The 10 Best International Schools in Central Europe

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VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 02 | 2020 WWW.THEKNOWLEDGEREVIEW.COM

INTERNATIONAL

SCHOOLS IN

CENTRAL

EUROPE

THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL · VIENNA (AIS) FOSTERING A PASSION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

EDITOR’S NOTE

HOLISTIC EDUCATION IN A MULTI-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT

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nowy peaks, pristine rivers and lakes, historic, artistic and cultural presence, breath-taking landscapes renowned to the world over for tourism Europe has much more to offer than its scenic beauty.

Quality education, for instance, is an important facet of this continent known for its consistency in delivering the best.

When relocating to a new city or country parents are often concerned about finding the right school for their children. But when in Europe you can rest your worries aside.

Besides the astounding beauty of this small continent, there are a many good international schools to choose from.

Schooling plays an important role in creating and supporting a civil society. Europe realised it long before any of the continents thought of it. It is not just a for a civil society but also to sustain democracy. Europe has expended tremendous energy in education reforms. The end result is for all to see.

Choosing the right school for your child may not be that difficult for international families. International schools in Central Europe provide world class, holistic education in a multi-cultural environment. Since studying a foreign language in Europe is compulsory, most of the Europeans speak more than one language.

The same is applicable to the international students.

If you believe only the best is good for your child, then you are scrolling through the right edition. We have traversed across Central Europe to hand pick the best international schools nestled in this beautiful continent.

School that is committed to provide life-oriented and value education along with a focus on academic excellence.

Do read the CXO point of view and articles penned down by our in-house editorial team.

Have an insightful reading!

T R

On the cover, we have The American International School - Vienna (AIS) that is known for its family environment in a state-of-the-art infrastructure, global education and a string of achievements. The other schools that have found a place in this edition are – Chartwell International School that is known to promote balanced growth, Japanese School of Paris that believes in the philosophy of friendship even while imparting education and St John’s International

Sumita Sarkar sumita@theknowledgereview.com

Contents Cover Story

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THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL · VIENNA (AIS) FOSTERING A PASSION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

CXO

34 SYMBIOTIC LEARNING THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE TEACHER-STUDENT RELATIONSHIP

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CHARTWELL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PROVIDING A CARING ENVIRONMENT FOR BALANCED GROWTH

08

30

JAPANESE SCHOOL OF PARIS NURTURING THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIFELONG LEARNING THROUGH FRIENDSHIPS

36 ARTICLE 20 ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY ST. JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NURTURING COMPASSIONATE & RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS OF THE WORLD

THE SPIRIT OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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THE 10 BEST

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN CENTRAL EUROPE

Name of the Institution

URL

Brief

Antwerp International School

www.ais-antwerp.be

Providing holistic and personalised touch to teaching

British School of Brussels

www.britishschool.be

The only school in Belgium to offer three preUniversity routes

Chartwell International School

chartwell.edu.rs

Focusing on quality education and balanced development

Chavanges International College

www.chavagnes.org/ en_gb

Committed to a broad education alongside sport, arts and choral music

Ermitage International School of France

www.ermitage.fr

Cherishes curiosity for excellence in academics and supports untapped potential of multi-cultural students

Institut Montana Zugerberg AG

www.montana-zug.ch/en

Teaching young students to build a peaceful world along with excellence in education

Japanese School of Paris

www.parinichi.com

The only Japanese school in France that has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology

St. Gilgen International School

www.stgis.at/en

Helping students explore their talents and offering comprehensive and professional instruction and coaching

St. John's International School

www.stjohns.be

Has an outstanding reputation for pastoral care and a superb range of extra-curricular activities to extend and challenge students.

www.ais.at

Nurturing students in an inclusive school environment, challenging them to strive for personal excellence through exploration of their passions

The American International School · Vienna

Cover Story

THE AMERICAN INTERNATIO SCHOOL · VIENNA (

ONAL (AIS)

• The 10 Best International Schools in Central Europe

FOSTERING A PASSION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING

This institution strives to empower students to find their hidden potential and guide them in their endeavors so that they can find the best ways to shine. Allow us to introduce you to The American International School · Vienna (AIS), one of the most remarkable educational institutions in Central Europe and across the globe. AIS offers a unique combination of a nurturing family atmosphere with a challenging educational

environment backed by its history of academic achievements.

Established in September 1959, AIS is the oldest English-language school in Austria. Initially, 234 students representing 17 nationalities enrolled in the school.

Over the years, the school grew and became one of the finest institutions for delivering education in the English language curriculum. Today, AIS serves nearly 800 students with over 60 nationalities from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 (IB Diploma or American Diploma).

