On March 30th, the outstanding American writer, journalist and public figure Mark Twain visited our school...
Of course, every student knows that this is impossible - the writer died back in 1910. But it was impossible to believe that it was an actor: a Mark Twain impersonator. Mr. Ken Richter has been impersonating the writer for 30 years telling about Mark Twain’s life to adults and students in the USA, Canada, and Europe.
We were all so fortunate: we not only listened to the interesting stories on Mark Twain's life, but could also ask the actor-writer various questions. It turned out to be another meeting in a format of "100 Questions to the Adult".
We learnt that the writer was not the best student at school, that his own favourite character was Huckleberry Finn, and he wants to get acquainted with modern star Britney Spears! Ken Ritcher was really surprised by the question asked by Mia Andzhelich (Grade 8A) whether "it is true that according to Mark Twain the coldest winter is a summer in San Francisco?" Mia read about it a week ago when she was visiting San Francisco. The actor said he was glad that our students have a great possibility to travel all over the world.
In the conclusion, all those interested could be photographed with Ken Ritcher/Mark Twain.
Thanks a lot to US Embassy for this wonderful possibility to meet the famous writer and this well known actor!
 

On March 12th -23rd, our students took part in the Silicon Valley Science and Technology Championship (in California, the USA). Their judges were Stanford and Berkeley University professors. Our students Mia Andzhelich and Lena  Lee (Grade 8À) presented a project "Sleep and Dreams" in the field of biology and Michael Khodan (Grade 8B) presented the project "Methods of carrying out sociological interviews. Is it possible to trust statistics?" in the field of sociology and statistics.
This is the ninth time we visited the city of San Jose, capital of Silicon Valley. This year the trip was very special because our group participated in the 50th anniversary of this conference. It is interesting to know that only 60 students took part in the first Santa Clara Valley Science and Engineering Fair in 1960, and this year there were more than 1000 participants (sixth - twelfth graders).
Our team was very international. Our students spoke Russian, English, Serbian (Mia Andzhelich’s mother tongue), and Korean (Lena Lee’s native language).
All the judges praised the works of our students, emphasizing the interesting topics and high level of understanding of the material. According to the Science Fair organizers, Michael Khodan’s work is very useful to all the participants who utilize the results of statistic data in their tests and research work. It is notable that this project was supervised by our alumnus Boris Vladislavlev, who participated in the similar Science Fairs in California in 2002 and in 2004. Today he is a 3rd year student of the International Institute of Economics and Finance in the Higher School of Economics. This year, our team represented the second generation of Russian participants! 
Many judges admitted our students’ high level of English and their good British accent (which is in a fashion in the US today). Our thanks to their teacher - Ms. Nina V. Sukhova!
The trip had a lot of impressions and reaped brilliant results. Our students brought back to Moscow medals and certificates (which will be useful for their personal portfolios), as well as the sensation of spring, warm weather, and gratitude to the organizers for the fantastic reception. Science debates late at night, trips to Santa Cruz, Carmel, Sausalito, walk over Golden Gate Bridge, basketball, the jazz concert at Harker school, the aroma of the Redwood Forest and new fresh grass is something to be remembered. We also managed to see Los Angeles due to the unexpected change of our Moscow flight.
"If you work hard, it is possible not only to reap brilliant results, but to receive a great pleasure from a life!" – Michael’s words defined the mood of our team.

Well done, guys!  We are proud of you!
 

On March 10th, another "100 Questions to an Adult" took place. This time, our hero was a Russian language teacher Alexandra B. Dukhanina.
The film about her shot 4 years ago opened the meeting. It is one of eight 15 - minute movies in a "Life Story" sequence about life priorities, reasons for the choice of this profession, hobbies of our teachers as well as friends and visitors of our school.
There were a lot of different questions about the first love, her favourite students, favourite books, about poetry, literature choices, schoolmates and many other things. The most interesting question was asked by Natasha Dementieva (Grade 10À). Oleg Yankov (Grade 9À) asked the most questions.
Our school alumni came to this meeting to ask tricky questions. For example, it was necessary to explain whether Pushkin was really considered “the sun of Russian poetry” and why. This question was the one Boris Vladislavlev (Class of 2007) wanted to ask since the time he was a SAAS “Marina” student.
As Sasha Vladislavlev (Grade 5B) said at the end of the meeting: "I did not think that Alexandra B.Dukhanina has such a rich biography..." An hour and a half was not enough to learn everything about the favourite teacher.
Traditionally, a group photo was taken at the end of the meeting. Alexandra Dukhanina treated everyone with the sweets too.
We would like to thank the participants and the hero of this meeting - Alexandra Dukhanina, a great teacher and a very good person.
We had a very warm feeling after this meeting. This feeling will remain with us for a long time and will help in the life of both adults and students.
 

