Having spent six years teaching at a leading international school in South-East Asia, Matt Tighe was delighted to be appointed International Link Coordinator at Farlingaye High School in the UK. A central focus of his work now is developing an international mind-set that is both meaningful and practical for a school in semi-rural Suffolk.
A well written article, shared actively online demonstrates authority and will get a school noticed in the right kind of way. Andy Homden looks at different types of article that engage, entertain and inform. Almost all are written by practising educators.
A consequence of the ever-increasing popularity of international schools is the growth in the number of children learning in a language other than their first. This can open opportunities for the individual but, as Carolyn Savage explains, continuing to develop the mother tongue is vital to enhance learning.
Having had to drop out part way through an ambitious intercontinental cycle marathon, Charlie Ford has new plans for another trans-global adventure as part of the Cycling Circus!
Founding a grassroots support group for Maasai women in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) of Tanzania was to change Kim Laizer‘s life. This is Part 2 of her story.
The demand for English-medium education is seemingly insatiable and with regulations about to change, things are about to take off, suggests Anne Keeling.
Recognising the importance of education, Hope for Justice established a Cambodian school for sex-trafficking survivors. Andrea Bailey, Nourn Vanna and Ngin Sam Onn report
Peter Milne looks at how the environment is an integral aspect of the struggle to promote human and particularly children’s rights.
Kyle Kopsick considers that we need to think hard about our global values and examine what we teach and how we teach it using the challenging perspective of postcolonialism. What? Read on!
During September 2016, Matias Hynynen, an IT teacher from Helsinki working as a volunteer in Arusha kept a blog during a two week training visit to his school by 2016 Global Teacher of the Year Finalist, Maarit Rossi. Here Matias looks back at the visit and considers how things had changed.
Born and raised in northern California, environmental educator Kim Laizer has recently been working on a new project with Massai women in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area. This article is the first of two highlighting her story and collaborative efforts to provide education, training, and development opportunities for Maasai women in Naiyobi, Tanzania.
During September 2016, Matias Hynynen, an IT teacher from Helsinki working as a volunteer in Arusha kept a blog during a visit to his school by 2016 Global Teacher of the Year Finalist, Maarit Rossi. This is the second of three extracts.
Introducing an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) programme in a school is not always easy. Peter Milne sets out the crucial steps necessary for success.
Grace Kelly’s belief that experiences outside the classroom are a vital component of ‘the hidden curriculum,’ prompted the idea for an innovative school exchange – a dream which then become a reality.
In September 2016, Matias Hynynen from Helsinki was working with teachers in Arusha, Tanzania, as a volunteer. An IT specialist, his life was about to get a bit more complicated and his mission take a new direction with the unexpected arrival of another visitor from Finland, Maarit Rossi. This is the first of three extracts from the blog he kept at the time.
After medical care, shelter, food and clothing, the children who have survived the dangerous journey from their own countries to Greece in the past two years need above all else, to resume their education.
This hasn’t been easy, as Rory Fox, from the British Educational charity, EdLumino, reports.
Walking into the open plan office area of the COBIS HQ in London’s Russell Square is rather like stepping through the doors of a good school. This, one feels, is the way that CEO Colin Bell and his staff like things.
International schools are ideally placed to develop and encourage greater global consciousness. Dr. Chris Muller explores how best to exploit this opportunity.
When the 2015 earthquake struck Nepal, The British School (TBS) Kathmandu dropped everything to help out their friends who had lost pretty much everything. Now TBS have had a well-deserved pat on the back.
A rare chance to meet the International School Consultancy Field Research consultants in the UK.
As an international educator, the “world is your oyster” as there are so many international schools spreading globally. One of the great dilemmas that educators may encounter is the decision to take on a “hardship position” in a country or region that may be difficult for a whole host of reasons.
John Moore reflects on the public service projects undertaken by The British School (TBS) of Kathmandu in the wake of the Nepal earthquake of 2015 and looks forward to the future.
Whilst recognising the dedication and commitment of the students participating in the Model United Nations (MUN) programme, Kyle Kopsick suggests it is in some aspects the way MUN works is flawed and a change of approach is needed.
The Voices Around The World Project releases its latest audio / video single ‘Lighting Up The Flame’ featuring the voices of a record-breaking number of children in schools around the world. Laurie Lewin, the project director, reports.
At school, writes Jack Clark, I had quite a narrow view of what jobs I could do after university and spent as little time as possible contemplating them. Then in sixth form our school offered us a chance to visit and teach in Africa.
On Friday 10th June, The British School Kathmandu (TBS) returned to Dhading where we officially opened new school buildings: Shree Khanigaun, Shree Gayatri Devi and Shree Rudrakanya primary schools.
Our engineers have just returned from a visit to Dhading where they have shared the progress of the rebuilding work at Gayatri Devi Primary School. As you can see from the photo, the building is now complete and they are now working on the final fittings inside and the railings and landscaping outside.
During the Spring break John Moore, Principal of The British School (TBS), Kathmandu, was able to visit the 3 Dhading primary schools TBS had been supporting since the 2015 Earhquake to see how the TBS charities donations are being put to use and found there had been significant developments at all 3 school sites.
Almost a year on from the first earthquake of 25th April, staff at the British School Kathmandu have been working hard to ensure that students within our community projects can return to safe and secure buildings as soon as possible. To date, we have opened one new school building at Sungava, and the three buildings in the Dhading region are nearing completion.
Join Voices around the World to Celebrate the Olympic Year!