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WE BALANCE AN ACADEMICALLY ENGAGING PROGRAM WITH CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES TO EMPOWER STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS NOW AND BEYOND AIS.

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e at the Knowledge Review are always on the quest to find institutions that have made a lasting impact on the educational sphere. This time, our motive of providing our readers with insights on exceptional educational institutions led us to Central Europe. One particular institution, nestled in the pristine city of Vienna, has set a benchmark for bestowing exceptional education on its students of diverse nationalities.

State-of-the-Art Infrastructure Set in the Neustift-am-Walde area of Vienna, adjacent to the famous Vienna Woods, AIS provides an instructional setting in the midst of the surrounding hills, forest, and countryside. There are seven interconnected buildings housing Elementary, Middle and High Schools within its 11-acre premise.

Overall, there are more than 70 classrooms, seven science labs, art studios, music rooms, two libraries, a theatre, an outdoor classroom, two gyms, a sports field, a fun court, a cafeteria, health unit, and a separate sports hall (which houses three indoor tennis courts, two basketball courts, or ten badminton courts). The school also has offices for counseling, the International Baccalaureate program, division offices, technology, curriculum, and faculty departments. For students' physical well-being, the school has built exterior facilities that include: a soccer field, a running track, an elementary playground, an outdoor fun court, and an outdoor amphitheater.

At AIS, computers are seen as a necessary tool for teaching and learning. Hence, through its 1:1 laptop program, all students in Grades 4 through 12 have been provided with a take-home personal computer. All classrooms have ceiling-mounted video projectors and interactive whiteboards- touch-sensitive screens that replace the traditional chalkboard and facilitate digital manipulation of images and text.

Strong Foundations Being a school that embraces

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WE HOLD MANY EVENTS THAT HELP OUR COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER AS ONE BIG FAMILY THAT CELEBRATES OUR DIVERSITY.

Director (ex-officio) of the school.

All the members in the Parents’ Association are automatically conferred on the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School.

These members' efforts have helped AIS to be accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools, enabled AIS

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diversity, AIS’s journey to its present success has required plenty of hard work. To sustain its ascendancy and work towards AIS’ long-term strategic vision, the school has an Executive Board. The board has ten members, eight of whom are elected by the Parents’ Association that sponsors the School, one is appointed by the U.S. Ambassador, and one is the

to get recognition by the Austrian Ministry of Education, and helped AIS to become an IB World School.

A Holistic Ambiance Within the rich cultural context of Austria, AIS Vienna Nurtures an Inclusive learning community, Challenges students to strive for personal excellence and to explore their passion, and fosters Respect

through compassion for others and the world. These core values guide the school to craft programs that not only focus on the students’ academics but also on the development of students’ creative and leadership abilities and emotional intelligence.

To ensure every child is receiving the required care and attention, AIS has kept its class sizes limited to 20 students, with many classes considerably smaller. Widely, the school’s size is considered ‘just right’ and big enough to offer diverse and stimulating artistic, athletic, and academic opportunities, while still small enough to maintain a strong sense of community. This allows the school’s educators to nurture each

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WHEN ASKED ABOUT WHAT MAKES AIS SPECIAL, LONG-TIME ALUMNI AND NEWCOMERS TODAY ALL MENTION ‘THE FAMILY’

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pupil with an American spirit and help them achieve their personal best. Whether a PhD in mathematics or support in Kindergarten, members of AIS faculty provide the creative nudges, structure and room to experiment – in the classroom, on the playing field, among friends, and in life.

the diplomatic and corporate sectors, in the arts, academia, professional sports, and private business. They take extra effort to ensure families not only adjust to a new environment but are also given the care and attention to feel the acceptance in their new world.

Unleashing Potential AIS offers the AIS After School Activity Program in which students get the opportunity to participate in guided, engaging activities that complement and enhance the curriculum which guides their daily education. These activities are inclusive of athletics programs with ten competitive sports of varying levels across three athletic seasons, plus comprehensive clubs and programs including arts, music, language, service-learning, and technological opportunities. Such activities allow students to interact with friends and students from different grade levels while participating in an extensive range of activities. When the school day ends at 3:15 p.m., a new extracurricular world begins.

Home Away from Home AIS takes great pride in providing a sense of belonging to not only its students and staff but also their families. Every time they step into the school’s campus, they experience a powerful feeling of closeness to its welcoming, supportive, and diverse community. AIS’s internationallytrained faculty serves its multicultural families working in

Since 1959, AIS has offered opportunities for students to take part in activities and travel beyond the borders of its host city and country. Now, 60 years later, this is just one of the many ways the school continues to supplement its curriculum with athletic and educational activities, allowing for learning to take place well beyond the traditional classroom walls.

