The Oystercatchers First newsletter

The Oystercatcher

1st issue 22.05.2015

By Anna Margrét

May Day hike

On the 1st of May, all first years were sent on a mission: to climb Jarstadheia (for some a bigger challenge than others). While we had the mountaineers of outdoor discovery in the front, the stubbornness and roomie love was bringing Melvin up in the back. I believe that the school is getting its own personal Avengers team even though all of it seems to be accumulating in one person: our very own hulk and Captain America, Dylan DeMarco. I believe that it is only a matter of time before he starts archery and building his very own Iron Man suit. A special shout out to all the others that supported Melvin and Dylan in their task.

But why is it that we were all encouraged to take on this mission? Was it just all a big joke played on us by the Education Management Team (EMT)?

First let us look at the story of May Day. When googled the first thing that comes up is: Mayday is an emergency procedure word used inter nationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications.

And when I think about it, perhaps that’s what the EMT

wanted us to do? Cry out for help before our IB exams.

That is of course not what they told us that we were doing, they connected it to Labour Day or International Workers’ Day and our Nordic pillar, so I decided to investigate further and the next link that appeared explained it all. May Day is all about celebrating the rights of labourers and the working classes and has its origins in labour union movements that aimed to protect the rights of the labourers , like we in UWC are trying to do educate ourselves and others and fighting for equality.

Well, again to our hike. As a Nordic I am bound to claim that we had fantastic weather even though it was a bit cold on the top. Almost everyone made it to the top and back down where we were greeted by apple pie made by our fantastic chef Peter. I am sure that everyone that participated in this hike, first years, second years, staff, guests, campus kids and dogs enjoyed it to the fullest and remembered the joy of it the day after with sore muscles. But a point was made that day; everyone can go for a hike no matter your previous experiences or your physical condition.

On that note, I hope that this becomes a RCN tradition, a special RCN Labour Day parade up a mountain, because a normal parade would be too mainstream .

What do you don’t know about…

Collaborative piece made by: Anna Margrét, Maja and Ulrikke

This time this column will focus on teachers - who, what where, when, how? It turns out, that teachers also have their mysteries and secrets - so let’s reveal them ;) Now, the school year is coming to end, and our friends will soon leave. However, some of them would not return after the summer, and we don’t mean only second years! As you might know, Kåre Sandvik, Sofia and Jelena are also leaving to meet new experiences, so we decided to pass you their own stories in this edition, as they will not have such opportunity soon. Enjoy!

Sofia “The Swedes older sister” - A swedish RCN student Maja: At the beginning, I want to ask you how it happened that a Swede became an English teacher?

Sofia: I always wanted to go to the UK where I wanted to study English and English Literature. I graduated from an English speaking secondary school in Sweden. Then, I studied at a university in Brighton.

M: Well, I heard also that you have had some exotic experiences. You were studying in the UK and Sweden, but then you found yourself in… Vietnam! How did you get there?

S: First, I had worked in a Swedish school before, but after some time I had to look for a new job because the school I worked at was closing down. I found an announcement that stated that a Swedish Literature teacher was needed in the UN school in Vietnam. I was surprised that there was a position as a Swedish teacher so far away from Sweden, but I decided to apply and I got the job.

M: And what about your experiences from Vietnam as a country?

S: Oh... A lot, lot of people! And motorbikes - I saw families riding together on one motorbike! I had to be really careful, when I went on the streets, the traffic was so crazy! At first, I thought I would be killed! But, what

I really enjoyed was the food. They have a really good coffee. It is really strong, but they add condensed milk, so it is also very sweet.

M: What about your present, maybe hidden hobbies, or some interesting things, which people might not know about you?

S: I have a twin sister! :) People are always shocked when I say that: “What, you have a twin?! “ M: Were you together at school?

S: Yes, up to the primary school. Then, we went to different schools - but we still spend quite a lot of time together (when I am in Sweden…) I have also two other siblings and they also are in Sweden. We all really enjoy travelling. I travelled a lot with Erik and with friends.

I think that here in UWC and when working abroad in general, it can also be seen as a way of travelling, although you are in one place. When you hear all this stories coming from the whole world, isn’t it like visiting these far countries?

M: But now you are leaving… Will you stay in Flekke?

S: No, we are going to Sweden for a year, and then… return…

Kåre Sandvik Kåre the man that has kept the music alive here at RCN for so many years is now leaving us, but for what? He is finally making a go at the dream of becoming a musician out in the bigger world, he has always been a music enthusiast but the question is: is his love for music greater than his love for Nynorsk?

What is the band that you will be playing for in New York?

The Last Hurrah!! We are publishing a new album called Mud Flowers in the US and Norway in early June.

(Author’s note: I recommend listening to and watching the video to their song ´The Weight of the Moon´ on You Tube)

In which bands have you played in earlier?

