Month: January 2020

Students’ Initiative

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Graduation Ball

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.

Students Writers, Journalists and Poets

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.

Václav Havel Scholarship Fundraising

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.

International Festival

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

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

MUN

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.  

Students’ Leadership

Students’ Leadership

 

Student Council and other student’s positions

At the English College in Prague, we work with our students to develop leadership at all levels. We believe that students can show positive leadership in a variety of different ways, so we have built a structure which gives students the opportunity to take on leadership roles and develop their skills. Our House system has a range of opportunities for students to take on roles in sport, culture and mentoring. As well as giving our students responsibility, we also provide training opportunities so that they can develop and refine their leadership skills. We think that people can lead in different ways and with different styles. We encourage our students to lead with integrity in an inclusive and supportive manner. Beyond the Student Council, students can get involved in library work, join ECAs, participate in the Mentoring programme, or even lead their own charity projects.*

* See the information in the Mentoring programme and Charity Projects sections

Student Council Mission and Events

The Student Council is an important student body which cooperates with the management of the school on improving the student experience and  plays an important role in school life. It represents students’ views and supports the student community. It consists of Year group and Houses representatives and is led by the President, who is elected by the whole student community in September. The President and Vice President regularly meet the Headmaster and discuss Student Council proposals for improving school life or any issues that may occur from time to time.  The Student Council also organises many events and chooses the charity supported by students during the academic year. 

Student Council Presidential Campaign 

Like any team, the Student Council also needs a good leader, therefore In September a new Student Council President is elected. The Student Council President not only leads the Student Council, but also carries out many responsibilities and represents the student body on formal occasions such as Founders’ Day or meetings with the Governors. It is therefore very important to choose the right person. All the candidates present their programmes at year group assemblies, this is usually followed by many discussions among students, and each candidate has to convince others that they are able to undertake this prestigious role. 

 

Roles in  Student Council 

House Captain

The role of the House Captains is:

To decide vision for the house

To lead the house leadership team

To chair a house leadership team meeting once a half-term

To communicate to house members in registrations and assemblies.

To attend all scheduled house captains meetings. 

To attend all house events.

 

Culture Captain 

The role of the Culture Captain is:

To be a visible ambassadors for the Arts within ECP

To work closely with the Arts Faculty and Senior Tutors

To lead on the Cultural Olympiad event organisation

To maintain active links with tutor groups to promote the Olympiad and inspire participation

To occasionally speak at assemblies in their role/ capacity as Culture Captain 

To attend all scheduled meetings and take an active role in planning 

 

Sports Captain 

The role of the Sports Captains is:

To promote the interhouse sports events in their house

To promote participation in interhouse sports competitions among all year groups

To organise the teams to represent the house at each competition

To be a visible ambassador and participant for the house at each sports competition

To assist the PE Department with the organisation of each competition

To attend all scheduled sports captain meetings

 

Student Council Events

Christmas Fair

The annual Christmas Fair is an informal occasion. Each tutor group takes part, encouraged and supported by the  Tutor. Money raised at the Fair is donated to a charity chosen by students at the beginning of the school year. 

 

Cake Sales

Each term there are cake sales during morning break, organised by the Student Council, individual tutor or charity groups. 

 

Valentine Roses

Students organise the sale of roses for those who would like to give a rose for Valentine’s Day. “Spreading the Love”, as it is sometimes called, makes the day very special. 

 

Halloween event

Students organise stalls with food and activities connected with Halloween. 

 

Barbecue for Year 6 and ‘Last Bell’ Celebrations

The Student Council organises a barbecue for the whole school farewell to Year 6 students. 

 

Library positions

The role of Student Librarians is:

To be responsible for a small section of the library

To help process new books

To be an active reader – recommending and promoting titles

To write AR quizzes for new books

To create displays for special events

To assist with the training of new student librarians

 

Student-led ECAs 

Students who are passionate about a specific area often volunteer to lead an ECA focused on that topic. While they are supported by a teacher, they design the activities and run the sessions for their peers themselves. They frequently become role models, as their personal experience and enthusiasm serve as a great inspiration to their schoolmates.

