also practice while the cast rehearses in the theatre. They support the actors by playing moody, sad, joyful, or even romantic melodies in each songwith each song providing the perfect comliment to the action on stage.
Every student involved in the show is trying their best to make this show as amazing as possible We are really looking forward for you to come enjoy the show together
CELEBRATING A SUCCESSFUL SEASON
by Miki, Elsa, Annabel, and Ella.M
As the basketball season comes to an end, it’s time to reflect on the hard work, determination, and team spirit that our school teams have shown on the court Whether battling it out in the league or competing in tournaments, every player gave their all, and their efforts have paid off with some impressive results Senior School’s youngest team, the U13s had an especially thrilling season, with the girls securing 3rd place in their GBAC tournament and earning a spot in the league final, which will be played in the penultimate week of Michealmas term This young and dynamic team has been a joy to watch, and we ’ re all rooting for them as they aim to bring home the trophy as champions The U13 Boys showcased grit and teamwork, finishing 2nd in their league conference and 8th in their tournament.
Despite tough competition, they consistently pushed through challenges, demonstrating promising potential for the seasons ahead Our U15 Girls and U15 Boys teams both claimed 2nd place in their league conferences, proving they are forces to be reckoned with The U15 Girls also secured 3rd place in their tournament, with strong performances highlighting their determination. Meanwhile, the U15 Boys fought hard in every game, earning 6th place in their tournament and making their supporters proud Finally, our most senior team, the U18 Boys, known for their resilience, ended their league season 3rd in their conference Although the U18 Girls didn’t participate in the league this year, we ’ re excited to see what the future holds for them as basketball continues to grow in popularity within our school.
Across all age groups, our teams have embodied the values of hard work and perseverance A huge thank you goes out to our coaches, whose guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping these results, and to all the fans who turned up to cheer us on throughout the season. As we look forward to next year, let’s celebrate what has been a successful season for our basketball teams!
HOUSE BASKETBALL
by Ivy S
Over the course of two exciting days, the Senior School celebrated one of the most anticipated competitions of the year: House Basketball Held on Tuesday, 26th November, for Years 9-12 and Thursday, 28th November for Years 7-8. The event showcased not only incredible athleticism but also the unwavering spirit of teamwork and House Spirit
From start to finish, the games were an exciting display o determination, and res Each house played bri demonstrating outst sportsmanship and respec supportive cheers encouragement from sidelines really highlighte incredible spirit of the ev huge congratulations to house and to everyone participated!
DUKE OF EDINBURGH BRONZE
by Clareko and Miki
On 6th November, our Year 10s travelled to Khao Yai for their Duke of Edinburgh expedition Over the two days, they tackled new challenges, mastering skills like pitching tents, navigating trails, and cooking meals on camping stoves The hike aims to challenge students to work together, deepening friendships and extending skills beyond the classroom Students were also able to spend time and get to know the exchange students from the UK, Francesca, Sophie, Edie, and Arlo In fact, group 1, including, Aeyyah, Praline, Ivy, Puhh, Dew, Thomas, and Arlo, broke the record, completing the trek in 2 hours
Ms. Nunes, the Duke of Edinburgh coordinator, claims the expedition was a success She says, "Our students continue to inspire me with their dedication, resilience, and creativity From volunteering to skillbuilding and adventurous journeys, they embrace every opportunity to grow and make a positive impact Watching them achieve their goals and exceed expectations reminds me of how amazing and capable they truly are ”
This adventure was more than just a hike; it was a moment for Year 10 to shine, proving that teamwork, determination, and a little bit of grit can lead to incredible achievements Here’s to more adventures in the future!
by Miki and Clareko
ECO COMMITTEE
One of the many leadership opportunities offered at Wellington College is the Eco Committee or Green Team Mr. Holliday and Ms. Mo operate the Senior School team, while Ms Upton runs the Junior School team
Together with the volunteer student body, the team works together and aims to make Wellington College as eco-friendly as possible, following the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) principles
Throughout this academic year, our committee has started a multitude of initiatives and programmes. We have contacted several external organisations based in Thailand, such as Recycle Day and Trash Lucky.
