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On
January 18th, we had a workshop for grades 7 through 10 aimed at
the development of presentation skills. The title of the workshop was
"Present Your Ideas". This was a preparation workshop for our school
team that will participate in the speech competition organized by the Riga
classic grammar school. This will take place in Riga on January 29th.
Ms.Anna O. Voronina, a representative of "Pearson Education" Publishing
House, organized this workshop in English. Children got acquainted with the
principles of preparing and presenting their speeches, learning to respond
to "the feedback from the audience". Great attention was paid to working on
the structure, the form and style of the presentation. It is remarkable that
many topics have caused intense discussions, questions on how to make the
theme of the report interesting to the lecturer. Many questions remained
unsolved. Discussion will be continued at the next workshop.
The main interest for all participants was in the method of preparing their
own presentations. For five minutes a team made of 4 students had to create
their own presentation using the suggested theme. The themes were very
difficult: "Distribution of mental ability and luck amongst people” (using
as an example of Russian fairy tales),"Characteristics of an unreliable
person”, “Inexplicable paradox of the Russian nature", etc. All
presentations were interesting. Each team managed to find concrete proofs of
their ideas. Then, they had to critique the presentations from other teams
according to the given criteria.
The workshop ended with discussion of the best presentations: "Yesterday and
Today "created by Hugo Erikssen (Grade 9) and " We always strive for the
best, but end up with mediocrity” presented by Nikita Kostitsyn and Peter
Buinitsky (Grade 10).
Nice job!!!
Many thanks to Ms.Anna O. Voronina for this exciting and well organized
training!
We look forward to continuing this project in the future.
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The last week of the second term was full of New
Year miracles. The school TV channel prepared a special program dedicated to
the most important events of December.
On December 24th, the 3rd graders and their classroom teacher
Nina V. Pyasetskaya performed a musical “Snow Queen ", Grade 3B pleased the
audience with a brilliant concert of the most well known Russian stars
(their parts were played by 3rd graders). Grade 4À
surprised us with their English skills in the performance of" Sleeping
Beauty ". Grade 4B participated in a Christmas competition for the best
readers called “Treasure Hunt for Reading” (where parents were the judges
and the competition was organized by the students of Grades 8 -11), Grades 5
and 6 participated in the holiday of “Chocolate Science” while 7-11 graders
enjoyed the New Year's discotheque organized and led by the 10th
graders assisted by 8th Grade students. They were dancing for almost 4 hours
and participated in cheerful competitions and games. The best Santa Claus
and the most charming Snow Maiden were selected.
On December 26th, the real Santa Claus and his
granddaughter Snow Maiden played by our seniors (Artem Olefirenko, Ilya
Gabbasov, Darya Bolshunova, and Anna Patkina), came to school and visited
every class to give Christmas gifts to all the students. Each student
received a baseball cap with the school logo. Santa Claus asked the students
to recite their favourite poems, to sing songs, and to tell if they were
good or bad in 2008. Good deeds prevailed and all the gifts were given away.
Thank
you, school!!!
Dear children, teachers and parents,
Happy New Year to all of you!
We wish you health, happiness and a lot of luck…
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On
December 22nd, we had a performance dedicated to the life of
Vladimir Mayakovsky, a famous Russian poet. The presentation was prepared by
9th graders assisted by our seniors and alumni. Included were
verses of the great poet, the story of his difficult life, his likes and
dislikes, his death and immortality...
The script was written by Ms.Elena G. Selivanova, a Russian Literature
teacher. Preparation and rehearsals lasted for over 2 months.
We were amazed by the brilliant recitals of difficult Mayakovsky verses.
The efforts were rewarded with an enthusiastic reception from spectators
and a standing ovation.
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On December 9th, we
had a linguistic conference “Lost in Translation". The conference
consisted of two parts: the theoretical part and the competition for the
best translator in Grades 7-10.
During the first part the invited visitors - experts in the field of
translation - talked to our students about simultaneous and poetic
translations, the role of translation in Russian classical poetry. Mr.
Evgheny.L.Kunitsyn - the university professor and the author of the book
"So Many Countries, so Many Customs" talked about various types of
translations, gave examples from his work in the international court and
as an interpreter for official negotiations of heads of state (Mr.
Evgheny.L.Kunitsyn was an interpreter for Nikita.S.Khrushchev).
