9. Beyond The Curriculum

9

BEYOND THE CURRICULUM

At NLCS Jeju, we understand that personal development doesn’t come from the classroom alone - it’s what students can do beyond the curriculum that defines them as a person. That’s why we offer an exceptional Co-curricular enrichment programme with more than 150 different activities to choose from every week. We encourage students to try something new and take opportunities to grasp new challenges with both hands.

As well as helping them grow and develop as future leaders, the world’s best universities look for these additional skills, passions and interests.

The core philosophy is one of opportunity (giving all students access to a wide base of activities) and of excellence (ensuring that those who find a passion can excel). Opportunity

Excellence Discovery

(excitement & wonder)

Passion

(focus & determination)

Excel

(confidence & flow)

NLCS JEJU CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME

Educational Trips and Outdoor Education R - Y13

House Competition Y1 - Y12 After School Activities Y1 - Y13

Bryant Programme Y3 - Y13 Societies & Enterprises Y10 - Y13

Sports Squads Y5-Y13 Community Service Y7 - Y13

NLCS Jeju Conservatoire Y6-Y13

Creativity Action Service Y12 - Y13

9.1 AFTER SCHOOL CO-CURRICULAR

ACTIVITIES

From 16.15 every weekday, except Fridays, there is a full programme of after school Co-curricular activities (CCAs) for all students. Monday is House Competition day (see Section 10.3). During Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday CCA time a huge variety of activity options are offered to students. There are 3 blocks of activities throughout the year. At the end of each block, students follow the process to choose new activities (see Section 10.8).

Students are encouraged to maintain a balance between creative, action and service activities throughout the year.

9.2 THE BRYANT PROGRAMME

The Bryant programme is a unique and extensive programme of different co-curricular activities that the school provides on a Saturday morning, which is compulsory for all senior school students in Years 7 to 12. However, Year 13 students may choose to spend this time completing academic assignments or preparing university applications.

All activities run from 09.00 to 12.00. These activities vary from scuba diving to knitting and the scheme is so broad that we are confident there is something for everyone. Students will select a number of activities and then be allocated three Bryant activities throughout the year based on their preference.

Students are expected to challenge themselves to try things they have not done before, as well as to meet new people and go to new places. A key part of both the Bryant and Co-curricular programmes, is that students learn from their experiences and become more reflective individuals. The Bryant programme also allows students to focus on a particular activity in order to develop their passion and expertise in that activity.

There is a charge for some activities and students should discuss this with their parents before making their choices. Parents can now pre-approve all chargeable activities. Invoices for fee-paying Bryants are sent as soon as possible after the start of each Bryant block.

Sports fixtures may occasionally be held on a Saturday afternoon and across weekends, as well as other residential activities, such as International Award camping trips. In addition, Performing Arts rehearsals may be scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

9.3 THE HOUSE SYSTEM

AND HOUSE COMPETITION

Every student belongs to a House for purposes of ‘belonging’ and to take advantage of leadership opportunities and life skills learnt through healthy competition. Every student in Years 7 to 13 (whether day or boarding) belongs to one of five Houses. These Houses are named after local oreums: Geomun, Mulchat, Jeoji, Sarah and Noro. All students, are very much a part of the House System. House Captains are key student leaders who lead the House through the year and ensure teams are ready for each particular competition. There are five Heads of House and five Assistant Heads of House amongst the faculty who support the House Captains and the House Committees, they are -

Heads of House (HOH) and Assistant Heads of House (AHOH)

• Jeoji Mr. Steve McKeogh and Mrs. April Wilson. • Sarah Mr Adam McCue and Mrs. Julia Smith • Mulchat Mr. Andrew Thomas and Ms Fiona McDonell • Geomun Mr Chris Heydinger and Ms. Sarah Gulley • Noro Mrs Jodie Torrance and Mr. Adam Lim.

Sixth Form students keep their former House connection and may get involved with some of the House Competitions that run throughout the year. The Sixth Form students are likely to be busy with the IB Diploma and their involvement in House Competition will be less than in Years 7 to 11. Some students will, however, be keen to involve themselves in those competitions where they have a particular interest or ability, or a strong sense of responsibility to their House.