With their help, we are developing a full system of composting, recycling, and raising awareness. Many of our members have spoken in assemblies or created presentations, newsletters, and videos. We have also conducted a whole-school environmental audit, to identify our strengths and weaknesses
The future holds many exciting opportunities for the committee to expand and introduce more changes to our school
THE TERM IN PICTURES
By Ella M & Winnie
PREPARING FOR A-LEVELS: THE YEAR 11S SHARE THEIR INSIGHTS
By Ella M. & Winnie
As the school year progresses, Year 12 students have already embarked on their A-level journey, a transition that marks a significant milestone in their academic careers Moving from IGCSEs to A-levels is no small feat, and it brings with it a new level of focus and dedication. A-levels are known for their rigorous demands, and unlike IGCSEs, which cover a broad range of subjects, A-levels require students to concentrate on a smaller number of subjects, often linked directly to their future aspirations This shift makes developing effective study techniques crucial, with students encouraged to adopt a more independent approach to their learning
Last year, we spoke to several (then Year 11) students who were already planning their strategies to gain insight into how they were preparing for A-levels Here’s what they had to say:
1. What are your plans for A-levels, and what subjects have you chosen to study?
Proud: My plans for A-levels are to do self-studying before classes, therefore I get an overview of what I’m about to learn This way, I will understand the subject better as well I chose Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics and Psychology for my A-level choices.
Poon: A levels will be a new chapter for me as I will be moving to The Wellington College (UK) I plan to study Chemistry, Economics, Maths, Further Math while completing an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) during my time there and will be looking into a career in Economics and Finance.
2. How do you feel about the transition from GCSEs to Alevels? Do you think you're prepared for the increased workload and academic demands?
Shawn: Whilst we haven’t transitioned yet, I do believe that the transition is going to be well as you get to invest your time in subject you are more interested in so even if there is an increase in workload, I get to enjoy the learning what I want
Maple: Yes, I feel prepared; we have had many briefings and preparations, especially in choosing subjects suitable for our future
3 How do you currently revise and study for your GCSEs? Do you have any specific techniques or strategies that work well for you?
Poon: At first, I made sure that foundation of content which is the most important before starting in my opinion Then I did a mixture of open and closed book papers. Open book allows me to see how questions should be answered, improving my exam technique while closed book allows me to solidify my knowledge and more importantly get my timing right Doing timed past papers under “exam conditions” are extremely important
4. How do you stay organized and manage your time effectively during periods of heavy revision?
Proud: I make timetables to keep me on track of what subject to revise.
Shawn: To organize time, I will always suggest that student keep a planner what you will revise and when as well as a deprecate calendar to note down all your exam dates.
Maple: Because I find it difficult to stick to a revision schedule, I simply track the times when I revise instead
5 What motivates you to work hard and achieve your goals, especially during challenging periods of revision?
Proud: My high expectations and the high goals I set for myself
Poon: I perceive myself as a really competitive person, so it really helps when finding motivation to have an urge to achieve the best Of course, my parents and teacher push me as well, but the most important thing is me “wanting it” in my opinion
6 Are there any specific resources or people that help keep you motivated and focused?
Shawn: Websites like save my exams or lit charts or physics and maths tutor are great resources for notes and revision! However more Importantly it’s simply the process of repeating the information that gets it into my memory whether that’s from just reading it in my head in every morning, writing it down, or doing pass papers On staying focused, there’s absolutely no shame in relying on others for motivation so definitely ask a friend or a family member to help check up on you if you feal like you will procrastinate.
7. Do you have any advice for students going into GSCE's or just advice in general?
Maple: Don’t stress yourself or burn yourself out by doing too much because you’ll have to keep it up for 1.5 months. Proud: Revising and recalling is very important, students should revise at least 30 minutes a day, after school, to help them memorize and understand what they have learnt already
Poon: Have urgency but don’t stress Feel the need to succeed but don’t base your emotions around it. Best of luck to everyone completing IGCSE’s next year
Shawn: For general advice, I would just say that your environment does influence you whether you like it or not so surround yourself with the people and with the resources which will help you during this time
By Ivy Y8
JAPAN SKI TRIP 2024
Some of you may know that in term 2 of our last academic year, during the half-term break, Wellington had our first overseas residential in Nagano, Japan. If you wanted to partake in the trip but did not know or had not made up your mind in time, do not worry, because there’ll be another trip this academic year!
