Author: Avenor College

One year ago, Avenor launched “Teachers for Teachers“, a training and mentoring programme for early-career teachers who want to turn their profession into a true vocation. Our goal was to recruit both primary school teachers and subject teachers for middle and high school who aspire to become the best version of themselves in their careers.

One year later, we talk to Cristina Bumboiu, English Curriculum Leader and Coordinator of the “Teachers for Teachers” programme, to find out what happened in the first year when two young teachers benefited from this project – Oana, Teacher of History, and Andrei, Teacher of Physics, how the program unfolds, and what challenges are encountered.

 

PROJECT START

The intention to create a framework to help young teachers become more confident professionals when embarking on their exciting yet complex teaching journey germinated two years ago and we were happy to launch the Teachers for Teachers project in the spring of 2023. 

At first we did not quite know what to expect but we knew we wanted it to be a two-year journey aiming to help your teachers become better at what they do. After meeting a few enthusiastic graduates we realised that the project was going to be a wonderful learning experience for all those involved as they were asking a lot of questions which made us realise that there was a potential to address an already existing gap in their previous knowledge of  and experience in teaching (pre)teens. 

I think we can now confidently say that our initial predictions were confirmed as Oana and Andrei, our current two trainees, have greatly benefited from receiving input, feedback and exposure to teaching real students in a safer environment instead of being thrown at the deep end. 

”The motivation to enrol in the ‘Teachers for Teachers’ programme came from my desire to contribute to educational development and to share my knowledge in physics with my colleagues and students. As a graduate of the physics faculty, I see this opportunity as a way to collaborate with professionals in the field and to learn from each other to create a more efficient and engaging learning environment.” says Andrei, Physics Teacher and participant in the programme.

WHAT ARE WE AIMING FOR

Since this project aims to at first give participants some time to adjust to being part of a dynamic community while incorporating aspects related to teaching and pedagogy, the aspect of forming positive relationships is crucially important. 

We therefore started by inviting our two young colleagues to first notice the way in which Avenor community members relate to those around us so they were able to make a first impression of the school culture. We sought to encourage them to familiarise themselves with all main aspects of the school life so our newest colleagues could better understand the  mechanisms of the dynamic of an ever growing organism that the school is.  

Our team of teachers from across Primary, Middle School and High School have welcomed the participants into their lessons, their wisdom, experience and expertise being the key ingredients of this process without which we would not have been able to advance the project. 

The senior teachers and mentors have weekly meetings aiming to support their mentees with helpful feedback based on their lesson observations. My role within this process is to curate materials, to set up their weekly routine activities but to also keep in touch with mentors and senior teachers so their advice gets fed back into my weekly meetings with the two trainees. 

This is because we view this as a system rather than a silo keeping the participants away from the other areas of school. We are all interconnected and this reflects in our daily lives. 

”The experience within the Teachers for Teachers programme, which started at the beginning of the school year, has been extremely valuable and useful for me as a trainee teacher. Through this program, I was guided and supported by experienced teachers and a dedicated mentor, allowing me to learn and evolve significantly.

Close collaboration with mentors specialised in history has led me to explore innovative teaching methods, historical contexts, and interdisciplinary approaches deeply. Through this program, I developed essential communication skills, better understood students’ needs, and created engaging and stimulating learning environments.

Furthermore, the guidance provided by the mentor in the program encouraged me to implement my ideas and surpass my limits sustainably and constructively

Participating in the Teachers for Teachers program is an essential part for my professional growth. It not only provides me with support and guidance, but also allows me to enhance my skills and confidence as an educator.” – says Oana, Teacher of History and participant in the programme.

CHALLENGES

Since this is a new initiative we have also encountered quite a few challenges. Since this is a new role within the school we found that sometimes not all community members shared the same understanding of the process and we are still in the process of refining the process so it will become better next year when we plan to continue. 

At the same time, not having a model to refer to meant that much more time than initially anticipated was needed in order to create a more coherent structure. Since Oana and Andrei have become more independent in their teaching this year it looks like the project will need some adjustments so it is better suited to those involved in it. 

From a training perspective reaching common language and expectations has been and is still one major focus area. Since young professionals may come with their own set of experiences and expectations, sometimes what we mean by ‘giving clear instructions’ for example may be different from what they have been used to in their careers as students, for example. 

WHAT’S NEXT

But this is where our team’s experience comes to debunk myths and misconceptions. 

I would say that hard but honest conversations are central to personal and professional development and if I were to think of anything  I could say to our current trainees it would be that they should be really listening to and incorporating the feedback they are given. 

If Avenor were a village they would be the two toddlers whose growth everybody has contributed to.  

Any young graduate or teacher wishing to be part of the project should know that this is an extraordinary experience that I wish I had had 20 years ago when I started teaching. At that time I was guided by my former High School English teacher who was very eager to help me but I did not know very well how or where to start. 

Here we have that system which is being constantly developed and the key factor is the willingness to be brave enough to take risks, to make mistakes and most importantly to reflect on those mistakes and to become a better person and a better professional. 

The 24 hours Business Challenge is a student-led project that involved a 24 hours challenge for 4 teams of students who had to come up with a business plan prompted by a brief they received on the day. 

Ioana, a 11 Delta student, was the initiator of this project, which she organised with the support of Maria – 12 Alfa and Horia – 10 Alfa, serving as co-project managers.

