ECP teamed up with the British Chamber of Commerce here in Prague

Marcela Černochová, Managing Director of the BCC, had asked us to organise a pub quiz for their members. Pub quizzes are very popular in the UK and teams regularly compete against each other, answering questions on a wide range of subjects.

Our intrepid Year 6 quiz masters – all over 18! – hosted the evening in the convivial atmosphere of The Pub on Halkova Street. Eight teams competed for the top prize of, what else, packs of great Czech beer! Companies and organisations represented in the quiz included the British Embassy and HSBC. They answered questions on art & literature, entertainment, food & drink, general knowledge, history, science and sport.

Undaunted by such a blue chip audience, our students hosted the whole evening with confidence, charm and wit. It was great to hear all the positive comments from BCC members afterwards who were very impressed by Team ECP’s performance and their ability to put on such a professional event. Well done, everyone, on a brilliant job!

Taking part in the quiz was the new Deputy Ambassador, Lucy Hughes, who only joined the British Embassy in August, but is already feeling at home in Prague. She made a point of coming up to the stage afterwards to speak to the students personally to congratulate them. She was also kind enough to tweet a photo of them all together. Here they are, left to right, Adéla Černá, Sara Thiry, Lucy Hughes, Jakub Müller and Nikita Dyatlov.

Oxford comes to the ECP

ECP graduate, Greg Buczkó, came back into school recently to take part in an informal briefing session for current students who are interested in applying to Oxford and Cambridge universities this autumn. Greg graduated in 2017 and has completed his first year at Oxford where he is studying Economics & Management.

Joining Greg was Mark Revan Rangotis who is just about to start his degree course in Biomedical Sciences, also at Oxford. He was pleased that Greg will be on hand to offer him friendly advice and support when he arrives in the city of dreaming spires!

Greg and Mark were keen to encourage this year’s aspiring Oxbridge candidates to apply for the world’s number 1 university. They talked enthusiastically about studying at Oxford. Although students there undoubtedly have to work hard, they also make sure that they play hard as well. What all students at Oxford or Cambridge have in common is a passion for their subject. They are determined to make the most of the amazing opportunity they have earned.

Support

ECP prides itself on its ability to support and nurture students who aspire to study at Oxford or Cambridge. The school provides advice on how to apply and what to expect when they go for interview. We also organise annual work experience placements with top companies and organisations in both Prague and London. These include Deloitte, Chatham House, the Institute of Linguistics and the Independent newspaper. This provides valuable experience that can give candidates the edge when it comes to successfully securing the offer of an Oxbridge place. ECP’s record is impressive. Ten students were offered places at Oxford or Cambridge in the past five years.

Greg and Mark were really impressed with the transformation of the refectory into a relaxing, stylish, dining area, with a café-like atmosphere. This is just one of several improvements to the appearance of the College that took place over the summer holidays.

Lombok After the Earthquake

Aysiah Odist comes from Lombok in Indonesia, an island that experiences regular earthquakes. This week, as part of the Lecture and Talks Programme, she came into school to speak to students and staff.

She has been travelling around Europe, talking about her work. Aysiah runs the Bank Sampah (Rubbish Bank) organisation. This is an initiative that supports local communities and teaches them how to recycle waste to create ecological products. It enables generating some income in poor villages.

She told them that originally, she was just planning to continue her work in waste management. But following the Lombok earthquake in August, she decided to build a post-trauma care centre for children.

The earthquake measured 6.9 on the Richter scale. It killed over 400 people and injured another 1,300. It also damaged 67,000 houses and 600 schools. Currently, Aysiah’s organisation is distributing water, clothes and pharmaceuticals to those affected by the earthquake.

ECP students agreed that Aysiah is a very inspirational woman and they were pleased to have had the opportunity to hear her interesting story.

Albert Einstein said: “Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.” As part of this year’s Theme of the Year, we want to focus on the Natural World, which suffers more and more from the rapid pace of modern development. We will be looking at various environmental problems and are keen to explore the fascinating world around us.