Category: School life

In a world increasingly dominated by screens and technology, outdoor play plays a very important role in the holistic development of children. Even if we are talking about free play or structured play, the benefits of outdoor play are substantial and offer a multitude of advantages that go far beyond mere recreation.

That is why, at Avenor, our students from Primary have included in the structure of the day a flexible learning block when they can play outside with their colleagues.

”Our commitment at Avenor is to provide a well-rounded and inclusive experience for our students during breaks. Our approach combines active play stations and free play, giving students the freedom to choose activities that resonate with them. It ensures that all students, regardless of their abilities and interests, can participate and feel included. Our goal is to promote teamwork, cooperation, conflict resolution and social skill development through structured activities, while free play encourages spontaneous socialization and creativity. 

Another benefit of this approach is that students learn to allocate their break time effectively between structured and unstructured play, enhancing their ability to manage time.

This balanced strategy supports various needs and preferences, contributing to holistic student development.” says Ramona Mucenic, Acting Head of Primary School.

10 active play stations were created and designed purposefully to encourage students to develop creativity and problem solving skills, advance group work and critical thinking skills, build positive relationships and develop strategies for conflict resolution. These play stations are:  Sport, Role Play, Board games, Reading Garden, Bits and Bobs (building blocks), Music, Football, Music, Arts and Playground games.

The benefits of this approach to free time spent are:

These play stations are:  Sport, Role Play, Board games, Reading Garden, Bits and Bobs ( building blocks), Music, Football, Music, Arts and Playground games.

All resources necessary at every play station are stored in the schoolyard and accessible to students daily, between 12.10 to 1.15 pm. The Teachers on Duty facilitate all active play activities, being assisted by special helpers chosen from upper Primary.

”I am extremely happy to observe how this project has transformed the way in which students spend their leisure time. It’s quite inspiring to see how the students enjoy their free time in a creative, dynamic, and collaborative manner. Each day brings new activities and challenges, and the children are genuinely excited to discover what surprises are in store for them. 

What I find wonderful is that they have the freedom to choose which activities to explore, which actively engages them and makes them much happier.

Another remarkable aspect of this project is the involvement of older students in managing the play areas and resources. This not only promotes responsibility but also fosters communication and the building of interpersonal relationships among students of different ages. I joyfully observe how they help each other and how friendships are formed within this program.” – says Paulina Mandache, Teaching Assistant.

All available activities  have been chosen specially to appeal to pupils in all of Primary and encourage different age groups to play together. 

”Seeing students of all ages playing together and learning from each other is invaluable. If we take the time to listen to students, there is a lot to learn from them. When the project started, and the students were asked what they would like to be included in Active Play, they were eager to share their ideas. From that point on, the students have felt involved, passionate and responsible for the project. 

To see students of all ages composing songs together or instructing each other on how to make origami is truly heartwarming.” – says Nikki Ireland, PBL Teacher.

Beyond the involvement and joy that the new games bring into the lives of our primary school students, this approach to leisure time serves as a learning platform that fosters the development of cognitive, social, and emotional skills, as well as abilities with a strong impact on children’s future lives.

When we talk about primary school ART classes, we often think of the traditional visual arts and practical skills lessons. However, at Avenor, we’ve taken a step further in approaching these classes, developing a new media curriculum centered on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) for grades Pregătitoare – 4 to ensure our students have experiences that help them develop a wide range of skills, from critical thinking to creativity and problem-solving, skills that will assist them in their everyday lives.

Dr. Bogdan Topârceanu, Art Teacher at Avenor, shares in the interview below his approach to these classes and the long-term impact aimed for in students’ development.

 

What is STEAM Education? 

STEAM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) is an interdisciplinary approach to learning that integrates these disciplines in a transversal and applied manner. This approach promotes learning through exploration, discovery, and problem-solving, with the aim of developing critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. By integrating STEAM components into the art education curriculum, students no longer study a single discipline but develop their skills in an interdisciplinary manner, enhancing their thinking and imagination through a unified understanding of the world, rather than accumulating isolated knowledge. They become capable of using knowledge and skills from the field of arts in congruence with those acquired in other subjects to investigate, explore, and find ideas and solutions to real problems.

 

What are the concrete advantages of integrating this type of education into the curriculum? 

STEAM Education emphasizes practical, experiential, and collaborative activities in which students are actively involved in the learning process. They are encouraged to take rational risks, try, and fail, learning from their own mistakes. This approach prepares them for the real world, where the ability to solve complex problems, collaborate with others, and think critically are valuable skills. 

Through STEAM education, students develop their imagination and creativity, learning to find innovative solutions and express their ideas in an original and artistic way. They learn to apply creative concepts in real contexts and understand the role of technology in the modern world. The STEAM approach prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of a constantly changing and progressing society. This type of education is an effective way to develop the competencies and skills needed for success in a knowledge and technology-based world, stimulating critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.

How does the ART curriculum evolve from Pregătitoare to grade 4? 

The curriculum is designed so that students have conceptual continuity both horizontally, across a school year, and vertically, from one year to the next. It should be noted that the technology and interdisciplinary part are mediated through tablets that children are encouraged to use for educational purposes from Pregătitoare. Typically, children spend time online, and the idea behind the program is to help them develop skills that will allow them to convert this time into multimedia creation time. Once students learn the applications, education and the learning process continue beyond the classroom. 

