British English Olympics returns to Oundle

  • 7 years ago
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“Building Bridges – Communication for the World of Tomorrow”

Winners On StageFor the third year running, over the Easter holidays, Oundle School hosted the British English Olympics (BEO), a highly prestigious academic competition run jointly by Oxford International Education Group and BEO World.

Over 525 competitors and staff from thirty-six different schools from as far afield as India and Mexico resided in eleven of Oundle’s boarding houses. In total 105 schools from nineteen different countries from around the world, with nearly 1400 students took part in the 9th British English Olympics which was located at four different campuses.

The BEO is a high profile, prestigious academic and cultural event.  Participating teams of 12-16 year olds from international schools from around the world travel to the UK to put their English to the test.  They compete against one another in a series of academic challenges, alongside having the opportunity to learn about British culture and history as they explore some of the sights.  During the two week residential programme students performed in a series of debates, presentations, theatre role-plays and song and dance performances based around the theme ‘Building Bridges – Communication for the World of Tomorrow’. The programme provides a forum for young people to explore, share and debate different ideas to answer the issues that will confront them in the world of tomorrow. The 9th edition of the event saw outstanding performances from all those involved, with the students showing incredible levels of confidence, English language ability, intellectual insight and understanding, creativity and innovation.

The grand finale of the programme took place on 14th April at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where a full house of 2000 people, including representatives of the Indian, Russian, Ecuadorian, Chilean, and Mexican embassies witnessed the final awards ceremony and the announcement of the winners Kodaikanal International School, from Tamal Nadu, India. It was the first time the school had joined the competition and the first time a school from outside Latin America had won the competition. The school proved popular winners and it is hoped they will return next year to try to retain their title.

The three podium placed schools were as follows:

Gold: Kodaikanal International School, Tamil Nadu, India (based in Oundle)

Silver: Colegio American del Pacifico, Hermosillo, Mexico (based in Oundle)

Bronze: CLIB, Braga International School, Braga, Portugal

Enterprises and Events Manager at Oundle School, Susie Raby commented, “The prestigious BEO programme is an excellent academic fit with Oundle and allows us the opportunity both to showcase our outstanding facilities and to bring extra business to the town. Our size, reputation and historic market town location were all key to securing this contract in 2015 and we are pleased that the BEO will be with us for a number of years. Feedback from both our overseas visitors and members of the town itself have been overwhelmingly complimentary and we very much look forward to welcoming the group back again next year.”

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