ONE DOWN

This morning I had my first IB exam (if you ignore the two french exams I have already done...)
I am officially finished Peace and Conflicts.
It feels wonderful!

But as exciting as it is to have finished one of my five exams, I still have four to go.
The real work begins now.
It will be two weeks of intense work.

Thirteen days left!!!!!!!

Last day of codes!

Today was my last day of highschool classes ever!

hopefully.


And in approximately 21 days I will be done my exams and finished with highschool!!!

Study time!

The IB exams are frighteningly close and the 2nd years have fallen into study hibernation. It has suddenly become either very easy to find people (because they are always working in their carrel unit) or impossible (they are always working in a hidden carrel unit). I have made a new home in the carrel unit S-14 (aka the 'brit carrel unit' - because 7/8 of the people in it are british) It is (in my humble opinion) the best carrel unit: we have a heater, a window seat with cushions, a kettle, tea, a biscuit jar, recyling shelves and amazing study diagrams all over the walls and ceilings. This is my desk: All my study charts:

Now that these vocab words and equations adorn my walls, I am hoping I will learn them.

A week and a half to the ib!!!

Fire!

Today during fifth code, Sunley house caught fire. Luckily everyone is safe and no one was injured. However, three dorms have been completely and utterly destroyed - and the rest they are unsure about at the moment. However, they are guessing that 7 will suffer from sever water and smoke damage and three will only have minimal damage (relative to the rest of the house). The dorm of Hannah (one of my closest friends) has been completely destroyed - clothes, notes, photos, computer - everything is gone. It is has been a very intense day. But our school has reacted well so far. Sunley house is a bit on shock, but all the students have pitched in to help them out. We have collected piles of clothing, shoes and toiletries. The sunley students have been moved into the house and people are helping them fill their new corners with all of the essentials (including lots of chocolate and hugs). They aren't allowed into their house yet, but I have gone to see it, and it is pretty alarming. No roof. Smashed windows. Gaping holes. Exposed brick. It is the type of thing that you always hear about, but never think will happen. However, I am just proud of how we have been able to come together and support each other. We don't know what caused it, or what exactly will happen next, but I have complete faith in the administration and in my fellow students. I am proud to be an AC student. Two news articles: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/04/12/blaze-outbreak-at-vale-college-91466-28507463/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-13054490

John Walmsley

Today our school finally announced the new principal: John Walmsley He is currently head of a Quaker school called Sidcot in North Somerset and will assume his new position at this school in January 2012.

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Stephen Cox, Chair of Governors of the College said: “I am delighted John has accepted our offer. His track record of running a successful IB school for over 14 years together with his very broad experience of education in a wide variety of environments makes him an ideal Principal for UWC Atlantic College at this stage of its development and I look forward to working closely with him to ensure we remain at the forefront of international sixth form education.” Paul Whitehouse, Chair of Governors of Sidcot said: “We are delighted that John's hard work at Sidcot has been recognised by another school which very much shares our vision and values. In the last 10 years as Head, John has been instrumental in building the school’s academic success leading Sidcot to be the best non-selective Independent school in Bristol and Somerset for GCSE, A Level and IB. It is now our responsibility to ensure that John’s legacy of ‘happy children learn’ will continue with his successor. We thank John for his commitment to Sidcot and wish him and his family well in their new venture.” On accepting the offer, John Walmsley said: "I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to join the UWC Atlantic College community as Principal from January 2012. UWC Atlantic College and the UWC movement is an educational idea that I have been interested in all my professional life and it will be an immense privilege to lead the college in the next stage of its development. The founding principles of the UWC movement have more relevance than ever in today's complex world. One of my main aims will be to confirm UWC Atlantic College as a world centre of excellence for truly international education that promotes peace and cultural understanding and that works to remove the roots of conflict. I very much look forward to moving to St. Donat's with my family in January of next year."

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I personally think he was the best candidate of the three I saw, and so I am pleased with the decision. However, only time will tell if he will be able to move this school in a positive direction.

Japanese Fisherman Dance

Here are some students doing the Japanese fisherman Dance at our international show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXTnD2kYC-8 It is the most physically intense dance I have ever seen!