UNESCO CONSULTATIVE STATUS ISA NEWSLETTER
EDUCATION IS THE BEST INSTRUMENT TO BUILD A BETTER WORLD.
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Welcome A´ksent Academy Next GEN courses, West Exchange Programmes, Nottingham Academy Agora Sant Cugat
MARCH 2021, VOL 2 ¡¡¡ISA JOINT INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS!!!
A partner of: COLEGIO LAKESIDE (MÉXICO) AND HYPATIA INT. SCHOOL (COLOMBIA)
We launched ISA Joint International Projects, by which schools sign up to follow the UN calendar of International Days. Laura De Grazia is the ISA Coordinator for the schools that want to join the projects. In this opportunity we celebrated the International Women´s Day in which two Latin American schools participated. There are International Days to celebrate almost every month so do not hesitate to join this amazing opportunity!
Sofía Daza "SINCE ITS FOUNDATION, THE UN HAS ENCOURAGED THE CARE OF HUMAN RIGHTS, THAT IS WHY SINCE 2010 THE ENTITY FOR GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN WAS CREATED"
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"WHO IS MATILDE MONTOYA?
SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN IN MÉXICO TO OBTAIN A MEDICAL DEGREE. FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE SHE SHOWED AN INTEREST IN STUDYING, THANKS TO THE SUPPORT AND TEACHING GIVEN BY HER MOTHER"
"WHO IS FRIDA KHALO?
SHE WAS A MEXICAN PAINTER. HER LIFE WAS MARKED BY THE MISFORTUNE OF SUFFERING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN HER YOUTH THAT KEPT HER BEDRIDDEN FOR LONG PERIODS, EVENTUALLY UNDERGOING UP TO 32 SURGICAL OPERATIONS. SHE LED AN UNCONVENTIONAL LIFE.
PAGE 03 WE WELCOME A´KSENT ACADEMY (ITALY)
PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 4 YEARS BILINGUAL HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION. WE AIM FOR THE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE
A’ksent Academy srls is a candidate school*for the Diploma Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World Schools share a common philosophy- a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education- that we believe is important for our students.
THE ACADEMY This innovative educational project arises from the need to contribute, in agreement with the families and the individual requirements of the youth during the period of development between 14 and 19 years of age, to the global formation of the person and of the student, in relation to the respective individual inclinations, aptitudes, receptivity in learning, interests and life project…
PHILOSOPHY The students are supported and accompanied in the organization and planning process of their study and sports activities through the coaching of the tutor teacher who provides his support towards the acquisition of a higher awareness, responsibility, choice, trust and autonomy
PAGE 04 WE WELCOME UNIDAD EDUCATIVA CRUZ DEL NORTE (ECUADOR)
La Unidad Educativa Particular Cruz del Norte, is a school with fourteen years of experience. It has currently 800 students and operates in the city of Portoviejo, Ecuador. The school began on October 20,2007 as an Upper Basic School and is a mixed, secular, day institution using three foreign languages. The school's pedagogical approach is holistic, emphasizing reflective, critical thinking which is evident in the pillars of learning - learning to learn, to be , to do and to live. In practice we see students investigating,thinking, working as a team, loving to learn,communicate,decide,change and learn to be flexible.
Our mission is to be an innovative educational institution with a pioneering international perspective, developing competencies and skills with the talents presented by students. Our holistic, cognitive, technological and linguistic approaches contribute to providing a quality alternative education , fit for the 21st century society, taught by suitably prepared teaching and administrative staff and specialised services.
Our vision is to train young people with an entrepreneurial spirit and leadership based on the development of skills, human talent, foreign languages, technology, sports, science, art and culture. Our graduating men and women will have a high level of civic, ethical , moral and spiritual values. They will be able to succeed as managers, leaders and transformers of a new society responding to the social, local, national and international environment.
PAGE 05 SANTA MONICA OKINAWA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (JAPAN)
Defending the new normal: students are up and about even during the pandemic
Train your eyes to see the discipline in balance and movement of these outstanding children as they dance, sway and kick to the beat of songs. It is amazing to see how our little ones are in their practice . Their energy to perform is terrific!
PAGE 06 A Celebration for a Stong Foundation
SMIS children were all involved during the celebration of the annual English Week Festival celebrated in January
The kids were all busy bees in the various activities prepared for them by their teachers.Fun and engaging activities are key activities throughout the year and support the literacy skills in our Foundation programme . During the Festival the same approach in activities was evident in their keenness to read and write too Competitions were recognised and rewarded. A great time for everyone involved!
