International College News

COLLEGE NEWS

Spring 2013 No. 22

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N E WS L E T T E R O F T H E I N T E R NAT I O NA L CO L L E G E S H E R B O R N E

Double boost for College!

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Inspection success New Hall takes shape

It has been a term of milestones and innovation at the International College in Sherborne. The long-awaited £2.2m multi-purpose hall began to take shape, at last, as the builders moved in and started their work. The completion date is November this year. At the same time (and as if to confirm the excellent work being done by the College) a team of inspectors from the Independent Schools Inspectorate concluded that the College’s boarding arrangements met every one of the Government’s National Minimum Boarding Standards, and relevant Independent Schools Standards Regulations.

Good news for everyone!

The College’s new Hall takes shape (March 2013)

www.sherborne -ic .net

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Ross Wallace

Simon Larkin

Elizabeth Bennett

The term also saw the milestone of the second-highest ever enrolment for the College for a Spring Term (153 students were on register), having welcomed a dozen new students to the College in January, mostly to start the five-term I/GCSE course. The College was also pleased to welcome back teachers Ross Wallace (Physics and Mathematics), Simon Larkin (English) and Elizabeth Bennett (English) to help teach the new class created by these new students.

Amongst the innovations this term there was a “Founder’s Feast” – a dinner to commemorate the foundation of the College by Mr Robin Macnaghten 36 years ago, and also a special visit from Sir Roger Fry, President of the Council of British International Schools. A further innovation was the presentation of a consolidated annual report (running to 78 pages) to the Sherborne School Governors. The resulting document is a remarkable record of the College year 2011/12. It is intended that this exercise will be repeated each year.

Regular events which helped to liven up the Spring Term included the splendid Chinese New Year celebrations, the staff Pancake Race, regular special meals including the Burns Day lunch (the College was visited by a Scottish piper a few days earlier to set the scene!) and the second of the College’s Souper Day

lunches. These “Souper” lunches help to raise funds for the world’s less fortunate children.

There were visits to various parts of the country including Weymouth and Salisbury, and a much more adventurous expedition in the shape of the ski trip to France at the half term mark. The spring concert and an excellent Sherlock Holmes play involved many students and entertained everyone else. As usual, details of all of these events and activities will be found inside this term’s edition of “The News”.

Students had more practice in expressing their opinions and views on arrangements at the College through the Student Representative Council, the new Digital Council, the Dining Hall Committee and House Committees. A majority of students were also involved in College sports activities, including external fixtures, the intra-mural sporting house competitions, and the annual swimming gala, held again this year at Sherborne School for Girls.

Meanwhile, and in the midst of all these activities, academic work continued to prosper! The College received some excellent results for the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) examinations this term, and were also encouraged by the application of almost all students sitting the trial (“mock”) examinations in January. The results of the mock exams form the basis of our estimations of the grades that students are likely to be awarded in the summer examinations. (To remind parents, the College itself neither sets nor marks the I/GCSE papers.)

Staff, too, continued to study, including 13 taking the Certificate for Teaching English to Speakers of Other

Languages.

This intensive course is conducted partly at Sherborne, and partly at Sidmouth.

The present Sir Roger Fry group of teacher/students are due to complete this course in May. Many other members of staff attended external professional development courses, and the whole College teaching staff met at the beginning of term for a session on teaching vocabulary, led by the Head of Bedford Study Centre, Mrs Olive Heffill.

Next term, of course, the real GCSE and other examinations take place.

All students preparing for these examinations will have been given vacation work, and should also review and learn (“revise”) all the academic work they have covered since they joined the College. A large number of our Year 11 students are attending our Easter “Revision” course, but for those not, we seriously ask for support and encouragement from parents to help their children prepare for these very important examinations over the holiday period.

The new term starts on Sunday 21st April, and we look forward to welcoming back all student members of the College community on that day.

Dr Christopher Greenfield Principal

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Artwork by Flora (Hao) Wu, Year 11

As we move into the spring vacation, I hope that we can finally say that we have seen the last of the bad weather – this is, however, England! In many ways the spring term is the most difficult of the three terms in schools in England. The excitement of the autumn term, of arriving for a new academic year, indeed for most a new school in a different country, has been replaced by cold, dark days where rain is never far away. It could be argued though that this is entirely the correct weather to encourage study! And the students this term must, on the whole, be congratulated for the way they have approached their study in a diligent, resolute manner. I have been extremely impressed by most students’ determination to improve and this does not only include students who are studying for their IGCSE/GCSE examinations and ESOL certificates, but everyone across all year groups in

Academic Report the College. I was particularly pleased to see that many students had taken part in both the national Mathematics challenges and its Physics equivalent.

We now look forward to both the better weather and the demands of the summer term. For the majority of the students in the school, that means GCSE/IGCSE and ESOL exams and, for most students in Year 11, IELTS. These examinations take place particularly early – starting in earnest approximately two weeks into the summer term, so holiday work and exam revision are of paramount importance. In my regular tutorials with students, we have discussed the need for practice in examination technique, understanding the vocabulary of questions and realising the need and opportunity for extra individual support from teachers who are part of boarding teams and are

more than willing to help when they can. If students who have been hard-working throughout the year continue to give of their best, I am very hopeful that they will get the grades of which they are capable. For those who perhaps have not been so tenacious, there is still time to improve. The summer term will also see the completion of Year 9 Project Week, the Year 8 charity event and the College Activities Week for all, in which students undergo many academic and social activities that they would not otherwise have the chance to do.

There is much, therefore, to look forward to – good luck everyone!