Preparing for Tomorrow AIS recognizes individual learning styles. It takes extra efforts to differentiate instruction and enable students to reach their full potential in different areas, be it academics, athletics or in visual and performing arts. This approach strengthens the foundation for students for higher education.

Students who graduate from AIS Vienna regularly attend the world’s top universities. The school has designed a curriculum that prepares its students for pursuing education at such institutions.

Additionally, the school hosts many university visits that allow its students access to information and help them make the right choice for themselves. AIS also hosts a career fair for its HS students to help them discover new career paths they might not yet have considered. All these initiatives help AIS to develop individuals who will become tomorrow’s responsible citizens and will eagerly take on real-world challenges to serve humanity.

Benchmarks of Quality Education Under its roof, AIS has developed and nurtured some of the most remarkable leaders of the world.

Their contribution to society has been immense. Some of the notable personalities of AIS are: Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer and Jane Lauder They are granddaughters of Estée and Joseph Lauder, founders of the cosmetics giant Estée Lauder. In the 1980s, the sisters attended AIS – with Aerin graduating in 1988 – as their family moved to Vienna as a

Lucija Stojevic An emerging director and producer who was part of AIS’ Class of 1999. The young filmmaker had her big break in 2017 with the critically acclaimed documentary “La Chana,” which follows the legendary flamenco dancer and received the audience award at the International Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam. The fluent German speaker has been working in the film industry for over a decade and has produced a number of short documentaries for The New York Times and The Guardian.

Nathan Meltzer Became the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious Windsor Festival International String Competition in 2017 at only 17 years of age. The young American, who also picked up that year’s audience prize, is considered to be one of the world’s leading violinists. And while he now studies at Juilliard Pre-College under the esteemed Itzhak Perlman and Li Lin, Meltzer’s

passion for performing started in second-grade orchestra class in AIS. Exhibiting Distinction “AIS has given me an appreciation for the diversity of cultures and people that I was able to grow up with. Still being in contact with people from all over the world is something unique to having gone to an international school. AIS was very inclusive. You didn’t feel left out when you were new because everyone had experienced that at one point or another. It was like being accepted into a new family.”

- Lydia Bergen Allen, Class of ‘79 “We came because we cared. We bonded in a way that I can only describe as deep and meaningful, we formed attachments that survived the test of time and distance; we were exposed to an educational environment that taught us to think big, think deep and think wide. Cultures, cities, languages, ways of thinking – civilizations were our bread and butter, and our playground knew no borders.”

- Jane C. Goffman, Class of ´80 “The education I received at AIS not only prepared me for and helped me to achieve a Harvard degree, but it also prepared me for a career in global business.”

- Thomas Stemberg, Founder Staples Inc., Class of ‘67 T R For a glimpse of this majestic school, visit: https://www.ais.at/

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WE ARE WELL KNOWN IN OUR COUNTRY AND REGION FOR OFFERING DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES WITH AN AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL CURRICULUM.

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result of their father’s Ambassadorship to Austria.

Afterwards, Aerin studied at the Annenberg School for Communication and Jane graduated from Stanford University. Jane now manages several major Lauder-owned brands, while Aerin serves as the company’s style and image director. Vienna appears to have left an impression on their family.

Her father co-founded New York’s Neue Galerie, and Aerin, too, has never been shy to profess her love for Vienna.

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Environment Friendly

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THE SPIRIT OF

EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT

DECEMBER 2020

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lobalisation and digitization connects the world. As the multitude of cultures mix, the economies grow and communication speeds up, the world becomes increasingly complex and uncertain.

Additionally, human race is affecting the planet’s climate, animals and landscapes in unprecedented ways, and threatening all life on earth. We have entered the Anthropocene era – a new geological age shaped by humanity.

Given these major developments, the concept of sustainable development emerged as a response to the growing concern about human impact on the natural environment.

Education for sustainable development The conceptual definition of education for sustainable development is - the education that encourages changes in knowledge, skills, value systems, and attitudes to enable a more sustainable and just society.

Education for sustainable development provides an innovative vision of an interdisciplinary and holistic way to empower students with the intention of advancing a pro-social and environmental agenda.

ESD is highly engaging and transformational education process which requires effective inclusion of learning content and outcomes, pedagogy, and the learning environment. It achieves its purpose by transforming the society as a whole.

Learning content Important issues such as climate change, biodiversity, bio-preservation, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and sustainable consumption and production (SCP), should be integrated into the educational curriculum.

Pedagogy Designing teaching and learning with an interactive, learner-centred approach that enables exploratory, high-engagement learner experience. Re-imagining learning environments – physical as well as virtual

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(online) to inspire learners to act in the interest of sustainability.

