International School Parent Magazine - Autumn 2022

Nendaz:
Winter in the
4 Vallées
Is my Child
Gifted? ​
Supporting
LGBTIQ+
Children

Nendaz, in the heart
of the largest ski area
in Switzerland
And you, what are you doing this winter?
Yverdon
Besançon (F)
Fribourg
Berne
Zurich
A12
France
Vaud
Morges
A1
A1
LAUSANNE
Fribourg
Berne
Nyon
LAKE OF GENEVA
VEVEY
MONTREUX
Villeneuve
Tunnel du
Lötschberg
BRIG
A9
A9
SION
SIERRE
Gampel
VISP
GENEVA
France
MONTHEY
MARTIGNY
Riddes
La Tzoumaz
Verbier
Veysonnaz
Nendaz
Valais
Zermatt
Saas-Fee
Si
Chamonix
Annecy
Col, Hospice et tunnel
du Grand St-Bernard
Italy
www.nendaz.ch
Grenoble
Italy
Aosta
Torino
Milano

FINALLY
LEARNING
TO SKI
www.swiss-ski-school.ch

mplon

Welcome to the Autumn
Edition of International School
Parent Magazine
Contents
07 Universities Across The World: How To Choose The
Right Experience For You
09 Meet The Head – Interview With Dr Hugh Mccormick,
Copperfield International School – Verbier
14 Risk Prevention For Globally Mobile Children
16 Meet The Head – Interview With Inter-Community
School Zurich, Head Of School – Lucy Gowdie
20 Enjoy Being A Trailing Spouse
22 How to Choose the Best School for your Child
24 Is My Child Gifted?
26 Feels Good! A Checklist To Support Young People’s
Mental Health
28 5 Reasons To Choose Swiss Education Group
30 Iberia. A New Top Destination For Boarding Students
Worldwide
32 Touring The Canton Of Vaud On Two Wheels
34 An Unforgettable Stay At The Art Deco Hotel Montana
36 Autumn In Switzerland
38 Your Winter In The Heart Of The 4 Vallées
40 London. The Best City In The World To Be A Student?
42 Why Zurich Is A Great Place To Live, Work And
Educate Your Children
46 Careers Of The Future: Which Bachelor’s Degree
Should You Study?
48 5 Hospitality Business Management Graduate
Characteristics You Might Not Be Aware Of
52 The Mirror Lies
56 My Child Has Just Told Me That They’re Trans.
Now What?
60 Supporting LGBTIQ+ Children
60 How To Win An Argument
65 How To Support Your Child’s Language Learning
COVER PHOTOGRAPH: ©Etienne Bornet
The first leaves have fallen, and the days are getting shorter – time
really does zip by. After a long, hot summer the cooler temperatures are
certainly welcome as we settle into the new school year.
This academic year is set to be a great one, with lots of exciting
developments in the international school sector and beyond. The
autumn edition of International School Parent Magazine 2022 looks at
the latest happenings, and at important socio-cultural issues and how
parents, teachers and other caregivers can support young people.
We are pleased to continue our ‘Meet the Headteacher’ interviews. In this
edition we spoke to Dr Hugh McCormick from Copperfield International
School and Lucy Gowdie from Inter-Community School Zurich. These
interviews provide insightful behind-the-scenes commentary on what
can be expected from an education at these fantastic schools.
Many families will be settling back into their school routines after the
break. This may mean new teachers, subjects or even a new school for
some students. In this edition we explore how to support our children’s
mental health, take a look at eating disorders, how to support LGBTIQ+
and trans children, and offer a range of articles spanning the trailing
spouse experience, working out if your child is gifted and many more!
We also look at Zurich and why it is a great place to live. We
spotlight Zurich schools and profile each of these amazing
educational institutions. Make sure you visit our school guide (www.
internationalschoolparent.com) for further information on these, and
other schools around the world.
The autumn/winter season provides wonderful opportunities to enjoy
the great outdoors, albeit wrapped up warmly! Check out autumn
cycling in Vaud and skiing in Nendaz. Articles on both of these amazing
locations, as well as Switzerland as an autumn destination can be found
in this edition.
We remain committed to helping parents and children make the most of
the opportunities that international schools provide. Have a wonderful
autumn/winter and we look forward to the spring edition in early 2023.
Work hard and be the best!
Nick
Nick Gilbert
Editor & Publishing Director
International School Parent Magazine
Mobile + 41 787 10 80 91
Email nick@internationalschoolparent.com
Website www.internationalschoolparent.com
@isparentmag
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 5

Contributors
Peter Kakucska
Peter Kakucska is a former United Nations diplomat
who has developed global ethical and sustainable
standards. Peter has coordinated ethical policy and strategic
LGBTIQ+ partnership engagement with national education
ministries, academic associations, learning institutions and
research think-tanks. He is a well-established D&I expert, speaker,
consultant, mentor, author and certified trainer.
Cath Brew
Cath is an artist, podcaster, and LGBTQ+ consultant
who illustrates and educates about marginalised
experiences for positive change. She works with international
schools on whole-school LGBTQ+ inclusion, together with
empowering LGBTQ+ students to be proud. Her podcast ‘Drawn
to a Deeper Story’, explores the ‘lives that challenge us and the
difficult conversations around them’.
Dr. Laurence van Hanswijck de Jonge
Dr. Laurence van Hanswijck de Jonge, Msc, PhD,
is a Developmental Psychologist with a background
in Biopsychology and Neuropsychology. She provides therapy
and psychological assessments for children and adolescents
at KidsAbility in the Cayman Islands. Her practice is rooted
in Positive Psychology, and she is certified in Neurolinguistic
Programming (NLP) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
amongst others.
Lauren Wells
Lauren Wells is Founder and CEO of TCK Training
and author of three books on preventive TCK care,
a methodology she spearheaded and on which TCK Training is
founded. She spent her teenage years living in Tanzania, and her
education is in Child Development. She has worked with over
1,000 parents and caregivers and has trained staff from over 80
organisations.
Tanya Crossman
Tanya Crossman is Director of Research and
Education services at TCK Training. She has lived in
four countries on three continents, first as a child and then as an
adult. Tanya has 17 years’ experience working with TCKs, their
families, and other cross-cultured populations. She is the author of
Misunderstood: The Impact of Growing Up Overseas in the 21st
Century.
Korinne Algie
Korinne Algie is the founder KAIE Marketing, an
international education marketing consultancy and
Co-founder of the Education Marketing Collective, a membership
platform providing digital skills training and support to education
professionals.
Sandra Passalacqua
Sandra Passalacqua is an ACC - ICF certified Cross-
Cultural and Personal Development Coach. She
has lived in Zurich since 2017 and is a trilingual world citizen -
speaking English, French and Spanish.
Joyce Aernouts, TEFL
Joyce Aernouts is a blogger from Belgium.
Her love of writing started with books. The art of
storytelling intrigued her, and in 2017 she picked up her pen
(keyboard) to try it for herself. Thanks to her travels, Joyce now
has a broad range of topics she can write about from personal
experience.
Fiona McKenzie
Fiona McKenzie is Head of Education at Carfax
Education, leading a team of consultants who expertly
navigate the education landscape, guiding families through the
complexities and demystifying the process to help every child to
achieve their ambitions. With over 30 years’ experience, Fiona has
helped hundreds of families access the very best education for their
children.
Moon Huang
Moon is a graduate of Elite Journey - a Chinese-UK
joint venture helping young people become role models.
Moon strives to help younger students understand and enjoy the
benefits of debate. This autumn Moon will join University College
London, where she will continue her competitive debate career.
Dr Michelle Wright
Dr Michelle Wright is a British-qualified General
Practitioner. Before moving to Switzerland in 2004,
she saw patients with physical and psychological problems and
worked in community psychiatry. She continues to practice at the
International Labour Organisation, Geneva.
Michelle helped bring the ensa Mental Health First Aid training
in English to Switzerland, delivered by HealthFirst to companies,
schools, and organisations.She broadcasts a weekly show, Health
Matters, for World Radio Switzerland.
Dr Mecky McNeil
Dr Mecky McNeil is a British-qualified General
Practitioner, experienced in looking after people with
psychiatric illnesses, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders
and schizophrenia, and caring for suicidal and acutely psychotic
patients.
She is a qualified health coach and helped to develop the ensa
Mental Health First Aid English courses in Switzerland. Mecky
currently collaborates with UNICEF and Z Zurich Foundation on
a global project to support young people’s mental health.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 6

UNIVERSITIES ACROSS
THE WORLD:
How to choose the right experience for you
WRITTEN BY FIONA MCKENZIE
University opens up numerous
opportunities for students, but
there are lots of things to consider
when it comes to choosing the right path.
Not only the course and the institution but
the type of university experience you want,
which will have a unique impact on the
direction in which life takes you.
For international students, being more
open to exploring a different path can throw
even more options into the mix.
Historically, UK universities were top
choice for students across the world, but
school leavers are now exploring options
further afield, across the rest of Europe and
the US.
UK
Despite becoming increasingly competitive,
UK universities remain a popular choice.
Home to the world’s top institutions, the
UK represents a more traditional route,
offering a high-quality undergraduate
experience.
For students who have studied a UK
curriculum, this option offers a familiar
path yet also has a long history of
welcoming international students. Each
university offers great support systems for
welfare and practical support for students
from abroad.
One of the benefits of UK study is the
variety of subjects on offer. Students can
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 7
specialise from an early stage or combine
subjects to form a joint degree. With a
strong teaching history in traditional
subjects, the UK also offers globally
recognised courses for vocational subjects
like medicine, veterinary science and
engineering, as well as more niche courses
such as Entrepreneurship and Innovation,
Festival Event Management or even
Contemporary Circus!
Most degrees in England and Wales
are three years and four in Scotland. It
is worth considering a study abroad or a
work placement as the opportunity to gain
relevant professional qualifications can fast
track a career post-graduation.

“It is worth considering a study abroad or a
work placement as the opportunity to gain
relevant professional qualifications can fast
track a career post-graduation.”
The alternative route is ‘early action’
applications, submitted any time between
November and January, depending on the
college. Offers are made in March or April,
however these are not binding. In addition
there are rolling admissions, where schools
evaluate applications as and when they
receive them with no hard deadline.
It is worth noting that exact deadlines will
vary from college to college.
‘Best fit’ goes beyond academics as
the environment will have a significant
impact on your overall experience. For
some students a campus university, where
everything is located on one site, provides a
fully immersive experience. Others will fare
better where the university is part of a town
so the accommodation, teaching blocks and
university facilities mingle with normal life.
Accommodation choices are also an
important factor, whether living on campus
in halls or renting accommodation in the
city. You also need to weigh up the pros and
cons of being in catered or self-catered halls
in the UK and decide which will work best
for you.
Applications to all UK universities are
managed through the University Central
Admissions System, known as UCAS. You
can apply to five universities and will pick a
first and second choice based on your offers
and predicted grades. Every application
requires you to submit a personal statement,
highlighting why you want to study this
subject, what you have done to demonstrate
your interest and other qualities you will
bring to the university. Some courses
and universities may also require you to
take some additional tests and attend an
interview.
Key application deadlines for 2023:
• 15th October 2022 for Oxford University
and Cambridge University
• 15th October 2022 for Medicine,
Dentistry and Veterinary courses
• 26th January 2023 for all other subjects
US
The US is also home to some of the
world’s most respected academic
institutions. As well as better-known Ivy
League universities, there are several top
ranked colleges for specialist subjects
offering world-class facilities and research
institutions.
One of the appeals of US study is
the breadth of choice and flexibility of
programmes. Most degrees last four years
and some even extend to six. In your
Freshman (first) year, you study a range
of subjects set out as ‘core curriculum’, to
help you make an informed decision on
your choice of Major in your Sophomore
(second) year. In Junior (third) and Senior
(fourth) years, you still have the option
combine subjects of interest and take
modules in other subjects outside of your
Major.
For students with big sporting ambitions,
US universities offer top coaching and
career opportunities, not to mention
scholarships. The sporting culture is unique
to American universities and encourages all
students to get involved as supporters, which
contributes to a sense of campus culture.
With US applications, there are several
different timelines to consider. ‘Early
decision’ (ED) applications are due in
November with decisions announced in
December. ED II applications are due in
January and a decision needs to be made by
February. ED and ED II are both binding,
meaning students must enrol if offered a
place.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 8
Key application deadlines for 2023:
• November 2022 – ED application
deadlines
• January 2023 – ED II application
deadlines and Early Application deadlines
Europe
European universities are home to some
of the world’s leading research institutes
and with many internationally ranked
universities offering degrees taught
in English, students are increasingly
considering Europe as a higher education
destination. The comparatively lower fees
and the opportunity to experience a new
culture are strong pulls.
It is important to do your research and
consider the pros and cons of studying in
an environment where the cultures and
language could be quite different. You need
to consider the different structures of the
courses, the facilities available and as with
the UK and US, think about which city and
lifestyle appeals to you.
Most European countries do not offer a
centralised application system, so you need
to do your due diligence to find out how
to apply in particular countries. Some just
require predicted grades, but others request
a personal statement or entrance exam.
Deadlines vary significantly depending on
the course and university, so it is important
to research carefully.
There is no right or wrong choice when
it comes to choosing a university. It all
depends on your subject interests, career
aspirations and the experience you are
looking for. University is a formative time
for many students, so it is important to
explore your options, with a focus on the
learning experience and the social life that
appeals to you.

MEET THE HEAD
Interview with Dr Hugh McCormick,
Copperfield International School – Verbier
Described as the ‘world’s only skion,
ski-out international school’,
the Copperfield campus is situated
at the foot of the mountain slopes in
Verbier and offers a global gold-standard in
curricula. With staff having graduated from
and taught at the world’s best universities
and music schools, and a co-curricular
program that nurtures creative passions and
sporting talents, Copperfield is dedicated
to providing an education that opens
opportunities to a wider world, a broader
mind, and a happier life.
We sat down with Founder and Head
Teacher, Dr Hugh McCormick, to talk
about the school, his approach to education,
and where Copperfield International will be
taking its students in the future.
Let’s start with a little bit about you –
what’s your background and what made
you choose education as a career?
I love explaining things – my dad was
an academic (a Professor of Economics),
and my mum helped people as a Child
Psychologist, so our family culture was
about helping people and explaining things,
and these two paths just merged for me into
teaching.
I’ve loved teaching since I was young,
even as early as secondary school; and when
I went on to Oxford University for my
master’s and PhD, I taught undergraduates
and sixth formers – and really loved it.
I spent four years away from teaching as
an Investment Banker, then came back to
teaching – it’s what I really want to do, and
I feel that it’s more than a career. Great
teachers live education, it comes out of
their pores – and you can tell that being
an educator is more than a career, it’s a
mission.
How do your experiences and
philosophies inform your approach as
Founder and Head Teacher at Copperfield
in Verbier?
Experiences and philosophies are at the
core of our mission – which is small group
learning (we have a maximum class size
of 10 young people), in an incredibly safe
environment, with international pluralism.
The reason I chose to pursue this as the
Founder, is because I’m more than the
Head of School; and it’s more of a startup
/ founder type model. I experienced
for myself what Sevenoaks, Winchester,
Harrow and Oxford were like – they’re
really big schools that are world class at
being big schools; but in any big school,
apart from the median student, everyone
else isn’t adequately addressed – they’re not
focused on.
What have you learnt from your time as
the Head of an international school?
International families really want to to know
that they’ve made a good choice for their
children’s education: that their children are
happy at school, getting great lessons in the
classroom, and rich and varied experiences
outside the classroom. Often these families
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 9

have relocated for non-educational reasons,
so they want to be sure that their children’s
education is not compromised. Each
family is different, but they are united by
this common passion: having the courage
to move around the world to new places,
and wanting their children to grow wiser
from this international movement, without
sacrificing other dimensions of their
educational journey.
As a newly opened school, can you tell us
a bit about the programs and the type of
students you are hoping to attract?
We launched in January 2021, and we have
students coming in from all over the world –
we even had three students who just walked
in one day with their parents (they were
here on a ski holiday), and two days later
they’d paid the deposit and will be joining
us in August 2024. We offer Cambridge
iGCSE, A-level, and are at verification visit
stage with the IB for both Diploma and
Primary Years Programmes.
How do you encourage a love of
learning?
You’ve got to have high-grade teachers. If a
teacher is burned out, or doesn’t have that
joy of interacting with a student, then it’s
not going to work.
We hire people who love their subject,
and attract teachers that love learning
moments, and spotting learning moments:
this is the name we give to those interactions
where the teacher passes to the student a joy
for learning. Most people can recall those
moments in their own education decades
later.
What is your favourite thing about
the learning environment that makes
Copperfield stand out?
I’ve made a few strategic decisions that
emphasise the need for students, parents
and teachers to collaborate – and this is the
essence of my educational philosophy; you
can’t do it without the parent.
I think a lot of schools don’t take this
route because it’s seriously hard work, and
can be stressful, and you’re going to be
inserting yourself into many families – and
every family has their own quirks. You’ve
got to be brave and courageous to take
the risk because it can backfire – but that
is where the work is. You won’t find me
inaccessible behind a full schedule – parents
know they can walk right into my office,
and I like it that way. It’s a way to show how
different we are, how much more open and
democratic.
What do parents of Copperfield students
value about the school?
We’re really well supported, and well
financed with strong, stable shareholders.
We’re transparent about who’s helping
us, and we make sure the parents know
who is involved, and the reputations of
those people, so we can build trust and
confidence.
The number one thing that stands out for
parents in regard to the schooling, is that
when they read the reports we write, it’s
clear that we know their children incredibly
well.
We also encourage going back to the
start. In our school, the families have been
doing parenting seminars, they know each
other’s families really well – and as a result,
there’s a huge camaraderie amongst them,
they can talk openly about the tools they’ve
learned in the classes. There is trust among
the school and the families.
Instead of having only classrooms around
our beautiful courtyard, we chose to use
one of the spaces as a café – and the café
is there for the whole community. So every
day you will find parents mixing with each
other at drop-off and pick-up, and even
throughout the day. It’s more like a quasisocial
club that happens at school – without
the traffic jam of cars at the front gate.
What are the main principles and
philosophies you promote at the school?
Our motto is, ‘Have the courage to be
imperfect’. So our main aim is to encourage
everyone in our community to understand
that mistakes are inevitable and even
desirable. This will encourage them to be
honest about their mistakes, and from that
improvements will naturally flow.
I would say one of the other elements
that drives us is – if you want to have a
great international school, then you’ve
got to have a great international faculty. It
needs to be immersive, it’s not enough for
a teacher to just have one or two years of
teaching, but for students to be exposed to
people who have spent significant parts of
their lives in various cultures. We can teach
something like 14 different languages with
native speaking, fully trained teachers in
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 10