Mr Philip A Hardaker Vice-Principal

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A vintage year for university entrants Staff at the International College were delighted to hear that “graduates” from the College had gained places at some outstanding universities this year.

Amongst the College’s former students, there were at least 3 who entered the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and 1 each to Oxford and Cambridge.

These students had left the International College in 2010, and had completed their A-Levels or International Baccalaureate at other, distinguished schools in England.

Other universities at which College “graduates” gained places included The European Business School in London, Universities of Westminster, Southampton, Liverpool, Keele, Manchester, Aberdeen, York, Warwick, Leeds, Hull, Bristol, Imperial College and University College London, and Royal Holloway University in London.

The College congratulates all of our “graduates”, and wishes them well as they embark upon their degree courses.

Dinner Com Colleg

ommemorates ege’s Founder

The foundation of the College was commemorated in March with the inaugural “Founders’ Feast”. The formal dinner was attended by all student members of Years 11, E and F – almost 100. They were joined by some 50 invited guests.

During the meal, guests moved from table to table, to give the students more opportunities to practise their conversational skills. At the conclusion of the meal, the College VicePrincipal, Philip Hardaker, proposed a toast to Robin Macnaghten, who (as Headmaster of Sherborne School) had founded the College 36 years ago in 1977. Former member of staff, John Walters (who had started work at the College in 1978), responded to the toast on behalf of the guests, and proposed a toast to the “International College”.

Robin Macnaghten, Founder of the International College

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Golf activity

King’s House Boxercise Class

The spring term in King’s House is always a busy one, and this year has proved no different, with a veritable plethora of activities, sports, excursions and, of course, hard work to keep the boys occupied.

At the beginning of the term we welcomed three new students into the house; - Makhach, Zayed and Nick. I am pleased to say they have all settled in well and have made lots of friends within the House, as well as making valid contributions to year 10’s sporting endeavours.

Speaking of sporting endeavours, King’s boys continue to make up a large part of the school’s sports teams and both the senior boys’ football and basketball teams have had excellent seasons thanks to this participation.

The year 10s, meanwhile, took to the pool this term in preparation for the College’s annual swimming gala, set to take place on Thursday 21st March. Under the expert coaching of Mr Dwyer and Mr Pearson they have enjoyed their swimming sessions, and with some strong swimmers this year, there will certainly be some fierce competition on the day.

At weekends the King’s boys are also kept busy , and one of the most successful innovations has been the introduction of Playstation 3 tournaments on a Saturday evening.

The extremely popular Fifa 13 tournament was won by Tat for the second term in a row, and this term an NBA 2K13 tournament has also been introduced.

Some King’s boys were involved with the school play for the second year running and this year graduated from comic-relief to taking some much larger parts including the lead as Carl took on the timeless role of Sherlock Holmes. The production was a great success and all the students (and staff) involved had a great time.

New features appeared in the House itself just before the February half term with some very attractive pot plants, some new photos and the brand new trophy shelf erected

especially to house the Inter-House Christmas Drama Festival trophy won in such spectacular style by the King’s boys last term.

All these improvements proved to be very worthwhile as the House received an inspection this term by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. All the boarding houses, including King’s, passed with an excellent report and for this I would like to say a big thank you to my team and all the boys who live in King’s. They have been a credit to the boarding house and the College.

Mr Simon Bonelli-Bean Senior Housemaster

Ski trip in the French Alps

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Westcott House

Six new Year 10 students joined us in Westcott this term and settled in happily, bringing our number to forty three girls.

It has been a particularly cold and wet term and yet we seem to have played more sports fixtures than ever. Our Sunday morning running club, basketball, badminton, table tennis and swimming and other sessions have been popular optional weekend activities.

The Juniors and Year 9s have enjoyed a variety of activities on Sunday mornings, including cakemaking and mixing natural face packs (the oatmeal, honey and banana proving the most popular with as much being consumed as spread onto their faces). The girls learned to use the sewing machines to make bunting to decorate their pin-boards, red and gold paper lanterns for Chinese New Year were created and hung up in the hall, and Mothering Sunday cards were made.

We were very proud of our students who took part in the Public Speaking Competition held at Sherborne Girls’ School this term, and particular congratulations go to Sylvia Yi who won first prize for her talk entitled,

“The Pursuit of Happiness”.Our College Concert was a real treat this term with many students performing on a variety of instruments to a high standard. We particularly enjoyed Piano, Guitar, French Horn, Voice and Violin solos as well as a charming duet and a rousing finale from the choir made up of girls and staff. Furthermore, Helen Lu, who plays French Horn in the joint Sherborne Schools’ Orchestra, represented the College when she travelled to London to perform at an orchestral concert in the prestigious surroundings of St. John’s Smith Square on Sunday March 17th. The Ski Trip in the French Alps at half term was a very popular option, and proved to be a most successful enterprise, led by Westcott House’s Miss Davison, supported by Miss Brockman Miss Twist and Miss Hart from the girls’ houses, and other staff in the boys’ houses. Some girls had never skied before, but returned totally hooked, others were able to brush up their technique and all came back glowing from a week of blue skies, crisp snow and sunshine.

We have visited Taunton and Salisbury this term for shopping trips as well as a guided tour of Salisbury

Cathedral and its famous spire for the junior students. At the end of term A Mystery Trip will provide the final excursion of the term, following the College Disco the night before – always a good opportunity to glam up and try out those sky-high heels.

