见到Justin之前，我们已经在网上看到了太多关于他的报道。 

“以笔当枪”的媒体人，孜孜不倦的制伞匠人，无界咖啡馆主理人……似乎所有的报道都塑造了一个非常知性、颇具艺术的形象。他毕业于浙大新闻系，曾前往清华与美院学习工业与服装设计，还是日本某大学的客座教授。但比起这些，我们更好奇的是另一个问题：作为惠立创校学子Alice的父亲，他在生活中究竟是什么样的人？ 

带着这个疑问，我们前往了离学校不远的咖啡馆，与“主理人”进行了一次交谈。 

如果你经常逛咖啡馆，你可能会知道每一个咖啡馆的门道——主理人选的是物品，兜售的其实是自己的性格和品味。Justin的咖啡馆中布满了各类与美学、哲学相关的书籍，展陈着精美的手工雨伞，还能偶遇一些同为惠立家长的朋友。咖啡香气通过嗅觉点燃了神经末梢，我们认为这是一个享受思考与交谈状态的场所。 

见到Justin的第一面，我们察觉到他与想象中的“家长”有些不同。肤色黝黑，留着些许胡渣，衣服看起来有些陈旧，手工围裙上还沾有一些创作时留下的“痕迹”——他从头到脚都散发着随性的气息，不太像是常年坐办公室的人。 

“要去外面看看吗？” 

无界咖啡馆外墙 

“Blooming elegantly even in the storm（风雨中优雅绽放）”，然后他开始滔滔不绝地讲述为何要把这句话刻在自己咖啡馆的外墙上。 

“‘风雨’象征着人生中的波折，‘优雅绽放’象征着自信的精神状态和自我选择。这既是给世人的一种祝福，也是一种陪伴……” 

他比我们想象中健谈得很多。不避讳问题、喜欢发散性地讨论。在谈论中也总是一直考虑到我们的感受，尽量把话题往有趣的方向发展，虽然是i人的外表，但内心其实是个不折不扣的e人。 

回到咖啡馆，他随手拿起一本朱光潜的《谈美》，想推荐给惠立的孩子们。他认为这本书很好地阐述了中国人的特质与状态，并介绍了如何融合国际的理念与文化。对于在双语学校成长的孩子来说，这会是一本很好的读物。 

“作者以中国人的笔触在国外完成了创作，朱自清为其写了序，这本书在美学界能称得上是一面旗帜。” 

Justin在书上做满了笔记 

即使阅读只是Justin众多爱好中的一种，但在当时却是开启对话的一把钥匙。顺着这些飘着咖啡清香的美学著作，我们开启了新的话题。 

无论从美观还是创意的角度，生活中大多数的伞确实是太没“存在感”了，很有可能出门的时候会拿错伞，或者直接忘记拿；哪怕使用感真的不错，偶尔也有一天会把自己的伞借出去，之后就再也没有了后续…… 

然而，来到Justin的咖啡馆之后，我们发现他的伞极具“存在感”，会让你莫名地产生一种想法：伞在，我在，伞不能丢。 

“雨伞的单词umbrella，是世界公认最优雅的单词之一”，谈到雨伞时，拥有20年制伞经历、300多项世界专利的Justin告诉了我们一些有趣的背景。 

“1750年，英国的汉威到中国旅行后带了一把油布伞回伦敦，在大街上拿着伞遮风挡雨，轰动一时。当时保守的天主教认为这是亵渎了上帝的旨意，因为刮风下雨是上帝的安排，但大家逐渐发现遮风挡雨是人类所必须的，所以后来不管是宗教的角度，或是文明发展的角度，大家都慢慢地学会了接受。” 

Justin告诉我们，选择把制伞作为一生的事业，最主要的原因是因为伞本身具有“跨界”的特征。 

从古至今，从东到西，从自然材质至工业材料，从平面设计到雕塑甚至到建筑，无所不包；从诗书画到波普甚至到量子科学，没有边界——这是最让他着迷的地方，也是他个人性格与广泛兴趣爱好所能承载的器物。 

作为闻名中外的制伞大师，Justin也为惠灵顿杭州校区独家设计过一批精美的雨伞，这些雨伞的设计灵感来源于中国传统的制伞工艺，又融入了前沿的现代审美元素。每一把雨伞都经过精心的材料挑选与制作，在Justin看来，伞已经不单单是一件产品，它更像是一种美学的展示与生活方式的追求。 