They were supported by Valentin Brabete, Teacher of Economics and Business Studies, and 19 volunteers who collaborated to put in place this business marathon, which took place in the Avenor Arena.

We invite you to read the interview below to find out more details about this project initiated and entirely coordinated by our students.

Ioana, how did this project come about? What was your motivation to organise a business challenge?

Before coming up with the idea for The 24h Business Challenge, I was on a quest to find a scholarship project which would be representative of my own passions but also relevant to the school community.

I started noticing the interests of my peers and considered existing projects before drawing the conclusion that many students at Avenor are business-oriented, yet there aren’t many opportunities, at least in my year, to develop entrepreneurial skills and perspectives. 

Once I started thinking about entrepreneurship, the ideas followed naturally and the concept of the event came up during one of my many spontaneous brainstorming sessions in the hallways with Mr. Brabete. He was the one who suggested the sleepover aspect and together with Maria and Horia we developed a solid plan.

My motivation for organising a business challenge came from the desire to bring together the school community in an entrepreneurial context where the broad concept of “business” could be dissected and understood on a deeper level. We casually talk about business in our daily conversations, however, the business is constantly evolving and not many fully comprehend its continuously-expanding margins. 

What was the schedule for the day?

Our organising team arrived at 8.30 on Saturday to set up the final touches after working on arranging the floor the previous evening. At around 10 AM we opened the event with a brief introduction of the theme (Social Entrepreneurship) and welcomed our workshop hosts: Diana Segarceanu (Marketing), Andrei Rosu (Entrepreneurship & Social Impact), Cornel Danila (Finance) and Monica Dudoiu (Leadership). They each held interactive workshops that left our participants speechless and made me personally wish I was an attendant. 

Related to the challenge brief, we themed the decor of the Arena as a camping site. We had flowers on the working desks and a little meadow with pillows and tree trunks gathered in a circle around a cauldron. Every time an event stage started or ended we played traditional music and everyone knew to gather in the meadow.

During the snack break, we prepared a team-building exercise that brought laughter and released energy. The winning team was allowed a 20-minute Q&A session regarding the brief with Mr. Valentin, our coordinating teacher.

The lunch was  sponsored by HORECA Culinary School, followed by an afternoon where students managed their own time and worked on the challenge.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, the teams initiated volleyball games and dance breaks to help them reset before going back to work, building friendships and thriving in the company of their peers.

We started the morning early, the team setting up the breakfast products provided by Laptaria cu Caimac and Filgud while the challenge participants woke up to music and got ready for the final day.

They had some more time to do their final preparations and rehearse the presentations before our esteemed judges, Cristina Willows, Andrei Dudoiu and Felix Patrascanu, arrived.

The teams presented the projects they put in work and passion throughout the night and confidently answered the questions from the judges. Each team received thoughtful feedback and not long after the final decisions were made. 

We had a lovely closing ceremony where we presented the winning teams with certificates and announced their prizes (Summerwell tickets for the winning team, internships at Fan Curier for the runner-ups), followed by a warm thank you and diploma awarding ceremony for the organising team, who stayed until 3 pm to reset and clean the Arena and cafeteria.

I couldn’t be prouder of the hardworking, cheerful and resilient team who gave life to this project and I am forever grateful to our workshop hosts, judges and sponsors, who helped make it happen.

Maria, what were the most challenging moments in organising this project?

Since I chose to be part of this project, I’ve had a great dose of positivity regarding any “impediment,” “problem,” or difficulty that might arise in our process. And that’s because I believed wholeheartedly in the potential of this idea, in the magic of shaping our dream and turning it into reality, regardless of anything. 

Although it sounds like a cliché, I firmly believe that absolutely anything in this world is possible if we have faith while putting love and joy into our visions. And this project demonstrated this to me once again. 

To answer the question specifically, one of the most challenging moments was when there were very few days left until the event date and we didn’t have many registered participants. In fact, we knew we couldn’t hold it. I’ve had some intense days full of fear, as there was no option in my head to cancel the event. Behind these emotions were constant thoughts about the entire team of over 18 people together with mister Valentin Brabete, who had put effort into working these months with the best intentions for what was about to happen. Almost everything was sorted out, with speakers, judges, and sponsors taking their time to support us in every way that they could. 

Although I remained very confident and believed that somehow we could still “solve” the situation, I had some tougher moments of breakdown and anxiety, from which I learned a lot about myself.

Other hard moments to witness were during the event itself, at night, when I observed the 4 teams working on the challenge. It was very hard for me to see moments when they were exhausted and drained from so much hard work. I constantly felt the need to encourage them or to do anything to ease their effort. I was genuinely shocked to see how much motivation, strength, perseverance, optimism, intelligence, humour, inner balance, and above all, empathy, existed in my colleagues. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to discover them. It’s something beyond words what they’ve managed to accomplish during this competition.

It was a deeply cherished project that will always remain in my heart. And that’s especially because of the real connections and unique relationships we formed, with some rare human beings who I’m sure will make this world a better place. ✨

Although I could never stop writing about everything we’ve experienced, I have to conclude somehow. 

This whole experience was about people, with people, and for people. And that was the backbone of this project, from my point of view! ❤️

Horia, what surprised you the most in the process of organising this event?

One of the first things, and one of the most important things in the process of organising this event was choosing our team. 