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Intellectual Extension

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ECP/ECES and ECP/AAU Programs

This is a partnership with the East and Central European Studies (ECES) study abroad programme of the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University and with the Anglo-American University (AAU) in Prague. ECES, a semester program for American and Erasmus students, offers classes in the Humanities: Art History, Gender Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Literature, History, Economics, Politics. AAU offers undergraduate and graduate programs in International Relations, Business Administration, Humanities, Journalism and Media, Visual Arts, Political Science, Law.

These partnerships constitute a unique opportunity for Year 4 and Upper school students to attend lectures and to get a taste of university life. It also helps them in their choice of IB options and of university. The process is simple: students look at the syllabi of the different courses, choose one or two specific classes they would like to attend and ECP organises their visit. ECP students are authorised two absences per term to attend lectures but are welcome to attend more outside of their class time. 

 


Subject Trips

The English College is an academic school and therefore effective teaching and learning is our priority. Teaching does not take place only in the classroom, but also elsewhere. Almost all Faculties organise educational trips in Prague – as part of Prague Programme – and also around the Czech Republic. This gives students an exceptional opportunity to connect what they have learnt in school with real life situations.

Czech

Every year, the Czech Faculty takes students on a literature trip, such as the Mácha or Karel Čapek Trip. Students visit the places connected with the author’s life, read texts written by or about the author; they read their correspondence, but above all, they discuss their unique life stories and the impact of their literary work. Discussions that take place in a beautiful natural setting have a very special flavour and make these trips unforgettable both for students and their teachers.

English

Whilst opportunities for English language and literature trips in Prague are limited, we take Year 1 students to the Old Town to research and produce brochures and guides for tourists.  In October, students from Years 3-5 are invited to travel to the UK to attend the Cheltenham Literature Festival.  Cheltenham celebrates the written and spoken word, presenting the best new voices in fiction and poetry alongside literary greats and high-profile speakers.  It is a fabulous trip which gives students the opportunity to experience the regency spa town of Cheltenham as well as meeting some of the greatest contemporary thinkers and writers.

Arts

Various trips and excursions are organised by the Arts Faculty, under the Prague Programme. The faculty makes excellent use of the cultural institutions available in the Czech Republic and further afield. Trips in the Visual Arts have previously included Dresden, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Amsterdam and Paris – allowing students to enrich their cultural appreciation and expand their visual understanding by viewing both traditional and contemporary art forms.

Modern Languages

The Modern Languages Department organises different culturaltrips every year, usually one for each of the foreign languages we teach:

  • A trip to Russia, normally in Term 1, visited either to Moscow or St Petersburg. It was a largely cultural visit because the students’ language skills were still at an elementary level. Under normal circumstances we would run this trip, however, due to the current climate, it is not possible. We hope this rich experience will be available for students in the future.
  • A German trip to Berlin is organised for Year 3 students every year. This is a mixture of language and cultural activities, with students visiting the key tourist sites in the German capital. They learn a lot about German history, and it complements their studies of the First and Second World Wars as part of their History course.
  • ECP has two language exchanges which run during the school year, one for French and one for Spanish. The partner schools’ students visit us in one term and we visit them in Nantes (France)/Valencia (Spain) the next. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to experience life in a French/Spanish family as well as host a student from a country where the language which they are studying is spoken.

Humanities

The Humanities Faculty organises a number of trips each year. These are mostly day trips to local places of interest, such as the annual visit to the Škoda factory, which is run by the Geography Department or our History students’ walking tour of renaissance sites in Prague city center.

Science

As an integral aspect of both the IB and Pre-IB courses, students monitor, analyse and evaluate conditions in several local ecosystems. They investigate how changing abiotic factors affect the abundance and diversity of local flora and fauna. This helps the development of their knowledge and understanding of human effects on ecosystems and inculcates a wider appreciation of both the fragility and resilience of natural systems. 


