ATLANTIC2015/16
The magazine of UWC Atlantic College
Welcome
From the Editor
Welcome to the 2015
edition of ‘ATLANTIC’,
the magazine of UWC
Atlantic College. This
year’s issue reports on some of the key events
of 2015 and reflects on the academic year.
The magazine features great photographs from the opening
of the Agatha Christie Library, this year’s reunion, news from
around campus, articles from our students and alumni who
are living the mission and, of course, an update on the Atlantic
pre-Diploma - already a year in!
Read on to find out more about plans for outdoor activity and
fundraising news.
I hope you enjoy reading the articles, news and features. A
huge ‘thank you’ to all of the students, alumni and staff who
have contributed to this edition - without your support this
publication would not have been possible.
Warmest wishes from the Lady Anne Tower.
Gaynor Anne Francis, Editor
[email protected]
Contents
4View from the Ramparts
6Academic
8 Spirited Community with Unlimited Possibilities
10 Atlantic Outdoors
12 Development News
14 Reunion Celebrations
16 The Agatha Christie Library
18 The Start of Something New
20 Diary from the Madagascar Summer Project
22 An Energy Revolution in Africa
24 Growth and the Atlantic pre-Diploma
26 Life as a Houseparent
28 News from Campus
30 Staff Joining and Leaving
31Obituaries
Highlights
Mathew Prichard, grandson of the legendary
murder mystery writer Agatha Christie, officially
opened the newly refurbished library, which now
bears his grandmother’s name. Read all about
the celebrations on pages16 and 17.
It was wonderful to see so many alumni return to the college
this summer for their reunion. Year groups from1965, 1975,
1985, 1995 and 2005 came together to re-connect.
To all those who made it to the reunion, it was great to see
you back at the college.
Take a look at the great photographs from the reunion on page
14 and 15 - is there a photograph of you there?
Range of photographs supplied by
staff, students, alumni and friends
of UWC Atlantic College
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What a successful first year for our Atlantic pre-Diploma.
Students from the first year comment on their experience.
Read the views on pages 24 and 25.
ATLANTIC2015/16
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View from the Ramparts
John Walmsley, Principal
2014/2015 was a ground-breaking year for the college as
we saw the first cohort of our new Atlantic pre-Diploma
arrive at St Donat’s. Twenty-one students arrived to
live in the newly refurbished cavalry barracks renamed
Madiba House and to study for IGCSE’s in preparation
for the Atlantic Diploma.
For students to continue onto the IB course at UWC Atlantic
College they have to show that they are academically capable
and are committed to the UWC mission. The Atlantic preDiploma course has its own co-curriculum with an emphasis
on outdoors through the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
This course is designed for students who don’t have the
academic background or level of English to go straight into
the IB Diploma and as I write the first set of results have
arrived which are excellent and match the strong results we
always get with the IB Diploma.
One of the great strengths of the IB Diploma are the Diploma
periods, the conferences that punctuate the annual calendar.
These conferences last for two or three days and include
Social Justice (1st years) and Challenge Camp in the Wye
Valley (2nd years), Critical Engagement (1st) and Middle East
(2nd), Peace Conference and Model United Nations (both
years) and Environmental (both years). Students, staff
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and visiting speakers run workshops and a highlight for
me was listening to Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s Middle East
correspondent, talking about impartiality in situations when
he did not feel impartial.
UWC Atlantic College wouldn’t be what it is without the
initiatives of the students. All our visitors are struck by the
engagement, positivity and creativity of these young people.
This shows itself particularly in the events they themselves
organise. This year the TED ex conference was outstanding,
the Music and Dance brilliant, the fashion show was creatively
extraordinary with a strong environmental message and, as
always, their commitment to be activists across the globe was
inspirational.
Boat building reached a new high this year
when students working with companies in
Northern Japan developed a modified RIB
which we believe is the first to be designed
specifically to cope with conditions in the
aftermath of a tsunami. This Tsunami Rescue
Boat was shipped to Japan in June for
further development and sea testing.
We look forward to the New Year
with our new first years who
come full of enthusiasm and
excitement, keen to make
education a force to unite
people, nations and
cultures for peace and
a sustainable future.
ATLANTIC2015/16
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Academics
Kate Vincze, Curriculum Director Academic
I am proud to report that in the July 2015 IB response to our five-year
evaluation, which is a similar process to an inspection, we received
a commendation among others for offering ‘a remarkable variety of
Diploma Programme courses in all groups.’
There has been significant growth in our IB academic
curriculum in the last few years. From 2013 we introduced
Global Politics, Social and Cultural Anthropology and Health,
Exercise and Sports Science. The first two are widening the
choices in the IB Group 3 (Individuals and Societies) by
being added to the list of Economics, History, Geography
and World Religions. In Group 4 (Sciences) Sports Science
joined Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Design Technology.
