This week IEG News talked to Mr Hilary Jones after his first week teaching at the school.

'Swedish students are so mature!'

“I’ve met about 200 or so students this week,” admitted a slightly tired Mr Jones. “But it’s been a great experience. Swedish students seem pretty mature compared to their American high school counterparts. Everyone seems polite and keen to study.”

Why did you come to Sweden?

Mr Jones came to Sweden as a “love refugee” like many people in the international community. Although he’s been here 6 months, he’s already feeling at home.

“I love Stockholm,” he says. “It’s pretty similar to Seattle where I’m from.”

He’s settling in and enjoying life in the heart of the Swedish capital.

“I’ve learned some Swedish and can follow what students say in class if I hear them speaking Swedish. In town I mostly get by in English. Swedes speak English so well.”

A different kind of school culture

Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet is Mr Jones’s first experience of the House system.

“I guess it’s a pretty British thing,” admits Mr Jones. “We don’t really have it in America. I think the first time I heard about Houses was Harry Potter!”

No doubt Mr Jones will soon be initiated into the wonderful Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet world of House competitions very soon. And as a member of Pavlov, the IEG community may find him wearing the Pavlov House school tie before too long!

To find out more about Mr Jones, his thoughts on physics and maths as well as how students can the most out of the coming year, watch out for the IEGS podcast that launches on Monday next week.

IEG News spoke to 3rd Year Pavlov House student Anna Tingstedt about the visit of Ms Regina Donato Lundgren to Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet.

Anna Tingstedt, Pavlov House

Anna Tingstedt: As the seniors and I were coming up with the topics for the assemblies I believed it was important to give students more ideas of what career they can choose. I believe Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet should give you more of these opportunities and what better way than through the House system could there be? So I discussed the topic of bringing guest speakers to the school with the seniors, and the idea of bringing a guest speaker who had inspired us a lot was a set goal. A person who has inspired me a lot is Ms Donato Lundgren, who was nominated for “Boss of the Year 2009” (Årets Chef 2009) by the Chef magazine. Through contacts I managed to get in contact with her and I was overwhelmed when I found out that she would like to come to our school as a guest speaker.

IEG: Why was it important for someone like Ms Lundgren to talk to IEGS students?

Anna Tingstedt: It is important to give students a picture of other career choices in life than just the typical stereotypes for natural science students such as doctor or civil engineer. Plus there’s the opportunity of listening to a person who has succeeded in her career and seeing what brought her to the place she is at today. Another reason why I believe Ms Donato Lundgren’s visit was important is the maintenance of motivation amongst students. In order to achieve your goals and perform at your best you have to have a set goal in life – or a role model to follow. For this reason the visit of Ms Donato Lundgren was important as it fulfilled those needs- Mostly, however, it gave students the motivation to keep studying and performing to a high standard.

IEG:Did she say anything that really struck you as important?

Anna Tingstedt: Ms Donato Lundgren obviously had a lot of interesting things to say but what really struck me as important were the words: “Prepare for the long run”.

Ms Donato Lundgren didn’t start off where she is today and she told us that before you can get where you want you have to prepare for years of “flipping burgers”.

IEG:How did the students at IEGS respond to the visit?

Anna Tingstedt: The students were excited by Ms Donato Lundgren’s lecture and were grateful to get a opportunity to listen to a person like this. A lot of the students were also inspired. I don’t think Ms Donato Lundgren’s visit could not have been anymore successful.

IEG: Who would be your dream speakers at IEGS and Why?

Anna Tingstedt: My dream guest speaker in 2009 was Ms Donato Lundgren. Now like someone like her has visited the school I feel anything is possible. So I would maybe say Condoleezza Rice. It’s not that I share the same political views as her, but I think she’s an interesting person with an interesting job.

With the sun shining over Täby, IEGS News winged its way to Nytorpsvägen 5a, the home of Internationella Engelska Skolan Central Services. Here we met with CEO Mr Peter John Fyles to discuss education and the future of IEGS.

Mr Fyles, CEO

Mr Fyles: When I was 17 I spent some time working at a factory. My sister asked me if I was going to do that for the rest of my life. She’d gone off to university and it got me thinking. I went back to school and took my A levels and went on to university.