On March 5th, just before International Women’s Day, spring has come to our school. The aroma of flowers and chocolate, happy faces and smiles, unusually elegant girls and gallant gentlemen (9th-graders came to school in business suits) - all this created atmosphere of a holiday and expectation of something very special.
Each class marked Women's day in its own way. Grades 4A and 4B prepared a concert for their moms and grandmothers. The invited stars from Grade 8À - Sera Sezer class and Sasha Lee participated too. 7th-graders organized funny competitions and quizzes for their girls, the 5th-graders designed wish cards for their girls. Our "Skilful hands" club, directed by Mr. Vladimir Soldatov, decorated chopping boards as gifts to their moms and grandmothers.
The day finished with an unusual concert. Sisters Sasha and Sophie Robinson congratulated everyone with a cheerful song, and then there were verses on love.
The 9th graders prepared a gift to all the teachers and school employees – it was a literary-musical composition dedicated to a great Russian poet - Fyodor I. Tyutchev (the script was written by an English language teacher Svetlana R. Gabdullina; it was directed by a Russian language teacher Alexandra B. Dukhanina). Almost all love lyrics written by the poet is autobiographical. The students presented the touching and sincere stories about uneasy and tragic fate of the poet. The parts of the women that Tyutchev loved were played by the 9th grade girls: Nastya Sudilovskaya played the part of Elena Denisieva, Lera Girdo played Ernestina Tyutcheva, Liza Stepanova played Eleonora Tyutcheva, and Diana Shafigulina played Amalia Fon Lerkhenfeld. Kostya Fedulkin, Eugene Gorovoj, and Nikolai Agafonov recited Tyutchev’s verses.
We would like to thank Alexandra Dukhanina, Svetlana Gabdullina and all the participants for this warm party.
We congratulate all SAAS “Marina» girls and women, mothers and grandmothers with International Women’s Day!
 

On February 14^th, the school birthday celebration lasted all day. At 11am we started intellectual sports marathon and a master class on acting.
In our school gymnasium, two teams of 4^th – 8^th graders showed not only their agility, speed, and excellent coordination of movements, but also their ability to solve logic problems. There were not only Maths and Physics problems, but also some in History, Russian language, and Biology.
The acting competition was organized and led by our school theatre director - theatre and film actress Zhanna Vorobyeva and Egor Pazenko, a well-known theatre and film actor. First, the participants had a master class and then showed their artistic skills, performing various creative tasks. The most interesting part was the reconstruction of famous paintings; everyone was bright original and witty.
At noon the school chess tournament started. A session of simultaneous games on ten boards was led by Ekaterina Pylaeva (our chess trainer-teacher) and our guest from the US, Mr. Howard Coday. One game was won by David Zograbjan (Grade 5B). Two games ended in a draw. All participants were happy! Winners received the book Twelve Chairs, written by I.Ilf and Eu.Petrov and chocolates.
Later, these were quiz games called "How well do you know our school history?", "Who is smarter than a fifth-grader?" and "Spelling Bee". It was fun and interesting not only for the students, but also for the teachers, alumni and the parents who actively participated in all these competitions. We learned a lot of new things about our school history. Adults tried to compete answering the 5^th Grade questions which were not that simple. We would like to congratulate the winners of the Spelling Bee competition -Vlad Porjadin (Grade 8À student) and Marina A. Yurovskaya (Spanish and KET teacher).
At 2PM the gala concert dedicated to our school’s 19^th birthday started. All the items were sincere, warm and very professional. The love theme united all the participants. It was not only because February14th is the Valentine's Day, but also because "Our school is built on love", as School Principal Tatiana A. Yurovskaya said.

