MS&HS Newsletter - December 2016

December, 1st 2016 Issue 1

ISA’s Middle & High School Newsletter TRIP TO OLYMPIA BY KONSTANTINOS ALAMANAS (11TH GRADE) This year our teachers decided to take us the 11th graders on an educational trip to Olympia along with the 11th graders from ACS. The goal during the trip was for us to learn more about IB and CAS. We reached Olympia at 9:30 pm and settled in at our hotels. The next morning we had two choices, either to go to ΚΕΠΕΠ or to the elderly home.

In ΚΕΠΕΠ we would see children who were mentally ill and in the elderly home we would see old-aged people that we could interact with and ask them different questions. Many people, including myself, wanted to go to ΚΕΠΕΠ since we had never encountered such a situation. After arriving, we were shocked and heart-broken at the sight in front of us. We had a tour around the entire building and interacted with children of various ages. The building was separated into sectors according to the severity of the cases.

During our time at ΚΕΠΕΠ we also saw mentally ill men who were about 20-30 years old, but also younger children aged 5-16 years old. We had also brought different supplies for the children. The thing that surprised me the most at ΚΕΠΕΠ is that their supply storage was empty and only had water.

We are very grateful that our supplies were donated to people who truly needed them and will appreciate them.

CREATED BY THE NEWSLETTER CLUB ALAMANAS KONSTANTINOS DJORDJEVIC SLIOEPCEVIC TARA ESSLINGER ADRIAN PHILIPP LEON GIANNAKOPOULOS NICHOLAS HICKLING DIVYA ROSE IVANOVA JULIA MITROPOULOU ALIKSTIS SCHATTENMANN JEANETTE SHAWKY REEM VASILEVA NICOLE

ISA THROUGH THE NEW STUDENTS’ EYES Divya Hickling (8th grade) : “ISA is very friendly school, I was very nervous on the first day as it is the first time I have moved schools.

Soon I found out that everyone was very friendly and quickly made friends. The school system (IB) is very different from the one I came from so it was difficult for me at the start but now I am getting used to it.”

Lydia Harnmadas (7th grade): “I love my friends, I love the school and I love the teachers.”

Adrian Philipp Leon Esslinger (7th grade): “I am positively impressed.”

Seravi Harris (8th grade): “The people are friendly and I can talk to everyone.”

Zoe Krembounis (10th grade): “Better than my old one (ACS Athens).”

THE NEW SCHOOL CANTEEN BY REEM SHAWKY (8TH GARDE) In the past years , the school has been aiming to improve the school canteen , and the overall quality of the food , because proper nutrition has a direct impact on students’ academic performance . Finally , this year the school canteen has changed , and It seems that it is way better than the previous school canteen . We have asked the school canteen owner , Ms. Petsa (owner of a coffee shop , Coffee Bike ) , about her philosophy for a healthy school canteen and what it should be like . Q : What gave you the idea to come to the school and change the canteen ?

Q : Do you think this canteen can further be improved ?

A : I think it could be improved and I'm trying to. I think we can add things that kids prefer to eat more .

Q : What is your opinion of a healthy eating habit ?

A : This was an experiment , since this is not like a normal coffee shop . I wanted to try and help kids , teach them healthy eating habits , and the importance of eating healthy daily .

Q : How would you compare this From left: Dinya Hickling, Ms Doris Petsa year's canteen with the previous canteen ? & Reem Shawky A : I believe it is very different to the previous canteen in all sections . The food is organic , vegetarian. The merchandise is totally different . There are many gluten and allergy free options .

Q : How do you think eating healthy affects students' performance in school ?

A : I think it has an immediate impact on their performance , and their physical and mental condition because this is what we eat , and what I believe is that " we are what we eat ". If you eat healthy you feel better , and you preform better .

Q : Is all that food organic ?

Yes , it is .

Q : Where do you buy the food from ?

We try to prefer the local suppliers , but many of our merchandise does not come from Greece, It comes from other European countries. First priority is locals , and then Europe .

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A: This is something that you have to do daily and continuously . You can not just do it for ten days , for example . You are responsible for what you are putting in your body .

Q : How is the food prepared ?