There have been so many bands (at least 20): e.g. Bergen Blues Band, Stain Monsters and Animal Farm.

How did you come to be the heart of the music at this school?

Your wording (“the heart of the music”). Thanks.

It´s pretty obvious: with my background as a musician/ composer/band leader and my Music education.

From the start (20 years ago) I have been fascinated and driven by the high quality and unique diversity of musical talents among UWC students and the enormous potential and possibilities of the RCN music scene. I have definitely experienced magic over the 12 years I have had the pleasure of working here.

Where does your love for nynorsk come from?

It probably has the same reason why others love their language. Nynorsk is the language I grew up with; it is part of my spine, close to my dialect and sounds like music to my ears. Besides, it is ´the original´ Norwegian language, developed over thousands of years, less influenced by Danish than Bokmål, and quite close to the dialects spoken in the countryside (where we live). On a larger scale, Nynorsk and Bokmål are both threatened minority languages, which makes it even more vital to nourish, protect and fight for languages. However, Bokmål and Nynorsk are increasingly borrowing from each other. Most likely, we will have one Norwegian written language 50 years from now - a musical one, I hope - if I make it to 112 ...

Jelena Have you always wondered what Jelena’s favourite food from Cantina is, but never dared to ask, And now you will probably never get the chance again, because either you or she will be leaving?

Don’t worry we have simply asked for you, and published her GREAT answers so everyone will get the answer on this and other super exciting questions.

Which biology class has been the funniest to teach?

There was one which sticks out as the craziest class I ever had - the 2nd year class which Ana Flecha (our past two years Spanish teacher and alumnus) was in. That was an absolutely amazing, coincidental collection of characters: unorthodox and flamboyant, intelligent but more interested in everything else but IB. Reidun’s favourite artist, creative troublemakers and party bums,

champions of absenteeism, poets who painted, loudest laughers, laughing beauty, despotic leader, free wanderer, free spirit with dreadlocks, a brilliant from a slum, a brilliant physicist - and a mystical Tarot reader (whose witchcraft-y concoctions dominated the Bio prep room and who almost kicked me out of there). It was quite chaotic to teach all of them - actually they were never all present. Until one time, out of desperation I said to them that if all of them managed to show up three times in row in the Bio class - I will make a special dinner at my place for all of them. I was sure that would never happen (otherwise I would have not offered it).

But, guess what, - they all showed up in the class three times in row (developing a whole network of customised drag-out-of-bed strategies). So they got their dinner. On another occasion, I came into their class a bit late and there was absolutely no one in there. “What is that???” - I started ranting loudly about such a class.

Suddenly - they started emerging one by one from the prep room, gloating! Hahahaha. I still remember every face and name of that class.

I do have to say that this year I had my favourite class which was, perhaps, not so crazy - but They gave me lots of fun and inspiration, a class coming directly from teacher’s paradise - in terms of interest, participation and collection of wonderful people. I’ll keep the names discrete. The other two classes were also great to teach.

This whole 2nd year generation is one of the two of my favourite RCN generations - since the very beginning of the College. (The 1st years I do find also very nice - but the true face of a generation forms itself in 2nd year).

What is your favourite cantina dish?

Risgrøt - rice porridge What are you going to do these years away from RCN? Enjoying not having to tell anyone what to do, when to do it and how to do it. I will first only be… And then see... Sea.

(“I sincerely promise to come to class on a skateboard from now on” – Edmund (overheard by Avis))

By Emma

17th of May

Photo by Balder

The 17th of May is the national day in Norway, because on this day in 1814 the constitution that declared Norway as an independent state from Denmark, was signed. Syttende mai is celebrated big in Norway and as we spend two year in Norway, it is a must have to participate in traditions like these. For the Norwegians who have a bunad it was time to get the dust off of it and wear it. The rest of the school had to dress up nice, some even came in their own national costumes.

In the morning we raised the Norwegian flag and sang the national anthem and then it was time for a delicious brunch. After that there went busses to Flekke and Dale. Finland, Denmark and Norway House went to Flekke to walk in the parade across Flekke, waving the flags from the people here on college. Sweden and Iceland House drove a little bit further and went to Dale where they walked, again with international flags, in the parade that went to the Fjalerhallen where a lot of people gathered in bunads while eating cake and icecream. Daniel (the teacher) had the privilege to hold

a speech and ‘we’ as UWC, also participated in the show with some outstanding acts from inter alia the Holi show and the African show.

Coming back on campus a real celebration meal was ready in cantina and during dinner the Norwegians could not stop singing and had to remind the rest of the school that it was the Norwegian national day. It was a very enjoyable day and gratulerer med dagen Norge!

Agony Aunt The lovely lady that has the answers to all your problems.

Dear Agony Aunt

I am like so many others in the middle of my exams at the moment and I am so stressed that I will fail my IB and end up serving hamburgers and fries at McDonalds for the rest of my life. What should I do to get more relaxed?

