BEATING THE ODDS: HOW ONE ALUMNUS OVERCAME TRAGEDY - HUMANS OF ECOLINT THE ECOLINT SPIRIT OF SCHOLARSHIPS
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
E C O L I N T M AG A Z I N E • N ° 2 2 S P R I N G / P R I N T E M P S 2 01 8
BEATING THE ODDS:
HOW ONE ALUMNUS
OVERCAME TRAGEDY
HUMANS
OF ECOLINT
THE ECOLINT SPIRIT
OF SCHOLARSHIPS
CONTENTS
3 A word from the DG
7 8 4 Education inclusive :
célébration d’une décennie
de succès
March for Our Lives –
Ecolint shows solidarity
9
5 Connections
A second life for
our used bicycles
In Brief
CONTACTS
EMAIL & TELEPHONE 6 Sport Plus Programme:
Foundation administration@ecolint.ch +41 (0)22 787 24 00 raising athletes to
Admissions admissions@ecolint.ch +41 (0)22 787 26 30 the next level
Alumni Office alumni@ecolint.ch +41 (0)22 787 25 55
La Grande Boissière reception.lgb@ecolint.ch +41 (0)22 787 24 00 7 Breaking with convention:
La Châtaigneraie reception.cha@ecolint.ch +41 (0)22 960 91 11 quand la flexibilité est
Campus des Nations reception.nat@ecolint.ch +41 (0)22 770 47 00 de mise à l’Ecolint
WEB 8 Beating the odds:
Foundation: www.ecolint.ch Ecolint Camps: www.ecolint-camps.ch how one alumnus
Alumni: alumni.ecolint.ch Centre des arts: www.ecolint-arts.ch
Institute: www.ecolint-institute.ch
overcame tragedy
9 Les dess(e)ins de paix
MAKE A GIFT d'Hani Abbas
Ecolint is a not-for-profit Foundation. Our Development Associate Brian Wahlen is
available to discuss ways of providing additional support via a regular or once-off donation. 10 The Smiths: one hundred
Taxpayers from various jurisdictions, including the US, the UK and Switzerland, can benefit
from tax deductions (see page 18).
and twenty years aggregate
at Ecolint
Visit:www.ecolint.ch/support Contact: brian.wahlen@ecolint.ch
+41 (0)22 787 26 19
12 The returnees
IMPRESSUM
Editor-in-Chief: Michael Kewley (Director of Marketing & Stakeholder Relations) 14 Humans of Ecolint
Managing Editor: Thaïs Ruegg (Alumni Community Manager)
Editorial Team: Catherine Mérigay (Communications Manager), 16 Doctor’s orders
Francis Poncioni (Graphic Designer), Alejandro Rodriguez-Giovo (Foundation Archivist)
Printed by PCL Presses Centrales S.A. / Production 14,000 copies 18 The Ecolint spirit
International School of Geneva, 62, route de Chêne, CH-1208 Geneva of scholarships
Echo is published twice a year by the Marketing & Stakeholder Relations Department, International
School of Geneva and is also available on the school and alumni websites. For more information about
19 The Halcyon days
echo or to submit information for publication, or if you would like additional copies, please contact the of Walker and Tate
Managing Editor (thais.ruegg@ecolint.ch). The Marketing & Stakeholder Relations Department has made
every effort to ensure that the information contained in this edition is accurate and complete. However,
20 The Back Board
despite our sincere desire to avoid errors they might occur.
© Copyright International School of Geneva, May 2018. echo.magazine@ecolint.ch
ON THE COVER: Alumnus Chris Hutchison
2 N°22 | spr ing / pr int emps 2018
A WORD FROM THE DG
Dear members of the Ecolint community, for students who come from difficult
realities and backgrounds not represented
As I continue on the first year of my at Ecolint today, who show exceptional
journey as Director General, it is clear promise and potential, who have
to me that one of the most celebrated demonstrated qualities that would enrich
aspects of being a member of this the school and who would be unable to
community is its diversity. Since its attend without a full scholarship. We have
inception, Ecolint has made diversity, already identified donors to support this
in all the ways that can be conceived, initiative and we will be inviting others
one of its key strengths. We have had to participate soon. We plan to bring this
students from just about every country initiative to life starting with a limited
in the world attend the school, and today number of scholarships for students
the staggering range of our nationalities where we have some enrolment capacity.
and languages remains a hallmark. For the 2018-19 school year, this will
With our commitment to inclusion, our be for speakers of French, starting in
conception of diversity goes far beyond years eleven or twelve at the La Grande
nationality. Boissière campus.
In this issue of Echo we hear the stories With this project we hope to revive
of two alumni, Beti Rucamuvyuma the inclusive spirit that animated our
from Burundi and Vicky Stereva from school in 1929, when Ecolint’s earliest
Bulgaria, who represent an aspect scholarship project was launched,
of diversity from our past that is less also with the support of donors.
present today, namely, socioeconomic Those original 15 scholarship students
diversity. They would no doubt agree obviously benefited from the noble and
with the many alumni who have visionary educational experience Ecolint
reached out to me to let me know the had to offer, but they also enriched the
extent to which an Ecolint scholarship students contributed to the educational school immeasurably, with positive
transformed the trajectory of their lives. experience for everyone at Ecolint. To repercussions that are still felt 89 years
Comments have not just come from have this kind of diversity in the school later. I am very hopeful that many
recipients of scholarships, but also is as much an educational initiative as members of our community will be able
from Ecolint alumni who let me know it is a moral imperative. And it aligns to support this initiative to sow seeds of
of the enormous benefits of having, well with our charter, which is: “... solidarity, the benefits of which we will
for example, war refugees among their based on the principles of equality and reap for decades to come.
classmates and how enriching it was solidarity among all peoples and of the
to have these perspectives, whether it equal value of all human beings without
was understanding the nature of civil any distinction of nationality, race, sex, David Hawley
conflict or a different understanding language or religion.” Director General
of what it means to be alive. What is
most powerful in all of the stories I have I am pleased to announce that we intend
heard is how much these scholarship to relaunch a scholarship programme
BUILDING THE FUTURE TOGETHER
The International School of Geneva is a not-for-profit foundation and our day-to-day costs are covered by tuition fees.
The school relies on financial support from our community and partners to help achieve development projects.