Kindergarten Spelling Bee Winners
PAGE 07 COLEGIO NECALI (MÉXICO)
At Colegio Necali we believe that conversation is the key to language development. We promote the exchange of thoughts and ideas. Listening to each other will develop the capacity for empathy. That is why during the month we carry out different activities to reinforce conversational skills.
Exploring the world and its many cultures!
To encourage cultural awareness, fifth grade students worked on a cultural project, in which they practiced effective teamwork and their ability to produce and present work collaboratively. Students used research and analytical skills to explore cultural elements such as food, art, language, religion, traditions, and architecture. The presentations were amazing, full of creativity and they widened our perspective of the world. This activity was carried out online through a video conferencing platform. Teams worked in breakout rooms to give students more choice in their learning and help them collaborate with each other. To monitor progress, the teacher was moving in and out of the breakout rooms to keep them on task with time limits.
PAGE 08 DEBATE
In class, we like to encourage children to strengthen their conversation skills through debates about different topics. We think that it is a great way to get everyone involved in conversation and it is also an opportunity for them to develop their critical thinking as well, since most of the topics we explore require them to know different points of view from other students. Throughout the school year, we have already debated about uniforms in school, video games for children, cars and pollution, social media, technology, among other interesting topics. For instance, last time we had a debate the question was: Can we replace teachers with computers? And some of the opinions we got from them blew our minds. Most of them thought that we couldn´t or shouldn´t replace teachers with computers. Some of them expressed that computers don´t have feelings and emotions, therefore they wouldn´t be able to establish that emotional bond with students the same way teachers do. Some others said that computers would not be able to foster values and that the classes wouldn´t be as much fun as with a real teacher.
PAGE 09 TNS BEACONHOUSE (PAKISTAN)
New TNS American High School Diploma
TNS Beaconhouse is to become the first school in Lahore where students may earn credits towards an American High School Diploma while completing their IB programme. Through this unique opportunity students will be able to qualify for both qualifications simultaneously. Students may also sit for IBDP Selective Courses at High Level along with the American High School Diploma which holds an advantage for admissions as Universities in the US and Canada grant college credits/exemptions against relevant IBDP HL courses in the first year of Undergraduate Studies.
PAGE 10 CYLCING & MARATHON
TNS DHA had a wonderful Cycling & Marathon event. We had a large number of students and parents attend from throughout the school. We raised a good deal of money for charity. Thank You to our Student Executive Council for planning such a thoughtful event. Well Done!!!
PAGE 11 MYP PERSONAL PROJECT EXHIBITION 2020
Being a PBL school, TNS Beaconhouse has always been at the forefront of exhibiting student’s learning, understanding, creativity and innovative ideas through yearly project presentations. MYP Year 5 students worked on the variety of riveting and influential topics this year, including miniature art, street art, recipe books, musical compositions, photography, quantum physics, children books, e-blogs, recycling, fitness routines, climate change and sustainability, gender equality, importance of education, importance of sports, wildlife conservation, mental health etc. It has been an amazing yet a challenging journey especially during this COVID period where students weren’t able to do field work openly and meet people face to face for their primary research and testing impact of their product. Yet they demonstrated effective communication and critical thinking skills to devise alternative solutions in order to make the ends meet.
PAGE 12 WE WELCOME ALASHBAL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (QATAR)
Congratulations to us!
We are now a member of ISA (International Schools Association). The International Schools Association was founded under Swiss Law in 1951 and as such is the most senior organization in the world of international education. It is an international non-governmental organization and the first educational NGO to be granted consultative status at UNESCO. Since 1951, ISA has been dedicated to consulting and providing educators with the necessary guidance that is needed to help schools define their understanding of the term “international” in education. ISA offers programs that can help schools participate in an international curriculum and other global programs such as Education for Peace and Education for Sustainability. These programs assist schools and students to learn about International Understanding and International Mindedness.