Help needed,

The IB student

Dear IB student

I have 3 simple solutions to your stress: Number 1: have you ever noticed the bathtub in care centre? Take a candle (on the other hand, no candles since that is against the rules but perhaps some incense?) and a cup of hot chocolate, fill the bathtub with warm water and soak in it until you feel better.

Number 2: Look out of the window have you seen the beautiful nature that we live in? Go out and explore (don’t forget to fill out a trip form and bring a friend and a charged phone). Enjoy the nature; perhaps you might even see a deer.

Number 3: Bake a cake, if a piece of chocolate brownie does not calm you down I do not know what will.

And remember you have been studying for these exams your whole time as an IB student: you can do it.

With love, Agony Aunt

Who is this misterious woman?

Dear Agony Aunt

All the second years are leaving and my crush is amongst them! What can I do??

Regards,

The Impossible Lover

Dear Impossible Lover

Remember that this is not the end of the world, next year you will find yourself with a whole new batch of people and perhaps your future significant other is amongst them. If you do not believe in that then I have learnt that Skype is a fantastic way of keeping in touch with others.

It will all go well in the end.

If you have a question for Agony Aunt simply send an

With love, email to Anna MargrĂŠt or Avis and they will make sure

Agony Aunt that she gets it.

By Ulrikke and Romi

Our EACs

We have so many EACs but only very few of us really know what is going on in these EACs. We have therefore asked a few EACs the three following questions: 1. What do you consider was the most important thing that this EAC has done this year?

2. How does the group work every day?

3. What is happening in your EAC for the next year?

What are your aims as an EAC?

Photography 1. I believe that the photography EAC is an important input into the image database of the school. The photos taken by the members are for example often published on the school’s Facebook page and website.

2. We divide tasks and events between us as well as discussing our own photography. This term we are trying to find a new focus and explore photography in a wider content.

3. Next year we want to continue providing the school with photographs of various events as well as taking it one step further then it has been. We want to focus more on workshops on different skills as well as learning how to setting up photo studios and use those skills in photography sessions. The aim is to make the EAC more accessible to everyone: both the people that have the gear and those who don't, and make it interesting for both the learner and those more experienced.

SAFUGE is 10 years old 1. SAFUGE will do student-led projects in 7 countries this summer as a result of hearty fundraising and much work along the year that has included feisty cafes that delighted many and very physical jobs that are part of our outreach to the community vision. Outreach to the community is very important because it makes RCN real to an often quiet outside society that however reacts very positively and warmly when we initiate contact.

These jobs are very physical and therefore very needed and appreciated to grow a bit of muscle after all the sitting and staring at screens. We have been doing the garden for the big house on the way to Flekke (he of the tennis court), we were destroying the Dale jail so that it can be rebuilt into an art studio and famously we have been cleaning ships.

The question of what is the most important thing this EAC and registered Norwegian organization has done this year is…EVERYTHING! From building a diverse new group into a trusting workforce that develops self-confidence, to the courage it takes to stand in front of your mates and try to convince them that they should vote money for you r projects. All of the presenters are fabulous and 6 made it because that was the budget we had.

One of the projects is in Nepal and SAFUGE has done fundraising at large in the commune through the exposure of Karma’s plight on TV. Another great achievement is being able to continue the flagship project in the Cheshire Sschool in Sierra Leone when we thought this year we would not be able to. But Bassie feels he can make it in spite of Ebola lurking around and that is the spirit—it may be a shorter and simpler project but as he said, the people at Cheshire are waiting for SAFUGE and their need is even greater this year.

2. SAFUGE cafes are designed to foster the social life of the college like the Christmas carols and also the artistic side of the community’s creativity like the Poetry Slam and the theatre performances. Also we do them to have a blast like in the Clothing Store sale. There is always an aim based on UWC values for them and the final result in the projects. Therefore the students see the whole point and have a tangible proof of where their money goes—back to students in projects they vote for.

3. The question of what we will do next year is to continue what we have created and to try to make it bet-

ter. SAFUGE is 10 this year and when Åge told us as he did the database we were shocked and elated. This EAC ticks all the CAS and UWC ideals boxes and it gives the community and its members a lot of pleasure. The projects and leaders are: Mina (school in Laos), Haja (her school in the Argelia camp), Thupten and Karma C (their school in India), Melvin and Lorena (school in El Salvador), Blessing (orphanage in Zimbabwe) and Karma G (his monastery school in Nepal). The highlights are many but just to give examples of what all the school’s contributions have created: Haja will buy the first computer for her school now that they have solar panels, Melvin and Lorena are going back to continue the project they started last summer with Carlos and Knut (class of 2014), Karma G will help rebuild his school destroyed by the earthquake., India and Laos are two new countries to paint on the SAFUGE map.