Get in touch to discuss how you can help!
Different ways of giving | Support for specific projects | Donor recognition opportunities | Legacies
With your support, we can make a difference for current and future generations of Ecolint students.
Contact Brian Wahlen, Development Associate, at brian.wahlen@ecolint.ch or +41 (0)22 787 26 19
Visit us at www.ecolint.ch/support
N ° 22 | s pr i ng / pr i nt em ps 2018 3
NEWS AND
EDUCATION à l’Ecolint, le programme s’est étoffé et
INCLUSIVE : complété d’année en année. Il franchira une
étape importante en septembre prochain
CÉLÉBRATION avec l’inauguration de l’unité accueillant les
D’UNE DÉCENNIE élèves de secondaire à La Châtaigneraie.
En une décennie, l’ESP est ainsi passé
DE SUCCÈS d’une petite structure permettant d’accueillir
une poignée d’enfants dans une fourchette
En juin prochain, nous fêterons le tout d’âge restreinte à une véritable «école dans
premier diplôme de l’IB décerné à un élève l’école» avec septante-cinq élèves de 3 à
ayant suivi la totalité du Programme de 18 ans sur les trois campus.
soutien approfondi à l’Ecolint. Grâce à la
vision et au soutien indéfectible de la SASA La SASA Setton Foundation soutient
Setton Foundation, active dans l’aide aux également la Conférence annuelle
projets éducatifs, les élèves présentant «SEN» (Special Educational Needs). Cet
des besoins particuliers en matière événement, qui fêtera également ses dix
d’apprentissage bénéficient d’un programme ans l’année prochaine, rassemble des
extrêmement ciblé et personnalisé. professionnels de l’éducation spécialisée,
des enseignants et des parents pour
Chaque enfant, quelles que soient ses une journée de présentation et d’ateliers
compétences d’apprentissage, a droit au donnés par des spécialistes de renommée
meilleur enseignement possible. Cette internationale.
notion prend tout son sens à l’Ecolint grâce
au principe d’admission non-sélective et à Dans quelques mois sera organisée la
la création, il y a dix ans, du Programme de célébration de ces dix ans de collaboration
soutien approfondi (en anglais Extended fructueuse, avec notamment une exposition
Support Programme ou «ESP»). de travaux d’élèves de l’ESP, la participation
de notre premier diplômé et diverses
Initié tout d’abord à La Grande Boissière interventions.
par Teresa Nunn, enseignante spécialisée
MARCH FOR to legislation on guns and an end to the
needless slaughter of innocent students in
children’s rights everywhere, no matter
where they’re being infringed,” says
OUR LIVES – their schools. Sofìa, whose cousin attends school in
ECOLINT SHOWS “We are aware that this isn’t an
Maryland, where another school shooting
claimed the lives of students just days
SOLIDARITY international problem and could be before the march took place. “We want to
considered only an American issue. stand as young people advocating for the
Inspired by the mass march in Washington, safety of other students just like
DC and parallel demonstrations across the ourselves. This is a cause we feel
United States and beyond, and keen to very passionate about. School
show solidarity with students of a similar should be a place of learning
age around the world, La Châtaigneraie where one feels safe, and we’re
students Emeline Moorhead and Sofìa lucky enough to have this,” adds
Mareque organized a March For Our Lives Emeline, her classmate and
rally on Saturday 24th March. With less co-organizer, whose father John
than a week to plan and communicate the Moorhead (LGB ‘82) is also an
event, the two courageous young women Ecolint alumnus.
assembled a crowd of over 100 students,
parents, teachers and alumni from across The rally drew the attention
Ecolint and beyond. Armed with colourful of both local and international
placards bearing slogans such as “No media, and demonstrated once
more silence, end gun violence!” and March for Our Lives Rally at Place des Nations again the importance of our
“What do you want to be IF you grow mission and the expectation
up?”, the peaceful protest took place at the contained therein that Ecolint
Place des Nations, in front of the United However, we feel very strongly that we students will “take an active part in
Nations headquarters, to demand changes should be standing up for students’ and making the world a better place”.
4 N°22 | spr ing / pr int emps 2018
ND VIEWS
6 DEGREES OF ECHO SEPARATION IN BRIEF...
Alumni worldwide, mark your
In putting this issue together, we noticed calendars: the 2019 World
BETI
a number of unintended connections MENUHIN Reunion will take place
we wanted to highlight: COMPETITION June 21-23, 2019.
GEORGE
The piano lessons taken by WALKER
Denis CAPOLINO (p.15) This year’s Kermesse dates
are given by Anna SMITH (p.10). are the following:
YEHUDI DENIS
MENUHIN CAPOLINO - LGB: 26 May;
Finn MAHLER (p.16) founded - La Châtaigneraie: 16 June;
the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre THE SPORTS PLUS - Campus des Nations: 16 June.
PROGRAMME
that works closely with
the SPORTS PLUS PROGRAMME (p.6)
at Campus des Nations. BARRY ANNA The Consultative General
SMITH SMITH Assembly of the Governing
George WALKER (p.19) is the one Board will take place on 15 May,
FINN
who figured out a way for Beti (p.18) MAHLER
2018 at the La Châtaigneraie
to attend Ecolint. campus.
At time of publishing, Ecolint is co-hosting the Menuhin Competition, which is the leading
international competition for young violinists. It was founded by Yehudi Menuhin, regarded The Alumni Association will
by many as one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century. hold its AGM the morning of
the LGB Kermesse, on
This is the same Yehudi Menhuin who showed up in Barry SMITH’s parents’ evening (p.10), 26 May 2018.
to enquire about his grandson’s progress in maths. All alumni are welcome
to attend. More info at
alumni@ecolint.ch
A SECOND LIFE Switzerland-based organisation Velafrica,
which not only collects and renovates old
FOR OUR USED bicycles for re-use in Africa, but also works
BICYCLES with Swiss social institutions to provide
work integration placement to people with
disabilities and the unemployed.