PAGE 13 AGORA LLEDÓ INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (CASTELLÓN, SPAIN)
PYP PROJECT “ How we organise ourselves “
Our 2nd primary school students have come up with the following Unit of Inquiry: HOW WE ORGANISE OURSELVES? The children have realised that there are always things that you can do to help others who are in need and they really like to do this and show their solidarity, but as a result of our first inquiry tasks about animals, they have asked how they can help them as well. Therefore we are going to promote a solidarity campaign to collect food, toys, beds, bedsheets, food and drink trays, money and why not even adopt an animal. The Save and Adopt Group in Castellon (GRA) have opened their doors and are delighted with our project. European Youth Parliament
Our 1st Year IB students participated in the Regional Selection Congress in Valencia for the European Youth Parliament Spain (EYP). The EYP is one of the main political debate platforms with intercultural contact and an exchange of ideas between the youth of Europe. The students made a team and worked in the Committee and the next day in the General Assembly. They had to challenge other schools from the Valencian Community and the winning team would take part in the XVI National Selection Congress in Bilbao in October 2021. Even though the event was online, the students enjoyed this great experience and sharing their thoughts and ideas. PAGE 14 Collaboration with Spanish Cancer Association ( AECC)
Our 1st year International Baccalaureate students have had a talk with Cristina de Maya, a psychologist of the Spanish Cancer Association (AECC). The topic was about "the European code against cancer" 12 ways to reduce the risk of cancer. The talk was centred around the measures that each citizen should take to contribute to prevent cancer. From this talk, the 1st year IB students organised in teams to work over the academic year to debate different topics such as nutrition, tobacco, solar radiation, alcohol and obesity and physical exercise. The idea is to promote a healthy lifestyle with the students, and for this they get together regularly with a representative for the organisation, who guides and shows them the different proposals that the students can do to raise awareness in the educational community. The collaboration started last year and goes with the school's philosophy of working with the AECC to raise awareness about the importance of having healthy habits as the main method of prevention.
Our students are actively involved in the Litter Less Campaign. The International Baccalaureate students are responsible for emptying the paper and plastic containers each week from every classroom and the playgrounds.
PAGE 15 WEST NOTTINGHAM ACADEMY (UNITED STATES)
Next GEN courses
West Nottingham Academy is closing the third quarter and beginning the fourth quarter in just a few weeks. With in-person instruction and the re-introduction of competitive athletics, campus is coming to life after a long winter. We are excited to announce several new programs including our new Peer Writing Center Program, Next Gen courses, and several additions to our athletics repertoire. We are also proud to report that the Class of 2021 has been accepted to a long list of incredible colleges including: Boston University, University of Chicago, University of Delaware, Howard University, Pennsylvania State University, Villanova University, University of Virginia, and Xavier University. To learn more about our academic programs, visit: https://wna.org/academics/
PAGE 16 ST. CATHERINE´S MOORLANDS SCHOOL (ARGENTINA)
Our participation in WIMUN 2021
In 2020 ISA invited our schools to participate in WIMUN 2020, the Wfuna online MUN in Geneva, so we presented 20 candidates. It was the first time some of the 9th year students were eager to participate in a MUN model with the older ones. It was surprising how quickly they adjusted to the unknown MUN world thanks to the warm reception they got from all the WIMUN coordinators and how smoothly the whole event ran. It was amazing to see how much they all developed and learnt from one week end to another; how much they participated and attended all the side events which were extremely interesting. They enjoyed making friends with other students from countries they had never imagined they would; listening to talks by someone from WHO, ILO, young people who had projects to better the lives of their communities, a refugee. Our students had enjoyed themselves so much that they approached the school telling us that they wanted to participate in WIMUN 2021 New York during their summer holidays. We were surprised that so many of them had chosen to work and research during the holidays after a hard year dealing with a lockdown and a pandemic. We were very happy to support them and even prouder of all their achievements and hard work. This is certainly an experience no school should miss. Introduction to World Health Organization
Dorine Van der Val PAGE 17 AGORA PORTALS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (SPAIN)
Youth Chinese Test (YCT) Diploma Presentation Ceremony
On 25th February Agora Portals International School celebrated the excellent performance of the Youth Chinese Test participants by holding a diploma presentation in the open air. The masks could not cover the joy of the students on their faces, and the social distancing did not at all break the bonds among them. Those young students, aged from 8 to 16, despite the confinement last year owing to Covid-19, have not stopped studying Chinese and doing online classes during summer, and
PAGE 18 with much effort they have completed this official international Chinese exam in October 2020, varying from level 1 to level 4. Most of them have earned very good grades.
“This year's results serve as a great benchmark for the level of Chinese of our centre, as level four is the highest level of Youth Chinese Test (YCT), and Agora Portals is probably one of the very few schools in Europe that would target to leading the students to take on such a great challenge” said the headmaster, Sr. Rafael Barea.
Agora Portals has a thorough and effective programme to teach young children the Chinese language. From Infant education five years old up to primary two, Chinese is one of the subjects taught in the curriculum. From primary three onwards, if students are interested to continue to pursue the study, they can enroll in the YCT training courses in which the programmes are uniquely designed by their experienced native Chinese teachers.
