On February 5, Webster University Chancellor & Managing Director Vasilis J. Botopoulos and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Susie Michailidis visited the European School. The guests informed ES students about offered academic programs, a variety of courses in different disciplines and campus facilities of Webster-Athens. In the end, the visitors had the school tour.

World Read Aloud Day is a popular and special day of reading celebrated in over 100 countries. Read Aloud, Change the World -this is a motto of the ES event aiming to become part of this global literacy movement. The ES students read aloud in Georgian and in English masterpieces of Children’s literature as well as their own poetry and prose works.

The ES was visited by Kakha Eradze-the Director of the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement and the delegation from the Centre. The guests had a working meeting with the school director and the Head of IB Programmes. They discussed the quality of education, CIS standards at the ES and specifics of IB programmes. The representatives of the Centre had a tour around the school, its laboratories, FabLab, Mac Room, met students and received information about innovative projects.

On December 27, the European School hosted Alumni Homecoming event. This year, in addition to the traditional activities, alumni representatives had an informative discussion with students and motivated them with their expertise. Students were enthusiastic to see and know many more things about these eminent alumni and questioned them about their secrets of a bright future. Alumni after sharing their experiences assured all kinds of help, support, and cooperation for the betterment of the students and institute as a whole. Later in the evening, the school held Welcome Back Party in a beautiful setting where everybody greeted alumni with friendly smiles. Alumni received warm welcomes from the administrators and the faculty. Connecting with former classmates, homeroom teachers, sharing beautiful memories from the school period made it a night to remember.

The European School Secret Santa gift exchange party was arranged on December 27th. ES staffs received the specially designed presents from the school administration and later attended the present receiving event in the Main Hall. After the gifts have been handed out and opened the recipients guessed who their Secret Santa was. Secret Santa became a fun and entertaining way to get in the Christmas spirit and get to know each other better.

Traditionally, the Christmas exhibition of students’ works was held at the European School. Young artists created paintings, graphics, collages and 3D constructions on Christmas and New Year theme. They used different materials and techniques for making their artworks. At the exhibition works of Georgian Primary and Middle Years Program students and IB PYP and IB MYP students were presented.

Today, the ES students came to school in New Year themed costumes to create the New Year spirit. They spent a day without the school uniform and started the preparation for the holiday. Students in Santa’s hats and festive costumes gathered in the schoolyard for having fun and share emotions. Classrooms and hallways are already decorated for New Year celebration.

On December 16, the Second Sumo Robot Competition –Sumo Bot Challenge was held at the ES FabLab. Students from 6th grade competed in several rounds. After a tense struggle, the best-programmed robot won the competition and was awarded the title SomoBot of the Year. The most beautiful, fastest and most original robots were also awarded. Students received certificates. The winner students will participate in the 14th International Competition on April 8-10 in Turkey, Sanliurfa. Similar robotics competitions will be held annually at the ES where together with our students, 6th graders from other schools will be given the opportunity to participate.

A play based on the Adventures of Pinocchio-the famous novel written by Carlo Collodi was directed and staged by Davit Nadirashvili and Beqa Kurashvili at the ES with the initiative of the Arts Department. Gepetto carved a boy out of wood and named Pinocchio. The wooden puppet was brought to life by a blue fairy, who informed him that he could become a real boy if he would prove himself to be brave and truthful. After this scene, Pinoccio’s interesting, difficult and fun journey started. The audience enjoyed the play performed by the ES students.