Environmental Systems and Societies, a popular subject, can
be chosen both as a Group 3 or Group 4 subject allowing
more flexibility for our students in their choices. From 2014
we offered Italian and Russian for first language speakers.
These two languages joined English, German, French, Spanish,
Chinese and Norwegian. For second language speakers
there are classes in English, German, French, Spanish, Arabic
and Mandarin. In the 2015 May exam session, more than
30 second years took their exam in 18 different School
Supported Self-Taught languages.
Being a founding member of the IB community we are
aiming to remain on the forefront of education, constantly
trialling new initiatives. This was one of the reasons for
joining the Global Politics Pilot course two years ago. More
than 60 students of the 2015 graduating class chose to study
it. Sankalp Nagothu, class of 2015 from Norway, has found
Global Politics ‘a very relevant course for the UWC movement’
agreeing with Sylvi Wirtjes, one of our Global Politics
teachers who says: ‘The course’s academic rigour aside, Global
Politics at Atlantic College is simply a lot of fun.
6
Interrogating what moves
the world with fellow students
from such diverse backgrounds
makes for lots of great class discussions,
broadened horizons and a deeper engagement with what
UWC is all about.’ The debates in classes continue in the
co-curricular MUN sessions taking place once a week and
culminating in the annual MUN conference in January. This
is proof of the strong links between our academic and cocurricular programme.
Social and Cultural Anthropology is a relatively small subject
in the IB community but it has become very popular at the
college. It is taught by Mika Pasanen, class of 2005 from
Finland, whom many of the more recent alumni know from
the Critical Engagement Diploma Periods. Anthropology
contributes a distinctive approach to intercultural awareness
and understanding, making it another excellent ‘UWC
subject.’ It helps us to foster globally aware and ethically
sensitive students.
There are lots of other areas where we have been enhancing
our academic provision, teaching research and study skills
being one of them. Our curriculum provides the students not
only with the knowledge needed for their university studies
but possibly even more importantly with lifelong skills of
being able to critically analyse, inquire and be independent.
Our most recent graduates might not realise all these gains
yet but I am sure many of our older alumni would agree with
me.
ATLANTIC2015/16
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Spirited Community with
Unlimited Possibilities
‘There is more in
you than you think’
Dr Kurt Hahn
Social Justice
Making a real and lasting
difference to the lives of others
through education.
Catrin at a nursing home
in Dolgellau, north-west
Wales, UK
‘I am a member of a small group of
committed students who deliver
music therapy sessions to elderly
dementia patients and young
children living with autism. I have
learnt so much during my two
years in this service, about how
to bring out the best in someone
else, and how to make them
feel comfortable with you in a
professional setting.’
Kurt Hahn believed that each person should be given the opportunity for self-discovery and to
pursue their own grand passion. The structure of the experiential faculties lets students engage
in a programme of discovery, to determine their own pathways through it, confront risk and
overcome the possibility of failure in order to know their own strengths and fallibilities as well as
their role in the common cause. Hahn’s image for this was of a crew ‘charting their way together
on a thrilling voyage through the school.’
Students work together and learn to trust each other, whether in caring for the aged or the disabled, or in the physically
demanding conditions of mountain and rock climbing or operating rescue equipment in the waters of the Bristol Channel. Each
part of the programme has its own challenges.
Students provide an insight into each of the Faculties; Environmental, Global, Social Justice and Outdoor.
Environmental
Jasmin (right)
during the Sustainability
Conference
Inspiring students to work towards a more sustainable future.
‘I joined the Environmental Faculty as I am passionate about the
protection of the environment, both locally and on a global scale. It
is refreshing to be part of a likeminded community, working together
to achieve goals within the college community as well as broader
initiatives.’
Catrin Harris, class of 2015 from
Swansea in the UK talking about
participating in the Social Justice
Faculty
Jasmin Nayar, class of 2015 from Jersey talking about the
Environmental Faculty
Global
Actively promoting global ethos and cultural diversity
through events.’
Outdoor
Delivering a diverse and
intensive programme
based around marine, land,
water and subterranean
environments.
‘I am part of the Atlantic College
lifeguard programme, which
consists of students who train
to volunteer on UK beaches
with the RNLI patrol and rescue
guards during the late summer
season. Being part of these
activities has kept me busy and
given me the experience of
working with the community.’
Christian
during
outdoor
activity
‘I am a member of the Global faculty. We go to a local
high-school and help educate children by bringing in
our own cultures, our experiences from our countries
about politics and geography. It is a very rewarding
experience because it shows that you can have an impact
on the world, and not just sit there and receive education
yourself in a more passive way.’
Daro Nakshband, class of 2015 from the Netherlands
talking about the Global Faculty
Christian Kordan,
class of 2015 from Canada
Daro during a Summer Project
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ATLANTIC2015/16
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Atlantic Outdoors
Tom Partridge, Director of Outdoors
Experiential Learning through
Adventure Education
Having now been at UWC Atlantic College
for 18 months I have been proud to be part
of the development of Atlantic Outdoors.