In the beginning, despite the clear differences between the people we ended up selecting for this team due to the fact that we have worked in a different style than usual, this being a combination of students ranging from 9th graders up until 12th graders. These differences have clearly imposed certain difficulties and sometimes even tensions, but I was pleasantly surprised to see just how well we, as a team, have managed to work together. The sheer support and the utter motivation I have seen from everybody involved in this project has clearly made it an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

However, it is crucial to also mention what surprised me during the actual day in which the event took place. Despite the challenges brought towards the participants by the brief, I was shocked to see the dedication that certain participants showed throughout the entirety of the event. Even at really late hours, I could still see the dedication that they were portraying, which I can admit was not only hard to acknowledge at that moment, but it still currently is. 

The fact that our ideas have blossomed into a project which has got a big chunk of the Avenor community involved is still something that I’m thinking about even to this day, and I cannot thank everyone enough for all of the work put into this project.

Vali, what are your thoughts after supporting and subsequently observing this project?

We have amazing kids, as you already know, and it is truly a privilege to work with them and see them pushing themselves out of their comfort zone and learning. Competitors and organising teams have raised the bar and modelled very high levels of responsibility and professionalism. The organising team got to school Saturday at 08:30, and the last of us left Sunday at 15:30. The competition lasted 24 hours excluding training and judging time. 

It was absolutely impressive to see some of our students still working at 04:00 in the morning, while others were sleeping having decided to finish work immediately after they woke up. The quality of their business proposals was extraordinary, particularly taking in consideration the young age of students participating in the competition (grades 8 and 9). They received high praises from the members of the jury and feedback to reflect on for the future.” says Valentin Brabete, Teacher of Economics and Business Studies.

From the moment they enter an early years setting toddlers and preschoolers start spending more and more active time in the nursery than at home every day. From the routine they had in their home environment they slowly adapt to the nursery routine, in a new setting with new adults and children around. 

What to look for? How to shorten the list of options?

We are all aware of the fact that children thrive when they feel safe and secure and when they are supported to form positive relationships with the people around them. Only then, real learning starts happening.

When choosing a nursery for your little one, definitely the main criteria to consider are: high standards in terms of health and safety,  a strong culture of positive relationships amongst the entire community and a broad and balanced curriculum.

How do you recognise safety in an educational environment?

During your first visit to a nursery site you can look for: medical staff and the attitude of children towards them, the interest of the institution for safeguarding and child protection, children-teachers ratio in the classrooms or the menus. Later on, you can ask for information about how the curriculum supports the children’s awareness and learning on health and safety matters.

The student experience in Avenor Nursery is quite a pleasant journey in terms of safety. Every morning the child  enters our setting, says “Good morning” to the security guard, then goes to meet the nurse who’s checking on children every morning in the lobby and, why not, have a friendly chat with her. After changing shoes and saying “Goodbye!” to mum and dad, he goes to the classroom, always accompanied by a teacher, according to the principle of “never alone” children in the campus. Then, a whole world of curiosity and discovery opens every day, ensuring children a sense of freedom and comfort, while through all the procedures for safety we continue to discreetly protect them: age-appropriate resources, teacher-children ratio in the classroom and risk assessments. The curriculum is present everywhere through the adults around the children: in the lunchroom, at the toilet, on the stairs, outdoors and in the classroom, while addressing topics like healthy food, fire drills, germs and playing safely etc.

Meanwhile the parents, every morning, follow their children’s journey by consulting the daily menu, using the opportunity to interact directly with the medical staff, leaders of the team and teachers or even express written concerns in a special box at the entrance of the building where they always find information about the Designated Safeguarding staff members. 

Parents are reliable partners in ensuring safety of the entire community, by following the Parents Guide, respecting our procedures and offering constant feedback.

What does nursery well-being look like?

Given the fact that meaningful learning takes place after children feel emotionally and relationally comfortable in the nursery, cultivating positive relationships is crucial to their progress and development.

The way in which children interact between themselves, the communication between parents and teachers, as well as the conversations that teachers have with children can give you a feel of the quality of the relationships in a nursery setting. You can also look at the approach that the nursery school has in terms of behaviour management, the opportunities provided for promoting staff wellbeing, together with events that bring parents closer to the school such as parenting workshops, themed days or open classroom sessions.

At Avenor Nursery we understand that mornings are essential for welcoming children and helping them start a new day with a smile on their faces and at the same time for checking in with the parents and talking about any information that is relevant for the day. Afternoons are for feedback and therefore contribute to the constant flow of professional, transparent and trustworthy communication between teachers and parents. The Avenor teaching team takes part in team support sessions, can access whole-school well-being initiatives and professional learning and development training, actions which contribute to both their personal and professional growth process. Last, but not least, the ‘School from Home’ programme welcomes parents for conversations on different parenting aspects that they find useful and connects the dots between home and nursery in terms of dealing with stage-related behaviours. 

What is the impact of a broad and balanced curriculum?

Because early years is the fundamental stage for the future learner, we recommend choosing a broad curriculum that stimulates and explores multiple directions, while maintaining an appropriate balance through the focus on the prime areas of development which will ensure the basic competences for any further curriculum that the child will follow later on. 