This familiarity with new technologies begins in Pregătitoare. Starting with the senses and how we perceive the world, we introduce, in addition to classical painting, modeling, collage, and drawing techniques, elements of new media through interdisciplinary mobile applications. Thus, students learn to create stop-motion animation, 3D voxel modeling (similar to the construction in Minecraft, another game we use for educational purposes for children familiar with it), digital painting with interactive substances, and interdisciplinary experiments that combine sound and color. From the first demonstrations with Pregătitoare students, children managed to exceed expectations by quickly learning both the technology aspect and the physical aspect, such as directing and creating a photographic sequence that can later be assembled as a GIF. 

Grade 1 represents a year of consolidating knowledge, where students receive, in addition to new exercises in already known applications, a new 3D modeling application with more complex shapes, where they begin to build characters. This initiative prepares them for grade 2, where they have an entire module of world-building, character design, and team storytelling, culminating in a comic book, costumes, sets, and a film written and directed by them. Grade 3 brings 3D models into reality, being the first year when children are skilled enough to produce digital elements that can be 3D printed and used later for an extensive product design project. Additionally, they learn digital animation, which helps them create a series of advertisements. Grade 4 concludes the five years with a recap of all techniques and skills in an extensive Game Design module. 

 

Therefore, at the end of these five years, Avenor students are fluent in multiple techniques, both analog and digital: multiple animation techniques (stop-motion, paper motion, rotoscoping, Lego animation, frame-by-frame animation), clay modeling and 3D modeling, drawing, painting, and collage, both on paper and tablets. All these skills are always associated with real-life applicability examples: logo design, packaging, advertising campaigns, set production, costumes, and film, character design, worlds, and games.

Over the years, what have been the most innovative, interesting, or simply surprising projects carried out by students?

The most complex projects are those of product and game design in grades 3 and 4. 

Children have the opportunity to combine many manufacturing and production methods in a single project that challenges both their imagination and thinking skills and knowledge. They learn to work in teams and gain autonomy in decisions they learn to justify. They go through periods of art history that they then reinterpret and recontextualise as part of a game or create small business projects that they later illustrate in creative ways. The introduction of augmented reality in the grade 4 project brings mixed reality into the equation of teaching methods used in class.

In a world marked by an unpredictable future, one whose evolutionary path remains uncertain, the significance of education grows in importance as it must constantly adjust to emerging realities. The information we commit to memory, along with the skills we cultivate, embody the knowledge essential for navigating an increasingly digitised world.

At Avenor, within our Strategic Plan (2021-2031), we pursue 8 objectives, one of the most important being to provide transformative education to our students. Transformative education ensures a coherent transition from one learning cycle to another, from Nursery to High School, so that students are in real contact with the surrounding world and nature. Through transformative education, students acquire competencies, understand concepts, and develop their character while preserving their identity and national culture. The ultimate goal is to develop in each student the Avenor Learner Profile, which will enable them to transfer their learning from school to building a better world.

On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day on October 5th, we propose to honour teachers and their role in educating students and, by extension, in the development of society through a conference with the theme “What is Worth Learning?” presented by Prof. Dr. Mircea Miclea, author, psychologist, educator, and entrepreneur, founder of the Cognitive Psychology School in Romania. This event is specially designed for the Avenor community – parents, teachers, and partners.

According to Professor Miclea, if we want to answer the question “What is worth learning?” so that it remains relevant in the world of tomorrow, efficiently exploiting digital technologies, and capitalising data from cognitive neuroscience, the answer is – those knowledge, skills, and attitudes that develop our minds on four dimensions:

Autonomy, the ability to acquire and use knowledge regardless of the functionality of digital technologies or information source manipulation. For example, being able to write correctly without relying on Word’s grammar, navigating without Google Maps, or accurately evaluating fake news. The more knowledge we have, the more autonomous we become.

Self-discipline, as an attitude towards oneself, which comes through internalising discipline and ethical rules. Cognitive science research shows that self-discipline is more important than intelligence in achieving performance.

Design thinking, as a thinking style that identifies relevant questions from a multitude of problems and offers creative solutions that satisfy both environmental constraints and customer expectations. Algorithmic solutions will be taken over by machines; we are left with contextual solutions.

Entrepreneurship as an attitude towards reality, not waiting for solutions but identifying opportunities where others see only collections of data and exploiting them to produce goods (theories, products, services, laws, institutions).

“In summary, I believe that a person who thinks autonomously, has self-discipline, thinks like a designer, and has an entrepreneurial attitude. Such a person will face the future, whatever it may be. And all these things need to be learned from school.” – says Prof. Dr. Mircea Miclea during the 2023 edition of the conference “Despre Lumea în care trăim“.

Our commitment to transformative education, as advocated by UNESCO – ”For education to be of high quality, it must be transformative.”, motivates us to go beyond traditional teaching and learning in silos. Learning should be meaningful, applied, and connected, in accordance with Professor Miclea’s theory.

We know that learning transfers in rich, transdisciplinary contexts and this is why we value disciplines but we go further and offer students transdisciplinary programmes such as Project Based Learning , STEAM, Learning Outside the Classroom connecting them with the real world.