our team. For the students, it’s natural to
have their teachers talking about examples
from all over the world in a spontaneous
manner – it allows a depth that you just
can’t simulate.
We also ensure that no one gets left out.
Because of our small class sizes, it’s not
possible – and if anyone were to behave in a
way that excludes other students, we would
find out about it that minute – not a month
later, when that student had been miserable
for a month, we would find out about it
straight away.
Are there any areas that you want to
develop or that you are developing in
the school?
We’re spending a lot on our classroom
spaces, we’ve got writeable walls, flat panel
TVs, awesome furniture that the students
love to sit on – and we’ve really invested in
the space, we even have boot heaters for
every child (we ski five times a week). When
a child joins, we write their name on a
magnet and put it next to the heater.
We provide them with high-quality Swiss
made accessories – such as a water bottle
with their name on it, a pencil case with
their name and the school logo, a beanie,
the uniform, and a tote bag full – in some
ways, it’s more like the student has attended
a fashion launch event or a birthday party
instead of the first day at school. And for
the first week of the school year, we do an
activity week of team building. That way,
before a new student gets into a lesson, they
already feel at home and know everyone
else’s name.
Which areas of education and
extracurricular activities do the students
and young people experience during
their time with you?
We do everything you would expect
from the world’s best ski resort that also
has a full summer programme: skiing,
swimming, tennis, golf, mountain biking,
horse riding, basketball… We use top
quality internationally recognised academic
programmes, and we are also doing some
things that are really quite innovative: we’ve
hired a former Olympic skier to run our
athletic programme; we’re going to teach
languages through music, and we’ll be using
the café as a science lab in order to teach
science through cooking – and in order to
do this, we don’t need to create a science
lab, but to offer something you might see
if you were training chefs – a cooking
school. So for our science curriculum, we’re
collaborating with a Michelin starred chef.
The students are going to love doing their
science homework at home in the kitchen!
Has the COVID-19 pandemic had much of
an impact on your admissions?
We only missed a few days of school due to
COVID because we’re already in a bubble
here, and everyone was very sensible. But
during the COVID period we went from
0 – 26, to 44, and now nearly 100 students
registered! It’s been incredibly hard work,
but when I wander around the school, and
see what we’ve achieved, it makes all the
difference.
What do you think will be the major
challenges facing students and education
in the future?
I think the challenge facing students will be
in gaining transferable skills and a mindset
of continuous learning – because the pace
of technology isn’t going to slow down, it
will just continue to accelerate – and the
mindset required is going to be different.
I think computers and robots are going
to be doing most of the work in 50-years,
and we’ll be wearing devices and implants
– and we need to make sure our students
can adapt, and use the skills they’ve
learned here, to thrive in an ever-changing
environment. They’re going to need to be
comfortable with continuous, accelerating
change. An international school
environment is a great place to learn that.
What is your vision or ambition for
Copperfield graduates?
You start in the family unit; your parents
have to guide you all the way to being a
democratic citizen. The young person gets
out of the family unit and goes to school
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 11

– where it’s the school’s job, the teacher’s
job, the educator’s job to partner with the
parents to guide the child from student to
democratic citizen – and to achieve that,
the school has to collaborate well with the
student and the parent.
This is the essence of my educational
philosophy – you can’t do it without
the parent, and you build a welcoming
community atmosphere, that works with
our holistic approach, and sees the student
become a well-rounded international
citizen.
How do you equip students for success?
We provide them with long-range skills for
the future, and we do so by bringing experts
into the children’s lives at relevant points in
a sustained way.
So for example, we get external people
who specialise in professional outdoor
team building training for corporations to
do our first four days of school – and the
students learn outdoor survival skills for a
week. And as another example, our Head
of HR teaches some of the Economics and
Business course: they learn directly from a
very experienced practising professional.
And we hired a personal trainer with a
Master’s in Big Data to teach PE and
Statistics. Most exciting of all, we have a
full-time school psychologist joining us in
August who will both teach Psychology
and be there for 1:1 sessions with every
student.
Over the course of their time with us, we
decide on the curriculum in partnership
with the parents, and take a very long-range
view of skills, transferable ones in particular.
We aim to be very modern in our approach.
How do you make the best Switzerland
and everything it has to offer? Do you
have any hobbies?
I skied six times this year … there are a
hundred days of calendar skiing, and yeah,
I skied for six of them… but I do love
walking at night. When you walk into the
mountain at night, at altitude and when
there’s no clouds, you can really, really see
the stars – it’s stunning.
Switzerland is staggeringly clean, safe,
organised, logical, pragmatic, consensual,
diplomatic, respectful, and beautiful. The
cities are clean, and safe, and gorgeous –
and the little villages around the lakes are
just beautiful – there’s a lot of incredible
scenery, that’s why 1.2 million people visit
Verbier every year, because it’s absolutely
cracking!
So, this summer, I’m looking forward
to more walking, some running in the
mountains, biking, swimming … there’s
some amazing lakes in the mountains,
they’re very, very cold, but you can swim in
them.
I’d say I’m less interested in the cities,
and luxury stuff – most of the people who
come here aren’t really interested in that.
This is something that makes Verbier quite
different from the other top mountain
resorts. You can really feel the local
community’s presence.
ABOUT COPPERFIELD VERBIER
Expanding minds and horizons, with up-close and personal interaction, kindness, and
compassion, the Copperfield Verbier may have only recently gotten started, but the
powerful drive for betterment, understanding, and developing the citizens of the future is
already well established.
With chances for students to learn musical instruments and perform in regular concerts
in their 250-seat auditorium, or to take part in sports, sciences, there’s plenty for young
minds to engage with.
The school offers iGCSEs, A-Levels, the IB Diploma Programme and is currently applying
for authorisation for the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Programme.
With holistic education, Copperfield begins with academic rigour, and instils a relentless
love for learning and life.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 12

A personal education
in London’s heart
■ 11 acres of private grounds, minutes from central
London
■ An intimate, nurturing and tight-knit learning community
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■ No deadlines to meet – with year-round applications
we’re ready when you are
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Risk Prevention for
Globally Mobile Children
As the children around us grow into adults, we see some
who thrive and some who seem to struggle intensely. In
our globally mobile community the contrast is often stark,
and it causes us to wonder: how do some children seem to be more
resilient than others despite experiencing similar hardships?
At TCK Training, we began looking at what the field of
prevention science deems as helpful childhood experiences versus
those that can be harmful to children and began comparing them
with the lives of Third Culture Kids (TCKs) we worked with.
Third Culture Kids are children who live outside of their parent’s
passport culture during their developmental years (such as military
kids, global business kids, missionary kids, foreign service kids, and
others). Our focus as a company became preventive care for TCKs.
Preventive care does not mean taking away the challenges that
often accompany the TCK life but instead, coming alongside those
challenges with intentional care. What we’ve found is that it isn’t
the challenges themselves that are the problem, it is the way they
are walked through that determine whether they become resiliencebuilding
experiences or result in accumulating fragility.
So how do you as a parent learn how to walk your children
through the globally mobile life well?
It can be particularly difficult for globally mobile families to find
accurate research to lean on when looking for effective parenting
techniques, as most research is based in geographically stable
communities. This is slowly changing, however, with an increase in
research on Third Culture Kids and expat communities.
In 2021, TCK Training undertook a survey of adult Third
Culture Kids that looked at experiences of developmental trauma
and the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences. The data
was used to calculate ACE scores for each respondent, which was
published in a white paper in June 2022. This research points the
way toward effective preventive care strategies for globally mobile
WRITTEN BY TANYA CROSSMAN AND LAUREN WELLS
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 14
Third Culture Kids and looks at the role their parents, schools,
and communities each have to play in that care. Our goal is to see
TCKs thrive in childhood and adulthood and this research offers
tangible structures that we can use to guide how we support TCKs
effectively.
ACE scores and global mobility
An ACE score is a number between 0-10, indicating the number
of types of trauma an individual was exposed to before age 18.
An ACE score of 4+ has been connected, through hundreds of
studies over decades of research, to a higher risk of various types of
negative behavioral, psychological, and physical health outcomes
- including risk of cancer, autoimmune conditions, addiction, and
depression.
Previous studies have shown a rate of 4+ ACEs of 12.5% in the
US, and 9% in the UK and the Philippines. In the TCK Training
survey, 21% of globally mobile TCKs had 4+ ACEs. The survey
also showed that TCKs who experienced high mobility were
significantly more likely to have a 4+ ACE score.
“Nearly a third of TCKs in our sample who moved more than 10 times during
childhood had a high-risk ACE score of 4 or more, compared to less than a fifth
of those who moved less frequently… One third of [those who lived in more
than 15 houses during childhood] had an ACE score of 4 or higher… High
mobility is very clearly correlated with higher ACE scores among TCKs in this
sample.”
Caution and Hope: The Prevalence of Adverse Childhood
Experiences in Globally Mobile Third Culture Kids
Because high mobility is a common experience for TCKs it’s
important that we pay attention to the fact that high mobility
does put TCKs at higher risk for long term challenges. Deliberate

implementation of researched protective and preventive
strategies can buffer them from those risks. Much can be
done to equip parents and extended family members as
well as to educate community leaders in how to provide
effective preventive care for TCKs.
Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs)
The hope-filled framework of Positive Childhood
Experiences gives several factors that children need to
buffer them from challenges. When PCEs are maintained,
their resilience increases as they go through hardship. One
of the most incredible findings in PCEs research is how they
counteract ACEs.
“[PCEs] act as protective factors and explain how someone with a high ACE
score can still thrive in adulthood. Bethell and her coworkers found that having
higher counts of PCEs was associated with 72% lower odds of having
depression or poor mental health overall as an adult; that those with higher levels
of positive experiences were over 3.5 times more likely to have healthy social
and emotional support as an adult; and that accumulation of PCEs shifted the
outcome positively in adulthood.”
Caution and Hope: The Prevalence of Adverse Childhood
Experiences in Globally Mobile Third Culture Kids
The PCEs are:
• Feeling that when they express difficult emotions, they are heard
and validated by their parents
• Feeling physically safe in the home
• Feeling their parents stand by them during difficult times and that
they are a priority
• Feeling supported by a peer group
• Feeling a sense of belonging within a larger, multigenerational
group
• Having routines and traditions to look forward to
• Feeling a sense of belonging in high school/secondary school
• Having two non-parent adult relationships who take a genuine
interest in them
It can be easy to let some of these PCEs be deprioritized in the
wake of the globally mobile life but knowing that these are the
protective factors that combat the hardships children experience
means that they need to be intentionally implemented.
One way to begin implementing PCEs is to ask each of your
children if and how they feel they have each of the PCEs. We
recommend sitting down and asking each child privately, so they
feel free to share and aren’t reiterating a sibling’s answer. If there
are any they express they don’t feel they have, ask more questions
and brainstorm together how you might meet that PCE. Take
care to not be defensive or downplay their response, but instead be
curious and consider how you can increase the number of PCEs
that they have.
While we cannot prevent TCKs from experiencing all ACEs
and childhood traumas, we can offer the protective buffer that
PCEs provide. If you need external support as you process through
these as a family, please reach out to us at info@tcktraining.com to
schedule a parent consultation.
Learn more about the cited research and preventive care at TCK
Training
RESOURCES
Bethell, Christina et al
(2019). “Positive Childhood
Experiences and Adult
Mental and Relational
Health in a Statewide
Sample: Associations
Across Adverse Childhood
Experiences Levels.” The
Journal of the American
Medical Association Pediatrics.
Crossman, Tanya & Wells, Lauren
(2022). “Caution and Hope: The Prevalence of
Adverse Childhood Experiences in Globally Mobile Third Culture
Kids.” TCK Training. Accessed at https://www.tcktraining.com
Crossman, Tanya (2016). Misunderstood: The Impact of Growing
Up Overseas in the 21st Century (Summertime Publishing).
Sege, Robert et al (2017). “Balancing adverse childhood
experiences with HOPE: New insights into the role of positive
experience on child and family development.” Boston: The
Medical Foundation. Accessed at www.cssp.org
Smith, Elizabeth Vahey (2022). The Practice of Processing:
Exploring our Emotions to Chart an Intentional Course
(independently published).
Felitti, Vincent J. et al (1998). “Relationship of Childhood Abuse
and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes
of Death in Adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)
Study.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Wells, Lauren (2020). Raising Up a Generation of Healthy
Third Culture Kids: A Practical Guide to Preventive Care
(independently published).
Wells, Lauren (2021). The Grief Tower: A Practical Guide to
Processing Grief with Third Culture Kids (independently
published).
ADDITIONAL SOURCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). “About
Adverse Childhood Experiences.” Atlanta, Ga.: CDC.
Chapman, D.P. et al (2004). “Adverse childhood experiences
and the risk of depressive disorders in adulthood.” Journal of
Affective Disorders.
Dube, S.R. et al. (2001). “Childhood abuse, household
dysfunction, and the risk of attempted suicide throughout the
life span: Findings from the Adverse Childhood Experiences
Study.” The Journal of the American Medical Association.
Felitti, V. J. (2009). “Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult
Health.” Academic Pediatrics.
Ramiro, L. S. et al. (2010). “Adverse childhood experiences (ACE)
and health-risk behaviors among adults in a developing country
setting.” Child Abuse & Neglect.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 15

MEET THE HEAD
Interview with Inter-Community School Zurich,
Head of School - Lucy Gowdie
Established in 1960, Inter-
Community School (ICS) is the
only school in Zurich offering
the International Baccalaureate (IB)
Programme for Primary Years, Middle
Years, and Diploma Studies.
Affording personalised education for
students aged 18 months to 18 years,
ICS prepares young people to thrive in
today’s changing world, with a supportive
community and rigorous curriculum.
We spoke with Head of School, Lucy
Gowdie, about her approach to education,
the trends we’re seeing, and the exciting
prospects ahead for ICS.
What initially inspired you to pursue a
career in education and how did that
journey bring you to Switzerland?
When I was younger, I struggled to love
learning – never believing I was capable.
I was a very sporty student, I loved sport
– and actually went to a school for sport.
I wasn’t really very academic, and my
parents were not university graduates, so I
didn’t have the inspiration to understand
what academia was - until I entered Year
9 Literature, where a teacher opened up
avenues of insight into the world, from
Whitman, to Keats, to Dickinson – my
whole world changed.
I decided I wanted to do for others, what
that teacher had unknowingly done for me.
When I finished school, I had a choice
– go into the workforce and do sports
administration or choose university. I chose
the latter, and was awarded a Bachelor
of Education and a Bachelor of Arts and
graduated in 2001. I ended up moving to
Japan for a gap year, where I taught. I went
back to Australia at the tender age of 21
and spent seven years at an all-girls Catholic
school – during that time I bought a house,
had two children, moved to the Peninsula
and spent 10 years teaching at a boarding
school.
I became fascinated upon my return
from Japan by multi-culturalism and
inter-cultural learning and wanted to
build these connections in the school I
was at. I used to wonder, particularly
for our Boarders, why immersion was
so challenging, and what we were doing
wrong in our attempt to create an authentic
learning experience in a truly representative
and inclusive way.
2012 was a turning point for me when a
colleague my age passed away. I remember
committing to myself then that I needed
to live an extraordinary life, and to commit
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 16