A : The food is prepared in the kitchen downstairs , every morning .

Q : What is done with the leftovers ?

A : The leftovers are transferred to another shop . One of the employees takes the food and gives to homeless people , or people who can not find food .

INTERVIEW WITH AN ISA ALLUMNUS BY NICOLE VASILEVA (12TH GRADE) Angelos Papanikolaou graduated from ISA in 2015. He was the Valedictorian and he had an IB score of 45 which is the highest IB grade possible.

I found him on Facebook and he was more than happy to answer my questions.

Q: Where are you now?

A: Greatest city on earth: London! At Imperial College.

Q: What are you studying?

A: Medicine. Currently in second year.

Q: Does college remind you of high school in any way?

A: I actually struggle to find any obvious similarities. ISA prepares you academically, but the entire experience is different.

Q: Do you miss school?

A: When you start out university you definitely do. You might miss the comforts of home and small, intimate classes with people you have known for years compared to large lecture halls filled with a sea of people. However, once you get used to it you actually enjoy it more here. You become independent and more responsible. You learn more and more about yourself as each day goes by.

Q: What would you say to current IB students? Any advice?

A: Don’t listen to everybody complaining about how stressful IB is. Just stay on top of things, your teachers are always there to help you and don’t forget to have fun throughout the year. There’s definitely more than enough time to study, so having no time to have fun is no excuse!

Q: Any other thought that you would like to share with us regarding life now?

A: It is not as intimidating as people say it is. ISA and IB prepare you quite well for it. The sudden realization of how much independence and responsibility you have can come as a shock, but the truth is you will quickly adapt to it. You will meet many people and you will learn that university can be more fun than high school! Also, university can offer you opportunities of a lifetime. For example, this September I went to Nepal for 3 weeks with other medical students. We taught schoolchildren in schools in rural areas and also visited some health posts. It will definitely be one of my most memorable experiences. I don’t think the lessons I took back from this trip could be substituted with anything else.

Q: If you were to start high school again, would you come to ISA? A: Yes, ISA offered opportunities and experiences that I could not have found anywhere else. The friends and teachers I met there will be with me for a lifetime, and I would not trade that for anything.

Q: What was your best moment in ISA? A: Our prom and senior trip are some of the best moments I’ve had in ISA. At the Graduation Day with Mr. Tragas

BOOK SUGGESTIONS BY ADRIAN PHILIPP LEON ESSLINGER (7TH GRADE) The Midnight Dress by Karen Foxlee Two girls, Rose Lovell and Pearl Kelly disappeared. A detective called Glass has to find them. And as he collects the evidence he finds out how they disappeared, why they disappeared and how it came to this point.

Rose also made a night blue dress with the help of Edi Baker which she wants to wear at the ball of the sugar cane harvest in Australia. A dress with a long history.

The Little Wich by Otfried Preussler The Small Witch is only 127 years old which for a witch isn't a big age. That is why she can not take part in the Waldpurgis Night with the old witches. To take part next year she has to be a “good” witch. Will she make it?

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HALLOWEEN IN ISA BY TARA DJORDJEVIC SLIOEPCEVIC (12TH GRADE) Halloween is a celebration observed in a number of

expressed positive thoughts about it and affirmed that it

countries on 31st October. It’s the time of celebration and

had been an original and unique experience. Along with

superstition, thought to have originated with the ancient

this, we received great reactions from students of other

Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light

grades and some even said it has been the best

bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts.

Halloween until now!

Like every year, ISA senior students organize activities for

This was a new experience for all the 2016-2017 seniors.

the rest of the school.

We put all our effort into making it a memorable

One of the activities we seniors engaged in is the Haunted

experience for everybody and creating a pleasurable

House, in which I personally participated.

environment, by trying to unite the whole school. We

It was held in the theatre and it involved "a path to

aimed to keep the smiles on everyone’s face and therefore,

follow". The path led from the entrance of the room to the

we believe that future generations should keep the tradi-

exit in the backstage accompanied by seniors

tion of organizing fun activities such as this.

scaring each group of kids ( from grade 5 to 11 ).

