Updates from the World Scholar's Cup trip to Hanoi
31 July
Hi All
It was both a busy and exciting day today, both the final day of the World Scholar's Cup Global Round and our last full day in Hanoi.
Today was the Seniors' Day. After an exciting and original array of performances from scholars from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia, it was time for the closing ceremony. This started with our own Talliah Galindo bearing the flag for Australia. She did a wonderful job leading out the line of flag bearers through the crowd to the stage.
The results have had a couple of hiccups, which sometimes can happen with fast data being produced for a large number of scholars. Some results may be revealed at a later time, including if the team got the 25,000 points that are required for the team to qualify for Yale. But they certainly qualified (twice) by region (5th place overall in Australia/the Americas) and by overall placement (93rd team overall). All three girls did particularly well in the Collaborative Writing, placing 7th overall as a team.
When WSC reveals the finer details of the placements, we can announce more of the placements. In the meantime the girls 'chink-chinked' their way out of the auditorium with a smile of satisfaction and exhaustion. We finished off the day with a meal at an iconic restaurant, in the French quarter "Ngon Villa" a restaurant, originally a home built for a French army captain built in the 1800s and then restored in more recent years. The girls look forward to seeing their families tomorrow night.
Tundi Beattie
30 June
Today was a big day!! The juniors got to celebrate their achievements through a very exciting closing ceremony full of fanfare.
We commenced with the Second Scholars Show where, once again, students from many schools shared their fabulous talents. Ruva did a smashing rendition of Alicia Keys', Falling, with such charisma in front of a full auditorium of scholars, and to massive applause. Well done, Ruva!!
The closing ceremony is fast and furious, and emotional for the girls, with an incredible number of medals and trophies to give out. Each and every one of our girls should be immensely proud of their efforts and knowing they did their individual best. Words cannot express how proud I am of them all as they competed with the best scholars from so many countries. This year the WSC organisation divided the Junior Division, due to so many younger students competing. This is the first time there has been a 'Skittles' Division (12 years old and under) and the Junior Division. Overall, our girls did fabulously with 14 gold medals, 21 silver medals and 7 trophies. Many of the girls and teams received top placings in many of the areas. A special mention must go to Amy Mance who was the overall Champion Scholar for the Skittles Division, and Top Scholar for our school in this division, a truly commendable achievement. Amelia Edwards achieved the honour of Top Scholar for our school in the Junior Division.
All results for the girls will become a lot clearer over the next week or so, as the results are issued by the WSC organisation. What will also become clear then, is who has qualified for Yale. It appears that three of the Junior Teams receivedinvitationsto Yale, two through prequalifying and one through 'wildcard' draw. However, I must take this opportunity to remind everyone, that 25,000 points is what is required to trulyqualifyfor Yale. As soon as I receive the points for each student, I will then confirm their qualification for Yale.
This has been an emotionally and intellectually draining week for the girls, and they have all come out the other side as champions, most importantly for themselves, as well as Iona and Australia.
Louise Ormesher
The proudest coach!
29 June
Dear everyone,
Today was a cultural immersion day for the Juniors.
We began the day by walking through the gardens that surround the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and visiting the One Pillar Pagoda. This was followed with a walk through the Old Quarter, stopping by Hoan Kiem Lake with Turtle Tower and Ngoc Son Temple. We were also able at this time to get a few more precious minutes of souvenir shopping done!
Without a doubt, the highlight of the day was the visit to the Chang Son Paper Fan Village, popular for its paper fans. It will be hard to put into words the experience, but I will try somewhat and of course pictures are attached.
We had to park the bus at the edge of the village and walk through the village to reach the home of the fan makers. You could say it was an assault on the senses, but perhaps a touch harsh a word. All of your senses were heightened as we saw, smelt, heard and felt the true and honest local village daily life. We reached a small home. This had been a family home for generations of fan makers. It was amazingly small and very simple, but this was a wealthy home, indicated by the size of the shrine to family that dominated a tiny living room. The patriarch of the family and his daughters greeted us with such humble welcome and pride, into their home and 'factory'. Our superb tour guide for the day translated, as the fan making process was explained, demonstrated and tried out by Amy. This was a family of great tradition who were incredibly welcoming into their home and family. We left with many fans and to our great surprise, an offer of a lift back to the bus on their scooters!!! Well that was not going to happen was it!! We respectfully declined the offer expressing our desire to walk back through their village to experience more of what was going on in the streets and homes along them.
This was a true cultural immersion that the girls respectfully enjoyed and will hold in their memories.
