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Of all the themes that we are asked to cover on our website, education has to be one of the most popular. Given the international nature of our readership, coming from such a diverse range of educational backgrounds, it’s no surprise that there are so many opinions on this hotly debated topic!
And with such a variety of options now available to parents in this region – public or private, local or international - it is often difficult for parents to sift through the mountain of information available and make the best choice for their child.
Some parents, however, know exactly what they want for their child, especially if they have an older sibling who has been through the system. They understand what works and doesn’t work for their family, and have all kinds of ideas about how things can be improved.
If you would like to share your views on the things that really matter, especially when it comes to selecting an international school in the Lake Geneva region, then we have the perfect opportunity for you to voice your opinion!
The market research company, ORC International, is conducting a survey and is inviting parents to give their views on a range of issues relating to international primary and secondary school selection. The survey will address questions such as:
- What information did you use when researching international schools in Geneva?
- What were the best sources and which ones had a significant influence on your final international school choice?
- What are the key things you look for in an international school?
- Are your expectations and your child’s needs being met? In which areas could international schools be doing better?
- What is your perception of international schools in Geneva?
If you feel passionate about international school education and would like to get involved in the discussion, either via a survey or focus group, click here for more information. It’s all online, so no matter where you are, or what time of day it is, you can participate at a time and place that suits you.
And if you need any more motivation to participate, ORC will offer a special incentive to thank all those who take part in the online focus group and who qualify!
La Côte International School (LCIS) in Aubonne has just announced that it will launch a new, enhanced secondary curriculum in August 2018.
Combining the very best elements of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and iGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education), the new curriculum has been designed to help students prepare better for the rapidly changing demands of the modern world.
According to new incoming Principal, Mel Curtis, the best schools are now moving away from a traditional ‘one size fits all’ approach and are instead offering a bespoke programme of study that fits their context and their students better. She told knowitall.ch, “We live in a world where young people need to be equipped for so much more than just examination success - we are asking our youngsters to add value to the world, to change mindsets and to give something back.”
A bespoke programme combining the best elements of the MYP and iGCSE
From August 2018, LCIS students aged 14-16 years will follow a new curriculum, which will blend together the best of the MYP – reputed for its enquiry-based and student-led focus on creativity, independent learning, reflection, community and service - with the rigorous structure of the externally-validated iGCSE examination system, which is highly respected worldwide.
Founded in 1975, inlingua Genève has a solid reputation in this region for providing high quality tuition that will help both private and corporate clients improve their language skills.
Part of the inlingua franchise, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the Geneva branch has continually strived to provide innovative programs that meet the ever-changing demands of its busy international clients.
So, it comes as no surprise to hear that the school has just launched a new learning package which combines the very latest language learning tools into one flexible training solution: inlingua Plus.
Officially launched in April 2018, the new package combines traditional in-classroom instruction with the very latest tools for e-Learning and live virtual conversation sessions with a teacher.
Priced at the promotional rate of Fr. 980.-, the introductory package includes 6 private 90-minute lessons with a teacher, plus 2 months unlimited use of iOL – inlingua’s online platform which provides a variety of interactive multimedia activities for those wishing to learn English, French, German, Italian or Spanish.
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.
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.