A great deal of effort went into the rehearsals for the College Production: Sherlock Holmes and the Emerald of Alcazar, as well as the creation of props and costumes. The hard work of all the actors and producers was brilliantly rewarded by their masterly performance and the huge enjoyment of the audience in Sherborne School main hall, the BSR on Sunday evening, March 17th.

After an intensive term, including examinations for many, we wish everyone a restful holiday and look forward to welcoming you back next term, refreshed and prepared for the demands ahead.

Mrs Frances Walker Housemistress

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Mowat House Spring term has been a busy and interesting time for the girls in Mowat House who have managed to fit in plenty of extra-curricular activities around their full academic timetable and mock examinations.

January saw heavy snow blanket most of England, bringing parts of the country to a standstill. Not so the girls in Mowat House, who wrapped up warm and walked to school through the still falling snow to sit their mock examinations. Some of the Mowat girls had never seen snow in real life before and were first out of the House in the morning to take pictures of the unexpected winter wonderland that had appeared overnight. After lessons, strange shapes sprung up in the gardens at Mowat and Westcott with girls from both houses trying their hand at building snowmen.

February came and the snow was replaced with a seemingly relentless downpouring of rain but the girls still found time to enjoy a shopping trip to Taunton, Chinese New Year celebrations at a local restaurant and the first of the College Concerts.

During half-term week many of the girls from the House went on the thoroughly enjoyable ICSS ski trip to La Rosiere in France. Not all those who went were seasoned skiers and some daring girls learned to ski for

the first time. March has been the busiest month so far for the Mowatians balancing studying for their summer examinations with a full social calendar. At the start of the month the whole House visited Salisbury for some shopping and to see the impressive cathedral. A group of intrepid girls braved bitter winds when they completed their Geography fieldwork on the beach at Swanage. They also took the opportunity to get dressed up and attend the first ever Founder’s Feast.

Mowat girls were out in full force for the whole College production of ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Emerald of Alcazar’. Five girls from the House took the opportunity to perform in the play whilst eleven others carried out their front of house duties with aplomb.

As ever I have been impressed with the number of Mowat girls involved in every aspect of College life. Six girls have represented the College by playing on the Netball, Basketball, Volleyball and Badminton teams that

have played fixtures against other schools. Six girls took part in the College Concert playing piano, flute, violin and singing. We have representatives on each College Council and Committee and it is pleasing when the girls report to the rest of the House the decisions made at our regular House assemblies on a Saturday.

Next term will be even busier for the girls at Mowat House. With IGCSE and GCSE exams just around the corner, I hope that they manage to fit in some study whilst enjoying their Easter break.

Miss Joanna Norton Housemistress

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Cheapside It has been another fun-filled, action packed term for the Cheapside girls, and it is becoming clear that for a small House we make a huge contribution to College life.

This term, Rachel, Orange, Freyja, Pui Ling and Nine have all been keen members of the basketball academy, working hard to improve their technique and being very good about completing their studies around the fun. I have been very proud of them for developing their time management.

During half term break Maria, Miliena, Freyja, Rachel and Alla took part in the ski trip in the French alps.

Rachel bravely joined in despite twisting her ankle in a netball match just before the trip. They all had a fantastic time and the staff who went with them were impressed with their behaviour and attitude.

It is not just in sport where Cheapside has contributed more than would be expected from such a small House; we had two girls in the school play, Maria and Pui Ling. Meanwhile, Mae was chosen to share her speech on “Child Trafficking in Thailand� with other members of the school.

Rachel spoke to the school about sport, and I have received many emails about Cheapside girls receiving credits throughout the term.

Ms Stacey Hurndall-Waldron Tutor in Charge

In the House itself we have now finished the refurbishment of the common room and updated the furniture to make it a bit more feminine. We have also had new flooring put into the kitchen, as well as a rice cooker installed, which allows the girls to cook noodles in their free time. Miss Gallimore and Miss Hart have been running Sunday evening activities which help the girls to relax and bond with each other. These changes have helped to make Cheapside even more of a family-style home, and I have been glad to see the girls using the space to socialise and build excellent relationships with each other.

The girls have socialised with students from other Houses and they have made sure that they are not left out of anything. Mrs Walker has very kindly brought a few of the girls back to Cheapside in the evening from College where they have joined in with games nights and movie nights. There have been growing numbers of visitors to the House this term, not to mention the regular deliveries of flowers from anonymous sources to girls in Cheapside!

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Richard, winner of the Grosvenor Table Tennis Tournament

This spring term Grosvenor welcomed five new members into the House. Cold, rain and even snow have featured heavily in the weeks since January but despite the less than ideal weather we still had a term full of events and opportunities.

The Grosvenor boys have continued to take part in a number of different sports and activities. As part of the Wednesday activities programme the boys have, amongst other things, attended a soccer skills clinic, played golf, been to cookery classes and been rock-climbing. There have been regular swimming sessions this term where the boys have received coaching and trained to improve their strokes. Then, at the end of the term, the Grosvenor boys represented their sporting houses in the College’s Swimming Gala.

This year cricket has also featured in the spring term sport. Many of the students begin with little or no knowledge of the game and it is a very steep learning curve to pick it up in one term. It was therefore a plan to try to introduce cricket before the summer term. The aim is to give the boys a head start and help them to reach a high enough standard so that in the summer we could play a fixture against another school. Ultimately, at the end of the year, the boys would have progressed further and this would serve them well at their next British school. We therefore have had a regular Friday cricket skills session, thankfully indoors, and the boys have shown great improvement since the start of the term.

much enjoyed by the Grosvenor boys, both in aid of charities.

