You can read it via this link.
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.”
From January 1st 2020, the English College is powered by renewable electricity
The Changes Committee of the Student Council and the Environmental Group made a joint request for a switch to a renewable electricity provider. It is in line with acknowledging the global climate emergency and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The school has switched its electricity contract to PREekoproud. Purchased electricity consists of approximately 69% biofuel energy, 28% hydroelectricity and 3% solar energy. An issued certificate (EECS-GO RES-E) proves origin of this energy. Unexpectedly, the new electricity provider is marginally less expensive.
The English College has set an example to individuals and other organisations. Every step to reduce harm to our planet is praiseworthy and the Student Council thanks the school for its cooperation on this. The student body believes that the school could challenge itself to become even more environmentally sustainable.
“What do we have to overcome to get to Mars?” That was the main question of the recent lecture delivered to ECP students by Mgr. Petr Brož, Ph.D., a researcher at the Czech Academy of Sciences. He talked about the complexity of the mission to Mars project and also outlined the necessary technologies which we are still missing to be able to fulfill this ambitious dream.
Our Year 4 student Victor Slimák said the following about the event: ”The lecture given by Petr Brož on Monday about the journey to Mars was very interesting. It was very interactive which kept the audience’s attention and also made people think. Dr. Brož talked about various challenges that we face before we can live on Mars. These challenges include: food provision, shielding from radiation and the time of the journey. First we discussed what we would need to be able to complete the journey. Dr. Brož talked about growing food on Mars or in space. Many students had questions about the science of growing plants using martian soil or bringing soil from the Earth to Mars.
The problem of radiation also came up, as the journey to Mars would take about 9 months. Lead can be used as shielding, however, it is very dense and thus it would weigh a lot. Another option is to use water which could later be used by the astronauts. Elon Musk’s company SpaceX also came up in the talk as they are revolutionising space travel and the recovery of their rockets. I found the whole lecture very fascinating and enjoyable and I would enjoy similar lectures in the future.”
Petr Brož obtained his Ph.D. in 2015 at the Faculty of Science of the Charles University in Prague. He has been working as a researcher at the Department of Geodynamics of the Czech Academy of Sciences since 2010, where he focused on the volcanism across the Solar system. He specialises in volcanic activities on Mars; primarily on small volcanic objects created during short term volcanic activities caused by magma degassing and water/magma interactions on the surface of Mars.
Congratulations to the following students who became winners of the ECP ISSAP Slalom Race 2020 in ladies’ and gentlemen’s categories of skiing and snowboarding.
Skiing: Veronika Šolcová, Year 2
Jiří Veselý, Year 2
Snowboarding: Veronika Vojtová, Year 4
Viktor Kubička, Year 3
Here is a reflection from one of the winners:
The annual ISSAP Slalom Race which took place this past weekend was all we expected it to be, and it was much more than that. Although the lack of snow was a problem, we made the most of the situation. With the kind help of ECP staff and ski instructors, we improved our skiing and snowboarding skills, tried new tricks and then we showed off in the final race on Monday. As it was my first year, winning the slalom race was definitely a thrilling and exciting experience that I will never forget. I felt exhausted but elated and can’t wait to take part in next year’s ISSAP Slalom Race.
Veronika Šolcová, Year 2 student
ECP student Kryštof Sršeň is one of the talented secondary school students who can experience scientific work in practice within the Open Science project of the Czech Academy of Sciences. This 12-month programme is under the supervision of specialists and students could choose from 105 topics.
Our student Kryštof Sršeň talks about his experience with the project on metropolitan television PrahaTV where he is featured in a spot presenting the Open Science project. You can watch the video here:
“In this lab, I have done gel electrophoresis, DNA protein distribution, and various methods of protein purification,” said Kryštof Sršeň, a student at The English College in Prague.
“The Academy of Sciences provides opportunities for secondary school students to participate in real research. They can learn what contemporary science is about and apply theoretical knowledge in practice,” said Michaela Marková, PR manager of the Open Science project.
Interest in the project is great. 700 students applied this year and 100 of them succeeded.
“The one-year internships give rise to very interesting outcomes. Students learn to understand a scientific topic and formulate conclusions in professional articles or presentations. In addition, they learn to popularise science and present it to the public. All participants of the project take part in the largest science festival organised by the Academy of Sciences,” said Michaela Marková.
Within the Open Science 2019 project, Kryštof has already received a prize for his research. He presented his study with title “Rekombinantní příprava selektivních IGF-2 analogů” at The Student Scientific Conference. This event took place at The Institute of Molecular Genetics of The Czech Academy of Sciences in November.
Kryštof is not the only ECP student involved in the project. Emma Hamplová, Emma Kurucová, Karolína Zvoníčková were also presenting their work at the same conference.
Furthermore, four other ECP students have obtained places with the Academy of Sciences for 2020 internships as well. Congratulatins to Jan Kotrč, Daniel Moravec, Tereza Nohejlová and Nella Országhová.
You can read it via this link.
Summary:
The Christmas Concert was a lovely event on which we ended the festivities of 2019. Once again, it took place in the beautiful Refectory of the Emmaus Monastery. Almost forty students took to the stage with a wide range of performances from soloists, ensembles, bands, and the newly formed ECP Choir. Our talented performers created a warm, festive atmosphere with traditional Christmas favourites and sing-a-long carols. We could also hear a reading from the Czech poet Jiří Orten. In addition, a dramatic excerpt from the upcoming performance of Romeo & Juliet planned for February was included.
This year the Student Council opted for the collection to go to Centrum Locika. It is a local charity which supports children affected by domestic violence. We were happy to welcome a representative from the charity at the concert. Sincere thanks go to our Head of Music, Eliška Hatinová, for her creative efforts and excellent support of students in their preparation of the Christmas Concert. Many thanks also to all the students and staff who contributed to the making of such a successful and entertaining event.