On a cold November morning at
La Châtaigneraie, a 12-metre-long shipping In February 2018, Ecolint received the
container, kindly donated by the shipping happy news that the container had arrived
company MSC, was loaded onto a truck in Cape Town, been cleared through
to be transported by Impala Terminals customs and been unpacked by BEN staff.
first to Lausanne, then to Antwerp and Thanks to the efforts of Ecolint students,
onto its final destination, Cape Town in parents and staff, to the dedication of
South Africa. Inside: 477 bicycles, both institutions such as Velafrica and BEN, and
adult- and child-sized, donated by the to the logistical support of MSC, Impala
Ecolint community and Velafrica to the Terminals and Trafigura, 477 South African
Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN), children and youngsters received a shiny,
an NGO based in South Africa. Training newly-renovated bicycle to facilitate their
young people as bike mechanics, BEN 477 bicycles shipped to South Africa daily trips to school and work. All in all, this
gives old bicycles a second life, selling initiative served not only as evidence that
them at extremely low cost or donating go to school, thus helping them and their humanitarianism and sustainability go hand
them to children and youth in Cape Town’s community to build a brighter future for in hand, but also as a prime example of
underprivileged neighbourhoods. For themselves. recycling – for as a bicycle’s life seemingly
many children, particularly those living in ended in Switzerland, it began
rural communities, owning a bicycle can To ensure that the container was put to full anew in South Africa.
make the difference in enabling them to use, Ecolint and BEN partnered with the
N ° 22 | s pr i ng / pr i nt em ps 2018 5
SPORTS PLUS PROGRAMME:
RAISING ATHLETES TO
THE NEXT LEVEL
THE SPORTS PLUS PROGRAMME STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 2017 AT CAMPUS DES NATIONS WITH THE GOAL
OF SUPPORTING ELITE ATHLETES, IN BOTH THEIR SPORT AND THEIR ACADEMIC WORK. IN THIS FIRST TRIAL
YEAR, NINE ATHLETES WERE TAKEN ON TO IDENTIFY THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS A SPORTS PROGRAMME
COULD OFFER. HENRY LAWTON, A CURRENT STUDENT IN THE PROGRAMME, GIVES US AN INSIDER’S LOOK.
The team of nine athletes that make up levels. But Antoine Laffay has ensured that they have to catch up with missed work.
the Sports Plus Programme includes three everyone has the means to succeed via They also meet with Antoine once a month
basketball players (Limbu Mwangala, the development of personalised training to discuss any academic issues. Tutoring
Harrison Larwood, Liam Tissot), a cyclist programmes which are discussed and sessions are organised when necessary,
(Henry Lawton), a skier (Osamu Okuma), agreed upon by all involved. Henry explains which relieves stress for the athletes as
a rock climber (Christopher Breckenridge), how this works: “It’s efficient: regularly, my they know they have the support from their
a football player (Amy Wouters), a track cycling and school coaches discuss where teachers and fellow students.
athlete (Héloïse Hughes) and a synchronised I am going, what my next goals are and
swimmer (Danielle Blumer). how they can best prepare me for them, All athletes in the Sports Plus Programme
increasing the feeling of organisation and have been improving physically and this in
Setting concrete goals coordination, and therefore removing a great turn is leading to stronger results. Limbu,
The aim is to support athletes in both deal of stress”. who plays basketball, explains: “I can
their short- and long-term athletic goals. definitely feel the benefits of the structured
This is achieved through the collaboration Ensuring recovery training, especially during the last few
between the athletes’ personal trainers, the The programme also needs to ensure that minutes of a game when everyone is tired
school’s coach, Kamel Boudjellaba, doctors, an athlete’s health is not put in danger. and I still have that little bit of energy left.”
nutritionists and a physiotherapist from Training programmes and small injuries are Henry adds: “The programme helped
the La Tour Sports Medicine Department, discussed with the physiotherapist and the me work towards my main goal for the
which is affiliated with Swiss Olympic sports doctor. This medical support also velodrome season: to win the general
Sports. Antoine Laffay, Sports Director at allows athletes quick access to medical classification at the international velodrome
Ecolint, and founder of the project, is at the professionals when needed. Osamu race, the 4 Jours de Genève. This year, my
centre of these elements, coordinating each recently suffered a serious knee injury while preparation gave me much more confidence
athlete’s development. Swimmer Danielle racing. “I am very grateful to the program and enabled me to lead the race.”
explains, “It’s been a good start in helping because it has allowed me to respond
me achieve my long-term goals, because rapidly to my injury,” he says. “With solid After a very successful start to this
it has made my short-term goals much communication and medical structures project, which continues to develop,
easier to target.” Basketball player Harrison in place, I was able to see a renowned the programme looks set to become a
adds: “the programme has helped me a surgeon immediately. I have swiftly permanent fixture at Campus des Nations.
lot as I am already close to the goal I set in transitioned to a rehabilitation programme We look forward to supporting elite athletes
September: increasing my endurance. I can with regular physiotherapy appointments.” in helping them achieve their goals, both
now sustain the same effort for the majority academically and athletically.
of a basketball game.” Supporting academics
The sports programme also supports For more information, contact
All the athletes have different goals, play academic development. When athletes miss antoine.laffay@ecolint.ch.
different sports and compete at different school owing to a competition or training,
6 N°22 | spr ing / pr int emps 2018
BREAKING WITH CONVENTION:
QUAND LA FLEXIBILITÉ EST
DE MISE À L’ECOLINT
AS THE OLDEST INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN THE WORLD AND A PIONEER IN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION,
ECOLINT TAKES PRIDE IN ITS DEDICATION TO FOSTERING PEDAGOGICAL INNOVATION. TANIA GENTET
GANOSE REPORTS ON TWO INITIATIVES THAT EXPLORE ALTERNATIVE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURES
THAT BREAK WITH CONVENTIONAL CLASSROOM ARRANGEMENTS.