to myself that when my own time came, I
could at least say I followed my dreams.
I applied for a job in Hong Kong, and
in 2013 I was appointed Head of EAL at
the Australian School in Hong Kong. My
family and I moved over and spent two of
the greatest years of my life doing what
I loved doing – I was teaching, I could
travel, but more than anything, I finally
found the diversity I was looking for – a
natural, authentic, multicultural society,
where everyone was equal, where you didn’t
look at the colour of someone’s skin, you
just looked at and attempted to enhance
through your teaching, their character.
After two years, I realised I had been out
of university for 14 years, and I wanted to
upskill my qualifications – at this point I was
really just a classroom teacher with some
leadership experience, and I knew (as does
every ambitious teacher), that I needed a
Masters and more experience in different
environments.
I studied International Education and
Policy at the University of Sydney, and
in 2018. I wrote my thesis on the rise of
charter schools in America, and the danger
of corporatisation and commodification of
education in China.
During the COVID pandemic, I knew I
needed change, I had thoroughly relished
studying and wanted to apply this newfound
knowledge. I knew that the school I was at,
and the mentor who had guided me, had
taken me to a place where I could stand and
lead on my own. And so it was that I found
my way to ICS in Zurich.
What have you learnt from your time
in day, boarding, and international
education?
I have learnt that no two days are ever the
same; and while I manage what comes
my way, I understand and embrace the
uniqueness of the school eco-systems. It’s
what makes schools such an enjoyable
place to work in – I have learnt that when
you place students at the centre of all you
do, you will always be walking in the right
direction.
In the space of acceptance, and the
space of understanding, and tolerance –
ICS is a very strong school, one that really
understands the word ‘community’ and
intercultural identity. There has been a lot
of work done in the place of acceptance for
individual learning, and so everyone can
reach their potential.
How would you characterise students
graduating from ICS?
Without a doubt, they are globally minded,
humble, and determined young people.
They understand the strength they possess
from the education they have experienced,
and they drive with a quiet confidence
towards creating change.
The school is in a wonderful position to
really celebrate and propel exactly what
society should replicate around notions of
inclusivity and diversity, around tolerance
and acceptance, and getting that right for
young people from a very early age.
What would you say makes the learning
environment of ICS extra special?
The notion of community, without a doubt,
makes our school unique – and the learning
environment safe and profound. It is not a
token, or a motto – it is deeply engrained in
our history.
ICS was built by families from all over
the world, who wanted an English-speaking
school for their children, as the world
opened up in the 1960’s and 70’s. This
foundation has placed us in good stead for
the present as we continue to unite as a
community centred on the uniqueness of
every individual.
Which features of the school do parents
value the most?
Parents value the togetherness and sense
of belonging, and the authenticity of our
teachers. They understand that quality
teaching is the key to success for our
students, and they value the ethos of the
school – that we pursue our passion, reach
our potential, and live responsibly. This is a
fundamental quality that is lived out every
single day.
The parents understand that they are
united with the commonality in learning,
and having a common understanding. They
accept the way we do things, because they
understand the diversity of the group is
based on the circumstances which brought
them here.
When I have spoken with parents, even
from the kindergarten years, they really
understand and appreciate the richness
of our curriculum, and the quality of the
teachers we have.
Which other areas of education and
extra-curricular activities would you like
to develop?
We continue to refine our programmes,
so that students can have as many
opportunities as possible. We want to
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 17

continue to develop our Athletics and
Performance Arts programmes.
Our Campus Hub is a new multi-milliondollar
facility, which will accommodate both
– and it’s an exciting development in the
life of the school. It’s ultimately a building
designed to enable freedom of movement,
in an environment for teachers and
students, it will become a cultural heartland
– a centre for the whole school to be able to
evolve, together.
The IB curriculum and including the
student voice lends itself perfectly to
building on the profile of understanding
young people today. I think we have to
be brave in education – step into the
conversation around ‘woke’ and ‘cancel’
culture – these are the things young people
are talking about, being able to have these
conversations should be an expectation the
students have of their educators.
What we do, what we think, what we
challenge – can only be done from a place
of understanding, and of knowledge; we
owe this to our children, to provide for them
the facts, and the support to understand
those facts, free from judgement.
What excites you about the prospect
of leading an international school in
Switzerland?
I am excited by the uniqueness of the
school, and the strength of the student
body.
Leading a school whose foundation is
steeped in learning and centred on the
student, is an absolute privilege. I have said
many times, the fact that our school is in
Switzerland is a bonus – if you were to put
this school in any country, you would know
how unique and wonderful it is to work
here, and I would feel just the same.
What are the main trends in education
that you’re seeing now?
I come from the most locked down
place on earth, so I have a deep sense
of understanding of the trauma that
many children have endured during the
pandemic. I wish I could say that we were
in a post-COVID context, but we are not
– we can’t live as freely as we did prior to
COVID, but hopefully by the end of this
year, we’ll have some sense of normality.
I think trends in education today are
predominately dictated by what COVID
has actually taught us, what really matters
in education and that’s the human
connection and using technology to support
that connection; be it our wellbeing,
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 18

our understanding of others and our
acceptance of the unknown.
I see a divergence – away from
technology as teacher, to technology as a
purposeful tool – and I am enthused by
the way our teachers are understanding
that the most powerful tool in the
technological sphere is thought - teaching
students to think is one, if not the, most
important elements in education today.
Applying this thinking in different contexts
is the hallmark of ICS, from our local
forest, to the glaciers around us, to the
Research Garden on campus, how we think
about our world, matters more now than it
ever has before.
I think the other space worthy of
attention, and of critical importance to
schools today, is policy.
I see the necessity of policy in
education, beginning to better define the
responsibilities of schools to protect their
communities, this is something COVID has
taught us.
How do you make the most of
Switzerland, and what are your hobbies?
I’ve only lived here a short time, so I’ve not
done too much – but I’m an avid paddle
and snow boarder, and I know I’ve landed
in the right country! There are times when
the landscape truly takes your breath away,
and I’m privileged to be here.
I make the most of my weekends by
travelling out to the mountains – to breathe
in the air and find space. Fresh air, and time
are two of the most important components
in order to lead well.
I love being with my family, we have
always travelled and gone to different
places, and we love spending time together.
I don’t really talk about work at home,
which is actually quite hard to do – because
they all talk about what they’re doing, and
I get to listen. They’re looking forward to
seeing snow for the first time this year!
ABOUT INTER-COMMUNITY SCHOOL ZURICH
ICS is committed to ‘whole child’ development, and provides a culture of learning, high
expectations, and care. Their hard-earned reputation for outstanding teaching, pedagogical
leadership, and student achievement is a testament to how the school is providing a
nurturing environment, and a ticket to thrive.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 19

Enjoy Being A Trailing Spouse
WRITTEN BY SANDRA M. PASSALACQUA
The Cambridge dictionary defines a
Trailing Spouse as: “the partner of
an employee who is sent to work
in another country”. Being a trailing spouse
can be an extraordinary experience. While
some challenges might arise and the process
will have its ups and downs, with the right
mentality the experience can be gratifying
and enrich your life and that of those
around you.
When a family decides to accept a new
opportunity to move abroad, the experience
is magnificent, and the whole family is
often thrilled. Relocating to a new country
is compelling. The working partner will
have a considerable career opportunity,
including a nice financial benefit. The
kids will attend a new school and find new
international friends. Everyone will discover
something new, including the trailing spouse
who might decide to stay home, to ensure
everyone’s needs are fulfilled.
For you, the trailing spouse, it
isn’t uncommon for the initial
excitement to wear off once
the busyness of relocating and
adjusting is finished. After settling
down in the new home, finding
suitable activities for the kids,
and having some free time, the
trailing spouse can find that free
time does not always translate
into “happy time.”
From my experience, I was
once a new trailing spouse
just like you. I understand
the mixed messages sent by
family and friends who are
happy for you, but at the
same time might be envious of your great
new adventure. If they only knew how
challenging it can be to be a trailing spouse.
Your partner is consumed with their new
work, and you wonder: what’s in for me?
Occasionally your needs are not met by
your partner or your kids, and even your
self-care can suffer. It is difficult to put the
feeling of loneliness into words.
If this describes your experience,
know that this is completely normal,
and growth awaits! If you find yourself
feeling unfulfilled instead of excited, you
can overcome this feeling by intentionally
finding new activities and new friends.
Finding the right friends — the ones who
will cherish your friendship for the long run
— is critical. After all, you are the rock of
the family, and you need a solid foundation
to build on.
There is no manual on how to deal with
the ups and downs. But I can confidently
say that the answer lies within you. When
you accept that life isn’t perfect, but you
are doing your best, you are on the road to
success.
You have to search for YOUR sense
of belonging, find your positive mindset,
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 20

discover new activities and routines, and
locate the right people to be part of your
inner circle. As noted above, new activities
and new friends will be your anchors as you
adapt and transition to your new reality. Be
patient. You don’t know how or when these
changes will happen, but they will happen,
and you’ll slowly become aware of them.
It’s a process, and it may include heartfelt
conversations with your new friends,
shedding tears, and accepting the difference
between where you came from and where
you want to be.
You are the one holding the key to your
success, the feeling of belonging to the
new city you now call home. From time to
time, it’s ok to go down memory lane, but
recognize that it’s important to live in the
here and now.
Living in the present helps you unfold
your happiness, remain positive and live a
fulfilled life. Trust me - you will succeed!
Of course, you’ll reminisce about the
family and friends you left behind, but that
too is part of the journey. It’s living in the
moment that will make you a happy trailing
spouse.
Partnering with a Cross-Cultural Coach
will help and reassure you along your
journey. This Cross-Cultural Coach will
listen nonjudgmentally, hold a safe space for
you, offer an emotional connection, and talk
openly about your challenges to unleash the
extraordinary life you are meant to live.
BE YOUR BEST ANYTIME,
ANYWHERE!
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 21

ADVERTORIAL
How to Choose the
Best School for your Child
WRITTEN BY CONAN DE WILDE, DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS, H-FARM INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
As a parent of three school-age
children and as someone who
has spent the past twenty years
working in international secondary schools
and researching education, friends are
occasionally foolish enough to ask for
advice on how to choose ‘the best’ school
for their children.
Increasingly, parents are able to work
remotely, and I am struck by the number
of times parents have told me over the past
two years that they moved countries, not for
work, but in order to find a better school
for their children. Having just made a move
myself, from the International School of
Geneva to H-FARM International School
near Venice, I wanted to share some
reflections on how we choose schools for
our children.
The Beauty of the Campus
My first observation is that, when parents
talk about what kind of education they
want for their children, they rarely mention
the facilities, but once parents follow a
school admissions tour, this becomes
the single most important factor in their
decision making.
Beauty is important and there is
compelling research in education on the
importance of the environment as a “third
teacher.” For many parents, investment
in infrastructure is taken to be a proxy for
the school’s commitment to their children.
This makes some sense. It is easy for a
headmaster to make all sorts of promises
on an admissions tour; it is harder for them
to build quality science labs, arts, and sports
facilities, and maintain the grounds. We all
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 22
know that judging a school by the quality
of its facilities is superficial, but which
questions should we be asking to know if a
school is the right fit for your family?
How good is the school at delivering the
basics?
As a parent, I would like to know if the
school has a system so that every student is
known well by at least one teacher. Students
are happier and learn better when there are
systems in place to allow teachers to build
strong relationships with students.
What is the school’s position on
assessment? Students need regular, highquality
feedback to learn. What is the
school’s approach to monitoring this?
Many private schools try to teach
effective collaboration, mindfulness,

ADVERTORIAL
creativity, and a whole host of competences
which we know can support human
flourishing. They will advertise these in
admissions visits as unique selling points,
but I would want to be sure that the
school has an even better developed plan
when it comes to literacy and numeracy.
“What is your plan to improve literacy
and numeracy?” might be another good
question to ask.
If a school can’t walk without tripping,
they probably shouldn’t be talking about
how fast they can run.
What exactly does this school stand for?
Most International School mission
statements sound eerily similar. They
claim to educate students to be ‘global
citizens’ and good people, they promise
excellence and inclusion and diversity
and a long litany of other unassailable
virtues. There is nothing you can disagree
with in most mission statements. Don’t
we all want our children to be ‘creative’
and ‘compassionate’ and ‘knowledgeable’,
“Challenge admissions and the head of school to give
examples of how they live their mission statements.”
imbued with the kind of passion and
entrepreneurial flair that will allow them to
do good while doing well and being happy?
If a mission statement sounds utopian, it
probably is.
Challenge admissions and the head of
school to give examples of how they live
their mission statements. How do they
support ‘creative learning’ or ‘academic
excellence’ if that is what they promise?
Ask: When and where, exactly, is my child
going to experience this commitment?
When visiting my and my children’s new
school I already knew about H-FARM’s
ambitious commitment to educational
innovation and creativity. H-FARM
education is a family of three international
schools. It is also a boarding school. Its
college provides bachelors and masters
level courses, and its coding and animation
professional schools offer their students the
chance to create movies with the likes of
Pixar and DreamWorks or work on cutting
edge AI or virtual and augmented reality
projects. It is home to successful business
incubators. This allows the school to build
bridges between learners and thriving
businesses in a range of sectors. It is really
exciting for experienced international
educators to be teaching alongside
colleagues who can also bring a wealth of
expertise from industry. My question was:
how exactly do you do this here? How,
concretely, are the students and teachers
benefiting from all of these links? The
answers were compelling enough to trigger
an international move.
I think it’s a pretty good sign when, as a
parent, the responses to all these questions
get you so excited about the school that
you start thinking “I wouldn’t mind going
back to school here.” Unfortunately for
my children, as I start this school year at
H-FARM, that’s exactly what’s happening!
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 23

Is my Child Gifted?
WRITTEN BY KORINNE ALGIE
This is a question many parents ask
themselves at one point or another.
For my husband and I, it was the
day our daughter – just turned five - used
the word “gregarious” in perfect context.
We were stunned. After shooting some
looks back and forth, I asked her if she
knew what she had said. Again, she
repeated “gregarious”.
More stunned looks.
I asked her if she knew what it meant.
She nodded and responded that it was
someone who likes talking to and playing
with lots of friends. Which is basically the
dictionary definition translated to five-yearold
speak.
Were we raising a genius?
It wasn’t the sort of word my husband
and I bandy around. We both have great
vocabularies, but neither of us could
remember using gregarious ever, let alone in
earshot of our child.
Our daughter goes to a German speaking
kindergarten, so it wasn’t picked up there.
There was only one explanation for it: Our
little princess was some kind of literary
prodigy.
The flood gates opened as we asked
ourselves if we were supporting her superior
intellect? Was she being challenged enough
at kindergarten? Was it just words, or was
she an all-round phenomenon? So many
questions and so much responsibility.
But then, what if it was a fluke? What if
she just has a great memory? How would
we know?
Turns out there are a large number
of checklists and tests that you can give
your child to establish if they are gifted.
Reviewing resources on the internet my
husband and I found them to be broadsweeping
and potentially applicable to
all children: “An insatiable curiosity, as
demonstrated by endless questions and
inquiries”. I shudder as I remember
surviving through months of the “why”
phase. Admittedly, most checklists do have
more specific and ‘advanced’ criteria but by
and large, they did not bring us any closer
to knowing.
Children are all different. So are gifted
children. It is almost impossible to apply the
same set of markers to all of them, talented
or otherwise. However, if you really need
to know, testing may provide some answers
for you.
Depending on where you live, gifted
education - a broad group of special
practices, procedures, and theories used
in the education of gifted and/or talented
children - can be very different; from official
programmes to special classes, to very little
differentiation from other students. What
are your expectations for gifted education?
Do they line up with your school district or
state?
Before we take a deeper dive into the
various tests available, let’s establish that
they (ironically) are not foolproof. There
is an episode of The Simpsons where
students at Springfield Elementary are
tested. Lisa – the brains of the family, tests
as advanced but not exceptional. Bart
on the other hand - who fudged his way
through the multiple choice test - returns a
score tantamount to genius. Although this
example is overly simplified and pokes fun
at gifted testing, it is a good reminder that
no one test can be considered definitive. For
this reason, a professional assessment may
be more useful in judging whether your
child is gifted.
Gifted Testing and Assessment
Gifted testing (or assessment) is often
conducted – and considered most accurate
– between the ages of six and nine. There
are tests for children as young as two,
however these are not regarded to be
particularly reliable or even necessary.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 24

Gifted Tests
Gifted tests can largely be separated into
two categories: Achievement tests and
Abilities tests. Achievement tests look
for a child’s knowledge in a subject area.
Examples of an Achievement based test
might be an SAT or ACT test. They are
often standardised, and the results are given
as a numerical score. Achievement tests can
also be administered individually and are in
most cases part of a larger assessment, used
to screen students for particular areas of
academic strength.
The second category, Abilities tests,
evaluate a child’s cognitive ability or
intelligence quotient (IQ). The results take
a more rounded view of the child and in
addition to a numerical score, also provide
recommendations. Common Abilities tests
include:
• Comprehensive Test of Nonverbal
Intelligence (CTONI-2)
• Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Scale
(UNIT-2)
• Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive
Abilities (WJ-IV Cog)
• Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT 8)
• Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
• Differential Ability Scales (DAS-2)
What is a Gifted Assessment?
Often the terms ‘gifted test’ and ‘gifted
assessment’ are used interchangeably.
The reality is that they are quite different
with an assessment providing a much
broader and deeper picture of your child’s
giftedness. Because of its greater scope, it is
usually the more costly option to take.
In an assessment, a trained professional
uses their expertise and experience to work
out the best test for your child. The results
of this test, combined with a classroom
observation and interview, provide the basis
for your child’s educational profile.
This profile includes detailed information
on the child’s strengths, challenges, learning
style, needs, and individual characteristics,
as well as making recommendations for
your child’s learning.
How to get your child tested
Getting a test might sound straightforward
but unless they are offered by your child’s
school or kindergarten, they can be difficult
to arrange. Even then, getting the right kind
of gifted evaluation can be quite tricky. If
your school’s gifted policy isn’t available on
their website, make enquiries. It could be
that your school doesn’t offer much in the
way of such testing. In this case, reaching
out to your local education board, teachers
association or similar should point you in
the right direction.
Alternatively, you can look for a person
qualified to administer the test/assessment
nearby. Psychologists are sometimes trained
to do these tests.
Since the pandemic many online tests
have appeared. If you were to select online
testing for your child, make sure you check
the validity of the results (eg. Will they
be accepted at your target school) before
starting.
What to do if your child IS gifted?
So, your child has completed the test and
the results are in. They are, in fact, gifted.
What now?
You have a number of options with the
three most common being:
1Do nothing. Keep an eye on your
child’s progress, grades, and general
happiness. If these things are tracking
well, it is completely fine to maintain the
status quo. Just do so in the knowledge that
RESOURCES
Davidson Institute. Gifted Testing and Assessment www.davidsongifted.org
Davidson Institute. How to get your child tested for giftedness.
www.davidsongifted.org
Davidson Institute. Is my child gifted? www.davidsongifted.org
Kumar, M., (2021, June 22). Is your kid gifted? CNBC, www.cnbc.com
at some point your child might need an
extension – whether this takes the form of
a challenging hobby, academically rigorous
extra-curricular activities like debating or
chess, etc or a new class or school, is entirely
up to you and your child.
2Talk to the teacher and/school and let
them know. Ask them to push your child
whenever they can. You may even ask for
your child to be skipped a year. Monitor the
situation to make sure your child remains
happy and motivated.
3Move your child to a gifted programme
where they will be challenged, stretched,
and developed.
What did we do with our little genius?
Nothing. At five our daughter is far too
young for us to read too much into this. We
want her to play and learn about the world
around her. We are happy that she has an
inquisitive mind and an interest in words.
Whether or not her moment of prodigal
glory was a fluke remains to be seen. For
the meantime, we are happy to let our little
person be.
Bainbridge, C., (2020, July 15). How Parents Can Know If Their Child Is Gifted. Very Well
Family, www.verywellfamily.com
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 25

