The column "Upward Bound", a collection of outstanding students on the official WeChat account of Lucton School Chongqing, is presented to you again. It will share stories of all aspects of students at Lucton School Chongqing, including warm messages from the Founding Head, comments from teachers and personal sharing on life and interests, etc. In this issue, let’s take a look at Mathew W, a Year 10 student.

Subject Choice:
Compulsory subjects: English, Chinese, Mathematics, Global Perspectives, Public Speaking, Reading
Elective subjects: Business Studies, Economics, ICT, Biology

Message from Founding Head
Mathew W is a thoughtful, observant, and well-mannered young man. He is also incredibly popular amongst his peers. It is lovely to see him shine at assemblies giving presentations, on the basketball court collaborating with his team at a match, giving ideas as a Year 10 Student Leadership Team Representative, and doing academically well in subjects. I enjoyed very much my conversation with him on the subject of Global Perspectives and it was obvious how much he was benefiting from it by the way he spoke of what he was learning from this course as well as his desire to know more about this world we live in. He is attentive and intelligent, and one leaves every interaction with him marvelling at what a star he is of his generation living his day to day with strong values.
——Ms. Sarah Ezdani
Founding Head of Lucton School Chongqing

Mr. Salman Ali Shah
Economics Teacher & EPQ Coordinator
First of all, I would like to comment on Mathew W's academic performance. As evident from his scores in class quizzes and other activities, he has been one of the top performing students in his class. Second of all, he never fails to impress me with his "going-one-step-further" approach. He has been an active member of his class that is keen on studying and critically analysing real world issues. Last but not least, I find Mathew was an extremely nice person that is easy to communicate with, and who has a friendly and very courteous manner. He is always willing to provide help to his classmates in studies and otherwise. I had invited him several times to share his knowledge with his classmates. I was impressed of his confidence and strong grip over the English language.

During the Branding and Culture Department’s interview, Mathew W shared his hobbies, daily life, future goals, and his insights on personal growth, etc.

In a recent friendly basketball match with Yew Chung International School of Chongqing, Mathew W helped his team to victory as a member of the basketball team. About hobbies, he demonstrated a strong passion for a variety of sports, “I am always on the lookout for new and exciting games to play. Basketball, with its fast-paced gameplay, is one of my favourite sports. Football, on the other hand, allows me to showcase my sport IQ and teamwork skills. Badminton and table tennis are my top choices for indoor sports. Ultimate frisbee, with its unique combination of athleticism and strategy, has also become a recent favourite of mine. Besides, a wide range of sports is provided at school. Among Elite Sports, Equestrianism makes me braver, Skiing brings me the joy of speed, and Golf provides a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. These are just a few of the many sports I enjoy playing, and I am always looking forward to trying out new ones."

When talking about his daily life, he described himself as a relaxed person. Apart from sports, he devotes his free time to reading novels to keep peace.

Mathew W also excels academically and was praised by his teachers. He shared, “Global Perspectives has expanded my understanding of different cultures and global issues, while Biology caught my interest in the study of living organisms. Both courses have equipped me with valuable knowledge and critical thinking skills that will benefit me in the future.” He also emphasised that Lucton School Chongqing's engaging and interactive classes and the support of the teachers ignited his academic passion.

As looking to the future, Mathew W is considering going to university in the US. He explained, “It would provide me with a chance to experience a new culture. Nevertheless, the potential for a well-rounded education and career opportunities makes it an appealing choice.”

In addition to his positive attitude and courage to take on challenges, Mathew W also mentioned that he does not regard mistakes as failures, but rather as opportunities for growth. He said, “Making mistakes is a natural part of life, but it's what we do with those mistakes that truly defines us. Each mistake has taught me valuable lessons and shaped me into a better person. I am grateful for the influence of my mistakes and how they have guided me towards personal growth and self-improvement.”

Lucton School Chongqing will adhere to the original ethos, lighting up the road to the dream for Lucton students and helping them reach new heights.