Newsletter
September I - 2007
www.stnicholas.com.br
SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL PROJECT TO HELP
EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS OF PERU
FORTHCOMING DATES
Mr. Anderson Costa
Friday 7th September
Independence Day – School Holiday
St. Nicholas School Student Council has
successfully finished its first project of the
year, focusing its actions on the natural
disaster that took place in Peru in August.
Thousands of people are homeless and there
is a shortage of food; schools, churches and
buildings have been destroyed. School
Student Council members have organized a
school donation of food, clothes and toys –
which will be sent to Peru via the Prefeitura
de São Paulo (as suggested by the Peruvian
Consulate in São Paulo). Also the School will
send US$700.00 collected from the first
Casual Clothes Day this year. This was a wonderful demonstration of good will. Well done,
everybody!
Monday 10th September
Year 2 trip to Pullman factory
Tuesday 11th September
PYP Information Session for parents -8:00 h
17th – 21st September
LAHC Student Leadership Conference,
Chile
Tuesday 18th September
Year 11 Theatre trip: “Memórias de um
Sargento de Milícias”
ASSEMBLIES
Infants
12th September – Year 1X
19th September – Year 2X
Infant and Junior Student Council Representatives
Junior
13th September – Year 3Y
20th September – Year 6Y
Congratulations to the Infant
and Junior pupils who have
been elected to represent
their school on the St.
Nicholas Student Council.
IGCSE Examination
Results
The results of the IGCSE Examinations, sat by
students in Year 10, last May were published
earlier this month. 10 students achieved 5 or
more A-C passes and one student passed all 7
exams with an A or A*. These are the first
public examinations the students have
experienced and they serve as good practice
for the IB Diploma courses they have now
started.
Yr2: Dhruv Bhatia, Laura Barros, Felipe Lyrio, Lucas Kallas Silva
Yr3: Luiz Guilherme Pretoni, Luiza Salamao, Julia de Oliveira, Clara Minji Kim (not in photo)
Yr4: Gustavo Borges, Matheus Galvao Martins, Gabriel de Almeida, Claudia Chakmati
Yr5: Bruno Aquino, Sofia Soares, Patrick Sewell, Karen Hsu
Yr6: Nicolas Gekker, Stephanie Geller, Bruna Liu, Keon-Young Lee
International Day
This year the St. Nicholas School International Day will be held on Saturday 27th October 2007. We are
looking for volunteers to help with the following countries. If you are interested please e-mail the PTA
committee at [email protected]
Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, England, France, Holland, India,
Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru,
Portugal, Scotland, Spain, South Africa, Twain, Venezuela, United States of America,
Uruguay, Wales
ALUNOS DE PORTUGUÊS DISCUTEM REFORMA ORTOGRÁFICA
Professor Anderson Costa
No mundo lusófono, está em discussão a entrada em vigor da nova Reforma Ortográfica, que vai, entre outras propostas, acabar com o uso do trema,
da escrita de consoantes não pronunciadas (esta apenas no português de Portugal), de alguns acentos e incluir as letras K, Y e Z no alfabeto. Várias
turmas do Senior School discutiram as vantagens e desvantagens desta reforma ortográfica (que pode entrar em vigor em breve, mas também pode
nem mesmo chegar a existir na prática). Leia a seguir a redação que o aluno Mateus Ribeiro, do Year 8 escreveu com base no título:
Você é a favor ou contra a reforma da Língua Portuguesa?
Nossas vidas sempre são marcadas por vários fatos importantes: quando começamos a falar ou a andar, nosso primeiro dente permanente etc. Mas
será que se a ortografia da nossa língua mudasse de repente, seria este um grande marco em nossa história profissional? E se fôssemos fazer um
exame (por exemplo, o vestibular para uma grande faculdade), qual ortografia deveríamos utilizar?
Pode ser muito difícil encarar uma reforma ortográfica para nós estudantes e para todos os que se comunicam em português. Advogados poderão
cometer equívocos ortográficos em documentos importantíssimos, médicos poderão errar em relatórios de exames, e até donos de lojas poderão
errar seus documentos fiscais.
