Session Five - Saturday 9th February 2013

Today was Communications Day and an opportunity to explore communication from ancient greek to the more modern brand image.

Year 8 were treated to a session of Language, Linguistics and Code Breaking. The icebreaker involved different scenarios – who speaks different languages, watched foreign films etc followed by a quiz on French, Spanish and Italian in teams. The girls then settled down to a Swedish lesson (jag pratar lite svenska!) and we were impressed by how quickly they got it.

“It went quite well because I found things quite fun and very challenging. I did try my best at all the things we had to do.”

In the introduction to Ancient Greek the girls enjoyed writing Greek words and studying English Greek roots and learning about links between languages. The codebreaker game and cipher was particularly well received, even at the end of a long and challenging day.

The girls studied patterns in language and code breaking. They were undaunted by the application of Ancient Greek and a new alphabet and dealt with it well showing very good deductive skills and working well with each other.

“I think I met my challenge (not to be afraid and to gain a better understanding of the topic) and I am really proud at myself by giving it a go and it turned out that I understood a lot.”

Having been at ESIP or school for 13 of the last fourteen days of the lives, Year 8 were tired at the end of the day but worked right up to the final moment with full concentration and commitment.

Year 9 followed up their work defining a big audacious goal with a study of the three elements of communication – visual, language and behavioural. After a good look through Johari’s window and some deep thinking, we all identified our favourite representative images and a key strapline to represent us. Under severe time pressure (with Simon as the hard taskmaster) the girls ran a photoshoot and created brand posters. Who knows, we may have found a few advertising executives of the future?

“I’ve learnt how to put across my ideas in a creative way and to dig down deep to discover and understand myself.”

ESIP likes to push us close to the edge and standing in front of a large group of peers presenting yourself and your strapline is a challenge for most of us. We were supportive but honest in our feedback and this resulted in very clear and articulate presentations from everyone involved. What doesn’t break you makes you stronger.

“I have learnt that I am who I am and I’ve learnt that people can look at me a certain way but at the end of the day I am here to succeed for myself, not others.”

We have now completed Session 5 of this year’s ESIP and it was time for mid term evaluation. The girls’ feedback was almost universally positive but we have been given some lessons to learn and we will develop and improve from that. Take a look at the Gallery to see what happened

“Thanks to ESIP I have overcome so many hurdles and I have learned to aim high and not be afraid. I used to feel like I was in a truck that was out of control going downhill but now I feel like I am on a smooth road to success.”

Thank you to everyone involved. The next step is a trip to Cambridge University for Year 9 and Oxford University for Year 8.