Justin为惠灵顿杭州校区设计的雨伞 

“惠立之伞”的每一个细节都诉说着Justin的匠心独运。伞架使用了国际高标准高尔夫运动伞标准材质，永不生锈；面料使用了企业专利研发的高密度抗紫外线纳米防水技术；手柄使用了定制激光雕刻的加拿大枫木材质。整体具有英伦低调典雅风格，同时兼具抗风、防风、安全可靠、抗紫外线、不沾水等运户外运动防护功能。

这些雨伞的诞生，得益于学校与家长社群的紧密合作。在惠立，每一位家长都是我们不可或缺的一员。这种关系不仅体现在这些精美的雨伞上，更体现在每一次日常的家校沟通中，每一场学校活动的亲子合作中，以及日复一日的相互支持与鼓励之中。 

Justin的“清醒”不仅在制伞与咖啡馆上，更体现在他女儿Alice的教育上。 

从绍兴上虞作为故事的起点，近年来移居至萧山的小镇上开启新的生活，女儿也随之加入了惠立作为创校学子，这背后蕴藏着怎样的故事？ 

如果你是惠立的家长，请耐心阅读完下面的问答环节，Justin不仅讨论了女儿在学校的成长故事，还分享了对于双语教育以及兴趣培养方面的经验；如果你不是惠立的家长，也请仔细看完后续的采访，尤其是加粗的部分，因为这些回答可能会驱散你的一些“迷雾”，更能让你在醍醐灌顶之后，获得切实有用的真东西。 

Q：作为一名家长，你认为自己的背景与成就在塑造孩子的世界观上起到了怎样的作用？ 

Justin：我们给女儿取的是一个具有开放性的名字，从来没有确定过我们想给她什么，我们希望Alice能用自己的眼光去体会美的东西。选择惠立，是认同，不单是教育层面，更是因为校园氛围——惠立包容、自由、尊重每一个个体的理念与我们在家形成的一种平等沟通、自由表达的理念是高度契合的。我们从来不会主动为Alice找补习班，只有按照她的需求，我们才会给予一些东西。 

Q：对于双语教育有何看法，特别是在惠立这样的双语学校中，孩子能接触到多元文化的背景之下。 

Justin：双语教育实在太重要了，其实不仅是现在，而是在任何时候。我们拿近现代文明这几百年来讲，英语其实是走向这个世界的一张“通行证”，而惠立则为Alice打开了一扇接收全球信息的“门”。能从小接受这样的双语教育，能更早地用英语原汁原味吸收国外一些美的东西，不管是书籍，或是电影，还是艺术，都拓展了她人生的宽度。Alice可能只是萧山的一个普通居民，惠立的一名普通学生，但是在这所学校，她的心里已经装下了整个世界。 

Q：为什么会选择把女儿从公立学校转到惠立，这个过程是如何去适应的？ 

Justin：Alice从公立学校转到惠立已经是5年前的事了，我们的记忆没有那么精准，但当时的感受确实是毫无压力。在公立学校时，Alice的英语基础并没有那么好，我们在家也没有过多涉及英语教育，但Alice作为惠立的创校生，她获得的是一种“无痕”的适应，她不会有疯狂内卷的焦虑，在惠立的环境之中，她一下子就放松了。有一次回到家她跟我们说“太棒了，怎么有这样的学校”，她适应得特别快。但我也建议如果有想把孩子送进双语学校意向的家长，越早行动越好，比如在一二年级开始。 

Q：来到惠立之后，Alice是怎样发展自身兴趣爱好的？

Justin：很多家长花费了太多时间为自己的孩子“补短板”，想做一些有成效的事情，但往往浪费了能够激发他们优点与特质的能力。Alice在惠立时，慢慢发现自己喜欢游泳，就报名了花泳训练队，之后努力到达了校队的标准，游泳使她的身心得到了很好的发展；Alice还坚持着钢琴练习，不断努力取得更高的等级。当她开心或者不开心的时候，会用钢琴来表达自己的情绪，这个是我们非常愿意看到的音乐修养。惠立给了Alice足够的空间去认识自己，了解自身的兴趣爱好，以及触摸这个多元的世界。 

Q：如何看待惠立五大价值观（仁义礼勇信）？ 

Justin：我经常在惠立的墙上看到五大价值观，孩子也偶尔会跟我提到，这些年来我们注意到了惠立的努力，无论是学校的社团建设，或是课程建设，或是家校沟通，都在往更好的方向发展。五大价值观中，我觉得在Alice身上体现最深的是“勇”。这种勇气表现在与父母及老师之间的平等沟通，对于社会现象的勇敢发声，对于愿望的勇敢表达，我们认为惠立在她的心中种下了“勇”的种子。 

