WAB Wins China School Award for Pastoral Care  

WAB was proud to win the Pastoral Care Award at the China Schools Awards, presented by the British Chamber of Commerce in China. The awards were held last Friday in Chongqing as part of China Schools Awards 2026, which celebrates outstanding practice across China’s international Kindergarten to Grade 12 education sector. 

“We are happy to win the China School Pastoral Care Award,” said Dr. Christin Topper, Whole School Head of Student Support and Psychologist. “This honor reflects the collective effort of our entire community and the way relationships, belonging, and student agency shape a culture where every learner helps make WAB a place where We All Belong.” 

“This recognition is special because it reflects what matters most at WAB: our sincere endeavour that every student is truly known, supported, and encouraged every day to grow into confident, caring, and self-aware life-long learners,” reflects Head of School, Marta Medved Krajnovic. 

Social and emotional learning is a core part of our learning and human development. It helps young people build healthy identities, manage emotions, show empathy, form supportive relationships, and make caring, responsible decisions.  This sits at the heart of a whole-child approach to education, where students are both challenged and supported. In a time of rapid change, including the rise of AI and automation, these qualities matter. Technology can process information, but it cannot replace empathy, judgment, integrity, or a strong sense of self. A strong SEL program helps students learn to use AI thoughtfully and ethically.

Our SEL commitment shows up across the school in age-appropriate, structured ways. In Elementary School, SEL is built into mentor meetings and “zen time”; in Middle School, it is taught during Flex Block by mentor teachers and counselors; and in High School, it is incorporated in assemblies, and provided through specialist support, teacher panels, and Flex block mentoring. As part of the school-home partnership, we also offer Parents as Learners sessions throughout the school year related to social emotional learning. Topics include how parents can support their child(ren) through puberty, technology use, exam season, university applications and more. For example, this week, we have SEL Expert Nick Haisman-Smith working with parents and teachers on how to better support our students.  

This award is a great reminder of how our teachers, counselors, mentors, specialists, and wider WAB community show up for students with skill and care every day. It celebrates our students, who remind us that when young people feel safe, seen, and supported, they flourish.