Eleven Sixth Form students travelled to Holland recently to participate in the internationally represented Model United Nations and debate the current worldwide challenge related to food production.

Over 200 students from around the World came together for a realistic simulation of the United Nations, with the final day of debates being held in the United Nations Peace Palace in The Hague with the Ellesmere College team representing the countries of Cuba, France and Japan.

The Schools participation in the Model United Nations was instigated 2 years ago by Cathy Allen, Head of English as an Additional Language, and this was the 6th time that Sixth Form students had the opportunity to join in a Model United Nations.

Philip Wood, Head of Sixth Form, who accompanied the group to The Hague, explained, Acting as delegations from their countries, the Sixth Form students took active roles in the lively debates, leading to the formation of a resolution in the General Assembly. The subject of this particular Model United Nation forum were the problems of food production and malnutrition, both topics of importance to the World at present.

The  simulation lasted for three days and the group was truly international with 4 English students, Christian Cieslik, Dominick Coppinger, Rory Maclean and Charlotte Petrie participating alongside Viktoria Schaeff and Jan Wollenhaupt from Germany, Andrei Draghici and Vlad Dumitrescu from Romania, Artyom Drobysh, from Russia, Yvegen Zaliesskii from Ukraine and Minh Doan from Vietnam. During their brief stay in The Hague, the group also visited the Maurithuis Museum to see the paintings of the Dutch artist, Jan Steen.

The International Baccalaureate Coordinator at the School, Dr. Ian Tompkins added, The Model United Nations event embraces the ethos of the IB Diploma that is offered at Ellesmere since it focuses on fostering understanding and cooperation amongst students from around the world.     

Debating opportunities exist for all pupils from Year 3 upwards at the School. Lower School and Senior School Debating Clubs meet weekly and pupils are encouraged to take English Speaking Board examinations as they progress through the School. Families of children aged between 7 and 12 years are invited to visit the Lower School Open Morning and learn about all the extra-curricular opportunities that exist for pupils at the School. The event is on Saturday 26th March between 10am and 12noon.

17th March 2011  Back to News