news & events

Development & Alumni Office

St. Clare's initiatives and recent events

Senior courses events: seminar series and international film nights
In addition to the numerous recreational and sporting activities on offer to senior students at St Clare's, the Bardwell Road Centre now boasts its own International Film Night. Running once a week, students are shown - on our own big screen - films from around the world, which have thus far included Goodbye Lenin (Germany), Y Tu Mama Tambien (Mexico), Battle Royale (Japan), City of God (Brazil) and Together (Sweden). Film Night has been a big success, with high attendance and great enthusiasm from the student body. The real cinema experience is aided by a never-ceasing flow of popcorn.
Also on offer to senior course students is the St Clare's Seminar Series, which takes place on Tuesday evenings at Blackfriars Hall. Since its inception in 2000, the Seminar Series has provided an opportunity for students to explore and discuss a stimulating range of issues and ideas. Each semester the nine sessions of the series are linked by a common theme which is considered from a variety of perspectives and disciplines. Themes addressed in previous semesters have included: violence and human conflict; death and love; villains; and citizenship, democracy and diversity. The theme for this semester is Women of Power and Influence, with speakers considering the life and work of such seminal figures as Mary Wollstonecraft, Simone de Beauvoir, Margaret Thatcher, and Hildegard of Bingen, to name but a few of the women addressed in this fascinating series.
As well as attracting outside speakers, we have had the pleasure of listening to the thoughts of some of our own colleagues, including John Rolfe, David Chaplin, Cristina Gomes, and Andrew Young. Plans for next semester's series are already taking shape. The theme will be Revolutions, and will consist of discussions of revolutions in the spheres of politics, economics, art, literature, science and the history of ideas. All are welcome to attend these sessions, which are consistently lively, provocative and entertaining.
Brian Clack, Philosophy teacher

International Day
The international educational community of St. Clare's hosted its annual International Day in October. Not only did this memorable event bring closer students from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, but also allowed them to broaden their knowledge on various issues in different parts of the world, whether being political or economic. After a great deal of hard work and effort put into organising an event that was put together by the students themselves, the International Day of 2004 was entertaining, educational and extremely enjoyable!
The day started with students dressed in either their flag colours or their national costumes, which were greatly admired. We set off to different debates and discussions organised by the students about current affairs in their own countries. The English students held a very interesting and absorbing debate on whether fox hunting should be made illegal in England. Others discussed the relations between China and Taiwan, cultural divisions in Germany and the banning of wearing of religious symbols in schools in France. The various debates and discussions allowed students to gain insight on and respect matters around the world which are of great importance to people of different nationalities. By the end of this thoroughly engrossing session, the students then offered food from their own countries in groups set out in stalls in the school's dining hall. Some of these included succulent selection of sausages from the Germans, spicy samosas from the Indians, tomato pasta from the Italians and, also, frog legs from the French!
After enjoying a delicious meal, students gathered in New Place for workshops from different countries. Many students got their hair braided by the Africans whilst others had elaborate henna designs done on their hands by the Indians. The Irish tried to convince everyone that Gaelic football was the most skilful game in the world! This was followed by numerous movies from many different countries. These movies were either successful in portraying the history of a particular country, for example Goodbye Lenin from Germany, or in stimulating debate on the policies of another, for example, Fahrenheit 9/11.
Later in the evening, there was a diverse range of music and dance performances presented by the students. This part of the day was the most exciting and amusing as students got to see their friends from different countries perform something that was representative of their country. It was fascinating to see the huge contrast between the contemporary yet traditional Indian dance and the comical and lively Morris dance by the English. Other performances included an African dance, Latin salsa and songs sung by students in their languages. The day ended with a vibrant multicultural fashion show. On the whole, International Day was a great success and enjoyed by all.
Sarah Shaikh - first year IB student