We look forward to the conference on October 5th, an exceptional opportunity to celebrate World Teachers’ Day.

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Mircea Miclea is a university professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences and a doctoral coordinator at the doctoral school of Applied Cognitive Sciences. Prof. Miclea is a senior psychologist with extensive experience as a practitioner and trainer in psychotherapy. He holds various specialized courses at UBB (e.g., Cognitive-Behavioral Modifications, Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy) and is a trainer for other accredited courses by the College of Psychologists in Romania (e.g., Online Methods for Anxiety Prevention and Psychotherapy).

Mircea Miclea is the director of a private research and development center in the field of psychology, called Cognitrom. Here, he has overseen the development of several innovative computerized psychological assessment and intervention platforms for children, adolescents, and adults, which are used nationally in both public and private institutions. Prof. Miclea is an author and co-author of numerous scientific papers published in national and international journals. He is also a founding member of the scientific journal “Cognition, Brain, Behavior: An Interdisciplinary Journal.” Mircea Miclea previously served as the Minister of Education and Research and has contributed to the development of several national education strategies and reports.

Prof. Dr. Mircea Miclea was awarded the Elisabeth Pilkington Rațiu Mental Health Prize in 2017, in recognition of his “contribution to the intensive development and promotion of research in the field of Psychology, supporting the advancement of knowledge and the training of young researchers and specialists.”

Richard Thomason, the newly appointed Head of Secondary at Avenor, has embraced teaching driven by his deep passion for History. Over the years, his commitment to making a meaningful and broader impact on education determined him to move into management.

He aspires to offer Avenor’s students extensive opportunities for growth and to become a fully engaged member of our community.

 

Hello, Richard. Welcome to Avenor! Tell us a bit about yourself. 

My main interest is travel and exploring different ideas to learn more about the world, so I enjoy experiencing different cultures and seeing the wonderful sights the world has to offer. I also love music and enjoy listening to and playing acoustic folk music. In terms of sports, I love playing tennis and enjoy watching football and boxing. I am a big Liverpool FC fan and have been since I was 3 years old. 

I teach History and studied History and Philosophy at university. I am still very interested in both disciplines and continue to learn more about them. 

Additionally, I really enjoy cooking and trying different foods. On the weekends, I like to go walking and spend time in nature whenever I can as I find it very relaxing.

Why did you pursue a career in education?

Initially, I decided to go into teaching because of my love for History and my desire to share my enthusiasm with the younger generation. I have stayed in education and moved into management to have a broader influence on education. I believe that education is the most vital aspect of human civilization. We need to ensure that our young people receive a holistic education that encompasses important things like workplace skills, concern for the planet, and moral values. On a personal level, I believe that being well-educated enhances one’s experience of life and makes existence more rich and stimulating. I want to work at a school that inspires students to appreciate the world from different angles, be it historically, scientifically, through language, arts, sports, or other areas of endeavor we have here at Avenor. 

I want all students to have ample opportunities to succeed, prosper, and experience the broad spectrum of life.

You have recently moved from Uganda. What are some cultural shocks you have experienced during this transition?I fear the main shock will be the cold winter mornings ! 

So  far, the main hurdle I have encountered is not being able to speak the native language, but I am actively trying to learn Romanian. Voi avea nevoie de ajutor. 🙂

Language aside, I have been very impressed by Bucharest. It is a beautiful city with a lot of character, history, and culture to appreciate. Walking in Bucharest is very stimulating, every corner has a surprise. The past and the present are there in front of you. 

 What about in regards to education?

In terms of education, my previous school in Uganda and Avenor have many things in common, such as their size and curriculum. Both schools offer IGCSE and A-level programs. In Uganda, I worked at an international school, but I also visited and sometimes got involved with less privileged schools that had no funding and very basic buildings, with huge class sizes and a lack of well qualified teachers . This experience made me realize how fortunate I have been to have the opportunities I’ve had, and I believe we should never take the opportunity we have for granted.

 What do you hope to find at Avenor?

I hope to find a community that supports each other and is happy, where all students, staff, and parents feel like they are part of something special. Being part of a caring and warm community is an incredible thing. Avenor is unique in that, while it is an international school, it also has a strong commitment to Romanian culture and heritage. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to join this community. 

What are your long-term goals/aims for the Avenor community?

My goal is to make an already wonderful school even better by providing more opportunities and engagement for students. Avenor is already a huge success, but we can never be complacent and must keep striving for excellence. The reason I wanted to work at Avenor is because I could clearly see the commitment of all the staff to making it the best school in the world. That is our aim!

This year, on June 28th, our high school students, parents, teachers, and internship partners who responded to our invitation participated in the internship presentation event. 

105 high school students benefited from a week of practical learning experiences in companies within their field of interest. They had the opportunity to glimpse into the future and see to what extent a particular career suited them. 

During the event on June 28th, they shared their experiences, what they learned during the internship, highlighted the strengths of the learning programme but also they pointed out the areas for improvement. 

Grouped into 8 themes – STEM, Creative Arts, Architecture & Design, Marketing, Medicine, Social Science, Finance, and Business – the students’ presentations illustrated a multitude of industries, each of them representing a potential future career.