Q：谈起艺术与教育，你会怎么看待他们二者之间的关系？ 

Justin：关系太大了。艺术是看得见的，是摸得着的一种美。惠立在杭州5年以来承载与积累的一些东西，可以说是一种善意的“筛选机制”，是教育的艺术化：选的教材，选的老师，孩子们的教育环境，大家之间的沟通技巧等等，一切都在逐步追求完美。另一方面，教育也是可以“美学化”的，这可以体现在学校的任何一个简单的角落，比如在幼儿园的桌子尖头做了缓冲的设计处理，教室的布置与走廊的美化会选择不同的颜色与材质——惠立从每一个小细节出发，更美地去执行学校的目标，而学校本身也是英式教育与中国传统教育之间一种艺术化的融合。 

终身学习力背后是什么？是源源不断的兴趣与勇于探索的内心。 

让孩子在多元的文化环境中感受“不同”，并不是为了变成对方那样，而是让他们变得更加理性、客观、包容，这是Justin选择惠立的理由，也是众多家长将孩子送进惠立这样的双语学校的初衷。 

一个多小时的采访里，Justin表现得很健谈，问题答得不深奥，非常“直给”，但对自己的经历与女儿的故事又充满着感性的叙述。这是一位信仰艺术感受，善于审视自我，同时简单又真实的家长。 

这就是Justin，拥有三百多份世界专利的制伞大师，杭州惠立初中部家长，一个浑身都泛着艺术与理想之光的人。他告诉我们，看到女儿在惠立的成长和进步，感到非常自豪与欣慰。 

“这一切都离不开惠立优秀的教育环境和老师们的悉心教导、同学们的热情帮助。我相信，在未来的日子里，Alice会继续努力，不断挑战自我、实现梦想。而我们作为家长，也会一如既往地支持她，陪伴她走过人生的每一个重要时刻。” 

我们非常感激Justin能够与我们分享自己的经历与Alice的成长故事，让我们能够更深入地了解惠立学子的成长历程。在这个充满挑战和机遇的时代，杭州惠立学校将继续秉承“惠贤育能，立德树人”的理念，创造以学生为主导的、沉浸式多语言多文化学习体验，为每一个学生提供更加广阔的发展空间和更加丰富的教育资源。 

我们祝愿所有惠立学子在未来的学习、生活中，都能绽放出更加绚丽的光彩。 

Be More. Be Ingenious: 

An interview with Justin,

 a founding parent of WCCH 

Before encountering Justin, a myriad of stories about him had already made headlines online.  

A journalist who considers the pen as mighty as the sword, a meticulous umbrella craftsman, and the proprietor of Infinity Coffee shop – each narrative painted a picture of a highly intellectual and artistic persona. Justin, a graduate from the Department of Journalism at Zhejiang University, furthered his studies in industrial and clothing design at Tsinghua University and served as a visiting professor at a university in Japan. However, our fascination extended beyond these accolades. As the father of Alice, a founding pupil at Huili, what is his real-life persona? 

With this curiosity in mind, we ventured to the nearby café to engage in conversation with the owner himself. 

For regular patrons of coffee shops, the unique charm of each establishment is often reflective of the owner’s taste and personality. Justin's coffee shop is adorned with books related on aesthetics and philosophy, complemented by beautifully crafted handmade umbrellas, creating an environment frequented by fellow supporters of the Huili families. Immersed in the aromatic ambience of coffee, our senses were enriched, making it an ideal space for contemplation and dialogue. 

Justin defied the conventional image of a parent. With dark skin, a hint of stubble, and donned in slightly worn-out clothes paired with a handmade apron bearing traces of his creative endeavours, he exuded a casual atmosphere uncommon for someone who spends their days confined to an office. 

"Would you like to step outside for a bit?" he asked. 

The facade of the Infinity Coffee shop 

The façade of the Infinity Coffee shop bore the inscription, ‘Blooming elegantly even in the storm.’

Justin elaborated on the significance, “The 'storms' symbolise the struggles one may encounter in life, while 'blossoming elegantly' is a choice made with confidence. It is a blessing to everyone and a representation of our companionship." 

Contrary to our expectations, Justin proved to be much more talkative than anticipated. Unfazed by questions, he embraced discussions with divergent thinking and was considerate of our feelings, steering the discussion in an enjoyable direction. Despite his seemingly introverted appearance, he revealed an extroverted nature. 

Back inside the coffee shop, Justin picked up a book he recommended to Huili pupils – ‘On Beauty’ by Zhu Guangqian, a founder of the study of aesthetics in China. He believed that the book eloquently explained the unique traits and mindset of Chinese people while exploring the integration of international ideas and cultures. For children in bilingual schools, it would be an excellent read. 