le moment où les enfants flexible learning initiatives. “With changes
découvrent le monde de la in the IB Primary Years Programme coming
responsabilité, ils peuvent up that lean towards giving students
s’approprier leur propre greater ownership over what they’re
apprentissage, devenant plus learning, the Learning Pod has enabled us
autonomes et travaillant deux to pilot a different way of learning where
fois plus dur. children focus on developing the skills
and tools to find the information that they
The learning pod need, and evaluating it, rather than simply
At Campus des Nations acquiring content,” explained Christelle
Primary School, a further Lonez. «Nous savons que l’environnement
step has been taken in est le troisième enseignant aux côtés
giving students greater de l’élève et de l’enseignant,» renchérit
self-direction with the Jennifer Armstrong. «Un environnement
Learning Pod – a research intelligemment construit contribue à
initiative led by Technology l’apprentissage ; dans ce cas particulier, il
for Learning Coordinator favorise l’esprit d’initiative et le sentiment
Classes modulables Jennifer Fenton and fellow Primary staff. d’autodétermination des élèves en rendant
A l’Ecole primaire de La Châtaigneraie, c’est Over a period of five weeks, a group of visible leur apprentissage et en favorisant
la classe modulable qui est en cours d’essai 28 students in years 3 to 6, guided by five le développement des compétences
sous l’impulsion de l’enseignante Carole Ly. teachers (or ‘mentors’), co-created their essentielles à la démocratie – celles du
Ainsi, à la place d’avoir tous les yeux tournés curriculum in such a way that it aligned with service à et de la responsabilité envers les
vers le tableau, les élèves peuvent choisir the conceptual understandings that their individus et les groupes».
leur place à l’un des nombreux postes de year level would be doing and connected
travail répartis dans la pièce. Ceux-ci sont with each individual’s passion. Through
aussi nombreux qu’ils sont variés : une self-directed learning and self-assessment,
table basse avec des coussins tout autour students would plan their week, breaking
posés sur un tapis bien moelleux ; une ligne down their plan for the day based on
de sièges-ballons nichés sous une série learning goals in maths and literacy that
de bureaux triangulaires ; un ensemble de they set for themselves under the guidance
fauteuils dépareillés, aussi commodes les of their mentors. This enabled the children
uns que les autres ; les bureaux d’école to know what they needed to learn next in
traditionnels avec leur ensemble de order to move forward in their learning curve
chaises ou tabourets ; et même un canapé while improving their time management At Ecolint, education is about empowering
dissimulé dans un coin de la pièce pour skills, their organisational choices and other students to become great human beings,
ceux qui cherchent un espace tranquille. soft skills. While the Learning Pod was and knowing who you are and making
Et le choix ne s’arrête pas là, car les carried out on a trial basis for a short period, the right choices is central to that. With
élèves doivent également choisir avec qui it nonetheless yielded a vast amount of teachers such as Carole Ly and Jennifer
travailler en fonction des tâches à accomplir data that can now be examined further in Fenton who nurture self-esteem,
durant la journée. Ainsi, en réfléchissant order to see what structures worked and motivation for learning and responsibility
à leurs propres forces et faiblesses et en establish which elements of the Pod can be by valuing the diverse learning needs and
en assumant la responsabilité, les élèves incorporated into regular teaching. methods of each student, Ecolint is helping
s’associent naturellement en équipes Both Jennifer Armstrong and Christelle shape students who are stronger, better
complémentaires. Pour Carole, le rôle de Lonez, School Principals at La Châtaigneraie equipped and more mindful to deal with
l’enseignant doit être celui d’un facilitateur Primary and Campus des Nations Primary the challenges of the future.
ou d’un coach plutôt que d’un policier. Dès respectively, have strongly supported these
N ° 22 | s pr i ng / pr i nt em ps 2018 7
BEATING THE ODDS:
HOW ONE ALUMNUS
OVERCAME TRAGEDY
CHRIS HUTCHISON GRADUATED FROM LA CHÂTAIGNERAIE IN 2009. HE PASSED HIS IB WITH SUCCESS, AND
WAS READY FOR UNIVERSITY IN SEPTEMBER. A TYPICAL ECOLINT GRADUATE, INTERESTED IN A THOUSAND
DIFFERENT THINGS, LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SUMMER IN GENEVA BEFORE HEADING OFF.
THEN A SPLIT-SECOND DECISION CHANGED THE COURSE OF HIS LIFE. THAIS RUEGG CAUGHT UP
WITH THE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR.
Chris often refers to it as his own “butterfly Visiting his
effect” moment: he simply leaned against a alma mater
stopped train at the Nyon train station. The Chris visited La
next thing he knew, he was waking up to Châtaigneraie at
doctors in a hospital telling him he had lost both the end of January
his legs in a train accident. The train had pulled to share his story
away suddenly, pulling him underneath it, with a class of
sectioning off his legs and leaving him blind in young students
one eye. Quite some news for a 17 year-old. who dream of
starting their
Thoughts on recovery own companies
Today, nine years after the accident, Chris someday. “Always
has two prosthetic legs, and walks on his make sure you are
own with the help of crutches. His journey talking to people
towards healing is an inspiring one, and who know more
it is filled with philosophical insight. “Life than you do,”
is beautiful,” Chris says. “And life is also Jil Robinson, Chris Hutchison, Beatrice Hoesli, and Ian Smith at La Chât Chris encouraged.
suffering. I strive towards appreciating every “It’s always
moment; even when it’s a not a pleasant important to rely
moment, I try to derive joy from it. When Out of the ashes on the knowledge of specialists. There’s
you are suffering in a way that others can In 2013, Chris and his father founded Prosfit, no use in re-inventing the wheel.”
clearly see, it becomes a conduit for deeper a company that provides below-knee 3D
discussion. People start telling me their printed prosthetic sockets. “The idea for The students sat in attentive silence, taking
stories all the time.” Prosfit started with a mind-map scrawled on in the words of the young entrepreneur who
A3 paper,” explains Chris, “after a physically had walked the same halls, interacted with
Chris often talks about the “lizard brain,” uncomfortable plane ride back from South the same teachers, and faced the same
and how he used the tough, single-minded, America, during which my legs were in challenges as they do daily. Chris spoke
“need-my-next-fix” mechanisms that can constant pain owing to ill-fitting sockets.” with humour and transparency about being
so often be employed negatively by human Chris and his father worked relentlessly out a double-amputee. He passed around his
beings, to overcome his situation. “I was of their apartment for a year, doing research, prosthesis, explaining to the students the kind
dealing with extremely heavy phantom getting prototype software, putting together of difference a good socket-fitting makes, and
pains, and being given very strong opiates,” a clinical investigation, and proactively making how 3D printing has made the process so
he explains. “But I knew I needed to be at connections. much easier. Students lined up to thank him at
Saint Andrews in less than a year (they had the end of his talk, saying they’d been inspired,
deferred my entrance by a year). I needed a The project found investors in the emerging and asking if they could stay in touch to ask for
clear mind and a healed body.” Chris put his community of entrepreneurs in Bulgaria, advice for their own business ideas.
drive to work: he stopped the pain medicine, where the family resettled after the
from one day to the next, experiencing accident, and Prosfit was officially launched. As Chris left the campus, heading towards
screaming pain and symptoms close to those “I still can’t believe no one else had the his next meeting, this time with Swiss
of a heroin withdrawal, coming out stronger idea before us. If you have an idea, and television, he confided with a smile: “You
than ever, and learning to walk again in record it’s a good one, there’s no telling how far it know the funny thing is, the IB is probably
time. “That drive had always been there. But can go. If you work at it hard enough, and the hardest thing these students will ever do.
the accident gave me a positive channel for connect with the right people, it could really It’s certainly been the hardest thing I’ve ever
it, and I’ve been able to put that same energy become something viable,” says Chris with done; setting up my company was easy in
into creating my own business.” a gleam in his eye. comparison!”
