St. Nicholas Newsletter www.stnicholas.com.br :: August I :: 2011 New Pupils Upcoming events August Wed 24th 19:00 Yr 10 Parents' Information Evening Fri 26th Make a Difference Day September Wed 7th Dia da Independência do Brasil (Holiday) Fri 16th Pupils leave at 12:00 (Staff training) Trips Year 1 - Toca da Raposa Year 5 - Jardim Botânico Year 11 - Visit to ESPM Friday Aug 26th Creche Nova Esperança St. Nicholas welcomes all new pupils... Year 3 Tiny Tots 1 Valentina, Rafael, Gemma, Alexander. Gabriel, Emilly, Henrique, Felipe, Gabriela, Alexander, Luana. Year 4 Soo, Matheus. Tiny Tots 2 Tomas, Maite, Catarina, Felipe, Antonio, Year 5 Carolina, Manuela, João Guilherme, Aryan. Gabriel, Chae, Sophia, Nathalie, Thiago, Mariana, Franco, Eduardo, Tricia. Nursery Mateus, Sofia, Vinicius, Yamamoto, Year 6 Carolina, Rafael, Manuela, Lucas, Ricardo, Leticia, Jesus, Marina T., Marina M.. Matias, Guilherme, Otavio, Juliana, Felipe, Antonio. Year 7 Nao, Rio, Luiza, Yash. Kindergarten Tatiana, Nicholas, Nicolas, Alessandro, Alessio, Olivia, Izabelle. Year 8 Callum, Myungin, Rhenan, Kai, Filippo. Year 1 Stephanie, Thomas. Year 9 Diego, Tomás. Year 2 Christian, Tobia, Stella. Year 10 Leonardo, Somang, Tristan, Gurminder. ...and new staff as well! Gabriel Aguilar Head of Inclusion Lucinda Willis Brazilian Studies/ Sociology Head of Creative Arts Cristina Maher Alison Hurst Assistants PE Teacher Eulália Martigli Sarah Beck Amanda de Souza Andrade French & PFL Anne-Marie Thomas Mariana Teixeira Marques Maria Veronica Furno Portuguese Michelle Lepiscopo Ramildo dos Santos Miguel Claudio Machado English/ESL Infant Secretary Marcelle Sarmet Esteves Patricia Carlucci Maths/ICT/Business Management ICT Ross Smith Spanish Isabel Cristina de Araújo Cabral Sports Mr Moss PE in action! What a difference a mile (1.6km) makes! It's always significant when students and teachers give up their time and energy. At the Inter-House Festival the Junior and Senior School students and staff rose to the challenge of completing a mile in something red and raising a total sum of R$1,220 for Sport Relief. This money has now been sent and is already changing lives. For more information, access www.sportrelief.com. IB Diploma Results IGCSE Results Last year’s graduating students received their IB Diploma results in July and we are very pleased with their excellent achievements. The International Baccalaureate Diploma is a demanding pre-university qualification and we are pleased to announce that 22 of last year’s graduating students obtained a full IB Diploma. Special congratulations go to Yasmin Younes, Leila Abduni, Nikita Kukreja, Yuki Takemoto and Abram Moatshe for their highly impressive results. Last week our Year 11 students received their results for the IGCSE examinations they took at the end of Year 10. The International General Certificate of Education examinations are administered by the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom and are internationally recognised qualifications gained by students in international schools all around the world. Our students took examinations in a wide range of subjects: English as a Second Language, First Language English, First Language Portuguese, First Language Japanese, Foreign Language Spanish, Foreign Language French, Foreign Language Portuguese, Foreign Language Dutch, Co-Ordinated Science, Mathematics, Geography and History. We are extremely pleased with the excellent results our students achieved. Special congratulations go to Sophie Barros, Stéphanie Beeby, Amanda Santoro, Luiza Lunardelli, Palak Ghambhir, Giovana Viscardi, and Filipe Santiago for their highly impressive results. A group of students in Year 10 also took the IGCSE examination in English as a Second Language a year early and also achieved excellent results. A number of our graduating students have already successfully gained places at university: • Nikolai Frangoulidis Publicidade e Propaganda - FAAP University, São Paulo, Brazil • Caroline Kirsten Fashion Design - Design - Istituto Europeo di Design, São Paulo, Brazil • Nikita Kukreja Economics, Politics and International Studies - Warwick University, United Kingdom • Ji Hee Yang Bachelor of Commerce - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada • Alexis Sogl Bachelor of Arts - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada • Shashank Srinivas International Business - University of Michigan, United States of America • Obeida Sleiman Medicine, University of Debrecen, Hungary The remaining graduating students are working on their university applications or preparing for university entrance examinations. Year 11 English Work - Descriptive Writing Description of a corridor leading to a room Colossal medieval torches, kindling dim light, swayed slightly from the withering ceiling, providing the corridor with an eerie atmosphere. Dusty cobwebs hung loosely from every inch of darkness creating the perfect dwelling for obscure little creatures in search of a home. The old floorboards creaked with every uncertain step and the stone walls were worn down while shapeless gargoyles, deprived of their features by the erosion of time, stared down at me; their cold, dark eyes followed my every move. As I anxiously traipsed down the passage I could feel small defenceless rodents scuttling away from me. The stench of mould filled my lungs as I crept through the deserted hallways. I was getting closer... deeper into the unknown. My breathing was rapid and I could feel my heart pounding; I was sure it could be seen through