All students in Years 7-11 will be with their tutors during period 9 on Friday afternoons, participating in house activities as part of the House Programme and in some instances preparing for House Competitions on Monday afternoons. The House Competition takes place on Mondays from 16.00 – 17.15, although it can, at times, happen at weekends and occasionally in the evening depending on the event. It is a compulsory commitment for both boarding and day students and attendance is mandatory. Whilst many students in each House compete each week, there are also training sessions and, of course, simply supporting your House is a very important part. The types of events are planned so throughout the year there is always an event which appeals to students. There are a large number of competitions in which students participate, either in small groups or as a whole House. For some of these competitions, senior students are expected to take this as an opportunity to practise and demonstrate their leadership skills by organising teams and entries under the guidance of House staff and Tutors. Competitions may include House Performance, Cross Country, Chess, Public Speaking, Spelling Bee, House Art, General Knowledge Quiz, Football, Basketball, Swimming and Athletics, to name but a few.

The students enjoy this competition enormously and there is some very healthy rivalry between the Houses. The House

Competition runs throughout the year and the points total is updated after each different competition. The House with the most points at the end of the academic year is awarded the House Shield which is seen as a very prestigious achievement and something for which the students in that House should feel a strong sense of achievement. The House Competition develops three key skills for the students: communication, leadership and teamwork. These are life-skills that benefit them as they grow older and are an important part of their pastoral development.

9.4 SOCIETIES AND ENTERPRISES

One of the defining features of a North London Collegiate School is its academic societies. Students have the opportunity to get involved in groups focused on a plethora of academic subjects that provide challenge and extension beyond the regular curriculum. These societies are student led and act as a means of broadening knowledge beyond the curriculum, improving Academic English and preparing your child for the demands of the University application process. Societies operate with the help of a Link Teacher, and most noticeably contribute to the wider school through the following two initiatives.

The society groups host topical discussions at break times and lunchtime to help improve academic English and to help broaden subject knowledge in preparation for university applications and Oxbridge interviews.

Examples of these discussions include: ∙ Should we gamble on the existence of God? (The Philosophy Society) ∙ How Quantum Physics inspires Mathematics ∙ How has literature mirrored society?

In conjunction with these discussions we also have a programme of weekly lectures, as part of a programme of subject enrichment weeks, to add to the enrichment experience for our students, from teachers and external speakers. Examples of these include: ∙ Cancer Research, by Dr. Gareth Miles ∙ Applying for Medicine, by Ms. Gwen Watson

9.5 TRIPS AND TOURS

We want our students to reach for the possibilities and opportunities of life. Sometimes this cannot be done from a classroom so we offer a wide variety of opportunities for learning adventures locally, nationally and internationally. Trips can be categorised broadly into the following categories:

• Sports trips are usually for KISAC or FOBISIA competitions, or other competitive sports events. • House and tutor group trips are often on Jeju Island and promote House and tutor group enjoyment. cohesion and unity. • Curriculum trips that take place both on and off Jeju, ranging from one day Geography field trips to a week long

Computer Science trip to Japan. • Various other trips of a competitive nature such as the World Scholar’s Cup, various Maths competitions and the Lego

League Robotics trips. • Trips of an adventurous and demanding nature such the Duke of Edinburgh International Award adventurous journey and the Nepal service trip.

All trips are planned carefully and extensively risk assessed by the Trip Leader, the Trips Coordinator and the AVP - Beyond the Curriculum.

* Please note that COVID-19 guidance and restrictions may affect our 2022-23 schedule and plans.

9.6 SOCS ACTIVITIES

The school uses SOCS system to facilitate the CCA and Bryant selection and approval process allowing parents to login to see the plethora of activities on offer. Parents can access detailed information relating to each CCA and Bryant activity. This information includes -

∙ Associated costs ∙ Qualifications and professional membership of external providers ∙ Structured plan for the CCA/Bryant block

This selection and allocation process follows these steps:

1. Confirmation of CCA and Bryant activities with staff and external providers.

This is an on-going process throughout the year and is coordinated by the Assistant Vice Principal ‘Beyond the

Curriculum’ and also the Head of Co-curricular Activities.

2. Promotion of CCAs and Bryants on offer.

All information is readily available to students through their SOCS portal. There is also a beginning of Year assembly that sets out the year and explains how students can try-out for the various squads, performances and musical activities on offer.

3. Students choose their CCA and Bryant activities on SOCS Activities

Students choose four activities for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. If a student has been selected for an activity, this will show as pre-approved. This “sign-up” phase is normally open for 3-4 days.

4. Allocation of CCA and Bryant activities

After sign-up has closed, activities are allocated by student preference using SOCS Activities. For popular activities, when sign-up reaches the critical point of double the available spaces, then sign-up for that activity will automatically close.

5. Bryant Payment Arrears

If a student has Bryant payment arrears, then the only Bryant options available to that student will be the free

Bryants.