Staff Introduction Week at RCN

2018-10-16T09:32:34+01:00August 19th, 2016|

It has been Staff Introduction Week at RCN this week – this is an opportunity for staff to learn about the activities that have been happening on campus over the course of June and July, for Support and Education Staff to reconnect after the summer break, and for professional development / training and for preparation for the beginning of the academic year.

This year’s Staff Introduction Week has featured a ‘pot luck’ dinner, induction for new staff, meetings, presentations and discussions. Professional development included training offered by a team of staff on communication (based on Red Cross Street Mediation) and intercultural understanding.

This year, we were joined by Tove Veierød – the Chair of our Board. Please click here for her address to all staff.

On Thursday, we had our professional development and team building away day. Education and Support Staff were able to choose from three options based on the College’s three pillars: a course on traditional Norwegian baking, an introduction to the German occupation of Norway during the Second World War, and an expedition to Alden, a mountain island at the entrance to the Dalsfjord. The day finished with a staff barbecue at the Høegh. Click here for an album of photographs.

Staff Introduction Week focuses on working together and community building – how best to support each other as we, in turn, seek to support the students in our care.

Yale Young Global Scholars

2018-10-16T09:32:35+01:00August 16th, 2016|

During the summer two of our students, Abdul Abo Shokusr (’17) and Yangzom Dolma (’17) attended a Summer Programme at Yale University. Here is Abdul’s report:

Starting with the sophisticated yet intriguing Marbury v. Madison case and ending with capstone project presentations, ‘TED’ talk series and a talent show, two of our students (Yangzom and Abdul) participated at the Yale Young Global Scholar this summer.

Programme participants

Programme participants

Since 2001, Yale University has hosted a summer programme for high school students. Due to overwhelming interest in the programme, Yale offered six different programmes for summer 2016. The two UWC Red Cross Nordic students participated in the programme focussing on Politics, Law and Economics. Students for this programme stayed at the largest residential college at Yale, Pierson, a wonderful campus of gothic architecture and suddenly – 260 energetic high school students and talented specialists from all around the globe.

The programme lasted for two weeks – from the 19th of June until the 2nd of July. The experience was astonishing, eye-opening and instructive. The topics of the lectures extended from the American constitution to the economics of poverty alleviation to international law. During the programme, opportunities were given to students to participate in a culture show, talk series, special meals with Yale faculty team including its professors, PhD candidates and the dean of the college and we also had tours around Yale Law School.

Yangzom and Abdul in their groupEngaging in thought-provoking seminars, listening to controversial opinions in the lecture hall, taking part in round-table fruitful discussions, exploring new academic interests, researching for capstone projects and spending ‘family time’ with people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. All of that helped shape the experience of YYGS Students who left the New Haven campus with greater intellectual curiosity, enhanced academic interests and a new network of people representing all the 50 states of the United States and over a hundred nations.

For UWC students the experience of living with people from all around the world is not new, nevertheless, being in a similar atmosphere for an extensive educational program within one of the best universities around the world was an unforgettable experience.

Please write to us with your experiences during the summer.

UWC Pastoral Care Conference

2018-10-16T09:32:35+01:00August 2nd, 2016|

In mid-June, a UWC Pastoral Care Conference was held at Pearson College, Canada over five days. It was designed to bring together residential staff from all UWCs in the spirit of connectivity and collaboration. We were delighted that there were representatives from all the UWC schools and colleges, including the two prospective campuses in Thailand and Japan.

All the teams present at the conference are committed to providing a strong, supportive and responsive pastoral progamme on each of our campuses.

The RCN Delegation consisted of Larry (Rektor), Alistair (Deputy Rektor), Judit (House Mentor), Lena (nurse) and Arne (Director of Development).

Jens Waltermann presentingWe were delighted that Jens Waltermann, the Executive Director of UWC, joined us for the majority of the programme – eager to listen and learn about pastoral developments in all our colleges. Laurence Nodder and Larry Lamont, Rektors of UWC RBC and UWC RCN respectively, were the Heads present and responsible for the conference. For Larry’s welcoming address, please click here.

The residential teams present at the conference came together having listened to feedback on respective campuses from residential staff and having brought many student ‘voices’ (experiences, struggles, mental health issues, and personal UWC challenges) in their backpacks.

The programme consisted of presentations, workshops and discussion groups on many pastoral subjects including: health and wellness, safety and security, supporting students of concern, gender and sexuality issues, mindfulness and social and emotional learning, dealing with trauma, promoting regular sleep patterns, and much more.

The main objective of the conference was for participants to share experiences and learning and then to take back what we learnt to our respective schools and colleges. In essence, this was a conference designed to provide professional development, a springboard for ongoing collaboration and support, for the benefit for the students on our campuses.

The Annual UWC Admissions Meeting was organized to coincide with the Pastoral Care Conference – and we spent one day with a shared agenda.

Thank you to the hosting team at Pearson who succeeded in delivering a highly stimulating conference and creating a welcoming atmosphere for all participants.

Sarah Hamilton, Director of Boarding at Atlantic College, captured the spirit of the conference in the final plenary session: ‘I have worked at AC for over 20 years and this conference has helped me feel part of a global UWC community for the very first time. Thank you.’

Galdhøpiggen with the Red Cross

2018-10-16T09:32:36+01:00June 6th, 2016|

The RCN representativesThis year a group of students and teachers from RCN again participated in the annual Til Topps event, organized by The Norwegian Red Cross. It was the 10th anniversary of this amazing hike to Galdhøpiggen that is, with its 2,469 meters elevation, the highest mountain in Norway and with that the highest mountain in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. Til Topps is the year’s most energetic multicultural integration event, supported by a phenomenal team of volunteers who ensured that the day ran smoothly and safely. Over 1500 people joined the event this year.

Six students and two staff members left the College early on the last day of term together with a group of refugees from the Fjaler Kommune to join the Sogn og Fjordane Red Cross delegation in Forde and, from there, Lom.

The evening before the hike, participants were treated to a culture evening with delicious food and exciting entertainment, including live performances by international bands.

The big day dawned, we packed up our rucksacks and were bussed to Juvasshytta, where we registered for the hike, received harnesses for the glacier crossing, and set off! The weather was spectacular, not even a single cloud in the blue Norwegian sky. The walk was challenging, even for hardy Norwegians, but as always, the thought of reaching the top and the encouraging words and smiles of other participants and the Red Cross organizers provided all the motivation we needed.

The view from the top was stunning and made up for all the efforts and the fatigue!

We are very grateful to the Sogn og Fjordane Red Cross for including us in their team, giving us the opportunity to have this extraordinary experience.

Go to Top