Mr.V.R.Poplavsky, the director of theatre-studio "Horizon "and an author
of a translation of "Hamlet" shared with our students his reflections on
the popularity of poetry translations in different periods of Russian
literary history. The translator of modern Bulgarian poems.
Mrs. I.A.Trushina recited her verses and talked about Bulgarian
literature. Our students Olga Rublikova and Polina Giricheva (Grade 8B)
made the comparative analysis of two ballads “Lyudmila" and"Svetlana”
written by Vassily A.Zhukovsky. Natalia Dementyev (Grade 9À ) presented
her study on the translation and literal translation. The 7th -9th
graders recited their own translations of Shakespeare sonnets, as well
as verses in the Bulgarian language and the translations made by famous
Russian poets - Marina Tsvetaeva and Arseny Tarkovsky.
In the second part of the conference four teams of our 7th -10th graders
competed in translating Japanese haiku from English into Russian, tried
their skills of simultaneous interpretation, and presented their
homework – a translation into Russian of a well known English song. It
is remarkable, that haiku was translated from English not only into
Russian, but also into the Bulgarian and Serbian languages. Everyone
showed great talent and ingenuity.
We congratulate the winners:
1st place – Grade 7B,
2nd place – Grades 7 À and 9A
3rd place – Grades 8 À and 10A
!
Special prizes went to Johanna Tomova
(Grade 7A), the most active participant of the
conference, to Gena Arushanyan
(Grade 7B) for his interpretation of the song, and to
Nikita Kostitsyn (Grade
10A) for his original representation of haiku translation.
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In November our 10th
graders - Lee Koo Khon and Nikita Kostitsyn as well as Liza Okorokova
from “Doveriye” school chaperoned by Liubov A. Figurovskaya, our English
language teacher, took part in Quanta 2008 - the international
Olympiad (competition) in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology,
Astronomy and IT that took place in the city of Lucknow in India.
57 teams (more than 500 participants) from 11 countries competed in 7
categories (Debates, Collage, Acta Mathematica, Science, Astronomy Quiz,
Software Development, and Mental Ability Test). The level of the
competition was extremely high. Tests and competitions were very
difficult and exciting.
The opening ceremony lasted for more than 3 hours and was reminiscent of
the real Olympic Games.
This year our team got back home with awards. Our 10th grader Lee Koo
Khon was among the five best in Mental Ability Test and he received an
Honorable Mention award in this competition.
Our group went on Lucknow city sightseeing tour, took a train to Agra
where they admired magnificent Taj Mahal, and visited Delhi. It was a
fantastic trip and an exciting meeting with very interesting people.
Well done, guys!
Congratulations!
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On November 18th, we had
an international videoconference with a British university in our school - a
master class on English literature. The lesson on the English part was
conducted by Mr.Tom Greenway, a British teacher, and on the Russian part –
by Ms. Svetlana R. Gabdullina, our ESL teacher. We discussed the verses of
Mr.Philip Larkin - an English poet of the mid - 20th centuries. The poem
offered by the English university is a part of their compulsory literature
course. It was complicated and complex for understanding both for English
and Russian students. For an hour and a half, guided by our teachers, we
tried to understand the poem, its depth, and the use of figurative speech in
poetry.
Despite the sound and communication problems, the first result of this
teamwork made both parties happy.
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During the videoconference
“The Lesson on Modern English Literature”.
Philip Larkin's verses |
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On November 14th, we
received the delegation from the North American Consortium of Boarding
Schools. There were teachers and school principals from different US
states: Chris Beeson represented Athenian School, Stephanie Marshall -
Webb School, William Darrin - Blue Ridge School, Drew Miller - Cranbrook
School, Ann Gretchen Herbst - Admiral Farragut Academy, and Mary Ann
Gessner - St. Johnsbury Academy.
The American teachers spoke about their schools specializations: in the
field of engineering technologies, a school scientific museum, and a
plane constructed by students themselves. Our students mentioned that
our school is known for the intensive study of three foreign languages,
school theatre, sports clubs, participation in international festivals,
and competitions. The main characteristic of our school, as viewed by
9th graders, is our remarkable teachers. The American visitors were
amazed by the English language level and skills of our students and
their exciting stories about our school life. As a result, we agreed on
organizing the international speakers’ contests/debates, and on doing
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On
October 17th, our students and teachers participated in the
presentation of “The Literary Gazette" organized by the Bulgarian Embassy
in Moscow as a part of a big literary project named “Word and Image".