The Haunted House was just one of the various activities organized to create a friendly atmosphere for the students and teachers to celebrate Halloween together.

Other seniors participated in the bake sale where it was possible to see many Halloween-themed sweets such as cupcakes and cakes, and others took care of the arm-wrestling and sponge-throwing booths. To make it even more fun for kids, we also had a make-up stand held by senior art students which furthermore helped to get into the mood.

We questioned some of our classmates to find out more about their opinion on how they enjoyed being part of the Halloween celebrations. The majority

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DID YOU KNOW? ISA HISTORY

BY ALIKISTIS MITROPOULOU (11TH GRADE)

The ISA building has a very long history .Up until 1970 the building was known as the American club. It was used by American citizens in Greece for entertainment and relaxation in their leisure time. The current Primary School was a food market and the theater was a restaurant. In 1972 the building became the home of the Hellenic International School, which was founded because there was a need for an English speaking school. In 1979 it became TASIS (The American School in Switzerland) At the time, the building underwent renovations inside but the outer appearance of the building was maintained. In 1998 it was named ISA (International School of Athens) and it continues to attract students from many different countries. The ISA is an anti-bullying zone, which means that bullying is not acceptable in the school. The school has turned from a “normal” canteen, to an organic and healthy-food paradise.

INTERVIEW WITH MS STUDENT COUNCIL BY JULIA IVANOVA (9TH GRADE) 1. Is it hard to be part of the student’s council and a student at the same time?

Myrto Hantzi: if you have an organized team that cooperates and communicates, that makes it easier.

It’s not that time consuming, meaning that it doesn’t take up home time. So it’s not hard.

Romanos Seriatos: it is not hard if you are organized.

When you are organized, you have time for anything you want . To conclude, being part of the student’s council is really easy.

Romanos: I would suggest they don’t promise things they can’t do. Also I would suggest they come up with a catch speech, either because it is interesting or because it has something funny. Lastly don’t be anxious while talking.

3. Do you think you can change the life of every student, as a part of the student’s council?

Myrto (laughs): I can’t change their life, but we can make their school life better and that’s our aim.

Romanos : I believe that we could make their lives better, their school life. But outside the school, I don’t think we can do anything to make their lives better.

4. What would you like students’ council and why?

to

change

in

the

Myrto: if you asked me this question last year, I would say organization and communication. This year, though, we are a very strong team, and we are all on track. I have a good feeling about this.

2. What would you like to say to every student that wants to be part of the next student’s council?

Romanos: As I am new to the school, I do not know what last year’s students’ council did. About this year’s student’s council, I wouldn’t change anything as I believe we are organized and united, and because of this we could do a really good job.

Myrto: well, don’t make promises you can’t keep. Be creative and active and don’t forget you should talk to other students. Communication is the key.

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ART VISITS BY NICHOLAS GIANNAKOPOULOS (11 TH GRADE) ISA is always aware of the various exhibitions happening around Athens as it is a school with a strong passion for art and quite a few students who, with the help of their art teacher Ms. Voulgaris, have developed further great skills in the subject. The art class students have had the opportunity to visit great museums and galleries.

Their first visit was to the Benaki museum. The exhibition displayed was called “The Equilibrists”. It brings together work by a new generation of young Greek and Cypriot artists working in Athens and abroad. The 33 artists and collaborations in the exhibition have adopted radically diverse approaches towards reflecting on and engaging with the world around them.

On October 9th visual art students went to The Museum of Cycladic Art in Kolonaki to see the first major exhibition in Greece of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, which includes a new artwork that responds to the museum’s collection. This is the artist’s first exhibition in an archaeological museum and follows a close collaboration between Ai Weiwei and the MCA. A very interesting display with strong, meaningful pieces which are compelling.

A few weeks later, on October 23rd students went to the Frissiras Museum which is located in Plaka.

The exhibition paid tribute to “The Departed”.

Twenty-eight artists who are no longer alive, waive their physical absence through their works, while simultaneously introducing themselves to a younger audience. By reconstructing the creative schemes of their social, political, ideological, personal and artistic pursuits, these “Departed” show us that in front of the finality of death, creation is an exception.

