blog

How have you found the return to school after almost six months away?

This is my second year in the IB programme at Ecole des Roches. My first year in the Pre-DP programme was abruptly cut short in March due to Covid-19. The members of our tightknit IB community were forced to return home to their respective corners of the world. At first this was difficult and, naturally, I missed seeing my friends. However, our teachers and the school’s administrators quickly transitioned to online learning, which generally worked really well.

This year, we are fortunate to be able to return to school in person. Students and teachers are working hard to rekindle our IB community whilst also making sure those students who are still online feel integrated. Because of a Covid case at school, I was one of several students to be quarantined for two weeks. Although this was unexpected and slightly concerning for all parties involved, we were quick to come up with solutions to continue our immersive learning experience.

Can you give us an example of how you continued your learning despite the ongoing pandemic?

For my art class, my teacher put together all the supplies for our class the day before and drove it over to the boarding houses where we were confined. We were still able to create collages and work in our journals even though we weren't in the art classroom. It’s this kind of resilience and determination within the IB learning community which makes the programme so worthwhile.

Kristina

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Hi, my name is Kristina, I’m 17 years old and Russian-Ukrainian, but mostly Russian. I love skiing, surfing and scuba diving, and I sculpt and listen to music in my free time. If you listen to Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse, I already like you. I’m eager to write for this blog – this will be fun!

Because of the pandemic, you’ve been prevented from travelling to France so have been participating in lessons online. How has this been?

I began the IB programme at Ecole des Roches believing that I’d be boarding and therefore present in class. So, starting the year working online from my home in Ukraine was a bit terrifying. However, the EdR teachers have helped ensure that I understand the course content by reaching out and making sure I felt included in the lesson. They’ve also prepared additional lesson notes and recordings. My classmates have also been very thoughtful, engaging the online students in class and planning CAS projects. Getting acquainted with all of the elements of the IB was initially struggle, but now that I feel more comfortable with everything, I look forward to helping future IB students as they start their IB journey.  

 

Maxime

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Hello, I’m Max and this is my third year at Ecole des Roches. I’m French, and in my spare time I like riding my motocross, taking cinematic shots with my drone and travelling. Most of all, I like spending time with my friends.  

This is your third year at Ecole des Roches. What kind of changes have taken place in that time?

I have seen some big changes in the IB system, for example the introduction of the IB common room. Before the common room was created, the IB students would go to ‘permanence’ during free study periods, but this wasn’t always helpful if we needed to work on projects that involved group work or discussion. Now, however, we have the IB common room, which enables us to complete the kind of group work and independent research which is a key part of the IB Diploma Programme. It’s also the space at the centre of the school’s IB community and has a room set aside with comfortable sofas and a coffee and tea station, so that IB students can on busy days relax and get to know one another.

So: Zuri, Kristina, and Maxime: what is the IB blog for?
The IB blog is a place for prospective IB students and parents to learn more about the IB programme and student life at Ecole des Roches. The blog will report on our IB journey, any upcoming or current events at the school, and will provide guidance and advice from both teachers and current students. This blog will also give us editors an opportunity to express our opinions about the opportunities but also the challenges of being IB students.

How do you think the blog reflects the values of the IB?

We three student editors are going to be responsible for identifying topics to write about, interviewing our classmates, and representing the IB community. This is going to involve leadership and seizing the initiative. The blog will also encourage student writers to be inquirers, thinkers, and communicators – three of the ten qualities that form part of the IB learner profile, which the IB programme nurtures in students. This blog is a project that requires collaboration and creativity which also makes it a perfect CAS project.

What are your plans for the blog?

This blog will include classmates’ and teachers’ contributions detailing the exciting events taking place at Ecole des Roches and exploring the demands and delivery of the IB Diploma Programme at the school. We are going to use the blog to post updates on CAS ideas, we’re going to interview fellow students about their work and academic projects, and we’ll also use it as a space to showcase students’ artwork and creativity, for example their poetry. We also hope to give advice and address common questions that prospective students might have about the IB programme.