AO is formed from existing academic and
enterprise outdoor provision and brings
modern outdoor and adventure practices,
safe and sustainable approaches and
interpretation of the Kurt Hahn ideals to the
students, participants and the wide range of
external groups we work with.
We are able to deliver outstanding experiential learning
within the context of the mission whilst having a solid
platform to expand, grow and further push opportunity for
outdoor and adventure education. Our safety management
standards are endorsed by the regulatory framework for our
sector through both AALA and the RYA licencing schemes
and we have a staffing profile consisting of highly skilled
and experienced outdoor professionals and educational
practitioners.
For the students of UWC Atlantic College we will continue
to offer a varied and diverse range of outdoor experiences
and co-curricular faculty sessions which will include
increased opportunity for all students to access the
outdoors. With the Duke of Edinburgh Award already proving
a success for the pre-diploma students there is a plan to
increase the provision allowing IB students to participate
in the silver and even gold awards in the future. The reintroduction of sail sports is one that is already underway
10
with students heading for inland waters to learn to sail.
Longer term we plan to use our resources to our advantage
with training taking place more regularly inland and then
access to the sea from AC and our surrounding beaches
being able to take place at opportune moments.
Our enterprise operations are still as vibrant as ever and this
summer we will welcome a diverse range of groups onto the
campus to take part in our summer programme activities.
These are staffed mainly by our graduating 2nd year IB
instructors and returning college student instructors. In
addition, we have explored a range of outreach partnerships
with local authority provisions, social projects and youth
offending departments to provide holiday programmes,
residential camping experiences and off site adventurous
activity. Moving forward we will look to integrate our
outreach programmes with our student co-curricular
sessions to allow both students and participants to
experience the benefits of these partnerships.
Outdoor Education and Adventure is a fast moving sector,
there are many updates, developments and validations that
are needed to keep staff and services current and working
to standards. As the sector grows and increases in size and
structure we will be at the forefront of developments and
standards thanks to our approach to development and our
attitude towards collaborative working, partnerships and
sharing of knowledge and best practice.
ATLANTIC2015/16
11
Development News
Teleri Roberts, Development Director
Our sincere thanks
to the growing
number of alumni,
parents, donors
and friends
supporting UWC
Atlantic College. As
longstanding loyal
donors, and as new
supporters, you
have all contributed
significantly to another successful year for the
Development Department. We remain deeply
grateful for your support, commitment and
your enthusiasm for the college’s work.
Over £2.5 million was raised in 2014/15 to support our
scholarship programme. This has enabled us to bring
students from conflict areas such as Syria, Iraq, Lebanon,
Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Malawi and Sierra Leone to study
here at St Donat’s; it is a dynamic reflection of the college’s
mission in action and of its continued and increasing
relevance. Eighty-two students at the college in 2014/15
were supported directly by the college’s fundraising efforts.
We also welcome those new donors who are helping us
develop the college’s Outreach Programme in the UK –
broadening the diversity of UK students represented within
the wider UWC movement.
Parents celebrating our students’
achievements
In a new initiative, it was heartening to welcome over 100
parents to our Leavers’ Ceremony in May. We hope you will
continue your association with the college, supporting its
inspiring vision and unique education programme.
Alumni - a crucial role
in our fundraising strategy
Our thanks to all those who contributed to the Reunion, to
the Under 10 Challenge and our Telethon. Your donations
and your regular gifts now make a very real difference to
our Annual Fund which this year is supporting seven new
students for the 2015-17 academic periods.
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Atlantic College’s Foundations and Alumni Associations
continue to flourish; our US based alumni have now
supported 11 students at the college since 2008 – from
Venezuela to Tajikistan; from Philippines to India; from
Kenya to Egypt.
Your support remains very important to us.
Keep in touch and update your details
Tell us about your stories, the projects with which you’re
involved. We would love to hear from you. You can reach
us and update your records here:
http://www.atlanticcollege.org/update-yourinformation/
There is also a dedicated area for Impact which demonstrates alumni and students living the mission. Be sure to check out the
new site and share any of your impact stories with us in the Development Department.
Please continue to support us and encourage
others to do so. Your support is vital in helping
us grow our Scholarship Programme. You can make a
regular monthly or annual contribution to our Annual
Fund, our US or Canadian Foundation campaigns by
making a gift through this link:
http://www.atlanticcollege.org/make-a-gift/
Increasingly, you can support some of our new
fundraising initiatives:
In an exciting new initiative designed to encourage
alumni and parental giving, US philanthropist
Shelby Davis has committed to match-fund all eligible
alumni and parental donations. Please support us as
generously as you can so that we can maximise this
remarkable philanthropic gesture.
Capital Programme • Legacy • Endowment
Launch of the College Website
To find out more you can contact me:
This September saw the launch of the new college
website. The new site is responsive which means that
you can easily view it on your mobile or tablet devices.