We returned to the hotel for desperately needed showers and beautifying regimes for the Scholar's Ball.
We all remain well, in fine spirits and appreciative of what we have.
Louise Ormesher
29 June
Hi all
Today the Seniors wrapped up the study component of the competition with a sigh of relief! They all agreed the Scholar's Bowl was a huge challenge this morning and at lunch they looked very tired!
In the early afternoon there was the Senior Debate Showcase. A Scotch student was the representative from Australia this time, with Taliah Galindo was on the adjudication panel. Known for her thorough feedback, she was given the opportunity to address the 1,500 strong scholars in giving feedback to the debaters of the showcase. She was composed and mature, addressing this senior group of students.
Tonight they take a much deserved rest and tomorrow we look forward to the cultural immersion of the village visited by the Juniors today.
Kind regards
Tundi Beattie
28 June
Hi All
Both nerves and excitement started the long day Vinschool International. Fortunately by the time the girls sat the challenge, the nerves had settled and the general feeling was that it was "okay, not too hard". In the afternoon, the girls had three debates, winning two of these. Topics included 'That psychology should be considered a pseudoscience' and 'That 'big data' is the best way for leaders to make decisions.'
Over the day, I adjudicated six debates of such a high quality. I was quite blown away by the composure and the quality of speeches being delivered by these young people, some of whom English is not a first language, or even a second language! Some such schools use the material of the World Scholar's Cup as their English curriculum, using it in the classroom for the year.
We returned late to the hotel, but the girls were keen to still make it to the Cultural Fair. We thoroughly enjoyed this – the countries all put aspects of their culture on show. Food always features, but we also saw dancing and costumes and had a 'Photo Booth' of traditional dress of India and Sundanese in Indonesia. Jade and Alex very much enjoyed their first Cultural Fair.
We head off soon to the Scholar's Bowl and Debate Showcase. All are well and enjoying the competition.
Kind regards
Tundi Beattie
28 June
The Scholars Bowl is always an energetic, fun part of the WSC. The teams 'buzz' on their buzzer to the correct A-E answer, totaling up points along the way. The questions are very complex and link many study areas together. The air is electric with cheers as teams find out they have answered correctly
At the conclusion of the Scholar's Bowl, the much treasured and greatly desired Alpacas are distributed, larger this time!
The debate showcase followed after lunch, during which eight of the best Junior Scholars are chosen to 'strut' their stuff' on stage in front of their fellow competitors. One of the eight chosen was our very own Amy Mance. Watching Amy communicate and work with the other team members chosen is delightful. Her smile radiates and she is very much focussed and comfortable with the process. She debated for the negative as second speaker, her argument blew us away. Her insightfulness is beyond her years.
The topic was, 'We should each be given a peek at our lives ten years into the future.'
The Scholar's Showcase followed, enabling students to showcase their other talents such as singing, dancing and magic. Sophie McPhail signed up to perform so beautifully in dance.
The day culminated in the Scholar's Fair. This is the chance for each competing country to showcase their culture. The girls always love this part of the event, as they are able to mingle socially with the competitors and share their country and its traditions and icons. A wonderful day was had by all.
We all remain well.
Louise Ormesher
27 June
With nerves, apprehension, excitement and joy all bundled together with a great big dose of adrenalin, our girls were ready for the mental rigors to come.
We bussed to Vinschool International School where the girls commenced with their examination of 120 questions, covering all study areas in just 30 minutes. Then they fired up for the collaborative essay writing and the team debates. Debate topics were diverse, such as 'Schools should do more to teach students how to fail,' and 'Conspiracies can be the best way to accomplish good things.'
This day was extremely taxing on the girls, mental and physically, enduring the intense need to focus and concentrate for such a long period of time combined with the non-conducive climatic conditions. It would be remiss of me not to mention the stifling heat and humidity that the girls are doing their darndest to cope with.
Our Year 8 teams all won one of their three debates and the Year 7s won all three of their debates.
Our fine young ladies always compete with the greatest respect for their opponents and with the drive to do their very best. They are such a credit to themselves and make us all immensely proud.
We remain all well and in fine spirits, albeit rather 'brain-dead' after today.
Louise Ormesher
26 June
Sin Cao everyone- good morning!
The Seniors attended the opening ceremony today, after an amazing time discovering the land, the people, their cultures and not to forget the food!
Yesterday saw the the group go to Bai Dinh Pagoda, a place of much beauty and many many steps! We were blown away by the scenery and the number of Buddha statues, that we were told would give you luck if you touched them. With the competition looming, all of the girls touched the Buddhas.