A few years later I found myself living and working in Ireland. After attending an Open Day for prospective teachers at Galway University I decided to get my teaching qualifications. That led me into teaching, Folkuniversitetet in Sweden, and eventually Internationella Engelska Skolan in Enskede in 1997.

IEGS: The Gymnasiet has changed drastically in ten years? This year it will celebrate its anniversary. Where would you like to see it in 10 years time?

Mr Fyles: That’s easy. I want to see IEGS as THE academic gymnasium in not only Stockholm, but Sweden. I want us to have the best results, an extensive queue of applicants, and I want the school to be a thriving hub of academic development. It’s a long journey, of course, and in many respects we’re just getting started. But the current management team and staff are doing an excellent job and they’ve worked hard to improve our standing. We can already see progress since we moved to Södermalm last year.

IEGS: What’s the biggest challenge facing the gymnasiet in the coming ten years?

Mr Fyles: From a helicopter perspective, I can see that it can be hard for the school as part of an organisation where all the other schools are grundskolor.

However, we’re aware there’s a difference and try to take that into consideration. From June 1, 2010 Mr Damien Brunker will be full-time Head of Academics for the organisation. He’ll be working to ensure there’s more flow between all the schools including the gymnasiet.

At Central Services we’re also working to help Dr Benedikz and her management team put together statistics and monitoring services to ensure the quality of education on offer. We’re giving them tools to make the gymnasium better.
As we strive to provide the right kind of education for the future we’re also committed to providing training for our staff. This year we brought in Professor Todd Whitaker from the US who spoke at our All Staff Day earlier this year. By working with people like Professor Whitaker IES staff further adapt to help our students meet the challenges of education.

IEGS: There’s been a lot of coverage in the UK regarding Swedish free school. What role does IES have to play ? Does IES plan to open schools there?

Mr Fyles: We’ve been in discussion with British politicians like Michael Gove and recently took part in the Spectator’s Free Schools Revolution Conference in the UK. I spoke on the Lessons from Sweden Panel and shared some of our experiences.

IES is keen to be involved in important educational discussions, for example, like the one currently raging in the UK. As things currently stand, we’re looking at getting accreditation to start schools in the UK, but whether we actually make this move or not has not been decided yet. We believe our ethos is transferable to the UK, although of course we wouldn’t put any focus on teaching Swedish (!); nevertheless, I believe IES could add to the quality of education in Britain so we’re talking with politicians, parents and educationalists. It’s an exciting time to be involved in international education.

IEGS: Finally, do you miss the classroom?

Mr Fyles: Yes. Definitely. I love teaching. It’s great fun and a fantastic profession. To go live on stage everyday and ensure that young people are learning and gaining new knowledge. It’s wonderful. When they take in new ideas, and you know it’s gone home, you can feel a great sense of self-satisfaction. As the CEO I’m not in the classroom very often anymore. You don’t get the same immediate feedback that you do when you teach, seeing young lives develop. An ex-student of mine from Gävle recently called to let me know that he and two other pupils had got into a top flight-training gymnasium. It meant a lot hearing that, and as a teacher you have more success stories on a daily basis. But being CEO is an important role and I get an enormous kick out of seeing the success that comes to IES pupils. I’m part of a team at Internationella Engelska Skolan that is changing the shape of Swedish education – for the better.

'Music is my passion'

Like lots of second years, Anna’s found the workload quite heavy and is looking forward to taking more electives in her third year. But when things have been tough, music has been her sources of inspiration and relaxation.

“I love being creative. The whole process of playing, rehearsing and performing is very powerful,” says Anna. “Creativity and expression is very important to me. Music helps stimulate my brain. It’s a way to help me relax and take off some of the pressure of studying.”

Coming to IEGS after graduating from IES Bromma , Anna’s been heavily involved in music at both schools.

“Whilst I was at Bromma I co-wrote and recorded some songs with Mr Thompson. They’re available on my MySpace page now,” says Anna.

With the music facilities at IEGS improving what with more equipment and a better rehearsal room, the plan now is to record the song she and her fellow Curie-band members performed for the Inter-House song contest.

“Dr Whiteley is organising this,” says Anna. “It should be pretty cool.”

Asked if she was disappointed to lose out to Pavlov in the Inter House Ensemble Competition Anna shakes her head.

“No, not at all. We’d been struggling with the song a bit in rehearsals and it really came together on stage. It was our best performance of that song during the competition so we were winners too. We’d never played it so well as at that show. We were really happy for our friends in Pavlov that they won.”