Teleri Roberts
T +44 (0) 1446 799301
E [email protected]
The website is image and video driven to support the
learning programme here at the college. There are
sections on: Admissions, Learning, the college, Alumni
and Support.
Increase the value of your gift,
at no cost to you
Make a Gift
Update my Information
ATLANTIC2015/16
13
Reunion Celebrations
Combined fundraising efforts over the weekend
surpassed all expectations - with funding secured for
six scholarships thanks to generous match-funding by
anonymous alumni donors and UWC Atlantic College
class of 2005 achieving the highest participation rate.
Reunion Celebrations
This year UWC Atlantic College graduates from the classes of 1965, 1975, 1985, 1995 and 2005 joined together on the
weekend of the 24 Friday - 26 Sunday, July 2015 to reunite for their college reunion at UWC Atlantic College.
The weekend attracted over 400 alumni from around the world and was packed with activities. The Saturday included
outdoor fun in the canoes, volleyball and archery.
Catrionia Arnold-Nott, class of 1985 from Australia said, ‘This weekend has been fun packed with lots of hugging and catching up
with friends. Some of these people I haven’t seen in 30 years. Seeing them again makes me feel 18 - that is a real gift.’
Rogier Frederiks, class of 1975 from the Netherlands added, ‘Friendships are for life and because of Facebook and the Internet
you can get together and it’s like 40 years haven’t gone by at all!’
For those alumni who want to reach out and connect with fellow alumni, UWC Atlantic College Connect allows you to
both re-connect with old classmates as well as enabling you to utilize the trusted college environment to expand your
professional network.
By fully integrating with social networks,
and cultivating a culture of helping
and giving back, you will be amazed
how vibrant your UWC Atlantic College
community is!
Connect today
Our alumni stay in touch long after
they leave, and return to the college
to reconnect with lifelong friends and
continue to help shape the future.
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ATLANTIC2015/16
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The Agatha Christie Library
Mathew Prichard, grandson of the legendary murder mystery
writer Agatha Christie, officially opened the newly refurbished
library earlier this year, which now bears his grandmother’s
name.
The Agatha Christie Library has benefited from major
structural refurbishments and technological investments. A
significant proportion of the work was funded by donations
from The Mousetrap Settlement Trust, which is itself primarily
funded by the international royalties of Christie’s murder
mystery play, The Mousetrap. Mathew was joined by Only Boys Aloud, who provided a
special performance for benefactors to the library, college
Governors, staff and students.
Guests were also treated to performances by the college’s
Acappella choir and Theatre Arts students, who marked the
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125th anniversary of Christie’s birth with an enactment of
scenes from The Mousetrap.
Before unveiling a specially commissioned bust of Agatha
Christie, Mr Prichard reflected on the library project and his
family’s connection with UWC Atlantic College, saying, ‘I am
proud to have been at least partly responsible for this library. It
has been a wonderful experience to have been associated with
UWC Atlantic College and its students - for the past 50 years.’
The refurbished library will act as an important learning and
resource facility for future students at the college.
ATLANTIC2015/16
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The Start of Something New
Lika Torikashvili and Aziza Aznizan, class of 2016 from Georgia and Malaysia
‘Paint the World’ is a youth
organisation run by UWC Atlantic College
students, Lika Torikashvili and Aziza Aznizan
Originally founded in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 2012 by Lika
and her friends, the movement started with four
people and in two years spread to the whole country.
The members of the Non-Government Organisation
of teenagers help people who ‘need colours’. The
team visits hospitals, orphanages, the elderly, disabled
people’s shelters, and provide performances by singing
and dancing with the patients. The whole organisation is
set and conducted by teenagers, no adults stand behind
them.
‘Paint the World’ became famous among Georgian
youth; there were lots of TV shows about it, among
them a BBC Heroes Georgian analogue about Lika and
the NGO. Soon teenagers from the entire country got
involved in this unique initiative.
When Lika and Aziza met each other in UWC Atlantic
College in August 2014, they were inspired to expand
the youth movement around the world. During
Christmas break, December 2014, Aziza started PTW
in Malaysia in the cities Miri and Kuching, successfully
gathering 60 Malaysian youths by the end of four weeks.
In March 2015, painters of the world had a successful,
first-joined Project Week in Georgia. Both UWC Adriatic
and UWC Atlantic College participated in the project.
It was supported and sponsored by the Georgian
Parliament (Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Vice
Speaker Gubaz Sanikidze, Minister of Sports and Youth
Affair, Levan Kipiani) and a host of companies.
In June this year, a Paint the World Borneo Summer
Project was completed in Malaysia. 15 UWC students,
from UWC colleges around the world joined together
including UWC Mahindra, UWC Costa Rica, UWC Dilijan,
UWC Li Po Chun, UWC Atlantic College and UWC Red
Cross Nordic. UWC students collaborated and partnered
with Technology College Sarawak who sponsored
accommodation, transportation and food during the
Paint the World programme.
