Diploma College News
Higher Education update We frequently host presentations by various universities from different parts of the world. Parents are warmly welcome to join the students for these valuable sessions. Watch this space – and also ManageBac Higher Education Groups – for latest updates. RSVP losman@isllondon.org
Date / time
Event
Room
Wednesday 7.3.18 13.50 - 14.50
University of Toronto, Canada
D18 Library
Thursday 8.3.18 14.00 - 15.00
New College of the Humanities UK
D18 Library
Thursday 22.3.18 14.00 - 15.00
ESCP Europe Business School (UK, France)
D18 Library
Date TBC
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
D18 Library
TOK Essay of the week Grade 12 are reaching the end of that grand inquiry into the nature of knowing called ‘TOK’ and will be starting work on the examined essays in the new year. To help keep TOK on their minds we have posted the IB prescribed essay titles around the college and students are adding their questions (blue) and ideas (orange) about the titles on Post-It notes. Why not discuss the essay at home? What better subject for dinner-time! Here is the final title:
Information evenings for Grade 11 parents Please make a note in your diaries of these evening workshops for grade 11 parents on university applications, and on Extended Essay. Date
Event
Tuesday 20/3/18
Parent’s Guide to the Extended Essay
Thursday 7/6/18
Higher Ed guidance for parents 2: Supporting students who apply to university in the UK
Paul Morris, Diploma College Deputy Principal
Study in the USA: SAT test and tuition If you are interested in studying at university / college in the USA then you should prepare for and take an admissions test such as SAT or ACT. I have established ISL college as an SAT test center for the international test dates in May and October. To register for a place, you need to register with College Board (the SAT providers) directly:
News from Stockholm… Our Model United Nations delegation arrived safely in Stockholm and – along with a little sight-seeing – went right down to business preparing their speeches and resolutions… more next week.
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/find-test-centers
(Note: it may take a couple of days for our registration to become active so keep a look out!)
I have also arranged for discounted private tuition with established provider UES to take place at ISL college, should you wish it, on the following dates: You should seriously consider completing this course of tuition in order to raise your test scores. The cost is already discounted by 20%,
Dates Wednesday March 7th 2018, 3pm-5pm Wednesday March 14th 2018, 3pm-6pm Wednesday March 21st 2018, 3pm-6pm Wednesday March 28th 2018, 3pm-6pm Wednesday April 18th 2018, 3pm-6pm Wednesday April 25th 2018, 3pm-6pm Wednesday May 2nd 2018, 3pm-6pm
and will be reduced still further if we can provide 5 or more students - if this happens, UES will refund any difference to you. You need to book the sessions with UES directly here: https://ueslondon.typeform.com/to/qlmlMA Let me know if you have any further questions or speak also to Ms Lewis at 139.
From the Head of Student Welfare The DP Alumni mentor-ship programme is due to begin next Friday, 9th February. 12 students have signed up so far; these sensible participants have been matched with a previous ISL DP student who has a common interest and experience in the mentees’ stated university preference. Mentees will have the opportunity to communicate on a monthly basis, to ask questions about their chosen course, profession and/or university and they may even be given useful ideas for internships. We are hopeful more students will sign up at a later rotation and take advantage of some free guidance and inside information. We will keep you updated with the progress of this exciting new programme as it develops. Grade 11 students have now completed their first exams and the results, on the whole, seem very promising. A number of students expressed their concerns and experience of ‘exam stress’ beforehand but they have all navigated this first challenge and provided useful insights into how best to maximise their performance. It is also hoped that these exams well serve to increase resilience, reduce stress for the next exams and allow the students to engage their ‘thinking brain’ more effectively next exam schedule. To finish on a positive note, the ‘advice’ provided regarding litter in the common room appears to have been heeded; I am quietly optimistic this will continue and that the new additions of a TV (for news), a student-run ‘snack bar’ and the introduction of re-usable coffee cups will all help to make life at the college even more pleasant. Dan Spinks, Head of Student Welfare
Diversity
We are delighted to announce that we have had a hugely successful start to the Boxing Club. Two Punch bags have already been purchased and arriving very soon! Only TWO spaces left on Tuesdays from 16:30 to 17:30… join us!
Understanding
Alumni News A documentary produced by ISL alumna Priyanka Mogul has been broadcast on television, covering the issue of caste discrimination amongst the British-Asian community. After graduating from ISL in 2011, Priyanka went on to study journalism and was then a reporter for the International Business Times UK, which is when she first came across caste discrimination here in the UK. The topic of the documentary is due to be debated by the British Government in 2018. Priyanka said: “It’s been a really interesting issue to follow and a massive learning curve to jump from written journalism to film, especially when it involves investing practically all your savings into it. But I guess all those ‘risk-taking’ qualities that the IB gave me are still somewhere within me. It’s also my ISL support system that has made this experience so much more worthwhile. From friends who have been there since the beginning to alumni I haven’t seen in years showing up to my screenings - moments like this remind me how great the ISL community is.” Following a premiere in West London on 15 January, ‘Caste Aside’ was then screened in King’s Cross on 23 January, drawing nearly 100 registrations and a lively post-screening debate. The documentary was also broadcast on a Sky channel and is due to be screened at multiple locations over the coming months, including at the British Association for South Asian Studies’ Annual Conference in April 2018. The next screening of ‘Caste Aside’ will take place on 27 February at SOAS University www. casteaside.com
Identity
Passion