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Song Writer: Håkan AlmqvistA song written by a two-time Melodifestivalen winner, whose songs have been performed at Eurovision, is set to echo through the halls of Internationella Engelska Skolan's schools.

Song-writer Håkan Almqvist is also the Logistics and IT Manager at Internationella Engelska Skolan Eskilstuna, and wrote In The Morning of Life to be that school's official song.

Now the piece has been chosen by the founder of Internationella Engelska Skolan, Barbara Bergström, to represent all 18 schools.

Mr Almqvist said: "I feel both honored and proud that Ms Bergström has chosen my song In The Morning of Life to feature as the school song within the organization."

During the 80s and 90s Mr Almqvist worked on popular hits including Om Igen, Se På Mig, Kärleken Är and När Morgonstjärnan Brinner.

In 2007 he was asked by Ms Maud Segerstedt, Principal of Internationella Engelska Skolan Eskilstuna, to write a piece of instrumental music for the end of year ceremony and year nine graduation.

To begin with In The Morning of Life was completely instrumental, but it was felt the addition of the lyrics made the piece even more powerful. In The Morning of Life has since then been played during all events at IES Eskilstuna including during the end of year ceremony.  Now the piece will be heard at schools throughout Internationella Engelska Skolan.

In The Morning of Life, performed by the choir from Internationella Engelska Skolan Eskilstuna.
 
In The Morning Of Life 

In the morning of life we'll lift up our eyes
and see the horizon high in the sky.
We will fight the good fights, we'll do what is right.
To honour our English School.
 
Every word, ever deed will stay in our hearts
as life travels on, we'll look back in time.
We'll remember our youth, we'll live for the truth.
We'll honour our English school.
 
We have no borders ?" we're all the same
We only play by the rules of the game
We'll never fail!
We will prevail
We are one
 
When the evening of life draws high we'll recall.
The dawn of our day, we'll remember it all.
We will have no regrets we'll never forget
our days at the English School.
 
In the morning of life we'll lift up our eyes
and touch the horizon high in the sky.
We will keep up the fight to do what is right.

Champions: (L-R) Cecilia Hane, Alicia Agneson and Gustave Seide during last year's contest

Children throughout Internationella Engelska Skolan are gearing up for one of the most popular events in the school calendar.

The annual Eurovision Song Contest sees modern languages departments from schools throughout the organisation put forward talented students to compete.

Attached image: 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.

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".

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.

Parents of children at Internationella Engelska Skolan can expect a phone call every other week to let them know how their children are doing at school.

The call can be in English or Swedish and comes whether the news is good or bad.

This film explains the benefits of these phone calls to all involved and what they mean for the child, the parent and the school.

Two students from Internationella Engelska Skolan Gävle have taken top honours in "Prata Om Alkohol" a contest to write about young people and alcohol.

Mr Frau, Head of the Swedish Department at the school in Gävle was delighted to announce the news when he wrote:

Each year students in Year 8 and Year 9 are invited to compete in a short story competition with the theme young people and alcohol. We watch movies related to this theme and discuss opinions and ethics.

Our students learn more about young people and alcohol, and write short stories related to this theme. The short stories are submitted digitally to the organizer, and a jury chooses the winners within a couple of weeks. Our school has previously had several students who have been quite successful in this competition.

Now Felix Konstenius in class 9F took first prize in all of Sweden! He wins movie tickets and books, and also brings home 10 000 SEK for his class!

Denise Larsson in class 9E came in third place in all of Sweden. Both students represent IES Gävle Senior.

The teachers of the Swedish Department are very proud of our students ?" and we will continue to take part in competitions and go for the win!

Sincerely,

Mr Scheu

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