8 N°22 | spr ing / pr int emps 2018
LES DESS(E)INS DE PAIX
D’HANI ABBAS
C’EST UN PROFESSEUR PEU ORDINAIRE QUI DONNE DES COURS AUX ÉLÈVES DE L’ECOLINT.
EN MAI 2014, IL REÇOIT DES MAINS DE KOFI ANNAN LE PRIX INTERNATIONAL DU DESSIN DE PRESSE.
CATHERINE MÉRIGAY PART À LA RENCONTRE DE CE SYRIEN EN EXIL À GENÈVE.
Par la grande qualité
de son enseignement, Hani Abbas teaches the art of cartooning
cette école façonne to students at LGB. Exiled from Syria
les hommes et les since 2012, for drawing a cartoon of a
femmes de demain. soldier breaking ranks to smell a flower
De nombreuses representing the Syrian revolution, Hani
décisions seront continues to denounce the suffering in
entre leurs mains. Syria from his home in Geneva.
C’est pourquoi il
est extrêmement Hani shares his stories with students, and
important pour moi often brings up those which oppose war
En 2014, Hani Abbas reçoit le prix international du dessin de de leur parler de paix, through art, music, painting and poetry.
presse des mains de Kofi Annan et en présence du maire de de justice et de liberté These stories stay with students, and move
Genève, Guillaume Barazzone (photo: cartooningforpeace.org) them to work towards peace in a variety of
d’expression.
different ways. Hani has just released his
Sur son dessin le plus connu, un soldat Parfois, je leur raconte des histoires first book, and will soon be exhibiting his
rompt les rangs pour respirer une fleur édifiantes sur des gens que je connais ou je works in several European cities.
symbolisant la révolution syrienne… leur parle de mon parcours. Nous évoquons
Voilà le «crime» qui a valu à Hani Abbas ceux qui s’opposent à la guerre à travers l’art,
d’être menacé par le régime de Damas et la musique, la peinture, le chant et la poésie.
contraint à l’exil en 2012. Depuis Genève, Ces récits restent ancrés dans les mémoires;
le dessinateur continue à dénoncer les ils sont de véritables leçons et motivent
souffrances du peuple syrien. Armé de à s’engager. Lorsque je parle aux élèves,
son seul crayon. j’observe leurs réactions et leur manière de
s’impliquer dans le récit. Je leur demande
Votre famille a vécu l’exil sur trois ensuite de dessiner ce qu’ils ont ressenti et
générations : votre père a fui la Palestine ils l’expriment magnifiquement.
et vous avez dû quitter la Syrie avec
votre épouse et votre fils Madj. Parvenez-vous à transmettre l’espoir au
Comment abordez-vous avec lui peuple syrien à travers
ce lourd héritage ? la publication de vos dessins?
Mon père avait quatre ans lorsqu’il a fui la J’ai beaucoup d’amis en Syrie et beaucoup
Palestine avec sa famille. Mon fils avait le d’abonnés sur ma page Facebook. Nous
même âge lorsque nous avons quitté la partageons notre espoir. L’année dernière,
Syrie. La même scène s’est répétée… j’ai j’ai organisé des expositions de mes
incarné la version 2012 de mon grand-père travaux, notamment à Alep, sous les
portant mon père dans ses bras. bombardements. Mes dessins ont été
publiés dans un magazine distribué dans les
Malheureusement, mon fils se souvient zones libres de Syrie. Nous échangeons des
Publié en 2012 sur Facebook, ce dessin
encore de la guerre et de ces images messages tous les jours et j’essaie d’aider provoque la colère du régime de Damas
cruelles. J’espère que le temps soignera ses autant que possible. et contraint son auteur à l’exil.
souvenirs et le fera oublier. Nous discutons
de nos origines et de nos racines, de cette Quels sont vos projets futurs?
identité que la guerre a essayé de nous voler. J’ai publié mon premier livre il y a un mois.
Nous espérons pouvoir un jour retourner Il rassemble des textes et des dessins sur Retrouvez Hani Abbas sur Facebook
dans notre patrie. la révolution, la liberté et l’asile politique. Je ou sur le site de la fondation
vais monter des expositions et proposer des Dessins pour la paix:
Vous enseignez le dessin de presse aux séances de dédicaces dans plusieurs villes www.cartooningforpeace.org
élèves de l’Ecolint. Comment réagissent- les mois prochains. J’espère que beaucoup
ils quand vous les sensibilisez à ce que liront mon témoignage sur la Syrie et mon
vous avez vécu ? message de liberté, de justice et de paix.
N ° 22 | s pr i ng / pr i nt em ps 2018 9
THE SMITHS: ONE HUNDRED
AND TWENTY AGGREGATE
YEARS AT ECOLINT
WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES ABOUT ECOLINT DYNASTIES, THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAVE HAD
MULTIPLE GENERATIONS INVOLVED WITH THE SCHOOL. THE SMITHS GIVE US A HISTORY
OF THEIR TIME AND FAVOURITE MEMORIES AT ECOLINT.
