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Summary:
In its 25th anniversary year, the English College in Prague (ECP) is delighted to announce that its Czech Patron, Karel Schwarzenberg, has agreed to the use of his name in connection with a new Schwarzenberg Scholarship. Mr Schwarzenberg is also supporting the scholarship financially.
It will enable a Czech student to attend the final four years at the English College in Prague. The scholarship is to attract a student who might not ordinarily be able to attend the College without a scholarship. Suitability criteria will include the likelihood of significant improvement in the student’s life chances and in comparative academic success.
Headmaster of the English College in Prague, Dr Nigel Brown, said: “The Schwarzenberg Scholarship is an important addition to the ECP Scholarship Programme. We have been celebrating our two Founder Patrons, HRH The Prince of Wales and President Václav Havel, by enabling young people to benefit from an education at the ECP thanks to scholarships in their names. Now we are able to add a third scholarship named after our current Czech Patron, Mr Schwarzenberg. It is an excellent development during our 25th anniversary year.”
The application deadline is 3rd April 2020.
In addition, ECP students Alfred Byrne, David Jehlička, Julie Weissová and Selma Kaymakci have recently visited Mr Schwarzenberg. They recorded the interview they held with him and felt inspired by the conversation. Among other things, they asked the ECP patron about his support for student scholarships at the College. The students felt very privileged to have the opportunity to speak informally with Mr Schwarzenberg.
This week, the English College in Prague celebrated its 25th anniversary in spectacular style. It has bought its building from its landlord, Prague 9 Council, thus securing its continued future in Vysočany. The ceremony took place in Prague 9 Town Hall with the Mayor, Ing Jan Jarolím, shown centre with ECP’s Founder Governor, Ann Lewis CMG. The photograph also shows ECP Headmaster, Dr Nigel Brown (3rd left), and ECP’s first alumnus Governor, Petr Fiman BSc, MSc (back row, 4th right).
Ann Lewis said: ‘As one of the Founders of The English College I was present when the original lease was signed in September 1993.
In those days Vysočany was a dilapidated industrial suburb. It has been transformed over the years and now we are delighted to be at the heart of a vibrant modern community. Our building, which contrives to be both spacious and intimate, has been much loved by generations of English College students and staff.
We are glad that we now have a secure home alongside the Town Hall. Over the coming years, we look forward to enhancing the premises further. We are grateful to the Mayor and his colleagues who have shown us friendship and courtesy, and look forward to remaining good neighbours.’
The ECP’s imposing sandstone coloured building is well known in Vysočany. It stands just behind the metro station and next to the Town Hall and Galerie Fénix shopping centre.
The ECP first opened its iconic blue doors on 4 September 1994. At that time, it had signed a ten year lease, which was extended until 2024.
There were originally 117 students. Now, 25 years and 1350 ECP graduates later, 370 mainly Czech current students are all studying for the International Baccalaureate. They will be applying to top universities around the world including Oxford and Cambridge.
But even back in those early days, the Governors were saving hard for the day when purchase of the building could happen. Now that day has finally arrived. Consequently, everyone is excited at the prospect of planning improvements to provide an even better teaching environment for its students.
On 31st January 2020, the nationwide daily MF Dnes released an article on the international school leaving exam – the International Baccalaureate (IB). The English College in Prague receives a great deal of coverage due to its experience with the IB and a great record of results. These results contribute to success of ECP students in getting to the world’s most prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.
The article includes two quotes from the ECP Headmaster, Dr Nigel Brown. The first one points out the importance of good relationships during the studies and further careers of the students. In the second quote, Dr Brown speaks about the need to stimulate creativity and curiosity in students.
MF Dnes also quoted ECP student Emma Horáková. She praised the relationships between students and teachers: “The teachers and students maintain a professional and respectful relationship, the pupils always feel like they can talk to the teachers about anything and that their voices are heard.”
