February has been a busy month for our secondary students. We have seen the "alternative" annual winter ball, chess tournaments, class poetry, many gym-sessions and plenty going on in the dormitories. While we miss our day students greatly, it has been good to see them all in class each day, and many also engaged in virtual extracurricular activities.
Here are some of the highlights from this month:
Chess tournaments using the online Lichess platform
Chess remains a staple activity, independent of the pandemic and independent of language skills. This royal game challenges brains and for the time it lasts it allows people to forget the reality around. Our students participated in 5 online chess tournaments that were organised by the local chess community and run by the Chess Academy under the Institute of Technology and Business (VSTE).
Our students showed that chess cuts across language barriers and that even without a knowledge of the Czech language they could still successfully participate in the tournaments and get integrated into the local chess community.
The students represented Townshend really well. On 21st January Jasmína (Level 1) won the gold medal (1st place) and Farid (Grade 9) was 4th. On 5th February Farid won the silver medal (2nd place) and on the 11th February Mikhail (Level 1) was 5th.
If any students would like to participate in future online tournaments, they are encouraged to contact Mrs. Olga Shivairova.
Winter ball - with surprise valentines for our day students
This year's winter ball was a bit different to usual. While students were happy to dress up for some music and dancing, most of the time was spent with games, challenges, and just unwinding together.
There was also an arts table, where surprise valentines cards were made for day students. A big thank-you to Ida and Layla in Grade 7 and 8 for helping to deliver the finished cards to students in the local area.
Grade 9 Poetry
Students in Grade 9 were tasked with a poetry challenge. Each group was given a random list of words selected by the other students, and had to use these to create a poem. Here's what they came up with:
Random words: Moon, Glass, Yellow, Goat, Lampshade
The shining moon reflecting the suns light rays like a glass sphere.
The yellow rays casting a shadow on the lake illuminating the sleeping life.
The moonlight was casting a shade of a tree that resembled a goat.
It was almost like the moon was a lampshade.
Random words: Help, Ramen, Delicious, food, Spicy
I wish I could make spicy ramen right now
I wish spicy food wasn’t as spicy
I wish I could eat spicy ramen every day
I wish it wouldn’t cause my stomach to ache
I wish mushrooms were delicious
I wish I didn’t need help after eating 4 chocolate bars
I wish I could eat as many sweets as I’d want to
I wish the mars was actually made out of mars
I wish I could eat 4 potatoes in under 1 minute
The snowy weather also inspired them...
Another day with snow
Because God said, why not
Cold as any other winter day
Dropping from the sky are cold white flakes
Every single one different from the other
Freezing my hands off
Snow
Annoying, Cold
I hate snow
Usually white, reminds me of a new beginning.
Snowfall
School gym
Over the last few months our old games room has been transformed into a gym, and the facility is now up and running. The gym is available for students to use in their PE lessons, activities and during free time, with allocated times for students, staff, and girls-only.
We are pleased to see the facility being used regularly by students and staff alike; especially in these current times where physical extracurricular activities are more limited than usual.
In order to ensure that the facilities are used safely and appropriately, we are ensuring that all students undertake a gym induction. Returning students will be inducted into the safe use of the gym in their first PE lessons, or by Mr. Daniel Williams if they are currently living on campus.
If any parents or students have questions about the gym, please feel free to contact with Mr. Scott Lancaster, Ms. Sophie Nelson, or Mr. Daniel Williams.
Dormitory Events
This month has been eventful for both dormitories. We have celebrated Chinese New Year, Ayyám-i-Há, and plenty of birthdays. Students have been baking together, having "anime nights", sleepovers, sessions on moral leadership, and dorm meetings. Click the photos below to find out more.
A particular highlight was the boys' dormitory's first dorm meeting with their new dorm mother and assistants. This was a space for all to hangout together, to consult, to plan and to share rewards. And of course, to eat brownies! These meetings offer an opportunity for the whole dorm family to get together, and we are very happy to see Maaret and the team bringing them back so quickly.