Private education is the theme of two new mini-exhibitions to be launched in Geneva and Lausanne next month.
Called EduKid, the exhibitions will take place on 1 February at the Casino de Montbenon in Lausanne, and 8 February at the Novotel Hotel in Geneva.
Given the huge competition that now exists between local schools, especially within the private sector, these new exhibitions have been set up to help clarify for parents the wide range of options that are now available to families living in this region.
EduKid exhibition manager, Alex Herren, told knowitall.ch, "EduKid is targeted at parents who want the very best for their kids, and who realise that a good education is the key to success when it comes to accessing the world of work. The exhibition will also help parents find alternative solutions for those children who are experiencing difficulties at school."
A new Montessori school will open in Nyon on 9 January 2017, catering for both expats and locals.
Conveniently situated in the new La Petite Prairie development, half way between Nyon train station and the A1 motorway, The Secret of Childhood Montessori school will offer a full-time school programme for children aged 3 to 6 years. The curriculum will follow the HarmoS standard that has been adopted by all French-speaking cantons in Switzerland and which facilitates the transition to the public school system.
When the school opens in January, there will be two teachers on the staff, one English-speaking and one French-speaking, both with diplomas awarded by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and many years of experience as teachers in a Montessori environment.
Catherine McKeever has been appointed as the new Head of School at GEMS World Academy Switzerland (GWAS), succeeding Audrey Peverelli.
With a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Educational Management as well as a postgraduate Certificate of Education, Catherine draws on solid international experience gained from teaching at different schools in California, London, Dubai and now in Switzerland.
Specialized in school improvement and the development of school leadership, she focuses on empowering schools by applying simple but efficient protocols. “It is important to enable schools to make changes on their own. This leads to more and more adjustments and improvements coming from within the school and from the teachers themselves”, Catherine explains.
The environment surrounding GEMS World Academy is already very familiar to her: After having spent over 20 years in London, Catherine joined GEMS Jumeirah Primary School in Dubai in 2014, holding the position of the school Principal for two years. According to Catherine, working for GEMS World Academy is an excellent opportunity to further apply her strategies and methods within a much broader, international environment.
Enter our competition to win a free place for your child on a year-long course scheduled for one hour per week (subject to availability)
With the addition of new creative classes this autumn, plus the launch of its new Wednesday PLUS programme announced recently on our website, Key English School now offers a wide range of courses, designed to help anglophone kids develop key English skills within a fun and interactive environment. Part of the ASC Education Group, Key English School has always had an excellent reputation for its high quality language courses and first started offering English classes back in 2007.
For those who like creative writing, there is a new class in Geneva this September for 11-14 year old anglophones, run by dynamic teachers, trained in using effective strategies and techniques to help motivate, develop and challenge young writers.
Another popular course returning this year for kids in the 11-14 age range is “Speak Up!”, where students are given the opportunity to discuss, debate, present and express themselves in everyday situations. Describing the course to knowitall.ch, Key English School Director, Sarah Pralong, told us, “Parents love this course as they get to see their kids’ confidence grow just as quickly as their knowledge in these classes!”
La Côte International School in Aubonne will open a new class 0 for children aged 24 – 36 months in September 2016.
As with all the school’s Foundation Stage classes, ‘Foundation 0’ staff will be working within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidelines based on the English National Curriculum. Practitioners will provide an enabling and nurturing environment in which to guide the children through their varying stages of development within all areas of learning. The school's aim is to provide a warm, loving and stimulating environment in which children can feel a sense of belonging, and thrive.
By observing and recording each stage of their development, practitioners will guide the children through play and planned activities, to ensure that they gain experiences that will encourage Physical development, Communication and Language skills, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Mathematical Learning, an Understanding of the World, Creative Development and a love of Literacy.
Alison Piguet, Head of Primary at La Côte, told knowitall.ch, "All these stages of learning and development will ultimately take the children through to meeting or exceeding the EYFS learning goals at the end of the three year Foundation Stage cycle. In addition to concentrating on the seven areas of learning, the children will be exposed to both English and French which will be spoken in class, and through dedicated language sessions. During the day children will be given time for learning through play, as well as activities such as singing, music, rhyming, physical movement, games, arts and crafts, construction, and exploring with colour, texture and different materials. Activities will encourage independence, and social skills."
For more information visit: http://www.nordangliaeducation.com/en/our-schools/aubonne/learning/curriculum/early-years-2-to-3-years-old
La Côte International School Aubonne
Chemin de Clamogne 8
1170 Aubonne, Switzerland
Phone: +41 22 827 29 13
www.international-school.org