The parents: Barry and Diana as a collection of large wooden cabins: an going to the library where Miss Fletcher
In April 1970, newlyweds Diana and Barry ideal environment for young, adventurous would read the children stories with her
Smith arrived in Geneva, from Sheffield, primary students! Les Marronniers opened lilting Scottish voice. Cups of milk were
in the UK. Barry had been offered a job as in September 1985, welcoming the classes distributed at break and the children played
Mathematics teacher at the International from La Gradelle into its walls: it was a shiny endlessly with the ducklings and chicks
School of Geneva. The couple was looking new state-of-the-art school where students in Mrs Lagnado’s classroom. Anna did all
forward to new adventures in their lives: were able to develop their knowledge and her primary school on “the French side,”
learning to ski, improving their French, creativity to the maximum. transitioning to “the English side” for
travelling and making new friends from all secondary school and graduating in 1990.
over the world. After 30 happy years of teaching primary “Being a staff child was interesting,” she
students, in 1997 Diana was given the says. “Many of the adults my parents
opportunity to go down to socialised with were also my teachers. It
Monaco for a few weeks, was like getting a ‘behind-the-scenes’ sneak
as acting Principal of its peek. It could be awkward at times, but that
International School. The didn’t happen very often!”
weeks soon turned into
months and the months Anna came back to LGB in 2002, to work
into two years! “Finally, in the Campus Services, looking after the
I felt it was time to return school lunches, school buses, maintenance,
to Geneva,” explains cleaning and security. “It’s quite an intense
Diana, “where Ecolint was job but the team gets to see so many
opening a small annexe different people and no two days are alike.
to La Châtaigneraie: the The mix of nationalities and cultures at
Mies Campus.” The Ecolint is amazing – I noticed this as a
former car showroom did student, and still now as part of the staff.
Barry and Diana after retirement not seem as if it would be The way children can get along, no matter
an ideal school building, where they come from, is nothing short of
but over the next six inspiring!” Retired teachers often pop in to
Barry soon settled down into his teaching years, Diana and the team created a bijou see Anna. “It’s always fun to catch up with
at LGB, while Diana accepted a post at the school, greatly loved by staff, students and them; some of them I’ve literally known all
Lycée des Nations in Bellevue in September parents. my life!” Anna and her sister regularly talk
1970. Over the next few years, they had about them with their parents. Anna teaches
two daughters, Anna and Lucy, whom they In 2005, Diana became Principal of the piano in the afternoons and has done so for
sent to Ecolint. The girls spent most of their Primary School at La Châtaigneraie where over 25 years now. She has two daughters,
primary years in what was then the ‘French she spent the next four years, followed 17 and 12 years old.
side’, moving over to the English section for by a final year as Principal at the Campus
secondary school. des Nations. “While all our schools are
Diana Smith’s class
dedicated to providing a stimulating and
While Barry continued teaching Maths at enriching education to our international
LGB, becoming Head of the Mathematics students, each campus has its very own
Department, Diana moved from Bellevue distinctive feel which makes them unique
to Rue Schaub, as the Lycée Des Nations learning environments where lasting
and La Châtaigneraie became part of the memories are made.”
International School of Geneva. Rue Schaub
and Bellevue closed in 1979, putting an The eldest daughter: Anna
end to the Lycée des Nations, and sending Anna’s earliest LGB memories are in Grade
Diana to La Gradelle, which many students 1 in Miss Hansen’s class in the La Gradelle
and teachers from the 70s will remember wooden cabins, playing in the sandbox and
10 N°22 | spr ing / pr int emps 2018The younger daughter: Lucy mathematical
Lucy’s earliest LGB memories are also in knowledge.
grade 1, in Nicole Pitteloud’s class in the Since retiring,
Primary School which is now the Middle he has worked
School. “I had the privilege to spend my 16 as a supply
years of schooling at LGB with other staff teacher for the
children, like Ian Wise, Kenny Kerswell, department
Robert Douglas, Fernanda Guerrero and and tutored
Claire Billington,” explains Lucy. “It made many students
life easier, since one of the few hard things through their
about going to Ecolint is that friends and IB Higher Level
students come and go nearly every year. Maths. “They
Being in a class with so many staff children say Music and
brought me a certain stability, which I Mathematics
really appreciated.” Just like her sister, go hand in
Lucy went up through the school partly on hand,” Barry The Smiths, early 80s
the French side and then on the English says. “As a
side. “The Ecolint spirit stays for life! I’ve musician and
encountered many former students from mathematician, my most treasured memory alumni? After a combined 120 years – and
school throughout my professional life in has to be a certain parents’ evening when counting! – of memories, the Smiths would
various multinationals, and you immediately the late, great Yehudi Menuhin arrived say it’s a mix of the annual Kermesses
notice that once an ‘Ecolinter’ always an unexpectedly to discuss his grandson’s (a time for families to get together and
‘Ecolinter’; it really is a true community, progress in Mathematics. A moment I will taste delights from around the world, and
and I am very attached to this part of my never, ever forget!” reconnect with old friends); of dramatic and
life even though I wasn’t the most scholarly artistic productions of a very high standard;
of students. The school grounds in the Diana finds it hard to retire and shake off of graduation ceremonies with famous
80s were amazing, students were very her love of children and education. Since personalities to celebrate the end of an era
privileged to have such a beautiful campus, withdrawing from professional life she has for students. It’s ski weeks and classes
with the Greek Theatre, football field, the helped to open schools in India and Africa. vertes, Arts Week, and fundraising events
woods and the vast space which students She still visits India regularly to train young for different charities. It’s Escalade, science
had access to.” Lucy is currently a member teachers and help resource the schools. The fairs, mathematics competitions around
of the Ecolint Alumni Association and works Ecolint spirit and ethos continues to be part Europe. But most of all, it’s the lifelong
full time at the World Economic Forum in of the Smiths’ lives and Diana is still able to friendships they have made, that continue
the European Government relationship share these strengths and ideals with children even though many friends have moved
team. She plays polo and has two sons and teachers, especially in Southern India. away from Geneva.
aged 5 and 2 years old. They are her
proudest achievements. So what makes Ecolint so special for
the teachers, students and thousands of
And then comes retirement
Barry retired in 2004 from LGB, but he
has never lost his love of sharing his vast
Quiz featured in
1996 LGB yearbook
N ° 22 | s pr i ng / pr i nt em ps 2018 11THE RETURNEES
CONTINUING OUR SERIES ON FORMER ECOLINT STUDENTS WHO HAVE RETURNED TO TEACH AT THE
SCHOOL, IN THIS EDITION, WE MEET REBECCA TYRRELL (LA CHAT ‘84) AND BIJAN MOGHBEL (LGB ‘03).