FEELS GOOD!
A checklist to support young
people’s mental health
WRITTEN BY DR MICHELLE WRIGHT AND DR MECKY MCNEIL
When someone says physical
health, we tend to think of all
things healthy. However, when
someone says mental health, we often think
about illness and distress. At HealthFirst, we
like to view mental health positively because
the fact is that we all have it, just as we all
have physical health as well.
Mental health is so much more than just
the absence of mental illness. If we look
at a definition of from the World Health
Organisation, they define mental health as:
“... A state of well-being, in which a person realises
their own potential, can cope with the normal
stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully
and is able to make a contribution to their society”. 1
In the same way that we can take steps
to look after our physical health, there are
things that we can do to strengthen our
mental health and reduce the chance of
becoming unwell.
That goes for our young people too.
Having good mental health helps children
and adolescents develop resilience and
grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.
So, with this academic year in full swing,
perhaps it’s a good opportunity to reflect on
what we can do to strengthen our mental
wellbeing, including that of our young
people. Remembering that, as adults, we are
important role models and need to ‘walk
the well-being talk’ ourselves.
Obviously, there are lots of things that
can help safeguard a young person’s wellbeing:
being part of a family that gets
on well, going to a school that supports
the well-being of its pupils, being in
good physical health and feeling safe
and understood, to name but a few. But
attending to self-care is also important. To
help get this message across, we have put
together our ‘FEELS GOOD! Strategy’ - a
checklist of 10 important well-being wins
to support young minds. Help the young
people in your lives support their well-being
by sharing these with them.
1Friends matter - Connect with others
Connecting with other people can lift
your spirits. You feel more accepted, you
can share your experiences together, and
you can offer each other support. Take
advantage of this by organising a nice
activity with your friends or family, catching
up with a friend you’ve not seen in a while,
or even meeting new people by joining a
club or group.
2Exercise - Let’s get active
Regular exercise can boost your mood
and self-confidence. It increases your
energy levels and helps you sleep better. It’s
important to try to move more often. Every
little bit counts - from going for a short
walk, taking the stairs instead of the lift,
having a kick around with friends, or going
for a bike ride, run or swim. Or how about
a team sport like netball or football? There
are plenty options for you to get your body
moving, whatever your ability.
3Eat well
Healthy eating and drinking is also
good for your mind. It gives you more
energy and helps you sleep better. It’s
really important to eat a balanced diet to
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 26

“Regular exercise can boost your mood and self-confidence. It increases
your energy levels and helps you sleep better.”
ensure your body is getting the energy and
nutrients it needs, particularly if you’re
vegetarian or vegan. And don’t forget
those fluids: drink plenty of water to keep
hydrated. But do try to keep down the
amount of sugar and caffeine in your food
and drink. If you have any worries about
food, it’s a good idea to talk to a trusted
adult before changing your diet.
4Learn new things
Learning new things can be a great
way of improving your confidence and
giving you a sense of achievement. It
could be anything from learning a new
instrument, sport or language, trying out
new recipes, or starting your own DIY
project. Maybe visiting a local library,
museum or gallery could give you some
inspiration.
5Sleep well
Getting good sleep can help you have
more energy, feel more positive, and feel less
stressed. But sometimes it can be difficult
to get to sleep as a teenager. If you are
struggling, here are a few tips that can help:
• Set yourself a good bedtime routine that
you stick to most nights of the week. Going
to bed at the same time helps to reset your
day and night body clock.
• Cut down on screen time before bed. The
blue light on screens blocks an important
sleep hormone called melatonin and can
put back the onset of sleep by a couple
of hours. Using a blue light filter or night
mode on your screen in the evening can
help with this. Or better still, take a break
from your screens altogether. Try reading a
book or listening to relaxing music instead.
• Take a warm, relaxing bath as part of
your bedtime routine.
• Make sure you don’t eat your dinner or
drink sugary drinks too late.
• Avoid strenuous exercise in the evening.
Anything that puts up your heart rate, puts
back your sleep.
6Get creative
Doing something creative can help
boost self-esteem and relationships. It can
also help you feel less stressed and be a
way to express yourself. There are so many
things that you could try: drawing, painting,
photography, creative writing, singing,
playing an instrument, dancing or drama.
Let those creative juices flow!
7Open your mind - Do things to help
you relax
Relaxing gives you time out - a chance
to feel less stressed, to feel peaceful and
calm, and to clear your mind. How about
spending time in nature, or with friends,
reading, listening to music, or watching
a film? Some people find that relaxation
exercises, meditation, or religious prayer
helps them too.
8Offer help to others
Helping others can make you feel
happier, give you a sense of achievement,
increase your self-worth and boost your
relationships. Perhaps you could offer
help to a neighbour or family member or
volunteer your time and skills to a local
cause that matters to you. Or you could
simply ask a friend how they are, and truly
listen to them.
9Do things you enjoy
Time spent doing something you
enjoy can make you feel happier and more
relaxed. It can also be fun, can boost your
relationships with others, or help you
develop new skills. What things do you love
doing: a hobby, playing sport, watching
films, or even gaming? Invest in your
favorite pastimes.
!t’s OK to not be OK
10 It can be normal as a young person
to want to deal with things on your own.
But if you can open up to friends, family
or someone else you trust about things that
are troubling you, this can help you feel
supported.
REFERENCE
1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-ourresponse
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 27

ADVERTORIAL
5
reasons to choose
SWISS
EDUCATION
GROUP
Switzerland is
renowned for
being home
to the world’s best
hospitality schools.
Swiss Education
Group (SEG), with its
three hospitality schools
– Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS),
Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM), and César
Ritz Colleges Switzerland (CRCS) – is one
of Switzerland’s largest private educators.
Firmly rooted in the great tradition of Swiss
hospitality, SEG pushes the boundaries
of future innovation. Today’s hospitality
education is not just about hotels; it is a
people-oriented luxury industry.
Students develop maturity and
professionalism as they progress through our
challenging programs. One graduate’s father
said that “with each internship [my son] did,
you could see how he was growing. I like the
program’s pragmatism, how students get so
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 28

ADVERTORIAL
much experience while they are in school.”
We asked students why they chose SEG
and here are the top 5 responses:
1Career opportunities
Our students know how to create an
unforgettable experience in which people
feel valued, welcomed, and cared for. This
valuable skill set opens up a variety of career
pathways within and beyond the hospitality
industry. Students learn practical business
and management skills that enable them
to succeed in businesses not traditionally
associated with a hospitality education,
including luxury brands, finance, and multinational
corporations.
Alexander, a new graduate, said that ‘the
best thing I learned is how to think outside
of the box. At SHMS, they teach you how
to find the best possible solution to problems,
even if it’s not the most typical solution.”
Students benefit from guest lectures from
leaders across various industries – including
Visit us on an Open Day,
during which you are welcome to visit
multiple schools across Swiss Education Group.
Our Open Days cover Swiss Hotel Management
School and Hotel Institute Montreux on
Monday, and César Ritz Colleges Switzerland on
Tuesday. Upcoming dates: October 17–18 and
November 21–22.
Nestlé, Edmond de
Rothschild, and UBS
– and participate
in site visits to
gain insights
into multiple
career paths
as they plot
their future
careers.
2A
global
professional
network
Ekaterina, a CRCS
graduate, said that “getting
a bachelor’s degree here was the best
investment my family has made so far…
Meeting guest lecturers provided us with a
strong network of professionals before even
graduating. The knowledge and experience
received have helped me to be more
confident, focused, and motivated.”
Our students appreciate the exclusive
opportunity to attend the biannual
International Recruitment Forum, where
they meet with recruiters from over 100
companies and network with global alumni.
And with 32 chapters and over 24,000
members, SEG’s alumni network is one of
the largest hospitality networks in the world.
Recent graduate Irina said that “the
friends I made at SHMS have now become
my professional connections all over the
world, an incredible asset in today’s world.”
3Soft skills you can’t learn
anywhere else
SEG students have an edge, given the
soft skills they learn with us. Employers
today seek employees who communicate
and manage conflict well – thanks to
highly developed emotional
intelligence. It’s no surprise then
that employers value the skills that
our hospitality graduates bring,
and which give them a competitive
edge over their business school
counterparts.
4Personal an
professional growth
Students appreciate that when
they graduate, they are prepared to
succeed. They not only graduate with
a bachelor’s or master’s degree, but they
leave with valuable work experience
– giving them a distinct advantage over
graduates of other universities. Graduates
have what they need to find the perfect
career fit: confidence-building work
experience, thanks to our robust internship
placement program; and a five-year
career plan, developed with their career
coach, that defines their desired career
and identifies companies that match those
aspirations. They understand a contract,
and can read a job description and gauge
whether a role is right for them. They are
prepared for success.
HIM graduate Onur shared about his
internship coach: “[She] guided me to
opportunities where I would be a great fit
and went above and beyond, even coming
personally to Geneva to see how I was
progressing and to meet everybody in the
company.”
5Academic excellence
Students cite our world-class rankings
as an important reason for choosing a SEG
school. SEG has been educating world
leaders in the hospitality and business
worlds for more than four decades and
our expertise and experience has merited
us top academic rankings: Swiss Hotel
Management School ranks third-best in
the world; César Ritz Colleges Switzerland
stands at number six globally, and the Hotel
Institute Montreux ranks seventh in the
world.
We offer world-class education to
more than 6,000 students from over 110
countries. Our bachelor’s and master’s
degrees, along with a range of short
courses, allow students to choose a program
that suits their needs and interests – from
hotel management and design to culinary
arts and entrepreneurship.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 29

ADVERTORIAL
IBERIA
A new top destination for
boarding students worldwide
In recent years Spain and Portugal have experienced growth in the boarding school sector. This has been
driven in part by increased domestic enrolments. However, as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic,
we can expect to see greater numbers of international students and their families looking to the Iberian
Peninsula for quality education and world-class boarding opportunities.
Year on year the popularity of
Spain and Portugal as educational
destinations increases, particularly
in the boarding school sector. Applications
and enrolments are on the rise across
boarding schools in the region. Even
before the pandemic, Brexit had resulted
in a steady stream of enquires from both
domestic and international markets.
Post Brexit accessing Britain has become
more difficult and expensive for European
citizens. As a result, parents and caregivers
are looking for high quality alternatives.
Spain and Portugal have emerged as
safe, modern, affordable, and world-class
European education destinations.
This evidenced by the rapid growth in
enrolments in Spanish schools. Since 2020,
Sotogrande International School (Cádiz),
King’s College (Madrid), and International
School San Patricio Toledo have seen a
45% increase in boarders.
Portugal, like Spain, has also experienced
growing demand for boarding school
education. In just one year, enrolments grew
by 39%. This has also seen, schools such as
St. Peter’s International School expand to
include greater residential facilities, as well
as entirely new schools developed to serve
this increasingly popular corner of Europe.
One such boarding school is Kings
College School Cascais, set to open in
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 30
September 2023. King’s College was
founded in 1969 and now boasts schools
in a number of international destinations.
The school in Cascais which opened this
September, will also offer 50 places for
borders in their impressive residence.
Boarding schools are an attractive option
for local and expatriate families alike.
The quality of education offered, sports
facilities, social and cultural activities, and
international outlook, ensure the very best
educational experience.
Within this, week boarding has also
become very popular, as it allows students
to access to top tuition whilst maintaining
family time in weekends and holidays.

ADVERTORIAL
Foreign students enrolled in Iberian
boarding schools cover a diverse and
interesting cross-section of countries and
cultures. These include China, Russia,
Bulgaria, and Germany.
Leading the way is Inspired Education
Group. Inspired is dedicated to maintaining
the highest standards of education and
student care their 70 schools located across
five continents. Their boarding schools in
Spain and Portugal are setting the standard
for boarding in the region. Each of the
Inspired boarding schools has their own
unique character and approach:
Sotogrande International School
(Cádiz, Spain)
Sotogrande is known for their elite sports
programme. In this programme student
athletes benefit from tailormade education
designed to fit in with and support their
sporting development.
Charles Debenham, Head of Boarding,
and a teacher in the IB programme
said: “Keeping students enthused with
phenomenal activities decreases screen
time and develops important interpersonal
skills which takes them from the ‘me’ to the
‘we’. This leads to motivated, empathetic,
and academic students who develop
international friendships and connections
for life”.
Kings College (Madrid, Spain)
Academically rigorous, Kings College
offers both the International Baccalaureate
Diploma and A-Level courses. Students
and their families work with the school to
choose the most appropriate educational
track for their goals. When asked about
their boarding programme, Hanan
Nazha, Director of Boarding said: “Our
school is considered to be one of the best
boarding schools in Europe. We have been
designated ‘outstanding’ in all fields in
the last 5 consecutive ISI inspections. We
provide a second home for our boarders
who represent 21 different nationalities.
Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to
provide wrap-around care for our boarders,
ensuring that they thrive academically and
develop into confident, organised, and funloving
people”.
San Patricio Toledo (Spain)
San Patricio is situated in a very unique
location. Toledo provides a relaxed,
secure environment a short distance from
“Spain and Portugal have emerged as safe, modern, affordable,
and world-class European education destinations.”
the bustle of Madrid. The school offers
International Baccalaureate programmes
and is an ideal location for week boarders
with family in Madrid.
“Our international and domestic
boarders enjoy our world-class residential
facilities, in one of the safest areas in Spain
which is why we are seeing huge growth
in numbers. As well as an outstanding
opportunity to live among students of other
nationalities, our boarding students develop
strong communication and social skills
as well as a premium bilingual education
(Spanish & English). Our IB world school
is founded on generations of excellence
combined with a progressive educational
model that provides an excellent pathway
to university and life beyond be it Spain or
globally.” said Declan Ennis, Director of
Internationalisation.
St Peters International School
(Lisbon, Portugal)
St Peters is an iconic institution in the
Portuguese educational landscape.
Boasting brand new, state of the art
boarding facilities, St Peters is an incredible
destination for domestic and international
students. Alex Callow, Headteacher of
St Peter’s said: “Boarding at St. Peter’s
provides a home-away-from-home
environment for our growing cohort of
Portuguese and international students.
Experienced international teaching staff
ensure a rigorous programme of pastoral
care and extra-curricular activities to
make sure that every aspect of their health
and wellbeing is considered. Boarders are
involved in community outreach, sports
activities, cultural excursions, and a whole
range of in-house and external initiatives
(including shopping trips, karaoke, and
even pizza and movie nights) on a weekly
basis.”
Kings College School Cascais (Portugal)
Anyone familiar with Portugal knows what
a special place Cascais is - nestled along the
coast and surrounded by beautiful nature.
King’s College School Cascais will offer
students state of the art facilities, as well
as long-proven educational excellence to
both day and boarding students. Nadim M
Nsouli, Founder and CEO of Inspired, said:
“We are delighted to bring the first King’s
College School to Portugal. King’s College
Schools are renowned for their academic
excellence and their ability to immerse
students in environments where they can
develop global competencies. Our aim is to
encourage innovation, build confidence and
help young minds learn and grow, so they
can thrive in the world today and in the
future.”
The increasing popularity of Iberian
boarding schools’ rests very firmly on
the provision of world class education
and extracurricular activities. Inspired
Education Group ensures that this demand
for quality is not only met but exceeded.
If you have not considered educational
opportunities in Spain and Portugal before,
now is definitely the time to do so.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 31

TOURING THE CANTON
OF VAUD ON TWO WHEELS
With its varied landscape, the
region offers many possibilities
for visitors from the most
hardcore cyclists to those who enjoy a more
leisurely ride.
There’s nothing like a good bike ride for
getting a different perspective. Supported
by an electric battery or powered by leg
muscles alone, the bicycle has pride of place
on the roads and trails of the region. Thrill
seekers love the steeper slopes of the Alps,
while the Jura, with its gentler undulations,
is ideal for families and those looking for a
less strenuous tour. It is not surprising that
the canton is home to the World Cycling
Centre in Aigle at the foot of the Alps.
The International Cycling Union (UCI)
provides facilities for training young talent
from all over the world. Open to the public,
it also offers introductory sessions run by
professionals by reservation.
On the Alps side, in addition to the Gran
Fondo route in Villars, daring cyclists can
attempt the 4-day Tour des Alpes Vaudoises.
The truly fearless are welcome to take on the
descent at the Downhill Bike Park in Leysin.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 32
The Jura can be explored in three days
by e-bike following the Bike Tour Parc Jura
Vaudois schedule. For a spectacular view of
Lake Geneva, the Route du Rhône between
Montreus and Morges is ideal.
From April onwards, a package including
e-bike, camping with necessary equipment,
breakfast at the farm, a mapped route,
and a guided tour of the town at the end,
will enable guests to discover the Moudon
region.The package can be reserved at the
Moudon tourist office. Visit site below for
details of all routes. myvaud.ch/bike