Grosvenor House Football has arguably been the most important sport this term with the Junior Boys Team playing a number of fixtures against other schools. The boys have also had regular coaching and practice sessions to get them ready for these games. A highlight of the Grosvenor team this year has been how well they have played together as a team. As a result there has been much improvement in the team and some good results achieved.

The Grosvenor boys have also been involved in a number of culinary events this term. They have been able to enjoy a special Burn’s Night lunch, a Valentine’s Supper and a Mexican Tea. There was also the traditional College celebration of Chinese New Year. The Grosvenor boys joined students from other Houses and went to a local restaurant for a special Chinese meal. In addition to this there was also a doughnut sale and the annual spectacle of the Staff Pancake Race,

The Grosvenor boys have been on a number of excursions this term. We were able to visit the Sealife Centre in Weymouth and go up the Sealife Tower to enjoy the amazing views.

The students also had a trip to Taunton where they went bowling and had some time to go shopping. We visited Salisbury and the boys had a tour of the Cathedral and explored the roof spaces and the tower. They climbed narrow winding spiral staircases up to the foot of the spire 225 feet above ground level. Here they squeezed through a small door to the outside where they could look out over the city and surrounding countryside.

A number of Grosvenor students had acting parts in the College theatre production, a memorable performance of Sherlock Holmes and The Emerald of Alcazar. The Students have continued to enjoy extra-curricular pursuits such as music, cinema trips, a College Disco, indoor 5-a-side Football, Basketball and a Table Tennis Tournament to mention a few. Next term promises to be as fun and fulfilling as this one.

Mr Stuart Clarke Housemaster

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Badminton

Girls’ Sport

The term started with some new

junior girls continued with their

get to a home fixture due to the

activities for the senior students.

weekly sessions and also showed

lack of a full size court. Sherborne

The College made use of the

improvement over the term with a

International College came away

expertise of the new female house

draw and a win against Chilton

with a win for both the U16 and

staff to offer a fitness programme

Cantelo. The popularity of netball

U15 teams against Taunton U16B

in the sports centre gym for the

among the girls showed in the

team. Their U16A team won both

girls. The aim of this was to set

Inter-House competition played in

their matches against our College

the girls targets and allow them to

February. Each house entered two

girls. Everyone walked back to

follow the programme in their own

teams with senior and junior girls

Westcott House for team teas and

time. They could keep a record of

playing on the same teams but all

the girls spent some of the time

their progress so that they and the

playing equally well. The

swapping phone numbers with

staff could see how their level of

competition was held at

their new friends.The junior girls

fitness was improving. This has

Sherborne Girls School so we

have also played volleyball,

had a positive effect on the girls

could make use of their full size

badminton, indoor football and

with more of them now making

courts. The team captains took

taken part in aerobics sessions.

use of the gym in their free time.

their roles seriously making sure

The indoor football sessions will

Netball continued to be a popular

everyone was warmed up and

finish with an Inter-House

option with the senior girls, some

ready to play. Please look on the

competition for the Junior, Year 9

of them opting to play twice every

College web-site for the final

and Year 10 girls. This month the

week resulting in a great

report and results.

younger girls have also taken part

improvement in the College team.

in a number of fitness and agility

The U16 team won their fixture

There was a very international

tests which gave them the chance

against Chilton Cantelo. This was

netball fixture against Taunton

to compare themselves to other

very pleasing after some of the

International College which was

girls their age. In each test they

same girls lost quite heavily to

also played at Sherborne Girls

recorded their results to find out if

Chilton Cantello last year. The

School. This is the closest we can

they were above or below average

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Netball team

for their particular test. Tests were

are one win each against

other schools in the area. This is

for flexibility, co-ordination,

Sherborne Girls. The College girls

in addition to the training they

reactions, explosive power,

always look forward to these

have every Sunday for their

strength and agility.

matches against our local rivals.

matches against other schools.

Results of all the matches can be

Volleyball and Badminton are

This year has seen the

offered to all the girls and this

introduction of a Basketball

year the College girls have been

Academy run by a local coach

very successful. The Volleyball

and based at the Sports Centre.

found on the College web-site.

Miss Isobel Davison Head of Girls’ Sport

Team is undefeated, but every match has been a close fought

Fourteen girls have been selected

battle against Sherborne Girls

to join the academy and have

School. In Badminton the results

enjoyed training with girls from

Badminton

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Basketball

Boys’ Sport Last term, despite a fairly unpromising start to the year, I predicted that the Boys’ Sport Teams were to have one of their most successful sporting seasons to date. How do I define success? For students, if success in the classroom is measured by their results in exams, then for student athletes success can likewise be measured by their results in sport fixtures.

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Thus the fairest way to assess the success of our season is to compare the results against the College’s

results must go to the boys who

previous years’ results. Therefore I

have all collaborated so well

dug out all the old International

together. The difference between

Club, Fitness Club and the newly

Shirburnians, dating back to 2001,

the results this year compared to

formed Sherborne Tigers Basketball

when we started having a number of

previous years can largely be

Academy to name a few.

fixtures again other schools.

attributed to the attitude of the boys who have worn the International

All the boys have played their part

At the time of writing, this season

College shirt. They have gelled on

in contributing to sport, however, I

our boys have managed a ‘win%’ of

and off the pitch and formed

would like to mention a select few

43% and a ‘win or draw%’ of 57%.