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ATLANTIC2015/16
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Diary from the Madagascar Summer Project
Alexia Nshuti Muhire, class of 2014 from Belgium
The Madagascar Summer project was a great success. It was a pleasure to have eight
students from UWC Atlantic College amongst the community.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
The first stop of this project was in Ranomafana
(Fianarantsoa), which is located in the south of Madagascar.
We spent a week working with an American organization
called ‘Centre Valbio’ (http://www.stonybrook.edu/
commcms/centre-valbio/). Throughout the week we helped
reforesting and we exchanged with the local community. The
week was challenging as we were completely outside of our
comfort zone. There was no hot water and we had to cook
with coal. It rained every day but everyone had fun at the
same time.
We spent the second week in the North of Madagascar,
Mahajanga/Majunga. The weather was much nicer than the
first week. Within the week we worked with two different
orphanages, with children aging from six months to 15
years old. As a group we planned different activities; from
football to tree plantation. We also delivered several other
activities, which taught the children a little bit more about
the different places we all come from. As the main speaking
language was Malagasy, it was a challenge for the students
to interact at first. Later, the students found funny ways of
communicating with the children from Madagascar, which
helped them become more comfortable and open. They
were really grateful of the UWC scholars and their families
for donating furniture, books and clothes to the orphanages.
From receiving the gifts, you could see the joy in their faces.
The last week of the program was held in the
capital, Antananarivo. We worked with a NonGovernmental Organisation, JCI (Junior Chamber
International), of young benevolent active citizens.
They offer opportunities to younger generations
who develop and create positive changes amongst
their society. Throughout the week, the students
helped in the construction of blackboards for a
public school, helped cooking and entertained
the children. We had the chance to discover the
Malagasy culture by going to different host families
and experiencing the Malagasy lifestyle.
From flooding our room to seeing lemurs, and to the first
tree we planted; we left with anecdotes and amazing
souvenirs.
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ATLANTIC2015/16
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An Energy Revolution in Africa
Mattias Ohlson, class of 1991 from Sweden
Social business Emerging Cooking Solutions, co-founded by UWC Atlantic College
alumnus Mattias Ohlson, has been working in Zambia since 2010 and is now well on its
way to catalyse an energy revolution in Africa.
22
Traditional cooking stoves, such as the charcoal mbaula in
Zambia, are used by a majority of people in African countries
south of Sahara. They generate toxic emissions, which WHO
has estimated kills four million people annually from indoor
air pollution - more than both HIV and malaria. For people
living in cities, the charcoal is extremely expensive, ending
up costing a family $20 per month - a huge financial burden
of up to 15% of the total household income. The forests too
are taking a heavy toll from the charcoal production: a typical
household using one ton of charcoal per year for cooking will
contribute to six ton virgin Miombo-forest being cut down
(about six large trees) every year.
Emerging Cooking Solutions produces pellets in Zambia from
waste biomass, which are sold 40% cheaper than charcoal,
while maintaining sound margins for the company. The
company supplies a range of affordable cooking stoves using
the so-called gasifying technology. The combustion is clean
and users report saving not only money but up to one hour
per day.
Both Mattias and the other founder Per Löfberg have a
background in Cradle to Cradle-design and see their company
as one attempting to restore ‘healthy, large-scale material
flows’ on the planet.
‘Instead of people making their meal on beautiful Miombo
forest, which will not recover when cut down, moving the
carbon stored there to the atmosphere, we create burnable
pellets from renewable waste biomass, which does not add to
the carbon in the atmosphere’, says Mattias. The beauty of
the gasifying stoves and pellets, he says, is that the residue
is not ash but charred pellets. When applied to soil, they will
improve soil health and remain intact for a long time, thus
storing carbon in the soil for up to 1000 years. Since the
biomass will be renewed, adding the charred pellets to soil
actually contribute to what one day could be a reversal of
the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
With pellets and gasifying stoves, we believe we are starting
to catalyse an energy revolution in Africa, eventually making
countries self-sufficient on a high-grade fuel made from
agricultural waste such as stover, straw and grasses.
ATLANTIC2015/16
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Growth and the
Atlantic Pre-Diploma
Adrian Rainbow, English Teacher
The first year of the Atlantic preDiploma programme at Atlantic
College was a resounding success.
Twenty-one students representing
15 nationalities arrived on a sunny
August day to begin their journey.
After settling into their new dormitories, our new arrivals
immediately started their adventure by travelling to the
Brecon Beacons for their ‘Challenge Camp’ where they had
fun rock climbing, gorge walking and singing songs around
the camp fire. This provided the students an opportunity to
get to know each other and gave them a glimpse of the type
of experiential learning that is at the heart of UWC Atlantic
College’s mission statement.
