At Wellington, global citizenship isn’t just a concept — it’s a tradition. Since the school’s founding in 1982, International Week has been a staple of the student experience, immersing our community in cultures, languages, and traditions from around the world. This year’s celebration, held from January 27-31, was no exception.
Each day brought a new opportunity for students to explore, engage, and appreciate global perspectives, whether through food, music, performance, or research. Here’s a look back at the highlights from the week.
Monday: A Sweet Start to the Week
The upper school kicked off International Week with The Great International Bake-Off, a beloved event that was enjoyed by all. Merci to Mr. Hirt for his work bringing this fun and delicious competition to life. Students displayed their baking talents by preparing desserts from around the world, making for both a festive and flavorful start to the week.
Tuesday: The Joy of Language Through Performance
Language learning came to life as first grade students performed in French for the upper school, offering a fun and educational showcase of their skills. Merci to Madame Hans and the first grade for not only sharing their enthusiasm for language but also teaching the upper schoolers how to prepare for winter weather — en français.
Wednesday: A Multisensory Celebration
The Upper School Chinese Club hosted a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration, offering students a chance to engage in traditions through hands-on activities. Stations included drawing and coloring, with a special focus on snakes in honor of the Year of the Snake, lantern making, origami folding, and xiangqi, also known as Chinese chess. Students also had the opportunity to play ping pong, a popular sport in China.
The Thiossane Institute brought the energy and tradition of West African dance and drumming to students in grades 1-4. A special thank you to the Thiossane Institute for an unforgettable performance. The highlight of the event was seeing Wellington students Maya and Reign confidently share the moves they’ve been practicing, Malcolm trying out the drums, and our enthusiastic volunteers jumping in to dance at the end.
The Thomas Family Dining Room prepared a special Lunar New Year lunch featuring a carefully curated menu: chicken longevity noodles, chicken dumplings, sautéed bok choy, yu sheng salad, rou jia mo (pork belly bun), and he jia tuan yuan (tofu ball soup).
Thursday: Music, Dance, and Multilingual Expression
International Week isn’t just about learning — it’s about celebrating the cultures that make up our own community. ECLS families were invited to create welcome signs to display outside their classrooms, showcasing the many languages and backgrounds represented at Wellington.
In Gard Gym, early childhood and lower school students experienced a Lunar New Year celebration featuring music, dance, and martial arts performances. The energy was electric as students immersed themselves in the rich cultural traditions of the holiday.
Meanwhile, the Upper School Multilingual Karaoke Event gave students a chance to showcase their love of languages in a fun and engaging way, performing songs in multiple languages for their peers.
Friday: A Culmination of Learning and Tastes
The week concluded with two significant events that emphasized research and global flavors.
The 8th Grade International Fair, a signature part of the grade 8 experience, allowed students to showcase months of research on a country or region tied to their language of study. Whether presenting on Panama, Vanuatu, Spain, or beyond, students shared insights with parents and middle school peers — and even prepared traditional snacks to give visitors a literal taste of their chosen cultures.
The Thomas Family Dining Room marked International Day with a menu that transported students around the world: ramen bar, falafel salad, kathi roll, and caldo verde.
A Tradition That Inspires
As International Week ended, it was clear that the experiences left a lasting impact. From young learners singing in French to middle schoolers diving deep into cultural research, each moment reinforced Wellington’s commitment to preparing students for an interconnected world.
After more than 40 years, International Week remains a cornerstone of the Wellington experience — proof that when we celebrate cultures, we grow as global citizens.