friendships which they might not

who have not just played well for

Compare this to last year; 39% and

have done, if they had not played on

one or two teams, but have also,

45% respectively, or the year before;

the same team. Overall the

and maybe more importantly,

27% and 33% respectively. It is

teamwork, energy, effort and

helped towards international

clear to see that these results are

diligence of the boys have been

understanding and forged

impressive compared to the last few

outstanding.

friendships through sport. Robin Li,

years. However these results are

Moritz Barnert, Phoom

actually the best results not just in

Of course there is more to sport at

Yenbamroong, Jan Sassenberg and

the last three years, but since 2006.

the International College than just

Nat Charoenkitmongkol have not

Looking further back all the way to

the fixtures and the results. Boys

just been good players who work

2001, these results prove to be the

have continued their lessons in a

hard, but have grown into leaders

second best results ever at the

number of different sports, with

and role models on and off the

College, only second behind the

preparation for Cricket next term

pitch. Boys like these are why we

impressive results of 2006.

being on the agenda. The Inter

have done so well this year, and I

House competition is still thriving

am quietly confident that some of

Although the sport staff work hard in

with the Swimming Gala on this

the current year 10s can repeat

sport lessons, training sessions and

term’s programme. The boys have

these boys’ successes next year.

everything else that comes with

also been taking part in activities

coaching sport, the credit for these

during their free time; Badminton

Basketball teams

Mr Lawrence Dalton Head of Sport

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Certificates and Awards for Spring Term 2013 Credit Prizes Junior Group – Anastasia Vaganova Year 9 – Bogdan Shulzhenko Year 10 – Yi Zhong (Peter) Tong Year 11 (1 year GCSE) – Pui Ying (Benita) Cheng Year 11 (2 year GCSE) – Yuanshu (Miro) Huang Please note that these certificates are awarded for progress in relation to student ability.

They should not be seen as an indication of future examination success.

Gold Award Shuran (Stella) Cao

Lipeng (Robin) Li

Wenxuan (Cindy) Ye

Silver Award Nikita Erin

Yi Zhong (Peter) Tong

Bronze Award Haruka Akimoto Anastasia (Nastya) But Lan (Orange) Chen Qimin (Jeffery) Chen Anna Dolgova Yuanshu (Miro) Huang Nikita Kozak Daria Kuznetsova Tsz Yau (Lorna) Lam Chi-Fang (Judy) Lee Jie (Erica) Mei Darina Novytska Jan Sassenberg Bogdan Shulzhenko Alexandra Skrebutite Shanru (Vickey) Zhang

Alexey Dubovets Valeriya Likhatska Jialin (Sylvia) Yi

Subject Awards for Progress English

Chemistry

History

Hao (Steven) Chen Patcharamon (Mae) Chongsanguan Pui Ying (Rachel) Hung Karnpakkapas Jirapongtanavech Nataphat (Nathan) Kuansataporn Yi Qin (Queenie) Mao Pui Ling So Miliena Sotnyk Yan Shuen (Kelly) Wong Jiaming (Jessie) Xu Andrey Zirinov

Zayed Al Duhaim Moritz Barnert Natthawat (Nat) Charoenkitmongko Patcharamon (Mae) Chongsanguan Changqian (Roger) Fang Denis Fedorov Yubo (Robert) Jin Adam Kazharov Chak Fung (Anthony) Lee Jia Yan (Jea) Luo Maksim Maiorov Almaz Nizamutdinov Mykhailo (Michael) Novytskyi Matvey Pilagov Bella Pokrova Eliahu (Ilya) Rabinovich Kei Yui (Venus) Tang Natthasit (Barry) Trakulcharoensuk Hao (Flora) Wu Zebang (James) Xing Phoom Yenbamroong

Denis Fedorov Pui Ying (Rachel) Hung Bella Pokrova Kirils Popovs Ponlawat (Homme) Trai-Ukos

Mathematics Sirawat (Mo) Dulyavit Atipat (Fane) Kuansataporn Alexander Sviridenko

Biology Carl Philip Bluecher Von Wahlstatt Pui Yin (Benita) Cheng Sirawat (Mo) Dulyavit Ruchchapa (Pung) Jaochakarasiri Jekaterina Kirillova Nataphat (Nathan) Kuansataporn Chak Fung (Anthony) Lee Miao (Owen) Lin Angelina Popelnykh Egor Poselskiy Eliahu (Ilya) Rabinovich Naila Reding-Reuter Tetiana Savchenko Miliena Sotnyk Ivan Xiao Yi Tan Kei Yui (Venus) Tang

ICT Victoria Dubois Jia Yan (Jea) Luo Kyrylo (Kirill) Mishchenko Natchapol (Clave) Techa-Amporn

Physics Ruchchapa (Pung) Jaochakarasiri Karnpakkapas Jirapongtanavech Khadija Shahed Khan Tsz Hang (Herbert) Lam Tian Cheng (Peter) Li Miao (Owen) Lin Jidapa (Nine) Pokaew Yunyi (Kelly) Qi Jiaming (Jessie) Xu Zejun (Steven) Zhang Andrey Zirinov

Geography Elnur Odzhagverdiev Yao Guang (Mike) Zhao

French Nikita Krivoshlykov Naila Reding-Reuter Tetiana Savchenko Bogdana Shevchuk Anastasia Vaganova Yao Guang (Mike) Zhao

Business Studies Moritz Barnert Lora Izvorova Nikita Krivoshlykov Hongyu (Helen) Lu Almaz Nizamutdinov Yi Ching (Maggie) Wong

Business and Comm Systems Zheming (Felix) Hu Tachapon (Tat) Ratsameedara

Art Ksenia Eremina Ksenia Sergeeva Ponlawat (Homme) Trai-Ukos Zejun (Steven) Zhang

Sport Nadezda (Nadia) Andronova Ksenia Eremina Shuying (Freya) Gu Miguel Hamdi Elnur Odzhagverdiev Jidapa (Nine) Pokaew Phoom Yenbamroong

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Half-Term Ski Trip to France

Thirty-nine students and ten staff left the College on a sunny Friday afternoon to start their half-term ski trip to France. The journey in France was through the night and we had expected to reach the resort by lunchtime. Everybody else wanted to go skiing too, though, and the roads to the mountains were very busy. We eventually reached the ski resort at 6pm. There were snacks and drinks waiting for us before everyone was taken to collect skis and boots. The ‘Hotel La Roz’ was our home for the rest of the week.