 

”I chose to do an internship in this area of interest (Business) because I believe it will be very beneficial to my potential future career in business, but also because I found it really interesting to discover what goes on behind a company and to fully comprehend its objectives, struggles and successes.

I can fairly say the week flew by instantly, as we were all extremely engaged to the task we were assigned: to create a new restaurant in Bucharest, fully from scratch. From checking costs to searching for venues, creating a business forecast and even calculating the break even point, the variety of tasks and involvement of staff really created an unforgettable experience for me and my classmates, redirecting what was a tough work circumstance into a motivating and enjoyable time.” – says Ana,  grade 9 Omega.

”We witnessed firsthand how strategies are formulated, decisions are made, and goals are achieved. This experience enabled us to understand the practical implications of theoretical concepts and helped us develop a new perspective on business practices.

 At IB CARGO, our supervisors did their best by making us feel welcome and were very understanding of any needs we required.

Overall, the internship was very helpful and because of the very many details we were given about the job and what it consists of, we realised that perhaps some of us want to choose a different career path, which is indeed efficient.” – says Korin, grade 9 Alfa.

”In the past year, uncertainty has gripped my heart as I questioned whether I should pursue medicine. The choice between becoming a doctor or taking a different path weighed heavily on my mind.

As I grappled with this decision, I realised the importance of making calculated choices, even in the face of time pressure. The decision of which college to attend and which course to pursue demanded careful consideration.

During the past week, I had the privilege of spending time at Neuroaxis, a renowned neurology clinic. There, I encountered a diverse range of patients, from those with common conditions like migraines to individuals battling rare diseases lacking dedicated treatments.

These experiences offered poignant insights into the reality of being a doctor. 

Regardless of the trajectory my career takes, the impact of my time at Neuroaxis and the lessons learned will remain ingrained in my professional journey.

In conclusion, the path forward may still be uncertain, but the experiences and growth attained at Neuroaxis have set a firm foundation. The commitment to serving patients with empathy and delivering medical information with clarity will guide me as I embark on a career dedicated to healing and making a difference in the lives of those I encounter.” – says Filip, grade 11 Alfa.

“I had the opportunity to work alongside the Avenor team during the Marketing & Communication internship. I was very excited because, having some familiarity with the field of Marketing from my Media Studies classes, I knew that I still had a lot to learn. 

A few days before the internship, I found out about the schedule we would have, and the workshops with external companies piqued my curiosity.

I was surprised by how well-structured this internship was and the fact that every day we had numerous activities, each one more interesting than the last. I discovered new things about the Avenor brand and had the opportunity to put into practice all the “theory” I had learned.

I realised that branding is much more complicated than I would have thought, and I could actually see myself working in this field in the future, following my passion.

I will never forget this internship because, besides getting to know new people and participating in interactive activities that helped me develop new skills, I learned how complicated it is to go through a rebranding process and how important every detail is in any marketing campaign,” – says Teodora, 10th-grade Delta.

Once again, we thank the Partners for the Future who made this project possible by offering internships in their companies: ACE Project Management, Aparterre Shop, Asociația Go-Ahead, Tudor Lucaciu & Castel Film Studios, Asociația Deci Se Poate, Eau de Web, Enso Design, Filgud, Hellenic Cables, IB Cargo, KPMG, Maison de Crêpes, Muzeul Fotbalului, Neuroaxis, Biroul de avocatură Nipaa – Negoiță, Iancu și Panaitescu, Oxygen, Picktwo, Laboratoarele Regina Maria, Symbold Studio, Surf Cafe, Teatrul Național București, Wellborn and [Yellow Car].

105 high school students are currently enjoying one of the most exciting learning experiences of the school year – the Internship Program – which offers them the opportunity to have internships in companies in their fields of interest.

Through this experience, which complements the academic program, students have the chance to explore their passions in an attempt to validate potential career options.

The objective of the program is to prepare students for life after Avenor and provide them with interesting and challenging opportunities by experiencing real work environments.

This year, with the support of the parent community and internship partners, our students are benefiting from internships in their areas of interest: Interior Design, Architecture, IT, Marketing, Banking, Film, Law, Business, PR, Management, Branding, Medicine, Entrepreneurship, Education, Hospitality Industry, Biomedicine, Finance, Engineering, Fashion, Sports, Theatre, Construction, Journalism, International Relations, Real Estate, and others.

“This year, our thanks go to ACE Project Management, Aparterre Shop, Asociația Go-Ahead, Tudor Lucaciu & Castel Film Studios, Asociația Deci Se Poate, Eau de Web, Enso Design, Filgud, Helenic Cables, IB Cargo, KPMG, Maison de Crêpes, Muzeul Fotbalului, Neuroaxis, Biroul de avocatură Nipaa – Negoiță, Iancu și Panaitescu, Oxygen, Picktwo, Laboratoarele Regina Maria, Symbold Studio, Surf Cafe, Teatrul Național București, Wellborn and [Yellow Car].

In addition, we are delighted that this year we managed to organize an internship at Avenor for the first time, within the Communication Department, for a group of students interested in Marketing and Branding. We experienced what it means to guide these young people to discover if what happens in organizations is as they imagined. At the same time, we listened with interest to their current, honest, and responsible perspective on our work.” says Cristina Willows, Deputy Executive Director of Avenor.