Societal transformation Empowering people to be ‘global citizens.’ To think for the welfare of not just how Earth is right now, but how it would survive in the future by assuming active roles, both locally and globally, to face and to resolve global challenges. And ultimately inspiring people to participate in the creation of a more just and peaceful world with values of tolerance, inclusivity, security and sustainable development.

Providing young learners with the knowledge and skills to transform not only themselves, but also the society that they live in, and enabling a smoother transition to greener economies and societies.

Inception The Brundtland Commission first conceived sustainable development. The definition is: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

ESD was a United Nations (UN) program. Agenda 21 was the first codified international document that realised the goal of achieving sustainable development through the tool of education.

To promote ESD, the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) 2005-2014, was adopted by the UN General Assembly with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) were designated as the propagators of this educational ideology for the decade.

The decade pursues a global vision ‘of a world where everyone has the opportunity to benefit from quality education and learn the values, behaviour and lifestyles required for a sustainable future and for a positive societal transformation’ as per UNESCO. T R

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• The 10 Best International Schools in Central Europe

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very child needs proper attention in their growing years. Attention does not just mean the physical presence of an elder, but being attended to emotionally and academically as well. At any given time, young kids have a million questions running in their minds which they need answers to and turn to the elders present around them for the same.

When elders nurture their inquisitiveness, children grow into reasonable, bright individuals who are curious to learn, explore, and find solutions that ultimately add value to society. Such children, who have been encouraged and motivated when young, grow up as responsible adults and give the same kind treatment to others.

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CHARTWELL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PROVIDING A CARING ENVIRONMENT FOR BALANCED GROWTH

Such are the values inculcated in its students by Chartwell International School, Belgrade. The school has implemented the Cambridge International Education Program, based on the British National curriculum, the key-words of which are the balance between skills and knowledge, creativity, community engagement, and environmental awareness.

Exhibiting Educational Distinction The school campus is laid out in the beautiful, quiet, residential area of Belgrade, the overwhelming view of which can be enjoyed from its spacious

bright classrooms. Its park-like gardens encompass not only quiet shady areas where the hot spring and summer days can be enjoyed but also many sports fields and a swimming pool.

For more than 20 years, the campus has lived up to its international title, providing education from ages 2 to 18 and guiding its students in their aspiration to become global citizens. It immerses them in a world of multiple languages and cultures, inspiring them to learn through inquiry.

Spread across seven spacious facilities combining the highest standard education traditions with most DECEMBER 2020

When our students leave here, they do so with excellent academic rankings and qualifications that are recognized and valued by prestigious Universities worldwide.

contemporary top quality teaching equipment, Chartwell provides a safe and caring environment for all its students. With its sports fields, recreational areas, libraries, labs, Chartwell is a place where students come to more than study – Chartwell is a home away from home.

Beyond Education In a tight-knit establishment that celebrates cultural diversity, the unifying factor is the accreditation from Cambridge University, which recognizes Chartwell as an international school and the registration by the Serbian Ministry of Education. Academic standards in Chartwell International School are keenly monitored, with class sizes small enough with a ratio of even 1 to 3, tailored to suit the academic needs, interest, and potential of each child including DECEMBER 2020

additional personalized tuition, if needed.

A wide range of subjects is offered throughout the school – from foundation to secondary, designed to stretch and challenge every individual, providing everyone with the opportunity to discover and examine their particular interests and talents.

Contemporary methods of learning are applied with an interdisciplinary approach to subjects.

Realizing that education encompasses much more than the academic program a lot of emphasis is placed on extracurricular activities that are offered daily and range from sports to fencing, dance, drama, languages.

Chartwell students are involved in the life of the community as well by attending workshops, visiting exhibitions, theatres as well as taking part in humanitarian activities, helping orphaned and disadvantaged Serbian children through their traditional project Something for Everyone – Children to Children. A group of pupils visited the Royal Palace in Belgrade as part of the charity appeal, supported by the Royal Family. The students get really involved, organizing their own fundraising projects. It is important that they understand there is a world out there that is not like their own.

Celebrating Life as One Big Family In Chartwell International School

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Nenad Gazikalovic Founder

TEACHERS – THE PILLARS Although the Chartwell management team (Owner, Heads of Schools, Coordinators, Finance officers, etc.) lead the way, the success and the heart of the school are Chartwell teachers. They come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, but what they all have in common is a love of teaching, empathy with their students, and a commitment to their education. All are well qualified for the role that they play.

