Category: News

ECP provides teaching placements for UK trainees

This term The English College welcomed six UK teacher trainees into our community, the first to join us since we established Teaching Together in Europe (TTE). This is a consortium of two UK pedagogical training centres and three top European Council of British International Schools (COBIS). 

Teaching Together in Europe

Along with the British School of Brussels and St George’s British International School in Rome, The ECP offered UK teacher training placements in April and May with robust instructional programming and mentoring by our skilled teachers. ECP Programme Co-Coordinator and Lead Mentor Daniel Ibbitson said the scheme is highly beneficial. “The TTE further solidifies ECP’s links to the UK as well as our European partners. Hosting the next generation of teachers in our classrooms brings a positive wave of energy and new ideas to our faculties,” he noted.

The trainees, from the Pennine Lancashire and Nottinghamshire TORCH School-Centered Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) providers, spent a week observing lessons and then led classes themselves under the close guidance and care of ECP staff. They delivered on topics from Gothic literature to composite functions. They relayed they felt professionally enriched by the experience. “It’s been a terrific opportunity to experience a different way of teaching your own subject… the amount of different methods I’ve seen in teaching here has been amazing,” said Marcus Garnham, a Physics trainee.

Likewise, History trainee Elizabeth Barnett said she’d take away “just the courage and creativity from each of the classes; that’s something I’ll be able to bring back to England.”

ECP students

ECP students were often cited by the trainees as being especially commendable. Geography trainee Charlotte Morris appreciated being able to “have conversations about topical things and sensitive issues.” Furthermore, the Maths trainee Jack Jones enjoyed “being able to stretch his own subject knowledge.” He added that bringing content even from his own degree to use with the IB students had been really refreshing.

Along with observing and teaching lessons under the tutelage of Mr Tognini, Dr Athwal, Dr Young, Mr Cossins, and Mr Ibbitson, the trainees attended sessions on topics like Using Data to Aid Learning; Cultural Context and Sensitivity; and the International Baccalaureate’s (IB’s) Philosophy. They also took part in school events like our Graduation Ceremony at Betlémská Kaple. In addition, they travelled to parts of Czechia such as Národní park České Švýcarsko.

Future of education

Deputy Head Emily Rankin hopes the international connectedness of the experience will foster knowledge, empathy and collaborative critical thinking: “We should be working across systems and borders to develop these symbiotic competencies in our future teachers; they have the power to shape a more equitable and just society.” 

Many thanks to The ECP community who welcomed our UK counterparts. Thanks go also to the trainees for such a positive first year of our innovative new TTE programme. It is the first of its kind in Europe! 

“The opportunity to engage with the IB curriculum and to work with knowledgeable, experienced and passionate practitioners within an international context, has been a truly enriching and inspirational experience,” reflected English trainee Eliza Richardson. “I very much look forward to weaving everything I’ve learned into my own pedagogical practice.”

This morning I dropped in on two of our @TorchSCITT trainees (and am posting with their and their students’ permission). What a joy to see developing teachers in their element at @ECP_Prague. #TeachingTogetherEurope pic.twitter.com/yEWvv8PSLV

— Emily Rankin, Ed.S., FCCT (@TeachRankin) May 11, 2022

It was fantastic to be back in Betlémská kaple for the Class of 2022’s graduation ceremony. The school band was a great addition to proceedings!

The ECP Graduation Ceremony serves two purposes: Graduates with outstanding achievements in both academic and co-curricular work during their IB studies are awarded prizes and all Graduates of 2022 are presented with their graduation certificates.

Senator Pavel Fischer delivered a speech as the Guest of Honour. He also congratulated prize winners.

Additionally, this year we were very honoured that the new Karel Schwarzenberg Prize for History was presented for the first time. This prize goes to a student who has shown exceptional interest in the history and spirit of European development. The prize recognises the ability to appreciate European heritage and to be able to analyse history and make connections with the current political scene. Michael Balamotis became the first holder of this prize.

Apart from subject prizes, there were also prizes for special achievements.

THE CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS’ PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

This prize was awarded to Sabina Phanová: “In terms of report grades and predicted IB marks, Sabina is at the top of her class. She works diligently with teacher and peer feedback to improve her performance on assessments; if she is not pleased with how she performed on a paper, she will ask to redo it until she achieves an exemplary result. Her easy-going demeanour camouflages a forceful drive to do her best; she is simply relentless in honing her skills and knowledge. Sabina’s academic outcomes are a testament to her unflagging work ethic. She is also determined to stretch herself and achieve her fullest potential.”