In Avenor we’ve explored the potential of such a curriculum throughout the years. Now Avenor Nursery has developed its own curriculum based on the British Early Years Foundation Stage set of standards which promotes learning through playing and exploring. We have designed learning modules that promote inquiry, having in mind the impact on thinking:  children develop awareness and understanding about concepts related to the past, the world around them and are challenged to think about the future through making predictions and designing from their imagination.  The continuous provision in the areas of learning promote hands-on experiences meaning that through using/manipulating those resources children are learning actively, they are collaborating, asking questions or developing and testing new ideas. 

English language development is another key aspect with a strong long-term impact on learning. From singing rhymes and acting stories with our toddlers to guided reading and writing sessions with Year One, children make visible progress and take pride in their achievement. Moreover, a child’s vocabulary is carefully developed through the other areas of learning. For example in a maths area or activity children acquires new specific vocabulary and understands concepts such as patterns, shapes, more or less/ comparison, whereas in a science-related activity they will learn to name various specific tools and understand transferable concepts such as observation, prediction or causation; all these are carefully planned to happen in a logical age-appropriate manner, in order to ensure that each child makes progress.

The impact of a curriculum is visible even from the beginning of the learning journey if you look at the child’s real life contexts: the way he activates the concepts learned or how he makes connections, or even just the attitude in front of new situations. In Avenor Nursery we value the relevance of learning in the real world and we support the curriculum through a co-curricular framework designed to offer an even broader perspective and more diverse  opportunities. The variety of club sessions ensure choice, while encouraging the pursuit of personal interests. The learning outside the classroom framework includes exposure to the real world through trips, external visitors, spending time and learning in nature.

All of the above are key points at Avenor Nursery and are sustained by policies and practices that are based on the values, expectations and procedures of British education.

Avenor Nursery is a British School Overseas accredited Nursery meaning that it has been inspected and received the outstanding judgement by the British Government and the inspection process is quality assured by the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED).

In a world where exploration and innovation are fundamental, Avenor offers passionate mathematics students various development opportunities. Through competitions and mathematical challenges, students are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and expose themselves to new and unusual situations. Experts argue that this approach not only keeps the brain young but also prepares students for future challenges. 

In this article, Mihaela Ancuța, Teacher of Mathematics and Mathematics Curriculum Leader, helps us better understand the benefits that students have gained from participating in competitions and how thorough preparation and recognition foster increased motivation and confidence in confronting new challenges.

 

”Our goal is to offer passionate maths students various opportunities to step out of their comfort zone and expose themselves to new and different situations from those they encounter in their everyday classroom. Experts say that facing new and unusual situations is a way to keep your brain young, so why not? 

Participating in competitions is not an end in itself, but rather an alternative, an option, a choice for each student. What we have observed is that maths-passionate students have embraced challenges every time; we were glad to see that this year the number of competition participants has significantly increased, as well as their results. 

Participation in competitions is not conditioned by specific preparation in this regard; even relying solely on the knowledge acquired during maths classes, students manage to achieve very good results.It’s wonderful to see their reactions when they hear they’ve won a prize or another. We’ve tried to create beautiful moments for them to remember later, and we’ve handed out the awards in a pleasant setting, without turning the moment itself into a festive and boring one. We notice that after each award ceremony, students leave with an intrinsic motivation to move forward and embrace new challenges.” says Mihaela Ancuța, Teacher of Mathematics, Mathematics Curriculum Leader and Assistant Head of Secondary.

In February, three students who have qualified for the Mathematics Olympiad, Municipal Phase. We stand by them on March 10th, when they will compete alongside the best students from Bucharest to solve highly challenging problems.

 

 

 

At the Upper School, a mathematics competition featuring topics from the school curriculum as well as logic and perceptiveness problems, Ana Maria and Carola, students in 5 Omega, have qualified for the second stage of the competition. Congratulations!

      

 

 

Comper is a national competition in three stages, organised in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

This year, 34 students from 5th and 8th grades participated in the first stage of the mathematics competition, where they achieved very good results, considering the high level of difficulty of the test.

Congratulations to the winners and best of luck in the next stage!

 

The international competition Maths Black Sea is aimed at students in the 4th and 5th grades, and the team representing our school was made up of 10 students (3 from the 4th grade and 7 from the 5th grade).

In 40 minutes, they had to solve 15 multiple-choice problems. The competition tested concepts from chapters such as Powers, Ordinary Fractions, Units of Measurement, Triangles, Equations, and Data Organization Elements. Additionally, the competition included a challenge component with logic questions.

The Avenor team scored 219 points, a result that placed us 2nd out of the 12 participating schools from different countries.

Congratulations to everyone for participating and getting involved!

 

UKMT – Intermediate Mathematical Challenge involves a 60-minute test where students are challenged to answer 25 multiple-choice questions. It is a competition that tests mathematical reasoning ability, precision, and fluency of thought. 32 students from 9th and 10th grades participated in this competition and achieved the following results:

• Gold: 2 students
• Silver: 12 students
• Bronze: 15 students
• Participation: 3 students

UKMT – Senior Mathematical Challenge is a test specially designed for students in 11th and 12th grades. In 90 minutes, students must solve 25 multiple-choice questions designed to challenge their thinking. 21 Avenor students from 11th and 12th grades participated in the competition and achieved the following results:

• Silver: 5 students
• Bronze: 2 students
• Participation: 14 students 

Congratulations to everyone!

Clara’s ART

Clara, a grade 12 Alfa student at Avenor, directed her first play which premiered on February 10th, on the stage of Țăndărică Theater. 