Claro que mencionei casos extremos, mas imagine: se um estrangeiro quissesse aprender português, ele teria que escolher entre o 'verdadeiro
português', e o 'português brasileiro'. A única língua dividida entre duas grafias é o português. Se este texto fosse para eu dar uma opinião subjetiva,
ou seja, dizer que os dois lados têm vantagens, e responder que não consegui definir minha escolha, eu diria isto e acabaria o texto aqui
mesmo. Mas não, tenho que dar uma resposta objetiva, pelo menos suficientemente boa para ser assim chamada. Então, minha resposta será clara
e simples: sim. Sim, eu acredito que mudar a nossa língua de novo pode ser difícil de tolerar, mas depois de certa confusão inicial, teremos uma
língua cada vez mais uniformizada, com uma ortografia igual em todos os países no mundo onde o português é língual oficial.
Será perfeita esta uniformização porque teremos cada vez mais pessoas se entendo. No final, poderíamos ter um mundo lusófonofeliz, unificado por
uma língua (a exemplo do que propunha o esperanto). Aqui já estou fugindo um pouco do assunto, e então lembro bem do assunto original: será que
devemos mudar a língua portuguesa? A minha resposta já foi dita, e eu acredito que esta seria a melhor solução. Para concluir esta redação: a
reforma só mudará entre 0,5 e 2% da língua portuguesa que usamos hoje. Isto é quase nada, tornará a língua mais fácil e talvez até mais accesível
para pessoas menos afortunadas que ainda não tiveram a oportunidade de estudar adequadamente o idioma e, portanto, não dominam suas regras
ortográficas.
E você, o que acha desta Reforma? Discuta em casa e com seus professores.
IB Diploma Examination Results
The graduating class of 2007 received their IB Diploma examination results over the winter holiday.
I am very pleased to report that all the students sat the diploma passed and received a Bilingual
IBO Diploma. The scores ranged from 25 to 41 points.
We are very proud of these students but we must also remember the IB Diploma is more than just
examination results. IB Students create a better world through action. The graduating year of 2007
were a very special year group and embodied the IBO Learners profile in many ways and below
are some photos of them helping less fortunate children at last years inter CAS event .
Talent Show
I’m Julia Herzog from the Action ECA, and a
talent show is our first activity for this term. It
will be held in the Hall on Wednesday the 17th
of September from 12:10pm to 12:45pm. We
will choose three winners taking first, second
and third places. This will be decided by six
judges, who will be represented by two parents,
two teachers and two Senior pupils. We will be
passing around a sign-up sheet so don’t forget
to look for us and sign up! Good luck!
Come and share your talents!!!
Yearbook 2007
Will be on sale as from September. A
discount is offered to parents
who reserve the Yearbook in
advance.
Normal price : R$ 30,00 / Booked in
advance : R$ 25,00
To reserve : [email protected]
Saving Paper
If you would prefer copies of the newsletter
sent to your e mail account rather than in paper
format could you please send an e-mail to
[email protected]
with the following information: name of pupil,
class or form, name of parents, e-mail address.
PTA Committee 2007-8
LIBRARY CORNER
The School would like to thank the parents who volunteered to sit on the PTA committee this year:
James Kirsten, Anna Kirsten, Alexandra Pfister, Stephen Eagles, Laura Falsztyn, Andrea Toffoli,
Karina Saccomanno Ferreira, Ana Watanabe, Constanza Pico Estrada, Carla Ferreira Dawson,
Ana Maria Sodré, Jeremy Austin, Roberta Rosenburg, Sandra McMahon,Teresa Santiago, Priscilla
Amad, Sandra Marangoni and Debora de Barros.
If you too would like to volunteer it is not too late and you can contact the PTA through the School
office or at [email protected]. The first meeting was held on Friday 24th and the new
committee was be elected at the meeting held on the 4th September.
School would like to thank the outgoing president Mrs Geraldine Gentil. Geraldine returned to
Argentina with her family in June and the school community will miss them all.
