WILLEMSTAD - The first parents were already waiting in line at 6 o'clock with their children to register for the Open Evening of SKAIH Pre-University HAVO/VWO. They were met by a welcome committee consisting of active students. Behind the registration table were also students from the school who informed the parents about the program of that evening and all group 8 students got a well-filled “goodie bag” with information about the school.
A pleasant buzz arose in the hall when the students, divided into five groups, each with their own color, under the guidance of a senior year pupil, found their way to one of the classrooms where the trial lessons were given. In the meantime, the parents went to the main room where they were received by the school management and the chairman of the school board.
Dr. Ellen-Petra Kessler from the University of Utrecht addressed the parents about the importance of mother tongue education and the relationship with multilingual education. There also was an extensive presentation about the school by deputy headmaster Eugene Jansen.
Parents then had ample opportunity to ask questions. For example, if Dutch is also taught at this school, which of course is the case.
Students of this school follow the same HAVO program for Dutch as a subject, like at all other HAVO schools and use the same books. In addition, they receive three other languages and an additional language of their choice.
There was a break after the third lesson and the future students flew to the covered space. Both parents and children had enthusiastic reactions. A parent couple indicated that they fully recognize their child in this school.
A group 8 student already knows that she is coming to this school because of the cozy atmosphere and fascinating science classes, while a group of parents admire the artistic productions of current first graders.
There started a real party by a DJ, a student of the school and everyone got a snack and a drink.
The group 8 students also watched a gym class in English guided by a teacher.
The trial lessons concluded with a thunderous music workshop by the music education teacher and a quiz with prizes for group 8 students.
The general impression is that the evening went very well. Parents indicated that the school can be proud of the pupils and teachers who enthusiastically talked about what makes this school so special. For example, that they receive digital lessons on their own laptop and that they can talk during the class with the teacher who is in another country.
The open evening was a great success thanks to the enormous efforts of the team of teachers, during the preparation and on the evening itself. SKAIH Pre-University welcomes the students back in August.
For more information please visit on facebook: SKAIH Pre-University.