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OVERSEAS PUPILS
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The aim of this
page is to provide a guide to the services the school provides
for pupils who live overseas. More information can be accessed from
this page by following the links provided.
For many years pupils from overseas have been a
familiar and valued part of the Christ College community.
Major changes in the world
order have widened the diversity of nationalities within the school and
overseas pupils make a great contribution to the international nature of
our community and enhance the breadth of educational and cultural
experienced enjoyed at Christ College. |
Christ College is a school where everyone cares and where the
atmosphere is one of warmth and happiness. In a school of around
300 pupils it is easy to get to know everyone and
with over 50 pupils who live overseas (including those with parents in
the Forces) its a significant part of the population.
Location. Christ College is situated in Mid Wales in a small
market town called Brecon. The area is considered a "safe" place to
bring up children with minimal crime. The town in the National Park
which is in an outstanding area of natural beauty with the famous Brecon
Beacons and Black Mountains not far away. |
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ARRIVING/HOLIDAYS
School transport (to and from) Heathrow airport. This is
provided at
beginning and end- of terms and half terms for a reasonable rate.
The journey time is around 3 hours and pupils are accompanied by a
member of staff on the coach. If flights do
not fit with the school coach staff can help pupils arrange transport, including
taxis and assist with rail and coach timings. For more information click here for the
Airport bus
schedule to Heathrow or email:
guardianship@christcollegebrecon.com
If travelling independently the following are useful web addresses:
www.nationalexpress.com and
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Guardianship can be arranged through the school for half term
holidays. This service is run from within the school and inspected
by Care Standards in Wales as part of the school inspection. Please click on the link
Guardianship.
Visas are a parental responsibility
and advice can be found on
www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/
Police Registration is a requirement for students from some countries
- it will be printed on the visa when entering the country if
registering with the local police is a requirement.
LESSON/LANGUAGE SUPPORT & INTEGRATION
The EAL Department provides pupils whose mother tongue
is not English with the necessary language to participate fully in
learning and social life as soon as possible after their arrival.
It also oversees and supports overseas pupils in their integration in
the school community. The Department also supports overseas pupils
in their individual subjects with work with a heavy language content and
prepares pupils for English language examinations necessary for their
future studies.
Christ College's Sixth Formers have achieved outstanding results in the
IELTS tests in English. These tests of ability in speaking,
writing, listening and reading comprehension of academic English are
used by universities as the criterion for language for admission and are
accepted across the world as evidence of competence in English.
Most candidates taking the tests are about to begin undergraduate or
postgraduate courses but most Christ College students take them in the Lower Sixth;
some even have to wait until they reach the minimum age to qualify.
Although pupils are considerably younger than most candidates Christ
College students consistently score well above the average grades for
candidates of their nationality. Results are awarded in nine bands with Band 9 being an almost
unattainable level of linguistic perfection and academic ability. Top
universities require Band 7 for most courses and even for those with a
demanding language content such as Law or Politics Band 7.5 is the norm. CCB candidates
have produced exceptional results in recent years with many of
them achieving scores of 7.0, 7.5, 8.0 and 8.5.
Pupils who join Christ College before the 6th Form move into mainstream
English classes and take GCSE English Language and English Literature.
Those who arrive later or prefer to remain in EAL take International
GCSE English as a Second Language. Some move back to EAL for their
fifth year if they feel more confident doing IGCSE; the important point
it that there is flexibility for each student to do the most suitable
option.
All EAL pupils are entitled to four lessons per week without charge in
their first year at Christ College. Thereafter lessons will be charged
at the school's standard rate. Students are encouraged to ask for
guidance from the department and there is no charge for tutorial advice.
However for a structured course of private tuition charges will be made
at the school's standard rate. For more information on click on
EAL.
Activities and Games
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Overseas students are expected to participate in a games and
activities programme. These include: Basketball, Climbing, Cricket, Cross
Country, Golf, Tennis, Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Chamber Choir, Pottery,
Fitness Suite, Shooting, Tae Kwon Do, Weight training, Volleyball to
name a few! These activities help you to get to know other pupils and
can be a lot of fun.
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Special Events
| Integration is about becoming a full member of a community:
excursions such as climbing the highest peak in the Brecon
Beacons, plus visits to Cardiff Castle, St David's and St
Fagan's, help students understand the history and culture of the
country that they are living in.
Christ College also recognises
that all races need to celebrate their differences. The school
aims to educate all pupils by educational visits and events at
the school.
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The senior Chinese students have
seen in Chinese New Years 2005 to 2008 in at an authentic venue in
Canton (Cardiff). (Click
here for photos).
For Chinese New Year in school, the kitchen provides a special Chinese menu
for lunch and tea which is enjoyed by the whole school
community. The Dining Hall is decorated with banners of red and
gold and there is a chance to try out your chopstick skills!
The school also enjoys various theme food days throughout
the year based on international themes (Greek,
French, Italian etc).
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Cultural Visits
In 2008 there was
visits to Rome and France and in 2007 there was a
cultural visit to Shanghai. In 2006 pupils also undertook trips to
France and Barbados and in 2005 the Chamber Choir
went to Japan (see pictures below or click
here for more photos).
Overseas Pupils Achievements
Including the above results in IELTS the following achievements have
been made in the last few years:
Chinese students have been offered a place at Cambridge.
A Japanese trumpeter won the Young Musician of the Year and a
Korean cellist was awarded the second prize the year before. Chinese students
have also
won the Zone Final of the Rotary Young Musician.
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PASTORAL
Chapel. From Monday to Thursday the school day begins with Chapel. Saturday begins
with a hymn practice,
and on Sunday there is Night Prayer or a special service. Pupils from all faiths are encouraged to talk about what
they value. Doing this seems perfectly natural because Christ
College has a long tradition of teaching a generous and open Christian
faith. For more information click on
Chapel
Houses. Houses are split into one Junior mixed boarding
House (Alway), two Senior Girls Houses (de Winton and Donaldson's) and
three Senior Boys Houses (School, St David's & Orchard). Whilst
each house is different, staff are keen to maintain a friendly family
atmosphere, while encouraging pupils to realise their potential both
academically and through extra-curricular pursuits. For more
information click on Houses.
We hope you find this page helpful. If you would
like information about joining Christ College please email:
admissions@christcollegebrecon.com |
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