Labels: Christel House, extra curriculars, Lavasa, students, visitor

Back-to-school signals the beginning of an important season in Indianapolis- Colts Football! RCI invited the Christel House Academy 2009-2010 Students of the Month (and their families and teachers) to kick things off right at the pre-season Indianapolis Colts vs. San Francisco 49ers game on August 15, 2010. Nearly 180 students, teachers, and parents jumped at the chance. Everyone met at the Academy, and RCI provided buses to the stadium, avoiding the stress of downtown traffic and parking.

As kickoff time neared, the whole group made their way into Lucas Oil Stadium. One of the teachers said it best, “It was a lot of ‘firsts’ for the students that were with me. It was the first time they had their face painted or had been to a football game, or rode an escalator. Sometimes we forget that our kids have had so few experiences outside of home and school.” The Colts may have lost, but all of the students went home winners. Thank you, RCI!

Labels: Academy, Christel House, colts, event, extra curriculars, field trip, Group RCI, sports

Recently, six Christel House Venezuela students put away their school books and projects and tried their hand at leading nations.

Back in March, 10th and 11th graders Kevin de Andrade, Ronald Berrios, Maria Delgado, Christian Espinel, Frangelis Colina, and Jaifrel Almeida (pictured left to right) were selected and recently performed as diplomatic delegates of Spain and South Africa at EDUMUN a Model of United Nations organized by the Andrés Bello Catholic University.

Based on the dynamics of work of the Organization of United Nations (UN), students of different high schools in Caracas assumed the nationalities of other countries and represented them in the event at the University.

All students received their UN diplomas and look forward to a bright future of global leadership.

Labels: event, extra curriculars, Venezuela

Christel House South Africa has been racking up the recognition lately...

Debate

The new Debate Team participated in their first tournament over the weekend. Competing against 21 other schools – CHSA Won the Tournament! Pretty good for their first time out.

They debated topics including:

• Making H.I.V. tests on school learners compulsory
• Experimenting on animals for human purposes
• Legalizing active euthanasia
• Making organ donation mandatory
• Requiring parental consent for underage abortion
• Vigilantism

University

TSiBA (Tertiary School in Business Administration) is a higher education institution that educates some of the best in South Africa as they pursue their Bachelor in Business Administration. Christel House was recently selected as a "Top Feeder School" for their program. In their words, "At TSiBA we focus on developing entrepreneurs and leaders so we are looking for a special kind of student...and we have identified your school as an institution that produces students of a high quality." Nine of our recent graduates are now attending TSiBA.

Sports

In a recent contest, the CHSA fencing team was able to secure 18 medals - 5 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze. 3 girls were awarded full colors and are representing the Western Cape (province) at a national event in Johannesburg.

11 year old Matthew Martin (grade 5) was selected to train with a squad of 30 dancers of the Ackerman Dance Academy (TADA). Training every Saturday between now and the end of May, they will perform at various Ackermans’s promotions and events. Ackermans is a national retail clothing store in South Africa.

12 year old Abdu-Daiyaan Floris was one of 40,000 riders (including Lance Armstrong) in the 109 Km Pick and Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour. One of the largest events of its kind, the conditions were windy and difficult but he finished strong.

Congrats to all! We couldn't be more proud!

Labels: awards, extra curriculars, South Africa

Six Christel House students were selected to represent Spain and South Africa in the EDUMUN, United Nations Model organized by the Andres Bello Catholic University. The students are Espinel Christian (5A), Berrios Ronald (4A), Colina Frangelis (4A), De Andrade Kevin (4B), Almeida Jaifrel (5B) and Delgado María (4A).

EDUMUN is a training program promoted by the Dean of the Andres Bello Catholic University (UCAB) in conjunction with the School of Education and Research and Training Humanities Center to generate comparative analysis, discussions and proposals on the main contemporary educational topics. In participating, students develop critical thinking skills, educational background, compare and analyze foreign educational systems and set proposals to achieve ideal educational setting for Venezuela. The discussion is based on the dynamics of work of the United Nations and uses the rules of discussion and debate of the UN meetings performed annually in Caracas. The project is designed for students in 4th. and 5th. who are the protagonists of the final meeting to be held from 21 to 23 May 2010 school year.

Similarly a group of at least 10 students of the UCAB education career will be formed in the contemporary educational discussion by ten academics, make the learning process accompanying in schools participating in the model.

Educational topics for discussion include the following: inclusion and quality of education - finance education training and teaching career - role of the State and the family education, education and training for work - duties and rights of students. First work session with all participants will be on April 10th, 2010 and celebration of the United Nations Model from May 21st to 23, 2010.

Labels: extra curriculars, field trip, Venezuela

An empty, bare wall of a warehouse on Indianapolis' near south side is bustling with students and paint brushes. Christel House Academy and the Eiteljorg Museum have teamed up to paint a mural at 1201 South Meridian St. (See Google Map view)

Native American photographer and instillation artist Will Wilson (Dine) directs the project which includes tracing and organizing students and volunteers to join forces in creating the beautiful finished product. The mural celebrates the "Indians of Indiana" and is part of the multicultural education program at Christel House Academy.

The mural will be unveiled at the site this Thursday, October 15 at 2:30 p.m.

Read more from the Eiteljorg

A big thanks to all who volunteered their time and resources to make this project happen, including, but not limited to...

Home Depot (Southport store)
Cardwell Do-It-Best
MacAllister Rentals
PPG Porter Paints (Southport store)
PPG Porter Paints (Downtown Indianapolis store)
Lowe’s (Greenwood store)
Sherwin Williams (Greenwood store)
ICI Paints (Lafayette Road store)
MAB Paints (S. East Street store)
Paradise Café and Bakery (Greenwood)

Labels: Academy, art, event, extra curriculars, Volunteer

Academy students from the Cole-Porter Family Orchestra at Christel House Academy enjoyed a visit to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on Friday. Carol Baker, Director of Education for the Symphony gave a tour of the Hilbert Circle Theatre and the children attended a dress rehearsal of Beethoven Fifth and Brahm's First. The students sat in the balcony, closely observing the professionals that played the same instruments as they did. The musicians of the ISO acknowledged the students and gave a warm round of applause for being young musicians.

The day ended with a visit from Mario Venzago, Music Director of the Symphony. Mario shared his background and career story with the children and held a Question and Answer session. Also in attendance were Margaret Cole-Russel, responsible for making the Orchestra a reality, and her husband, Steve Russel.

Thanks to all who made this great experience happen!

The Cole-Porter Family Orchestra has been in existence since fall 2008 and has since performed at the Mayor of Indianapolis' State of the City address, the Charter Schools ROCK the State House event and other local events.

Labels: extra curriculars, music, orchestra