October 2024

Dear current and upcoming students, parents and other stakeholders

News from the IB Coordinator
News from the pre-IB Coordinator
Starting the pre-IB at AGT
The Climate Committee
IB2 Study Trip - Pioneers in Prague
The Student Council at AGT
Get to know your teachers: Papiya Kumar
Our students interpret the IB Learner Profile
Alumni

News from the IB Coordinator

Autumn Break is Suddenly Upon Us... And it feels like just yesterday was the first day of school, and yet here we are, with autumn break just around the corner! So much happens in a school like ours, which hosts three different educational programs, has highly dedicated teachers, and is home to a wonderfully diverse student body representing more than 70 nationalities.

At our school, we view this diversity as a great strength and a true asset. It creates the ideal environment for contributing to a better, more peaceful world. Every day, students interact with people who may be different from themselves, but through these interactions, they discover how much they actually have in common. I regularly witness and hear about the strong relationships being built, as well as the care students show for one another. Of course, misunderstandings occasionally arise, but we have fantastic staff members who help facilitate dialogue and mutual understanding when needed.

Our students are held to high academic standards, and at the same time, we believe in educating the whole person. This means going beyond academics. Students should also develop their social skills, their creativity, and their capacity for empathy. We want them to become aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, to learn how to organize and prioritize, and to stay curious and open-minded. That’s quite a lot to ask of a young person who is also navigating the journey of growing into adulthood, experiencing first love, blossoming friendships, and sometimes the challenges of heartbreak and changing social circles.

On top of this, a student might be dealing with difficult family situations, like a sick grandparent in another country or concerns about war in their home country. Some might not live with their parents and are responsible for earning money, cooking, and doing laundry on their own. There can be many worries that come with being young.

For all of us involved in the lives of young people, this presents a kind of “Gordian knot” to untangle. We have rules, concepts, and laws that we must uphold, while at the same time striving to focus on well-being and offering the best possible support for those who may be struggling. Here at school, we are constantly working on new initiatives to support student well-being, but we know there is no perfect formula. We are always looking to improve the ways we help students navigate their complex lives.

Our student body is truly fantastic. They are full of enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity. They are bright and engaged in so many things, and our teachers love teaching them.

Every five years, we undergo an evaluation of our IB program. This year, we are in the middle of our self-study process, reviewing every aspect of our program. It is a demanding but rewarding process, and part of this involves revising all of our policies. I have included links https://www.aarhusgym.dk/uddannelser/ib-international-studentereksamen/policies/ to these policies here so that anyone interested can review them. You are more than welcome to suggest changes or improvements, and I am always happy to receive feedback. Please feel free to send me an email with your thoughts.

To our dear students, I apologize for referring to you in the third person earlier; I had your parents in mind for that part of the message. I know that many of you, especially those in IB2, are feeling the pressure at the moment. But no matter how busy you are, please promise me that you will take some time to get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the golden Danish autumn. And remember: We will always do our best to support you – and the sooner we know, the better we can help. (@Parents: Contact details for our student counselors can be found in this newsletter. Pre-IB: Nicoline, IB1: Stine, IB2: Kristine).

Finally, I’d like to close with a borrowed quote from Vincent Van Gogh: "As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas, and colours enough to paint the beautiful things I see."

Alll the best,

Malene Sørensen

IB Coordinator Aarhus Gymnasium, Tilst

Your way into the
wider world

Download our brochure

News from the Pre-IB Coordinator

We've kicked off the new school year on a high note, and the pre-IB students have been nothing short of fantastic—welcoming new experiences with open arms. Whether it was the intro trip to Sletten, the IB get-together, the recent PE Day, or the recent school party, they've enthusiastically participated even when learning about the events shortly before.

This year, we’re thrilled to have three pre-IB classes again, and our IB community is as big and vibrant as ever. Every student adds something special, and we’re happy to have them all on board. We've also had a few new faces join the pre-IB throughout the term, and who knows, we may continue to grow as the year goes on

Now that the initial jitters have passed, the students are settling into the rhythm of homework, assignments, new friends, and fun social events. They are grounding themselves in a new school with fresh rules and routines, and I am eager to see how they handle the challenges of the fall—especially with their first big evaluations coming up: the General Science and General Linguistics tests at the end of October, followed by their first-term grades in mid-November.