Curie House rocked at the Inter House Ensemble Competition

“This time I’m playing in a band with people from different Houses. That’s cool. It’s nice to do something together,” says Anna. “We’re rehearsing two numbers to be performed at the celebrations. We’ve just got started but it’s going to be a lot of fun. We hope a lot of people come.”

After the Inter House Ensemble Competition a lot of people in the school – students and teachers – were commenting on the sound quality of the speaker system in the Aula.

“The plan is to make sure everything’s perfect for the 10th Anniversary celebrations,” says IEGS principal Dr Benedikz. “There have been a few teething problems since we got the new system but we’re working on it.”
The event will be open to students and staff, old students and members of the public.

One of the things with being so involved in music and concerts at the school is that people often film or photograph the performances and put things up on YouTube or Facebook. Anna isn’t too bothered by this.

“I take a lot of pictures too. It’s okay when people do that. It’s kind of fun to look back on later although the sound quality isn’t great.”

Thank You for the Music
As well as music, Anna’s very interested in the environment as well as technology, but when asked about her future plans and dreams, creativity comes up again.

“I just want to express myself,” says Anna. “That’s what I do. I hang out with friends, study, but music is a big part of my life. I just want it to be good. That’s what I live for. The band practice is about working for something. We have a great time because we’re friends, even though it can be hard work rehearsing. Then it pays off when we perform.”

The plan over the spring, as well as her involvement in the anniversary celebrations is to carry on writing music.

“I’m working on stuff at the moment. I play in three bands right now, including one at school,” she explains. “I hope to record some stuff over the spring and then release it on my MySpace page by the summer.”

Check out Anna’s MySpace page to hear some of her music, or come along to the Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet 10th Anniversary Concert in May to see her perform.

Cupids in action...

Last week love descended upon Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet Södermalm. Well, to be precise “the Love Squad”, who dished out roses to some of the lucky members of the school community.

IEG News talked to the Love Squad – Diana Amin (S3B), Sousan Seoud (S3C) and Risha Haq (S3B) to get the low down.

IEG News: Who came up with the idea of making Valentine’s Day such an event at IEG this year? And who was involved?

Diana, Sousan & Risha: We really can’t remember actually who first came up with it. The question popped up during a student council meeting. Two years ago there was a similar event in the school and it turned out really well so we wanted to bring it back to the school. There were a lot of people helping out: there are a hundred names for me to mention however I know if I mention any names I will probably forget somebody. However we owe a special thanks to all the cupids, the ones who helped decorating the school and the baking crew!

IEG News: How many roses did you give out?

Diana, Sousan & Risha: Approximately 120 roses were sent to both students and teachers!

IEG News: What kind of reactions did you get? From students? Teachers?

Diana, Sousan & Risha: People were mainly pleasantly surprised, some saw it coming; however, others had no idea that they were receiving a rose! The teachers in particular had no idea that they were getting a rose. Although the best reactions were of those who received anonymous roses. They were clueless yet so excited.

Mr Maier gets rosed!

Diana, Sousan & Risha: An event like this brings the students together, if the vibe is positive then students will be upbeat and they will be more likely to talk to each other no matter what year or class you are in, which helps strengthen the dynamic between everyone in school.

It is also something to look forward to when coming to school instead of the usual homework. What’s more, since students and teachers spend so much of their time in school, it is fun when there is an event to spice up everyday life.

IEG News: Was it difficult to arrange everything or did it all just work out easily?

Diana, Sousan & Risha: It was tough when it came to managing the pressure; since people had payed for the roses, they were expecting something for their money.
We felt the pressure a bit. We were thinking: “What if we fail or the roses turn out horribly?”

Thankfully it all went well and the roses were perfect. I also think the most stressful part was the time pressure. We had to decorate the school and blow up helium balloons early in the morning before people came to school, at the same time as we had to arrange all the roses, what rose went where and to who, etc.

IEG News: A lot of staff thought this was a really positive thing to do. How else can students get involved in making IEG a better place to study and have fun?

What we noticed was that this event brought teachers and students together as well. As students we like to see the teachers loosen up now and then and have fun with the students. That makes IEG a fun place to be and in turn it becomes a better place to study.

So the question should really be: How do we get students and teachers involved and working together in making IEG a better place?

