INTERNATIONAL DAY - Oct 2004
You will have heard of the title “Around the World in Eighty Days”, well, how about “Around the World in Eight Sessions”? That is the task we set our students for International Day. On Friday, 29th October EIC’s classrooms were transformed miraculously into sub-continents of the world. The students of each tutor group were presented with the challenge of creating displays and activities which reinforced the key elements of the sub-continent they had been assigned. As this was the first time we had attempted such a venture at EIC, we were a little nervous as to its outcome. We needn’t have been; as ever our students rose to the challenge.

At 2.30 the customs post (cleverly disguised as a table outside reception) was opened, EIC passports were issued and parents were able to jet around the world without having to worry about baggage allowance! Each tutor group contributed so much to making International Day such an enjoyable experience. There are many memories of the day:-
7BS’s hamburgers and line-dancing. 7DT’s inventive models of key Australasian landmarks.
8AR’s array of colourful African prints and face paints.
8MH’s mixture of exotic fruit, music and volcanoes.
8RM’s Indian dancing and imaginative lighting.
9KS’s refreshing mint tea.
9TS’s Karaoke and Sumo Wrestling.
10JK’s cocktail bar (with non-alcoholic drinks of course!)
10SW’s Soothing demonstration of Tai-chi.
11EM’s flamboyant explanation of what might have happened if a certain Mr Fawkes had been able to get his own way.
11AG’s amazing transformation of the Science laboratories into the set for “Ice Station Zebra”.

Congratulations to Miss Sumner and her tutor group for winning the competition for the most inventive display and to Mr Maldonado and his tutor group who were runners-up. As Mr Sutcliffe said in the final assembly, however, “we’re all winners” because we all worked together towards a common aim: to celebrate the vibrant international nature of our school.

As a footnote, 50 information packs were prepared for parents and friends visiting the different sub-continents. Such was the support we received that supplies soon ran out and we had to photocopy some more very quickly. Student enthusiasm, staff commitment and parental support all helped to make the day a success. What a powerful combination!

Clare Morris