Message from the principal
Dear School Community,
2017 is coming to an end. This is a time to reflect on the past as well as a time to look to the future.
At school it has been a very successful year with good results in the Abitur and in the IB as well as in the MSA and the BBR. Our IB results are the best we have ever achieved. As always, NMS and JFK go back and forth in the ranking as the best ISS school in Berlin. This year we are in second place. These statistics are a source of pride and satisfaction for all of us.
Still, not all is coming up roses. The statistics do not address whether we have perhaps lost students on the long road between entering the primary school and their leaving certificate. We must also pay attention to this. The number of successful graduates is indeed important. It is, however, only one of many parameters, only one indicator of the quality of education on offer.
NMS & the Hour of Code
The Hour of Code can be done by any teacher in any yeargroup. No sign-up is required, the lectures are game-based and intuitive. Have a go and see what the Hour of Code is all about; a safe and fun environment to learn the basics of programming.
The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “code”, to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts. Check out the tutorials and activities. This grassroots campaign is supported by over 200,000 educators worldwide.
Every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science. It helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st-century career path. This is the 5th year that NMS participates, we hope that many classes and teachers join in!
Annemieke Akkermans, 06.12.2018
Forces and Motion in 6B
As part of our study of Forces and Motion in Grade 6 I always ask the children to build a roller coaster demonstrating the principles of:
- Gravity
- Friction
- Magnetism
- Potential and Kinetic Energy
- Renewable and non renewable sources of energy
- Newton’s Laws of Motion
This year the roller coasters from the 6B were particularly spectacular! And the children demonstrated a deep understanding of the concepts involved. Please have a look at the photos of their work.
Janine Keller
Science teacher 6B
NMS wins Battle of Ideas at 7th Debating Matters International Final
The Nelson Mandela School team has won the debate against the Loreto College team, from Manchester, winners of the UK Competition 2016/17. Congratulations!
The 7th Debating Matters International Final in 2017 showcased the best debaters from the UK and Berlin 2016/2017: Loretto College team from Manchester, UK, headed by Fran Tattersall, against the Nelson Mandela School team from Berlin, headed by Nihal Adler at the Battle of Ideas event at one of the most glorious venues in London – The Barbican.
The Nelson Mandela School Choir performs Holiday Songs
The Indian Embassy invited to their annual Christmas Carol Singing on the 14th of December 2017 and the choir of the Nelson Mandela School was invited to perform along with the choir of the Tagore School and the 5th Grade of the Clemens-Brentano-School. The atmosphere was full of joy, light and togetherness, fit for the magical Christmas time. We were welcomed by the first secretary of the embassy and after a moving speech of father Thomas from India about forgiveness, togetherness and generousity the NMS choir was the first one to perform. Under Mr. Beaner’s conduction the choir was able to thrill and the pleased audience sang along. Beside the usual (and unusual) seasonal Christmas songs Mr. Beaner rehearsed additional songs with the students, the most admired by the audience being „All Of Me“ by John Legend with a moving solo by Gnima Hecht.
The other performances were beautifully presented and thoroughly enjoyed, the NMS students singing along with the fellow choirs, cheering them on and showing their support. The ambassador thanked the teacher and students personally and even the chaperones were not forgotten with a sumptuous bouquet and a collection of Indian stories.
World War One Presentations
On this evening, there was a short sketch performed based on “Private Peaceful” (a novel by Michael Morpurgo) and a moving recital of poems by a renowned selection of World War One poets (for example Siegfried Sassoon, Wilfred Owen, Robert Graves and Richard Aldington). It was especially profound as following each poem, one candle was blown out so we were left in the dark at the end. A selection of lapbooks could also be explored – where one element of life during World War 1 was deftly designed and displayed. It was a thoughtful evening and the pupils did a very good job of recreating the catastrophe of war.
Jeremy McIntosh and and Sarah Dent
15th November 2017
COOL TOOL
For digital skills@home and in school!
For Students, Parents, Teachers & Educators
The Nelson Mandela School Cool Tools are collected, shared and written by NMS teacher and Head of IT Annemieke Akkermans. Her favourite cool tools for educators are interactive, promote engaged learning, are free of charge and don’t require the creation of an account. Check out the latest Cool Tool!
Video editing has become easier in recent years, with free and userfriendly tools such as Moviemaker and iMovie or even the wonderful Magisto app, which automatically puts your videos together, including music and some funky effects. Especially great for homevideos, but what if you want to join the major league? Then it makes sense to opt for a solution like Avid – which now comes to your doorstep (or rather your inbox) free of charge! Try Avid’s Media Composer and make your Hollywood (or Babelsberg) dreams come true. Even though the most top-notch options may have to be paid for, you can get started today with the best editing software used to produce award-winning feature films and series.
Danke!
Die Schule bedankt sich bei den Organisatoren des Festival of Nations für die vielen, vielen Jahre der perfekten Organisation eines der „Markenzeichen“ unserer Schule!
Frau Virginia Temper, Herr Ivos Piacentini und Frau Beate Zander-Zeidam