Subject Trips

The English College is an academic school and therefore effective teaching and learning is our priority. Teaching does not take place only in the classroom, but also elsewhere. Almost all Faculties organise educational trips in Prague – as part of Prague Programme – and also around the Czech Republic. This gives students an exceptional opportunity to connect what they have learnt in school with real life situations. 

Czech 

Every year, the Czech Faculty takes students on a literature trip, such as the Mácha or Karel Čapek Trip. Students visit the places connected with the author’s life, read texts written by or about the author; they read their correspondence, but above all, they discuss their unique life stories and the impact of their literary work. Discussions that take place in a beautiful natural setting have a very special flavour and make these trips unforgettable both for students and their teachers.

English

Whilst opportunities for English language and literature trips in Prague are limited, we take Year 1 students to the Old Town to research and produce brochures and guides for tourists.  In October, students from Years 3-5 are invited to travel to the UK to attend the Cheltenham Literature Festival.  Cheltenham celebrates the written and spoken word, presenting the best new voices in fiction and poetry alongside literary greats and high-profile speakers.  It is a fabulous trip which gives students the opportunity to experience the regency spa town of Cheltenham as well as meeting some of the greatest contemporary thinkers and writers. 

Arts 

Various trips and excursions are organised by the Arts Faculty, under the Prague Programme. The faculty makes excellent use of the cultural institutions available in the Czech Republic and further afield. Trips in the Visual Arts have previously included Dresden, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Amsterdam and Paris – allowing students to enrich their cultural appreciation and expand their visual understanding by viewing both traditional and contemporary art forms. 

Modern Languages

The Modern Languages Department organises different culturaltrips every year, usually one for each of the foreign languages we teach:

  • A trip to Russia, normally in Term 1, visited either to Moscow or St Petersburg. It was a largely cultural visit because the students’ language skills were still at an elementary level. Under normal circumstances we would run this trip, however, due to the current climate, it is not possible. We hope this rich experience will be available for students in the future.
  • A German trip to Berlin is organised for Year 3 students every year. This is a mixture of language and cultural activities, with students visiting the key tourist sites in the German capital. They learn a lot about German history, and it complements their studies of the First and Second World Wars as part of their History course.
  • ECP has two language exchanges which run during the school year, one for French and one for Spanish. The partner schools’ students visit us in one term and we visit them in Nantes (France)/Valencia (Spain) the next. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to experience life in a French/Spanish family as well as host a student from a country where the language which they are studying is spoken.

 

Humanities

The Humanities Faculty organises a number of trips each year. These are mostly day trips to local places of interest, such as the annual visit to the Škoda factory, which is run by the Geography Department or our History students’ walking tour of renaissance sites in Prague city centre.

Science

As an integral aspect of both the IB and Pre-IB courses, students monitor, analyse and evaluate conditions in several local ecosystems. They investigate how changing abiotic factors affect the abundance and diversity of local flora and fauna. This helps the development of their knowledge and understanding of human effects on ecosystems and inculcates a wider appreciation of both the fragility and resilience of natural systems. 

 


The Prague Programme

Prague is not only a beautiful city, which is now visited by thousands of tourists, it is also a city where you can see and feel not only the history of the Czech Republic, but also of Europe. King Charles IV made Prague the centre of Europe, founded a university here and built what was then a modern town.

 To artists, Prague is a place of many galleries and amazing art collections of every period. It is a place that can serve as a textbook of architecture. Prague’s museums house collections from every area of knowledge. Its public and botanical gardens are workplaces for academics as well as places for recreation. In other words, Prague offers endless possibilities for exploring and learning.

This is why we established the Prague Programme.  

By the end of their studies at ECP, our students, therefore, know Prague much better and also know a lot about Prague – which, as students of the English College in Prague, they should!