“The essential task of a school is to teach the child to learn, to seek independence, and find the knowledge and skills that it needs in all of life’s situations. To do this, it must develop a love of learning in the child, and enthusiasm for enquiry that spills over from school into all aspects of the child’s life. Encouragement and motivation are keywords in Chartwell’s teaching philosophy”, shares the Founder, Nenad Gazikalovic 26

lessons are taught in English but a variety of world languages are offered alongside. Cultural diversity is very important in Chartwell. The school traditionally celebrates UN Day, promoting tolerance and respect. Poetry and music evenings are organized where children recite poems and sing in their mother tongues and languages taught at school.

British traditions are respected celebrating Valentine’s Day, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, Christmas, and Chartwell DECEMBER 2020

is the only school in Belgrade to celebrate Bonfire Night.

closely to achieve the best possible results.

rapidly globalizing and competitive world.

Chartwell fosters a strong family atmosphere. Chartwell School is not governed by rules, but rather by respect for others and common sense.

This is what makes the school unique, a tension-free environment where students and teachers chat during breaks, play sports together, resolve problems, and participate together in various projects. Regardless of their many cultural differences, students and teachers respect each other and work

Equipped for Tomorrow

“Our graduating students leave us to go to universities around the globe and they achieve good results. We are of course very proud of them. However, most importantly, we are proud that they have become good people. People with the right values, who respect themselves and deserve to do so, but also people who have learned to respect those around them regardless of the differences”, concludes Nenad. T R

DECEMBER 2020

Having grown up alongside pupils from Japan to Jaipur, Chartwell’s students have an attuned understanding of what the world at large offers them. With strong, fully accredited academic results and a firm sense of self and responsibility, the school’s alumni leave their “little world” in Belgrade equipped to meet the challenges they will face in a

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We focus on developing global human resources who can play an active role in the world

Japanese School of Paris Nurturing the Philosophy of Lifelong Learning through Friendships

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DECEMBER 2020

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The 10 Best International Schools in Central Europe

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earning is a continuous process and it is very important to consider who your teachers are going to be in life. Good teachers are found everywhere if you harbor a tendency of self-learning while observing others or shadowing what the other person is doing.

Sometimes it is more evident in people who are close to us.

We try to emulate our elders and do what they are doing in order to satiate the curiosity within. Most of the times we might not enjoy it or we might not end up with the situation we thought at first. But the important thing to take away from such experiences is that there is always one thing or the other that we learn from it. We imbibe gestures, actions, and expressions through the people around us.

People who we have grown up with and their behavior shape our image in the society. Friends that we make on the way create the most profound impact on our lives. Friends influence our lives in such a dynamic way, that it redefines our lifestyle and molds us into something we were never before. That too, for the better or worse.

There is one such institution motivating the philosophy of friendship and inculcating the same in its process of imparting knowledge called the Japanese School of Paris.

Institut Culturel Franco-Japonais - Ecole Japonaise de Paris (French-Japanese Cultural Institute) also known as the JSP is a Japanese International School located in Montigny-leBretonneux, France, in the Paris Metropolitan Area. It is located near Versailles.

Excellence Redefined The school is approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, in accordance with the School Education Law of Japan and related laws and regulations aligned with elementary and middle schools. JSP promotes cultural and educational exchanges between Japan and the French Republic and focuses on educational activities to deepen mutual understanding. “We are committed to the spirit of respect for human beings, and we are working to expand the infinite possibilities of each child,” states the staff of JSP. This school is the only Japanese school in France that has been approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology for conducting a curriculum based on the Japanese curricular guidelines.

Students can take French classes in the school even though the primary language of instruction is Japanese. Its goal is to educate children who return to Japan after several years of living in France. It also helps the students who live long DECEMBER 2020

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educational exchange’ in France. Japanese School of Paris was established on October 1, 1973 with just 101 students.

There are now 217 students in the school as of February 2020. The Principal of JSP, Takashi Onoe is commissioned by the Board of Directors for ‘school management,’ ‘budget execution,’ and ‘personnel affairs for faculty and staff.’ The current Chairman of the Board is Takeshi Goto (Paris Branch Manager, Mizuho Bank).

Takashi Onoe Principal enough in the country under various circumstances and various positions and do a back and forth from Japan to France.

“Our school has no school rules,” says Mr. Onoe. The children judge their behavior on their own and act as the model students of the school. The classrooms are full of gentle air with gentle voices and compassion for children.

JSP is an institution where each and every student has a dream and it grows while learning with their friends. It is a school that values friendships beyond the geographical boundaries and helps students in deciding who are the people that can make a home in their heart with the goal of being ‘bright, friendly, and strong.’

JSP educates the students of the age group 6 to 15 years.

Marie Conte-Holm, author of The Japanese and Europe: Economic and Cultural Encounters, wrote that “the bus route to and from the school ‘essentially determines’ where Japanese families with children are settled in Greater Paris.