ADVERTORIAL
Cycling Experiences in Vaud:
• Road cycling
Vaud is a wonderful area for cycling with interesting passes like Le Pillon, La Croix and
more!
• Initiation into BMX
Be initiated into BMX riding at the World Cycling Centre in Aigle
• E-Bike around the Lac de Joux
Enjoy the Jura valleys and to discover the region from a different angle
• Bike tour Jura Vaudois nature park
Take a 2 - 3 day bike tour in the heart of the Jura Vaudois nature park.
• 34 itineraries with different categories, difficulty and distance.
In 2022, the canton of Vaud will
be present at a dozen events
including the arrival of the Tour de
France in Lausanne, the men’s and
women’s Tour de Romandie, the 20th
anniversary of the World Cycling
Center in Aigle, the start of a stage of
the Tour de France in Aigle, and much
more!
7th to 9th October 2022:
1st edition of the Tour de Romandie
for women. The peloton will be made
up of the 15 WorldTour teams and
around 120 athletes, making it a
worldclass event.
31st December 2022:
20th anniversary of the World Cycling
Center
Discover the agenda: myvaud.ch/bike
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 33

ADVERTORIAL
An unforgettable stay at the
ART DECO HOTEL
MONTANA
Get the most out of your time in Lucerne with a stay at
the wonderful Art Deco Hotel Montana. From its hilltop
location, this 4-star city hotel offers stunning views of
Lake Lucerne, the old town and mountains in central Switzerland.
Enjoy the view of the city of lights with a ride on the hotel’s own
funicular, which runs from the shores of lake Lucerne.
Rooms & Suites
Each of the hotel’s 62 Art Deco rooms and suites are totally unique,
offering a special experience and a range of amenities for guests.
For the most exclusive stay, the two penthouse floors provide fivestar
service, a private terrace and the luxurious option of your own
outdoor hot tub.
Gastronomy
The Montana was awarded 15 points by Gault & Millau; this
excellent gourmet cuisine captivates guests, enhanced with the
charm of outstanding hospitality and beautiful views from the
hotel.
Relax in style at the Hemingway Rum Lounge, where you can
enjoy one of the 60 different kinds of Rum and immerse in the
Cuban experience. Perhaps you prefer Whisky? The Louis Bar
holds one of the most extensive choices in Switzerland, with 130
whiskeys and live music to enjoy. Don’t miss the old-time jazz
session every Thursday night, as well as concerts of city-loved
musicians.
Events & special locations
The numerous events held have already become legendary in
their own right; from jazz concerts in the Louis Bar to cookery
classes with the head Chef in the Kitchen Club – the only place in
Switzerland where you can find show cuisine.
Discover Lucerne
The Montana is the perfect hub to start your discovery tour
through Lucerne. The old town is conveniently just a 5-10 minute
walk away, where you can visit the world-famous Chapel Bridge or
the Lions Monument.
Experience a memorable yacht cruise on Lake Lucerne, and
don’t forget that the Montana team is always there to help you plan
your sightseeing tour.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 34

ADVERTORIAL

ADVERTORIAL
Autumn in
Switzerland
This summer has been glorious for
many of us across Europe, but
as the scorching heat eases, it’s
time to build the excitement for autumn.
Undoubtedly the most beautiful season
in Switzerland, autumn greets us with
cooler days, golden sunshine and the most
colourful landscapes for all to enjoy.
Whether taking a stroll through the
picturesque forests, exploring vineyards
or journeying on some of Europe’s most
famous train routes, autumn in Switzerland
has something special for everyone.
Indian Summer – a unique time, as short
as it is beautiful.
For keen hikers, Switzerland offers
numerous trails that will take you through a
rainbow of autumn foliage displays. Hiking
trails include:
Golden larches in Engadin
Walk along Via Engiadina to experience all
of the striking contrasts of the sunny valley
between Maloja and Samedan. The larches
provide a lovely gold canopy to accompany
you along this unforgettable route.
Multi-coloured foliage in Bern
Starting at Restaurant Sternen, near
Bütschel/Gschneit, you’ll first walk down
the side street to the Tavel memorial.
Then, you can sit and enjoy the view of
Lake Thun, Niesen and Stockhorn before
you hike up to the top of Bütschelegg, the
best spot to soak up the incredible autumn
landscape from the scenic overlook.
All aboard: Kick back and relax –
on the train.
Switzerland has some of the most
impressive train routes, which are a
delightful way to enjoy the country’s
autumnal scenery.
Popular panoramic routes include The
Glacier Express, the slowest express train in
the world, and the journey from Zermatt
train station directly to the summit of
Gornergrat, Europe’s highest open-air cog
railway.
Why do leaves change colours –
learn more about nature.
There’s something magical about those first
autumn jumps into piles of crispy leaves or
enjoying the tranquil noise of nature in the
vibrant forests. No other time of year in
Switzerland is so colourful, but why do the
trees show off their best side one last time
before they hibernate for winter?
In autumn, the temperatures drop, and
the days grow shorter, signalling trees to
cut back on photosynthesis – a process that
converts sunlight, carbon dioxide and water
into glucose and oxygen.
For photosynthesis, trees need the green
leaf pigment chlorophyll. So, ahead of the
frosty winter, trees reduce the chlorophyll in
their leaves to safeguard all their valuable
resources. This process is why the leaves’
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 36

ADVERTORIAL
yellow, orange and red pigments are
revealed, and you get to experience the
incredible autumn magic year after year.
Explore the Foliage Map
The colourful forests and vineyards are
what make autumn in Switzerland so
special! To help you plan your trip and
enjoy the forests at their most spectacular
times, you can take advantage of
Switzerland’s Foliage Map.
The interactive map is free to use,
updated twice weekly from early September,
and provides insightful tips to help plan
your excursions.
There’s also a chance to play fun games
and win prizes, something children will love!
More Info: myswitzerland.com/autumn
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 37

ADVERTORIAL
Your winter in the
heart of the 4 Vallées
A holiday destination
In the heart of the 4 Vallées, Nendaz,
one of the largest ski domains
in Europe, is the perfect holiday
destination for all winter sports
enthusiasts. Nature lovers can enjoy
the numerous hiking itineraries both
on foot and on snowshoes through
snow-covered landscapes and
stunning panoramic views. The
word holiday also means relaxation:
sunbathing on a mountain terrace
or soaking in hot water at the Spa
des Bisses, it’s up to you! Those
in search of delicious food can
rest assured that the fifty or so
restaurants and bars will satisfy
their taste buds. Families always
feel at home here: everything is planned
to meet the needs of parents and children,
from the snow gardens to the day care
centre, as well as attractive prices passes and
a variety of activities. Nendaz has managed
to maintain a human scale and a warm
atmosphere, with a rich local community
life and preserved authenticity. Between
tasting local products and discovering the
Alphorn, guests are invited to immerse
themselves in local traditions. In addition,
they can enjoy a quality infrastructure with
shops, pharmacies and a medical centre
open throughout the year. The icing on the
cake: Nendaz enjoys an average of 300 days
of sunshine out of 365, while guaranteeing
good snow conditions on its slopes from
December through to April!
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 38

ADVERTORIAL
The legendary Mont Fort
Mont Fort, with its 3330 metres above sea
level, represents the highest point of the ski
domain. Accessible via the ski lifts, it offers
one of the most spectacular panoramic
views in the Alps, with breathtaking views
over famous mountains such as Mont Blanc
and the Matterhorn. In winter and summer
alike, it is a popular excursion destination.
Experienced skiers can experience a run
down its impressive black slope. Others,
after having taken in the stunning view
can enjoy the ride back down in the cable
car. Last but not least, adventurous guests
can get a thrill from the highest zip line in
Europe, which sets off from Mont Fort and
ends at the Col des Gentianes.
The ski domain
Nendaz is located in the heart of one of
the largest ski domains in Europe, the 4
Vallées. Over 400 kilometres of slopes await
ski enthusiasts! From the beginner to the
most experienced skier, everyone will find a
slope to suit their taste and level. Good snow
conditions are guaranteed from December
to April. For absolute beginners, three
snow gardens, six ski schools
and numerous blue runs are
available.
Dare to ski!
If you would like to take up
skiing or get back on the
slopes after a long pause,
then our “Dare to ski” offer
is for you: an all-inclusive
offer, including lessons,
lift pass and equipment
(skis, boots and helmet).
This package is specially designed
for all adults who wish to take up skiing
(again). With this offer, you also benefit from
discounts with some of our partners. If you
wish, after your lesson, you can also enjoy
a moment of relaxation at the Spa in the
Hotel Nendaz 4 Vallées at a reduced price.
Lunch on the slopes at a special price can
also be combined within this package.
The “Dare to ski” package is available on
the following dates:
• 7th and 8th of January 2023
• 14th and 15th of January 2023
• 21st and 22nd of January 2023
• 28th and 29th of January 2023
• 4th and 5th of March 2023
• 11th and 12th of March 2023
• 18th and 19th of March 2023
• 25th and 26th of March 2023
If you choose the option excluding lunch,
the price of this special package is CHF
122.-. If you wish to include lunch, the price
is CHF 142.-
Hesitate no longer and come and enjoy
the slopes in Nendaz in the heart of the 4
Vallées !
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 39

ADVERTORIAL
London
The best city in
the world to be a
university student?
Regent’s University London thinks so!
Choosing a university can be a
daunting time for young people
and parents alike. It marks a
child’s first step into adulthood – with all
the excitement and challenges that come
with it.
For a city on such a small island, London
punches well above its weight for university
students – with the chance to gain valuable
work experiences, build a network of
contacts, make friends from all over the
world and enjoy a thriving social life. No
wonder it’s been named as the best city in
the world to be a university student [QS
Best Student Cities 2023].
London: the city for students
With such a strong reputation and influence
worldwide, London will be sure to get your
child noticed – and, at Regent’s University
London, we make sure our students can
take advantage of all our city has to offer.
Our campus is located in the heart of
the city, just minutes from London’s main
attractions, business and financial districts
and creative hubs. With a variety of
placements, internship opportunities, events
and workshops on our doorstep, London
is the place to be to see your child’s career
soar – setting them apart from others when
it’s time to apply for jobs.
(And, unlike at any other urban
university, we’re set in 11 acres of private
land, with a 24/7 security presence in place
– leaving your child safe and secure.)
On campus: deep skills and connections
At Regent’s, students build their skills and
future in a way that suits them, developing
deep skills in their core discipline and
adding value to their CVs by studying
cross-disciplinary fields as varied as
financial innovation, AI, professional
project management and global conflict.
Industry and entrepreneurship skills are
taught to all undergraduate students from
day one: giving students the chance to test
their ideas, gain close industry connections
and take on real-world work projects that
relate directly to their discipline.
We’re proud to be connected to some
of the city’s most influential leaders,
including CEOs and MDs of luxury brands
(including Harrods, McLaren Automotive
and dunhill) – offering opportunities for
students to gain practical experiences,
join exclusive internships and build their
network of industry contacts.
Particularly entrepreneurial minds
can even apply for entry to the Founders
Programme: a tailored collection of
modules, taken alongside their degree, that
provide guidance, mentorship, coaching
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 40

ADVERTORIAL
and bootcamps to students interested in
starting their own business.
International student networks
London is one of the most diverse cities
in the world – bringing together students
from all over the globe. Studying here
not only offers the chance to meet people
from different backgrounds, but also gain
valuable insights into their cultures and
experience new music, food and art.
With over 140 different nationalities on
campus at Regent’s, our students find it
easy to build an international network of
friends they can tap into throughout their
whole career. They can also choose to study
abroad in one of 60 partner universities
around the world, or study from nine
different languages.
Our students develop such deep
connections they often join forces with each
other – finding their future co-founders on
campus and launching brands and business
ventures together, in London and around
the world. So much so, we were crowned
the UK university with the highest number
of founders, with over 12% of graduates
launching their own businesses after
graduating [resume.io].
Iconic landmarks – on your doorstep
Studying in London means students are
surrounded by world-famous sights every
single day – from iconic landmarks like
Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and London
Bridge to unique architecture, sleepy
parks, bustling shopping streets, theatres,
museums, galleries and more.
When they aren’t studying, students can
eat in celebrated restaurants, explore
hidden food and flower markets, shop
in independent retailers, and unwind in
some of the UK’s most beautiful parks
and gardens – some overlooking London’s
incredible skyline.
Easy access to the rest of the UK
and Europe
Living in one of the best-connected cities
worldwide also means it’s easy to travel
further afield – exploring the UK’s vibrant
cities and stunning landscapes (from the
Scottish Highlands to the Cornish coast)
or jumping on a short flight from one of
London’s six main airports (or train from St
Pancras International) to Europe for
a relaxing city break. The options are
endless!
London is a city that keeps on giving and
no matter how long you spend here, you’ll
never get tired of the experiences it offers.
Discover more at www.regents.ac.uk.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 41

Why Zurich is a great
place to live, work and
educate your children
WRITTEN BY STAFF WRITER
There is much to love about
Switzerland’s largest city.
Regardless of whether you have
been sent to Zurich by your employer or are
simply considering the move, the city offers
an unparalleled quality of life loved by
locals and expats alike.
Zurich regularly places first in the qualityof-life
charts for Europe and beyond. The
city offers high salaries, quality healthcare,
low crime rates, and easy access to a wealth
of health and leisure activities. On the
other hand, Zurich has also been known to
top the ‘most expensive’ rankings as well.
However, ask a local and they will likely
tell you that the cost of living is more than
justified!
Zurich is one of the most environmentally
conscious cities in Europe. It scored 78.6%
in the Global Destination Sustainability
Index in 2021 putting it in 8th place. The
approach to environmental sustainability is
a holistic one, with strategies and initiatives
across all facets of Zurich life. Two obvious
examples can be found in the cleanliness
and sanitation of the city and in the public
transport system.
Clean City Zurich
One of the first things people notice when
they arrive in Zurich is how clean the city is.
When you compare Zurich to other cities,
you would be hard-pressed to find its equal.
On the whole, Switzerland is a country
known for being pristine. This is largely due
to investment in world class sanitation.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 42

In 2018, it was reported that Zurich’s
Civil Engineering and Disposal Department
collected around 30,000 rubbish bags every
day. Sanitation staff work tirelessly to keep
the city’s roads, footpaths, and all public
transportation stops clean and litter free.
The cost – or should we say investment - to
the city is estimated to exceed CHF200
million annually. By and large, local
residents also proud of the city’s clean
reputation and therefore do their part to
recycle, dispose of litter responsibly and be
generally tidy.
Green public transport
Zurich provides ample public transportation
options. Not only are the routes and
schedules well thought out, but they are also
safe, eco-friendly, and extremely efficient.
You would be challenged to find city centre
parking in Zurich. Instead, most people
opt to use the electrically powered light
rail, trams, and buses. In fact, private cars
only account for approximately 28% of all
inbound city traffic.
Outdoor lifestyle
The city is located at the northern tip of
Lake Zurich where it meets the Limmat
River. In the summer the lake is a hive of
water sports and water-side activities. The
long days make it a popular place for locals
and tourists.
Although it would only take a few hours
to reach Switzerland’s most well-known
mountains, there are an abundance of
beautiful alpine areas within as little as
30mins from the city. Popular viewpoints
just outside of Zurich – Üetliberg and
Felsenegg - provide breath-taking views of
the city, the lake and beyond. If you wish
to travel a little further, you can journey
around 50km to Rigi – known as the
‘Queen of the Mountains’ – for stunning
views of central Switzerland and lakes
Lucerne, Zug, and Lauerz. The mountains
can of course be enjoyed all year round.
Whether they be lush and green or covered
in white snow they are an important part of
everyone’s life. Zurich offers a year-round
outdoor lifestyle that is as good for the
body as it is for the soul, making it a very
attractive place to live.
Education in Zurich
The education system in the Kanton of
Zurich (and in Switzerland in general) has
a very strong reputation. There are of
course a large number of public schools in
the area, usually taught in Swiss German.
However, for English language or bilingual
education, there a number of wonderful
options for families to choose from:
Zurich International School
For children aged 3 – 18 | 1250 total students |
students from 55+ countries
Zurich International School operates on the
belief that education is about finding the
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 43

ight balance. Their goal is to ensure that
every child develops a love of learning - a
habit that will stay with them for life. Their
curriculum challenges students to explore
and engage with subjects, and the school
offers both the International Baccalaureate
Diploma Programme and Advanced
Placement courses as well as tailor-made
classes. ZIS has invested in building topclass
facilities, and in nurturing a diverse
community where students feel they belong.
Additionally, ZIS offers a bilingual pathway
for children aged three to eight, which will
be expanding to include students aged 11.
Tandem International Multilingual
School
For children aged 0 – 12 | 280 total students |
students from 30 countries
Tandem IMS is an international day
school offering Early Years, Pre-School,
Kindergarten and Primary programmes.
They specialise in providing high quality
multilingual education (German, English
and French) in a warm and child-friendly
environment. Tandem IMS firmly believes
that education is not only about academic
results, it is also about helping children
develop skills, independence and a love for
learning in a global environment. They
aim to support every child in reaching their
highest potential and developing learning
strategies for further education.
Inter-Community School Zurich
For children aged 18 months – 18 years | 800+
total students | Students from 55+ countries
The Inter-Community School Zurich (ICS)
is a fully accredited international day school
offering the International Baccalaureate
(IB) Programme for Primary Years, Middle
Years, and Diploma Studies. ICS is driven
by a culture of a shared understanding of
the right of every child to learn, to achieve
their potential, pursue their passion and
fulfil their responsibility. Their community
is united in ensuring all students thrive, all
staff members excel, and all families share
in the uniqueness of an ICS education.
Hull’s School Zurich
For children aged 14 – 20 | 380 total students |
Students from 22 countries
Hull’s School is the first English college
in Zurich for teenagers. The four-year
college programme is taught in English
and covers the UK Fifth and Sixth Forms
(Years 10 to 13). During their time at
Hull’s School, students are prepared
for IGCSE and A-level examinations.
Promoting a climate of respect and cultural
understanding is extremely important to
the school and students are encouraged to
develop curiosity, self-confidence, positive
relationships, and a passionate approach
to learning. Hull’s School is committed to
excellence in education through a balanced
academic programme with significant extracurricular
opportunities.
Academia International School Zurich
For children aged 13 - 20 | 70 total students +
200 at Academia Matura | Students from
10+ countries
Academia International School is a
multi-cultural, state-of-the-art education
centre in the heart of Zurich-Oerlikon:
Extending over five floors it offers space
for young adults to develop, be creative
and inspired. The school prepares students
for international university entrance
qualifications including IGCSEs and A
Levels. Academia International School
offers an inclusive community where
students and staff, regardless of background
or nationality, feel accepted and can develop
to their full potential.
Obersee Bilingual School
For children aged from 6 months | 478 total
students | Students from 41 countries
Obersee Bilingual School (OBS) is a private
school founded in 2003 offering a futureoriented
approach to education guided by
scientific findings and recommendations.
OBS uses digital technology to tailor
individualised learning for students – each
issued with an iPad to aid their educational
journey. OBS aims for students to become
global citizens, critical thinkers, and lifelong
learners.
SIS Swiss International School
Zürich-Wollishofen
For children aged 4 - 11 | 220 total students |
Students from 20+ countries
SIS Zürich-Wollishofen offers a unique
learning experience for students via
their bilingual kindergarten and primary
school. Well situated in the city centre,
and a short distance from the lake, the
school provides students with a stimulating
learning environment that is characterised
by cooperativeness and kindness, ensuring
that they develop into motivated and
socially competent individuals. Learning
at SIS Zürich -Wollishofen reaches beyond
regular classroom hours via before and
after school care, holiday programmes and
extracurricular courses.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 44