After returning from camp, it was time to start focussing
on academics. The students began their IGCSE studies in
English, Science, Maths, History, Art, Global Perspectives,
German and Spanish. It was an intense programme of study,
but they all persevered as they focussed on their scholastic
development in preparation for their future.
Their development, however, went well beyond the
classroom. Living together with students from other cultures
provided them with the opportunity to expand their
intercultural awareness and understanding and to make
friends from all over the world. They were also able to attend
events such as National Evenings with the IB students to
further increase their awareness of other cultures.
In addition to this, the Atlantic pre-Diploma students spent
much time engaged in outdoor pursuits, particularly in
relation to their preparations for the Duke of Edinburgh
Award that they all completed in May. Many weekends
were spent around Wales canoeing, climbing, camping,
and working on their expedition skills. Although it was not
always easy for the students unaccustomed to this type of
activity, this emphasis on outdoor education provided the
students with some of their best memories of the year, and
taught them skills they will keep with them forever.
However, it was not all about work, and the students had
much time to explore the cultural sites of Wales. Students
spent much time in Cardiff on the weekends, visited the
National Museum of Cardiff for their Art project, and
attended the theatrical performance of The Curious Incident
of the Dog in the Night-Time at Cardiff Millennium Centre.
The students had to say their sad farewells to each other
at the end of May but many were happy to know that they
were going to be joining their friends at Atlantic College in
August for their next adventure in the IB programme.
Ultimately, it was a fantastic year full of learning, laughter
and friendship.
Student Testimonials:
‘My year in the Atlantic pre-Diploma was awesome.
In the beginning of the year, I was really scared
because my English wasn’t really good. I needed
to develop my English skills first, before I could
actually talk to someone. Up until the Christmas
break I made some new friends and my English
improved. After the break I was very happy to be
back, because I missed UWC Atlantic College.
During my second term, I learnt again more about
myself and I got new experiences. Now it is the end
and I am looking forward to coming back next year
to the IB to gain more new experiences.’
Danilo Tabachnikov, Atlantic pre-Diploma class
of 2015 from Germany/Ukraine
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‘This has definitely been an unforgettable year with
lovely memories and significant growth. I gained
independent living skills, overcame the language
gap, explored areas which I have never tried and
significantly improved my inter-culture understanding.
However, above all, what I loved about this year the
most is that 21 of us, as a family, have come all the
way through, from being strangers to extremely
close friends. Living with peers from different culture
backgrounds we celebrated our differences and
found our similarities. No matter where we go in the
future, we will always miss the days when we sat at the
seafront sharing our dreams under the blinking stars.’
‘This past year has definitely widened my vision, broke
the typical stereotypes I had, and pushed me to my
limits in outdoor activities. I have become more mature
and understanding in cultural differences and being
culturally aware. My heart has definitely grown bigger
with all these amazingly kind and genuine people
around me. Thank you and see you again.’
Jasmine Pereira, Atlantic pre-Diploma class of 2015
from Hong Kong
Lianbi (Rachel) Ji, Atlantic pre-Diploma class of 2015
from China
ATLANTIC2015/16
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Life as a Houseparent
Sarah Hamilton, Houseparent
Moving away from home
for the first time is a huge
step for both the young
person coming to UWC
Atlantic College and the
parent or guardian who
is allowing them the
freedom to do so.
They are faced with being in a different setting both culturally
and environmentally; one student from the southern
hemisphere spent his first term being fascinated by the clouds
in our temperate Welsh sky.
It is our role as dedicated Houseparents to monitor each and
every student in our house to ensure they all settle in well
during those first few weeks and to walk alongside them as
they step outside their comfort zone and start their new
UWC- shaped world.
Each year we see some students accept each challenge easily,
whilst others take longer to feel comfortable in their new
environment; we coax and reassure them that soon they will
call this wonderful place home.
Making sure they can keep in contact with their loved ones
and being able to explore their feelings as they adjust and
discover that they have a whole new home and community is
vital. Most important is the knowledge that their home is still
there for them and will still be theirs whenever they return.
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We communicate with parents by sending them advice as
to what to expect and practical tips they can do to make
this time more bearable, for example, establishing a regular
telephone routine. This simple routine will go a long way to
helping build a sense of security and normality away from
home.
The camp at the start of their time here is a great bonding
experience where they are taken off campus to a beautiful
part of West Wales where they get to know each other
through team building activities and outdoor adventures.
Even here, they are supported by the individual house
peer listeners who have been trained by our college
counsellor and will be observing them to make sure they
are interacting with others. Peer listeners work closely with
Houseparents particularly during this period and we work
together proactively to support students. Sometimes just
being listened to can be enough and peer-to-peer support is
invaluable for this.
As they settle in, it is a pleasure to observe them maturing
as young people and challenging themselves with new
experiences as they begin to define and discover themselves.