Many thanks to all the participants of this concert, to Zhanna Vorobyeva , one of the holiday organizers, to the actors of the school theatre, to the excellent Masters of Ceremony, and, of course, to the audience for the warm reception!
Afterwards, we all got together in our school cafeteria. Our alumni - a remarkable and a special part of our school family - spoke about their achievements and successes and shared their memories of the school.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR SCHOOL!!!

19 years is a remarkable age!

On February 12^th we held dance and singing competitions called "Minute of Glory" and "Let Love Rule the World ". They were the finales of the annual school festivals "Up to the Top" and "The Best I Can Be". The words of a well-known song "All You Need is Love" were the main theme of these two days.  The Masters of Ceremony spoke about the Valentine's Day and about its traditions in different countries of the world. The performers spoke about love in the language of dances and songs.
On February 11^th, the "Minute of Glory» concert was held for 2^nd - 5^th graders. We were pleased with the artistry and professionalism of all actors. Spectators applauded a lot and did not let the young actors go.
Thanks to all the teachers who organized the shows: to Tamara I. Petrova, to Nina V.,Pjasetskaya, to Olga V. Makarova, and to Evgenia G. Kogan! Thanks for the pleasure and enjoyment!

On February 9^th, the literary-music art salon "At Nina’s" opened its doors for all the guests. The school auditorium was turned into an art cafe. The guests – 6^th – 11^th graders - were sitting at cozy little tables. We listened to classic and modern poetry, to traditional and jazz music. Some of the students presented their own compositions: verses in Russian and in English, music pieces and dances. Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings formed the background of the art café’s stage. The clothes were unusually stylish too: the 10th graders were all dressed in red, white, and black, the 8^th graders and the hostess were all dressed in orange and dark blue.

Thanks to the party guests and participants, as well as to its hostess Nina V. Sukhova, for organizing this party! Thanks to the school employees for the wonderful transformation of our auditorium into an art café!

See you next year!

On February 5^th, we held another "100 Questions to an Adult". This time, School Principal Tatiana A. Yurovskaya answered our questions.
The reunion began with a new video from a “Life Story” sequence telling about the life of our school principal. It was very interesting to learn about her school and university years, about her children's hobbies, and to see the photographs from when she was 5-6 and 14-15 years old.
Ms. Yurovskaya answered both oral and written questions. She shared stories about her music school grade book, about her favorite alumni, about educational exchange programs with all-boys school in Johannesburg, South Africa. The best question was asked by Sasha Demidov (Grade 6À) about whether our principal and the school experienced the consequences of the world economic crisis. Sasha was promised a special prize for this question.
We learned a lot not only about the about the lifestyle, principles, and hobbies of our principal, but also heard some stories on our school life.
Masha Selezneva (Grade 8B) said that she was amazed with the story on the school visit to an orphanage several years ago. Then, she added, "When I come home today, I will hug my mum and I will tell her how thankful I am for everything that she does for me".
Then, there was a photo session with the principal and a tea party; no one wanted to leave.
 

On February 4^th, there was a recital competition for 2^nd – 5^th graders, titled "While a candle is burning”, part of the “The Best I Can Be” festival. We have been organizing this festival for four years now.  By tradition, the right to light a candle and to open a holiday was given to its youngest participant - Andrei Vasiutin (Grade 2A). The program included verses, classic and instrumental music. Some students participated in several nominations reciting verses and playing musical instruments. It was wonderful!

Thanks to all the participants, spectators and the concert hosts - Volodya Patrikeev and Dasha Yakovleva (Grade 5A)!

On February 3^rd, we had a meeting with Sergey Lukyanenko, a well known science fiction writer. It was in the format of "100 Questions to an Adult". According to school tradition, our film studio made a video on the writer’s life and biography. The video included impressions of our 8^th -11^th graders on his story "The Train into the Warm Lands", one of the first stories written by this writer. Our students prepared for this meeting by reading his stories and novels (not only his most popular, Night Watch, but many others too. They also made illustrations to the works they read. We presented Mr. Sergey Lukyanenko with these illustrations.
Sergey Lukyanenko answered questions and spoke about his attitude to modern science fiction.
The questions asked were not easy. They were about the meaning of life, the role of the writer in a society, and, of course, the most important question of this year: "How do you understand, an expression "unity in a variety"? Mr. Lukianenko was glad that we have different understanding of literature, but we are all united in our love to science fiction.
In the conclusion all those who wanted could be photographed with the well known writer and received his autographs.
We are thankful to Mr. Sergey Lukyanenko and to all those present. It was very pleasant to hear the writer’s kind words addressed to our students. The main thing, according to Sergey Lukyanenko, that distinguishes our students, is that they read a lot and reflect on what they read. He said that they were witty, open minded and fascinating people!
Thanks to Sergey Lukyanenko that he found time to come to our school.
Thanks to Sergey S. Diachenko for organizing this evening.
We hope there will be more!
 