Basically any event which involves the both and at the same time is fun, and is almost guaranteed to make IEG a better school.

One idea might be to check with the students what they consider amusing as teachers and students can often have completely different ideas of what is fun.
A “Suggestion Box” might be a good idea. People from the whole school community – teachers AND students – could come with suggestions and we could use those ideas to create events as well as make changes to improve the overall environment in which we work and study.

Photos: Durgam Al-Kaizhwan (S3B) and Risha Haq (S3B)

IEG Latest News received an email this week suggesting we talk to Sam Lomas, a second year social science student, who is a bit of a star at the Boxing Club. Apparently he’s been helping Mr Kendrick and Mr Maier run the club every week.

The word is Sam works so hard at coaching IEG students and really shines when he is there every Thursday and apparently he never misses a practice.

Sam Lomas

Sam: Well, I’ve been in clubs before. But I’ve been active in the school Boxing Club since the first year. I saw a sign on a notice board about it and went along. I’ve been going regularly ever since.

IEG: What’s it like sparring with Mr Kendrick, who has held his fair share of boxing titles in his time.

Sam: It’s fun. But just because he’s getting on, it doesn’t mean you should take him any less seriously. The minute you slacken off he gets you. He’s brilliant. A good laugh. And he’s got all the moves still. You can’t let your guard down. He can really hit you.

IEG: A little birdy told us that you beat Mr. Maier in a sparing match. Apparently you caught him with a really good right hand last week! How was that?

Sam: I didn’t really think about it. Not whilst I was boxing. Of course, afterwards you get worried a bit. Then you feel something. Like, Oh my God, I just smacked a teacher. But Mr Maier was fine about it. He was very generous. He’s a good boxer. Very, very strong. Evenly balanced. He just needs to work a bit on it and he’ll be really good.

IEG: Tell us more about the Boxing Club. How does it work?

Sam: Mr Kendrick runs the club with Mr Maier. I help out as much as I can. If Mr Kendrick and/Mr Maier are away, I help out with coaching and training. We meet on Thursdays at 16:00 in the school gym. First of all Mr Kendrick gets us all warmed up with a good workout. Lots of running, sit-ups, and all that. Basic strength work. Plenty of running. Then we work on our technique. We look at how to move, how to get your foot work working. How to protect yourself.

If you’re up for it we do some sparring. I don’t always do it. Only when I feel fit and ready for it. Then I like to go a few rounds. We’re always very careful on safety. Someone oversees the sparring and makes sure it doesn’t get out of control.

Training usually goes on until 18:00. Anyone can come along. Sometimes we get a few people. Other times we get a lot. It’s mostly girls, though. Some of them are really good boxers. They need to keep working on their strength and technique but they’re really good. I’m impressed.

IEG: Isn’t boxing dangerous? Have you ever got injured?

Sam: We always wear helmets but I’ve cracked my nose a few times. But you keep going. Work through it. I’m pretty cool about it and don’t worry. You learn to carry on.

IEG: What with the risk of injuries, is boxing worth it?

Sam: Definitely! Boxing is a brilliant all round workout. You’ve got to be physically and mentally strong. It really helps your confidence, too. I definitely recommend it to anyone that wants to give it a try.

Team IEG and Mr Hill (right)

IEG News: Who represented the school?

Mr Hill: Our delegation consisted of Alexander Wyckoff Mähler, Simon Kendall, Tiffany Påhlsson, Edward Krook and Doruk Köse. Myself and Dr Johansson also participated in the teachers’ program of events. In addition we took along our own press team of Risha and Durgham from the 3rd year who documented the event.

IEG: How were IEG chosen?

Mr Hill: The students entered a nationwide essay writing contest. The organizers received 700 essays in total and we were selected as one of 25 schools chosen to participate. This was the first time our school has entered this competition so to simply reach the national session was quite an achievement.

IEG: What actually took place at the parliament?

Mr Hill: The students were given the opportunity to experience life as a European parliamentarian over the course of the weekend. This involved working in committees and culminated in a simulation of a session of the European Parliament on Sunday.

