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 The British School believes that the IB
programme offers the best pre-university education available
in the English language and provides excellent continuity
from the Secondary School curriculum which is centred on the
IGCSE.
We firmly believe that it is not only worthwhile but essential
for our students to capitalise on the benefits that the International
Baccalaureate programme offers them in the short, medium and
long-term.
In the short term, the IB furnishes students with the knowledge
and skills necessary to gain access to universities and colleges
in Brazil and abroad. This, however, is only the narrowest
interpretation of what secondary education is all about.
In the medium and long term, the IB programme equips all our
students with the independent study and critical thinking
skills, the intellectual confidence and the research-orientated
approach to education that allows them to adapt so comfortably
to university life. The overwhelming opinion of our ex-IB
students is that they find themselves extremely well-prepared
for the demands that universities subsequently make on them.
In addition, elements of the IB programme, like the Theory
of Knowledge, Creativity Action and Service and the Extended
Essay enable our students to take genuine steps in personal
growth. There is clear evidence that students who complete
the IB programme face university equipped with real advantages
relative to many of their university peers.
- Luiza Aguiar’09 was been approved to join IBMEC/RJ and PUC-Rio for the International Relations course. She was also offered places by the Royal Holloway University and University of Leeds, both in the UK. In the words of her mother, Mrs Barroso: “Gostaria de parabenizar a escola pelo resultado no vestibular e desejo todo sucesso no ano novo que se inicia.”
Luiza Maria Barroso de Aguiar – Class of 2009
- Bernar Mattos’03 was invited to join Business at Butler – Indianapolis (USA), Concordia University – California (USA) and Michigan State University (USA). He decided to go to Concordia University in Irvine, California, and graduated with a major in Business and emphasis on management and finance. He then moved to Miami, Florida, to work at “Lloyds TSB” at the International Private Banking division, doing wealth management. In March 2010 he resigned from Lloyds TSB Private Banking, hence to the job opportunity in NYC at Safra. He accepted the offer, "I am very excited about it! My learning curve seems unlimited, exposure to the financial capital of the world, networking and most importantly, doing what I am passionate about, selling and client relationship!"
Bernar Mattos – Class of 2003
- “While I understand that I have forged my own path, I appreciate those who have helped to provide the tools I need to do it. You are one of those people who helped provide some of these tools during my time as a student at the British School. I am very grateful for the opportunities you helped create and the friendship we have shared. The confidence and experience I gained at the school is an asset which I continually draw upon. I hope other students who have had the opportunity to an education at the British School will recognize the privileged position they are in and learn to make the most of the opportunities and experiences available to them.”
John R Mills – Class of 2004
The British School offers structured opportunities for students to reflect and act on their professional aspirations. A Careers and University Guidance programme offers advice on university applications and career choices and includes a two-week Work Experience programme for all Class 10 students.
In Classes 9 to 11 all students have an interview each year with the Careers and University Applications Officer or a member of the management team. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss possible career paths and to encourage students to reflect on their possible interests beyond the IB. Meetings are also held in groups or individually and students have access to relevant information and material on career choices.
In the second term of Class 10, students undertake a one to two-week Work Experience programme. The careers service has established contact with a variety of businesses and professional areas which offer our students first hand experience of a particular working environment. This opportunity has proved to be very useful in encouraging students to actively think about possible careers. The school always welcomes offers from businesses or parents able to provide further opportunities of this kind for our students.
- Tatiana Falcão’99 started in Law School in 2000 at Universidade Cândido Mendes until 2004, and graduated top 10% of her class. She was an intern with Pinheiro Neto Advogados from 2002 to 2004 and accepted there as a lawyer thereafter. She continued working there from 2005 to 2006 as a tax lawyer and, while she did her Post-Graduate Degree at Insitituto Brasileiro de Estudos Tributarios (IBET). She then moved on to Cambridge University, UK, in September 2007, from which she graduated with the LLM (Master of Laws) degree in 2008. With that in hands, she went to the Hague Academy of International Law (summer/2008) and to New York University, USA, (August/2008) for the International Taxation Programme, the top tax programme in the US - to graduate in May 2009.
- Rachel Steinitz’08, scored 42 in the IB and was offered a place at Cambridge University – UK, for the Chemical Engineering programme.