Last but not least, grade 7 Art and Greek Language students Museum to sketch

the

subjects on display and compose a poem about an

animal

in Greek or English.

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visited

the

Goulandris

Natural

BASKETBALL NEWS BY JEANETTE SCHATTENMANN (12TH GRADE) On Wednesday, October 5th, Campion came to the International School of Athens to compete in the basketball tournament. It was a sunny day with a lot of wind. The teams all wore their casual team-uniforms and there was no one who didn’t follow the rules. In the end, ISA won the tournament. The other players didn’t have any hard feelings and everyone left with a smile on their face. Teachers and friends were among the audience.

Overall, the audience was happy with the victory of the ISA team and they didn’t hide their disappointment that the other team lost. The weather conditions were good, even though the wind worked against the game itself.

The wind sometimes took the ball out of the players’ hands but they all took it as a joke. The mood of the game was mostly peaceful. There were no fights between the teams or the team-players. The coaches respected each other’s one’s advice and they even exchanged some ideas.

On Thursday, November 10th, there was another basketball tournament on the ISA premises. The game was between the Filipino Community and the ISA team, and it was scheduled to start during High School Lunch at 13.30 pm. The game started at 13.45 PM. The Filipino Community got warmed up while the ISA Team’s Coach, Mr. Vradis, made inspirational remarks and gave advice to his team. The team listened with interest and then a spirited team effort could be seen throughout the game. Through fouls, outs, and 3-pointers, both teams developed more skills. All players played fair and fast even though the ground was slippery from the previous day of rain.

On Tuesday, November 29th, there will be a Junior Varsity Boys Volleyball Game. A number of 7 foreign schools will be taking part in this event (ISA, Saint Lawrence, ACS, Campion, Byron, Saint Catherine’s and a Polish School). The school buses will depart from the ISA premises at around 9.00 am and be back at the end of the day (15.45 pm). Three teams will meet at the Politeia Indoor and the three others will meet at the Zirinio Indoor. Later on, all teams will meet in the Zirinio Indoor to find out which team will take the 4 th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st place. Fingers crossed for our team’s victory!

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PGA NEWS—FAMILY BONDING TRIP The Parents Group Association has organized for the first time a Family Bonding Trip to Elefsina Archaeological site. The archaeological site of Elefsina was one of the most important religious centers of the ancient world, where Demeter, goddess of the renewal of nature and the growing of grain was worshiped; she was the one who taught Elefsinians the secrets of the land and the sacred ceremonies. A lot of families responded to the invitation and had the opportunity to see that fantastic place and to learn the history with the help of a tour guide. They also visited the archeological museum and admired the exhibits and especially the huge Karyatis.

The weather helped a lot the organization so many families decided to have lunch together.

A special thank you to the Association and we hope that they will organize another excursion soon!!

PGA NEWS—CHRISTMAS BAZAAR 2016 JOIN THE PGA! PGA meetings will take place every Wednesday morning (8:45-11:30) at the ISA Canteen.

Participation is optional and you are welcome to join the Association at any time.

Please note that your involvement with the Association for the benefit of the students’ development within the school community is essential.

You can also contact PGA through email in: pga@isa.edu.gr.

On Sunday December 18th, PGA is organizing the Christmas Bazaar at ISA premises from 11:00 until 17:00.

Many workshops for kids, music, food, drinks, magician, vendors and many activities are waiting for you!!

Do not forget to support our Bazaar by offering gifts for the lottery and of course bringing items for the Christmas Baskets!!

The themes for each grade level are: Grade

Basket Themes

Melina’s 1

Beauty

Melina’s 2

Stationery

Melina’s 3

International Food

Grade 1 (all classes)

Chocolates & Sweets

Grade 2 (both classes)

Board Games

Grade 3 (both classes)

Coffee & Tea

Grade 4 (both classes)

BBQ & Kitchen Accessories

Grade 5 (both classes)

Men Accessories

Grade 6 (both classes)

Women Accessories

Grade 7 to Grade 10

Candles & Lights

Grade 11 to Grade 12

Stationery

We look forward to seeing you all at the Bazaar on Sunday, December 18th along with family and friends!!