On the support side, Nicoline, our student counsellor, has started her introductory chats with each pre-IB student. They've talked about how they're adjusting—academically, socially, and in terms of managing the workload. And of course, Nicoline's door is always open if students need to talk about anything that might affect their performance in school at a later time. As parents you are also welcome to contact us should you have any concerns about your child and their academic performance or well-being at school.

After a busy start, I hope the students will enjoy their upcoming well-earned autumn break, recharging their batteries for the months ahead. It’s shaping up to be an exciting year, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next! 😉

Best wishes,

Maria Friis Lindinger

Pre-IB Coordinator

https://www.redbubble.com/i/art-board-print/Teacher-Halloween-Funny-Quote-I-m-a-Math-Teacher-I-m-Scary-All-Year-Long-by-mariguita5/122732565.NVL2T

IB at AGT appetizer

If you know of any young people getting ready to choose a youth education, or of families relocating to Aarhus, please do share our video. You can also find our new IB brochure a little further up in the newsletter.

IB Life

Starting the pre-IB at AGT

Amir and Mia, 1k

From tradition to transformation precisely describes our eye-opening journey into Pre-IB at Aarhus Gymnasium, Tilst. The contrast between formal and traditional school culture and the more relaxed, transformative environment at Aarhus Gymnasium surprised us positively. So how was the first day for us? What activities have we done? And what culture shocks have we experienced?

-First day of school The first school day was nerve racking in the beginning, but once we got to know each other through different activities, we realized that there's nothing to worry, after all we were all new and alike in some ways. The most surprising thing for us to see was that teachers could be equal to students and talk to them casually; this is not present in many of our countries. Instead of feeling like school is a daily chore, this environment actually makes us excited to attend.

-Sports day For sports day, we had the chance to wear costumes, and the best dressed would win a prize. Our class decided to go as Men in Black since it was easy to pull off, and most of us already had the clothes needed at home. Even though our costume was simple, it turned out to be the perfect choice because we could still move freely while playing sports. We participated in football, volleyball, rounders, basketball, ultimate frisbee, spikeball, and tug of war. There were other games as well, but since we were new to the campus, we had trouble finding the game stops quickly and ran out of time. At the end, we enjoyed ice cream and cheered for the winners of the different categories in the canteen.

-IB get-together The IB get-together was a great way to get familiar with the school and connect with others, and it was organized by the IB2 students. We kicked things off with a bunch of fun activities like musical chairs and dodgeball. Afterwards, we played a fun Kahoot game based on school trivia. And to top it all off, we were treated to drinks and vegan and halal kebabs, ensuring that everyone was included. It was a perfect mix of fun and community!

-Intro trip I think everyone would agree that the intro trip to Sletten was an experience that really brought us closer to each other. On the first day of the trip we went canoeing, played some traditional Danish games, and we also had the opportunity to swim in the cleanest lake in Denmark both in the afternoon and the evening. And since it was our friend’s birthday, we celebrated her birthday beside the lake. After that the teachers set up campfires for us to roast marshmallows, where we relaxed and chatted the night away. In the morning of the second day after we had breakfast and packed everything, teachers and tutors brought us to the forest to play some games which we had to find using a map. Later, one of the teachers showed us how to use a bow and arrow, and we had the opportunity to practice archery. Afterwards we got the chance to climb trees with different methods and equipment. For the last activity of the trip, we hiked the mountain and got ourselves some snacks on the top of it.

Aarhus Gymnasium Tilsts' Climate Committee

Alina & Polina IB1

The Climate Committee at Aarhus Gymnasium Tilst is working together towards making small changes that can create a big difference. We have been raising awareness about sustainability and encouraging fellow students to take small actions that can positively impact the environment.

On September 17th, our Climate Committee team attended a Climate Summit at Skanderborg Gymnasium, alongside other high schools from Aarhus. The summit provided a wonderful opportunity for us to meet new, active individuals, including other IB students, and to inspire one another with creative and ambitious ideas. Our school also had the chance to share some of our past experiences from the previous school year, such as organizing a Swap-Clothing Event and working on the Greenhouse Project.

In Week 40, we held the long-awaited Climate Committee Bazaar, which turned out to be highly productive and successful. This event allowed us to once again promote environmental awareness and engage in interactive discussions with other students, all while having fun. As a result, our team gained many new interested members who are eager to join and share their fresh ideas on how to make improvements at school that could help reduce our climate impact.