The production received appreciation, captivating audiences with its depth and emotional resonance. Clara’s debut marks a promising start, reflecting her profound passion for theater and directing, particularly evident in her skillful communication of complex messages, as the one in Yasmina Reza’s text.

Below, you’ll find Clara’s story and the initial reviews of the play, shared by members of our community who attended Clara’s debut night – Smaranda Nicolau, teacher of Drama and Media Studies, and Dana Papadima, Educational Director.

Clara’s Story

Over the past decade, I’ve participated in numerous school theater productions. However, I eventually decided to take a step further by dedicating my free time to a teenage theater troupe. It was there that I met Dragoș, Theodor, and Denis, who now comprise the cast of my latest production, ‘Art’. Recently, I transitioned away from acting to focus on what felt like my true calling – directing. Thus, the concept for ‘Art’ took shape, marking my directorial debut.

Bringing this production to life demanded considerable effort, time, and emotional investment. Yet, not once did I experience regret, obligation, or fatigue. In every rehearsal, I loved what I was doing, what we were building. I learned how important it is to surround yourself with people who share the same ambitions, the same passions, and who, in my case, appreciate art. I owe immense gratitude to the talented actors whose dedication and support, from our very first rehearsal, were unwavering, despite my lack of prior directing experience. Every step of the process reaffirmed the authenticity of my love for theater and directing, guiding me along the way.

I am proud of what we have achieved together, and I am excited that the world is coming to see our play.

”A Review” – by Smaranda Nicolau

You might say that Yasmina Reza write plays for grown-ups. A favorite among the group of intellectually inclined artists aged 40+, Reza writes complex scores that brim with the paradoxical experiences that adults accumulate as they go through life. “Art” is about a childhood friendship facing its midlife crisis. Three friends reach a point in their adult lives where they don’t share much anymore. At this point, the completely white painting, with “two white diagonal stripes” that Serge buys for 35,000 EUR becomes the spark that ignites the already existing powder keg.

At first glance, it seems like the play is about the white painting and many experienced directors and actors have indeed made the mistake of dwelling on the obvious theme. But Reza and youthful director Clara Ciușcă, following closely in her footsteps, know full well that the audience wants to see theater, not philosophy. Clara’s “Art” lies in her stubborn determination to probe into the deeper layers of the text. In her play, the social commentary on the value of art is delivered without stealing the audience’s attention from the real issue – the loss of a friendship. Clara demonstrates that she has the ability to work with finesse and depth with the three immensely talented actors playing Marc, Serge and Ivan, to create a story in which the audience invests emotionally, not just intellectually.

With this direction, Yasmina Reza’s text bursts with significance. The author’s multi-faceted words retain their philosophical layers without sacrificing anything from the emotional relationship between the characters. The three interpreters of friends Serge, Marc, and Ivan deliver an expertly sustained powerhouse performance; the acting is as smart as it is believable, the scenes flow rhythmically, the punchlines land with impeccable timing, and everything revolves around a thread of perfect clarity, reflecting Clara’s organizing force of the idea.

Yasmina Reza’s texts seem, at first glance, to be texts for grown-ups. But the audience at Clara’s premiere was equally divided between young and old, and everyone was laughing in unison. I think that through their youth, Clara and actors Theodor Andrei, Denis Belu, and Dragoș Prundeanu, remind us all that often we pretend to be rational when we are hurt and scared, we pretend to be successful when we feel aimless, we pretend that our friends have changed when we are afraid that they simply don’t like us anymore. At all ages.

Testimony from the theater audience – Dana Papadima

Without diminishing Clara’s known qualities – depth, curiosity, creativity – I must admit that last night’s performance left me speechless, yet with hands wet from applause and with emotion in my throat.

I also told her; I didn’t attempt to be kind simply because she is 18 years old, our lifelong student, my friend’s daughter, and indeed, my younger friend. I savored a well-rounded directorial success, a control of the performance dynamics rarely seen even in many “mature” directors, all accompanied by perfect communication with the cast.

Congratulations to all; today, emotion has turned into pride!

 

The second performance of the play will take place on March 20th, at 6:00 PM, at Sensio Living. Seats are limited. Reservations can be made HERE, subject to availability. The ticket price is 40 lei and will be paid at Sensio on the day of the event. All proceeds will go to the artist team.

On February 10th, Avenor hosted the inaugural regional round of the prestigious Oxford Schools’ Debate Competition in Romania, bringing together 56 students from 8 schools. This stage required participants to engage in two British Parliamentary-style debates, with the top 3 teams advancing to the final held at the University of Oxford in March.

During the event, two Oxford students, our guests for a few days, provided explanations on the rules, served as judges, and closely observed the competitors.

Special congratulations to the Avenor team comprised of Ioana and Sofia, students in  Grades 9 and 10, who will represent Avenor in the final stage of the Oxford competition.

Louisa Dăscălescu, teacher of History, and coordinator of the Avenor Debate Club was the driving force behind and organiser of this project, tailored to provide the Avenor Debate team with the opportunity to participate in a significant international competition, pushing their limits and preparing them for the future.

In the interview below, Louisa shares insights on what participating in such competitions means for our high school students.

 

What was your motivation for organising such an event at Avenor?  

Romania is lucky to have ample opportunities to debate in local competitions and events. That said, where were the opportunities for students to participate as a school team that led to a bigger competition or final elsewhere? The debate bubble in Bucharest is excellent, but the students are very familiar with each others’ strengths and weaknesses, and I felt they needed an additional challenge. 

