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Cover portrait: Contents Bonny Astor ’10 6The anatomy of curriculum 10I think, therefore I am... 14 Robots among us Tanya, 2010 Director of Curriculum and a scientist, a poet, a musician Science teacher Chris Goff Oil on paper Instruction Robyn Chapel Peter Lutkoski, Head of Performing follows the progress of the Bonny was a student at ASL from when she examines curriculum review Arts, looks at disciplinary thinking robotics program at ASL joined K1 in 1996, making her a “lifer” in the and the Music Tour Class of 2010. She has a younger brother, Alfred ’13. Accents, Fall ’10 college preparatory day school for students in 18Commencement 2010 News Strategic Plan 2010 24 Kindergarten through Grade 12. The student © The American School in London body comprises 1,350 boys and girls who Commencement for the The American School in London Megan McGilchrist: work in print 24 represent more than 50 nationalities. Class of 2010 at One Waverley Place 2010 Bergeron Fellow Nii Parkes 24 London NW8 0NP Our mission is to develop the intellect and Westminster Central Hall United Kingdom character of each student by providing an A shining example: ASL launches Saturday program for local students 25 T +44 (0)20 7449 1200 outstanding American education with a F +44 (0)20 7449 1350 global perspective. Hot off the press: Perspectives 25 [email protected] The American School in London is a Global Festival 26 www.asl.org non-denominational school and does not Nirvana: A connection in India continues 27 The magazine is mailed without charge to current parents, alumni and former discriminate against any individual in any way faculty and staff, and to many parents of alumni and friends of the School. on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual Haiti appeal raises £20,816 27 orientation, religion, or ethnic or national Editor: Wendy Robinson origin in the administration of its recruitment, Athletics 29 admissions and educational policies. Contributors: Cathy Adams, Diana Adamson, Andrew Bentley, Joanna Bielska, Drama 29 Robyn Chapel, John Clark, Martin Drexler, Dervla Flynn, Tina Fox, Greg Gerken, Chris Goff, Frances Hall, Buck Herron, Erin Herzeelle, Coreen R. Hester, Anna & Gallery 3 Higgins ’09, Laurie Hindley, Anna Ho ’10, Mary Jordan, Alex Knaster, Alice Iacuessa, Donne Lancia, Tosh Lee, Sandy Lloyd, Peter Lutkoski, Patrick Mahany, Letters to the editor 4 Peter Mahoney, Mike McKeen, Annabel Lucy Smith, John Smithies, Yolandi Strydom, Trustee news 5 Traci Tucker, Bill Voge Spotlight on London 22 Photography: Craig Prentis, Astonleigh Studio, Phil Sayer, Erin Herzeelle, Jonathan Root, Wendy Robinson, Peter Mahoney, Lesley Yeo Class notes 30 Feature illustrations: Jacinta Sullivan Family notes 39 Design and art direction: Powell Allen Ltd Faculty notes 40 Printer: Finlay Printing, USA Events 42 In memoriam 45 The American School in London, founded in 1951, is an independent, non-profit, Gallery The American School in London Left: Below: Educational Trust Limited Harrison Lake ’21 Max Bueno ’17 Members of the Board of Trustees Head of School, 2010, Cobalt, 2010, The United States Ambassador to the mixed media pen, fluorescent marker Court of St. James’s Harrison joined the School and iridescent ink The Hon. Louis B. Susman, in 2007 in K1, although his Max created this insect by Honorary Chair family has been part of the borrowing body parts from a ASL community since 1999. variety of other insects. He Lori E. Fields, Chair He has a brother, Spencer ’13, was inspired by the artwork of Michael P. Spies, Vice Chair and a sister, Katherine ’15. Mark Fairnington, who creates Mark E. Sohn, Company Secretary huge, lifelike paintings of Coreen R. Hester, Head of School insects based on collections Hassan Alaghband at the National History Robert D. Bandeen Museum. Max started at ASL Lisa H. Bennett in Grade 5 in fall 2009. Andrew M. Bentley Hyman K. Bielsky Alison L. Blood Karen L. Brush Letter from the Head of School Caroline Clark Linda Ely Michael R. Ericksen This issue of Accents celebrates the wonderful, multi-faceted life Lori E. Fields of ASL and delves into the heart of how we look at the School’s Alexander M. Knaster educational program—the curriculum. Donna M. Lancia Mary Marsh In many ways, curriculum can be defined as anything and everything Karsten N. Moller Sanjay H. Patel that happens for students during a school day. The central experience William A. Plapinger of the living mission statement is in the classroom. But what we Victoria K. Robertson “teach” and what students “learn” happens not only in the classroom William H. Roedy Julie Skattum but also on the athletic fields, in the concert hall, at the rehearsals, Mark E. Sohn during a collaborative project, in our