The Lecture and Talk Programme

It is very important for young people to meet, at the right time, someone who can inspire them in their lives and be a role model. In order to enable our students to meet a range of interesting people, we organise a Lecture and Talk Programme, which has become an important tradition at the ECP.

Over the years. we have invited into school many specialists in their field – to talk about their professions, projects or just to share their life stories with the students. We are proud that in recent years, former students who have fascinating careers have been amongst the speakers.

There are usually four guest speakers annually and lectures are often connected with the Theme of the Year. Each lecture is followed by a discussion and although the programme is primarily designed for students in Years 4 and 5, students from other years are also welcome to attend if they are interested in the topic. The lectures are also a good opportunity for TOK-style discussions. Students and their tutors discuss the topic before each lecture and then follow it up again after the lecture has taken place.

See the overview of the Lectures and Talk Programme.


Academic Cooperation

Academic Cooperation

ECP aims to extend students’ experience beyond the classroom, including within academic subjects. Therefore, we are actively seeking to establish partnerships with academic institutions where students can gain new insights. For instance, several students recently took part in the Czech Academy of Sciences internship program, while others benefit from the fact that ECP is a Faculty School of Charles University. Prague University of Economics and Business (VSE) lecturers have visited the ECP to present university lectures centred around mathematical themes, giving our students an insight into how their academic knowledge can be applied to complex scenarios, and ECP students have attended lectures and workshops at the at the Czech Technical University Department of Mathematics as part of our work experience programme.

 

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Art Exhibitions

Creativity is a key element of our school philosophy and :more programme itself. The Art Department promotes a vibrant and energetic atmosphere by facilitating a variety of specialisms including Fine Art (Drawing, Painting and Printmaking), Sculpture, Fashion Design, Architecture, Digital Photography, 3D Printing and Ceramics. Our students are inspired through their exploration of a broad range of cultural references and influenced by both traditional and contemporary art forms.

The Art Department aims to promote excellence and the interior of the school serves as a permanent showcase of student work for both the school community and also for visitors to ECP. We also incorporate student artwork into our print and marketing materials, and feature outstanding pieces in the annual school calendar. 

A number of our senior students are also keen to involve themselves in developing independent exhibitions as part of the Creativity and Service opportunities that are incorporated in the IB core. Additionally, the English College schedules an annual series of exhibitions that showcase the array of work created across the year groups: 

 

Term 1     

The Founder’s Day Exhibition focuses on showcasing Prize Winners and Talent Award Winners, supplemented by selected pieces from Pre IB and IB.

Term 2

The IB Art Exhibition is self-curated by students at an external, professional venue and is the final representation of work undertaken in Years 5 and 6

Term 3

Summer art displays showcase outstanding work from across the year groups. 

Concerts

Music performances always have played an important role in school life. Music is not only part of all the main school events such as Founders’ Day and Prize Giving, but there are also many other musical events during the school year.

Open Mics, organised by the Head of Music, are rather informal musical events. Any student can try to perform and test his/her music talent.

The Václav Havel Scholarship Concert organised by students and supported by the Head of Music, is one of the biggest musical events of the school year. Its aim is to raise money for the Václav Havel Scholarship, but equally important is that it provides an opportunity to celebrate the talents of our musicians. Students also invite guest performers such as our former students or students from other Prague schools but the main guests are Roma musicians who always create an unforgettable atmosphere.

The main music event of the school year is undoubtedly the Christmas Concert – a traditional event held in a beautiful venue, the Emauzy Monastery,  where parents, students, and teachers enjoy the Christmas atmosphere through the musical performances of our students. The best ECP musicians and drama students create a programme with a wide range of musical performances and poetry readings. At the end of the concert, the audience and performers all sing Czech and English carols together. The concert not only provides a welcome opportunity to pause and reflect at the very hectic time of Advent and to enjoy the talents of our students, but it also helps a good cause. All the money raised is donated to the charity chosen by students at the beginning of the school year. 