The Oxford Schools’ Debate Competition is a very popular event in the UK – it has over 350 schools competing every year. More recently, it has also grown internationally, with regional rounds in different countries all over the world opening up. I felt it was important for us to have a regional round in Romania and to give students competing the chance to progress to a final with unfamiliar faces in the historic Oxford Union at the University of Oxford.

 

How many debate teams does Avenor have?  How has the interest of students grown for such competitions?

Avenor Debate Club for grades 8-12 currently has 33 members! I hope it will keep on growing next year! 

When it comes to competitions, we set up an internal qualifier to ensure that the selection process is fair and that the students who are ready to compete go forward to represent our school. Some students are more interested in the World Schools’ debate formats where they have teams of 3 and a reply speaker, whereas some enjoy the British Parliamentary style with teams of two and only 15 minutes time to prepare for a debate!

 

What were the debate topics, and what results did our school achieve?

The regional round of Oxford Schools’ Debate Competition implied for the 56 participant students to take part in two rounds of debate on the motions selected and introduced by the two students from Oxford University: for the first round, ‘This House Would demolish all monuments built by recently toppled repressive regimes’ and the second round, ‘This House Prefers a world in which elderly parents live with their adult children as opposed to living separately.’

Our school did very well – one of our teams was amongst the three top performing teams, who qualified for the final at Oxford University. The environment that day was highly competitive with all teams achieving good scores. As a result, the decision to choose three finalist teams was made by the judges from Oxford University in collaboration with the judges from the other schools. As the organiser of the day, I can say that the top ten performing teams were all a few points within each other!

 

What does it mean for the winning team to attend the second phase of the competition, which will take place at Oxford?

The final at Oxford will be a significant step up: speaking time will increase from 5 minutes to 7 minutes, and students will be able to bring pre-prepared material with them to support them in the debate, but it will be tricky ensuring that the material will be relevant and they will have to think quickly on their feet and adapt to arguments they don’t predict coming from equally strong public speakers.

 

Why is it important for students, in the long run, to participate in such competitions?

While the competitions themselves are a chance for students to test their strengths as public speakers against other worthy opponents, the work they put into preparing for competitions is equally or more important than the competitions: the super-curricular reading they do to be familiar with an array of motions and topics, tirelessly honing their persuasive writing and public speaking skills through practice rounds – these actions equips students with attributes and competencies that make them successful in their further education and careers as well as debates.

A highlight of our recent Oxford Schools’ Debate Competition – regional round – was having our two guest judges, students from Oxford University, speak to our students in high school about the value of extracurricular activities in the process of applying to universities in the USA and the United Kingdom.

Ultimately, exposure to debate or other extracurricular activities that facilitate a better understanding of the self and the word will undoubtedly help students narrow the scope and focus of their future applications for university, whilst also arming them with confidence, competencies,  and knowledge about how to present themselves and communicate effectively.

On February 8th, we had the pleasure of hosting Doru Căstăian, a philosophy professor, on our campus. He addressed the community on the topic “How to Live a Good Life” – the second conference in the series “What’s Worth Learning?“.

The experience of discovering the significant impact that behaviours like constant reflection, moral ethics, and balance have on individual well-being was an enlightening exercise, demonstrating to everyone present how we can incorporate philosophical concepts into our daily lives to enhance our educational, professional, and social experiences. 

We take pride in sharing with the entire community Doru Căstăian’s reflections following his visit to Avenor. For us, his visit was a learning experience for which we are grateful, as well as an opportunity to get to know each other.

 

For me, a teacher with twenty years of teaching experience in a (single) state school, but who has dealt with numerous schools within the system over the years, the visit to Avenor felt like stepping into an educational wonderland. At Avenor, I witnessed operational ideas and principles that I had previously encountered mainly in literature—a blend of rigour, adherence to rules, and social and intellectual openness. These elements transform a mere school organisation into a flourishing and dynamic educational community.

No, please don’t assume I’m naive or that I’ve been captivated solely by the (impressive!) infrastructure or the understated glamour that subtly suggests we’re in a prosperous community. I’m actually referring to the intangible connection that reflects on the children’s faces, who are truly the most important here. It’s about the invisible bonds where healthy routines are embraced. Here, curriculum leaders pose genuine problems both theoretically and practically, rather than simply going through the motions with trivial matters. I’m talking about the prevalent collaboration among teachers, where sharing ideas and overcoming mistakes with integrity and bravery are commonplace. Moreover, parents are integral members of the educational community, respected and consulted, yet not granted every wish despite their contributions.

Ultimately, I’m also referring, to the ongoing learning process of teachers, their efforts to explore, observe, and absorb insights that contribute to the school’s ongoing relevance and competitiveness.

In short, Avenor is a school community from which we all have a lot to learn, including how to build a (healthier) relationship with the state system and its rather bureaucratic, old-fashioned tendencies.

In matters of education, I don’t subscribe to singular solutions. I believe in the necessity of both public and private education. Schools like Avenor, accredited in both state and international systems, present an opportunity for us, for the sake of our children, to transcend tribalism and dichotomous thinking.

Certain good practices and constructive ideas from Avenor can be adopted tomorrow (or today) in any of the public schools at no cost or minimal costs. That’s why I encourage every school director or inspector to make an immediate visit here. Any open-minded individual will leave inspired and enlightened after interacting with the school community here, especially since Avenorians are open, empathetic, and willing to help.