International School Zurich North
For children aged 13 - 18 | 235 total students |
Students from 33 countries
International School Zurich North (ISZN)
is an exceptional international school in the
heart of canton Zurich. ISZN promotes
a culture of lifelong learning, curiosity,
and passion for discovery. Students are
empowered to be champions of change
and become globally minded individuals.
The school strives to develop rich learning
environments that equip young people with
the self-belief and international perspective
they need to thrive in today’s world.
Swiss International School
Männedorf-Zürich
For children aged 4 - 11 | 120 total students |
Students from 20+ countries
SIS Männedorf- Zürich was opened in
2009 and since this time has offered
immersive, bilingual day education from
kindergarten to primary school level at
their beautiful campus beside Lake Zürich.
Also offering before and after school care,
holiday programmes, and extracurricular
courses, the school ensures that children
are given a wide range of educational
opportunities. SIS Männedorf- Zürich
aims to create a strong sense of community
“The city offers high salaries, quality healthcare, low crime rates,
and easy access to a wealth of health and leisure activities.”
among parents, staff, teachers, and students.
Lessons are goal-oriented and teach
children to develop a healthy competitive
spirit.
Terra Nova Bilingual School
For children aged 3 - 14 | 140 total students |
Students from 10+ countries
A Swiss accredited school, Terra
Nova Bilingual School is close-knit yet
cosmopolitan, private school that provides
excellent instruction to children aged from
Pre-Kindergarten to the end of Secondary
School. Instruction is bilingual, taught
by mother-tongue English or German
qualified teachers. Terra Nova Bilingual
School focuses on expanding students’
horizons and helping them to develop new
perspectives. The school is a modern place
of educational and cultural encounters.
SIS Swiss International School Zürich
For children aged 4 - 18 | 320 total students |
Students from 20+ countries
Opened in 2005, SIS Zürich moved to
its current campus in 2012. The school
maintains exceptional infrastructure for all
education levels. The campus offers over
twenty classrooms, a variety of special
subject rooms for arts, music, crafts and
woodwork, a science lab, indoor sports hall,
and a library. In addition to being a fully
bilingual day school, students may graduate
with both the Swiss Matura and IB
diploma. SIS Zürich provides personalised,
high-quality before and after school care
where children, adolescents and young
adults learn important skills to help them
find their way in a globalised world.
Zurich provides professionals and families
alike with wonderful lifestyle, career, and
educational opportunities. In terms of
schooling there are a number of exceptional
international and/or bilingual schools, each
with their own character and strengths.
Regardless of which school you select for
your child, they have all worked hard to
build a strong international community that
supports new students and their families in
their transition to life in Zurich. For more
information on these schools please refer
to the International School Parent School
Guide or visit their websites directly.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 45

ADVERTORIAL
CAREERS OF
THE FUTURE:
which bachelor’s
degree should
you study?
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 46

ADVERTORIAL
If you’re currently deciding what to
study for your bachelor’s degree, there’s
a lot to consider. And, given that the
World Economic Forum estimates that
65% of primary school children today will
work in jobs that don’t yet even exist, one
question outweighs all others: what are
the careers of the future and how do you
prepare for them today?
The advance of new technologies has
fuelled the rapid transformation of the
workplace and the pace of change is only
increasing. A decade ago, comparatively
few workers had even heard of cloud
computing or blockchain, for example, but
now skills in these areas are highly sought
after across many industries. The careers of
the future may not yet exist – but students
should be well prepared to grasp the new
opportunities that emerge.
Given this rapidly evolving employment
landscape, students today must acquire
essential soft skills such as agile thinking and
an ability to respond quickly to changing
circumstances. They require a multicultural
and open mindset, that will allow them
to connect with colleagues, suppliers and
partners who may be located anywhere in
the world.
You will gain these skills and more at
EU Business School (EU), a high-ranking
international business school with campuses
in Geneva, Munich and Barcelona as
well as the Digital Campus. We foster
entrepreneurial thinking and creative
problem-solving, crucial aptitudes to
succeed in a world in constant flux. You
will become part of a vibrant and diverse
community of more than 100 nationalities,
which will give you the opportunity to
expand your global perspective. Our
experiential approach to learning gives
our students the real-world business skills
to excel and our innovative programs have
been specifically designed to respond to the
latest demands of industry.
Read on more to discover our programs
and why they will prepare you for success in
the workplace of the future.
Bachelor’s of Business Administration
Budding entrepreneurs and anyone
who wants to work for a company or
organization of any size, anywhere in the
world, will get a great foundation in the
main principles, theories and practice of
business and management with this degree.
Bachelor of Arts in Communication &
Public Relations
As our world becomes increasingly
connected, effective communication and
carefully crafted messaging is ever more
crucial for companies or organizations
that want to stand out amid all the noise.
This degree is ideally suited for anyone
who wants to work in this broad and everexpanding
field.
Bachelor of Arts in Leisure &
Tourism Management
Tourism was one of the world’s fastestgrowing
industries before the global health
crisis and has been one of the first sectors
to rebound. It’s also a very exciting industry,
which has adapted rapidly to the impact of
digitalization and the increasing importance
of sustainability to customers, among other
factors.
Bachelor of Arts in International
Relations
In today’s uncertain world, knowledge of
international relations is especially relevant
and this degree can lead to careers in
politics, intelligence, security and a host
of other growing fields. The skills you will
learn, such as inter-cultural approaches,
“Students today require a multicultural and open mindset,
that will allow them to connect with colleagues, suppliers and
partners who may be located anywhere in the world.”
are also highly transferable. Geneva is the
ideal location to study this subject, given
that the city is one of the biggest global
hubs for international organizations such
as the United Nations and the World Trade
Organization.
Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management
Whether you are a sports fanatic or not,
the world of sports – particularly sport
as entertainment – is booming. This
degree will open up doors in lucrative
and expanding fields such as sponsorship
and e-sports, as well as the classic sports
management opportunities.
Bachelor of Arts in Digital Business,
Design & Innovation
This degree prepares you for a leading
role in the digital transformation that
is revolutionizing the business world, as
companies and organizations adapt to
modern technologies. It provides students
with the entrepreneurial and innovative
mindset they need to think ahead and drive
change.
Bachelor of Science in Business Finance
Finance is a broad field that offers a wealth
of lucrative careers across all sectors.
This program provides students with a
thorough grounding in all key subjects
related to the field, including blockchain
and cryptocurrencies, that will play an everlarger
role in the companies of the future,
particularly as Web 3.0 develops further.
Find out more at euruni.edu
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 47

ADVERTORIAL
5 Hospitality Business
Management Graduate Characteristics
you might not be aware of
A hospitality business management degree does not only impart future managers, leaders
and entrepreneurs with a multifaceted set of hard and soft skills, but also advances highly
valuable business capabilities.
WRITTEN BY MARIA RAMSTAD KRISTIANSEN
The hospitality industry in one
way or another touches many
other industries and all our lives.
In its essence, hospitality is driven by a
mindset of people first thinking, delivering
service excellence, creating unforgettable
experiences and moments, managing
relationships and making guests and
customers feel appreciated and special.
The skill set that comes with a hospitality
business degree provides an excellent
theoretical and practical foundation and
highly specialised competencies and
knowledge in various disciplines.
The high demand for hospitality
graduates, not only from the core
hospitality industry, but also from many
other industries, can be explained by their
versatile training in skills of the future
such as emotional intelligence, complex
problem-solving, analytical thinking, as
well as the strong focus on customers,
markets, innovation, service excellence and
communication.
1
Customer centric driven artistes
If one sector is globally recognised as
the leader in customer- or guest-centricity,
then it’s the hospitality industry. This is
certainly one explanation for the high
demand for hospitality graduates from
other service industries, as well as the
increased employer understanding of the
value of the skillset held by hospitality
management graduates.
From the first day of school until
graduation, hospitality management
students learn to understand and to
successfully manage all stages and aspects
of a specific customer journey. Customercentricity
is a mindset, driven by the idea
that customer expectations, needs and
relationships should be the number one
priority for everything an organisation does.
Hospitality correspondingly teaches
young leaders that customer-centricity
must be embedded in the company
culture and at all levels and functions
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 48

ADVERTORIAL
in an organisation. The increased
expectations for excellent customer service
and -orientation is another reason why
a growing number of industries seek to
recruit hospitality graduates for different
positions and functions on various
organisational levels.
2
Individual service and
experience cracks
What differentiates personalised services
and experiences from generic customer
experiences? When do personalised services
create value for customers?
We can ask ourselves who will be
delivering hospitality services in the
future. Some believe it will be delivered by
ServiceRobots, others are of the opinion
that this is something that can still only be
done by human beings. Which technology
will be a game changer in the future?
Personalisation goes far beyond merely
the service discipline. It’s the process of
tailoring products, services, touchpoints,
communications and much more to a
specific customer’s needs and behaviours.
Inspiring individuals are the key to
create personalised services and impactful
moments. Throughout their studies,
hospitality students are challenged to
develop a deep understanding of customer
and guest individuality. Students learn
how to create strategies and concepts
with tangible and intangible elements,
and to lead service organisations and
teams with a strong focus on personalised
services. Additionally, hospitality graduates
have developed an understanding for
individuality as a winning concept in a
hypercompetitive world.
3
Communication maestros
Strong and professional
communication skills are highly valued
in business, not to mention all other
aspects of personal and professional life.
Communication is multifaceted, not only
vocal communication. Various forms of
written or visual expressions to non-verbal
statements such as body language, gestures,
pitch of voice together make up how and
what we communicate.
With today’s multitude of
communication channels and platforms,
in addition to the importance of culture
awareness, communication has become the
ultimate success factor in business.
Hospitality students are trained in
SHL Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern is one of the two original Hotel
Management Schools in Switzerland and offers one of the only two Bachelor of Science
in Hospitality Management degrees in Switzerland accredited by the Swiss federal
government and in compliance with the Bologna Declaration, as well as the regarded
Swiss Diploma Dipl. Hoteliere-Gastronomin / Hotelier-Gastronom HF.
Owned by the Hotel Gastro Union, SHL has been paving the way for the renowned
Swiss dual education system, teaching first-class practical and academic hospitality
management skills since 1909. SHL prepares young talents for becoming inspiring
leaders on the global stage.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 49

ADVERTORIAL
all aspects of communication daily
to develop their ability to use it as an
effective leadership tool and, equally
important, to communicate successfully
and professionally with customers in any
situation.
4
Small data management experts
Big data seems to have become
the new currency in business. Spending
so much time searching for significant
data and insights, often leads to the most
valuable data being forgotten - the data
from various small data resources delivers
actionable insights that come with various
types of customer behaviour, expectations
and interactions.
In many cases, small data drives
innovation and creativity by seemingly
observing customer behaviour and paying
attention to details in daily business.
As we’ve learned, hospitality is all
about the people first way of thinking.
Understanding and explaining emotions
by using big data is a mission impossible.
Emotions drive customers’ decisions, and
when a company aims to connect with
customers’ emotions, the payoffs can be
vast. Hospitality teaches students to value
all types of data and information, to pay
attention to details and touchpoints in
the customer journey, to gather valuable
insights from every single direct and
indirect interaction with customers and
develops them to
become small data
management experts.
5 Chief
Go-getters
Customers and guests have
high and constantly changing
preferences and expectations. With
service at its core, a hospitality mindset
is driven by the aspiration to deliver
excellent service, unforgettable experiences
and professionalism with every customer
interaction in order to exceed customers’
expectations. Hospitality graduates are
equipped with a strong doer mentality with
an objective and a result driven mindset
and fully capable to achieve this goal. They
create their own motivation, and they pay
attention to details, both in terms of their
customers, but also their surroundings.
Hospitality students also have a mentality
of being spontaneous volunteers and great
team players. They convince through
action, always in search of continuous
improvement.
Learn more about SHL
and the Bachelor of Science
in Hospitality Management
info.shl.ch/hospitality_bachelor/
Although
it’s a common
misunderstanding that
studying a hospitality
management degree will
only lead students to a
hospitality career, the degree
prepares students for almost
any business environments and is a
perfect stepping stone into any industry.
Hospitality remains one of the most
resilient, adaptable and dynamic industries
on the planet and is a constantly changing
industry, where technology and innovation
are being integrated to improve the guest
experience. New concepts are constantly
being invented to meet the ever-changing
demands of consumers. The more the
world changes, the more opportunities arise
for new hospitality jobs and businesses. For
graduates looking for other opportunities,
from luxury marketing to real estate, sports
to finance, a degree in hospitality business
management in such a diverse, global
industry, can expect a wide variety of
successful career paths.
Maria Ramstad Kristiansen is Head of Marketing & Student Recruitment
at SHL Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern. She has a MSc in Business
Administration, major Tourism and a BBA in Hospitality and Tourism from the
University of Applied Sciences Graubünden, as well as a Swiss degree in Hospitality
Management from EHL Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality. Maria has 25 years of
management experience from the Hospitality Industry in Norway, UK and Switzerland.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 50

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The Mirror Lies
Eating Disorders and the distinction from Body Dsymorphia
WRITTEN BY LAURENCE VAN HANSWIJCK
It would be rare to find someone in
this day and age who has not come
across the terms eating disorders and
body dsymorphia. The tabloids and online
sites are rife with these terms and images
of emaciated girls and boys. Through
the ages, this has stayed constant. These
two terms are often used out of context
and erroneously. These two terms, eating
disorders and body dsymorphia are in fact
2 distinct disorders, however, one can exist
with or without the other. This article will
explore the two differences and then delve
into eating disorders, what it looks like, what
to look out for and how to help loved ones.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
People who have body dysmorphic disorder
are preoccupied or obsessed with one or
more perceived flaws in their appearance.
This preoccupation or obsession typically
focuses on one or more body areas or
features, such as their skin, hair, or nose.
However, any body area or part can be the
subject of concern.
In order to diagnose as clinicians, we use
the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, currently in its Fifth Edition (DSM-
5). This manual outlines the criteria for
a diagnosis of body dysmorphic disorder
(BDD). BDD is not classified as an eating
disorder, it is listed under the category
of “Obsessive-Compulsive and Related
Disorders.” The DSM-5 lists the following
diagnostic criteria:
• Preoccupation with one or more
perceived defects in appearance that are
not noticeable to others and are not truly
disfigured.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 52