On Sunday morning everyone caught

the afternoon. Some of the staff had

advanced and intermediate groups

the ski bus which conveniently

lessons with the students and some

took part in a slalom race which is

stopped outside the hotel and

of the staff took pictures and videos

open to anyone in the ski resort.

travelled for five minutes to get to the

of the students. Many of the pictures

Nikita was the fastest boy in his age

ski slopes where we met our

and videos can be seen on the

group. Should we have a ski team

instructors. Our lessons were from

College web-site. They show how

photograph to put on the wall next to

9-11am and 2-5pm every day. There

much the students improved in just

the football and netball teams?

were four groups, two beginner

one week. The video formed the

groups, an intermediate group,

basis of an excellent assembly

Friday was our last day of skiing. We

made up of people who had skied

presented by the students on their

had had six days of blue skies and

for three or four years and an

return.

sunshine.

been skiing since they were young

On Monday night there was a

Although it was a tiring journey and a

children.

torchlight descent by the instructors.

busy week we will all take away

The two beginner groups were split

They ski down the slope in the dark

happy memories of good skiing,

again as one group was slightly

carrying a blazing torch. If you are a

good food, good entertainment and

stronger. This group made use of the

good skier you can join in. Some of

good company.

drag lift on the first day. The other

our students and staff took part.

advanced group for people who had

beginner group quickly learnt to side step up the gentle nursery slope

On Thursday, after five days of

before learning how to use the lift in

lessons, a group of students from the

Miss Isobel Davison Assistant Housemistress and Head of Girls’ Sport (Leader of the Ski Expedition)

Sir Roger addresses the Reception

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Elementary my dear students After several months of preparations and rehearsals, Sunday 17th March saw a cast with participants from each boarding house take to the Big School Room stage to perform ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Emerald of Alcazar’. The performance had the audience in fits of laughter one moment and on the edge of their seats the next, with each cast member putting on a fantastic

International College honoured by visit of distinguished educationalist

performance to delight and entertain the attentive audience.

On Wednesday 13th March the International College hosted a lunch in the historic Old School Room of Sherborne School. The guests included College Governors, educational agents, guardians, teaching staff and some students who assembled to meet the Guest of Honour, Sir Roger Fry,

The full cast of Sherlock Holmes

accompanied by his wife Lady Begoña Fry. Sir Roger Fry, CBE, is

The play sees London’s finest

students, together with many staff

the Founder of Kings College,

detective try and solve the mystery of

and visitors made a very appreciative

Madrid, the President of COBIS

the missing Emerald of Alcazar with

audience. The thunderous applause

(Council of British International

many funny happenings along the

was a measure of the play’s success.

Schools) and formerly a director of

way! Helped admirably by his friend,

the Independent Schools Council.

Dr Watson, and the bumbling

Thanks must go to all those

Sir Roger, who was introduced by

Inspector Lestrade, Holmes

individuals who helped stage this

Dr Colin Niven, a College Governor,

eventually solves the case, running

fantastic performance, especially to

addressed the assembled guests

into his old nemesis, Countess Luisa

Mr Jim Donnelly at Sherborne Boys’

and gave a most interesting

de Valparaiso in a hilarious final

School for use of the theatre and also

historical overview of his connection

scene.

their Wardrobe Department for the

with Sherborne and the vital role of

loan of the costumes.

British education in global

Forty students were involved in the

development.

play in some way. The other 112

Mr Mark Cooper Assistant House Tutor

Mathematics Challenge This spring twenty-five students from International College entered the UK Mathematics Trust intermediate challenge.

The challenge is taken by 200,000 able mathematics students each year in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Island. The most successful are awarded certificates. All students from the College who took the test this spring were successful in achieving certificates. Each year a select group of students from the certificate winners are invited to take an even more challenging examination, called the European Pink Kangaroo. Four of our students have taken this examination and we eagerly await their results. The elite of those who achieve gold certificates in the intermediate challenge are invited to the International Olympiad. The International College is delighted that Jie Mei has just sat this most difficult examination. Congratulations!

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College Music

Our first concert of 2013 presented a

playing a beautiful ‘Romance’ by

suitably international array of talent,

Saint-Saëns. Once again our pianists

playing a similarly eclectic

played a major role in the concert,

programme of music from many

with impressive music from Qiuyi

different nationalities. As usual we

(Viola) Zhang and Lora Izvorova.

had a valued contribution from guitar

There were attractive vocal items too

teacher Mr Carter and his pupils,

with naturally the College Choir

offering a mixed set of acoustic and

bringing proceedings to a suitably

electric pieces with ensembles

rousing conclusion.

including vocals. Other notable items

efforts have led once again to such a memorable and inventive afternoon.

included violin playing from Jingyu

We are most grateful not only to the

We look forward very much to our

(Tina) Kong and an outstanding

students who played but also to the

second concert in June.

contribution from Khadija Khan

individual music staff whose untiring

Mr Martin Walker Head of Music

British Physics Olympiad This year for the second time International College students took part in the British Physics Olympiad “Physics Challenge”. This is a 1 hour paper written by the Physics Department of the University of Oxford and is designed to test the more able GCSE candidates.

