Click the link to view the full version: Getting Ready for the New Term: Your Back-to-School Guide
A new term is about to begin. Here is your back-to-school guide to help you prepare for a new academic year filled with exciting opportunities and challenges!
01.
Prepare Your School Essentials
and Follow the Uniform Guidelines
Stationery, notebooks, school bags, water bottles, as well as any learning materials and devices required by the school — rather than rushing around looking for everything the night before the first day, why not prepare a back-to-school checklist in advance and get everything ready?
At WASCZ, children in Kindergarten, Lower School and Upper School each have their own uniform requirements and expectations. Before the start of term, it is worth checking once again: do you have all the required uniform items for different occasions, including academic and sports activities? Are the sizes still suitable? Do your shoes and socks meet the requirements? … Organise everything in advance and keep items neatly sorted, so that there is no need to face the morning dilemma of “What am I going to wear today?”
For boarding students, one of the key tasks before returning to school is preparing their personal boarding essentials. We provide students with a clean, complete set of bedding, while students are expected to bring their own spare uniforms, shoes and socks, toiletries and other personal items in accordance with the boarding requirements. They should also begin preparing for independent living by learning to organise their own belongings, look after their personal finances and manage their daily routines independently. Bring these essentials with you — and, just as importantly, bring a readiness to embrace independent living.
💡A quick reminder:
New families are kindly encouraged to read the Student Handbook carefully to help prepare for a smooth start to the new school term.
02.
Reset Your Routine and
Get Back into Learning Mode
With the new term just around the corner, are you still keeping those relaxed holiday habits of “not wanting to go to bed at night and struggling to get up in the morning”? Start adjusting your routine a few days before school begins. Establish a regular schedule with earlier bedtimes, earlier mornings and regular mealtimes, allowing your body and mind to gradually return to the rhythm of learning.
At WASCZ, students usually arrive at school at around 7:50, meet with their tutors at 8:00, and begin their first lesson at 8:20. Before the start of term, you can gradually adjust your daily routine towards these timings, allowing yourself to ease into the new schedule and avoid feeling tired or struggling to concentrate during the first days of term.
Likewise, reducing daily screen time towards the end of the holidays and making more time for exercise, reading, pre-learning and English practice can help children make a smooth transition from “holiday mode” back to “learning mode”, while regaining a sense of control over their time.
03.
Get to Know Our Campus in Advance
An Immersive English Environment
and a Diverse International Community
At WASCZ, English is not simply a subject; it is an essential tool for learning and everyday communication. As an international community with an immersive English environment, WASCZ welcomes international students who make up nearly 20% of the student body, representing nearly 40 countries and regions. From classroom discussions and everyday conversations to extra-curricular activities and group projects, students are encouraged to use English across different aspects of school life, developing their language skills through natural communication while learning to approach peers from different cultural backgrounds with openness and respect. This provides a strong foundation in both language and cultural awareness for their future lives overseas.
House-Based Boarding
and Dedicated Tutor Support
Like the magical world of Harry Potter, WASCZ has a distinctive House system, with ten Houses in total — five for boys and five for girls. After joining the school, every student becomes a member of one of these Houses, gaining a close-knit House community alongside their academic and daily school life. Throughout the year, Houses take part in a wide range of sporting, artistic and academic competitions and activities, helping students develop teamwork, social confidence and a strong sense of belonging.
Boarding is an integral part of holistic education at WASCZ. Students live in their respective boarding houses as part of their House community. Through boarding life, they develop a sense of responsibility both as individuals and as members of a community, learning how to live independently, build positive friendships and manage their time, while developing a sense of security and belonging through respecting differences. It is an environment where students can enjoy meaningful experiences and grow with confidence and independence. The friendships formed through boarding often extend beyond the school years, becoming lasting relationships that stay with them throughout life.
The House system, boarding and personal tutor support together form a comprehensive pastoral care system for every student. Every student has their own dedicated tutor, with regular one-to-one conversations to monitor their academic progress and wellbeing, provide timely support with emotions and pressures, and help them develop personalised plans for their future. From “What grades should I achieve?” to “What kind of person do I want to become?”, tutors look beyond academic achievement to support each student’s development as a confident and independent individual.
A Rich Range of Extra-curricular Activities and Opportunities to Compete
Alongside their core academic lessons, WASCZ students can choose from a wide range of extra-curricular activities(ECA). From STEM, robotics, coding and crafts to sport, music, drama and literature, covering 30+ sports and 20+ Western and Chinese musical instruments, gives every child the opportunity to discover their passions, develop their potential and build confidence. At the start of the new term, every student will have the opportunity to choose ECAs according to their interests and take part in them at scheduled times each week, gradually developing their skills and expertise.
Beyond ECA, we also offer students of different ages a wealth of opportunities, including academic competitions, sporting events, artistic performances and exhibitions, community volunteering, and educational trips around the world. From the school stage to the wider world, these diverse experiences help children broaden their global perspective and discover passions that can last a lifetime.
04.
How Can Parents Support Their Children Before the Start of Term?
For returning WASCZ students and their families, coming back to school means reuniting with familiar teachers and friends, while also embracing new subjects and new goals for growth. Before the start of term, take some time to talk with your child about their expectations and plans for the new term. Encourage them to set a new goal and create a practical action plan. A new experience, a hobby they want to pursue, or a skill they hope to improve can all become small but meaningful goals to look forward to in the new term.
For students joining WASCZ for the first time, an unfamiliar environment can mean a period of adjustment. This can be particularly true for children who are transitioning to an international education pathway for the first time, as they may also need time to adapt to a new language and cultural environment. We provide new students with support and guidance to help them settle into school life. Before the start of term, parents can also explore the campus and learn about their child’s learning and daily arrangements together. Encourage your child to express their expectations and concerns, and think in advance about who they can turn to for support if they encounter any difficulties — whether it is their Housemasters or Housemistress, Form Tutor or any member of staff they meet. This can help them take their first steps into the new term with greater confidence.
Once students are on campus, our comprehensive home-school communication system enables parents to stay informed about their child’s learning and wellbeing at school, while also helping teachers gain a fuller understanding of each student’s individual needs. We believe that strong communication between home and school provides children with more consistent, sustained and effective support.
With the stories and experiences gathered over the holidays, our students are about to embark on a new journey filled with exploration, challenge and growth. And we are ready to welcome every WASCZ student with enthusiasm and warmth!
See you on the first day of term at WASCZ!
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