Five Awesome Days

This year, we are participating in Climate Week, called "Fem Fede Dage," in Week 46 (November 11-15). Each day will have its own theme focused on sustainability: Food Monday, Clothes Tuesday, Off Wednesday, Transport Thursday, and Festival Friday. It is up to us to decide what activities we will organize for each day. Some of our plans include hosting a Swap-Clothing Day and a day with off-screen lessons, which contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and electricity consumption.

In conclusion, our goal for this year is to make the school greener and more productive, and we are excited about the upcoming events and new experiences.

IB2 Study Trip - Pioneers in Prague

Gabby and Danil, IB2

During the period from the 8th to the 12th of September 2024, as IB2 students, we took part of the anual senior study trip. After many years in which the trip took place in Lisbon, we were the pioneers of the trip to Prague. With TOK and CAS imprinted in our minds, we got to discover the culture and the beauty of the city. During the whole trip we had a lot of time to discover the city ourselves, including the variety of cultural values, traditional food and unique places.

We left on a Sunday night by the bus, with the first stop being at the Czech concentration camp Theresienstadt. After visiting the camp, we headed towards our destination, Prague. We made it… after around 12 hours. We continued our Monday with a guided tour, discovering the streets of the city, which are filled with history.

On the 10th of September, we hiked in Prague, exploring Cesky Raj and Trotsky Castle before heading towards Valdstejn Castle. The hike challenged us physically and mentally, but we gained a lot from it. Not only did we succeed in socializing with our classmates, but we also realized how much we enjoy hiking and nature. We gained confidence in interacting with others and overcame physical and mental fatigue, which helped build our mental toughness. This experience was also valuable for TOK, as we looked at nature in unusual new ways, spotting unique rock formations that resembled a turtle and a monkey. We completed several CAS challenges, including nature photography, environment art, and soundscape recording. This hike was truly inspiring, and we plan to organize another one with friends in the future.

The Wednesday was reserved for the War Museum and the Museum of Communism, which were the best TOK resource providers during the whole trip. We found the variety of different TOK objects which illustrated real-life situations in History, which were afterwards used in our posters and essays. During this visit we have gain a lot of knowledge about the History and the impact of TOK in history, while looking at all historical artifacts from the TOK perspective. By analyzing the objects, we tried to evaluate how reliable they are to our chosen topic and perspectives. For example, our focus was on the question, how valuable the objects are in terms of evidence of the past.

On the last day, our class split in two smaller groups: one group visited The Cold War Museum and the other took a literary walk around the city. The Cold War Museum was another fantastic source for our TOK knowledge, as we got to see a unique bunker right in the middle of Prague.

Overall, the trip was an amazing opportunity for us to gain a low of knowledge, improve our socializing skills and get to know each other better. We want to thank our teachers, classmates and school for this amazing opportunity and experience.

From IB2 Parents' Night

The Student Council

Sofiia IB2,

The IB Student Council is a student-led organization in International Baccalaureate schools that advocates for student interests, organizes events, and provides support to fellow students. It acts as a liaison between students and administration, addressing concerns and promoting positive changes within the IB program, while fostering a sense of community through collaboration with other student organizations.

The Student Council recently presented a Committee Bazaar to showcase the various communities within our school, including the Party, Climate, Canteen, Greenhouse, Friday Café, and Student Council itself. This event successfully raised awareness about each group, encouraging students to sign up and engage in activities that align with their interests. The positive response from attendees highlighted the importance of fostering community involvement and collaboration among students.

Get to Know your Teachers - Papiya Kumar

How did you come to teach at AGT?

I had been teaching in different provinces in India since 2015. It was 2022, when I came to Denmark due my husband’s work. A new place, a new hope of beginning of my career and that followed a lot of applications and rejections. I had submitted an unsolicited application to AGT with a hope that might come true in future. Meanwhile, I joined Kochs Skole as an intern for a brief period. Surprisingly, in October 2023, I received a call from the principal for a substitute teaching position in AGT. And since then, I am a part of this beautiful ecosystem.

What strikes you as being interesting about AGT?

Being entirely new to the country and joining AGT after only one year of stay in Denmark, I was overwhelmed by the new teaching environment. All throughout those tough days, AGT stood by me and eventually I found out that trust, appreciation, and comradeship are the core values of AGT. AGT is the embodiment of diversity and a safe haven for transaction of diverse ideas and that what makes life in AGT interesting.

What about your subject(s) excites you?