She adds, “While some Japanese children attend local schools for a proportion of their time in France, even the more internationally minded Japanese parents will transfer their offspring to the Japanese School for reorientation during the latter part of their stay.”

“Many children leave our school every year and move out without waiting for graduation,” shares Mr. Onoe. Still, there are many students who come to the school later, and all of them show a peaceful expression to the atmosphere of the institute prevailing at that time. This story tells a lot about the children who always accept the forthcoming students warmly. The feeling is the same when the students move out and part with a smile, believing that they will someday be able to meet somewhere else in the world. “We hope that these children will remain school friends for a lifetime,” adds Mr. Onoe.

Cultural Diagram of JSP JSP has been approved as a ‘cultural activity organization’ for the purpose of ‘Japanese-French cultural and

JSP’s Dynamics Based on the significance and value of living in France, JSP

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DECEMBER 2020

is promoting cultural and educational exchanges between Japan and France. By doing this, it is enhancing educational activities with an emphasis on mutual understanding.

Starting from the first grade of elementary school, French and English conversation classes have been introduced. In junior high school, the number of English lessons has been increased with a particular emphasis on teaching foreign languages. There are regular exchanges with several local schools every year.

Moreover, to promote local understanding, JSP is actively conducting extracurricular activities in the local Saint-Quentin area, in Paris, and widely in France. In the first semester, children from elementary school upper grades to junior high schools engage in hands-on learning and lodging learning with accommodation in the western and southern French areas.

In the fall of this year, the elementary school will take an excursion to the Palace of Versailles, visit the Orangery, Rodin, Pompidou and Orsay museums. There is a tour. Various events are also held inside the school, but the three major events that standout the most are athletic meet in June, the presentation of the Japanese School in Paris in October, and the Japanese School Festival in Paris.

Also, ‘Exploration time’ is provided as a place for children to learn about their own problems and solve them. This is a trial method of learning that combines learning programs such as IB (International Baccalaureate), PYP, and MYP. “We are also focusing on ICT education, such as tablets and electronic blackboards, to promote collaborative learning,” explains Mr. Onoe. T R

A memoir of a Junior High Schoolgirl describes her journey in the school in an exquisite way.

She says, “I came to France for the rst time in the fall of May. It was my rst overseas trip ever. I was nervous in the beginning and felt that it was becoming too difcult to maintain a smile while talking to others. I attended the entrance ceremony in April and received greetings from the freshman representative of the school. This greeting proved to be a big step for me in becoming a new self.

Later, through active learning, I was able to deepen my bonds with juniors as well as seniors.

During the sports meet, I was able to gel with seniors who were active sports players and it also helped me in speaking with the staff members, inevitably maintaining good communication with all the bodies of the school. The Paris Day presentation was my best memory. In this course of activity, I worked very hard to become a leader while organizing team members. I wanted to make use of the leadership skills that I acquired along the way through this experience in Japan.

Also, the drama and chorus project that I collaborated on with my seniors also made me come up with ideas that helped me in delivering a very good presentation. I spent about two years in France and made a lot of memories there at the Japanese School in Paris. It's a miracle and I feel happy to be able to meet friends who can't be found in Japan or who never met in Japan. I am sincerely glad that I came to France and to JSP.”

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Symbiotic Learning

The Importance of

POSITIVE TEACHER-STUDENT

RELATIONSHIP

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n average, a student spends almost 2000 hours per year in school. That is a significant amount of time that should be utilized well in order to ignite a student's lifetime love for learning. It is also a significant part of a student’s life, not to be wasted on unhealthy teacher-student interactions. Experts argue that a good teacher-student relationship is critically important to the direction a kid’s future takes.

Some of the ways through which a teacher can build healthy relationship with each student in the classroom include communicating positive expectations, being fair when implementing rules and regulations, being caring, providing all learners with reasonably fair assessment, and developing classroom pride. Educators can also leverage strong relationships with their students to make teaching fun and effective.

Healthy relationship between teachers and students can significantly boost a kid’s self-esteem, especially for the kids who are not fortunate enough to have supportive families. Here are four more benefits of establishing positive student-teacher relationship: 1. Overcoming behavioral issues Most behavioral problems in the classroom result from kids feeling alienated from the community around them. It is normal for a young kid to hate school, but it is not okay when their dislike of school starts to affect their academic record and spoils the classroom environment for other kids.

You can prevent this by relating at a personal level with every kid and understanding why the problem kids behave in the manner they do. Being friendly, calm, and approachable will help you understand the socio-economic

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background of every kid, so you will know how to approach every problem kid without igniting the resistance in him/her. Building a strong relationship with learners helps the kids feel like they belong - like they are a part of a bigger group and a bigger purpose.