Each year, the Voices Around the World project invites schools and choirs of young people around the globe – at no financial cost to themselves – to be involved in making an international music recording. Find out how you school can be involved and “get creative”!
Formal Opening
On Sunday 7th February, TBS staff and students travelled to to attend the opening where Dr. John Moore (Principal of TBS) was invited to formally open the new school building. Dr. Moore was shown around the new building, including the TBS classroom that we were surprised to see has been named in our honour! The completion of this school building would not have been possible without the donations from our supporters around the world so we accept the honour on behalf of all of our contributors.
For Charlie and Raph, the seeds of an idea, born of idle chatter on a 2007 cycle ride, slowly became a plan and are now about to become a reality. Charlie describes the challenge the friends have set themselves and why they decided to take on that challenge.
In her second article about a recent visit to Afghanistan, Elly Tobin introduces us to an innovative and thriving project and the remarkable people who make it successful.
Over the weekend of 16th & 17th January, staff from The British School (TBS) of Kathmandu returned to Dhading and visited the three schools that TBS Charities are helping to rebuild. TBS is pleased to report that the building work is progressing on schedule and the expected date of completion is early May. It is not long now until students will return to permanent classrooms once again.
For most of us the mention of Afghanistan will conjure up images of conflict, terrorism and suffering – a land that has become a no-go zone for those able to leave or observing from a distance. In a series of articles, Elly Tobin looks beyond the war-torn Afghanistan; seeing the people, the challenges they face and country they love.
The British School, Kathmandu, has been at the forefront of efforts to restore schooling for children in Nepal whose schools were destroyed in the April earthquake. Heartening news that their efforts are reaping rewards comes from Isaac Robinson
Working together
On 18th September, The British School Kathmandu and the Education Department, Government Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the rebuilding of Gayetri Devi, Shree Rudrakanya, and Shree Khanigau Primary Schools, reports Isaac Robinson.
A determined and talented group of volunteers, moved by the plight of Burmese refugees, took practical steps to offer genuine and much needed support. Gaye Boltong describes their efforts and the mutual benefits that ensued.
The power of education to transform lives and create a better future is clearly illustrated in Naomi Hockins’ look at how, from small beginnings, one school in Tanzania has become a pioneering influence on teaching and learning.
In October 2014 Phil Jones was deployed to Sierra Leone, where he advised Save the Children on safety issues during the Ebola epidemic. Here he gives a vivid account of what it meant to be on the ground at the time.
Recognising the crucial importance of continued support for the Nepal earthquake victims, Anne Keeling, colleagues and friends embarked on a sponsored bicycle ride to raise funds for The British School of Katmandu’s Earthquake Appeal. This is their story …….
In the April edition of ITM, Ginette Collin introduced us to PurpleLily, a non-profit organisation set up to “inspire and empower women and girls to thrive and shine” by providing life skills and financial literacy training. In this edition, Ginette reflects on her recent two month project in Ethiopia and Tanzania and explores the Contrast in Educational Opportunities on the African continent.
Set on a green, wooded hillside overlooking the Irish Sea in the beautiful Wicklow countryside between Bray and Greystones, the first impression SEK Dublin International makes is that of neoclassical elegance. The façade comes into sight over the brow of the hill as you proceed along the driveway: with the magnificent Powerscourt Estate just down the road, you know this is the land of the Irish country house.
Download the score and audio tracks of Listen to Us for your first school assembly of the year!
You know that a new school year has really started when you hear the sound of children singing coming from the school hall or the music room as you walk past. If you are looking for something new and a little bit different for your first assembly this year, the Voices Around the World (VATW) project might just be what you are looking for.
During 2015, over 33,000 students from schools around the globe shared in a common musical learning experience – to master one of the vocal parts for a new song called Listen To Us, which united young people around the world as part of the Voices Around The World (VATW) project. This was the third year of the project and has involved over 1,400 national, independent and international schools. For details about downloading Listen to Us, how to make a donation and to learn more about how your school can get involved in the special 2016 Olympic project, click on the VATW logo.
As the tragic consequences of the earthquakes in Nepal slip from the news pages and public consciousness, it is heartening to know the victims have not been completely forgotten. Isaac Robinson from The British School of Kathmandu provides an update on some of the very valuable relief work that continues unflaggingly.
It is common practice in Early Years Units for a class mascot to visit the students’ homes through an academic year. There are also many schools who take part in wonderful initiatives such as travelling teddies and “Flat Stanley” which connect schools locally and internationally. Kirstin Botter explains how two class mascots from her school in Switzerland are going more than one step further by travelling the world in 2015 – 2016.
The Nepal earthquakes and their tragic impact on the lives of so many were broadcast around the world and touched us all. Such appalling disasters capture short-term headlines, but often the long journey of recovery and rebuilding continues unseen and forgotten by all but those involved directly in it. International schools and their communities can play a vital role in ensuring continued support for those who have lost so much.
In an increasingly global society and economy, it is important that today’s students develop cultural awareness and a commitment to internationalism. Organisations such as The Global Education Benchmark Group offer opportunities for teachers to hear about initiatives around the globe and exchange practical ideas aimed at broadening students’ horizons. Cyrus Carter reports on their most recent conference.
Over 20 years ago I made a huge decision to leave the beautiful south coast city of Brighton, home for over 15 years, to go and live and work in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was a big adventure and one of the best things I have ever done. The first few weeks held many new experiences not least of which was learning to speak some basic Bahasa Indonesian.