Last year, a group of around 30 students and 4 teachers went on the trip. The trip ran from 18-23rd of February and we stayed at Tangram Ski Circus. The trip involved students from years 5-11 and was led by Mr. Dass. Accompanying us on the trip were Mr. Ludvigsen, Ms. Upton and Ms. Carbonell. Read on to find out more about our experience!
On the first day, the group met at Suvarnabhumi and went through immigration From then, we took a six hour flight After the flight, and crossing through immigration in Japan, the group headed straight for the bus which would take us to our dinner spot We arrived at the hotel at around 1am and sleepily headed straight to bed
The next day was February 19, and day 2 of the ski trip Students were given a free beanie, hoodie and neck-warmer/ski mask A hearty, tasty breakfast was served at around 9 am and we got our ski pants and jackets on, and we headed back downstairs to get our new skis
For the whole trip, all students were taught by professional skicoaches and were grouped according to ability and experience
Group 1 practiced on a small hill, learning the basics While group 2 and 3 went onto a green slope and attempted to ski down the slope
Group 4 was already on the mountain and was skiing very well
After our skiing sessions we had an hour to buy snacks, souvenirs, hang out with friends or go to the pool
On day 3, we continued practising on the slopes all day after an 8am breakfast followed by more fun on the slopes
Once again, we had our free time, dinner, then sleep, ready for another day improving our skiing skills
On day 4, group 1, 2 and 3 then went onto the beautiful mountain and practiced skiing there The day went by as usual: with lots of fun being had and lots of progress being made! Group 4 by now were skiing on black slopes while the other groups explored the mountain and tried green slopes Day 5 was the last day of skiing. Group 1 went towards the peak and skied down, continuing to refine their skills. Group 2 and 3 were also around the mountain, enjoying being on routes to ski. By now, group 4 were enjoying exploring other slopes
After we finished our skiing sessions, we had a snowball fight, then we returned all our equipment back to the rental shop
We took a group picture along with receiving certificates of participation, and everyone felt proud of their new skills After dinner, and before we slept, we had a room check, to make sure our rooms were clean The ratings from Mr Dass were mostly 3-4 out of 10! Our cleaning skills were not as good as our skiing skills!
On the final day, day 6, we woke up and had breakfast in the hotel then packed up, made sure we didn’t forget anything, and we headed to see the wonderful snow monkeys
These snow-monkeys are famous because they love to bathe in the hot springs in the national park, which is normally covered with snow. We spent a while with the snow monkeys, and we even witnessed a monkey attempt to murder someone by pushing a block of ice down a small slope in the mountain After quite an interesting experience with the snow monkeys, we had a stop for lunch We could buy souvenirs and ice-cream there Afterwards, we headed straight to the airport to take our flight back to Bangkok, saying our final farewell to Japan
The trip was a wonderful success and lots of fun was had by all We are already looking forward to this years ’ trip. If you are interested, please talk to Mr Dass
By Shawn Y12
COMICS AND PUZZLES
LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
WHERE’S WELLY?
Welly the Wellington elephant and his 3 siblings need our assistance! Help them find each other by circling each of them out of the crowds of people at the beach
Illustration by Shawn WELL DONE TO OUR
Murray - Suri Year 10
Hill - Isis Year 7
Hopetoun - Mickey Year 10
Orange - Rada Year 9
Anglesey - Lydia Year 11
Talbot - Mark Year 10
Picton - Chevan Year 11
Lyndoch - Luka Year 11
JJ, Ingfah, Lincoln, Summer, Ocean, Noah, Musa, Ava S, Lilly, Emily, Paopao, A-ya, Miki Pleon, Sai, Elsa, Ella, Gaemyui, Peppin, Bua, Proud, Nicha, Q, Unna, Kuku, Michelle, Tris