The LORD HOLME PRIZE FOR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Congratulations to Tomáš Nepala: “Tomáš is an active member and outstanding Vice President of the Student Council as well as a mentor to two Year 1 students. He has engaged very strongly with the school community and worked hard to bring everyone closer together during the pandemic. Tomáš cares about the world around him and has a genuine interest in making it better. He always seeks peaceful solutions to every conflict and is extremely kind and supportive of his fellow students. Tomáš worked very hard in support of the Tereza Maxová Foundation. In addition, he coordinated Dostupné Doučování, where a team of about sixty volunteers support socially disadvantaged students with remote learning.

A strong believer in financial literacy, he also launched a website, PlanetFinance, to educate individuals and help them develop the skills and knowledge. His aim was to enable them to make informed decisions about their finances. These projects encapsulate Tomáš’s personality perfectly: he cares about others and he is ready to use his initiative to find ambitious solutions to problems.”

HEADMASTER’S PRIZE FOR THE SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Olga Kosjakova became the holder of this prize: “Olga is a wise young woman and shows maturity and understanding of complex issues beyond her years. In lower school, she produced assemblies and resources related to mental health. She did that by engaging with the PSME programme and by talking to year groups about recognising a potential decline in one’s mental health and wellbeing. Since then, she has continued to be very active in the background – not stopping at all, despite being in lockdown for almost two years of her ECP career. Last summer, she organised the production and sale of items to support the topic of mental health again. She is an unofficial adviser to many of her peers and she is a well-deserved recipient of this award.”

Here is a video from the event:/Zde je krátké video z akce:

Accepted after the second round of Year 1 entrance exams from 2 May, 2022 / Přijatí po 2. kole přijímacích zkoušek z 2.5.2022:

Year 1 / do 1. ročníku:

221339
221375
221355
221390
221287
221227
221394
221441
221426
221534
221517
221370
221354

Congratulations to successful candidates! Letters of acceptance and further instructions will be sent by registered mail shortly. / Blahopřejeme úspěšným uchazečům! Rozhodnutí o přijetí a další instrukce budou v nejbližší době zaslány doporučenou poštou.

Accepted after the first round of entrance exams from 26 April, 2022 / Přijatí po 1. kole přijímacích zkoušek z 26.4.2022:

Year 3 / do 3. ročníku:

221508
221403
221456
221446
221365
221435
221449
221537
221404
221416
221337
221083
221402
221381

Congratulations to successful candidates! Letters of acceptance and further instructions will be sent by registered mail shortly. / Blahopřejeme úspěšným kandidátům! Rozhodnutí o přijetí a další instrukce budou v nejbližší době zaslány doporučenou poštou.

Accepted after the first round of entrance exams from 27 April, 2022 / Přijatí po 1. kole přijímacích zkoušek z 27.4.2022:

Year 2 / do 2. ročníku:

221516
221434
221523
221380
221442
221421
221458
221290
221212
221415
221186
221259

Congratulations to successful candidates! Letters of acceptance and further instructions will be sent by registered mail shortly. / Blahopřejeme úspěšným kandidátům! Rozhodnutí o přijetí a další instrukce budou v nejbližší době zaslány doporučenou poštou.

Accepted after the first round of entrance exams to Year 1 from 19-20 April and 25 April, 2022 / Přijatí po 1. kole přijímacích zkoušek z 19.-20.4. a 25.4.2022:

Year 1 / do 1. ročníku:

221489
221352
221351
221236
221451
221447
221452
221440
221423
221385
221463
221398
221482
221417
221400
221350
221506
221333
221427
221432
221347
221439
221349
221396
221448
221405
221389
221477
221433
221342
221348
221399
221514

Congratulations to successful candidates! / Blahopřejeme úspěšným kandidátům!

The English College in Prague has just published a new issue of The ECP Newsletter.

Read a new issue of the ECP newsletter. It brings information about students helping Ukraine, Cultural Olympiad, Graduation Ball, other school events and so much more. You can access the newsletter via this link.

Summary:

• HM’s message
• Help Ukraine
• Cultural Olympiad
• News
• Diversity Week
• Václav Havel Scholarship Concert
• Graduation Ball
• Book Talk
• ECPN

You can look at the archive of ECP newsletters here.

The English College in Prague has now offered places to 15 students who have recently arrived in the Czech Republic from Ukraine. 