• At some point, the person suffering has
performed repetitive actions or thoughts
in response to the concerns. This may be
something like continuously comparing
their appearance to that of others, mirror
checking, or skin picking.
• This obsession causes distress and
problems in a person’s social, work, or other
areas of life.
• This obsession isn’t better explained as a
symptom of an eating disorder (although
some people may be diagnosed with both).
While many people hold some insecurity
related to parts of their body, not all
meet the criteria for a BDD diagnosis.
These symptoms need to be deemed
“Clinically significant”. Clinical significance
is determined by symptoms that cause
substantial distress or impairment in social,
occupational, or other important areas of
functioning. These impacts are so significant
that research shows approximately 80% of
individuals with BDD report that they have
experienced suicidal thoughts, which is 10
to 25 times higher than that of the general
population. One in four individuals suffers
from attempted suicide.
What does an Eating Disorder look like?
Eating disorders (ED) can become lifethreatening
illnesses in which people
experience severe disturbances in their
eating behaviors and related thoughts and
emotions. People with EDs typically become
preoccupied with food and their body size
and shape. The DSM-5 describes several
types of eating disorders:
• Anorexia Nervosa (AN) -restrictive
subtype/binge eating-purging subtype
• Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
• Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
• Other Specified Feeding and Eating
Disorder (OSFED)
• Pica
• Rumination Disorder
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake
Disorder (ARFID)
• Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder
(UFED)
• Other:
Muscle Dsymorphia
Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) proposed criteria
The main eating disorders that are most
common and most described are the first
three and are characterized as follows.
• Anorexia Nervosa is characterized
by severe food restriction leading to
significantly low body weight and intense
fear of weight gain or of becoming fat, or
behavior that interferes with weight gain
(despite very low weight). There is also a
disturbance in the way in which one’s body
weight or shape is experienced, undue
influence of body weight or shape on
one’s self-evaluation, or persistent lack of
recognition of the seriousness of one’s low
body weight.
• Binge Eating Disorder is characterized
by eating abnormally large quantities of
food in a short period of time. Binge eating
feels out of control and causes marked
distress.
• Bulimia Nervosa is characterized
by eating abnormally large quantities of
food in a short period of time, followed by
compensatory behavior (e.g., self-induced
vomiting, excessive exercise, fasting)
intended to neutralize the impact of binge
eating on shape and weight. In addition,
self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body
shape and weight.
Overlap
As you can see BDD shares some common
features with eating disorders, such as
people with eating disorders and those
with body dysmorphic disorder may both
be overly concerned with their size, shape,
weight, or outward appearance. Those with
body dysmorphic disorder may even fixate
on areas of their bodies that are similar
to fixations seen in anorexia nervosa or
bulimia nervosa, such as the waist, hips,
and/or thighs. Those with BDD may also
experience similar symptoms such as body
checking (like frequent weighing or mirror
“checks”) and excessive exercise.
However, it is important to note that not
everyone with body dysmorphic disorder
has an eating disorder. There are people
with body dysmorphic disorder who focus
solely on specific body parts (like the shape
of their nose).
It’s important to know the signs and
symptoms of both BDD and eating
disorders. These illnesses are complicated,
terrifying, and real. And these illnesses
cause millions of people to lead lives filled
with a great deal of pain and suffering.
The statistics on Eating Disorders
The statistics are staggering and depending
on where you look they will differ. It is
“I stared in the mirror and obsessed about whether or not a
space existed between my thighs. Commonly referred to as
‘thigh gap’, I did my best to stand at specific angles that might
create such a space. When I couldn’t achieve this so-called ideal
after a considerable amount of effort, I wore baggy clothes to
hide the perceived flaw. Instead of hanging out with friends, I
stayed in — again. I didn’t eat that night.”– J.S.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 53

with anorexia nervosa (N=177), bulimia
nervosa (N=906), or eating disorders not
otherwise specified (N=802) over 8 to 25
years. The investigators used computerized
record linkage to the National Death Index,
which provides vital status information for
the entire United States, including the cause
of death extracted from death certificates.
Crow and colleagues found that crude
mortality rates were 4.0% for anorexia
nervosa, 3.9% for bulimia nervosa, and
5.2% for eating disorders not otherwise
specified. They also found a high suicide
rate in bulimia nervosa. The elevated
mortality risks for bulimia nervosa, and
eating disorder not otherwise specified were
similar to those for anorexia nervosa.
predicted, according to Beat UK (UK’s
Eating Disorder charity), that currently over
1.25 million people (Gov UK, 2018), both
male and female, have an eating disorder
in the UK and 30 million in the USA, with
numbers continuing to grow, especially
in Japan, China, and Europe. Over the
pandemic, National Health Services (NHS)
eating disorder clinic services (NHS, 2022)
saw an almost doubling of cases (Solmi et
al., 2021). Note that these statistics are only
based on those who have a diagnosis, many
do not as they aren’t seen to “meet the
criteria”, and others suffer in silence.
Stigma and Misunderstanding
Eating disorders are highly stigmatized
illnesses. They are often seen as a lifestyle
choice, a phase, or something that a person
will grow out of, rather than an insidious
and dangerous mental illness that has
complex roots and manifestations. There
is still an assumption that they only affect
white teenage girls – however current stats
show that Japan has the highest rate of
eating disorders currently, this highlights
how invisible eating disorders are in these
communities until they become lifethreatening.
Stigma increases the shame
that many people feel, but also stops many
from reaching out for support, and reaching
out is a massively difficult thing to do when
your mental illness is telling you not to –
which of course then contributes to high
mortality rates.
So many people go to their General
Practitioner (GP) or end up in hospital
Accident & Emergency departments only
to be told, “You aren’t thin enough to have
an eating disorder” or, “You don’t look
like you have an eating disorder.” So many
have heard from their GP that they can’t
have an eating disorder because of their
weight, age, ethnicity or gender. Which then
propels them to get even thinner to prove
they have an issue. ED diagnosis should not
be based on body mass index (BMI), but on
symptoms that are clinically significant and
impairing everyday life.
Consequences
Eating disorders are serious, potentially lifethreatening
conditions that affect a person’s
emotional and physical health. They are
not just a “fad” or a “phase.” People do
not just “catch” an eating disorder for
a period of time. Eating disorders can
affect every organ system in the body, the
endocrinological system, cardiovascular,
gastrointestinal, neurological, skin, hair,
kidneys, anemia, and the list goes on. Crow
and colleagues studied 1,885 individuals
How to spot the signs
If an individual’s conversations appear to
be hyper-fixated on losing weight, altering
themselves, thinness, food, nutritional
content, exercise regimens and other
aspects of food and body, it is important to
notice this, ask more questions, and gently
challenge any dangerous beliefs. Note that
even changes in diet such as going vegan
can be an indicator. There is also such a
thing as Orthorexia.
Note that one of the earliest signs
of an eating disorder is a change in a
person’s eating habits. They become more
regimented, start moving food around
a plate, start chopping it in tiny pieces,
using a lot of condiments, fidgety at
mealtimes, eating the same food over and
over, suddenly embarking on a new diet.
Other early sings are suddenly becoming
very interested in food, getting an in-depth
knowledge of nutrition and calorie content,
starting to download and read recipes
and cooking a lot for others. Other early
signs are social withdrawal, changing their
social habits. They can experience changes
in mood during the day, more so than
usual. This can happen especially around
mealtimes.
As well as the early signs of eating
disorders outlined above, these conditions
also have a number of more general
symptoms that can happen at any point
in the illness. These can be different for
everyone and can vary depending on the
type of eating disorder that a person is
struggling with. However, the most common
signs and symptoms to look out for include,
losing a lot of weight, very low body fat,
wearing baggy clothes, controlling and
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 54

limiting food, excessive exercise, believing
they are fat, obsessing over their and
others looks, frequently weighing, making
themselves sick, using laxatives, spending
a lot of time in the bathroom after meals,
anxiety, self-harm, exhaustion, binging food
in secret, obsession over calories, chaotic
eating habits and anxiety and depression.
The list above is generalized to anorexia,
bulimia and binge eating. However, these
are some of the most common indicators to
look out for.
Recovery
Recovery from an eating disorder is
incredibly hard, with an average of six to
ten years until full recovery according to
UK charity Beat (Beat, 2022) and more
than half of sufferers never fully recover.
Recovery is defined as eating at regular
intervals, guided by physical rather than
emotional hunger. It is a life free from
dietary restriction, bingeing, or purging and
weight maintained at a healthy level. It is
the ability to eat spontaneously, especially
out in public, a balanced diet with every
food group, and the ability to tolerate
natural shifts in weight due to illness, times
of the year, or bloating. It is possible for
every eating disorder sufferer to recover,
with the right support and treatment.
Help
Help is out there!
If a friend or relative has an eating disorder
or you suspect they do, you probably want
to do everything you can to help them
recover. Getting professional help from
a doctor, practice nurse, or a school or
college nurse will give your friend or relative
the best chance of getting better. But this
can be one of the most difficult steps for
someone living with an eating disorder, so
try to encourage them to seek help or offer
to go along with them.
You can support them in other ways, too:
• Keep trying to include them – they
may not want to go out or join in with
activities, but keep trying to talk to them
and ask them along.
• Try to build up their self-esteem –
perhaps by telling them what a great person
they are and how much you appreciate
having them in your life. Do not comment
on looks.
• Give your time, listen to them and
try not to give advice or criticize –
“I am angry that I starved my brain and that I sat shivering in my
bed at night instead of dancing or reading poetry or eating ice
cream or kissing a boy.” ― Laurie Halse Anderson
Remember, you do not have to know all the
answers, just making sure they know you’re
there for them is what’s important. When
they seem to reject you make sure you keep
reaching out, this is their ED talking and
not them.
The most difficult step for them is to
accept help as their ED voice is so strong
and will keep telling them not to do it.
However, getting professional help is what
they most need. You can gently suggest
different support groups and therapists.
Usually, the starting point would be
their GP but they can also book in with
a Psychologist. Talk therapy is usually
frontline to help with ED. Most people
with ED will not have to stay in a hospital,
they are seen as outpatients, however,
some with more advanced ED will need to
stay in a specialized clinic or hospital for
more intensive treatment. Some people
with ED might need a team when they
are outpatient, such as a nutritionist,
Psychologist and Psychiatrist whilst others
won’t. It all varies depending on severity.
When they come out of an inpatient unit
or outpatient care, your friend or relative
will still need your support. Most people
with an eating disorder do recover and
learn to use more positive ways of coping.
But recovery from an eating disorder can
be very difficult and take a long time. Your
friend or relative may even relapse into old
behaviors or have periods of living with
their illness again during their recovery.
It’s a bumpy road. Sadly, some eating
disorders do not go into remission, and you
do not recover. This means that they are
often somewhere there, hiding in a distant
corridor of your mind, and can resurface in
times of stress or with certain cues.
Things to be aware of
Know that there are many websites
and online platforms out there that are
considered “pro Ana” or “pro Mia”. These
proana sites are created to help those with
eating disorders stay on the course of their
eating disorders as well as posting proud
images of continuing emaciating bodies. As
an example, https://starvingpassion.weebly.
com/proana-tips.html, lists 58 tips on how
to keep an eating disorder alive, as well as
“Restaurant Rules” and “Fasting Tips”.
A wall of “Inspiration” is slathered with
painstakingly bony bodies and shocking
inspirational quotes “keep going you
can get to this size” and “keep calm stop
eating”. There are also “pro Mia” sites,
promoting Bulimia. Equally, there are pro
Mia and Ana sites such as “Mianaplace.
com”. These websites can be hard to find
and when some get taken down others
pop up. https://proanagoddess.wordpress.
com; https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/
pro%40na?sort=top
Terminologies used in these communities
are such as “thinspo”, “bonespo” and
“deathspo”, these are inspirations that are
searched after.
Be aware of these sites, they will not
cause an eating disorder, but they can spark
continuation for those who are already ill.
The more that we have our eyes open as
to what is out there and what can propel
eating disorders, the more we understand
the signs and drivers, and the better armed
we are to support our loved ones who are
suffering.
RESOURCES
If you or a loved one is suffering from
an eating disorder, here are some good
resources to get informed:
Beat Eating Disorders - UK
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.
uk/
National Association of Anorexia
Nervosa and Associated Disorders
(ANAD)
http://www.anad.org/ANAD
The Body Positive
http://www.thebodypositive.org
Eating Disorders Anonymous
http://www.eatingdisordersanonymous.
org
Eating Disorder Hope
http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/
Eating Disorders Information Network
http://www.edin-ga.org
Eating Disorder Referral (EDReferral)
http://www.edreferral.com
The National Eating Disorders
Screening Program
http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 55

My child has just told
me that they’re trans.
Now What?
WRITTEN BY CATH BREW
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 56

When your child comes out as transgender it’s common
to experience a wide range of thoughts and emotions.
There’s a lot to process and from the parents’ point of
view, parenting suddenly feels like it’s changed. So, what happens
next? How do you start to process and navigate what this really
means?
Your Immediate Processing
Most parents will experience a myriad of questions flooding in as
they try to understand. Is my child really sure? How do they know?
Is this just the identity exploration and struggles of puberty? Does
this relate to something I’ve done? What does this mean? For them?
For our family? What’s going to happen at school? Do they want to
transition? I’m not sure what to do. Where can I get help?
Understandably, many parents are also scared of doing the
wrong thing. Globally, trans people are marginalised, vulnerable
and often unprotected by law. International research shows that
transgender adolescents are more likely to commit suicide that
their CIS-gender peers and in the USA 50% more likely. 1 However,
the ways in which trans people are treated by their families and
broader society plays a significant role in their overall wellbeing.
With the right support, understanding and communication at home
and at school, parents can raise happy healthy trans children who
grow up to flourish in adulthood.
The First Conversations
When your child first tells you that they are trans, it is important
for them to feel seen and heard by you. It’s likely they’ve been
anxious about telling you and will be seeking love and validation.
An affirming and positive response is a great way to start the
conversation.
The best responses include 3 parts:
1. Respond positively
2. Celebrate
3. Affirm that this will not negatively impact your relationship with
them
A suitable response could be, I feel honoured that you’ve told me. Thank
you. I’ll always love you. What do you need from me? or I’m really proud of
you. Congratulations. It’s wonderful to know yourself so well. I’ll support you
100%. How can I/we help?
• “I’ll support you whether you’re a boy, girl, alien, a horse
or purple”
A reply like this isolates a person. By likening their identity to
objects and animals indicates that you view them as ‘other’ or even
abnormal. For your child, it shows them that you have not truly
heard or seen them in what they’ve just said.
• “Really? Are you sure?”
Yes, they are. In the same way that you know your gender, they too
know theirs.
Be aware that before someone announces that they are
transgender, they may come out as gay or lesbian first. This is not
necessarily because they think they are gay or lesbian, but rather
that socially, being gay is safer emotionally. The child/young
adult may know very well that they are trans but coming out as
gay first allows them to test how you respond. Further, how you
respond, will influence whether you’re deemed to be safe and given
addition information about being trans, or whether they remain
private. Like with CIS-gender people, there is no ‘one size fits all’.
It’s a personal journey and everyone needs the space to express
themselves as and when they feel comfortable.
What does parental support look like?
You want to support your child but don’t know where to start? To
clarify your next steps, you may wish to seek professional support
from a psychologist specialising in gender-expansive families.
Whilst the specifics of help and support will vary for each family,
common aspects can include:
1. A new name
Some transgender people want to change their name to match
their inner identity. Choosing a new name is an important step to
living more in alignment with who they are. Some parents may find
a new name difficult to process, especially if the name they chose
for their child at birth had personal and/or family significances.
Creating a safe space for open conversations can help both the
parents and children express a level of autonomy over the decision.
2. Pronouns
Ask your child what pronouns they’d like to use. They may want
to start using they/them, they/he, they/her, xe/xem, or ze/zim.
Some CIS-gender people resist using ‘they/them’ because it’s most
Some phrases may feel supportive to you, but in reality, isolate
your child. For example, replies like these are not advisable:
• “It doesn’t matter to me what your lifestyle choice is”
Being trans is not a lifestyle choice or any other choice. It’s a
personal inner identity that is felt deeply and matters very much to
the person. Many people take years to be brave enough to verbalise
it having known from a very early age.
• “I love you whomever you are”
Being trans is an important part of a person’s identity and goes to
the core of who they are. By saying whomever you are, minimises and
negates the specific identity that they have just shared with you and
can make them feel unseen.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 57

known as a plural. However, the Oxford English Dictionary can
trace its use in the singular back to 1375 2 and today we actually use
‘they/them’ as a singular all the time. For example, Can I please order
what they had? How tall are they? That person over there, can we invite them
to our table? If you still feel resistance, imagine someone calling you
the wrong pronoun every day. It’s uncomfortable, isn’t it? Besides,
it is polite, compassionate, and respectful to address a person how
they ask to be addressed. It really should be no different than using
a person’s name.
3. Do they want a different haircut?
A new haircut is a really simple way for a trans child to start to feel
more aligned with who they are. It brings a new vibe and energy
and helps them to express themselves more easily.
4. Clothes shopping
To date, it is likely that you’ve bought them clothes for the gender
they were assigned at birth. Why not suggest to your child that
you go shopping together to buy new clothes for [insert their new
name]? Like a haircut, clothes can have a huge positive impact on
a child’s sense of self, increase confidence and help affirm their
identity.
5. Photos around the house
Depending on your child’s body dysmorphia and levels of distress,
it might be appropriate to remove family photos displayed around
the home. Ask your child how they feel about it.
6. Telling your other children and extended family
Only you truly know your family and the best way to tell your other
children. However, good things to remember are:
For younger children keep it simple. Don’t overload them with
too much information. Keep a calm normal voice and don’t
project. For example: Your brother Johannes has always known in his
heart that he’s a girl. From now on Johannes would like to be known as Jo
and called a she. Be prepared to answer their questions honestly and
let them know that they can also continue to ask. Reading books
together can also help, such as: ‘Introducing Teddy’ (Jessica Walton
and Dougal MacPherson), ‘I am Jazz’ (Jessica Herthel), and ‘My
Shadow is pink’ (Scott Stuart).
When you tell extended family, face-to-face is best. This means
that if a conversation develops, you can control the dialogue
better and ensure that the information they have is correct from
the beginning. If you are worried about how your family may
react, write a letter instead. This helps you to plan and clearly
express what you want to say without any anxieties impacting the
conversation. It also allows your family emotional space to process
the information without needing to give an immediate response.
Like with children, be clear, factual, don’t project and most
importantly, express your support for your trans child. It’s also good
to state what your child’s new pronouns and/or name are and ask
family members to use them.
7. Help telling their friends
Ask your child if they would like help with telling their friends.
Wanting to protect them from any negative comments or bullying
is completely normal, but it may be something they’re happy to do
alone. Telling friends also gives them support if they get bullied.
8. Informing the School
Informing the school is important for your child’s wellbeing. Ask
your child how they wish to tell the school. They may like to
do it themselves or prefer a family appointment with the school
counsellor or Head to discuss. From the school’s perspective, even if
your child is not ready to change their name, pronouns or outward
appearance, knowing what they’re navigating enables the school to
support them as necessary during the day.
Beyond the Family: Integrating changes at school
Some schools will be better at proactive inclusion for transgender
students than others. As such it is good to be prepared when you
talk with the school. Have in your own mind the ways in which you
would like them to oversee the changes.
KEY QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT:
What does my child need from me?
• Love, support, validation
• Being a voice for their needs
• Willing to manage any issues that arise at school
• Parental consent to change name and pronouns at school for
under 16 years
• Knowing that we have safe, open and honest communication
What do I need from my child?
• How do they want to inform the school?
• Who do they want me to tell or not tell?
• Understand what they now expect from their schooling
What does my child need from the school?
• A bathroom/changing room of their choice
• An assigned support teacher
• Relevant teachers/admin staff to be informed - as per child’s
wishes
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 2021 | 58