On Friday we attended the opening ceremony which included a panel debate and key note speaker. The students had the opportunity to ask questions of former EU parliamentarian Jens Holm and Center Party politician Fredrick Federley. In the evening the students put together a creative presentation of our school and were interviewed by the EYP’s panel of judges. On Saturday the students were put into committee groups where they worked on compiling their resolutions. This meant working until 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning for most of the delegates! Finally, on Sunday the students assembled in the County Hall (Landstingshuset) where they role-played a session of the European Parliament. Here they had the chance to present, attack and defend a variety of resolutions before voting on them.

IEG News: What were your own impressions of the event?
I thought it was extremely well organized and offered the students a unique opportunity to experience democracy in action close-up. Anyone who took part couldn’t help but gain an appetite for more debate and an increased interest in European affairs. I would certainly hope that our school becomes a regular participant at this event in the future.

IEG: Do you remember any other schools that participated?

In the heat of the debate

IEG: Is this the end of the road or do they go on to the next stage?

Mr Hill: Just four schools will have the opportunity to represent Sweden at the international sessions in Tromsö (Norway) and Lviv (Ukraine) later this year. We should find out soon if we are one of the lucky ones.

IEG: What do you think the students have learnt from this?

Mr Hill: I think they have gained a unique insight into how the European Parliament works as well as having learnt a great deal about the current issues being discussed in European politics today. Besides the obvious academic knowledge I think they have learnt how to debate more effectively and what it means to be part of a team. I also believe that they have got a taste for discussing important issues with like-minded individuals and hope that they have established some contacts with students they would otherwise not have met.

This week IEG News talks to Mr Anthony Taylor, Safety and Security Advisor at IEGS and Special Educator. A popular figure in the school, Mr Taylor is usually the first port of call for all visitors to the building as his office is just to the left as you enter the building.

'The Care Team place an invisible safety net around the whole school'

IEG News: What’s your role at Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet Södermalm?

Mr Taylor:My role is both varied and multi-layered: it focuses on people, property and information.

I am one member of six people who belong to the IEGS Care Team, which is managed by Mr Spires, Deputy Principal. The Care Team works collectively towards the establishment and maintenance of ‘well-being and happiness’ amongst all the people working and studying at IEGS.

I am interested in the ‘collective working environment’, which presently accommodates nearly 700 people – soon to be 800. Ultimately, I identify any problem(s) that may impact in a negative way on people, property and information. Once identified I remove the problem(s), or at the very least reduce it before it comes into contact with people or impacts on the working life of IEGS property/information.

I also support all the school staff, at all levels/departments. I substitute when needed as well as help various students with English. I have regular and direct contact with various external resources and agencies whose own role is to support the community of which IEGS is a part.

In essence in order to maintain and develop a feeling of ‘well-being and happiness’ the Care Team place an invisible safety net around the whole school. The net is there to keep everyone and everything safe; that net is in parts visible in order to remind the ‘people’, we, I, are there making IEGS a safe place to work and study.

IEG: What sort of things do you have to deal with on a daily basis?

Mr Taylor:I deal with all sorts of interesting challenges. I have to deal with things around the social, academic and personal aspects of the people at the school. This includes maintaining the safety and security of the building. Advising students and staff about how to deal with certain situations. I also monitor and inspect the building and rest of the property here. I also help with liaising between the outside world and the school. Often, I’m the first port of call for visitors to IEGS. I am never bored.

IEG: What’s it like working at an International English school in Sweden compared to your previous jobs?

Mr Taylor:There are many chapters in my working life, all are very different and yet they all have a common theme, ‘people’.

I like bringing ‘happy endings’ to the challenges people bring my way. The content of this chapter of my life is very rich, colourful and rewarding because of all the the people in it. For that I am both fortunate and very grateful. That said, I look forward to the next chapter, whatever that is, just as we should all.

IEG: What one thing do you think would improve the day-to-day life at IEG?

Mr Taylor:To build more long-lasting and mutually beneficial bridges of ‘communication and respect’ between people.

IEG: What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role at the school?

Mr Taylor:Helping to develop the confidence and knowledge in people to be master bridge builders of communication and respect.

This week IEG News talks to Nazli Pirayehgar, a third year social science student who has featured in the promotional material for Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet whilst she’s been at the school.

IEG: You’ve been the face of IEG for the school’s publicity material for three years now. What’s that been like?

'I will remember the 5-Minute Rule'

IEG: Has anything weird or funny happened because your face has been on posters on the underground, across the city and now even on Spotify?

