School Identity

1. Who are we?

We are the Nelson Mandela School (NMS), a bilingual school beginning with year 1 and leading up to the “Abitur” and the International Baccalaureate “IB”. The NMS is an all-day school.
All who live and work in it belong to our school; the students, the school administration, the teachers, the educators, the parents, the janitor, the secretary, the kitchen staff, the members of the Parent’s Association, the librarians, the teacher-trainees, the free-lancers, as well as the trainees.
This identity applies to all who belong to or take interest in our school.

2. Why have we created an identity for ourselves?

With this identity, we wanted to define our values, goals, position and expectations as well as communicate on an internal and external level. Our identity moulds how we think, act and coexist. It is an important guideline for us all.

3. How was the Identity created?

The school identity was created in several steps by representatives of the various school groups throughout a workshop. It has already been published internally and put up for discussion. Furthermore, it shall be discussed at the School Conference and should be unanimously accepted.

4. How do we perceive ourselves?

We are a future-orientated, vivid school and perceive ourselves as a distinctive part of the Berlin school landscape.
We cultivate an individual school culture that includes regular assemblies, internal host-programmes as well as international projects.
We know that our international standards and pedagogical goals can only be achieved through the special engagement of the parents, teachers and students.
We regard our school as a workshop, in which we live and learn.
Teachers and educators accept that further education and the continuity of a pedagogical discourse are a necessity.
We develop and improve bilingualism at our school.

5. What are our goals?

The holistic approach that we strive for, places the pupil in the centre of school life. This requires that we support the pupil’s talents to the best of our knowledge, as well as sensitize him to his social role as a part of the school community.
Therefore, we supply him not only with extensive knowledge but also with the required social competence.
In this respect, we pay special attention to the following criteria:

multiple-sensory learning
Project orientated learning
Inter-disciplinary learning
Activity-orientated learning
Learning outside of school
Diverse methods and courage to experiment

We want to use our resources efficiently

6. Which values are important to us?

Our school life should be based on tolerance, a sense of responsibility, openness, positive thinking, solidarity, civil courage, equality, politeness, consideration and respect for one another.

7. How do we deal with one another?

We communicate in both English and German
We accept other opinions.
We try not to exclude others.
We know that we belong together.
We treat one another with respect.
We listen to one another.
We like teamwork.
We talk on the level of the other.
We need feedback and critique to improve our learning and our work.
We want to take time for calm discussions.
When decisions are being made we want to include the representatives of those involved.
We want to support the representation of the school groups.
We want to make conflicts and discussions transparent and discuss them openly.
We seek the help of mediators in case of a conflict.
We do not regard decisions as irreversible.