- “I graduated from The British School in 2001. At that time, and still in doubt and equally divided between two careers (Veterinary Medicine or Management), I decided to roll a dice and let fate decide. Management it was. I decided to apply (vestibular) only for PUC-RJ, the best for that course at the time. I was admitted for the 2002 second semester, which I applied for. By August 2005, I was admitted for an internship (estágio) at IBM Brazil, to join the Global Financing team supporting Financial Sales Executives in USA and Canada. My fluency in English, acquired after 11 years at TBS, certainly helped me to get that job! By September 2006 I was offered another temporary hire position to lead a team of 14 interns, which I was currently part of, while also expanding the scope of our support to USA, Canada and now Latin America . After only 7 months I was promoted again (in May 2007), and moved to a new team, now as a regular IBM employee. By December 2007 I completed my Bachelor of Management degree at PUC-RJ, achieving a good 9.7 (out of 10) score for my final project (monografia). On May 17th 2008 I got married to Davi Borges at the Christ Church of Rio de Janeiro (Paróquia de São Lucas) on the Botafogo site. For almost a decade I walked past that church when arriving and leaving school every day and we also had our graduation ceremony there, so I couldn’t think of any better place for my wedding ceremony. Having two special friends to stand by my side at the altar as my ‘padrinhos’ and so many others, who I met as just a kid at TBS, there watching and supporting us made my wedding ceremony and party even more special!”
Vivien Chen – Class of 2001
The IB Diploma
is recognised and highly regarded by universities in the UK,
USA, Canada, Australia and most European countries. In Latin
America, the degree of recognition accorded to the IB varies
between countries and institutions. In Brazil, students are
currently still (2010) required to sit the Vestibular exams or ENEM - Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio in order to enter
university.
Many British School students take the opportunity that following
an international programme offers by keeping their options
open until they are ready to make a final decision about studying
in Brazil or overseas.
Since the initiation of the IB at The British School in February 1991 we have made great progress in adapting our programme to meet the needs of our Brazilian students.
Two major developments have been the introduction of a new course, Historical and Contemporary Brazilian Studies and a complementary preparation course for Brazilian university entrance exams, called The Brazilian Extension Course.
Historical and Contemporary Brazilian Studies was specifically designed by British School teachers to cover Brazilian History, Geography and Social Studies. The Brazilian Studies course is available to all British School students, whether as a component of their IB Diploma programme or as a separate IB certificate.
The Brazilian Extension Course complements the student curriculum in relation to the IB programme. In addition to classes in Philosophy and Sociology, which are required for all students from Class 9 onwards in Brazil, classes are offered in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, History and Geography, all taught in Portuguese. Given that several of our students intend to continue their studies in Brazilian universities, all of the classes follow a format that prepares them for Brazilian university entrance exams (vestibulares and ENEM). Indeed, our faculty is composed of teachers with long experience with these exams.
In addition to these classes, which main purpose is to complement the I.B. curriculum, we offer additional classes after regular school hours, also focused on preparing our students for the entrance exams. These additional courses: ‘Vestibular’ Essay Writing, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, History and Geography.
We have also been offering, since 2008, mocks exams of the ENEM model of entrance exam. This practice has proven very effective for those students who take mock exams in earnest.
With these offerings, we combine the best pedagogical programme available (the I.B.) with the necessary preparation for Brazilian university entrance exams; together with the excellent preparation for universities overseas. (please see Portuguese version for The Brazilian Extension Course / versão em português sobre O Curso de Extensão)
- Igor Tumasov’08, scored 40 in the IB, and was offered a place at Georgetown (USA), Emory University (USA) where he received a US$50,000 per annum Robert W. Woodruff Scholarship, and several other universities. “I got the answer from Georgetown, USA, where I applied for early decision and I’m pleased to tell you that I have received an unconditional offer that congratulates me for my personal and academic excellence and offers me one of the first places in the freshman entry class of 2009. (…) I have also applied for a place at Emory College through the Emory Scholars Program, together with my application for the International Relations course. I have been awarded one of the US$50,000 per annum Robert W. Woodruff Scholarships. This scholarship is granted to “to young men and women who have demonstrated qualities of forceful and unselfish character, intellectual and personal vigor, outstanding academic achievement, impressive skills in communication, significant leadership and creativity in school or community, and clear potential for enriching the lives of their contemporaries” (According to the Emory College website) The scholarship will cover all my tuition fees as well as college accommodation and board. (In 2009) I took this full scholarship they gave me and I am planning to graduate in Political Science and Religion or Sociology. I also got into an extremely competitive programme for the study of Ethics here at Emory. I applied once I got here and I’m currently the only freshman participating. I want to thank the school once again for everything and for the wonderful school that gives all the opportunities necessary to get even to the most competitive universities in the world.”