Nazli: Not necessarily anything weird. But I think it is funny when friends, teachers as well as people I don’t know ask me how much I got paid! I always answer with a confusing tone: “I’m just a student who has been given the opportunity to be the “face” of IEG for most of the school’s advertising material.” I have really enjoyed it so that it more than enough for me.

IEG: With Open House coming up on January 28, what advice would you give to students coming along to visit IEG?

Nazli: If you are a student who is motivated about studying and interested in a school with a high academic standard which prepares you for university – you should definitely apply for IEG. However, you should not be afraid by the fact that the education is taught in English. Lots of students who start at Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet do not come from English-speaking families or have previously studied in English so you shouldn’t worry. After a couple of months everyone is confident with studying in English!

IEG: You’re House Captain for King House? What does that entail?

Nazli: This is my first term as House Captain for King, so I haven’t really got started yet. However, I believe a House Captain should be a role model, a supportive senior and organize
different activities, such as assemblies.

IEG: What do you think you’ll remember most about IEG looking back?

Nazli: Haha, I will remember how loud me and my friends were everyday in the lunch room and how every single teacher over the course of three years has told us to keep our voices down. I will definitely remember all the wonderful friends I met at IEG and all the teachers who inspired me. I will remember the “5-Minute Rule” and how annoying it was when you were 6 minutes late. Last but not least, I will remember what a talent Mr. Spires has for screaming in the aula. I think I really will miss the whole IEG package!

The introduction of the House system at the start of last year at IEG was met with both delight and some skepticism by students and staff. This week, a year and a term on, IEG News talked to Mr Knox, Housemaster of Pavlov House about the House system.

Mr Knox, Pavlov's Housemaster

Mr Knox: In some ways it’s about bringing another level of Student Care to the school. Being part of a House gives students the opportunity to grow as a community, giving them support and as well as a strong sense of group cohesion. But more than that, belonging to a House helps students develop skills that will serve them well in later life. For example, the passion and dedication that students show taking part in House activities is very easily transferable to the real world. It’s a great training for the real world. You could see that in the way students took part in the recent Inter-House Debating Competition. There they were up there on stage striving to do their best for their House. It helps to create a wonderful sense of spirit in the school.

IEG: JK Rowling’s Harry Potter novels are often mentioned when explaining the House system to new or potential students. What have you got to say about that?

Mr Knox: I’m not massively familiar with the books but I do think they romanticize the House system slightly. And perhaps because of the private British school connotation of the books, it makes it sound like it’s very snobbish. But that’s not what belonging to a House is about. IEG isn’t trying to be some fake private school. Like I said, belonging to a House is about community, team-spirit, and unique sense of togetherness. Teachers at IEG don’t just teach their subject. Through the House system they’re helping to develop other kinds of skills in students – like leadership, teamwork, competitiveness and resilience – that you need to get on in the real world.

IEG: You yourself went through the English school system and were part of a House. What did it mean to you?

Mr Knox: It was incredibly important to me. Looking back I can see that a lot of the skills that have helped me get on in my career have come from that. My House taught me to be open to knew ways of thinking; to have a sense of personal discipline. It was also a great way of having fun together. School isn’t just about academic pursuits and goals. Students need rewards, too, and to feel that taste of success. You can get that through participating in House activities. That was very evident in the way the students responded to the House Sports Day as well as the Debate Competition. There was such a buzz around the place.

IEG: The House system is pretty new at IEG. Where do we go from here?

Mr Knox: We’re getting there. Dr Benedikz and Mr Spires are firmly behind this and realise that we’re laying the foundations for years to come. Students and staff are learning more about what it means to be in a House and work for your House as they go along. I was chuffed to hear about the student who went to IES Täby and told the 9th graders there that he was initially dubious about being in a House but then explained how great it really is. You can’t get a better recommendation of it than that. It’s great to see how it is really starting to mean something to students and staff. The fact that Mr Presland and Mr Olson showed up to the Staff Christmas Dinner wearing their Pavlov House tie shows that staff are also taking pride in it too. Each House is a growing community; I believe that the more we put into the House system, the more we’ll get out of them. It’s been a leap of faith, initially, but this term I think we’ve really started to see the benefits. It’s just the beginning but it’s so exciting to be part of this. The House system is one of the things that makes Internationella Engelska Gymnasiet unique.

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If you have any questions about the House system, feel free to post them in the comments section below.