NEW BOOKS AND DVDs
At the first meeting the following monies were distributed for teacher and student projects:
Mr. Anderson Costa - Promoting Brazilian Culture in school- R$ 1.500,00
Music Department - Electronic drum kit for the music department - R$ 2.000,00
Heads of Houses - House Badges - R$ 300,00
Library - DVDs and soft furnishings - R$ 600,00
PYP Exhibition Group - Reclycling bins - R$ 500,00
A Perfect Machine
As part of our unit “A Perfect Machine”, Year 4 have welcomed two visiting speakers. Gustavo
Borges, father of Gustavo in 4X, explained how our muscles work and talked about the
importance of exercise and a healthy diet. Andrea Goldman, mother of Nina in 5X, shared her
knowledge of dental hygiene and encouraged pupils to take responsibility for looking after their
teeth.
Come to the library and check out the new
books and DVD titles. DVDs:
Back Yardigans : festa na caverna
Duplex
Grease
Hello Kitty
O diabo veste Prada
Os Infiltrados
Patch Adams
St Nicholas student helps
Brazil to a bronze at the PAN
The
Brazilian
dressage team
(adestramento),
comprising
of
Rogério Clementino,
Renata Costa and St.
Nicholas student,
Luiza
Tavares
Almeida won the
Bronze medal at the
recent PAN American
Games in Rio. This
result guaranteed Brazil a place in the Olympic
games in Beijing next year. Luiza will spend 6
months training and studying in Germany and
then returns to St. Nicholas to start her IB
Diploma in January. She has set her sights on
Beijing in the summer and we wish her luck.
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge with us!
ALUNOS DO YEAR 12 VISITAM RÁDIO 107.3 FM
Professor Anderson Costa
Os alunos do Year 12 estão estudando, no Módulo Meios de Comunicação e Cultura do curso do
IB,o tema Rádio. Para terem uma experiência prática do tema, fizeram uma visita, no dia 30 de
agosto, à Rádio 107.3FM (antiga Brasil 2000). Acompanhados pelos professores Anderson Costa,
Sílvia Lima e Fiona Creagh-Osborne, foram recebidos pelo comunicativo locutor Rubens Vianna e
ouviram uma interessante palestra sobre a História do Rádio (desde Hertz e Marconi) na Europa
até a chegada do rádio no Brasil, com Roquete Pinto. Também conversaram sobre o rádio digital,
uma revolução na radio difusão, que fará parte de nossas vidas em um futuro bem próximo. Rubens Vianna falou sobre temas como medição de audiência (IBOPE) no rádio, que usa um método
diferente da televisão, e também sobre o perfil do ouvinte da 107.3. Por fim, todos foram ao estúdio da rádio e viram Rubens Vianna fazer de maneira brilhante sua locução AO VIVO. Alguns
alunos ainda receberam convites gratuitos para assistir ao show da banda americana Living Colour, que tocou naquela mesma noite no Via Funchal, em São Paulo. Depois desta visita, nenhum
deles irá ouvir rádio da mesma maneira.
Students’ comments:
“really cool, interesting and educational” ... “I was surprised to see how few people are needed to
run a quality radio station” ... “it helped us understand how radio works and what it means in the
media world” ... “I loved the part when he went on air while we were in the studio!”
Shana Tova!
By Naama Silverman Forner
Rosh Hashanah is literally translated as "head of
the year" and idiomatically refers to the Jewish
New Year. The term first appears in the Bible, in
Ezekiel 40:1.
The Torah (first part of the Bible), refers to the
day as "The Day of the Blowing of the Shofar".
This has two principal meanings: to express
happiness and, on the other hand, to remind the
people of the forthcoming “Day of Judgment".
The Shofar is a trumpet made from a ram's horn. It is blown in traditional communities every
morning for the entire month preceding Rosh Hashanah.
Rosh Hashanah meals often include apples and honey, to symbolize a "sweet new year". Various
other foods with a symbolic meaning may be served, depending on local custom.
