IES INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS ISSUE 8 / 2013 Our Schools Holy Trinity International School SEK Budapest International School Blouberg International School International School of Helderberg St John’s International School Boca Prep International School International School of Hout Bay The Grantham Preparatory School Contents 4 7 11 Former Boarders International Students Programme 18 35 47 News Our Writers Parents 51 56 62 Our Schools Students Teachers 2 IES magazine Introduction Welcome The layout of this new edition of the distinctive traditions. There are no plans for a Hout Bay and Helderberg who have already IES Magazine reflects once again our general move to International Baccalaureate been using these examinations with 16 year commitment to seeing our schools as educational programmes as these do not olds for some years. communities in which all their members necessarily meet the needs and wishes of all School communities depend crucially play a part: students, former students, our communities for all phases of education. for their success on their staff, and above staff, and parents. These globally renowned programmes, all on their teachers: on their experience, At the heart of these school communities however, have many attractions and this year knowledge, and understanding of how are of course our students. They are our sole we have seen St John’s International School children learn, and on their commitment raison d’être and the goal of all our activities. in Devon, England, authorized as an IB world and enthusiasm. The character of a school The magazine tries to reflect the huge variety school for the IB Primary Years Progamme is also determined by the many members of activities and achievements among our (PYP) and much progress made in the of the non-teaching staff who work there. students over the last year. Inevitably, with applications for authorization being pursued People who work in IES schools have eight schools scattered across four countries by Holy Trinity School and by Boca Prep for an extraordinary range of interests and and three continents, and with ages ranging the Primary Years Programme and by both achievements outside school which they are from 2 (or less) to 19, what you see here will Holy Trinity and St John’s for the IB Diploma sometimes able to bring into their teaching only be the tip of the iceberg. I hope it will (for 16-18 year olds). In the meantime Hout and which can make them role models for be sufficient to show you some of the many Bay has also successfully completed its our students. We are delighted that some ways our students achieve both within the re-authorization as a PYP school. Hout Bay of these interests and achievements are formal school curriculum and in the many was the first of our schools to join the IB reflected in this magazine. extra-curricular activities on offer. and is now a highly respected part of the IB The third part of the school community This year has seen significant progress global network with the Principal, Mr Andy triangle is the parents. Without you IES across the IES network of schools, both Wood, acting as IB Recognition Ambassador would not exist. You have chosen to place in new construction projects and in major for Southern Africa, working as an adviser your children in our care and in doing so educational developments. At Blouberg to other schools seeking IB authorization, become part of a community that is much in South Africa the second phase of our and speaking at IB conferences, and the more than just the commercial relationship splendid new campus was completed in Head of the Primary School, Mrs Denise between a client and a provider of services. I good time for the start of the new (southern Michel, being in great demand by the IB hope that we have been able to illustrate just hemisphere) school year in January 2013. The as a workshop trainer for new IB teachers, a few of the ways in which your support and formal opening took place in April 2013, on member of school authorization teams, and participation enriches the education offered a beautiful sunny day, in the presence of the consultant. Hout Bay staff have also been in our schools. minister for education of the Western Cape, involved in an IB project in which they have Mr Donald Grant. We will report on this in been using their expertise to help train South detail in the next edition of the magazine. At African teachers in areas of disadvantage. Hout Bay construction has also started on a Simultaneously with our deeper new campus on a large open and prominent involvement in the IB global network we site in the heart of the community. Both the have also been making greater use of the new buildings at Blouberg and the striking University of Cambridge examinations architects’ plans for the new school at Hout with some of our secondary students. St Bay are illustrated in this magazine. John’s and Blouberg – as they both move to Educationally IES adapts its curricula to the being all-age schools – have been entering different countries in which its schools are students for the first time for the Cambridge Dr Nicholas Tate located and takes into account each school’s IGCSE examinations, and in so doing joining Chairman, IES New Blouberg campus opened January 2013. IES magazine 3 Former Students 4 IES magazine Former Students ST JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Ex St John’s School pupil Joe Launchbury gets first England rugby cap Born in Exeter, Joe Launchbury After the first match against Fiji, started playing rugby at St John’s Lancaster went on to praise Wasps back School in Sidmouth and for row Joe, Saracens prop Mako Vunipola Exmouth Rugby Club. and Leicester hooker Tom Youngs, He began his professional who all made their debuts ‘I was really, career at Wasps in 2009/10. really pleased for all three of them,’ Joe was drafted into the England Former Headmaster at St John’s, Mr Neil squad for the 2012 Autumn Pockett said “I remember Joe well. He learnt Internationals, highlighting England his rugby at St John’s and was in one of our coach Stuart Lancaster’s plan to great junior sides that swept all before them. develop new players. Lancaster said It’s fantastic to see him doing so well.” “when I took over in December we Current Head of Boys Games, Mr Rob needed to bring through a new Tasker added “It has given our current boys’ generation of players because we rugby teams a real boost – to see that one had a significant number of the World of their own can be so successful in their Cup squad who were post-30.” chosen sport. Hopefully more St John’s boys will earn England caps in the future.” BOCA PREP INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Colorado Mountain College They are not just authority figures, they really care about the students. They give you so much space. There are so many presentations given in the classroom, I now feel very comfortable speaking in front of audiences. It’s a great skill to have as you need to be able to present an idea for just about anything you do in a job or in business. When I was 14, I spent time in Georgia and Utah and fell in love with the mountains. When I was a little kid I climbed everything. I climbed on the house, trees, etc. I just got back from Kilimanjaro in January. It was an By Paul Barish I was in Student Government. I was a positive incredible experience. It’s been a dream of Paul Barish is a 2012 graduate of Boca leader. I have better friends here than I do mine for years. I want to pursue a career as Prep and currently a freshman at in college right now. I felt like it was a family a mountain climbing guide. Colorado Mountain College obtaining environment. I looked forward to coming to I am internship guiding in Aspen this an associates degree. school. The best thing that Boca Prep helped summer. They will probably keep me “I needed adventure and wanted to climb do was the 24 hour run. We ran for 24 hours around the local mountains of Aspen. mountains but there aren’t any mountains in on our field. We made a 500 meter circle. Ultimately, I hope to be a climbing guide in Florida. I’m not as much a beach person as I We switched directions every six hours. the Himalayas. Thanks to Boca Prep, I have am a snow person. Boca Prep was amazing. We were raising money for the Tsunami in gained lifelong friends and the school has It gave me the environment to work on my Japan in 2011. We raised more than $4,000. helped me to be successful.” leadership skills. I had the freedom to be It was a great experience, all working together. myself. I had more options/opportunity. The teachers are amazing here. IES magazine 5 Former Students INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HOLY TRINITY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF HOUT BAY Budding Football Star and Former Alumni News Holy Trinity International Student Ronald Dunbar graduated from the International School in December Every Tuesday and Saturday Paul plays 2005 and joined the Infantry Training in midfield for local club Stourport Swifts Battalion at Catterick in the UK in 2010. which is one of the oldest non league clubs After completion of this challenging and in the country. Although still on the books amazing training he was encouraged of Kidderminster Harriers Football Club, he to join the officers’ course at the Royal now needs to make the transition to the next Military Academy at Sandhurst where he level of football and gain match practice.