- The Flinker Family wrote to the school in 2009:
“We would like to thank The British School for the education it has provided for our children. It enabled them to achieve the following, which we would like to share with you:
On December 9th 2008, Raquel Flinker’03 was awarded the ”Excelência Acadêmica” certificate at PUC-RJ, given to the 20 top students of Engineering. She got it for 2006. In 2007, she studied at the University of Texas, USA. While on vacation, she worked at an environmental consulting company in Austin, Texas. She will be back in March 2009 to finish her studies.
Deborah Flinker’04 is studying (“double major”) a 2-year programme at École Central – Marseille, France. At PUC Rio, she was taking Chemical Engineering, whereas in France, the course is “Engineering” (general). It has a different approach, new subjects, and new language (French). She is working hard and looking forward to be back in August 2009.
Both Raquel and Deborah were able to study abroad as a result of their good academic results - a consequence of the background gained at The British School.
Raphael Flinker’07 has finished his 1st year of Medical School at Souza Marques. He is very enthusiastic about the course and he is sure of his professional choice. Presently, he is very happy planning a trip to Europe in January 2009 (‘mochilão’).
Whenever possible, they meet their friends from The British School. I think that is great!
Maria Carmen & Edward Flinker”
The Careers and University Department offers students the
support and information necessary to apply to universities
both in Brazil and abroad. The school provides assistance
throughout the whole applications procedure obtaining the
necessary application materials and following through each
process. Guidance services extend beyond the entry of our
students to university. The school’s staff are always
available for continuous support for ex-students who do return
for advice on a regular basis.
The Overseas University Application Advisor is responsible
for dealing with students’ applications for universities
outside Brazil. The Careers and Guidance Counsellor offers
detailed and informed advice on Higher Education in Brazil
and assistance on entry for appropriate Vestibular examinations
and the ENEM.
Students are offered full support and advice on the suitability
of courses and institutions. Meetings with students are arranged
on an individual basis and an annual meeting is held with
parents and students to discuss Higher Education. An extensive
up-to-date selection of university prospectuses, computer
facilities for online research and visits to educational fairs
are arranged as well as opportunities for pupils to meet representatives
from overseas Higher Education.
- The Albuquerque Sá family, of 3 children, studied at The British School through 3 decades. In 2008, their parents told us of how they were doing:
“Marcelo Sá ’96, the eldest son, finished the IB Diploma at TBS in 1996 and went to Bentley College, Massachusetts-USA, where he graduated in International Relations. He was always very active in school, participating in the school’s futsal and basketball team, taking home with him several medals from the RANCHOs he went to. He is now at Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, responsible for the area of ‘institutional communications’ focusing on the CVRD’s perceived image in the market.
Fábio Sá ’00 left the school in 2000 and decided to stay in Brazil. He, who was also very active in school’s sports and other matters, entered PUC-RJ via ENEM and in 2004 graduated in Publicity and Marketing (Publicidade e Propaganda). He is currently Commercial Manager for Esporte Interativo.
Thaissa Sá’05, our youngest, always very responsible and dedicated to all she puts her mind to. Thaissa, entered PUC-RJ in 2006, via ENEM, for in Publicity and Marketing (Publicidade e Propaganda). At the end of her first year at PUC she was awarded a scholarship for her excellent academic achievements. When the award was given, Thaissa had gone to the USA for a ‘holiday work experience’ and therefore, her mother and bother represented her at the ceremony.”
In the words of Marcelo Sá‘96: “Estamos muito orgulhosos da Thaissa e reconhecemos o importantíssimo papel que a formação na Escola Britânica desempenha no sucesso de sua carreira acadêmica. Mesmo os três irmãos já tendo saído do colégio, ficam os votos para que a Escola continue contribuindo para a formação e valorização de jovens que, como a Thaissa, atingem o sucesso por mérito de seus esforços acadêmicos, de seu caráter, de sua integridade e de um senso ético inabalável.”
- Cristina Guerreiro’99 left to England right after graduation, and received a bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication from the University of Central England. Further on, she also studied in Italy and then in the United States. She has lived in San Francisco, USA, where she studied animation and produced work for MTV and advertising agencies. Her paintings can be seen at exhibitions throughout the USA. On the words of Holly Kozelsky, Bulletin Accent Editor of the Martins Ville Bulletin, “Cristina Guerreiro’s paintings bring to life the sights and sounds of a revived area of Lisbon, Portugal — Bairro Alto, which dates from Medieval times. The area started falling into disrepair years ago and then experienced a renaissance of use and appreciation. In the past decades, the life and flair in its narrow streets has fascinated artists, writers and poets. Many tourists go there now. It has become a vibrant section of the city famed for music, dining and nightlife. Fado music, with guitar and viola, is typical of the region. Guerreiro’s paintings capture the excitement of the music and energy, and also Bairro Alto’s age.”
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