Another custom, relatively new, is sending greeting cards wishing a good, happy year:
SHANA TOVA!
!‫שנה טובה ומתוקה‬
ALUNOS DO YEAR 10 ESTUDAM OBRA ÉPICA
Professor Anderson Costa
Os alunos do Year 10 estão estudando, nas aulas de Português, os diversos gêneros literários
(lírico, épico e drama). Leram partes do texto considerado o marco zero da literatura ocidental: A
Ilíada, de Homero. Também assistiram ao filme “Tróia”, inspirado na obra.
Com 16 mil versos, A Ilíada concentra-se apenas em 52 dias da Guerra de Tróia – que durou dez
anos. O enfoque desta obra é a narração da briga entre Agamenon e Aquiles.
O professor de literatura grega da USP André Malta foi convidado a conversar com a turma sobre
a obra de Homero e a adaptação cinematográfica feita por Hollywood. André criticou o fato do
Blockbuster ter abordado eventos não retratados por Homero, o que, segundo ele, esvaziou a
riqueza dos personagens.
Os alunos fizeram perguntas a André Malta e aprofundaram seus conhecimentos sobre e gênero
épico. Depois da conversa com o professor da USP, levaram duas sugestões para casa: ler alguns Cantos da obra e assistir ao filme novamente. Pelo jeito, Brad Pitt não é sinônimo de qualidade. Alguém aí discorda?
Lunch cards: Are they a
s
w
e
N
good or a bad idea?
Nose for
By Su Ji Lee and Jessica Van den Brink
The lunchroom before lunch cards: Children did not eat properly, nor behave properly and
were treating the Sodexho workers badly.
To improve this confusion, the teachers came up with an idea of having lunch cards, which
should have been a simple way of helping them, ensure that the children ate healthy.
The card gives some simple rules about healthy eating and respecting your environment
while eating. After the meal, it is stamped to ensure that all pupils have a proper meal.
Was this a good idea or a bad one? We want to know what you think about the lunch
cards. Please send your comments to: [email protected] /
[email protected]/ [email protected]
LOST & FOUND
NOSSO RECANTO (NR) – before the winter holidays, large bags of items left at Nosso Recanto were
handed in at School and many of the items were never collected. These items include bathing costumes,
towels, etc.
We have many, many other unnamed uniform items in Reception.
COULD PARENTS & PUPILS PLEASE COME AND COLLECT. ITEMS WHICH ARE NOT COLLECTED
BY HALF TERM WILL BE DONATED TO CHARITY
COMMEMORATIONS AND
CELEBRATIONS AROUND
THE WORLD
Action Committee / International Committee
SEPTEMBER
3rd September – 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 September – 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.
(See related article.)
8th September – 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.
13th September – First Day of Ramadan takes
place every ninth month of the Islamic (Hijri)
calendar, which has been happening since the
year 638 CE. It is the holiest month of the Islamic
year, and it is observed with prayers, fasting,
charity, and atonement.
– Rosh Hashanah is when the Jewish celebrate
their New Year. This day marks the beginning of
the Jewish year 5768 and opens the ten days of
Penitence which ends with Yom Kippur. (See
related article.)
22nd September – Yom Kippur is the Jewish
holiday of the Day of Atonement when people
repent their sins against both God and one's
fellow man. It is one of the holiest and most
solemn days of the year. On this day, five
prohibitions are traditionally observed: eating and
drinking, wearing leather shoes, bathing or
washing, anointing oneself with oil and marital
relations.
23rd September – Autumnal Equinox Day
(Shūbun no hi) in Japan, this is an official
national holiday, and is spent visiting family
graves and holding family reunions.
24th September – Heritage Day is a public
holiday in South Africa. People regardless of race
are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage
and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions.
The day is meant to remember their past and the
struggles of Apartheid.
25th September – 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.
29th September – Michaelmas, so called after
Archangel Michael, is a Christian holiday
especially observed in the United Kingdom and
Ireland. This day falls near the equinox, and
signals the beginning of autumn and the
shortening of days.