Drama Performances

Drama has a unique position in our school. It is an academic subject – students can study Drama at IB level and students in the lower years can take the LAMDA examination, which is a distinguished theatre qualification from the UK. .

Drama is far more than just a subject; it is a platform where students develop their imagination and creativity through knowledge of performance techniques and the production elements. Popular and inclusive, the Theatre Company is open to everyone, regardless of their background or experience. It offers a wonderful opportunity to explore theatre though working as an ensemble. In recent years, our productions have offered students the chance to learn the craft of devising as well as to explore the work of a range of playwrights, from local Czech cultural icons such as Václav Havel, to contemporary British writers like Caryl Churchill.

Throughout the school year, there are several productions staged by our Theatre Company; this is complemented by the examination showcases for IB Theatre which involve collaborative and solo performances developed by student’s themselves. These performances take place across a rich array of local venues and theatres in Prague, as well as our new auditorium.

School productions are well-attended by students, parents, staff and friends of the College. One of the performances – a joint production by the Arts Faculty –  is watched by the lower school community during school time.

Video Gallery

UPRISING

Midsummer Night’s Dream musical

ECP Theatre Hotel

ECP Dracula’s Requiem

FRAGMENTED – Theatre of the Absurd

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Exploring

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ECP/ECES Programme

University Program 

This is a partnership with the East and Central European Studies (ECES) study abroad programme of the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University. This semester programme includes American and Erasmus students and classes are held in English. ECES offers classes in the Humanities: Art History, Gender Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Literature, History, Economics, Politics. 

The ECP/ECES partnership constitutes a unique opportunity for Year 4 and Upper school students to attend ECES lectures and to get a taste of university life. The process is simple: students look at the syllabi of the different courses, choose one or two specific classes they would like to attend and ECP organises their visit. ECP students are authorised two absences per semester to attend ECES lectures but are welcome to attend more outside of their class time.

Literary Festival & World Poetry Day

Literary Festival

Every year, an exciting Literary Festival, celebrating the joy of reading, is organised by the library team. The Festival is a whole-day celebration for students in the Lower School and includes an exciting range of activities intended to introduce students to a wider variety of authors and genres and to help them develop a deeper interest in reading for pleasure. National and international authors are invited to speak and to lead workshops with the aim of inspiring our students and helping them to discover new ideas.  Recent speakers have included: Martin Vopěnka (author), Štěpánka Jislová (comic illustrator), Jenny Valentine (author), Ash Dickinson (poet), Mara Menzies (storyteller), Seth Burkett (author), Karl Nova (poet), Kathryn Evans (author),Hana Ulmanová (translator), James Stafford (sports writer and journalist), Sonia Leong (manga artist), Marc Cram (actor) and Andy Darcy Theo (author). 

World Poetry Day

Every year, we celebrate World Poetry Day on or around 21 March.  This day was established by UNESCO in 1999 to celebrate “the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind.”    On the day itself, poetry readings and events are organised to encourage a love for poetry and an appreciation of its ability to express more profoundly the reality of the human condition. In recent years, the World Poetry Day celebrations have taken place as part of the Community Tuesday programme. Recent workshops have included ones led by students, a poetry critique and editing workshop, and a talk by poet and translator Václav ZJ Pinkava. 

 World Poetry Day 2026 also saw the launch of a second annual poetry competition in partnership with Akademeia High School in Warsaw, which we hope will continue.

Annual Debate

Every year we organise a discussion on a particular pressing theme or on a topic connected with the diversity, which takes place during The Roma Awareness and Diversity week. The subject is discussed and explored in tutor time before the debate takes place so that students have enough information and can make better judgments. Distinguished external guests—specialists in their fields—join a panel with students and teachers to explore the theme in depth. Many discussion topics are controversial, which is a great opportunity to test our open mindedness and tolerance. Thanks to the debates, students learn that having different opinions is not a problem, but what makes it problematic is a lack of good will to understand each other and a lack of mutual respect.

