When I reflect on my time at AAS, I look back upon the quality of teacher instruction, engagement from students within the classroom, and relationships developed to enhance and strengthen the AAS community. However, as we all know there are many aspects to learning that provide opportunities for new skills, challenges and interests to be explored, discovered, and enjoyed.
Despite the current restrictions placed upon us all, a degree of normality is definitely returning. I look at the eager faces of Middle and High school students as they wait expectantly to be transported to Sofia beach and it truly fills my heart with joy as they attempt new activities and forge new relationships.
Within the Senior School, we are determined to finish the year on a positive note for all students and a range of activities and events have been planned. This week we enjoyed the HS benefit gig which enabled a small number of the AAS community to come together and celebrate all things musical.
As a learning community the final week sees the Middle/High School embark on a programme of exploration, challenge and learning – Vitosha mountain, Pancharevo lake, grade level competition and charity awareness — all integral parts of a holistic education. In a previous life and in former schools, I had the privilege of serving as a Director of Sport and then Athletics and Activities Director (AD). In both roles my underlying aim was clear; provide opportunities and exposure to activities which enable students to pursue and enjoy lifelong activity and interests – twenty years on, nothing has changed.
As a community, we should all appreciate the importance of challenging and extending ourselves outside of the classroom (or our normal working environment), and the importance of this for former students is highlighted below……
“Cultural Trips allow a great opportunity to mix/socialize with a different group, regardless of being new or not. The activities allowed you to improve your team working, time management as well as potential leadership skills to name a few.” – 2018 alumni
“CEESA is a great way to learn to socialize with other people whom have a shared interest, but also a great way to learn how to become more independent but with a whole team and friends beside you” – 2021 alumni
“Sports were significant in learning about how important dedication is to growth, and in turn setting aside time for things that are just as important as academics.”- 2018 alumni
“Going to CEESA and working with my peers outside of the classroom was a whole different experience because we have to work as a team in the real world (coordinating times to meet and making logistical plans). This was using totally different skills that we’d use collaborating on a Spanish project, for example.” – 2019 alumni.
“Fun Friday activities were a perfect way to relax after lunch, whilst still stimulating the brain in activities you enjoyed before your final class of the day. Most importantly, the countless outdoor spaces the students could use to study (or socialize), and have the opportunity to stay after school and utilise all the facilities at peace from the hustle and bustle of the school day. These extras have made learning outside the classroom valuable and easy, arguably creating an opportunity to broaden one’s capabilities and interests”. – 2018 alumni
The thoughts and experiences of AAS Alumni are clear – take advantage of the learning opportunities available to us all. Possible benefits may include – teamwork, leadership, collaboration, problem solving, organisation, challenge, fun, health, enjoyment, and the unknown!
The next time you are sitting around the dining table with your child, take the time to ask them what they learned outside of the classroom today – who knows we may have the next Elon Musk, Sir David Attenborough, Marcus Rashford or Greta Thunberg in our ranks.
Enjoy the weekend!