2. Boosting academic success Part of this is the precipitation of good behavior. When you make a kid feel like at home and want to be a part of a greater purpose than just being naughty, the kid is able to repurpose his energy from being rebellious to working hard in the classroom. That will more often than not translate to academic success.

Having a strong bond with your students also helps you to clearly communicate your expectations to and for each student. You are able to motivate struggling students to work hard and the bright students to outscore their current score. In this context, you can motivate them to take additional training classes such as assertiveness training that can help them improve the overall interpersonal skills and gain more self-respect. On their part, the students trust in your ability to help them, so they listen to you more and respect your orders without any resistance. They are also very comfortable consulting you whenever they encounter a hitch in their coursework. All these factors combined boosts the students’ performance. If you are working remotely, that means that you will be sending a lot of academic materials online. Thus, make sure that the students understand the technicalities of sending emails, sharing files, and converting files into pdf, and the likes. Having a holistic understanding of such technicalities will evade them being discouraged, and actually focus on mastering the material, and succeeding academically.

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About the author Tringa Bells is a physical therapist student and loves everything related to exercising and outdoor activities. She loves spending time with her family, her friends, loves traveling and coding. Her hobby is writing, and she loves to express herself through words. In her free time, she loves to take care of kids and works as a nanny.

3. Enhancing students’ social maturation The nature of rapport a kid has with the adults in his/her life determines how well his social maturation process pans out.

A teacher is the non-parental authority figure the kid spends most time with. If you create a positive environment where they can grow their emotional and social intelligence, they are able to mature well in time. Remember that these kids trust and respect you when you are friendly with them, so they will always feel privileged to have such a wonderful adult in their lives. They will want to emulate you and grow into as responsible and caring as you.

4. Improving students’ mental health Healthy student-teacher relationships translate into reduced stress and anxiety, especially for the students who come from poor socioeconomic backgrounds and who experience any disorder. One such problem would be children with speech disorders, who because of their problem can be marginalized from their peers, which in turn can cause problems in their mental health. In such cases, teachers DECEMBER 2020

should support them in their speech therapy and help them get integrated into the class. Such kids might be living in neighborhoods filled with hate and crime, meaning that you could be their only source of protection they know besides their parents. Kids who suffer from learning difficulties, on the other hand, usually suffer from low self-esteem. Your love and care will help them develop a sense of self-worth; a sense of pride. That is good for their mental health.

Conclusion It is not uncommon for teachers to have challenging relationships with their students, especially when the kid is rebellious and poorly behaved. However, a bad relationship only exacerbates the problem. The kids continue being rebellious, the teacher finds more reasons not to like the kids, and the kids find more reasons to not like the teacher.

In the end, your career stagnates and your dreams of changing lives through teaching are shattered. You must start looking for ways to engage each one of your students in a positive way.

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The 10 Best International Schools in Central Europe

St. John’s International School : An International Community Nurturing Compassionate & Responsible Citizens of the World

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he early years of a student’s life are the most crucial, as it is the rapid phase of his/her growth and development. The foundation of cognitive skills, creativity, social, and emotional skills are developed during these years of a student’s life. Such outcomes require a stimulating and positive atmosphere at both home and school. With the potential of instilling predominant skills for life, a child’s school plays a significant role in its holistic development.

The basis of education is incorporating meaningful activities that elevate motivation, creativity, perseverance and of course, learning. And St. John’s International School has it all. At St. John’s, curriculum and learning engagements are geared towards fostering a positive classroom environment, where student-centred learning takes place in a stimulating learning environment.

Pioneering Progressive Curriculum St. John’s International School - is a private, international, and non-profit school located in Brussels - the capital of Belgium. The sprawling campus of over twelve acres lies in the beautiful, leafy suburban town of Waterloo, just 15 kilometres from Brussels.

Since its founding in 1964, the school has provided young citizens the best

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curriculum, pedagogy, facilities, and security. St. John’s strives to develop internationally minded students who are equipped with the right skills to be able to confront the challenges posed by the growing highly competitive global environment.

This international school, with more than 50 years of experience in education, is devoted to offering holistic, life-oriented and value education with a well-defined focus on academic excellence. It is not surprising that St. John’s students are in demand across the world and are sought after by the world’s best universities.

Elaine Purves, Head of school

In 2016, the school joined the ‘Inspired’ group of schools, a global premium group of over 50+ schools.

This exciting step in the school's history has opened a wealth of opportunities for students and staff to collaborate and share best practices across the world.

the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)- an elite group providing an internationally recognised outstanding education where inquirybased teaching and learning is key. St. John’s offers programmes for students from the age of two and a half years, up to 18 years.

