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Study Smart: Group two enjoying the great outdoors

Children from schools throughout Sweden were given extra help to reach their full potential during two camps at an exciting outdoor activity centre.

In total 44 grade eight students from Internationella Engelska Skolan’s 17 schools had the chance to take part in two three-day camps at Högbo Bruk, near Sandviken, Gävle.

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Winners from group one: (L-R) Pedram Rajabi, Borås, Jonathan Vårdstedt, Linköping, Mr Peter John Fyles, CEO of Internationella Engelska Skolan and Louise Almér, Linköping

As well as having the chance to enjoy activities and team-building exercises, the children also took part in a “Draknästet” style challenge where they had to impress a panel of dragons with their entrepreneurial skills.

The Student Smart Camp was organised in part by Susanne Greés, Teacher Mentor for Internationella Engelska Skolan.

She said: “The programme builds students self-esteem and communication skills. It allows the children to try out their own ideas and solve problems by completing a study skills project focused on entrepreneurship, that works across all subject areas.

 “We’ve seen them grow so much, it would get to six o’clock at night and they still wouldn’t stop.  Their enthusiasm was infectious and meant that no-one taking part even noticed the long hours.

“I would like to thank all of the teachers from our schools who gave their time and energy to make the camp such a success, especially Ms Jonsson, the Academic Coordinator from our junior school in Gävle, who helped me organise and run the camp at every step of the way.”

Children taking part in the event said they had a fantastic time and are pleased that they had the chance to take part.

Louise Almér, a student from Internationella Engelska Skolan Linköping, said: “I learned it´s not all about what other people think of my presentation.  If I act confident, I´ll be confident”.

Winners from group two: (L-R) Amanda Sajadi, Uppsala, Christian Larsson, Täby, Andreas Kenny, SundsvallMeanwhile, Shayan Sabzandan, a student from Internationella Engelska Skolan Borås, said: “This was the best camp to learn and develop your study skills and presenting your ideas”.

Staff on the camp also found it enjoyable and useful and saw the benefits that taking part had for their students.

Ms Wotkyns, Academic Coordinator from Internationella Engelska Skolan Jönköping, said: “I think the entrepreneurial theme was a good extension of the IES philosophy and ethos.”

Ms Smith, Head of English from Internationella Engelska Skolan Linköping, added: “These goals were certainly reached, particularly to ‘believe in themselves’, having them in groups, mixing with students they didn´t know, positive encouragement, standing up and presenting, really helped our students.”

Following the success of this year’s camp we will now be watching our Study Smart students’ results closely and hoping to see the impact that the camp had.

Plans are already underway for next year’s camp with the hope of giving more children the chance to benefit from this scheme.

Students are put forward for the camp by mentors and heads of year at their respective schools, and are chosen by need, rather than through an application process.

Discussion: The winners from group one prepare with their mentor