The meeting was hosted by Mr. Plamen Ivanov Grozdanov, the Ambassador of the
Republic of Bulgaria in the Russian Federation and Mr. Bisser Kirov, the
cultural attache. Among the honorary guests there were Mr.Yury Polyakov,
the editor-in-chief of “The Literary Gazette", Mr. Boris N. Tarassov, the
Head of the Maxim Gorky Literary Institute, and well known Russian and
Bulgarian poets and writers. There were discussions on modern Bulgarian
literature and tendencies of poetry development. Verses and stories were
read and recited by their authors. The brilliant, subtle and accurate
translations into Russian depicted the mood and depth of the problems
discussed. A very warm atmosphere, created by the organizers and
participants in the presentation, left no one indifferent.
After
this evening we decided to organize the Bulgarian-Russian friendship party
and musical presentations on modern Bulgarian poetry at our school. It is
especially timely now because 2008 is declared the year of Russia in
Bulgaria, and 2009 will be the year of Bulgaria in Russia. We will all be
getting ready for it!
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On
October 28th, at 15:30 in the assembly hall of our school there will be
a discussion with a well known Bulgarian writer, Mr.Dimitr Tomov.
It will be organized as a TV program “100 Questions to an Adult”. It is part
of our all - school project “Reading is Fashionable".
To get better prepared, please, read D. Tomov's stories which are available
in our school library and can be discussed with your literature teachers.
We invite 7-11 graders and the teachers. We hope everyone will enjoy this
discussion!
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Our
latest Yearbooks are read by |
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Mr.Bisser
Kirov, the cultural attache |
Mr.Plamen
Ivanov Grozdanov, the Ambassador of Republic of Bulgaria in the Russian
Federation |
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On October 7 and October 9
there was held a public speaking contest in our school. This year the
contest was a part of the all school project “Reading is fashionable”. The
motto of the contest is "Active Reading for Active Living".
24 students reached the final round. Therefore, it was decided that the
tournament would be organized as a two- day event. The participants were
divided into two groups according to their age: the 9th -11th
graders competed on October 7th, and the 7th -8th
graders competed on October 9th. Traditionally the first round of
the finals was in English. The topic our students spoke about was on the
role of reading in their lives. They explained why different people perceive
the same book in different ways, why reading makes our life more difficult
and yet more interesting, why active reading helps us to become future
leaders. All the participants displayed a good command of English and their
persuasive skills.
The students were judged by a professor of the Foreign Languages and Area
Studies Department of Moscow State University, a representative from MIRBIS
University, the Moscow Financial Industrial Academy, “Znaniye Center ",
“Study Group” (Education Specialists World Wide), the editor-in-chief of the
" Speak Out " language magazine, our school English speaking parents, school
alumni, , representatives from Pearson Education, Cambridge University
Press, and InfoMediaPublishers, as well as representatives of the American
Council for Education.
During the second round of the finals that was in Russian the participants
had to persuade the audience to read their favourite book. They spoke on
behalf of well known Russian and English literary characters. We listened to
two tragic and passionate speeches by Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, and the
reasoning speech of Alice in Wonderland. Portrayal of Ivan Kuzmich Shpekin
from "Inspector General" by Nikolai V.Gogol impressed both judges and the
audience. George Tomov recited a postmaster’s letter from "Inspector
General" by N.Gogol and expressed his understanding of the problems in this
famous satirical play. It was impossible to believe that Russian is not
George’s mother tongue and that he has been studying it for only three
years!
It is remarkable how many countries the contest participants represented.
Lena Lee (from Korea), Mia Andjelich (Slovenia), Hugo Erikssen (Norway),
Sasha Robinson (Great Britain), George and Joanna Tomov (Bulgaria) pleased
the audience with their high level of both English and Russian.
All the participants have received awards from both judges and the school.
The contest winners are:
Sasha Robinson (Grade 7B) - the first prize
Alexey Lyubimov (Grade 9À)
- the first prize
Mia Andjelich (Grade 7À) - the second prize
Joanna Tomova (Grade7À) - the second prize
Hugo Erikssen (Grade 9À) - the second prize
Nikita Kostitsyn (Grade10À) - the second prize
Michael Khodan (Grade 7B) - the third prize
Vasilisa Davidova(Grade11À)
- the third prize
Congratulations to the winners!!!