Many thanks to Dmitry Bykov for this very interesting evening and to Sergey S. Djachenko for organizing it.

Many thanks to wonderful speakers; strict, but fair judges; and spectators!!!
Special thanks to the Bulgarian students for their brilliant performances, and friendship.
 

On December 12th, at noon we started the First School Science Festival. We decided to host this festival half a year ago when our students participated in the Harker School scientific symposium «New Frontiers», which took place in the heart of the Silicon Valley - the city of San José, USA. Our students returned home and wanted to organize a similar scientific conference both with our pupils and well-known scientists. They created the festival logo, its symbols, and a program for the conference.
The festival was organized in two stages.
First, our 3rd -9th graders presented their projects in biology, physics, chemistry, and the arts at the school science fair. All the judges acknowledged and commented on the students’ curiosity, concentration, exciting reports, interesting experiments, and intelligent ideas.
At the scientific conference itself, we listened to the scientists’ and post-graduate students’ reports made, learned about the history of science and the prospects of new research and development of modern biochemistry, pharmaceutical science, and nanotechnology. The audience answered quiz questions and watched the magic actions of Professor “Dr.Nikita Kostitsyn”, one of conference organizers and hosts from Grade 11A. He presented the show about   chemical miracles. In the conclusion, Ilja Serov, the medical doctor from the Emergency Medical Center, organized a master class about the pulmonary resuscitation. All interested students could learn and practice first-aid. It was both challenging and practical.
Our friends from the Riga Classical Gymnasium participated in this festival, too. Sergey Bratarchuk, an Assistant Principal from the Riga Gymnasium, gave a report on the recognition of objects. The report was of great interest to all those present. The festival earned international status thanks to our friends from Latvia. Our students were invited to take part in a science conference in Riga in April 2010.
The festival lasted four hours instead of the planned two and a half hours. Of course, everyone got tired, but it was a very pleasant exhaustion, and we were happy with the job well done!
We are thankful to the festival organizers, the 11th graders, and to all the students who presented their interesting projects, to parents, teachers, and judges! Thanks to the scientists and our alumni who presented their bright and interesting reports at the conference!
We are sure that similar science festival will become annual events at our school!
 

The first Moscow Irish Drama Festival of school theatres in English was held on November 28th at the Bogolyubov Library of the Arts. Our school together with the Moscow City Department of Education, the Irish Embassy and the Bogolyubov Library initiated and organized this festival.
The Irish Ambassador to Russia, Mr. Philip McDonagh, was a special guest at the festival. Representatives from institutes of higher education (Theatre Sctchukin Institute, Moscow State Pedagogical University), the publishing houses “Pearson Education” (“Longman”), “Cambridge University Press”, the companies “Britania”, “Evrokniga”, and “Oxfordcrown”, and famous writers and scriptwriters were in the jury.
It is remarkable that all the participants were nominated. Every theatre group got a prize from the audience, chocolate prizes from the candy factory “Shocoladnitsa”, a set of books from the Irish Embassy, and dictionaries from the publishers. Anna Zakeeva, our Grade 8B student, was awarded a special prize from the Irish Embassy for winning in the quiz on Irish history and culture. Congratulations!
Our Masters of Ceremony worked very well and performed a real play on the history of Irish drama to introduce the schools that were performing. The characters of Oscar Wilde, Bernard Shaw, Elisa Doolittle and Miss Chieveley, presented by Hugo Erickssen, Alexei Lyubimov , Nastya Sudilovskaya and Sasha Robinson, were bright and vivid. We are very thankful to Janna Vorobyova, the theatre director of the festival, and her aid, Anastasia Mandrovskaya, for the brilliant performance!
Our school presented a scene from the play “The School for Scandal” written by famous Irish playwright R. Sheridan.  The mastery of actors and the work of our theatre director were praised by every member of the jury. The audience rocked with laughter.
We are thankful to the Irish Embassy, to all the participants of the Festival, and, of course, to the administration of the Bogolyubov Library for giving us the possibility to perform in the beautiful old house once belonging to the talented Russian painter Alexei P. Bogolyubov.
It was a real celebration of theater art, the English language and Irish culture.
 