I look back at the young people who have passed through
my house with great pride and I am glad to have been able
to support them. I can recall helping a Haitian girl who spoke
no English find her way around campus and interact with
others and eventually pick up the language so well that she is
applying to Ivy League colleges and many more young people
who found the strength and character to fulfil their potential.
The day they leave is emotional for everyone as we reflect
back on their two years; they inspire us as much as we
influence them and they have been a significant part of our
lives during that time. As my daughter pointed out when
asked by our dentist if she had any brothers or sisters, ‘Yes, I
have 50!’; our family grows every year and, as Houseparents,
we embrace this challenge.
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News from Campus
Appointment of New Chair of Governors
Campus Gardens
We welcomed Economist Professor Jonathan Michie as he
took up the appointment of Chair of the college’s Board
of Governors. He will
help us build upon the
college’s rich history,
its unique mission and
pioneering work.
This July alumni
volunteers came back to
the college to work on
the college gardens and
prisoners courtyard.
Here at the college we
extend our thanks to
Stephen Cox for the
expertise, dedication and passion he has provided during his
service as Chair of our Board of Governors.
Our volunteers also
refurbished the Gold
Room which is in the
Lady Anne Tower. It
was transformed to a comfortable and appealing room.
Boat Building
A warm ‘Thank you’ to our Volunteers for all the hard work
they put into making the college a better place.
Students have helped design a new type of boat for use in
the aftermath of a tsunami. Two students caught up in the
2011 earthquake in Japan which triggered a tsunami took
part in the project.
Students Nanami Ito and Sara Yamasaki were both schoolgirls
in Japan when the earthquake struck. Nanami lived in the
tsunami-hit region and her home was destroyed.
Sara said, ‘We started designing the boat and now we are
actually helping to make the boat. We are researching what
aspects we need and also we are thinking about how to
introduce the boat to people.’ The work comes 10 years after
the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December in 2004 which
claimed the lives of more than 130,000 people.
The students and staff working on the project have teamed
up with companies in northern Japan to develop the
new boat, which is thought to be the first to be designed
specifically to cope with conditions in the aftermath of a
tsunami.
Gold Room
Wedding Anniversary
There have been three marriages between serving teachers at
Atlantic College that we know of, and the 50th anniversary of
the earliest falls this year.
David Williams came to the college to teach History and
French in January 1964, and Dr Brigitte Gerichten came to
teach German in the September of that year. They were
married at St Donat’s Church in September 1964. They left
at Christmas 1969, when David took up a position as one of
Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Schools in Nottingham.
Enterprise
UWC Atlantic College Enterprises has welcomed another
busy year for the Commercial Department who along with
taking wedding and conference bookings, also manage the
arts and community programme of concerts and events at
St Donats Arts Centre. With summer residential groups run
by Atlantic Outdoors, and weddings in the castle - some
of whom were Atlantic College Alumni, this summer was
definitely full of activity. The college has also been the
location for several film companies this year including filming
for the new series of Dr Who, that appeared on TV in the UK
in October. National Committee Open Day
Over 150 visitors came along to the college for Open Day for
prospective students this August and October. Visitors were
advised on the applications procedure and given a tour of the
college campus.
Their older daughter, Hannah, was born during their time
at the college, and their younger daughter, Rose, was a
student at the college from 1989 to 1991. We send to David
and Brigitte our warmest congratulations on their Golden
Wedding.
(Kindly supplied by Alan Hall, ex-teacher)
UWC Atlantic College in Pictures
Sarah Savage is a college employee with a passion for
photography. She spends most of her lunch breaks capturing
the beautiful scenery on campus. All profits from sales
made from her photography go to the UWC Atlantic College
Student Scholarship Fund, in support of students who need a
helping hand to start their futures.
Shop Today
Her photography appears on a range of products including:
Canvas prints, framed prints, posters, greeting cards, iphone
and Galaxy cases, throw pillows, duvet covers, tote bags and
even shower curtains! Take a look and order your item today.
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ATLANTIC2015/16
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Staff Joining and Leaving
Obituaries
UWC Atlantic College extends sincere sympathy to the friends and family who
have lost loved ones during 2014/5/6.
Leavers:
Change of Role:
New Starters:
Donald Thomas, ex-staff
Anjelica Cauchi nee de Giorgio, class of 1973
• Kath Lewis - Domestic Supervisor
• Jeff Mayo - Teacher
• Tom Baines - Assistant Houseparent
• Nasser Fathi - Teacher
• Julie Harpham - Teacher
• Helen Skilling - Technician
• Hedd Wood - Houseparent
• Adam Steinberg - Teacher
• S tephanie Steinberg -
• K aren Westcott -
• A nna Boyd -
Sorry to hear that Anjelica passed away a few years ago.
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We are sorry to report the death of Dr Don Thomas, MBE, KStJ,
who made a major contribution to our First Aid programme
over many years. He was a very friendly personality and
valued his connection with the college. We send his family our
condolences on their sad loss.