Our Internship Program started 8 years ago, with our first high school students. During this time, participating students have had the opportunity to learn more about themselves, meet professionals from various fields, and discover career opportunities. Over the years, Avenor graduates have overwhelmingly mentioned the internship program as a factor that helped them choose a potential future career among their current passions.  Consequently, they made a conscious and deliberate choice in selecting a specific university program.

“What helped me the most (in choosing my university program) – and I want to thank the Career team for the opportunity – was the internship experiences which introduced me to the corporate world and both internships were a close fit with my interests. I learnt a lot about legal departments and how they’re incorporated within the whole company.The KPMG internship was a highlight of my internship experience as I also had the chance to speak to the HR department and gained insight into how to apply and prepare yourself for a job interview for law.” says Ilinca, Class of 2023.

We are grateful to our internship partners, a community that brings together entrepreneurs, NGOs, corporations, and private firms who, through their involvement in this program, directly contribute to shaping the destinies of future professionals. We appreciate their involvement in this project, which requires not only resources, time, and effort but also a lot of responsibility.

Choosing a career path can be a challenging decision as it can shape your future. It is essential to consider your interests, skills, values, and personality before making a decision. You can also consider the job market and the demand for specific careers.

However, amidst this abundance of information, a fundamental question arises: is there such a thing as a definitive “best” decision? Each individual’s journey is unique, and what may be the perfect fit for one person could be entirely different for another.

Our aim as a school is to ensure that our students are well-prepared and capable of making informed decisions about their future, while also equipping them to handle the demands of university life. 

We also strive to empower our students by providing them with the necessary tools to make informed career decisions, valuable skills, and increased readiness for the labour market.

We asked six of our Class of 2023 graduates how they decided on their career path.

Their answers can be precious advice for their younger colleagues and good insights for any career guidance advisors.

We also asked them about the guidance they received in choosing their career paths and how the Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance team supported them during the college application process and we are happy to share their responses with everyone!

With continuous room for growth, our graduates generously share advice with their peers who are catching up, guiding them on how to prepare for this crucial decision in their lives. 

We extend our congratulations to the Class of 2023 for their achievements and wish them the best of luck in their university endeavours!

Avenor: How did you decide on a career path? What informed your choices?

Alexandra: I always liked drawing and arts, but at the same time, I was into sciences and maths. I think architecture is the perfect mix between the two domains, so this is why I chose it.

What makes a top choice university for you?

Alexandra: I was looking for a university which offered scholarships, worked with well-known companies, had a practical approach to learning and teaching and also a university which offered exchange programs. 

 

What advice would you give to younger high school students?

Alexandra: Do not look at university applications as something terrifying. The admission officers from universities are very friendly and responsive and they wish to help you as much as possible. 

Also, attend online open days and q&a sessions to understand better the university you wish to attend and find out whether it’s the right fit for you. 

On the other hand, in the beginning, I worked with a university consultant. From my point of view, it is not worth the money and time to hire a consultant. All of the information I got from them I already knew from the university admission officers or from the internet. All of the needed information can be easily accessed by anyone. However, if you are applying to the USA or the UK, where there is a lot of paperwork to be done, it could be a good idea to get a consultant. Lastly, the process is not as complicated as it looks and everything sorts out in the end if you are dedicated to the process. You will receive the same amount you put in. 

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Avenor: How did you decide on a career path? What informed your choices?

Andrei:I just started to really think about what subjects I liked in school and those I didn’t. I wanted to keep pursuing the subjects I enjoyed and was good at, such as Business and Economics. High school is the perfect time to understand your strengths and interests. Experimenting with your subjects is perfect here. Initially, I thought I liked Computer Science, but the programming aspect wasn’t for me. 

What makes a top choice university for you?

Andrei: Esade is my top choice for university. One of the things I did early on is visit the campus in person. I got a chance to experience the environment and see the facilities, as well as meet students and professors. I liked how Esade could support your business ideas and development, with advertising resources. The ranking of the university was also important for me as well as the employability prospects after I finish. Esade is currently ranked amongst the top business schools in Europe, and this is part of the appeal.

How important is the support of a Career Team during the college application process?

Andrei: The Avenor’s Career Team was very supportive throughout the application process, they stayed in touch with the university and helped with the admission process. Choosing the university was something personal for me which I pursued independently, but when it came to the admissions process, it helped to have the Career team on side and they were close and communicated with me often. 

What advice would you give to younger high school students?

Andrei: Try to prepare for entrance exams and A levels in due time. Try to start earlier rather than later, especially if you have some free time. I visited almost all the prospective universities I was interested in and I would encourage you to do the same, because it can give you a good idea if a university is the right fit. The main idea is don’t waste time, because it can have negative consequences for your future.

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Avenor: How did you decide on a career path? What informed your choices?

Ece: It was already set from the beginning: I wanted to study law since Grade 6, and in the meantime in Grade 9 and 10,  I explored different options and subjects I enjoyed. Ultimately, I always returned to law. It was an intuitive thing: I enjoyed reading about legislation, thinking critically, applying critical thinking to written analysis and debating my findings. 

What makes a top choice university for you?