These students have joined Years 1-4 as part of free temporary attendance. 

We will be working closely with these students and their families over the coming weeks to ensure that they have a positive educational experience at the English College. As we move towards the summer, where necessary we will look at what long-term support we can give to our new students. 

We are not currently interviewing any new prospective students. If any more places become available we will contact the students already on our waiting list. 

The students who have joined us so far have been assigned tutor groups and buddies who are supporting them in school. We are also working with our students who have set up the buddy system which will offer wider support to Ukrainian students inside and outside of the English College.

A parent very kindly donated some money so that if the Ukrainian students have any particular financial needs we should be able to help them in that regard too.

You can read more about fundraising activities of ECP students for support of Ukraine here.

Every year, the English College Foundation holds its AGM in London. Our UK supporters hear from the Headmaster about what has been going on in school. Members eagerly anticipated this year’s meeting because it was the first time they had been able to meet in person since the start of the pandemic.

Dr Brown briefed members on how the school has coped so successfully with the challenge of Covid. He also told them about the exciting plans for developing the site, following the purchase of the building. Members were able to see Med Pavlík Architekti’s plans, which will now be sent to our UK Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales.

Alumni speakers

As well as hearing from Dr Brown, the AGM provides an opportunity for graduates to come along to talk about their careers since leaving school. This year, the speakers were Natálie Hendrychová (2016) and Jakub Kohout (2006) 

As a member of one of Prague’s best known fashion houses, Pietro Filipi, it is no surprise that Natálie first studied for a BA in Fashion Merchandise Management at the University of Westminster. She then achieved an MSc in Applied Psychology in Fashion at the University of the Arts in London. Now Business Development Manager for Sans Souci Lighting, Natálie works with prestigious clients ranging from the Richter Villa through Claridge’s Hotel in London to possibly the most opulent hotel in the world, the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Jakub’s strengths in Maths and Economics at school led him in a very different direction. After reading Management; International Business at Royal Holloway, University of London, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. He is now Finance Director of Seedrs, who specialise in putting startups in touch with investors. Although ten years separated their careers at the ECP, both Natálie and Jakub spoke warmly about their time here and acknowledged the part the school played in their subsequent success. Jakub is also Treasurer of the ECF and takes very seriously the importance Lord Holme, our first Chairman of Governors, attached to ‘putting something back’.

Origins of the English College

Our former Chairman of Governors, Ann Lewis, together with former Governor, Dr Martyn Bond, and others, set up the English College Foundation in 1992. The ECF is a UK-registered charity and its aim was to open a school in Prague, in the wake of the Velvet Revolution, to teach the IB in English after the fall of communism. The rest, as they say, is history: since the College opened in September 1994, over 1400 ECP students have graduated with the IB Diploma.

Family Tradition

ECF’s Chairman is Elizabeth Cooke, another of our Governors. She is following in a family tradition – her late father, Nicholas Morris, was also an ECP Governor, who served from 2004-2012. A former Deputy Head herself, she is a member of the Education Committee.

The ECF today

The Foundation still supports the College by fundraising and by arranging social events for ECP graduates continuing their studies in London. They also organised, before Covid struck, the London Work Experience Programme. This has given ECP students a first taste of life in London and valuable experience of what it would be like to work in careers as diverse as researching for a policy think tank, through medicine and newspaper journalism to working for a Member of Parliament.

The English College in Prague would like to play a small part in helping refugees fleeing from the totally unjust invasion of their country. In the first instance, we would like to accept up to ten Ukrainian refugee students across different year groups.

ECP is an academic school that delivers all its lessons in the medium of English, so any student hoping to come here must have a good proficiency in English. The minimum level for the lower years is B1, whereas B2 or C1 would be required for the higher years. However, no formal or certificate qualifications are needed.

We will be admitting students on a temporary basis first (4 – 12 weeks). If the relationship between the student and the school develops well, the place may become long-term. It will be important to see that the student is really accessing and benefitting from our education. In that case, we might be able to offer a permanent place at ECP leading to the International Baccalaureate (IB) qualification.

At the moment (25 March), we are processing 30 requests from Ukrainian students. Further applications via this form are therefore not possible at this stage. The registered applicants are invited into the school for an interview with the Deputy Head Pastoral, Mr Baxter. Following this face-to-face interview, a quick decision is made. The ECP requires potential students to have safe accommodation as it cannot offer accommodation itself.

You can read more about fundraising activities of ECP students for support of Ukraine here.