The competition took place on March

papers sent to Oxford to be checked

Bronze category, narrowly missing out

11th 2013 and nineteen students

and assessed for a book prize.

on a Silver award.

course and the two year IGCSE

This year the Challenge proved to be

One student, Jie (Erica) Mei achieved

course. The awards for the exam

quite demanding and of the nineteen

a Silver award with the highest mark

range from Participation, Bronze,

students that took part eight students

recorded this year and she is to be

Silver and Gold and any student

achieved a Bronze award. Orange

congratulated for her performance in

scoring 38 marks or more has their

Chen scored the highest mark in the

what was a very tough challenge.

took part from both the express

Mr Kerry J Matthias Head of Science

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College Digital Council Inaugurated The College Digital Council, comprising representatives of teaching and technical staff and students, has met twice this term.

The first meeting at the end of the first half-term was its inaugural meeting, a chance to get all members together and run through the rationale of the Council and to start members thinking about the ways in which the College develops its use of technology. Everyone was excited about the opportunity to help play a leading part in helping to shape the College’s technology vision. All Council members were asked to spend some time over the February holiday thinking about their own use of technology and the ways in which technology could be increasingly incorporated into their College life.

Our second meeting on return to school in March was full of lively discussion. While there were some specific topics raised, such as internet access during prep time and the use of College email addresses, the greater part of the meeting’s discussion centred on the development of a College VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). A number of students and staff commented on their experiences of using VLEs at previous schools. Many were familiar with these platforms for managing prep tasks, allowing staff and student communication and providing resources for revision. A great variety of uses and benefits were identified – especially concerning completing work while students were away from College in the two main holidays.

It was agreed that the College should be moving towards such a platform and all Council members were enthused over the idea that we would be looking to develop our own VLE, and would start to investigate this very soon.

Student members of the Council were also tasked with quietly trying out the new wireless access platform for Apple and Android devices, in preparation for a school-wide announcement. This was a task which they enjoyed – especially since they were on a secret mission!

Mr Colin Stobart Head of Mathematics and College e-safety Officer

Sylvia the winner

Public Speaking Competition for International Students

Robert BURNS – Special Lunch The College held a Burns’ Day Lunch on 25 January, to honour a Scottish tradition celebrating the life and poetry of Robert Burns, who was born on that day in 1759. The students and staff enjoyed a variety of traditional Scottish food, including the celebrated national dish, Haggis, which consists of meat from sheep blended with oats and spices.

One of his most famous poems, an expression of friendship, set to music, is Auld Lang Syne which is sung by people all over the world at social gatherings to welcome the New Year. A week earlier students had been visited by a Scottish piper, demonstrating the (very loud) Scottish bagpipes that are traditionally played at Burns’ Day meals.

The eighth annual competition of its kind was held this year at Sherborne Girls School.

The standard was again very high with students speaking on a wide range of topics from Romantic Love and Culture Shock to Mythological Animals and Korean Pop Music. From Year 10, Kirils Popovs spoke very entertainingly about the unusual statues of cows in his home town in Latvia. From Year 11 Jialin (Sylvia) Yi spoke with great poise and intelligence about a film, The Pursuit of Happiness, and developed her theme to answer the questions: ‘What is happiness?’ and ‘How do we find happiness?’ Both students spoke with confidence and clarity, neither using notes. In answering questions from the floor, Kirils used his dry, deadpan sense of humour to great effect, whilst Sylvia, speaking beyond her years, was quite unruffled considering questions of quite a philosophical nature.

Although both performed well, we were very pleased that Sylvia was given first place in the competition which was a real ‘feather in her cap’ since this was the first time she had ever taken part in this type of event.

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Chinese masks created and worn by the Junior Class

Chinese

New Year

The International College celebrated the Chinese New Year by visiting a local Chinese restaurant for a delicious meal. Over three evenings, all of the students and various members of the House and Teaching staff were treated to a four-course banquet.

We enjoyed a wide variety of good food that included a delicious mixed starter, crispy aromatic duck, sizzling beef in black bean sauce, sweet and sour chicken, prawns with asparagus, lemon chicken and sweet toffee apples for dessert. The evenings were a great success and seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by all, whether Chinese or not!

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ICSS Debating Society!

After several debates in English class, students started a Debating Club. We have enjoyed arguing whether ‘Santa is an Unjustifiable Deception’ and if ‘Mathematics is the Most Important Subject’ with students from all years and nationalities making speeches and asking questions from the floor. After some more practice we hope to arrange debates with other schools.

Mr Andrew Stratton runs in Rwanda

Souper Day On Friday 1st March the students and staff enjoyed an unusual lunch, when only a selection of soups and different breads were served.

This was not meant as a punishment, or a return to the days of the Victorian workhouse. It was an idea from the students themselves to serve a modest lunch, and allocate the cost of the food served normally to a special fund for aid to people affected by a global natural disaster.

The lunch consisted of a choice of chicken noodle soup, tomato soup and mushroom soup, served with a selection of home-baked breads.

Our three chefs had recently attended a bread-making course, and were very happy to show off their new skills.