Andre Tukalski, ex-staff
Robert Hunter, class of 1965
Faculty Head/Teacher
Gareth Tarbutt - Teacher
Pauline Beale - Domestic Assistant
Caroline Wiilliams - Domestic Assistant
Carol Gunter - Temporary Head of HR
Sue Belcher - Teacher
Jade Bennett - Domestic Assistant
Michael Mooij - Teacher
Sally Norris - Director of University
Admissions/Teacher
Mathew Dacey Events Operations Assistant
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from Night Staff to Houseparent
Isminur Mutlu-Smith from Houseparent to Teacher
Helen McFall Temporary Domestic Supervisor
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Director of University Guidance
Scott Keeling - Estates Worker
Tom Partridge Director of Atlantic Outdoors
Bernadette Ashton - Houseparent
Tom Baines - Assistant Houseparent
Janet Bowen - Teacher of Spanish
Joanne Foad - Atlantic Pre Diploma
Director
Laura Jenkins - Teacher of History
Adrian Rainbow Language and Literature Learning
Coordinator
Sylvi Wirtjes Teacher of History/Global Politics
Charlotte Boughton Visiting Singing Teacher
Chris Dickons Director of College Operations
Katy Pickering - Domestic Assistant
Sarah Savage - Administrative Assistant
Kay Macchiochi - Health Centre Assistant
Zoe Preece - Visiting Ceramics Teacher
Caterina Bertelli - Visiting Italian Teacher
Jevgenie Dolinskaja Visiting Russian Teacher
Karen George - Domestic Assistant
Helen McFall - Domestic Assistant
Mathew Dacey Events Operations Assistant
Samantha Hamer - Assistant Accountant
Julia Evans - Teacher
Martin Groves - Teacher
Rob Scott - Teacher
Peter Hill - Teacher
Andrew Maclehose Teacher (temporary to Dec 2015)
Anest Allway - Houseparent
Jerri Jasper - Night Staff
Dominic Walmsley (Temporary) Estates Team
Jacqueline Brett Visiting Ceramics Teacher
Linda Morris - Head of Fundraising
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Andre was a Polish teacher of Maths and sadly passed away in
2014.
Christopher Woodbridge, ex-staff
Following a long illness Christopher passed away in 2014.
Maureen Irvin, ex-staff
Sadly Maureen passed away in 2014.
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Marius Hauge, class of 1969
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Marius passed away in April after a heart attack. With this
sudden death friends have lost a gifted and original man. He
had a huge number of colleagues and friends and not at least
among Atlantic College alumni.
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Stephen Hailey, class of 1964
Stephen passed on Friday 8 May, after a long period of illness.
As well as being one of the original students, Stephen played a
major role at the college, primarily on the Governing Body.
John Cowan, class of 1974
Sadly John Cowan, class of 1974 passed away in Mexico in July.
He leaves two adult boys, his wife and many friends with fond
memories of a generous and fun loving person.
Victor Ferrado Bordeje, class of 2005
Sadly passed away in 2015.
Michael Knagenhjelm, class of 1967
Sorry to hear Michael passed away in 2014.
Erik Osvold, class of 1969
With deep regret Erik passed on 8 August after suffering
from cancer for a long time. He was in excellent form at the
Reunion last summer, and we will remember him very fondly.
Robert sadly passed away in 2015.
Kirsten Jexlev, class of 1975
Sorry to hear that Kirsten passed away in 2014.
Sir Ronald Grierson, Past Committee Member
Sir Ronald Grierson passed away in 2014.
Cristijn du Marchie Sarvaas, class of 1984
It is with great sadness that we announce
that Cristijn du Marchie Sarvaas has passed
away. We remember Cristijn as a
committed and motivated board member
with an enormous passion for United
World Colleges. The two years that Cristijn
spent at UWC Atlantic College had an
enormous impact on his way of thinking and acting. This was
measurable in his work, in his relationship with colleagues
and friends, but above all in his activities for UWC in the
Netherlands. Cristijn has been treasurer for the National
Committee for many years. As a board member of UWC
the Netherlands Cristijn has been successfully responsible
for the fundraising of UWC scholarships for the past five
years. Thanks to his efforts many students were offered the
opportunity to join a UWC experience. We are grateful that we
have known Cristijn as a colleague and friend. We wish Esther,
Emma and Juliette strength in their loss.
Lady Jane P Prior, Governor
Lady Jane Prior was chair of the Board of Governors between
1996 – 1999. It is sad to hear of her passing.
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Details correct at time of going to press.
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ATLANTIC2015/16
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UWC Atlantic College
St Donat’s Castle
St Donat’s
LLANTWIT MAJOR
CF61 1WF
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1446 799000
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.atlanticcollege.org
United World College of the Atlantic Ltd
Registered in England No. 673076
Charity No. 525761