The Principal was delighted to warmly welcome parents at the International Coffee Morning on 8 December 2021. The event had to be postponed last year due to COVID-19, making this year’s even more special.
It was the perfect opportunity for international parents from the Senior School, and the Girls’ and Boys’ Prep Schools to meet one another and the teachers to discover the fantastic range of talent both in and out of the classroom. The EAL teachers; Mrs O’Connor, Mrs Ryder, Miss McKernan and Mrs Goodson were eager to explain EAL teaching across the three schools and the variety of ways of improving English skills at home.
Mahoor in Year 7 started the international celebration with a fantastic piano performance of ‘Fantasia of Jilla’ by Javad Maroufi, followed by ‘Wedding of Love’ by Richard Clayderman. Everyone listened eagerly to Iris in Year 13 and then Yifei in Year 11 recounting the positive experiences of being an international pupil at Surbiton High School. This was followed by Michele and Esther in Year 7 reading, very beautifully, ‘The Night Before Christmas’ by Clement Clarke Moore. Yifei then gave a superb piano recital of ‘Nocturne Op. 9 No. 1 in B flat minor’ by Chopin.
While parents chatted and enjoyed the Christmas atmosphere with mince pies, gingerbread and hot drinks, pupils played a variety of splendid music: Isabella in Year 9 played ‘A Holly Jolly Christmas’ by Johnny Marks. Erin in Year 9 played ‘Snow, Moon and Flowers’ by Peter Sculthorpe and Yifei played ‘Impromptu D. 899 (Op. 90) No. 3 in G flat major’ by Schubert and lastly, Mahoor ended the celebration with ‘Rhyme of Another Summer’ by Yian Tiersan.
The event created a wonderful feeling of community that was enjoyed by all.
By Maria O’Connor
