We will be adding to this section very soon.

Watch this space…

New for 2012

Student concerned about being away for a month?  Parent worried child may miss home?  Here is a different approach to Vacational Studies…

• an easy introduction to being away from home
• the feeling of independence
• still part of an international community
• a step towards growing up
• choose any 2 of the 4 weeks between 11 July and 8 August 2012

The Course is structured around a four-week period.  The task-based project takes this length of time to complete and I know from experience that it is in Week 2½ that the inhibitions and barriers break down and this is when rapid progress is made. Our students do not find four weeks too long. The tears at the end show this.

But four weeks is a big step for some teenagers – and their parents – so here is a the ‘Lite’ programme.  Any two weeks can be chosen.  It is ‘Lite’ because it is shorter, but also because whatever is in the programme during the two weeks not chosen will clearly not be available. A few former students are unavailable for the duration, but I feel their presence will add to the Course.  For the uncertain newcomers, I suggest the first two weeks as the last two weeks can be added.

I know that one client, whose son is afraid that he may spend two lonely weeks without friends, has bought two tickets – one for travel after two weeks; another for travel after four weeks.

We shall make all students over 18 whom we already know ‘Prefects’.  This means that they will meet with IGM and the Course Manager and discuss how they can benefit themselves and the Course by taking responsibility for aspects of the Course like the sports and social events, assisting the staff in a supervisory capacity and arranging events, if they wish.  The normal rules will apply, but they will have certain privileges appropriate to their age such as increased internet access and mobile phone use.  The 10.30 bedtime will not apply.  We may look at access to the SSO room.  Prefects will be given the opportunity to lead in a similar way to Staff Helpers while following the regular teaching programme.  18 year-olds who are new to us will be given the responsibilities of Prefects when we know them which – within the context of the Course – is likely to be after just a few days. Tanya from Spain tells me: ‘I like the conditions of the Prefectship because I think it has in itself both the social responsibility of a Staff Helper and the fun of still being a student.’

Now that the Sports/Social side is predominantly staffed by ex-UK Reps, the role of a Staff Helper is becoming supernumerary. Occasionally we have a brilliant SH, but too often we have someone who feels neither a student nor a member of staff and does not adjust to this quite subtle role. A Prefect is a student with responsibilities and privileges. Being a student is easy. Having responsibilities is up to the individual and we can add or subtract them according to that person’s abilities.

So it may that I shall not appoint Staff Helpers for a while.

It may also be that I shall decide to appoint a few prefects at 17 if we see leadership potential.