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Digital Parents' Day - How we keep our parents up to date One important aspect in our daily work is to keep the parents of our day and boarding students up to date. This week again, we have started our so-called "Digital Parents' Days" where parents get details on the individual progress of our students, not only in the framework of the International School OWL but also in terms of boarding life and boarding environment. Started in 2021, we currently plan to expand our Digital Parents' Days in 2022 and 2023.

A-Level exams In the last two weeks, our two schools in Vogeliusweg and Technology Park held some A-level exams. For some of our students, these were also their first exams at the International School OWL. After looking through the first exams, our teachers have a really good feeling. Of course we are very happy to hear that, because for many of our students the A-Level exams are the first step into an international career. Exams were written in English, German, mathematics and chemistry, among other subjects.

A prominent visitor from the politics! Today we had a visit from Daniel Sieveke (MdL, CDU), member of the state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia. As part of the visit, our students then asked him questions about the daily work of a politician and about political issues. In answering the questions, Mr. Sieveke seemed consistently approachable and friendly, giving us an important look behind the scenes of a politician. He was able to answer even the most difficult questions in great detail - due to his experience as a politician, which our students visibly enjoyed. On behalf of the International School OWL we thank Mr. Sieveke for his visit!

Excursión A few weeks ago, we invited our students to join us on an excursion through the city of Paderborn. In addition to the famous Neuhaus Castle in the district of Schloß Neuhaus, where some of our teaching facilities are located, we also visited the University of Paderborn as well as the city center and other places and sightings of interest in Paderborn. We hope that our students had a great day!

Our first day in our new building! Last week, we welcomed the first grade 10 students at new our location in the Paderborn Technology Park. For us, this was also the first day in the recently developed school section of our administration center. There, we currently create new facilities and classrooms for the International School OWL, not far from our building in Vogeliusweg. From this new teaching location, it will then be only about a 5-minute walk to our building in Vogeliusweg. Right next to the Technology Park, our students can also find a mall with stores and shopping opportunities. On behalf of the entire team of the Interantional School OWL, we wish our students every success and, of course, lots of fun in their lessons.

We explore Paderborn! Two weeks ago, we moved our lessons outside and went to the Paderborn spring area to do some experiments. Even though our students were still on vacation, they did not hesitate to join us in the "Pader-Quellgebiet" to execute exciting experiments together with some of their classmates. Looking back, we can say that our students obviously had a lot of fun.

Résumé of our new student Wangmiao Two months after her arrival in Paderborn, our new student Wangmiao draws a positive resumé. The 17-year-old from Nanjing (China) has settled in well and feels very happy at our boarding school. She says: “The rooms are well equipped and I like to have my own space, while having the opportunity to meet my classmates. I also like the city of Paderborn, because it is pleasantly quiet here and the people here enjoy their lives.” About the International School OWL she says: “I like that each class has only a few students and the teachers are very friendly. Even though English is actually one of my favourite subjects, I currently enjoy maths the most.”

Handling the Corona Pandemic! The Corona pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to all of us. Significant safety steps had to be taken in classrooms and actually everywhere where contacts take place. Since the risks of such a pandemic and the restrictions that come with it are hardly predictable, we started very early to take comprehensive measures to reduce the risk of infection within our teaching and educational facilities, accommodation and offices. We are confident that through online teaching, home office and the responsible care of our staff, teachers and students, we have been able to prevent further restrictions and continue to offer our students the high level of teaching and learning they have come to expect at International School OWL. The approaching spring and the successful " start of vaccination" with more than 100,000 vaccine doses daily offer a first perspective on a open shops, regular classes and the long-lost contact with colleagues, friends and family.

A milestone: School partnership with the Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Shi Yan School Well, there is reason to celebrate! Through the recently entered school partnership with the Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Shi Yan School (Beijing, China), we have now reached another major milestone. Together with our Chinese partner, we have developed a qualified educational programme that begins at the Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Shi Yan School in China and ends with the German Baccalaureate at the International School OWL. Students first take part in a two-year educational programme at Beijing Haidian Foreign Language Shi Yan School and then deepen their learning at the International School OWL in Germany. After four years, they graduate with the German Baccalaureate and thus have a strong understanding of the language as well as a solid basic knowledge in a choosen specialisation. Thus, our Chinese students are well prepared for a Bachelor's degree in Germany and worldwide.