CELEBRATING CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY'S 800TH ANNIVERSARY
Cambridge University (UK) has produced a special book, Cambridge 800, to celebrate its 800th anniversary in 2009. Articles have been contributed by the best practice institutions from around the world in Law, Finance, Science and Engineering, Education and Services. Newton College is one of only eight international best practice schools which feature in the book. We are especially proud of the title which the authors have given to our article: "Newton College in Peru provides students with an exceptional education and a lifelong understanding of the importance of the environment." |
 
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| This recognition, in addition to the recognition by The Guardian newspaper in 2006 as one of the "eight best international schools", reassures us that we are fulfilling our vision: "To be recognised worldwide for our academic excellence and educational style." |
CHILDREN'S INTERNATIONAL SUMMER VILLAGES – BUILDING GLOBAL FRIENDSHIP
In July 2006, Newton students Carlos García, Carlos Valverde, Gabriela Cerrate and Alejandra Díaz accompanied by our teacher Jean Yépez, became the first representatives from Peru to participate in this event where children from all over the world join together to promote an atmosphere of world peace. The students spent a month in Ecuador. Since then, twenty-seven Newton students have attended summer villages in Brazil, Germany, Canada and the USA. Our next groups leave for Sao Paulo and Guatemala. We have also received invitations for next year to go to the USA and Brazil again, as well as to France.
All participating students agree that these trips are wonderful learning opportunities for sharing ideas and experiences with pupils from diverse nations and cultures. For further information please enter www.cisv.org or contact Sra. Coqui de Ponce at peru@cisv.org |
LAHC STUDENTS CONFERENCE IN BRAZIL
In September, María Laura Sandoval and I travelled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the LAHC Students Conference. This is usually a conference about leadership, but this year, the theme was changed to "Creative Students", and so the activities were quite different. María Laura is a painter and I am a cellist, and at the conference we met students from Argentina, Chile, Mexico and of course, Brazil, all of whom were also artists. The workshops included graffiti painting, Brazilian percussion, drama and capoeira. During the three days that the conference lasted, we not only learnt about the activities we had to do in the workshops but we also appreciated so many things about Brazilian culture. We got to try Brazilian food, watch a play and participate in a capoeira dance. It was a truly enriching experience intellectually, artistically and culturally.
Giulia Ciliotta |
WORLD SCHOOLS DEBATING CHAMPIONSHIP |
After months of training, in September the Peruvian National Debate Team went to the World Schools Debating Championship in Washington DC. This annual international competition brought together young people from thirty-eight countries with numerous cultural and linguistic backgrounds for one common goal: "To disagree constructively, logically and in mutual respect."
A variety of important world issues were discussed and debated, with topics ranging from military intervention to the ethics of scientific research. Regardless of the subject, English was the common link throughout each debate.
Newton's own Stephanie Guin was a member of the Peruvian National Debate Team and competed against a wide range of countries, including Kuwait, Sri Lanka and Slovenia. She had the opportunity to become close friends not only with her teammates, but with debaters from all over the globe. Stephanie says that this was one of the best learning experiences she has ever had. "Everything was very demanding, from training 10 hours per week for four months to the 8 debate rounds in Washington, but it was worth every second." |
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Giulia Ciliotta also joined the national team as an observer and official back-up, only to arrive and learn that she would be part of the famous "Swing Team" after Team Zimbabwe pulled out at the last minute. Along with another student from Peru and a student from Botswana, she was unexpectedly thrust into world level debating, competing in all eight rounds. "This was probably one of the best experiences in my life, as I was able not only to learn more about debating and international issues, but also to share time and become friends with people from all over the world", she says of the experience.
The next World Schools Debating Championship will take place in February, 2009. Giulia Ciliotta will be debating for the Peruvian national team in Athens, Greece. Good luck Giulia!
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