Lastly, a word about the school’s people, perhaps its most crucial asset. Children and teachers (and parents, although my interactions with them have been fewer), resemble those in any school in Romania. The same familiar hum to any seasoned teacher’s ears. The same curiosity that has always resonated with me, the same young minds eager to unfold as soon as they’re encouraged.

For a moment, I closed my eyes and dreamed that every school in Romania would have at least some aspects of Avenor.

I don’t idealise, and certainly, we could critically assess certain ideas and philosophies underlying such an educational approach. I couldn’t help but reevaluate my old ideas (developed in several texts over the years) regarding the benefits and limitations of entrepreneurial models and methods in education. But beyond all this, the visit to Avenor was more than just a semi-social event for me; it was a profound experience, a joy, and a revival of hope.

It is possible.

On February 14th, at 8:40 a.m., Avenor is organising the Open Day event for families who want to learn more about the educational journey we offer to students, from ages 2 to 18. Discover Avenor is an event dedicated to students aiming to enrol in grades 2 through 10 for the academic year 2024 – 2025.

The novelty of the event lies in the fact that all children registered for the Open Day will be able to participate in a class session alongside Avenor students and teachers.

Registrations for the Open Day can be made HERE.

On February 14th, between 8:40 a.m. and 10:05 a.m., we open the gates of the Avenor campus in Greenfield to welcome families interested in discovering what learning at Avenor looks like, how we guide our students to reach their full potential based on their passions, and what the atmosphere on our campus is like.

Through this event, we aim to provide parents concerned about education with the opportunity to receive answers to the questions they have when looking for the right school for their child. In specially designed sessions for meetings and discussions with our educational leaders, Avenor students, and parents from the community, we aim to provide a clearer picture of how the learning process is structured, with the student at its centre.

Additionally, children participating in the Open Day will have the opportunity to become Avenor students for a day. They will be invited to participate in a class session appropriate for their age, thus having the chance to directly see the classroom atmosphere, the relationship between students and teachers, and how learning actually happens.

Both parents and children are welcome to explore our campus located on the outskirts of Băneasa Forest.

Over the past two years alone, we have invested over 4 million euros into this purpose-built learning environment, comprising 5 buildings, 50 classrooms, dedicated laboratories for sciences, arts, computer science, design, drama, a state-of-the-art sports hall, and two outdoor sports fields.

At Avenor, we are constantly concerned with making learning relevant, interesting, and useful for real life.

“What’s Worth Learning?” is an important question for education, and we aim to find answers from the most erudit and remarkable individuals in our society. Thus emerged the initiative “What’s worth learning?”, which involves hosting conferences on topics of interest not only to our community but also to a broader audience, featuring speakers who are experts in their respective fields.

Scheduled for February 8th, the second conference in the “What is worth learning?” series will take place at the Avenor campus. We are delighted to welcome Doru Căstăian as our guest speaker. He is a teacher of philosophy at the “Dimitrie Cuclin” High School in Galați and an associate professor at the Faculty of History, Philosophy, and Theology, “Dunărea de Jos” University. He aims to teach us “How to Live a Good Life.”

 

The invitation extended to Professor Căstăian is motivated by the intention to learn from great philosophers how to build a good life and why it is worthwhile to have this topic of discussion and learning in schools.

Why Philosophy?

We are increasingly concerned about the quality of our lives – at home, at work, in our relationships with others and with ourselves – and we desire to have a good life. Philosophy has always been concerned with the good life, developing practices and tools that can be used both in everyday life and in the classroom.

“Perhaps, for your child, the value of philosophical inquiry and its practical applications may not be immediately evident. Likewise, for you as a parent. Yet, many presumed innovations in parenting are, in fact, repurposed tools from ancient traditions of thought. Philosophy can be seamlessly integrated into everyday activities like brushing your teeth, watching a Netflix movie, exploring the city, or even enjoying a football match (especially when watching one). In all seriousness, I wholeheartedly believe that the benefits of philosophy remain relevant today, if not more so. Across the globe, people are rediscovering the forgotten riches of philosophical thought, whether to navigate work challenges, adolescence, or the complexities of first loves, both shared and unshared.” – shares Doru Căstăian.

The Resurgence of the Formative Spirit 

The resurgence of the formative spirit is increasingly acknowledged within Romania’s higher education philosophy sector, offering a broader array of “tools” to the general public, ranging from books to podcasts and master’s programs in philosophical counselling. Through vivid and concrete examples, Doru Căstăian will illustrate how we can integrate philosophical tools into our daily lives to address personal challenges and enhance our pedagogical practices in the classroom.

“We cannot deceive human nature. We cannot manipulate fragments, uncertainties, or glimpses of feelings as if they were mist. Viewing everything as a production process is unrealistic; not all problems have algorithmic solutions, nor are all objectives SMART. Somewhere within the core of our minds, perspectives must converge to provide a coherent understanding of the world around us at every moment. These aspects may seem like mere philosophical embellishments on simpler matters, but they are not. They represent fundamental needs without which human beings suffer, both literally and metaphorically. Whether it’s ourselves, our children, or the adolescents under our care, even philosophical tools alone are insufficient; we must also nurture certain dispositions through what Foucault termed as techniques of the self. This cultivation can occur both at home and in the classroom, and I aim to demonstrate how” articulates Professor Căstăian.