SAFUGE would like to thank the RCN community for their support. Have a great summer!

DROP 1. Our achievements are nicely summarized in our name - Do Remember Other People. Everything we do, whether it is baking a cake, selling bracelets or organizing events, we do with other people in mind. Every single soul on this campus knows, at least to some extent, that they have been granted a gift most people do not even dare to dream about. Life is like a lottery, and we were are among the lucky winners. The DROP members are certainly aware of this fact, and so we try to give back by performing a series of selfless acts. Over the past year most of our work has been paid off in a tiny Ghanaian village, named ‘«Sakyikrom’». The result has proven itself to be a blooming community, and a school that soon will be able to welcome children into a safe and effective learning environment. As of now, only a small number of things remain pending, and so we are all looking forward to hearing back from them and giving the campus an update on this wonderful project.

2. DROP has evolved into a small, enthusiastic community consisting of 11 faces from all around the world.

Every Tuesday we meet to discuss and plan out events taking place both inside and outside our dear Flekke bubble, in addition developing and bringing products into this market. As of now, most of the people in the group have been assigned a role - chair, co-chair, chair of baking, chair of products etc., which has resulted in people taking their job very seriously, and in turn resulted in a very effective EAC. There is always something going on, making the weekly meetings intense, but fun!

3. We are very excited to announce the water project, as we have decided to call it. As most of you are aware, we are still in the very early stages of this project, due to the fact that we still need to finalize the Sakyikrom project in Ghana. We will spend the summer figuring out how and where the money will be spent, but as of now the main idea is to collect money to buy lifesaver-bottles, and distribute them to areas in high demand for clean water. For instance, if this project was up and running at the moment, we would try to send them to the victims of the Nepal earthquake. For those of you wondering about how the science part of this great puzzle operates, the lifesaver-bottles are basically bottles (or jerrycans) with such a small filters that not even the tiniest virus, bacteria, cyst, parasite or other things of that nature can make its way through it. In other words, it provides the users with clean and sterile water from sources that otherwise would be able to cause death.

Get to know about another UWC!

By Romi

A student from UWC Maastricht Ana Sofía Araujo (Venezuela) has told us everything about her school. If you want to know all the details about it, including main events, a description of how the school works and future activities you MUST read this.

Grease kept us entertained throughout the year with all its very talented performers!

Also, we are lucky to have a very passionate Environmental Action Club that makes sure of getting the most (or less) out of the potential of our school, which is considered to be the one of the most sustainable schools “UWC Maastricht is one of the youngest schools and in Europe. unique within the movement. We are the only school Entrepreneurship projects and clubs such as Poetae Luthat has a student body conformed by students all the cis Media and Impact Lab also arose this year from the way from pre-school through high school. enthusiasm of our students. Finally, more is yet to come!

Throughout this year we have had very interesting ac- We have other events coming on such as Mock trial, the tivities going on such as conferences, musicals, festivals, graduation of our Second Years and Global Café! projects involving not only the community of Maas- Even though we are a very young school, every year a tricht but also the international community and many lot of projects and activities keep arising and we seek to other things! make a name out of our school. We are sure our firstWe had conferences such as TOK Conference, Interna- ies will come with the same enthusiasm next year and tional Peace Conference, TEDx Youth @Maastricht and will continue with all the traditions and projects, not to MaasMUN that involved the attendance of many speak- mention start their own!” ers from all around the world, students from other UWCs and dutch schools and a lot of interesting people The oystercatcher team would like to thank the school that made each one of the conferences even more ful- for its cooperation, especially to Ana Sofia Araujo who filling than the last one. Also, we had festivals and fairs kindly open to us the doors of her school so we can get such as ArtBeat Festival and International Fair. When it to know better what actually UWC represents in other comes to projects, a lot of good stuff has been going on! parts of the world.

Kuungana Project, UWC Water Project, the Kenya Project, Albania Project, Operation Smile and a lot more!

Musicals such as Alice in Wonderland, Aladdin and

Whom would you find behind the scene s?

Oystercatchers!

By Aya

Avis Rolfe: The great Oystercatcher. Mother of oystercatchers.

Anna Margrét Sverrisdóttir The oystercatcher who says: “it’s going to be fine” no matter what...

Aya AbdElRahman The oystercatcher who is not a Leirskule kid.

Alejandra Acuña: The oystercatcher that went bald because of math.

Emma Du Marchie Sarvaas The oystercatcher who can’t say “no.”

Carsten Bing The oystercatcher who had the student shop key in ski week, then became student shop leader.

Maja Jadwiga Kabus The silent humble oystercatcher.

Ulrikke Larsen The oystercatcher who panics when people try to describe the way with right and left, because it simply does not know the difference!

Romina Violante Martinez The oystercatcher who has a nice voice.

Want to contribute? Let us know!