• Access to a gender and sexuality club (also known as the Gay
Straight Alliance)
• If they’re a trans boy and are menstruating, access to emergency
sanitary products
• Activities in the classroom/sports field are not divided into
genders
• Able to play the sport that they want to according to their gender
• Inclusive books in the library
What does the school need to know?
• Is your child changing their name and/or pronouns?
• What administrative records need to change?
• What do you as parents, expect from the school?
• They may need at least one gender-neutral bathroom
• How to access support services
child’s new name/pronouns (in accordance with child’s wishes)
• Do I need to buy a different school uniform?
• Understanding the school’s policies about residential trips and
trips abroad.
In the first months after your child comes out, it is common for
parents to feel grief, loss and emotional pain as their child embraces
matching their external life to their internal identity.
Where there are two parents, each will process it in their own
way and potentially at a different pace. It is important to keep
talking and supporting each other and if needed, seek assistance
from a therapist.
All said and done, trans kids are like other kids. They need
love, support and awareness of their personal needs to help them
flourish into happy independent adults.
As a parent, what do I need from the school?
• Confidence that my child will be cared for in an inclusive school
environment
• How will the school manage my child’s changes?
• To know that transphobia (students and teachers) is not tolerated
• For all relevant teachers/nursing staff to be informed of my
GLOSSARY
CIS Gender - A person who lives the gender with which they were
assigned at birth.
Transgender - Someone whose gender does not match their
gender assigned at birth.
1 Ennis, D. 2020, ‘Largest Survey Of Transgender And Nonbinary Youth Says More Than Half Seriously Considered Suicide’ in Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/
sites/dawnstaceyennis/2020/07/15/largest-survey-of-transgender-and-nonbinary-youth-says-more-than-half-seriously-considered-suicide/?sh=646613923404
2 https://public.oed.com/blog/a-brief-history-of-singular-they/
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 2021 | 59

Supporting
LGBTIQ+ Children
WRITTEN BY PETER KAKUCSKA
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 60

Each year in June, many cities
celebrate their diverse communities
and show their “Pride” in
championing social inclusivity. For that
month, conversations go beyond promoting
a diverse and inclusive society to telling our
LGBTIQ+ communities that its ok to be
proud – in fact we expect it.
For LGBTIQ+ students and their
parents, pride is so much more than a
designated month of celebrations. For
many, pride is a daily reminder, a life-long
companion, and is something that is so
often misunderstood. It can be hard to be
“proud”.
Parents of LGBTIQ+ identifying
children have a demanding and rewarding
job, that often provides more questions than
answers. Questions on how to best support
their LGBTIQ+ children in their learning
and school years.
Will my LGBTIQ+ child get into
university?
“There are many things that go through
a parent’s head when raising a gay child”,
says Julie an Australian hairdresser whose
17-year-old son came out gay. “One
of my biggest concerns was his school
environment. Will he be supported? Will
he be safe? Will he make friends? Will he
perform well enough to get into university?
Basically, will he have the same chances in
life?”.
Julie is not alone in her concerns, many
of which are compounded with recent
developments in some countries around
the legality of LGBTIQ+ awareness in
classrooms.
Rainbow discrimination
Discrimination against LGBTIQ+
people is commonplace. Gay, lesbian, or
bisexual people are 10 times more likely to
experience discrimination than heterosexual
peers. Mistreatment comes in many forms,
from seemingly benign jokes to verbal
insults, unequal treatment, and in the most
extreme cases, physical violence.
Bullying of LGBTIQ+ children is
common. Around 85% are verbally bullied
during an academic year. This harassment
frequently turns violent - 40% report
physical bullying and of this, 19% report
being physically assaulted at school because
of their sexual orientation. A further 28%
stated they were bullied electronically. This
bullying can be so violent that 30% of
LGBTIQ+ children miss school because
of it.
Rejection frequently starts at home
Recent surveys by the Human Rights
Campaign show that 78% of LGBTIQ+
youth who aren’t ‘out’ at home, hear their
families make negative comments about
LGBTIQ+ people. As many as 50%
of LGBTIQ+ teens witness a negative
response from their parents when they
come out; 30% experience physical abuse,
and 26% are kicked out. In fact, LGBTIQ+
children comprise 40% of all homeless
youth, with family rejection as the primary
cause.
Youth suicide
Heartbreakingly, there are countless
government statistics showing that
LGBTIQ+ youth are at a higher danger
of mental health issues. A recent survey
in Switzerland found that LGBTIQ+
adolescents of both genders showed
significantly advanced probabilities of
suicidality, suicidal ideation, and selfharming
behaviour between the ages of 17
and 20 years. A similar US study found that
nearly one quarter (24%) of 12- to 14- year-
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 61

SUPPORT OR RESOURCE GROUPS
https://www.facebook.com/groups/
support4teenlgbtparents/, Facebook
support group for parents of LGBTQ*
Teens, Children, and Adults.
www.pflag.org PFLAG: Uniting parents,
families, and allies with people who are
LGBTIQ+
www.genderspectrum.org Gender
Spectrum: Offers groups, training, and
resources promoting gender sensitivity
and inclusion for all youth
www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org GLBT
National Resource Database
www.glsen.org GLSEN: Gay, Lesbian and
Straight Education Network
applicable language. There’s an array of
vocabulary relevant to the community that
you might not know.
olds who died by suicide were LGBTIQ+
identifying. This must change.
Education and mental health
Exposure to abuse can have negative
effects on the education and health of any
adolescent person. According to a 2015
Youth Risk Behaviour Survey, LGBTIQ+
students were 140 times (12% v. 5%) more
likely to be absent from school due to safety
concerns. While not a direct measure of
school performance, absenteeism has been
linked to low graduation rates, which can
have lifelong consequences.
Proud parents
Most LGBTIQ+ youth are apprehensive
of their sexual orientation/gender identity
by the start of adolescence. But still, the
real and perceived fear of rejection deters
numerous children from coming out. So,
what can parents do to best provide for
their LGBTIQ+ child?
• Create a safe space at home
Parents can help their children manage
challenges by creating a safe space at home.
It’s pivotal that your child feels that your
home and ultimately you, are a safe space.
You mustn’t allow hateful speech, whether
subtle or overt, of any kind to be permitted.
For instance, if someone uses the word ‘gay’
in place of ‘stupid’, remind them that the
two aren’t interchangeable, and suggest they
should say what they mean instead.
• Show your support
You can do this through simple actions
such as responding positively to LGBTIQ+
characters/people in the media. With
LGBTIQ+ visibility continuing to rise,
there are plenty of opportunities for you to
show your support, thus affirming to your
child that you’re accepting and supportive
of LGBTIQ+ people.
• Educate yourself
You do not have to wait for the big ‘coming
out’ moment to start educating yourself
about the LGBTIQ+ community. Start
small – you could consider brushing up on
• Seek your own support network
You are also part of your child’s LGBTIQ+
experience, so make sure you take care of
yourself in the process. Self- care is pivotal,
which means that as you’re learning how
best to support your child, you must also
find support for you. There are many
resource groups that you can consider
contacting. See below for a listing.
• Wait until they are ready
Let your child take the lead. It may feel
counter-intuitive but the best thing to
do is to wait for your child to open up to
you. Your child might shell up if asked
about their sexual orientation or gender
identity before they’re ready. The best thing
you can do is to create a warm and safe
environment where open communication
is the norm. And when they eventually are
ready to talk, really listen.
REFERENCES
American Psychological Association (APA) fact sheets, best practices, and other resources
for supporting LGBTIQ+ youth.
www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/programs/safe-supportive/lgbt/
What’s Unique About LGBTIQ+ Youth and Young Adult Suicides? Findings From the National
Violent Death Reporting System
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30711364/
Suicidal ideation and self-injury in LGB youth: a longitudinal study from urban Switzerland
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35287691/
The Psychological Impact of LGBT Discrimination
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brick-brick/201402/the-psychological-impactlgbt-discrimination
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 62

How to Win an Argument
WRITTEN BY MOON HUANG
When was the last time you had
an argument with someone?
Perhaps you and your sibling
couldn’t decide where to take your mum for
her birthday, maybe your partner forgot to
feed the cat for the 10th time, or you had a
‘formal discussion’ with your boss about a
pay rise.
Whatever the reason, people tend to
shy away from confrontation. But the
truth is that if you have the skills to argue
with others, such as being confident in
articulating your ideas, you can make
arguments work for you. As an experienced,
international debater with 5 years
competition experience, here are
my three top tips to help you win
arguments in your daily life.
1Prepare a Strong Case
In debate, strong
points and a clear, logical
structure are essential. Debaters
usually express their points using PEE
structures. PEE tells us what to include
when presenting a case: Point of View,
Example, and Explanation.
We first share our Point of View to
introduce the overall key argument in
an easily digestible way. In the words of
Bernadine Healy, the first woman director
National Institute of Health: “Strong verbs,
short sentences”. Being concise yet clear
is the best way to have an impact on the
opponent, and to make them feel that you
are committed to your position. Next, we
provide Evidence to support our point of
view. To support their arguments, debaters
need to find a lot of examples from books,
scientific articles and news reports that
further prove that their arguments are
factual and valid. Finally, we must Explain
and extend our point. Leaning on research,
debaters draw higher level conclusions,
which can sublimate ideas and at the same
time firmly back-up the overall argument.
In daily disputes, there is no all-powerful
judge to declare a winner of the argument,
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 63
however, there are still lessons to be learnt.
My top tip for preparing a strong case
(outside of debating) is to remember to
make your Point of View strong and short
and to explain your reasoning where
appropriate.
For example, once I had an argument
with my friend because she wanted to play
outdoors whereas, I wanted to stay at
home. I succinctly stated my Point
“I do not want to go outside.”
Then I showed Evidence: “The
weather forecast said that today’s
temperature is about 37C!”
After that I Explained “It
will be too hot. Staying at
home is more comfortable
than getting sweaty under
the hot sun.” Regardless of
my friend’s reaction, I had
shared my opinion and
my justifications
clearly. Being

misunderstood can lead to unnecessary
friction in an argument. Using PEE can
prevent that.
2Listen Carefully
Listening to what the opponent says is
another vital part of good debating. It goes
further than registering their words but also
thinking deeply about their logic and the
necessities of their points. While others are
explaining their points of view, you may
find holes in their logic. Then when it is
your time to speak, you can first point out
the shortcomings of their thinking and then
push your own ideas and alternatives.
The listening-thinking process is vital in
everyday arguments, sometimes you may
even learn that you are wrong! Often, a
problem can be solved through compromise
by combining both sides’ ideas. In Stranger
Things, Hopper describes a compromise
as a ‘halfway happy’, but by listening and
thinking it is possible to commonalities and
find a true win-win solution.
Returning to my every-day argument
with my friend, she did not give up her fight
to go outside. She responded that the sunny
weather should be enjoyed and not wasted.
I listened and considered her idea. I had
to agree that it was worth going outside,
after all, I did want to spend time with her.
However, I did not completely backdown.
I asked to wait until later in
the afternoon when it
would be so hot.
Finally, we
agreed.
3Come from a Place of Respect
Debaters are randomly assigned a
side, so debates have less potential to get as
heated as personal disputes. In the interest
of sportsmanship, it is important to have
good manners and respect for others.
There is a lot we can learn from the unique
objectiveness of debating.
Although a position
differs from an
opponent,
everyone’s
intelligence needs to be respected. At the
same time, one can appreciate the novelty
of an opponent’s ideas when they present a
point of view that we cannot refute, rather
than getting annoyed or defensive.
Almost every argument, debate or
otherwise, revolves around a problem that
all sides want to solve or improve. The
issue can be resolved more effectively when
arguments are conducted in an amicable
and respectful manner. The first to get
angry is often the easiest to defeat, so it is
important to create a friendly exchange by
behaving in a calm and polite manner in
response to questions and rebuttals.
All in all, if you want to win an
argument in your daily life, why
not practise some debating skills?
Building a strong case, listening
carefully, and respecting all
sides can help to diffuse any
situation and find a solution
that works for you. Give it a
try!
“The listeningthinking
process
is vital in everyday
arguments,
sometimes you may
even learn that you
are wrong!”
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 64

How to support your
child’s language learning
WRITTEN BY JOYCE AERNOUTS, TEFL
Language is important - so
important, in fact, that it is
considered a vital part of what
makes us humans.
Language is how people communicate,
ask questions, share ideas and feelings, and
build relationships.
That doesn’t mean language learning
comes easy. It’s a complex process that
requires lots of practicing. Luckily, there are
several ways to help your child’s language
learning journey.
Talk
This one seems obvious, but it’s so
important that it’s worth mentioning
specifically.
Children learn language by listening to
the people around them and mimicking the
sounds they hear. The more you talk, the
more your child hears and learns. Talking
can be just as easy as narrating your day.
Talk about what you see on your daily walk,
describe what you’re making for dinner, or
explain everyday tasks like getting dressed
for the day. For example, “first we will put
on our underwear. Next are socks. You
have two socks, one for the left foot and
another for the right foot. Do you want the
yellow shirt or the green one? Okay, and
now we put on pants. Put your leg in this
hole. Good. Now put your other leg in this
hole.”
If you’re running out of inspiration, or
you’re just sick of talking to yourself with
no answer, you can also turn to the words
of other people: books. Reading books
together is a great way of entertaining your
child while also improving their language
skills. Bedtime stories are perfect for this.
Repeat
Language learning takes time. Whether
your child is learning to speak for the
first time or learning a second language,
repetition is a big part of learning. You can
help them by saying the same thing over
and over again until they start to repeat the
sentence themselves. Children need to hear
words many times before they can mimic
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 65
and understand the meaning of the word.
You’ll probably feel a bit silly repeating the
same thing over and over again without
getting a response, but just remember this is
a crucial part of language learning.
Follow their lead
Does your child show interest in boats or
a bunny? Build on that. Take them to the
dock to watch boats. When they point and
say “boat”, repeat back to them “Yes, big
boat.” or “Yes, yellow boat.”
Or why not try a visit to the petting zoo
to see the bunnies? Take the opportunity to
talk about the other animals in the petting
zoo. Repeat their name over and over
again as your child interacts with them.
This allows your child to make a visual
connection to what they are hearing.
Don’t criticize
Learning a language is hard and your child
will make mistakes. Don’t point out the
mistakes and correct them. This can lead to
anxiety and fear of error. Instead, show

them that you understand what they’re
trying to say and repeat it in the correct
way. For example, when your child says,
“I am huggy,” repeat back to them “Yes,
you are hungry.” Give your child praise for
when they get it right.
Keep your eyes open for learning
differences
As a parent, you’re probably watching
them like a hawk to see if everything goes
“according to schedule”. However, every
child has a different development journey
in their early years. Some learn new things
quickly; others need a bit more time. Don’t
stress over it too much if your child needs
a bit more time, but it is a good idea to
keep an eye out for any possible learning
differences.
The easiest way to spot learning
differences is by comparison with older
siblings or family. Playdates with friends
of the same age can also provide useful
information. If you suspect your child
might have some trouble with learning,
don’t batter them with questions and
self-assessments. Ask regular things
like how their school day was, if they
had fun with their friends and learned
something new that day. You never know if
something comes up in those lighthearted
conversations. If you continue to have
suspicions, it might be time to involve a
teacher to get to the bottom of it.
“ Whether your child is learning to speak for the first time or
learning a second language, repetition is a big part of learning.”
Go abroad
Want to take it to the next level and raise
your child bilingual? Children soak up
language like a sponge and it is much easier
for them to learn a second language than
for adults. Moving abroad, whether for love,
work, or something else, can help your child
become multilingual. Erin McGann did just
that. When she moved to Germany with
her husband and son, none of them spoke
German. She enrolled her son in a bilingual
school, and it has been a great success. You
can find an article written by Erin about her
family’s experience on the ISP website.
What about you? What will you do with
your new life abroad? One of the easiest
and rewarding ways to use your time is by
becoming an English teacher. Teaching
English as a foreign language, also known
as TELF, gives you the opportunity to teach
English anywhere in the world. All you need
is a TEFL-certification. For example, what
about teaching English in France? Here are
some best Teach English in France guides
and what your life could look like.
Language learning is always tricky,
whether your child is just trying out their
first words or tackling a second language.
That said, there are several things you can
do as a parent to help your child along,
though.
First and foremost is talking. Describe
everything you do and see around you
and let your child mimic you. With talking
comes repeating. Children need to hear
words and sentences many times before
they start to use them themselves. Include
talk and conversation in all aspects of your
life and keep your child enthusiastic by
including their favorite activities.
Also keep in mind to never criticize your
child’s mistakes but teach them by saying
the correct words.
Finally, are you ready to take it to the next
level? Living abroad is a great way to learn
a new language.
SOURCES:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04ykk50
https://www.internationalschoolparent.com/articles/%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8b5-tipsfor-raising-a-bilingual-child-in-germany/
https://www.internationalschoolparent.com/articles/supporting-a-child-with-learningdifferences-in-the-primary-years-one-parents-experience-part-1/
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PARENT AUTUMN 2022 | 66

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