my skin. With every other step I swung around in the hope of finding my predator, before he found me, but it was in vain for there was no one there. Still I could sense their eyes on me. The disembodied sounds created by the hall made the hairs on the back of my neck stand and my stomach jerk. Since there were only a few meters to go, I could see the cold brass knob on the door glinting in the firelight, and I could almost reach it. I sprinted to it and embraced the handle shrouded with dust, as an old friend, feeling its icy surface between my pallid fingers. When I pushed open the heavy door, the oxygen seemed to leave the room, as if it had been shut tight for centuries. The drift of ancient air made the torches flicker Now surveying the room again, I could tell how constricted it was in there, and that’s when I realized why I felt I was being watched. Deep into the darkest corner were eyes; big, red, blood-shot eyes glaring at me like a predator ready to pounce. I clicked my lighter and the room was clear, warm and comforting, but that feeling only lasted a second. Suddenly our eyes met again and I could feel his hatred; it swept through me as if all the happiness in the world had disappeared. Junior House Captain Campaigners Dear Junior School, it is time to choose new House Captains! The following Year 6 students will be campaigning around school this week to persuade you to vote for them as your next House Captain and Vice Captain. You will see posters around school, notices on the intranet and they might even come and speak to you about how they will try and make the House System better for you. You will then be asked to vote for the candidate who has impressed you the most and produced the best campaign. The campaigners are: Cambridge Micaela Mendes Jinsuke Morita Rafaela Zamataro Marcela Eugenio Maria Antonia Sperandio Deos Jesus Crespo Lucas Lichand Oxford Beatrice McMahon Arissa Fujiura Felipe Lyrio Stefano Pedrinola John Khouri Laura de Barros Amanda Santoro and go out. Standing in total darkness searching for my lighter, I felt eyes staring at me, devouring every inch of me with their evil gaze. My stomach stirred and my legs felt numb. As my eyes finally adjusted to the new lighting I could see the faint outline of my lighter resting on my palm. Mr. Chambers and Ms. Ong Eduardo Lyrio Isabella Fernandes London Renan Li Enzo De Tomi Luiza Peres Carolina Gattaz Matias Goldfeld Riku Takeuchi Beatriz Fakiani Dhruv Bhatia Thank you for your help in selecting our next House Captains! Andy Warhol TV - SESC Pinheiros Sophie Barros (Year 11) On Wednesday the 10th of August, year 11 students went to SESC Pinheiros to visit the “Andy Warhol T.V.” exhibition. As soon as we entered a dark room, colourful disco lights and 80s music filled the atmosphere, making us realise that we were (literally) in the middle of many video clip projections, featuring the musical group “The Cars” and the artist Andy Warhol himself. As we explored the rest of the exposition we encountered short clips of Andy Warhol's commercials, had the opportunity to lie on a representation of the artist's bed while watching episodes of “The Loveboat” (starring Warhol as a guest star) and watched a series of different interviews from “Andy Warhol TV” while making ourselves comfortable on “body-shaped” cushions. Furthermore, Andy Warhol's importance to the artist world was enhanced by an emotional video filmed during his funeral, showing known personalities, like Yoko Ono, as they recited affective messages to and about Andy. The exhibition tried to play with our feelings, as it took us from one emotional extreme- like watching Warhol's funeral- to the other- like laughing uncontrollably to Pee Wee Herman's mocking behaviour as he played with his toys- in a matter of minutes. Finally, it was incredible to be exposed to Warhol's extremely smart way of thinking, as we were placed in the middle of three different but simultaneous projections of Andy Warhol in “Saturday Night Live” and saw how they all fitted together. Watching all of the short clips was like entering Andy Warhol's mind: an amusing, bizarre and yet extremely recommendable experience that enlightened our Wednesday afternoon. Projeto Semente do Amanhã Ms Polly Em nome do Projeto Semente do amanhã, venho agradecer grandemente a doação de cadeiras e mesas neste mês de Agosto. Estas já estão sendo utilizadas pelas crianças, contribuindo ainda mais para o desenvolvimento, aprendizagem e conforto das mesmas. Mais uma vez, deixo registrado meus sinceros agradecimentos à St Nicholas pelo carinho que está demonstrando por nós. Disney Cup International and the Schwan's USA Cup Mr Moss and Captain J Hezog The St. Nicholas Girls rose to the challenge of improving their technical and tactical ability and enjoyed the Florida and Minneapolis tournaments' daily succession of games at fantastic facilities against a variety of opposition, not to mention the ever present sunshine and temperatures of 40º C. The opportunity to play teams in another country, higher division and age group was a unique way to test and assess our St. Nicholas girls’ squad's improvements and the students' individual strengths and weaknesses. It has been the first time St. Nicholas has entered both US Tournaments and played on North American soil and all the 17 girls should get huge credit in making it the huge success and enjoyable lifetime memory that it was. There were so many highlights daily, on and off the field to do this summary justice but to mention a few: the first