Rebecca TYRRELL What did you
(La Chât ‘84) do after leaving
Ecolint?
> Head of Support Services For several years
> Primary School, La Châtaigneraie I taught as a
mainstream class
When did you start teaching at Ecolint, teacher and went
and on which campus? on to fulfil a range of
I joined La Châtaigneraie in 2012 to varied but linked roles
coordinate Learning Support and then whilst undertaking
the Support Services in 2013 when the an MSc and later an
Extended Support Programme (ESP) began. MA in the fields of
speech, language and
When were you a student and at which literacy. I worked as a
campus? teacher in a dyslexia
My first fond memories are as a student unit, a speech and
in 1972-3 at the Lycée des Nations, language therapist,
Bellevue. I later joined La Chât in 1977 an Advisory teacher
(along with my sister Luci and some years for Specific Learning
afterwards Carina). Thanks to inspirational Difficulties (working
teachers, it was a period that sowed the towards our Local
seeds for lifelong learning in us all (with Authority becoming There was a real sense of belonging and
gratitude also to Mr Lee whose advice on one of the early ones to achieve “dyslexia community then, which is no less today
the eve of the IB I thankfully heeded!). friendly” accreditation by the BDA) and – remarkable considering how the school
Not so long ago, I marvelled at the then a Teacher Leader for Every Child a has grown. The technological revolution is
fascinating journeys others in our class Reader (an ambitious UK government- an obvious development (I remember the
of ‘84 had undertaken at our 30 year (!?!) funded, early intervention project that FIRST school computer) and the bilingual
reunion. There was reminiscing around targeted the 30,000 students leaving programme has contributed an invaluable
enjoyable field weeks, ski days, our brass primary each year with poor literacy skills). dimension to the curriculum helping
rubbing trip with Mr Schumann, the bike I also kept cycling! amongst many things to break down
club, Students’ United Nations and the the potential “bubble” mentality.
unforgettable A Man for All Seasons What or who inspired you to be
directed by Mr Heery. Miss Cooper, a teacher? What are the best things about
our grade 12 tutor and English teacher A long-standing interest in literacy and your role?
painted such a beautiful portrayal of Meg, finding effective ways of supporting in One of the best things about my role
Sir Thomas More’s daughter (that I was those with difficulties was an early driver. is seeing students become more
so thrilled to play in 1983) and, amongst It was an issue of some prominence autonomous in their learning and hearing
others, opened the door to Keats and his in the 1990s with the UN’s decade of later about how well settled they are in
“budding morrow in midnight”. initiatives to eradicate illiteracy by 2000. secondary. At the heart of this is being part
of such dedicated teams of colleagues (the
Are you ever, as a teacher, reminded Learning Support team, ESP, the teaching
of your former life at school? teams and Student Support Group)
There was a reassuring link with the past who, working closely with parents, are
until recently when Mr Wingate the last so committed to supporting our diverse
teacher who taught me (history, which I student population towards achieving their
went on to study!) retired. However, current potential. With the opening of a new ESP
staff, once students during my “era”, are in the Secondary School in September,
ever present (such as Linda Hull (now one cannot but reflect upon how ESP
Flesher) from Bellevue, now in La Chât and in the Primary School these last 5 years
Amanda Waxman (now Weber) part of the has contributed to shifting mindsets and
class of ‘84, now in Pregny LS!). practices towards still greater inclusion.
If inclusive societies do indeed begin in
What are the main differences about schools, how privileged to be, in some
Ecolint compared to when you were small way, part of a community working
Rebecca Tyrrell in 1983
at school? What remains the same? to make this a reality.
12 N°22 | spr ing / pr int emps 2018Bijan MOGHBEL
(LGB ‘03)
> Art Teacher
> Middle School, La Grande Boissière
When did you start teaching at Ecolint,
and on which campus?
I started teaching at LGB as a replacement
teacher in 2013. The following year I joined
the Middle School’s Extended Support
Programme team and this year I was hired
as an Art Teacher in the Middle School.
When were you a student and at which
campus?
If my memory serves me right, I arrived in
second grade at LGB in 1992, from l’Ecole
du Pré-du-Camp, in Plan-les-Ouates. I started
in the French Section and then moved to the
English side. I graduated in 2003. working as a replacement teacher in the The cafeteria used to be in what is now
Swiss public system. This is what really the Pavillon des Langues. I think the
I am one of those products of Ecolint who sparked my interest to pursue a career in new cafeteria was completed the year
speaks franglais with no particular accent teaching. Coming back to Ecolint was never before I graduated. The food is a lot
or with a mix of different ones. My mother something I had envisaged until that point. better now than it was before… trust
taught in Les Marronniers for 27 years and Other than my mother, who also taught at me! The synthetic football pitch used
I even used to live in La Grande Villa. My Ecolint, my Year 5 teacher, Mr. Barakat, was to be an uneven, waterlogged field;
fiancée also went to LGB! It’s no wonder a big influence for me and still impacts my the legend even says that it was once
that I find myself here once again, even approach to teaching today. a lake. The Centre des arts didn’t exist
though I promised myself never to return and the Art department consisted of
after doing the IB. Are you ever, as a teacher, reminded of wooden “temporary” structures that
your former life at school? were probably there for 20 years before
What did you do after leaving Ecolint? Always! I think this is why I am able to I even set foot there. On a whole, the
After graduating from Ecolint, I moved relate so well to the students here at LGB. campus wasn’t as fenced off as it is
to Scotland and attended University in I really try hard to think back to my days at now. Probably the biggest change has
Dundee, where I got a Bachelor’s degree school and put myself in the shoes of the been the advancement in technology:
in Fine Arts. I then undertook a Master’s students. touch screens, interactive smartboards,
degree in Forensic Arts, a relatively computers in every classes, iPads,
new and upcoming field marrying What are the main differences about swiping badges… Yet, I think that the spirit
Anthropology, Anatomy, Forensic Sciences Ecolint compared to when you were at of Ecolint has remained the same.
and the Arts. Forensic Artists aid in the school? What has stayed the same?
identification or location of victims of A lot has changed since I was a student. What are the best things about being
crime, missing persons or human remains The campus has changed quite a bit. a teacher?
through the application of evidence-based I find teaching immensely rewarding. You
scientific research and arts. I specialised in get to watch students grow and you see
Cranio-facial Forensic Reconstruction – the them gain new insights and interests.
process of reconstructing the face of an You see them develop as individuals and
individual from skeletal remains. you get to make an impact on their lives,
however big or small. As teachers, we have
What or who inspired you to be a the privilege and the duty to transmit our
teacher? How/why did you come back passion and our knowledge. Being a teacher
to Ecolint? also means that you learn from students.