“The YCT training courses would take students to sit for international examinations (YCT) and achieve an internationally recognized standard of the language. We are very proud to announce that the 7-years YCT training courses designed by our school has proven very effective, and can integrate very well with our students´ routines,” mentioned Sr Barea after the ceremony. “This year beyond the YCT LEVEL 4 training courses, we have even opened a Chinese Advanced Speaking course.”
It seems that nothing can stop Agora Portals from perfecting the Chinese language study.
PAGE 19 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (AUSTRALIA)
IB DP Program at the International School of Western Australia Carrie Bowyer, 2nd Year DP Student
The DP program is internationally regarded as an extremely rigorous, although rewarding curriculum. But what gives the course such a highly acclaimed global reputation? Each student who partakes in the program must select six subjects, comprised of a minimum of 3 higher level subjects, with the remainder being Standard level. Candidates also engage in a 7th subject referred to as the Theory of Knowledge, combine this with the Extended Essay and CAS, which equip IB students with unique skills. Going into the program, it isn't easy to know what to expect; of course, my peers and I had heard whispers of what was to come. However, until you are emersed in the DP, you will not truly understand what it means to become an IB student. At the beginning of the secondary diploma program, one of the IB mentors addressed the year group saying "some of you go into the DP program already as IB students. However, the remainder will only develop the understanding of what it means during the next two years". These words showed us that being an IB student does not mean just showing up to class and understanding content, it is to develop a global understanding and become acquainted with the skills you will require to succeed not only in the IB but life.
PAGE 20 As second-year DP students, we are preparing for our examinations, with a large amount of content to be revised, teaching us vital organization skills to plan our time carefully. Although, some weeks are somewhat overwhelming with so many things due in various subject areas, maintaining a regular schedule and writing different lists has helped me in ensuring I complete everything on time. It is easy to be swept up into trying to achieve the perfect score of a 45, as a perfectionist it isn't easy to let go of this idea. This idea of balance is one that I have developed during my time within the DP, it has been important for me that I allocate time for sport, friends, and study. Enabling me to maintain both my physical, mental, and social wellbeing, as well as achieving my academic goals.
Lately, at the International School of Western Australia (ISWA), we have recognized the importance of wellbeing, with the introduction of weekly activities to ensure that our school community feels supported both academically and psychologically. Being surrounded by such an open-minded, and encouraging environment helps all the students at ISWA feel that they have the tools they need to do and be the best that they can. As year 12 students, we strive to be positive role models for the younger years, through modelling balance within our lives, but also to create these connections with younger students. IB is not by any means an ''easy'' undertaking. However, it is an incredibly rewarding program and will develop skills applicable for the future. I decided to partake in the IB to expand my possibilities for universities and career opportunities. Now, being over halfway through my time within the program, I am thankful that I have the skills to collaborate with other global citizens and have the tools to create a more equitable world for future generations. For those thinking about applying to the IB program, you will gain an extraordinary amount of wisdom, not just in your ''normal'' subject areas, but also how to navigate the bright future ahead of you. Although the IB is not always for everyone, I believe that to address the global issues facing our world today; we need people within our generation to stand for change. With the skills learnt through the IB, it will be possible for every one of us can stand against these injustices facing society. I am so excited to see where our generation will take the world, with ideas and collaborations forming across the globe, there are endless possibilities!
PAGE 21 AGORA SANT CUGAT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (SPAIN)
COVID-19 CANNOT STOP ASCIS’S INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES
Our lives have definitely changed a lot over the last year. Agora Sant Cugat International School is proud of the many exchange programmes it organises every year and we are devastated that we have been forced to postpone or cancel them for an indefinite time. We have not stopped though of thinking of ways to keep our international profile going and with the wonder of technology, these times are perfect for social distancing without actually losing contact and has allowed us to participate in many international events online.
We have been able to incorporate new programmes into our linguistic department; one such new programme is the agreement we have signed between Agora Sant Cugat International School and the Suzhou Science & Technology Town Foreign Language School (SSFLS) in China within the foreign language programmes of both Schools. The programme is a linguistic and cultural exchange in which students from Primary 6 to ESO 4 from both schools can participate. The agreement was signed in January and we lost no time in getting the two schools involved.
PAGE 22 Contact between students from both schools begun in February and ASCIS students were the first ones to receive videos and letters in which SSFLS students presented their families and their school facilities in Spanish. It was a fascinating experience to meet young adults from the other side of the world and learn about their traditions and culture in such a personalised message. For their part, ASCIS students got down to business by answering them in Chinese. Our Chinese teachers were there to guide them when needed and every student was able to write a coherent and interesting message to their “pen pals” in China and not only thank them for their videos but returning the favour by teaching them about Spanish/Catalan traditions and culture. This new programme allows students from both countries to apply the content learned during their lessons, expand their knowledge of each other’s culture and test their command of the language with real communication. It also teaches them that there are no real borders in this globalisation era and, the most important lesson of all, when the time gets tough the tough get going!
