Visiting Peak Academy

Today we had a wonderful time when our Chinese delegation visited the 2nd grade scholars at Peak Academy. They were accompanied by our UA Mandarin IV students and together they presented lessons on Chinese language and culture. The 2nd graders were so sharp and enthusiastic!  And such quick learners! By the time we left, the young students were experts on using chop sticks, counting from 1-10 in Mandarin and singing several Chinese tunes.

It was a great experience for our students to be the teachers and we hope that the children had at least half of the fun we had! It was a very special day and we thank Peak Academy for welcoming our friends from China to their fantastic school!

Welcome Huaxia!

 

Oh what a special day we had at Ursuline today as we welcomed our sister school, Huaxia Girls' School, from Beijing. The Chinese Delegation, made up of 14 students and 4 teachers, arrived on Saturday after spending a couple of days in Los Angeles. The entire UA student body participated in the welcome parade which required our guests to walk through the school. It was extremely festive and joyful to see our hundreds of UA students cheering, holding balloons & welcome signs, twirling ribbons and blowing bubbles in honor of our guests. Even Honey Buns, our school mascot, helped by giving hugs and gifts to our friends.

This is the first visit of our Chinese sister school since 2008 so it was also the first experience of a Chinese delegation for most of our students. As you can see,even though our time together has just begun, our bonds of love and sisterhood are already very strong.

We are so happy to have our Huaxia sisters here and we look forward to the awesome week ahead!

Association of Maintained Girls' Schools Conference

Today was our final day in London and it was also the day that we made our presentation at the Association of Maintained Girls' Schools Conference. The conference was attended by Heads of Girls' Schools from all over England. The speakers were excellent and they discussed a wide range of topics including the lack of girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) fields, issues facing girls today and how schools can go from good to great.

We were the last to speak at the conference today. Mrs. Bauer presented information on issues facing girls in the USA, national organizations and resources in the USA for Girls' Schools and ways that schools can connect virtually. I presented information on our Sister School relationships and partnerships as well as on some of the other student activities at UA related to Global Education.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Mrs. Bauer presenting to the British Heads of Girls' Schools



Ms. Nipp with our Beautiful Hostess, Mrs. Julia Waters, Headteacher at Ursuline Wimbledon



The famous Double-Decker bus

London Bridge over the Thames 

Our British counterparts were most complimentary about out presentations and we agreed that there are countless ways that we can continue to connect "across the pond." The evening ended with a beautiful banquet in our lovely conference hotel which has a breathtaking view of Big Ben. And tomorrow we will head home and bid farewell to our British friends who have been such gracious and attentive hosts this past week. Cheers!

Visiting Ursuline High School Wimbledon

touring the chapel

Dina and her art work

With Sr. Ann Marie

Ursuline High Girls' reading group

We feel so at home here!

more cool art

PE class

the chapel

the main courtyard - also among red brick buildings

This week, Mrs. Bauer, UA Director of Technology and I (Ms. Nipp, UA "DODGE"), are spending the week in England, visiting our sister school and later speaking at a conference in London for Heads of British Girls' Schools. We have spent two days with our friends and colleagues at Ursuline High School Wimbledon and it has been both fascinating and productive. Yesterday, we enjoyed a tour of the school with two student leaders, Dina and Paula - Paula has actually visited us in Dallas and Dina hopes to visit us next year. We were interested in each department but spent most of our time in the Arts & Drama building where we chatted with Mr. Lord, a music and drama teacher who spent his high school years in Dallas (at Skyline High School). 

After our tour, we spent the afternoon meeting with various department heads of the school.  We learned a lot about Ursuline High School, their global curriculum and student life in general. We also had lunch with Sister Ann Marie, one of the school counselors, who we remembered fondly from her 2009 visit to Dallas.

We are so grateful to Ursuline Wimbledon for inviting us to visit and for their warm and wonderful hospitality. It has already been a fantastic experience and we are looking forward to meeting even more inspiring British educators at our conference later this week!

Peace One Day

UA Students pray in the front circle

Faculty and Staff join in our Peace One Day bracelet making

Juniors model their new Peace One Day bracelets - lovely!

Every year at Ursuline, we honor Peace One Day, an international day of non-violence and ceasefire. This day, September 21, was declared the International Day of Peace by the United Nations in 2001 through the efforts of British documentary film-maker, Jeremy Gilley. Mr. Gilley brought his vision to Ursuline years ago and we committed to honoring this day every year. Because Peacemaking is a core value of all Ursuline schools, it is fitting that we should celebrate this day annually.

This year we held a prayer service outside in the front circle. The Peer Ministers led the service where we listened to excellent international music from the last World Cup and then took some time to pray and reflect. Finally, we each braided a bracelet with a partner in celebration of peace and friendship. Now we are all sporting our new bracelets which remind us of the urgent need for peace in our world.

Walk for Wheels!

Today members of the Ursuline Community came to campus in support of "Walk for Wheels", an event organized by our Senior GAGA (Girls Asisting Global Awaereness), Lila L. It was a wonderful event which raised money to buy wheelchairs for people in Honduras who cannot afford them. This important cause is Lila's passion and she is determined to do all that she can to help those in need - Yeah Lila! UA parents, students, faculty and even pets came out for the walk. Luckily, the weather was excellent and a good time was had by all!

Congratulations YLC Team!

Last Wednesday evening, a ceremony was held in the KIVA to celebrate our UA YLC (Young Leader's Conference) team. This fabulous group of 29 girls brought home the Silver Cup (that's First Place!) from The Great Debate Competition in Austin this summer. This annual competition is held every summer as part of The National Hispanic Institute. Ursuline has participated in the competition for 5 years and this was our very first 1st Place win!!!  We are so proud of our participants - all from our current Sophomore class - but we are equally proud of our older students who served as the YLC coaches. They were the key to the success!

This team is moderated by Mrs. Escamilla who is quick to point out all of the community support that the team receives both from within UA and beyond our campus. We are so grateful to have so many invested in the success of our students!

Mr. and Mrs. Escamilla expressing their gratitude

Proud parents chat with Ms. Bourgeois and Sr. Margaret Ann

The Escamilla Family with our great friend & supporter, Alexis Hefley



The winning team is officially documented by Mr. Thompson



They're cute - but don't be fooled! They are FIERCE and FEARED competitors!



Calla presenting the awards

Current UA freshmen, we'd love to see you get involved with YLC next summer! See Ms. Nipp or Mrs. Escamilla for more information on how you can sharpen your leadership and presentation skills by joining YLC!

UA Global Book & Movie Club Invitation

Attention all UA Employees: Tomorrow during A & B Lunch, we will feature a 30 minute excerpt from the documentary film Babies in the KIVA. Babies follows four infants from four different cultures during their first year of life. It is a heart-warming film which reminds us both of how different and how similar we are.

Show times are tomorrow, Thursday September 15, at 12:30 and 1:15. Bring your lunch and come join us in the KIVA!

Check out the trailer below:

http://www.focusfeatures.com/video/babies_the_trailer