Thanks to all the participants!!! Well done!!!!
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On
October 3rd, we celebrated Teachers’ Day.
Traditionally, it is also Self Governance Day.
SAAS "Marina" students worked as teachers and school administrators.
Preparation started long in advance. The new school principal and the
assistant school principal organized teachers' meetings and discussed lesson
plans. This year there were two principals and two assistant principals:
Anna Patkina - high school principal, Vasilisa Davidova - assistant high
school principal, Sultan Ayazbaev –elementary school principal, Michael
Martirosov - assistant elementary school principal. There were 28 students
from Grades 7-11 working as teachers this year. Both administrators and
teachers were great!
The holiday dedicated to the Teachers’ Day started with a concert organized
by the elementary school students. Children sang, recited verses, and
danced.
After these lessons a special gift awaited all of us – it was a concert by
musicians of the "Scherzo” band who specialize in popular music of the 20th
century. Our students from Grades 9-11 participated in this concert too.
Words of gratitude and verses about teacher's work touched us with sincerity
and warmth. It was a great presentation! Thanks to all the musicians and
participants!
The school film studio prepared two films for this special day: “The Ideal
Teacher” and “Dedication to Our Favourite Teachers!". But this was not the
end of it. Our students baked a lot of pastries, cookies and cakes for their
teachers. They were delicious! On Monday the students will be able to taste
these cakes too.
Happy holiday, dear teachers!
SAAS “Marina” students and parents wish you health and patience.
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On October 2nd, a day before Teachers’ Day, there was the
first schools TV show “100 Questions to a Favourite Teacher”.
The guest of this show was Ms.Nina V. Sukhova, a senior English language
teacher. The students and teachers asked Ms.Sukhova various questions on her
personal life, her purpose in life, and her dreams. Our 5th – 11th
graders wanted to know about her favourite books and the food she likes.
We all learned a lot of interesting things about her: we learned about her
first love, her moods on Monday mornings, and her night dreams in English
and in Russian. Ninety minutes were not enough... Nobody wanted to leave and
go home. It is remarkable that the next day the questions continued in the
school cafeteria, in the classrooms, and even in the school corridors...
This is the first meeting in the format of the show “100 Questions to an
Adult”. The next one is planned for October 28. Our guest will be Mr.Dimitr
Tomov, a well known Bulgarian writer. We would like to invite all those
interested to attend!
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On September 1st, our
school celebrated «The Day of Knowledge» dedicated to the beginning of the
new 2008-09 academic year. The 1st graders for the first time stepped over
the school threshold. Their new life in school has just begun – it will be
full of new discoveries and lessons, school breaks and vacations.
Eleventh-graders (seniors) created their own greeting cards for the
first-graders. Thus, the seniors expressed their love to the kids.
The seniors prepared two theatrical performances for the new students -
together with Pinocchio and evil Karabas-Barabas the first-graders were
searching for a key to the Country of Knowledge, they recited poems, and
tried to solve riddles. School bogie Nafanya told children how bored he was
without them during summer holidays and promised to help them at the tests.
Another well known Russian cartoon character Postman Petchkin brought
cheerful telegrams - congratulations from the school administration and the
Student Council. They congratulated all the students who had their birthdays
in the summer. Traditionally, these students had to blow off the candles on
the birthday cakes specially baked for them.
At the opening ceremony in the high school the Head of the Students’ Council
Anna Patkina (Grade 11) informed the students about the work of the school
radio, the organization of school holidays, and our charity concerts.
The thank-you letters from Yablonevo village in the Lipetsk province were
handed to the Erikssen and the Levin families, as well as to the
administration of SAAS "Marina" school. In June 2008, TV sets, computers,
and books were delivered to this village school. Due to the efforts of all
those who raised money at the charitable performance of our school theater,
this village school was able to remodel and renovate their school, so that
they could start classes on September 1st.
“Following the road of love…” This is the leading idea of the 2008-2009
academic year.
The holiday was a success! Everyone was happy as their favorite teachers and
classmates were all together. New discoveries, successes, and victories are
ahead.
Dear SAAS "Marina" students, parents and
teachers,
from the bottom of our hearts we congratulate you with the beginning of the
2008-2009 academic year!
We wish you success, a lot of luck and excellent grades!
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