Olympic Spirit at WAB
Possibly the most exciting city to be in for the next
two years will be Beijing, as the city and the entire
nation gear themselves to host the most spectacular Olympic
Games in the modern era.
The excitement is guaranteed
to be reflected at WAB, particularly as WAB is one of
only five hundred schools in China to be awarded status
of an Olympic Model School by the Beijing Organizing
Committee for the Olympic Games. WAB is also the only
international school recognized by the Chinese government
to receive this honor.
Olympic Model Schools have been selected based on
rigorous criteria including an excellent PE program
and facilities, a commitment to physical wellbeing,
the ability to integrate Olympic Education with the
school’s program, a quality educational program
and significantly being a model of Olympic Spirit.
Through its role as an Olympic Model School, WAB has
the opportunity to share with the local educational
community how we, as a school, share the same qualities
and aims as the Olympic movement itself. This means
a commitment to contributing to global harmony, a belief
that as global citizens we can find a way to maintain
our own sense of pride and purpose whilst celebrating
our place and contribution to the unity of the world,
whatever our culture or national identity.
As an Olympic Model School, WAB will share its commitment
to educating the whole person through the belief that
sport and physical activity are positive ways for people
to develop high moral standards, as described in the
IB Learner Profile and WAB Core Values. The Olympic
movement also promotes striving for personal best while
at the same enjoying the process of self-improvement.
This last point transfers very well into WAB’s
aim to equip all students to be able to reach their
full potential.
Over the next two years, the presence of the Olympics
and the Olympic ideals will weave tightly into the WAB
program in many ways. Students will have chances to engage
with the Olympics through curricular, extra-curricular
and service opportunities developing throughout 2006
- 07, with the excitement building to a climax through
the Olympic year 2007 - 08.
Things have already begun in earnest with the Elementary
School ‘Olympic Dream Series’ events of triathlon/biathlon, ‘metric
mile’ and table tennis attracting 70% participation
rate despite being purely voluntary! This is a great
sign of the Olympic spirit already being inspired at
WAB.
There will be regular updates through Lianxi of upcoming
events and soon through the OMS section of the school
website. We know that you will join us as we live the
Olympic Spirit at WAB. One World. One Dream.
-Julian Edwards, ES Assistant Principal, December
1 2006 |