Exchange

Studying foreign languages would not be effective without exploring cultures and countries, where the languages being studied are spoken. Young people naturally love meeting their peers despite the language barriers, which is a good basis for an exchange programme.

For many years we have been organising a French Exchange and we have established a strong relationship with the Lycée Notre Dame de Rezé in Nantes. We have also in the past few years established exchanges with Instituto Velázquez in Seville, Spain and St. Raphael Gymnasium in Heidelberg, Germany. Every year our students spend a week with the Spanish/French/German families and at a different time in the year their students come to Prague and enjoy the hospitality of our ECP families. During the visits, the host school prepares a diverse cultural programme for the students, through which they explore the local region and enhance the intensity of their cultural visit.

Theme of the Year

At the end of each academic year, the school community decides on the theme that will be explored throughout the following school year. The theme is reflected in many activities and school events. It appears in the teaching of all subjects, which enables students to observe its complexity. Exploring a particular theme also gives teachers the opportunity to explore cross-curricular connections. 

Departments organise different activities including competitions. The Literary Festival and the very popular Culture olympiad have their main focus on the Theme of the year, which is always a creative challenge for all students. There are also lectures connected with the theme and sometimes even the charities.  

Examples over the years have been Czech/British connections, Internationalism, Nature and the Environment, Technology, Time, Roots, The Star, The Earth, The Dream, The Heart and the Circle.

Festival of The Arts

The Festival of the Arts is our way of exposing students to the creative industries whilst building new skills in the visual and performing arts. Running annually, students in Years 1 and 2 take part in various workshops led mainly by external specialists. In recent years, the Festival has expanded to include 10 workshops (for example: Ceramics, Sculpture, Makerspace, Printmaking, Photography, Film, Band, African Drumming, Drama and Dance) for two days. It is an excellent opportunity for students to intensively develop new techniques, connect with other like-minded individuals, and forge new friendships. We advise students to opt for workshops which introduce them to new skills, thus providing a creative and enriching experience.  

At the end of the second day, there is a showcase of each of the workshops alongside an exhibition of Festival art work.

 

Awareness Week

During the school year, we explore a range of different themes through our tutor time programme and assemblies. Students have the opportunity to express their opinions and also to learn about various topics, perspectives and ideas through a variety of activities. 


This is the list of awareness week topics: 

  • Leadership
  • Mental Health and Mindfulness
  • The History of the ECP
  • Democracy and Human Rights
  • Families and Healthy Relationships
  • Safeguarding and Internet Safety
  • Technology
  • Diversity and Equality
  • International Environment
  • LGBTQI+ History
  • Nature and the Environment

Work Experience

We have an established work experience programme, with the generous support of ECP parents and alumni, that gives students in Year 4 and Year 5 the opportunity to spend time in a professional work placement while they consider their IB choices and career plans. Over eighty students took part in 2025-26, and we are building on this success each year.

We have also recently launched a mentor scheme through the ECF where our Year 4, 5 and 6 students are paired with a member of the ECP alumni to provide university and career guidance in addition to that offered within school.

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Sport Tournaments with Other Schools

ECP’s best sportsmen and women have the opportunity to represent the school in competitions with other Czech and international schools.

International Schools Sport Association Prague (ISSAP)

These tournaments are organised by various international schools in Prague. ECP enters competitive teams across three core sports: football, basketball, and volleyball and eventually in Badminton, crosscountry running or swimming.

International Partnership: Akademia High School (Warsaw)

ECP enjoys close sporting cooperation with Akademia High School in Warsaw. This bilateral partnership involves international tournaments where our athletes either travel to Poland to compete or play host to the Warsaw teams here in Prague.

Track and Long-Distance Running

Our long-distance runners represent the school on a major local stage by participating in the annual Junior Marathon Relay in Prague, competing against high schools from all over the region.

Sport Climbing

Our athletes also branch out into unique regional competitions, such as participating in the School Boulder Cup 2026, which sees our climbers competing at the Jungle Sport Park in Letňany, Prague.