laboratories, and on our many Ramez F. Sousou extraordinary trips. Anytime and all the time. Michael P. Spies Louis B. Susman And because time is so precious, ASL educators keep the important William T. Tucker William H. Voge questions front and center: What should students know, do, and understand? Educator and psychologist Jerome Brunner clearly states Advisor to the Board of Trustees Richard A. Bailey in The Process of Education, “We might ask, as a criterion for any subject taught in school, whether, when fully developed, it is worth The American School in London Foundation an adult’s knowing, and whether having known it as a child makes a William A. Obenshain, President person a better adult.” And what is our answer to that question when Barbara G. Coloney, Vice President we consider that our current students will be in full career stride in Coreen R. Hester, Head of School Julie Alexandre 2040 and beyond? Albert D. Angel Daniel F. Coughlin In this issue, Robyn Chapel, our Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Timothy Craighead answers these, and other, questions in her article about curriculum Brad F. England review. She reports on the educational philosophy and methods we John R. Farmer Lori E. Fields are using to educate ASL students for the future. It’s a compelling David E. Fife ’89 task, and we love it. They do, too. Diana H. Greene William C. Mules Other related features include an article on the role of performing arts, Janet S. Newkirk in particular the Music Tour, from Head of Performing Arts Peter Lutkoski; Barry M. Sabloff William L. Scheffler ’66 a look at how the Robotics program has evolved, by Grade 8 science Ellen R. Stofan teacher Chris Goff; and a report on the Commencement exercises for Barry S. Volpert the Class of 2010. R. Philip Wheeler Susan Wilen Warm regards, Ex Officio Members Cathleen Wolfe ’86, President, Alumni Association The American School in London Foundation (UK) Limited William A. Obenshain, President Hyman K. Bielsky Karen L. Brush Coreen R. Hester Lori E. Fields Head of School 2 The American School in London Accents Fall ’10 3 Letters to the Editor Clockwise from top William Voge Alexander M. Knaster Andrew Bentley November 2009 Donna Lancia Dear Editor, It has been years since I last trod upon any ASL grounds, and I am sure that things are much different now than they were when I was there (1977–85). I felt that the article in the Fall ’09 Accents on third culture children was incredibly meaningful to me and probably to many past and present students. While I spent only seven years at ASL, I had lived merely the first six months of my life in the United States when I returned to Houston, TX, for university in 1991. The world has gotten smaller since then, but the cultural challenges that one faces when coming “back” can be considerable. It is more than simply explaining, “Where are you from?” but also dealing with people with less knowledge and acceptance of other cultures. Since landing back in the States in 1991, I have yet to move city, let alone country, but still the wanderlust developed in my youth rears itself frequently with a desire to get off this continent. Trustee news Four new members of the Board of long-time London residents. They joined Science, an MBA from Harvard Business Trustees were appointed in the the ASL community in the fall of 2005. School and a BS from Carnegie-Mellon 2009–10 school year. She was co-chair of the PCA Auction, University. Alex says, “I believe ASL is In June 2009, alumnus Andrew Bentley Spr!ng Forward, that took place in March unique in offering an American experi- ’83 was elected to the Board. Andrew and 2009. Donna enjoyed a successful ence, but at the same time it is a very his wife, Fiona Garland, have two sons, 15-year career in the financial markets in cosmopolitan school offering first class Russell Adams ’91 James ’10 and Matthew ’13. The family New York and London. She holds an MBA education. I am excited about joining the joined ASL in September 2006, after from NYU Stern School of Business and a Board and helping the School continue Andrew retired following a successful BA with Honors from Syracuse University. on its path.” career at Glencore AG. Currently, he is Donna says, “It is a privilege to have William Voge, partner in the London working towards a BA in graphic design joined the ASL Board. I look forward to office of Latham & Watkins, joined the from Central Saint Martins College of Art further supporting our remarkable school, Board in May 2010. Bill has been with and Design, where he has just completed and helping to ensure its sound future so Latham & Watkins since 1983 and is a his second year final project. Andrew it can continue to provide an inspirational member of the firm’s Executive Committee.