Reflection and Self-Creation in the Age of AI

The widespread use of AI, which is becoming increasingly unavoidable, presents a host of specific issues that, like any technology, disrupt and reorganise our social frameworks.

Our lives are becoming more fast-paced, leading to a decline in reflection. We often seek the shortest and easiest routes, constantly searching for recipes promising success. However, algorithms, upon which such recipes are based, prove ineffective in matters of personal discovery and relationship-building.

How should we navigate this technological revolution, whether we are parents or educators?

“Smart technologies are already reshaping our lives unlike any other technology before. We are only at the outset, and individuals of all walks, from the child completing homework with ChatGPT to the expert in the philosophy of knowledge, are striving to understand the unfolding dynamics. It’s tempting to adopt unexamined notions from our surroundings, whether envisioning a dreamy new technological utopia or predicting an impending apocalypse. However, as parents and educators, it is incumbent upon us to delve deeper, to understand how AI and its suite shape our knowledge, skills, memory, goals, and values. We must grasp its capabilities and limitations and leverage this understanding to become better parents, educators, and mentors.” expresses Doru Căstăian.

About the Purpose of Philosophy Today

How do we discover our values, how do we sift through what is important from what can be set aside? What is the meaning of life and how do we uncover it? What are our virtues?

“I am honest enough and, I like to believe, lucid enough not to claim that I have a panacea. I don’t have motivational speeches for you, life recipes, or unbeatable algorithms. However, I do have some advice, a lot of willingness, and the desire to make new friends in the realm of reflection. It pains me to say, reflection has nearly vanished from the realm of our professional practices. And those who pay the price are almost always the children. They pay for our unforgivable hesitations, our arrogant ignorance, our existential confusion. Yes, in this millennium, I still believe in the promise made millennia ago by philosophy. That happiness is possible. That we can refine its patina every day. That a journey that usually begins with ourselves can be fascinating,” says Doru Căstăian.

These are some of the topics Doru Căstăian will discuss at the conference on February 8th, in an attempt to help us learn “How to Live a Good Life“.

 

The adolescence poses numerous challenges, both for children and the adults around them – parents and teachers alike. The well-being of our students and the entire community takes precedence, and we consistently seek resources to assist parents in being well-prepared and always supportive of their children, no matter how tumultuous the phases they go through.

With the assistance of Mrs. Maria Tănăsescu, a parent in the community and editor at ZYX Books, a publishing company focusing on emotional education titles, we hosted a workshop on campus titled “Whoops, adolescence!“, drawing a significant number of participants – parents and teachers – eager to discover how they can remain reliable allies for their children throughout this challenging period in their lives.

Starting from the book “Ups, pubertatea! Cum arată lumea adolescenților de azi și cum vorbim cu ei despre teme dificile / This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained,” written by Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennet, the two invited psychologists as speakers at the event – Yolanda Crețescu, clinically experienced psychologist working with adolescents, and Silvia Guță, psychotherapist and author – discussed the book’s themes and answered questions from parents.

Building on scientific information about puberty and the physical, mental, and relational changes it brings, the workshop extensively explored how the period of adolescence has evolved from our generation, to the generation of our children.

The two psychologists emphasised important aspects, noting that this period starts earlier, lasts longer, and occurs with a phone in hand, significantly altering the dynamics of things. Therefore, parents need to assume that what they did at 12, 15, or 18 years old, today’s youth are doing three years earlier. The differences between generations are immense and challenging to overcome, especially for parents.

Adding hormonal changes, sexual activity, low self-esteem, and body image to the narrative complicates the situation further for parents who aim to bring their children into their world rather than entering the children’s world. Without making a genuine effort to understand their needs and issues during this period, things become even more difficult.

“Young people in their teenage years are just like the adults, they are small humans. They face the same issues as adults, but they’re encountering them for the first time. HENCE, ADOLESCENCE MARKS THE ERA OF INITIAL EXPERIENCES. 

If you, as a parent, aim to connect with an adolescent, look back at how you felt and thought when you were their age, rather than solely focusing on your current emotions.” advises Yolanda Crețescu, psychologist.

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE WORKSHOP

Navigating adolescence is no easy feat. Adolescents struggle through these years as they seek independence and validation, experiencing immense mood swings and grappling with daily changes in their self-perception. It’s a tumultuous period where they might easily slide into eating disorders, and mental health issues may arise.

That’s why it’s important for them to feel safe regardless of what happens to them. No matter how challenging it is for parents to accept certain behaviours or attitudes, it’s crucial to stand by their children, provide explanations, and show them the imperceptible benefits. Being there for them in unpleasant situations (for parents), with patience and without judgement, parents can help their children more than they realise in the moment. Also, we must not forget for a moment that people are imitative, including teenage children. Therefore, the example set by parents remains a reference point for the child who will mimic the behaviour – whether positive or less so.

“We had some ‘aha moments,’ created by the frankness and openness with which the psychologists spoke to us – I felt several times that they were speaking directly to me, about my child. I particularly resonated with Yolanda’s speech, which often validated my feelings towards what my preadolescent child does and says, and even what I can or cannot do to support her.

I was left with the message that being a parent of a teenager ‘has’ to be difficult to be good, a validation that I think any conscious parent needs from time to time.” – is one of the testimonials received from a parent who participated in the workshop.