On September 7th, the Discussion Club held its first meeting. The initiators of its work are the famous science fiction writers Marina and Sergei Dyachenko. We discussed the possible name of the Club and the topics for future discussions. The list of topics includes the history of cinematography, the work of film directors and cameramen, the role of comedy in society, new productions, etc. The meetings of the Club are going to be held twice a month.
Nikita Kostitsyn (Grade 11A) suggested the name “Oh, Cinema” for the Club; we are still discussing it.
The first meeting also included a mock trial about the cartoon “Theatrical Romance” based on the story “The Little Beetle”, written by Marina and Sergei Dyachenko. Everyone was involved in the trial. Sergei Dyachenko was the Prosecutor and Marina Dyachenko was the Defense Attorney. The part of the Judge was played by our alumna Zhanna Vorob’yova (she graduated from our school in 1995 and works as an actress now). Everyone else was the jury. We would especially like to mention Natasha Dement’yeva (Grade 10A), a witness for the prosecution and Hugo Erikssen (Grade 10A), a witness for the defense. Hugo’s speech was supported and cheered by the audience.
Time passed quickly but the teens didn’t want to go home. They were discussing the themes of the cartoon and the cartoon’s intended audience. The questions about this cartoon remained unanswered, but the pupils themselves said that it was not that important. More important was to absorb real art, in which there is no single meaning.  The most important thing about “Theatrical Romance” was the fact that it is a remarkably touching and kind story about life and love for the theater. It was good that pupils had a chance to watch that cartoon.

We are very grateful to Marina and Sergei Dyachenko and to all the participants.

On September 1^st our school celebrated a wonderful holiday called “The Day of Knowledge”.
The entire school meeting began with a "Koala bear hug" – parents, kids and teachers hugged their neighbors and said, "I love you". As a result there was an amazing air of mutual love and peace in the auditorium. The 11^th-graders prepared a funny theatrical performance for the first-graders and their parents. Kids solved riddles, recited poems helped by the characters from the well known Russian fairy-tale “Buratino” (based on the Italian “Pinocchio”) and finally got the Key to the Land of Knowledge.
This year we had two bells that rang simultaneously to begin the school year. Students who had siblings at the school gained the right to ring the bell. The bell-ringers were: Misha Levin (Grade 1B) on the shoulders of his elder brother Lev (their third brother Zhenya studies in Grade 4A) and Anya Tobak (her elder brothers Alexei and Igor graduated from our school in 2003 and in 2008, respectively). She was carried by Alik Kurbanov (his elder brother finished our school in 2008).
The high-school convocation was dedicated to the interesting activities which await our students this year. Everyone will be able to find an activity to his/her liking (Irish Drama Festival, Shakespeare Festival, Science Day, various sports workshops (chess, tennis, etc), piano classes, school newspaper, theater, radio, television, discussion cinema club, etc.)
Marina and Sergei Dyachenko, well known science-fiction writers and script writers of the movie “Inhabited Island”, told us about the Cinema club that would start its sessions in September. The cartoon “Chervona Zhaba” (“The Red Frog”) was watched by our students with great interest. The script to this cartoon was also written by the Dyachenkos.
According to school tradition, we welcomed new students and congratulated those who celebrated their birthdays during the summer.  They were presented with apple pies baked in our school cafeteria. At the end of the meeting our 11^th graders playfully vowed fidelity to SAAS “Marina” traditions.
Filling the auditorium during this time was a remarkable air of joy and happiness from reunion with friends and classmates, and from new expectations. Our 19^th school year has begun!
Hurrah!  

Dear SAAS ‘Marina’ pupils and parents,
With all our hearts we congratulate you with the beginning of the new school year!
We wish you good luck, success and excellent marks!
Welcome, school!