For me, Biology is not a subject, but a story, a “Story of Life”. It really excites me that this subject transcends beyond identity. You come out of the bubble of self-appreciation of being a human to appreciating the daily life of the tiniest microorganism to the huge elephant. You get awestruck by the creation and destruction of nature. I feel as a biology teacher, I am not teaching but facilitating the knowledge transfer. A child starts biology classes from birth with interactions with its immediate natural habitat and off course with “Discovery Channel” and “Animal Plant” along the way. So, everybody in this planet knowingly or unknowingly studies biology.

Which of the IB learner profile attributes is your favourite and which could you yourself improve on?
The German philosopher Georg Hegel famously said, "The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history." And therefore, I feel REFLECTION and ANALYSIS are the most important learner profile attributes for an IB student. It is very important to look back and reflect on the past to improve in future. Be it in daily life or for a class assignment, patient analysis on “what’s going wrong?” and “How to improve?” always goes an extra mile and contributes to the holistic development of the student. I personally would like to improve my reflection skills too. I believe more differentiated analysis of student psychology and learning profile will help me to become a better teacher in a diverse classroom.

What culinary dish says something about you?

I would go for a comforting bowl of soup!!.. It is simple and staple as I would like to be such. It is soothing and nutritious, as am I, when you have a quick chat with me. The soup is a mix of different flavours into one and likewise you may experience different shades of me. You will really appreciate my patience, fear my anger, love my kindness, and have reverence for my knowledge.

Three AGT IB students reflect on the IB Learner Profile

We asked three of our students the following question - and gave them a task:

What is your name and nationality (or nationalities)?

Select two IB Learner Profile attributes and explain how you apply them in your daily school life.

Annika, IB2

Feliks, IB1

Parmida, pre-IB

Annika, IB2: Hello! My name is Annika Sivertsen, and I am currently an IB2 student set to graduate in 2025.
My nationalities are American, Danish, and Jamaican, and two IB learner profile attributes that I feel define and are incorporated into my everyday school life are “communicators” and “open-minded.”
At AGT, we have a very diverse student body. Everywhere you look, there's a different background, be it culturally, ethnically, or nationally, leading to individuals having very different life experiences and ways of looking at the world. When interacting with all these different people, it forces you to put yourself outside what you know and any prior biases you might've had in order to understand their perspectives.
I find myself incorporating being open-minded not only when interacting with students from the different classes and curriculums, but also in the classrooms themselves through coursework, as we spend a lot of time looking at different countries and time periods, factoring in their laws, cultures, and traditions, and comparing them with our own today.
I also try to incorporate the “communicators” aspect of the learner profile into my everyday school life, not only inside the classroom when doing group work and projects, but also when doing CAS projects, such as the greenhouse committee, where we listen to each other's ideas about what to do.

Feliks, IB1: I am Feliks, and I am Ukrainian. As a Risk-taker, I approach uncertainty with confidence and a willingness to learn, whether it’s asking a “stupid” question or planning a challenging project. By taking the risk, I learn more! “A ship is safe in harbour, but that's not what ships are for.” – John A. Shedd. Take the risk; you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
Being Reflective goes hand in hand with risk-taking. I make time to thoughtfully consider my own mistakes and achievements and what I can improve. Blindly taking the risk doesn't necessarily make you stronger; it is your improvement of the mistakes and failures that makes your ship stronger to withstand future storms.

Parmida, pre-IB:

Open-Minded: As a person who has recently moved to Denmark from Iran, the cultures and lifestyles are quite different from where I lived my whole life. One of the things that has helped me to adapt and relate more to the people here is respecting and considering every point of view. It’s important to hear every opinion and let society guide me when I’m new. Each comment is worth hearing, and we need to be more compatible with the people around us to live more peacefully together and make progress by sharing our ideas and thinking about them. I have learned so much since I've moved here just by listening to everything logically and with empathy.

Communicators: We are all united by English in IB high school, and that's what brings us together. Most of us speak, study, and communicate with each other in our second language. But despite the struggles, everyone, including myself, has managed to communicate. Even though I couldn't open up easily at first, the school’s environment was very positive and made me feel much more confident to talk to others and make friendships. Also, my classes invite each of us to participate and speak our minds, which lets me share my ideas all the time.

IB Alumni

We've started receiving small greetings from our former students, which can be seen on our social media. The next newsletter will focus on alumni, providing joy and inspiration.

Hewre you can find some of the greetings:

Same, Natila & Hung:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DArCrNot4Q8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Dina:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6quYChN79x/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Dear student, if you've made it this far and you're reading this, you can come and grab a piece of chocolate from Maria or Malene 😂😂