In the afternoon we headed to the dauntingly beautiful Tam Coc. There, we boarded rowing boats and headed up the waters that meandered through the ancient limestone rocks that jutted impossibly out of forrest and rice fields. This was the most beautiful boat journey and we all felt very peaceful and grateful to be there.
For dinner, we managed to get into the very well-known Koto Restaurant. Koto stands for Know One Teach One and is a teaching restaurant, aimed at teaching underprivileged young people to send out into the workforce with a better chance. The food here was the best so far, we all agreed! Fresh and healthy DIY rice paper rolls with herbs, rice noodles and tasty grilled pork and beef.
One aspect I observed throughout the day with this group, was the quality of their interactions while at meals and on the bus journey. They studied collaboratively for the competition, but also spent much of their time reflecting on life- how cultures can be similar but different in small ways – sometimes insignificantly sometimes not. They ailed on the idea that after seeing all they have – people challenged in day to day life, with very little- that they would just return to their own lives as usual. They really are amazing young women.
Today, the Senior Team attended the Opening Ceremony and throughly enjoyed mixing with the other teams. So far they have met some Malaysian students as well as others from Dubai and Norway. They look forward to mixing with more students tomorrow at the main day of competition.
During the opening ceremony, Daniel Berdichevsky's speech actually bought Jade and Alex to tears. Daniel spoke from his heart, giving his story of his childhood of isolation – feeling unlike other kids with his gift of high intelligence. He explained that while the World Scholar's Cup does many things- academic rigour through competition, cultural experiences, etc- the main aspiration for him, is creating this environment in which kids like him can find others to identify with. The event certainly achieves this.
Talliah, Jade and Alex are now having a few hours of study before going on another Vietnemese culinary experience this evening. They are highly motivated and prepared, I look forward to seeing how they go.
Kind regards
Tundi Beattie
26 June
Juniors' Opening Ceremony and seniors' day trip today. The Seniors and Juniors are on completely different schedules now and will rarely see each other until the day we fly home.
Our girls' passion to embrace all that this event offers is evident every moment of every day.
The opening ceremony was certainly a spectacle of celebration. A community of 2000 Junior students from 36 countries filled the Vietnamese International Convention Centre, all with a cacophony of enthusiasm, the same passion for learning and to experience an opportunity of a life time.
The Iona girls are loved by the cameras with our blue uniforms and budding dancers/actors in our teams, so they turn up frequently on the big screen as they 'boogie' along to the soundtracks. The ceremony was opened by a fabulous performance of traditional Vietnamese drummers.
As this was the celebration of the 10th year of WSC, the opening presentation reiterated to the girls, why this event commenced in the first place and what the focus is; to put aside differences and gather differences; to live on the wings of ones' dreams and to have the faith of heart and faith to believe.
The keynote speaker, Mr Lawrence Watt-Evans, talked along this year's theme of 'An Unlikely World' by telling us the story of his life and career as an author and the unlikely way he ended up living the life he has.
The afternoon was study, a dip in the pool and early to bed, as tomorrow is day one of competing at the international school for our juniors.
The Seniors spent the day on the Hanoi – Bai Dinh – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc tour. I will pass on information and Photos as Ms Beattie returns with the girls this evening. The Juniors do this tour later in the week. Opening Ceremony for the Seniors tomorrow.
We are all well, sapped by the climate here, but embracing the experience.
Kindest regards
Louise Ormesher
25 June
Our Flights to Hanoi were safe and smooth and we were greeted by a most delightful and much desired hotel bed upon our arrival.
Nothing quite gets our girls revved up like a 'ginormous' buffet breakfast to start the day! And what a treat of multicultural food they were faced with and tried.
The morning was leisurely to acclimatise and study, with the most desired dip in the hotel pool for a mental break.
In the afternoon, we journeyed into the Old Quarter by taxi and what an eye-opening journey that was for the girls!!! Here we had the chance to cut our way through the dense humid hot air to experience some local culture and souvenir shopping, amid the dollops of rain, a bolt of lightning or two and the impressive claps of thunder.
We attended the fabulous local water puppet theatre show; quite a niche spectacle of Vietnamese song and puppetry followed by a beautiful traditional dinner at a local restaurant. What a divine family of girls to dine with; such wonderful table conversation and etiquette. Through the particularly heavy deluge of rain, we returned to our hotel for another good night's sleep in preparation for the commencement of competition.
All the girls are well and are in fine spirits; excited and raring to go.
Kindest regards
Louise Ormesher