Cultural Olympiad

The Cultural Olympiad is our most prominent cultural event in the school year; students from across the school represent their House by competing in a variety of creative categories (Dance, Drma, Music, Film, Art 7 Photography)Every school year students can use their specific artistic and creative talent, and helping their House to participate in the Cultural Olympiad. Cultural Captains, supported by their Senior Tutors, lead their teams and act as ambassadors and role models for creative participation. The event attracts around 1500 performers, as well as over 100 entries for the Visual Arts categories.  The Arts Faculty organise the event, which is an afternoon extravaganza of entertainment, competition, and community spirit, with external judges invited to attend and rank each of our categories. The Cultural Olympiad takes place in Prague’s larger theatres, and this year the event is planned for the iconic Divadlo na Fidlovačce.

The winning House receives the Cultural Olympiad Cup and important points towards the whole-year House competition.

Performance Categories: Dance, Music, Drama, and Film

Visual Categories: Art and Photography (Winners are Photographer of the year and Artist of the Year).

2026 Cultural Olympiad video

Interhouse Sports Tournaments and Sports Day

Our Interhouse Sports program creates competitive environments that teach students the value of participation in competitive sports. We aim to ensure that students engage with events that are as professional as possible; to achieve this, we hire professional referees and judges for our athletics and sports events.

“As Director of Sports, my vision is to ensure students have contact with events that are as professional as possible; therefore, we hire professional referees or judges for our athletics events.”

Sports Captains

Sports Captains play a pivotal role in the success of our tournaments. They are selected by the Head of Houses and they change every year. They are responsible for creating, organizing, and leading their House teams. Beyond logistics, they foster a sense of enthusiasm and House spirit, encouraging determination and joy among all participants.

Competition Schedule

  1. October: Football, Floorball, and Volleyball.
  2. Second Event: Basketball, Bouldering, and Badminton.
  3. Sports Day: Athletics events and team sports.

 

There are three full days across the school year designated for these events during the school day. These provide a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers to come together, support their House teams, and enjoy a great atmosphere filled with determination.

Academic Competitions

Outside School Academic Competitions

Some students have particular talents and it is very important to support them in developing those talents. This is why we encourage our students to take part in many external school academic competitions. We are very proud that ECP students have twice won the Václav Havel Library Essay Competition and the International Literary Competitions.  We have also had very good results in various subject Olympiads. Regularly our students  take part in the Czech Olympiad. Our students are also regularly successful in the UKMT Maths Challenges, and several have achieved high enough scores to take part in the invitation-only Kangaroo challenges.

Information about these competitions is available in the Student Bulletin, with all relevant links, and posters publicising them can be found on the :more notice board.

 

Competitions ECP students have taken part in:

COBIS Poetry Competition

Czech Language Olympiad

Václav Havel Library Essay Competition

Linguistics Olympiad

Economics Olympiad

Student Investor Challenge

Logic Olympiad

British Biology Olympiad

Regent’s University (London) Fashion Competition 

Online festival Shake Me Up Shakespeare

UKMT Maths Challenge

University of Waterloo Senior and Intermediate Mathematics Contests 

Global Young Journalist Award 

The Day Student Voices Young Journalist Award

International Recitation Competition

Junior Marathon

 

Library Awards

At ECP we are keen to develop a true love for reading in our students.  To support this, the top readers each term receive a celebratory certificate and gift token.  In addition, students are encouraged to participate in the ECP Reading Award. The ECP Reading Award is a prestigious prize that encourages students to read a diverse range of books including classics, poetry, contemporary and history fiction as well as non-fiction focused on topics such as philosophy, science or psychology.  To achieve the Bronze Award students need to complete 8 tasks ranging from shadowing a book award, attending a book group or exploring a controversial issue of modern life that has global consequences.  The Silver award requires students to complete 12 reading tasks and the Gold 16 Tasks. Winners of the Gold Award are presented each year on Founders’ Day. 

 

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