The Rwanda Challenge Msaada is a local charity which assists the people of Rwanda by establishing self-help income-generating projects. It has worked with the community of Rwamagama, a town in the Eastern Rwanda for several years. During the half-term break Andrew Stratton, a teacher of Mathematics and Business Studies at the International College, travelled there to meet the local people and learn more about the projects that Msaada helps to fund.

‘I visited schools, hospitals and homesteads and was inspired by the friendliness, resourcefulness and resilience of the Rwandans,’ said Mr Stratton ‘but the high spot and main purpose of my visit was to compete in the Rwanda Challenge Marathon.’

Mr Stratton has run many marathons, both in the UK and abroad, but nothing quite like this one. The altitude, the very hilly terrain and the heat made it really tough. ‘It was a challenging race but one that I shall never forget,” said Mr Stratton,” the villagers along the route were fantastic, groups of children ran with me for much of the way and the scenery was stunning.

Only about 20 people completed the

course and it was an honour to run with Rwandan athletes of international standing, I was the only person from outside Rwanda in the race!’

So far Mr Stratton has raised over £1000 in sponsorship money for his efforts and says that visiting Rwanda has inspired him to continue fundraising in order to double that amount. More pictures of his Rwanda adventure, information about Msaada and details of further challenges in May and June can be found at: www.virginmoneygiving. com/AndrewStratton

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French Department Excursion to Exeter On Thursday 28th February a French Department outing was arranged to visit “Planète France” at the Corn Exchange in Exeter. Nikita, Anna, Egor, Jane, Tania and Matvey all came.

The programme was fun, including some TV games like “Pointless” which was called “Nul Points” in French and “Connections”. Nikita and Mr Tomlinson made up a team for “Nul Points” and were thrilled to get some questions right and win some chocolate.

There was also a song played written by the singer Francis Cabrel and called “Les Hommes Pareils” which loosely translated means something like “All men are the same”.

We learned quite a bit and not just some new French vocabulary. The day was a great success.

Following on from the expedition six of the students presented a very effective assembly for the whole College, based on the song “Les Hommes Pareils”, including translating some of the words for the benefit of nonFrench speakers.

Mrs Vicky Taylor Head of French

Scaling the heights Salisbury On Saturday 2nd March the whole College went on an excursion to Salisbury and for some it was the first time visiting the city. Although a very cold day, everyone was in high spirits, looking forward to a day of shopping, exploring and having fun with friends. The students had the fantastic opportunity to visit the Cathedral and if brave enough climb the spire (the tallest in Britain)! They were all awed by the beauty and scale of the Cathedral and had the chance to study the original Magna Carta, located in the Chapter House.

A great day was had by all and thanks must go to Miss Brockman and Miss Twist for the planning and preparation of what was a very successful and enjoyable day.

Donuts Krispy Kreme

y t i r a h C

15935 IC 6_Layout 1 22/03/2013 11:36 Page 23

Red Nose Day

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Race Staff Pancake

15935 IC 6_Layout 1 22/03/2013 11:36 Page 24

Term Dates

2013-2014 AUTUMN TERM, 2013 ARRIVAL DAY Tuesday 03 September – new students (from 09.30 – 17.00) Wednesday 04 September – returning students (14.00 - 22.00 hrs) HALF-TERM Friday 25 October (before 12.00 hrs) to Sunday 03 November (14.00 - 22.00 hrs) inclusive

Friday 13 December (before 12.00 hrs)

DEPARTURE DAY

SPRING TERM, 2014 Wednesday 08 January – new students (09.30 - 17.00 hrs) Wednesday 08 January – returning students (14:00 – 22:00 hrs) Friday 14 February (before 12:00 hrs) to Sunday 23 February (14.00 - 22.00 hrs) inclusive Friday 28 March (before 12.00 hrs)

ARRIVAL DAY HALF-TERM DEPARTURE DAY

SUMMER TERM, 2014 ARRIVAL DAY Tuesday 22 April – returning students (14.00 – 22.00 hrs) Tuesday 22 April – new students (12:00 – 17:00 hrs) SPEECH DAY Thursday 26 June * DEPARTURE DAY Friday 27 June (before 12.00 hrs)* or Thursday 26 June (if parents or guardians attend the College Speech Day Ceremony) * Date dependent on Public Examination Timetable.

EXEAT DATES 2013-2014 Autumn Term

28/29 September Second exeat – flexible

23/24 November Spring Term

25/26 January 08/09 March Summer Term

03/04 May Second week-end – flexible Two weekend exeats per term are allowed (except Autumn Term during which three exeats weekends are allowed). It is helpful if students choose the above dates for exeats. All exeats can commence from 12.10 hrs on Saturday. Students must be back by early evening (approximately, 20.00 hrs) on Sunday. Prior permission must be obtained from the Senior Housemaster/Housemistress by the previous Thursday. Exeats are not compulsory and students may remain at the College.

PERMISSION WILL ONLY BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS VISITING PARENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS OR GUARDIANS (ALL AGED 25 YEARS AND OVER).

International College, Sherborne School, Newell Grange, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4EZ, UK Tel: (UK) 01935 814743 • (International) 44-1935 814743 Fax: (UK) 01935 816863 • (International) 44-1935 816863 E-mail: reception@sherborne-ic.net • Website: http://www.sherborne-ic.net Sherborne School is a registered Charity No. 306219. The International College, Sherborne School is a living institution and changes may be introduced to the arrangements described in this newsletter from time to time. The newsletter, therefore, does not constitute in whole or in part any form of contract between the International College, its pupils or their parents.

Shelleys 01935 815364