Life Skills

Program Vision

As Director of Sports, my vision is for students to learn essential skiing skills in their first year, and subsequently, progress to discovering new and diverse skiing areas as they advance through the program.

Skiing Trips – Curriculum Progression

Y1: Czech mountains

The Skiing Trip for Year 1 students is a traditional winter event organised by the Director of Sports and the cooperation of  PE Department. In the unique Krkonoše Smetánka chalet, students spend a week learning basic or advanced skiing or snowboarding skills. There are also many team-building activities designed to strengthen the relationships within the fresh new year group. The trip leader is Ms Cuciuc, the Headmaster traditionally comes to visit students on this trip.

Y3: Italy Dolomites

Building on the foundations laid in Year 1, the Year 3 trip takes place in the Italian Alps (Dolomiti Superski – Sellaronda). This expedition is designed to continue students’ skiing progression and allow them to discover new mountain terrain in a world-class environment. Pupils have the chance to master the iconic Sellaronda while developing physical resilience.

Y5: Austrian Alps

The Year 5 trip takes place in the Austrian Alps (Kaprun/Schladming), providing a platform for further exploration of diverse and challenging skiing areas. This final stage of the progression focuses on mastering advanced techniques across various terrains, ensuring students graduate with high-level physical competence and mountain experience.

Year Group Trips

Every ECP student experiences 8 different trips during their first four years at our school. Trips frame the school year – they take place at the beginning and at the end of the year. They create a system through which students gradually develop various skills and deepen their knowledge while travelling around the Czech Republic. Naturally, students develop good relationships within their Year group and strengthen their bonds with their tutors.

Each trip has a different focus, meaning the activities are always varied and sometimes challenging. Students learn how to read maps, how to pack, and everyone completes an intensive First Aid Course. History, Science, Literature, Art, Geography, and Biology are all “in action” during these trips. Students appreciate not only that the knowledge they gain in school can be used outside the classroom, but also that everything they learn during the trips helps them understand what they are taught back in school.

Some trips are more active, but each one is educational in its own way and always helps build healthy relationships through teambuilding activities.

In Year 4, students can choose between a more physically demanding Cycling and History Adventure trip, which involves cycling and camping, or a more academic Exploring History trip in the beautiful countryside of Bohemian Switzerland. On both trips, they explore the difficult history of the Sudetenland and meet witnesses of the post-war era.

September Trips

See the detailed booklets here:

Year 1: Welcome to ECP Trip

Year 2: Culture and Team Building Trip

Year 3: Mountain Trip

Year 4: Exploring History Trip, Cycling and History Adventure

June Trips

See the detailed booklets here: 

Year 1: Culture and Adventure Trip

Year 2: CCC Trip

Year 3: Science Trip

Year 4: Moravian Universities Trip

Gallery

Rabštejn Project video (Exploring History Trip)

Are you over 14? Do you want to try something new, see the world, and earn a prestigious certificate for your achievements? If so, you have the opportunity to apply for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DofE). The programme consists of three levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—each reflecting increasing levels of difficulty and commitment and you can choose to participate in all three or just one or two.

The DofE is an exceptional way to gain experience and develop skills in a wide range of extracurricular areas. It promotes independence, teamwork, and leadership, allowing you to structure and take charge of your own journey.

What does it involve?

To complete an award level, participants undertake a set of activities over a specific period:

Award Levels & Requirements

Each level involves a progressive commitment and expedition:

• Bronze (Year 2)
  • Duration: At least 6 months of on-line logging in three areas (skill, physical, volunteering).
  • Expedition: 2 days, 1 night.
  • Practice Expedition: 1 day.
• Silver (Year 3)
  • Duration: At least 6 months (if you hold a Bronze Award) or 12 months (if starting directly) of on-line logging in three areas.
  • Expedition: 3 days, 2 nights.
  • Practice Expedition: 3 days, 2 nights.
• Gold (Year 5)
  • Duration: At least 12 months (if you hold a Silver Award) or 18 months (if starting directly) of on-line logging in three areas plus Residential project.
  • Expedition: 4 days, 3 nights (takes place abroad).
  • Practice Expedition: 3 days, 2 nights.

• Skill: Develop a new talent or hobby.
• Physical: Improve your fitness and performance in a sport.
• Volunteering: Give back to your community through service.
• Expedition: The highlight of the programme. You will plan and carry out a self-sufficient mission in the countryside, training in essential survival skills like first aid, map-reading, camp construction, and outdoor cooking.
• Residential project (Gold level only): a 5-day trip where you stay away from home with people you don’t know, working together on a shared activity or volunteering project.

Why join?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is the world’s leading youth achievement programme. It is more than just a certificate; it is a way to gain experiences, build friendships, and discover talents that will stay with you for the rest of your life. You can build on activities you already enjoy, or finally start that project you’ve always dreamed of.

Everything is tailored to your own age, abilities, and interests, ensuring that the challenge is both fun and rewarding.

You can learn more on our official website: www.DofE.cz.

Contact Information

Program Director: Jorge Alvarez

Administrative Support: Eva Smith

Wellbeing is extremely important in the modern world.
At ECP we feel very strongly about the wellbeing of our students and teachers so there are many activities linked to wellbeing. Our tutors and teachers priortise the wellbeing of our students. When we have concerns about a students’ wellbeing, we will address this directly with families.

Students have a steady diet of assemblies and tutorial sessions that focus on wellbeing and stress management. In the Upper School, we start the year with workshops on breathing exercises and designing optimal study spaces in the first week of school. Students are always welcome to utilise the quiet room or speak to their tutors or any other member of the Upper School Team or Senior Pastoral Team if they need extra wellbeing support. During exam time we also have a “chill-out room” available for students who desire silence and relaxation.

Starting at a new school is always an unsettling time. Children are afraid that they will not make new friends and that everything will be difficult. But all these worries disappear if you have an older friend you can turn to and who gives you advice in any school situation. At the ECP, mentors – students from Year 6 – take care of Year 1 students. They meet them regularly, once a month, and at the Graduation Ball they officially welcome them to the ECP. In order to prepare the Mentors for their role we prepare for them Child protection Course and several insets. 

Clearly, it is a great opportunity for mentors to experience a new role; the Mentoring Programme helps them to become more responsible and to experience how important strong relationships are. And for year 1 students, the Mentoring programme makes a big difference in starting a new school – with joy and without fear.