Month: December 2019

The Graduation Ball is a traditional Czech social event, which marks the beginning of the graduation process and always attracts a very large gathering of students, parents and friends. It is a formal event held in one of Prague’s traditional ball venues and the dress code is black tie. 

Year 6 students usually start  preparing for  the Ball in Year 5. They are supported by the Deputy Head (Co-Curriculum), the Bursary office and the Marketing Manager. Students always decide on the theme of the Ball, which determines the design of the posters, tickets, sashes and tableau and also sets the tone of the evening’s programme. Students prepare a surprise dance, in which most of the year group is involved and it is usually the grand finale of the evening.

The organisation of the Graduation Ball is challenging and requires many skills. Students have to support each other and work together, developing a good team spirit. Students in Year 5 also help them, which is a very important experience for the organisation of their own Graduation Ball the following year. 

The Graduation Ball is not only a highlight for the graduating year and their families, but also for Year 1 students and their families, as they are officially welcomed to the College.

The ECP Times

One of the longest-running student writing initiatives at the English College has been the ECP Times. Over the past two years, this publication has grown from an annual piece focusing primarily on school events to a near-monthly periodical reporting on school, local, and world events. Led almost entirely by the students from Years 1-5, issues in the 2025/26 academic year included interviews with public figures such as: Václav Lebeda, the Head of Press Section and Spokesperson for the European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic; Chris Hadfield, astronaut; Jan Lipavský, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Czech Republic; and Sir Nick Gibb, former Member of British Parliament and Minister of State for Schools.

 Running as an ECA, the ECP Times also serves as a service option for both the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and service hours for CAS. At the start of the year, students choose a charity to support, and copies are sold in exchange for donations. From September 2024, the chosen charity has been Člověk v tísni. 

Literary Journal

The annual Literary Journal is a celebration of students’ creative writing, including poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as artwork created throughout the year. Various creative writing competitions are run during the year, and shortlisted and winning entries automatically get published in the journal, as does particularly outstanding work from Literary Festival and World Poetry Day workshops, but students are also encouraged to submit pieces they would like to see published. The Literary Journal always ties in with the chosen theme of the year.

Students who have work published automatically receive a free copy, and an additional archive is under development in the library. Others who wish to have a copy from 2026 will be able to purchase one for a small fee, with all money raised going to a charity supporting literacy.

Providing Opportunities and Building Bridges  

In 2011,  four ECP students decided, after finishing their IB exams, to raise enough money to provide an education at the English College for a young person from a less fortunate background, who would benefit significantly from the same opportunity that they themselves had had. Thanks to a very successful auction, they were able to raise a large amount of money, which laid the foundation for the Václav Havel Scholarship. Václav Havel, our Czech Founder Patron,  allowed his name to be used for the Scholarship. 

It was agreed that the Scholarship would support primarily Roma students, as ECP recognises how important it is to build bridges between Czechs and the Roma people, who historically have been at the margins of Czech society. ECP staff and students believe that education can help to solve problematic issues but also, that by learning about the Roma community, its culture and its challenges, we can change the stereotypical views many have about Roma people. At ECP there are many students from different nationalities and all are welcome, as each individual enriches the school community with their unique culture.

  In 2012, thanks to the Václav Havel Scholarship and support from ECP, a young Roma, Marek, became an ECP student. He successfully graduated with the IB Diploma in 2018 and studied Ancient History, History and Culture of Islamic Lands at Charles University. Thanks to him, many students have changed their opinions, which had often been based solely on prejudice. 

Then in 2016, a team consisting of ECP scholars , followed up on the project started by their four former classmates. Their aim was to provide the same opportunity for another Roma boy or girl, that Marek had had. Their efforts came to the successful aim and in 2021 a new Roma student Adam started his journey at ECP and he became a very active member of the team. 

Every year the team of scholars  organises a benefit concert, and a Roma/Diversity week.  During lockdown students also started to organise  the art competition for children in the Czech Republic. The competition helps them to spread  information about the Václav Havel Scholarship and raise awareness about the Roma community in the Czech Republic. 

See the Václav Havel Scholarship website.

At The English College in Prague, our multicultural community is at the very heart of who we are. To celebrate the many nationalities represented at our school, we are looking forward to our upcoming International Festival next academic year. This vibrant, student-led event will bring our community together through live cultural performances, international food stalls, and interactive workshops.

True to the ECP spirit, the festival is about more than just celebration—it is driven by a shared charitable purpose. All funds raised during the event will go directly toward sponsoring the academic scholarships of two children we support in India. This charity – ADOPCE na dálku (Caritas prague) has been chosen by the students. This project is a wonderful opportunity for our students to put their leadership skills into action and make a real difference.

Open Mic is organised mainly by students, supported by the Head of Music. It provides an opportunity for any student or teacher to perform in an informal environment. The evening has a very special atmosphere thanks to the variety of the individual and group performances. The great atmosphere is created by the music – the best language in the world – along with the students’ and teachers’ enthusiasm and creativity.

ECP Open Mic 2024

ECP Open Mic 2023

The Model United Nations (MUN) club at the English College in Prague offers students a structured environment to develop essential debating skills and master diplomatic communication. Through simulating the processes of the United Nations, participants learn to analyse complex global issues, negotiate effectively, and articulate diverse perspectives on international relations.

The club’s annual calendar provides extensive practical experience through three major events. Every school year, students travel to one international conference abroad, participate in another within Prague, and organise their own conference for the following school year.

Our own school conference serves as the cornerstone of the MUN year. Students are instrumental in its planning and execution, taking lots of responsibility for logistics, committee management, and delegate relations. This hands-on initiative allows members to put the leadership, public speaking, and organisational skills they have developed throughout the year into direct practice.

Ultimately, MUN equips students with the academic rigor and practical expertise required for future university studies and careers, making it a highly rewarding and grounded part of the English College MUN experience.

special atmosphere at these intimate literary events.