"Written by a Chinese author, this book was completed abroad and was preluded by Zhu Ziqing, a renowned Chinese poet and essayist. It is a milestone in the field of aesthetics."   

Justin made many notes on the book. 

Reading was one of his many interests and it opened doors to subsequent conversations on many topics. Following the book on aesthetics with the fragrant aroma of coffee, we embarked on a new journey of dialogue. 

Whether it is from an aesthetic or creative standpoint, umbrellas are subject to our oblivion in daily life. Chances are that we may accidentally take the wrong one when leaving, forget it altogether, or lend a properly functioning one to someone else and never see it again. 

On entry into Justin's coffee shop, we immediately noticed that his umbrellas were strikingly represented. This created a curious impression in you that you are where the umbrella is, ensuring you won’t lose it.

“Umbrella is considered to be one of the most elegant words recognised globally." Justin, who has 20 years of experience in umbrella-making and owner of over 300 international patents, shared with us some interesting history about the umbrella. 

"In 1750, the British traveller Jonas Hanway brought an oilcloth umbrella from China to London. It caused a sensation when he walked around the streets holding it, sheltering himself from rain and wind. The conservative Catholics believed that using an umbrella was blasphemous because rain and wind are the arrangements of God. However, people gradually realised the practical necessity of protecting themselves during inclement weather, so they slowly accepted the idea of it from both a religious perspective and also as a reflection of the evolving needs of civilisation." 

Justin explained that the main reason for choosing umbrella-making as a lifelong career is because umbrellas themselves have a cross-boundary feature. 

From ancient times to the present, from East to West, from natural materials to industrial materials, from graphic design to sculpture and even to architecture, it includes everything; from literature and art to pop culture and even to quantum science, there are no boundaries. An umbrella is an all-inclusive, highly artistic and elegant object with various aesthetic appeals. It perfectly aligns with his pursuit of elegance and aesthetics, as well as his wide range of interests and hobbies, making it the most fascinating aspect of the umbrella for him. 

As a renowned master of umbrella-making at home and abroad, Justin exclusively designed exquisite umbrellas for Wellington College Hangzhou, which are inspired by traditional Chinese umbrella-making techniques and integrated with cutting-edge modern aesthetic elements. Every umbrella is crafted with carefully selected materials. In Justin's view, umbrellas are no longer merely products; rather, they represent aesthetics outlook and pursuits of lifestyles. 

The umbrella designed by Justin for WCCH

The Huili umbrella speaks volumes of Justin’s craftsmanship. The frame is carved from high-quality alloy material, ensuring outstanding stability without compromising its light weight. The fabric is made of one-piece premium waterproof material, making raindrops slide off like silk without seeping in. When rain pitter-patters onto the umbrella, it is as if it creates a concert in a secluded place, harmonious and pleasing to the ear. 

The creation of these umbrellas owes to the close collaboration between school and the parent community. We value every parent as an inseparable member at Huili and demonstrate it in these exquisite umbrellas, our daily parent-school communication, cooperative parent-child activities and our continuous mutual support and encouragement. 

Justin’s prudence extends beyond his umbrella-making and coffee shop business to his daughter Alice's education.  

Their Huili journey began when Alice joined Huili as a founding pupil when the family relocated from Shangyu District, Shaoxing City to a small town in Xiaoshan District. What is the story behind this? 

If you are a Huili parent, please read through the following Q&A div with patience because Justin shared how his daughter grows at Huili and his experiences in bilingual education and interest development. If you are not a Huili parent, please also read it carefully, especially the sentences in bold because it might provide you with some insight, enlightenment and useful information. 

As a parent, what role do you think your background and achievements have played in shaping your child's worldview?  

Justin: We were open-minded in naming our daughter because we never had a set idea of what we wanted for her. We wanted Alice to experience beauty through her own eyes. We chose Huili because we agreed with its education values and atmosphere. Huili’s ethos of inclusivity, freedom, and respect for each individual aligns with our own belief in equal communication and free expression at home. We refrain from actively seeking tutoring classes for Alice; we only give her what she needs when she requests.   

What are your thoughts on bilingual education, particularly in schools like Huili where children are exposed to diverse cultural backgrounds?  