Ece: For me, the big question was: ‘Where would I enjoy being and studying?’ Tilburg University was the top choice for me, because their global law programme offered the study of different legal systems and many aspects of the legal system, which makes it a flexible degree programme. I had the opportunity to speak to a third year student, and the social culture of the university as well as the programme, and that confirmed my decision to make it my first choice. 

How important is the support of a Career Team during the college application process?

Ece: The Avenor Career Team helped me at the start, when I was trying to discover where I could study in English and where the course was a good fit. They also helped to sort out the paperwork and logistics of applying for CAO (Ireland). For the Netherlands, I’m sure they will help with the final documents needed to be posted! 

The internship at KPMG was very helpful for me too, as it gave me a clear picture of what kind of legal environment I would like to work in.
What advice would you give to younger high school students?

Ece: Try to get IELTS and extra-curricular projects done in Grade 11 to avoid having to add to Grade 12 stress. Try to get paperwork and everything done early! Make sure to choose a country, city, and university that’s a good fit for you. Dutch universities do not offer dorms so make sure you know what services you can go to for housing.

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Avenor: How did you decide on a career path? What informed your choices?

Ilinca: For me it was also clear from a young age what my interests were. I direct my focus and academic attention in domains and subjects I was passionate about and interested in. It’s important to enjoy what you do and for me, debate club and my internships really consolidated my intention to study law. The internships, in particular, were really an eye opening experience that helped me see what a career in law looked like.

What makes a top choice university for you?

Ilinca: The course itself is what makes a top choice university. You have to find your course intriguing and engaging and it must make you want to study law for three years. Queen Mary, University of London, is my top choice university: the fact that it had a wide range of optional modules to choose from, such as the law emerging from the Nuremberg Trials, immediately sparked my interest because I studied the Holocaust for A level History. The location was also an important factor for me: London also offers a lot of opportunities for internships and networking. London is also an international city and this is a good fit for me, as I’m looking to build a career in a very international field. 

How important is the support of a Career Team during the college application process?

Ilinca: My counsellor was helpful by offering ample feedback on my personal statement and ensuring that everything was in place. Broadly speaking, the Career Team helped me profoundly by offering the internship experience which introduced me to the corporate world and both internships were a close fit with my interests. I learnt a lot about legal departments and how they’re incorporated within the whole company.The KPMG internship was a highlight of my internship experience as I also had the chance to speak to the HR department and gained insight into how to apply and prepare yourself for a job interview for law. 

What advice would you give to younger high school students?

Ilinca: For Grade 9 and Grade 10, begin to build an idea about what you want to do and start researching universities. Don’t stress too much about the research, not a lot of students start in Grade 9.

Try to identify the ranges of tuition fees for European universities or US universities. Try to build a CV early, highlight precisely what you did on an internship in one sentence, and try to be brief and clear. By Grade 11, you should have chosen A levels that will be a guideline for you – A levels are a foundation for your university and career so be careful with what you pick. 

The extra-curricular activities are very valuable and beneficial for your application: for law, taking part in competitions, public speaking, debate, MUN, youth parliaments and summits is essential if you want to stand out. Having an EPQ was also extremely useful as an additional qualification, particularly the written report component, which is effective preparation for university. 

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Avenor: How did you decide on a career path? What informed your choices?

Laura: I’ve always had an interest in art and creative subjects since Grade 8, and I developed an interest in mathematics also, and architecture helped me combine both interests, as well as how different cultures express themselves in architecture, and how it imbeds people’s cultures. For me, my internship in an architecture studio was also very useful, by showing me different aspects of this career path. 

What makes a top choice university for you?

Laura: Manchester University is my top choice. Since Grade 9, I’ve been researching universities and courses. The course at Manchester was the best fit for me, as it will give me a balanced outlook and training. It helps that I loved the location – it’s a large student city! Manchester is not as sizable as a capital but it’s not small and you won’t feel isolated.  

What advice would you give to younger high school students?

Laura: I have three key points: start with research as soon as possible, you will feel confident with what you’re doing and where your future could go. It helps to do things little by little, rather than all at once. Secondly, make sure you know the requirements of architecture courses in different countries, some have interviews, admission exams, and different deadlines that you have to keep in mind. You should prepare the best for them so you need a clear action plan. As a third point, I would also recommend having a balanced combination of art, science and humanities when applying to university. It makes you stand out and teaches you to express yourself. You should have a healthy combination of subjects. Personally, even though Literature wasn’t directly relevant to your university application, it really helped me to express myself and my ideas clearly. 

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Avenor: How did you decide on a career path? What informed your choices?

Sonia: It was a process, but my starting point was: I knew what I liked and what I wanted to continue with after high school. For me that was history, which I developed a passion for in Grade 10. What helped me was my career advisor, who offered me a more nuanced view of what studying history might include, such as archeology and anthropology. 

What makes a top choice university for you?

Sonia: My top choice for university is Durham University. I really like the culture of Durham University, the city has a calm environment and the university has a strong academic profile and community spirit. Durham University’s prestige and outstanding reputation are also very important to me.

How important is the support of a Career Team during the college application process?

Sonia: The Avenor Career Team helped me a lot with the logistical part of applying to the UK, as it’s quite a long and complicated process. Writing a personal statement (to fit a very specific character count) was also a challenge and the support provided was great. And the advice about making a final choice for which university offers to list as ‘firm’ and ‘insurance’ was instrumental.

