As well as studying the traditional humanities subjects of History and Geography in Years 7-9 our students also study Global Perspectives (GP). The aims of GP are twofold. Firstly, as the name suggests, we want our students to develop a knowledge of and interest in the world around them. This means more than just watching the news. We expect them to look at the deep underlying causes of problems and then come up with solutions. This is, of course, no easy task. However, it is only by studying something in detail that students avoid superficial and simplistic responses. This in depth approach gives students an appreciation of the difficulty in solving problems and, often inspires them to start doing something of their own to help. Secondly, Global Perspectives provides an excellent opportunity for students to work together in groups, or to hone their presentation skills or to think creatively about the finished product that they produce, for example. The assessment criteria that students are judged against will usually carry an element of these as well as grading the actual content of the work. These skills that GP specifically encourages and develops are the ones that employers and universities tell us again and again that they most value. It is this understanding of global problems along with the creativity and critical thinking skills that make an international education such an excellent foundation for their future lives, this is particularly important when one understands that so many of our students have ambitions to be leaders in government, NGOs or business. I would add one other aspect to the list of traits that GP nurtures and that is the idea that each of us has both the duty and the ability to make a change and if we don’t no one will! Below you will find a poster and a video explaining two of year 9's thinking on the complex and sensitive subject of blood diamonds. It puts me in mind of the famous Gandhi quote “It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there will be any fruit. But that does not mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.” Or, we could mention T.S. Eliot in his poem The Wasteland “Do I dare Disturb the universe?” Go on, dare to!
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AuthorThe aim of this is to give you more than just a flavour of what is happening in different aspects of Secondary section life at Charter International School. We will go into more detail about what is going on in different subjects and all those cross curricula events that make the school such a great place to work and learn. Students will have a voice and explain what they have learnt, how they have learnt it and why they think it was useful or fun or interesting. Hopefully, this will give an idea as to what life is like in the school on a day-to-day basis, what we think a good school should aspire to be and the never ending journey to becoming that school. Archives
August 2017
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