St. John’s Values • Companionship- the gentleness to befriend and strength to accompany.

• Integrity- being true to ourselves, to each other, and to our world.

• Respect- the appreciation of diversity amongst people, languages, cultures and beliefs.

The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) from Grades 6-10 and then the IB Diploma Programme (DP) taught in Grades 11 and 12 ensure that our Middle and High School students are taught internationally benchmarked and assessed curriculum.

St. John’s Unique Curriculum St. John’s is a prestigious member of

In Grade 11, many students also choose to take Advanced Placement (AP) exams in a range of subjects, DECEMBER 2020

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which give St John’s seniors the edge in their applications to North American Colleges and Universities.

Europe in a variety of sports that are offered to cater to the students’ interests.

Our graduates are understandably sought after by leading Higher Education institutions globally, including: Oxbridge, MIT, Bocconi, McGill, and Maastricht.

The strength of St. John’s sports and arts programs manifests itself in students attaining top sports scholarships in the US, and several students realising their dreams in the arts.

IB at the Forefront The International Baccalaureate is a curriculum that has always been available at St John’s. Unlike other more traditional systems, the IB teaches students for understanding in a hands-on, inquiry-based way. It includes a wide range of skills and approaches that will help them serve better both in the workplace and in life.

The IB, besides being coupled with important concepts and content to learn in its curriculum, greatly emphasizes on understanding how students know what they know and utilising that wisdom to achieve deep understanding and stimulate deeper inquiry. The IB curriculum is dynamic and creates agile and critical learners with the ability to make connections between subjects and disciplines.

Recently, St. John’s achieved accreditation for the IB Middle Year’s Programme (MYP) as well, making the school an IB World School offering the three programmes, PYP, MYP and DP. The school is also accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association (MSA).

Extracurricular Activities Along with its rigorous academic programs, St. John’s also encourages physical fitness and a healthy balanced lifestyle. St John’s sports teams compete throughout Belgium and

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Students are encouraged to harness a wide range of tools and experiences to support their learning, including technology, libraries, guest speakers, and field trips. Students are encouraged to navigate technology-driven research with a careful and practical academic approach.

Inspirational leaders at St. John’s The Senior leaders at St. John’s International School define international education as a commitment to guiding their students to reach their best. They abide by the IB’s term “internationally-minded people,” who, “recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.”

Head of school, Elaine Purves is transforming the school since she joined St. John’s. Elaine possesses a deep acumen in both developing and growing schools. She has been heading the school with commitment and dedication.

She is leading St. John’s in a totally unique way embracing the foundational principles of the school.

The principles have played a significant role in moulding the students, boosting the teachers, and building a unique space besides

competition. Her decision for the betterment of the school are taken keeping in mind its: • Vision: Learning that empowers, perspectives that inspire, a community that cares and excels.

• Mission: The international education is student-centred and holistic, encouraging personal excellence in Academics, Arts, and Sports. They celebrate diversity and instil in students the open-mindedness to think globally.

Simon Vanderkelen, the Middle and High School Principal, has a long history of serving international schools in Australia, Singapore, and Germany.

Mr Vanderkelen has been leading the Middle and High School of St John’s since 2017 after serving as a Secondary Principal at Bonn International School for four years. He brings with him a strong commitment to helping students reach their potential.

Simon is a strong supporter of the IB Programmes and has many IB connections around the world. He also sees the huge benefit to our students in engaging in our outstanding Arts and Sports programmes alongside academic endeavours.

Joanna Havenhand, the Primary School Principal is an experienced school principal with a proven track record of working in international schools around the globe, including Belgium, France, South Korea, Switzerland, and India.

She is an excellent education professional with a PGCE from Canterbury Christ Church University.

She completed her BA(Hons) in Geography and Economics from Anglia Ruskin University and MEd in international primary education from

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the College of New Jersey, USA. As an IB Educator, she is also a seasoned school visitor and Consultant for the Primary Years Program (PYP) The inspirational leaders of the school envision learning that empowers, perspectives that inspire, and drive a community that cares and excels. These leaders at St. John’s promote individual responsibility for life-long learning, service and achievement.

Enlightening Future Ambitions As a member of ‘Inspired’, the leaders are constantly enhancing the programs and are currently launching an exciting partnership with the Berklee College of Music in New York. The pioneering move with the college of music includes an innovative arts curriculum and artistsin-residence in school.

Making a perfect choice for your child is certainly not easy, but it is an exciting task for the family. St. John’s International School can completely transform your child’s learning experience.

So, plan your visit today and see why so many students and their families have chosen to make St. John’s International School such an important part of their lives. T R

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