Staff at Embassy

Snow sweeps the UK

The whole of the UK is experiencing an unusual degree of snow at the moment: while we often have snow for a day or two in the winter, it is very rare that it lasts any longer. If you like sledging and snowman-building, you're in luck, but those travelling to Britain in the next few days should be warned that our public transport is experiencing some delays, pavements are somewhat slippery, and you really, really must bring warm clothes!

A Brighton side-street (most main roads remain passable).

Ah well, we'd better enjoy it while we can - soon enough, we'll be back to normal, and missing those pretty landscapes where everything is covered in white.

Peter Madams, Social Activities Organiser at Embassy Oxford, reports from that historic town:

The UK is in the grip of its longest cold snap for almost 30 years, and severe weather warnings are still in place across parts of the UK for both snow and ice. Oxford students have returned this week to find the city covered in snow, and getting around is difficult. The college remains open for classes though, and we hope to give you a warm welcome.

This is Broad Street, one of Oxford's main shopping streets, seen from our school's window. See what we mean about pretty?

Embassy's UK schools remain open wherever possible; students are given a number to call to receive the latest updates on a day-by-day basis. If you are due to arrive in the next few days, be assured that we do not expect this extreme weather to last much longer. However, if you are concerned about your travel arrangements, you should contact your enrolment advisor or agent for further advice.

Teachers' conference

Peter Madams, from Embassy Oxford, writes: Teachers from UK Study Group (the parent company of Embassy) schools and affiliated institutions gathered in Brighton recently for a teachers conference.

The conference is a chance for teachers to exchange ideas and learn about new topics relevant to their subject. Short lectures included: Powerpoint and Interactive Whiteboards, Wikis, digital cameras in teaching and Visual Dictogloss. If you don't understand these terms, don't worry, but rest assured you may benefit from them in the classroom.

I'm glad to report that Oxford won the Learning Awards Scheme for 2008 which involved staff learning to develop a response to the rise in number of Middle Eastern students present in Oxford.
 
We all had a great time in Brighton - it was nice to combine meeting our colleagues from around the country and learn something new to help us become better in our jobs.

Embassy CES Brighton - official opening

After a few months of operation, during which our students have settled happily into their new city-centre surroundings, Embassy CES Brighton at last had its official opening.

Guided tour of the building, with guests including the Mayor of Brighton & Hove (second from the right).

Guest of honour was the Mayor of Brighton (whose full title, The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Brighton & Hove, Councillor Carol Theobald, is something of a mouthful!). Also in attendance was Lord Tomlinson, Chairman of the Association of Independent Higher Education Providers, and member of the House of Lords. Other guests included staff from all departments of Embassy CES' parent company, Study Group, including teachers, administration staff, and directors. Naturally, students were invited too.

The event began with tours of the building, showing off its special features and facilities, from the fully-equipped classrooms to the flagship central atrium.

Four students were invited to unveil the plaque to celebrate the event. After this ceremony, drinks and canapes were served, while the guests were entertained by a Chinese dragon dance (it was, coincidentally, Chinese New Year just a few days before - and the dance also allowed us to celebrate this with our Chinese students).

Then it was time to showcase the many abilities of our talented students and staff. Brian Lin Ka Shing and Joy Yi Zhao played Beethoven sonatas on the piano; teacher Derek McAleese played classical Spanish pieces on the guitar; Assa, from Kazakhstan - and once a member of the Kazakh National Dance Troupe - performed the Kazakh national dance; and the college rock band (who are so new they do not yet have a name!) also played. In short, it was a marvellous example of a truly multi-cultural celebration - very fitting, given the atmosphere of our international school.

(left:) Guests watch the Chinese Dragon dance with admiration.

See more photographs on our Facebook page for Embassy CES in the UK.

Meet Brighton's new Social Organiser

One of the great advantages of the recent merger of Embassy CES and Bellerbys College into the new Brighton Study Centre is that all students now have access to double the number of very talented and enthusiastic staff.

None comes more talented or enthusiastic than Fi Orlando, the new Social Organiser for the combined centre. Fi is originally from São José dos Campos in Brazil where he attended USP - University of São Paulo before moving to the UK to study at Embassy CES and now Sports Coaching at Brighton University.

What can Fi tell us about himself? "Well," he says in his perfect English, "I'm an Aquarius so I'm very community oriented - I like to be out and about and enjoy myself socially - I love the exciting rhythms you find in Brazilian music. At the same time, however, I'm interested in people and the different lives that people lead - that's one of the reasons I love working at Bellerbys and Embassy CES so much - the opportunity to meet so many different people and develop friendships with them. It's always a sad moment for me when they leave."

"Perhaps it's because of my love of people and the strength that I believe lies in the human spirit that 'The Diary of Anne Frank' is one of my favourite books. I would recommend it to anybody. In a similar vein is 'Because It's There' which is the story of George Mallory, a climber who took on the challenge of Mt. Everest and fought to achieve his dream."

Fi has a brother and a sister back home at university in Brazil and his favourite colour is blue. What advice would he give new students arriving at Embassy CES or Bellerbys? "To find a balance," he says, "Study hard but learn how to relax, socialise and play as well. You will only get a chance to be here once - so make the most of it in every way."