I never set out to become a teacher. My You have to be creative enough to adapt
first encounter with teaching happened the way you teach each individual, as we
in my final year of the Bachelor’s degree, all learn differently. I really enjoy working
during which I volunteered to teach with children and I always look forward to
foundation year students Mould-Making going to work, every day is different and you
and Casting courses in the sculpture always learn something new.
department. Upon my arrival back in
Geneva, and having thoroughly enjoyed
the experience of teaching, I started Bijan in 6th grade, in 1996
N ° 22 | s pr i ng / pr i nt em ps 2018 13HUMANS OF ECOLINT
IN THIS ISSUE, WE MEET SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT ONLY KEY TO THE SMOOTH-RUNNING
OF OUR CAMPUSES, BUT ALSO FIGURE AS PILLARS IN OUR RICH AND DIVERSE ECOLINT COMMUNITY.
Manuel ARIAS Bruno CHABALET Odile SERRANO Giuseppe
Responsable du Employé d’Entretien, Responsable Novae, BENEVENTO
Service Technique, La Châtaigneraie Ecole primaire, Responsable du Service
La Châtaigneraie Années à l’Ecolint : 30 ans La Châtaigneraie Technique, Campus des
Années à l’Ecolint : 34 ans Années à l’Ecolint : 23 ans Nations (site de Saconnex)
En tant que technicien de main- Années à l’Ecolint : 13
Responsable technique sur le tenance à La Châtaigneraie,
campus de La Châtaigneraie, je m’occupe de la préparation Ce sont mes derniers mois à
je gère une équipe d’une d’événements, de l’entretien l’Ecolint car je pars à la retraite
trentaine de personnes. Je du campus, de la rénovation fin juin. Je travaille au Campus
m’occupe de coordonner (en été) et des livraisons de des Nations (bâtiment de
le personnel technique et matériel. Pour moi, le contact Saconnex) depuis qu’il est
l’équipe de nettoyage pour avec les élèves est important, sorti de terre en 2005. J’y ai
les tâches quotidiennes, mais voilà pourquoi je fais également supervisé l’installation électrique
aussi lors d’événements de la surveillance à midi. alors que j’étais employé par
comme des spectacles ou la une entreprise d’électricité, et
Kermesse. Difficile de ne pas adorer les j’ai finalement été embauché.
sports d’hiver dans la région ! J’arrive au campus à 5h30 pour Je démarre ma journée à 7h et
Ma passion : les promenades Personnellement, j’adore le ski commencer ma journée à 6h: je gère le trafic dès 7h45. Après
en montagne, ici mais aussi en alpin que je pratique aussi sou- mise en place du petit déjeuner, le briefing quotidien avec mon
Espagne où je retourne chaque vent que possible. J’aimerais préparation des desserts et des équipe, les interventions et
année. J’aime l’aventure et la bien pouvoir visiter l’Autriche salades, démontage et remon- les rendez-vous se succèdent
découverte – partir dans une pour y skier car c’est vraiment tage des différents services. jusqu’à 17h. Les temps morts
direction sans savoir où l’on va, l’endroit idéal pour ce sport. En Je m’assure que chaque repas sont rares ! Originaire du sud
partir vers l’inconnu. été, je me suis récemment mis (récréation, midi et goûter) se dé- de l’Italie, j’étais venu trois
au wakeboard. roule bien. Avant la construction semaines en vacances après
Le moment qui m’a le plus de la nouvelle école primaire, mes études en électronique et
touché à l’Ecolint s’est j’étais basée dans l’ancienne je ne suis plus jamais reparti !
produit quand mon chien cantine, mais j’aime bien le J’ai eu la chance de travailler,
Xestal (prononcé Chéstal) contact avec les plus petits ; ça a entre autres, pour le CERN avant
est décédé. J’ai reçu un été un plaisir de pouvoir travailler d’entrer à l’Ecolint. Durant mon
message de condoléances à leurs côtés quotidiennement. temps libre, je fais du vélo et
très émouvant du Directeur Ce que j’apprécie tout particuliè- je suis batteur dans un groupe
général George Walker, et rement c’est de recevoir la visite de rock. Je vais évidemment
Beatrice Hoesli, qui s’occupait des enfants ESP en cuisine, poursuivre ces activités à ma
de la création du Yearbook, de les voir prendre confiance retraite. J’aimerais aussi suivre
a consacré toute une page au fil du temps et de montrer des cours de massage et de
de dédicace à Xestal. l’exemple aux autres. cuisine française – je ne sais faire
J’habite dans la tour de La que des plats italiens ! J’ai eu
Châtaigneraie depuis 34 ans, Le jour qui m’a le plus marqué J’aime beaucoup la marche beaucoup de plaisir à travailler
l’Ecolint c’est ma vie. à l’Ecolint c’est lorsqu’il y a eu la en campagne, surtout dans la ici, avec une équipe très soudée.
tempête de grêle en juin 2013. région où je peux profiter de Je me souviendrai avec émotion
Arbres couchés, toits et vitres faire la cueillette des champi- de la belle fête que l’école a
endommagés, de la boue par- gnons. Mon pêché mignon : organisée pour mes 60 ans.
tout, on aurait cru à l’Apocalypse ! les morilles !
On a dû fermer l’école le temps
d’une journée pour sécuriser les Mon plus beau souvenir de
toits et certaines réparations sont l’Ecolint c’est la fête d’anniver-
toujours en cours aujourd’hui. saire des 60 ans de Maurice
Après 30 ans passés ici, ça m’a Pralon (dont beaucoup
fait mal au cœur de voir une telle d’anciens se souviendront
destruction. Heureusement qu’on sûrement). On avait placardé
a pu remettre les choses en ordre des affiches sur tout le campus
avec l’équipe! – toute l’école l’avait fêté.
14 N°22 | spr ing / pr int emps 2018You can also read
