EF Academy Oxford

Monthly Family Newsletter: October 2024

Dear Parents

October often provides us with the chance to reflect on a busy and productive start to the academic year. I would like to begin by extending my heartfelt gratitude to all our students, colleagues, and parents - thank you for your unwavering support and commitment.

Earlier this month, our campus underwent its first Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Private Further Education inspection, which rigorously assessed the quality of our curriculum, student welfare, and the effectiveness of our leadership and management. Over three days, the inspectors observed lessons, conducted detailed meetings, and reviewed thousands of documents.

I am thrilled to share that, thanks to the collective efforts of our entire community, our Oxford campus exceeded expectations, achieving Excellence across all areas of the inspection. This is a remarkable accomplishment, and I am immensely proud of our students, parents, and especially my dedicated colleagues, whose hard work made this possible. It has been a truly rewarding start to the year, and I am continually inspired by the passion and dedication of our staff. The full ISI report can be found here for your reference and reading.

On another note, our IB students have been working diligently to complete their Extended Essays, a key component of the IBDP core. Their commitment to this important project has been outstanding, and we are excited to provide them with an opportunity to showcase the culmination of their year-long journey. Please mark your calendars for the Extended Essay Viva Voce on Friday, 6th December 2024, from 1:15 to 4:30 PM GMT. You will be able to watch your child’s presentation via livestream, with further details to follow closer to the event.

Looking ahead, the year promises to be filled with excitement as we continue to focus on our core goals: academic excellence and personal development through a unique international education and boarding experience. 

Thank you again for your continued support, and I look forward to sharing more successes as the year progresses.
 

Boarding Update

We have had a wonderful few weeks in Boarding, and it has been heartwarming to see new friendships forming and both students and staff getting to know each other better. The Boarding Team has been introducing themselves to the students as their appointed Key House Parents and sending Touch Point notes home through Orah. We look forward to seeing these important relationships grow throughout the year.

Our Snack Nights continue to be a fantastic way to bring our community together. This weekend, Zuzanna introduced the students to a Polish specialty, Strawberry Pasta, which sparked great conversations and was a comforting taste of home for our Polish students. We have also gathered suggestions from students for future Snack Nights and received a variety of ideas that we are excited to try soon.

A recent highlight was our Mental Health Breakfast, where we invited the academic team to join students for breakfast in the Student Lounge to commemorate Mental Health Day. Over a continental breakfast, everyone took time to connect, share self-care tips, and contribute to our Gratitude Tree by expressing what they are thankful for. It was a meaningful and successful event, with a wonderful turnout and a collective focus on prioritizing mental well-being.
 

Weekend Excursions

This October, we continued our exciting schedule of weekend excursions, providing students with enriching cultural experiences. A visit to the British Museum offered them the chance to explore a vast array of international cultures and historical civilizations. From ancient Egypt to the Roman Empire, the museum's exhibits provided a deep dive into the art, history, and culture of the world.

A group of students also had the thrilling opportunity to visit Stamford Bridge, home of Premier League football club Chelsea. They experienced the electric atmosphere of a live Premier League match as Chelsea took on Nottingham Forest in a fierce contest. The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, was filled with exciting moments, giving our students a true taste of English football culture.

Additionally, we revisited last year’s popular Thorpe Park Fright Night, offering students a spooky, adrenaline-filled adventure. Thorpe Park, renowned for its fast, towering roller coasters, provided a Halloween-themed day of fun. Some of our bravest students ventured into the park’s infamous horror mazes, while others enjoyed the thrill of the rides and the park’s professional actors in eerie costumes roaming the grounds.

House Events

House Master Chef Competition
On Thursday, October 24th, our second house competition of the year - the House Master Chef- took place. Students from all three houses were tasked with crafting a creative starter from a select set of ingredients, followed by a unique main course. The competition was incredibly close, with each house delivering impressive dishes that showcased their culinary skills and cultural diversity.  The teamwork and innovation demonstrated in the starter dishes were remarkable, while the main courses reflected the rich home cuisines of our international student body. 

In the end, Osney claimed first place, Folly took second, and Magdalen earned a respectable third. It was a fantastic event that highlighted not only our students' culinary talents but also their ability to work together under pressure.

 

French trip – Cultural Experience with Didier Descamps 

I am pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for our Year 1 students. We are organizing a trip to France with Didier Descamps from Friday, 2nd May to Sunday 4th May 2025, offering students the chance to explore the beautiful regions of Lille and the Côte d'Opale. This trip will provide a fantastic cultural experience, blending learning with adventure, and I encourage our Year 1 students to make the most of this enriching opportunity. 
 

Welcome Plan Pre-recorded sessions. 

Please find a copy of The Welcome Plan here

We are pleased to share the recordings of Dr. Mark Zumbuhl’s pre-recorded sessions on the University Advising Timeline for Grade 12 students and Introduction to University Advising Grade 11.

Recording of Dr. Mark Zumbuhl's University Advising Timeline for Grade 12 Students

You can access the recording here

Recording of Dr. Mark Zumbuhl's Introduction to University Advising Grade 11 Students

You can access the recording here

We hope these recordings serve as a valuable resource as you support your child through this important stage of their academic journey.
 

With very best wishes,

A Strong Start to the Academic Year in Boarding at EF Academy

The academic year at EF Academy is off to a fantastic start! Our new students were warmly welcomed during our arrival and orientation days, where they participated in a range of fun activities such as pizza making and mug painting. The introduction of a Nintendo Switch in the Student Lounge has been a hit, with Year 1 and Year 2 students enjoying spirited Mario Kart races, bringing both year groups closer together.

Building on this sense of community, we have launched a new buddy system. Each Year 1 student is paired with a Year 2 mentor to help guide them through their EF journey. To make things even more exciting, buddy pairs have the chance to win prizes, with shared takeaways and movie nights up for grabs.

Our ever-popular snack nights have been another highlight, with students enthusiastically getting involved in preparing food and even helping with the cleanup! Many merits have been awarded to those lending a hand, and we hope this spirit of teamwork continues throughout the year.

 Exciting Events Kick Off the Month!

This month kicked off with an exciting beginner's surfing lesson at The Wave in Bristol. Students embraced the challenge, learning new skills while staying active. It was a great opportunity for new students to bond through a unique experience, and many successfully stood on their boards by the end of the session! 

Students also visited Blenheim Palace, where they explored historical artifacts, artwork, and beautiful gardens, immersing themselves in a piece of British heritage. 

Later in the month, students enjoyed a day in London, navigating the train and tube, exploring Oxford Street and Carnaby Street, and attending a matinee performance of The Lion King in the West End. The trip was a memorable blend of city exploration and cultural enrichment. 

House Events

New students attended their first house meetings, where they met house leaders and peers while learning about upcoming events. Our first inter-house competition, the annual House Quiz, took place on September 24th. Folly (Green) claimed victory, with Magdalen (Blue) and Osney (Red) following closely behind.

Next up is the House Master Chef competition on October 24th, where students will put their culinary skills to the test!

We wish everyone a fulfilling and successful term ahead.

With very best wishes,