PAGE 23 COLEGIO EL ROBLE (MEXICO)
RobleMUN Middle School 7th & 8th Grade
Our first RobleMUN Online edition took place on 12th February 2021. The model of the United Nations RobleMUN is a simulation of the United Nations organization debates as well as its affiliated organs. It is the students who take on the role of a delegation: An ambassador, a judge, an expert, or a minister; allowing them during the preparation and the event to explore, analyze and debate certain conflicts cultural, social, humanitarian, and economic that are currently present in the international agenda. Our model includes several different committees and forms of debate integrated in the official United Nations language, which is English. The objective of each of these is to reach a resolution for the topics that are being debated and that correspond to the international current issues.
The topic for this edition of the RobleMUN was: Post-Pandemic World: What Comes Next? In this topic, participants spoke and discussed about topics in relation to the problems of Covid 19, immigration, economical situations, and environmental issues.
The goal is to form global citizens that can express themselves, collaborating and participating (know how) in cultural aspect at the international level (knowledge), by way of organized debates or roundtable discussions that contribute to the student’s individual growth, promote human values, and allow for teamwork (know how to get along).
It was a great success for our first time online!
PAGE 24 IN MEMORIAM OF OUR OFFICERS
JAMES (JIM) LAYTON MCLELLAN BERT TIMMERMANS ISA CHAIRMAN 1992-1999 ISA CHAIRMAN 1999-2001
Jim began his career as a teacher with the Calgary Board In memoriam Bert Timmermans 17-01-2019 of Education. He was particularly proud of the fact that he We received the sad message from the family of brought the International Baccalaureate program to the Bert Timmermans that Bert passed away on first public high school in Canada, at Sir Winston Churchill January 11, 2019. Bert turned 77 years old. Bert in Calgary. After this Principalship he became an Area worked at our school from 1969 to 1999, initially as Superintendent and then moved on to the University of a physics teacher, and in the eighties and nineties Calgary as an Associate Professor. Jim taught long mainly as an IB coordinator. In 1983, in distance learning in the years long before Covid-19 made collaboration with the Alberdink Thijm College in it a necessity. Hilversum and the Wolfert van Borselen in Because of his involvement with the International Rotterdam, he was actually the first in the Baccalaureate board, he was drawn to international work Netherlands to introduce the international and became the Director of the Vienna International programs of the International Baccalaureate. In School in Austria, the Director of Lester B. Pearson College the early 1990s, Bert devoted himself to the of the Pacific, in Victoria, BC, a Director of St. Catherine’s- introduction of bilingual education at our school. It Moorlands in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Headmaster of The was to his credit that both departments, now thirty- Caribbean School in Puerto Rico, and the Director of the five years later, are still firmly anchored in the American International School in Cairo, Egypt. profile of the Rijnlands Oegstgeest. He was on the board of the International Schools Association for many years and was given a world award for a lifetime of outstanding educational leadership. After retiring and returning to Canada he continued to do international consulting and hiring, and was chosen to be on an international committee for the evaluation of the K- 12 educational system in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
PAGE 25 CONTACT INFORMATION
Administration and Communications General Contact Information: Office: Edgardo H. Manzitti 3 Rue Schaub Secretary General 1202 Geneva Switzerland Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
ISA Board Officers: ISA Board Members:
Chairman: Mr. John Lees Dr. Laurent Bonardi Vice-Chairman: Mr.Andrew McEwen Mrs. Mala Agnihotri Secretary General: Edgardo H. Manzitti Mr. Juan Carlos Bonilla Treasurer: Mr. Luis Madrid Mr. Iskandar Rizal Dr. Ashok Gupta Mr. Jose María Tomé
Co-opted Board Members: Mrs. Laura De Grazia
Argentina Regional Office: India & Southeast Asia Regional Office:
Mr. Edgardo H. Manzitti Dr.Ashok Gupta St. Catherine´s Moorlands School India International School Email:[email protected] Email: [email protected]
Turkey Regional Office:
Mr. John Lees Istanbul International School Email:[email protected]
Articles, opinions and other statements expressed by users and third parties are theirs alone, not opinions of ISA. Content created by third parties is the sole responsibility of the third parties and its accuracy and completeness are not endorsed or guaranteed.
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