What advice would you give to younger high school students?

Sonia: If you’re applying through UCAS, don’t leave your application until December or January, or you’ll face an uncomfortable rush to get things done whilst simultaneously trying to prepare for your mock exams.

Ensure you have an idea about what you want to apply for and where by the end of the summer of Grade 11. If you can, make a start on your personal statement. Time flies by in the first term of Grade 12.

Romanian language and literature is a mandatory subject at Avenor High School, with two hours of study for 9th and 10th grades, and one hour of study per week for 11th and 12th grades.

The Romanian course for our high school students is based on an “Avenor” curriculum that divides thematic content into three units throughout each level of study. It does not have a national or international evaluation format, but rather one created internally. Thus, at the end of each year of high school, students have the following forms of assessment:

• At the end of 9th grade, students have to present a personal project (individual or group) inspired by the studied works.
• At the end of 10th grade, students will participate in a debate on a given motion.
• At the end of 11th grade, students will read and write an essay on a given topic.
• At the end of 12th grade, students will give a final speech titled “Me in Ten Years”.

“Evaluation is like a mirror in which students and their Romanian teachers look at the end of the year with emotion and smile. It’s that smile at the end of a journey where reading, writing, imagining, making connections between works, authors, contexts, discussing ideas, and expressing emotional reactions to the characters in the books studied all took place. It’s the moment both students and teachers needed to demonstrate that in an international context where all subjects are taught in English, those two hours of Romanian per week have a final product that we can enjoy. After all, the Romanian language is part of their identity,” says Mihaela Stancu, Curriculum Leader and Romanian Language Teacher.

 

The quality and variety of projects demonstrate the year-on-year progress in studying this subject which harmoniously completes the Avenor learner profile.

”The study of Romanian language and literature is a mandatory component of the national curriculum for primary and secondary education, which Avenor College has chosen to follow. In addition to the mandatory curriculum, we place significant emphasis on promoting Romanian cultural heritage through dedicated activities and events. As per the Avenor Learner Profile, we prioritise certain values and present-day concerns during the study years, such as the ability to deliver a speech, monthly age-appropriate book reading, proper spelling and punctuation, and memorising a poem each month.

The study of Romanian language continues for all four years of high school, as part of the Avenor Curriculum. While the number of hours is less compared to high schools from the national education system, the lessons are designed to expand students’ cultural knowledge, connections with other literatures and art forms.” says Dana Papadima, Educational Director.

 

Our grade 9 students took the final exam in the Romanian language, which consisted of completing an individual or group project, that had as a theme one of the literary works studied during the school year.

Although they start with the thought ‘I have no idea!‘, they manage to create extraordinary projects.

This year, 9th-grade students surprised us with the diversity of their projects, demonstrating that imagination accompanies them at every step. Some imagined a musical piece with diverse tones that depicted different moments from Robert Louis Stevenson’s literary work ‘Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.’

Others created a photography exhibition showcasing locations in Bucharest where scenes from a possible adaptation of G. Călinescu’s novel ‘Enigma Otiliei’ or Stevenson’s novella ‘Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde‘ could be filmed.

There were students who organized a photography exhibition titled ‘Mântuleasa Street – then and now‘ (then, during Eliade’s time, during teacher Zaharia Fărâmă’s time, and now, in the year 2023). Some imagined an interview with Mircea Eliade.

Others compared Caragiale’s novellas ‘La Hanul lui Mânjoală’ and ‘Kir Ianulea.’ A fashion magazine was created to reveal how Mona would have been dressed according to the vision of other characters from Mihail Sebastian’s comedy ‘Steaua fără nume.’ Some engaged in a role-playing game, imagining a meeting between the characters Dănilă Prepeleac, Marin Miroiu, and Abdul from the literary works ‘Dănilă Prepeleac’ by Ion Creangă, ‘Steaua fără nume’ by Mihail Sebastian, and ‘Pe strada Mântuleasa’ by Mircea Eliade.

One student created a 3D model of the Jewish Theater in Amsterdam, a location featured in Monica Hesse’s novel ‘The Girl in the Blue Coat.’ A student wrote a poem about Mona’s destiny, the character from Sebastian’s comedy. Another student created a booklet titled ‘The Duality of Being in the Fantastic Novella‘.

 

Our grade 10 students’ final exam in Romanian Language consisted of participating in a debate, on topics chosen by them, by voting.

 “Individual happiness is more important than the common good” and “Young people discover their place in the world by denying the ideals of previous generations” were the two motions debated by students from the Alfa and Omega classes. 

The quality of argumentation and counter argumentation, the quality of the evidence brought in, the method of presentation and attitude are the skills that students demonstrated they developed throughout the school year.

 

During the 11th grade, our students practice essay writing as a written communication skill, continually refining their personal style so that at the end of this course they can write and deliver a full essay in front of their class and tutors. 

“About me and the world I live in” and “About vulnerability” were the theme choices made by the students from the Alfa and Omega classes, who managed to give us introspection, emotion or maybe even existential dilemmas through their personal and deep essays.

 

Romanian Language Final Speeches Ceremony of grade 12 students conclude this extraordinary journey in which teachers and students, shoulder to shoulder, make during high school.