goals of the first game by Sofia Soares against the Canadians; the team performance and improvements against Florida Excel Sports Academy; the facilities at the ESPN Sport Complex-Orlando; holding our own against the 13th best team in the State; finally rain, U2 concert and the sing along heading to the Aerosmith ride (Universal Studios); The Water Park (how high!!); the first win against NSAA Cobalt (we have on DVD); Shopping that included Air Jordan’s/ Xboxs/Ipad2s and Abercrombie and Fitch, Abercrombie and Fitch and Abercrombie and Fitch; each and every squad member's application, punctuality, spirit, togetherness and contribution in making the tour as special and unique as it was. A huge thank you to all parents, sponsors and most importantly the 17 girls that improved so much in terms of performance and worked so incredibly hard no matter the result and represented St. Nicholas in the excellent manner that the school proudly adheres to. Color version (Pantone 376C) Black and white version (only for monochrome usage) Best Player Award Disney International Youth Cup Tournament: Mariana David Best Player Award Schwan's USA Cup Tournament: Julia Herzog Best Performance of the USA Tour: Sofia Soares Most Consistent Player of the USA Tour: Clarissa Natel Best Young Player of the USA Tour: Grayscale version Alice Lunardelli (for ordinary non-color use) Golden Boot Award: Luiza Maragoni (4 goals) Most Improved Players: Gabriella Kirsten, Liliana de Paiva, Julia Ramos & Giovanna Pedrinola Inter-House Sports Festival 2011 The gap is narrowing as 2011 brought the closest final points margin yet seen. Spurred on by motivational speeches participation of London, Oxford and Going into the last day by Yr 11 pupils, teachers and Heads of Cambridge houses. any of three Houses House, all houses played dazzling sports had the opportunity The usual mass of teachers, class in bursts and adjusted their teams, pace of taking the Interassistants and students headed to the and pattern of play to suit all the different House title back to St. scenic mountains near Campos do Jordão sports and circumstances. With Oxford Nicholas. It was just not and come 2.30pm, the usual, refreshing and Cambridge probing, London just close but super close. pattern reasserted itself in all students managed to remain in front and took the The Junior and Senior proudly representing their House and title for the second consecutive year and school as always flourishing within the context of friendly again is the House to beat for next year. contributed in their competition. numbers to an exciting The results The 1st day finished with all Houses tied for and successful 12th 1st Place - London 183pts; 2nd overall place on 54pts bizarre but exciting Inter-House Sports Place - Cambridge 171pts; 3rd and true. The remaining two days continued Festival. It was an InterPlace-Oxford 165pts in the same vein with no House extending House Festival with a notable lead, Oxford and Cambridge tied Congratulations and thank you to all staff the usual array of experiences, sporting in 2nd place going into the last day with and pupils for their contribution towards a endeavor , friendships, commitment, high London just having ‘their noses’ in front by successful 12th IHFestival -a date for all sporting conduct and performance levels, 9pts. your diaries-IHFestival 2012 June 18th! self-learning, and the ever important Year 11 CAS Workshop Year 11 CAS Workshop organised by Year 12 CAS project leaders. Erina & Carolina for teaching English at Nova Esperança Julia L., Maximilliana & Andres for GRAAC and Casa Ronald Liam & Isabella for the cheche area at Nova Esperança Commemorations, celebrations and events around the world Action Committee / International Committee September Teachers' Day is celebrated on various dates throughout the month: Singapore (1st), India (5th), China (10th), Argentina (11th) and the Philippines (28th). 1st - Ganesh Chaturthi is an annual Indian festival that honours Lord Ganesha. It ends after ten days when images of the Hindi god is immersed in a body of water. 5th - Every first Monday of September, the United States celebrate Labour Day compared to the May 1st Labour Day celebrations of most countries including Brazil. It is a day of rest, and many Americans travel to visit friends or family during the long Labour Day weekend. Some cities celebrate it with picnics, barbecues, fireworks and parades. 7th - Brazilian Independence Day is a day to commemorate Brazil’s independence from Portugal in 1822. It is a public holiday, and is celebrated with local commemorative events. 8th - International Literacy Day is observed to raise awareness of worldwide literacy needs. More than 780 million of the world’s adults do not know how to read or write, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education. On this day, UNESCO awards literacy projects worldwide, and this year’s five winners are China, the United States, Nigeria, Senegal, and the United Republic of Tanzania. 12th - the Mid-Autumn Festival is an important Chinese festival that dates back over 3,000 years ago. This festival is celebrated every 15th day of the 8th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which is usually around September in our calendar. The moon is at its fullest on this night, and families enjoy it drinking tea and eating mooncakes. 15th - International Day of Democracy is an affirmation of the principles of democracy, the elements and exercise of democratic government, and the international scope of democracy.