China's Ministry of Education Delegation Visits Scots College, Wellington
There are moments that affirm, quietly and powerfully, the regard in which an institution is held. The arrival of an official delegation led by Dr Wang Jiayi, Vice Minister of Education of the People's Republic of China, at Scots College on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, was one such moment.
The visit – arranged through the Chinese Embassy in Wellington – brought senior officials from one of the world's largest and most influential education ministries to our Strathmore campus. It was not simply a courtesy call. It was an endorsement.
A Warm Welcome on the Hill
The delegation was welcomed on arrival by Headmaster Graeme Yule and all three of the College's School Principals. As the officials made their way onto campus, the Scots College Pipe Band was playing – a reception that was warmly received by the delegation.
From there, the group was escorted to the LSLT building, where they were met by the College's department leads, Heads of College, Gina Laverty and Tom Lambie, and two of Scots College's current students from China, Justin Zhou and Daisy Fu – whose presence that morning gave the visit an immediate and personal dimension.
The Scots College Story, Told by the People Who Live It
Headmaster Graeme Yule opened the formal session with an introduction to Scots College – its heritage, its values, and the distinctive education it provides to students from New Zealand and around the world. The student Leaders and two Chinese students then spoke directly to the delegation, sharing their own experiences of school life at Scots and offering their perspective on what makes the College a genuinely special place to learn and grow.
Headmaster Yule then handed the floor to a number of the College's department leads, each of whom spoke to a different dimension of life at Scots.
Amy Joe spoke about the College's wellbeing programme – an approach to student health and pastoral care that recognises the whole person, not just the academic. Jane Tiley outlined the connection between health, physical wellbeing, and the College's Physical Education programme, demonstrating how sport and movement are woven into the fabric of daily school life. Kate Bondett spoke to the College's international joint projects, explaining how Scots students engage with schools and partners beyond New Zealand's borders. Matt Jarry gave an overview of the Arts programme, including the Artist in Residence programme and the Rata initiative – two strands of a creative life that sit at the centre of what Scots offers its students.
The breadth of the programme – academic rigour, physical development, creative excellence, and pastoral depth – drew close attention from Dr Wang and the delegation throughout.
Questions and Answers Session
Following the presentations, the floor was opened for a Q&A session. Questions from the delegation ranged across technology use in the classroom, the structure of Physical Education at Scots, and the arts opportunities available to students both during and beyond the school day. It was a genuine exchange – direct questions met with direct answers.
Gifts were exchanged between Headmaster Yule and Dr Wang – a gesture of mutual respect that brought the formal session to a warm close.
A Tour Worth Taking
The delegation then moved through the College's Creative and Performing Arts Centre – the CPAC – which houses the school's arts, drama, and music facilities. Rather than a static tour, the group was taken into live classes, where Scots College student Leaders stepped forward to explain to the delegation what was happening in the lessons. It was Scots College in action – students confident, articulate, and proud of their school.
Lunch, and the Stories That Matter Most
The visit concluded with a working lunch in the school dining room, and it was here that some of the most meaningful conversations took place. Waiting to meet Dr Wang and the delegation were a number of Scots College's Chinese students, both day students and boarders, who shared their experiences of life and study at Scots, and of living in New Zealand. Hearing directly from students thriving at a New Zealand school gave the delegation a picture that no presentation could fully capture.
A Proud Day for Scots College
It was a great honour to host Dr Wang Jiayi and the delegation, and to have them see first-hand the strong ties that Scots College has with China – built in classrooms, on playing fields, in boarding houses, and at lunches just like this one.
The visit reflects the regard in which Scots College is held internationally, and the College's enduring commitment to preparing students not just for New Zealand, but for the world.