During this past year, they studied public speaking and prepared to deliver their speeches in front of an audience and jury, thus marking the end of the Romanian Language course.

Our high school has celebrated its 8th anniversary. Each generation of high school students had to deliver a speech on the topic ‘Me in Ten Years‘ but this year marked the first generation that also had to deliver such a speech at the end of 8th grade. And the theme four years ago was ‘Me in Four Years‘. That is why this year, there were speeches that built upon the ideas expressed back then, creating an interesting exercise of reflection. It was like a bridge across time that brought together words, desires, aspirations, accomplishments, shifts in perspective, and things rearranged by time.

The final speeches with the theme “Me in 10 years” were held on the stage of the Țăndărică Theater and represented true demonstrations of effective speech organisation, communication skills, introspection, theatrical methods, but also ethics and eloquence.

They surprised us with the maturity they showed in preparing and giving their speeches, in which they talked about their future plans, but they also nostalgically recalled their high school years and the choices made during this period.

”Every year, our high school students approach this evaluative event with excitement and end up conveying a great deal of emotion. I believe authenticity is the key word that describes our students during the delivery of these speeches. They reveal themselves as they truly are, as young individuals who have reached the maturity to understand the power of words and have the courage to tell their story as they have lived it, as they are living it, and as they want to continue living it.

Many speak about this experience as the moment that marks their high school graduation.” says Mihaela Stancu, Curriculum Leader and Romanian Language Teacher.

The recording of the ceremony can be viewed on the school’s YouTube page.

Avenor College is organizing the 11th edition of the national piano competition “Friends of the Piano“, which will take place on Sunday, June 11th, 2023, in the celebration hall of the George Enescu National College of Music in Bucharest.

The event is intended for children aged between 5 and 18, who study piano as an extracurricular activity or hobby, with a frequency of one to two hours per week. 

“It is said that music is a universal language. Building upon this evidence, 11 years ago, as a school, we realized that for children studying the piano as a hobby, there was no formal framework that could provide them with the opportunity to share their learning experience and receive validation and recognition for their work.

Thus, the idea of organizing a national piano competition for non-professional children emerged, and we named it Friends of the Piano. Over the years, Friends of the Piano has brought much joy to the children, parents, and piano teachers. It has provided the motivation to continue and the strength to self-improve.

Therefore, we warmly welcome you to the 11th edition of the National Competition Friends of the Piano.” – says Claudia Andrei, PSHE Coordinator and Clubs at Avenor College.

Friends of the Piano is a competition that encourages children’s passion for music and helps them better understand the importance of art and culture in everyday life. The participation of young musicians in such events is essential to stimulate their talent and artistic abilities. At the same time, the competition represents a cultural alternative for children’s leisure time.

The competition is divided into two sections: Section A – individual, where the repertoire will be presented from memory, without sheet music, and Section B – ensemble with 4 hands, where the repertoire can be presented from memory or from sheet music. 

First, second, and third prizes, as well as Honorable Mentions, will be awarded, depending on the jury’s decision, for each category.

In addition, the Avenor “Friends of the Piano” Special Prize will be awarded, which will be announced during the “Friends of the Piano” Awards Gala. The gala will also include a short recital by the winners.

All details regarding the competition can be found in the Competition Regulations, and registrations are made exclusively online until Friday, May 26th, 2023, at 12.00 pm. After this time, the system no longer accepts registrations.

The event is an opportunity to encourage children’s passion for music and to promote the importance of art and culture in their education. 

We hope that this year’s edition will bring together a large number of talents. Good luck to all participants!

 

At Avenor we are preparing to celebrate King Charles III’s Coronation.

And the first who began the preparations are the Avenor chef who decided to offer us a special dessert to mark this historic day.

Chef Dan Neacșu chose a traditional British dessert – Lemon Curd tart.

Lemon Curd, the very first and most popular of the fruit curds, originated in England dating back to the early 1800’s. The recipe back then was rather literal and not at all how we’d think of Lemon Curd these days. Then there was ‘Lemon Cheese’ which was used to make lemon tarts. Original recipes advise to ‘rasp hard pieces of sugar’, as it didn’t come in grain form then, against the lemon’s skin in order to remove the zest to extract essence and color.

Nowadays, although the recipe has been refined for extra finesse and flavor, it remains one of the simplest recipes for a dessert that can be served in various forms.

Ingredients for Lemon Curd:

• 6 egg yolks
• 180 gr. of sugar
• zest of two lemons
• 80 ml. lemon juice
• 110 gr. of butter

First, whisk the sugar, eggs, and lemon zest together in a stainless steel saucepan. Next, add the fresh lemon juice and whisk the ingredients together until they are well combined.

After that, add the unsalted butter and whisk the mixture constantly over medium heat until it thickens. This took about six minutes. Continue whisking the mixture for several more minutes until it starts to bubble before removing the pan from the heat.

To obtain a smooth cream, strain the resulting mixture through a wire strainer. Then put it in the refrigerator to cool completely. 

With just four ingredients, English Lemon Curd is a smooth dessert with a lemon flavor that overwhelms the senses. It is a perfect cream as a topping or it can be served as it is or as a tart.

King Charles III, after his coronation, will definitely be tasting Lemon Curd Tarts.

Enjoy Coronation Day!