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GEMS James Dalziel

GEMS World Academy Switzerland (GWAS) has just appointed a new Head of School at its campus in Etoy.

With over 20 years of experience in international education and leadership, Dr. James Dalziel succeeds the former head, Catherine McKeever, who has now taken on a new project within the GEMS Education group.

An international education

A Canadian by birth, James Dalziel understands what it means to pursue an international education. Following his BA Special Honours from York University (Toronto) and Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto, he went on to obtain both a Master of Education (Leadership) and a Doctor of Education (Policy) from the University of Western Australia, before receiving his most recent award, an MBA from the Schools of Economics at Aalto University and Helsinki, Finland.

For over 16 years he has been a Head of School, involved with all aspects of learning and daily operations. Following a period of six years as the Secondary Principal of the Canadian International School in Singapore, he spent four years as the Middle School Principal at United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA), and a further seven years as Head of East Campus at the same school.

millefeuilles2

Since we announced the arrival of new management at the Deux Mille Feuilles Bilingual Montessori School in La Rippe nearly 2 years ago, the school has gone from strength to strength.   

Indeed only last year we reported on the special prize that the school received from the European Space Agency for a model the children had built of the International Space Station!

So successful has the concept been for 3 – 6 year olds, that the school is now set to open a new elementary class in August 2018 for 6 to 12 year olds that will follow the same Montessori principles as those in the younger years, but will still respect the Plan d’Etudes Romand (PER) for children attending school in this region.

red cross museum human chain

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum is launching We’re All Human, a smartphone app aimed at creating the longest digital human chain.

To mark this occasion in a unique way, the Museum would like to get people all over the world to form a common bond. Using the We’re All Human app (see download links below), participants can join hands virtually to deliver a strong message and show their support for one of the Museum’s founding values: defending human dignity.

How does it work?

Anyone in the world can become part of this huge digital human chain. The We’re All Human app guides users through the process of taking a photo of themselves or a friend holding their hands out to the side. The app then uploads the photo, which becomes another link in the chain.

Users can also spread the word by posting their photo on Facebook or Twitter (and using #redcrossmuseum30 to tag their picture). A photo booth has also been set up inside the Museum’s entrance hall and will remain there throughout the year, allowing visitors to join the chain.

The chain can be viewed in full here: 30ans.redcrossmuseum.ch. It can also be experienced in virtual reality here: 30ans.redcrossmuseum.ch/vr. At the time of writing, there were 1,334 links already connected in the chain for human dignity.

KSI Morges 1

Following the success of its special offer last year, KSI Morges is once again offering an Early Bird Discount for any new students, who enrol at the international primary school before the end of April 2018!

Valid for 2018/2019 admissions and not applicable with any other offer*, the discount entitles students to 50% off Registration Fees if they enrol before the deadline. With Registration Fees still standing at Fr. 2,500.-, this is a great incentive for any parent of a child aged between 3 and 12, who is looking for an alternative approach to education that will provide them with the individual attention that their child needs.

Open Days at KSI Morges

If you would like to take a look around the school, School Director, Denise Coates, invites parents to drop in on any Wednesday afternoon, without appointment, between 14h and 15h30. However, appointments can be set up at any time throughout the week, if Wednesdays are not convenient. During the course of the visit, there will be an opportunity to talk to the Director, teachers and students.

Children visiting with their parents will also get a full, interactive experience of what it is like to be a student at KSI Morges, with plenty of opportunity to chat with other children and school staff.

GEMS Basketball game in Sports Centre

Never one to rest on its laurels, GEMS World Academy Switzerland has been busy putting together a programme of exciting initiatives, events and incentives in 2018 that should appeal to both parents and the general public living in the Etoy region.

Swimming pool and fitness center now open to the public!

One initiative, which is sure to be a huge hit with sports enthusiasts is the opening of the school’s enormous new Pool and Sports Center to the public on Sundays. Between 8h and 12h, adults can now pay a one-off fee of just Fr. 8.- to access the pool and Fr. 15.- for the fitness center or a 10-entry pass for each priced at Fr. 70.- and Fr. 130.- respectively.  The student and child rate for 4 to 15 year olds is less at Fr. 5.- for the pool and Fr. 10.- for the fitness center.

Other facilities can also be booked 7 days in advance, with costs ranging from Fr. 30.- for outdoor tennis and basketball courts, up to Fr. 100.- for the gymnastics hall and Fr. 120.- for the outdoor football pitch. Reservations can be made via email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or telephone (021 805 32 43). Click here for more information.