Human Rights Week

Dear Parents and Students,

This week we have been reflecting on human rights as the UN Human Rights Day 2025 was on December 10th. This year, Human Rights Day is being celebrated under the theme “Our Everyday Essentials”, showcasing how rights to safety, food, a roof over one's head, a voice, and dignity are everyday concerns and not abstract principles. This remains a key challenge for many people around the world who do not have many of their basic human rights met. Conflicts and wars, natural disasters such as drought and floods, economic challenges such as poverty and hunger all strip people of these rights. Students in our school have the opportunity to understand these challenges in IB DP and MYP subject areas such as business studies, geography, history and economics, but also in PYP Units of Inquiry.

CP Reflective Project

In the CP Reflective Project, students have been exploring human rights issues through the lens of business decision making; In particular, the decision to outsource production to less economically developed countries, where workers' rights are not as stringent as they are in more developed economies, in order to maximise profits.

Grade 10 Global Politics

The Grade 10 Global Politics elective students stepped in the role of a global thinker by selecting a focused global challenge involving climate change, migration, conflict, poverty, inequality, technology, and human rights. Students presented their issues and engaged in a collective discussion. The topics ranged from abortion rights to corruption in Brazil. They used human rights as a jumping-off point to use their creativity and critical analysis skills.

Buddha Day — Compassion, Interdependence and Human Rights

It was also Buddha day on Monday this week. This is also known as Bodhi Day, commemorating Siddhartha Gautama's enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. In secondary, the assembly and wellbeing time encouraged students to focus on the links between compassion, human rights and Buddhism. They also reflected on the concept of non-violence and interdependence. The upholding of human rights relies on people collaborating and being interdependent.

Waldorf and TLF Educational Visits and Olympiads

This week, Waldorf students have been exploring Cyprus. Waldorf class 3 visited the chocolate factory and Waldorf class 6 went to the Troodos Geopark. Our TLF students have also been attending olympiads with a visit to Paphos last weekend to the Computer Science olympiad and this weekend to a Maths Olympiad in Limassol.

TEDx Youth Practice Talks

We also held our practice TEDx Youth Talks this week, and students were able to practise their talk as we build towards a larger formal TEDx Youth event in the early part of 2026. It was great to see our students discuss topics about which they are passionate with confidence and eloquence.

DP Film Studies Workshop

DP 1 and 2 Film Study students took part in a Film workshop with a professional film-maker this week and enjoyed discovering much more about the industry and the craft of filmmaking. Thanks to our wonderful Arts faculty for facilitating this positive experience.

Sports Activities and House Competitions

Finally, students have been enjoying additional sports activities this week. In secondary we had a house table tennis competition and in primary it was basketball. Many thanks to Mr Nicholas andthe team for organising these fun events.

As we move into the final week of term, I wish everyone a relaxing and enjoyable weekend

Best Regards
Deborah Economou
Head of School