Justin: Bilingual education is incredibly important for now and any other time. Over the past few hundred years of modern civilisation, English has become a ‘passport’ to the world, and Huili has opened a ‘door’ for Alice to receive global information. Receiving bilingual education from an early age allows Alice to absorb exotic beauty in authentic English, whether they are books, movies, or art which enriches her life. Alice may just be an ordinary resident of Xiaoshan, and an ordinary student at Huili, but at this school, she has had the world encompassed in her heart. 

Why did you choose to transfer your daughter from a public school to Huili, and how did she adapt to this process? 

Justin: Alice transferred to Huili from a public school five years ago. Although we only have vague memories about it now, we do remember that she felt little pressure at that time. Alice was not strongly inclined in English while learning at the public school, and we were not pushing her to learn English at home. Alice, however, as a founding pupil of Huili, smoothly adapted to the school environment without intense competition anxiety; Huili's environment relaxed her promptly. When she came home one day, she said to us, "The school is amazing. I cannot believe such a school exists. " She adapted quickly. I also suggest that if parents intend to send their children to bilingual schools, the earlier they act, the better. It can be as early as when the child is in grade one or two. 

After joining Huili, how has Alice been developing her interests and hobbies?  

Justin: Many parents spend too much time ‘remedying shortcomings’ for their children and trying to do something with instant results, which might result in missing the opportunity to stimulate their strengths and what makes them unique. Dring her years at Huili, Alice gradually discovered her passion for swimming. She then joined the artistic swimming training team, worked hard and eventually reached the school representative team standard. Swimming has been conducive to her physical and mental growth. Alice also persisted in piano practice and worked hard to achieve a higher level. We are pleased to see her play piano to express her emotions when she feels happy or unhappy – it is a demonstration of her music literacy. Huili has provided Alice with sufficient space to explore herself, understand her interests and passions and explore this diverse world. 

What do you think of the five Huili values (namely, kindness, responsibility, respect, courage and integrity)?  

Justin: I have seen the five Huili values frequently on the walls at Huili, and occasionally my daughter mentions them to me. Over the years, we have noticed the school’s efforts in developing the school's extracurricular activities, curriculum, and home-school communication, all developing towards a better direction. Among the five values, the one that is most profoundly found in Alice is ‘courage’. This courage is reflected in her equal communication with parents and teachers, her brave speech on social phenomena, and her bold expression of wishes. We believe that Huili has planted the seed of ‘courage’ in her.  

Talking about art and education, how do you perceive the relationship between them? 

Justin: It is a significant relationship. Art is a visible and tangible form of beauty. The things that Huili has carried and accumulated in Hangzhou over the past five years can be seen as a well-intentioned ‘screening mechanism’ and an artistic form of education: the selection of teaching materials and teachers, the educational environment, communication skills, etc., all moving towards the pursuit of perfection step by step. On the other hand, education can also be ‘aestheticised’ and reflected in any corner of the school. For example, the design of sharp edge protectors on the table in the nursery, and the selection of different colours and materials when making classroom layout and corridor beautification decisions. With attention to detail, Huili takes action and works toward the goals with an aesthetic outlook, and the school itself is also an artistic blend of British education and traditional Chinese education.  

What motivates one to become a lifelong learner? It is one’s inexhaustible interest and a willingness to bravely explore.  

Experiencing ‘difference’ in a diverse cultural environment is not about becoming like the other side, but rather about becoming more rational, objective and inclusive. This was Justin's reason for choosing Huili, as well as the initial aspiration of many parents to enrol their children in a bilingual school like Huili.  

During the hour-long interview, Justin was talkative, answering questions in a straightforward and genuine manner, while also passionately discussing his own experience and his daughter's journey at Huili. With a belief in art and a commitment to self-reflection, he is a parent of candour and sincerity.  

This is Justin, a master umbrella maker with over three hundred world patents, a parent of a Junior High pupil at Huili School Hangzhou, and a person drive by artistic and idealistic pursuits. His pride and joy are evident as he witnesses his daughter’s growth and progress at Huili. 

"All of this is inseparable from Huili's excellent educational environment, the attentive guidance of the teachers, and the enthusiastic assistance of classmates. I believe that in the future, Alice will continue to work hard, keep challenging herself, and realise her dreams. As parents, we will continue to support her and accompany her through every milestone in her life."  

We are profusely grateful to Justin for generously sharing the story of himself and Alice which allowed us to have a deeper understanding of the trajectory of Huili pupils. Facing challenges and opportunities in this ever-changing world, Huili School Hangzhou will continue pioneering education to serve and help shape a better world, creating a pupil-led, immersive, bilingual, and bicultural learning experience, and providing every pupil with a broader development space and richer educational resources. We wish all Huili pupils a future filled with prosperity in both learning and life.