Senior School (12yrs - 18yrs)

General
The Senior School consists of six year groups, catering for students of age eleven to eighteen. The physical space consists of two buildings, which include three Science laboratories and two computer rooms, along with specialist Art, Music and sports areas.

Students in the Senior school are encouraged to show the same values of independence and responsibility that are encouraged in the Infant and Junior schools. Other qualities, such as being communicative, flexible and listening to others are also highlighted. The teaching philosophy is child centred, meaning that the needs of the individual student are put first whenever possible.

It present there are one hundred and fifty students in the senior school, coming from counties as diverse as Brazil, South Africa, India, Japan, Korea, Israel, United States, Nigeria, Bulgaria and France.

The curriculum
The curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of both our international and Brazilian students. It leads to qualifications that enable entry into universities in Europe, United States and Australia, as well as here in Brazil.

The curriculum is divided into three integrated, but distinct phases:
• Years 7 and 8
Students follow a broad programme with a particular focus on personal organisation and independent study skills. Students are encouraged to assume responsibility for their own learning, while following the essential components of the Key Stage 3 British National Curriculum and the Ensino Fundemental programme.

• Years 9 and 10
Students have the opportunity to choose some elements of their curriculum, which complement the compulsory subjects. Most subjects follow two year IGCSE courses, which are administered by Cambridge University. The grades given to students at the end of these courses are objectively measured by international standards.

• Years 11 and 12
Students follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme, which is a recognised entry requirement for universities all over the world. It is a challenging and intellectually demanding, but exciting course with a genuine international perspective that meets the ethos and objectives of our school.

Regular guidance is given to students hoping to enter European, American and other universities. Brazilian students are also given specialist preparation for vestibular examinations.

Pastoral care, extra curricular activities and community service
Upon entering the school, all students will be allocated a form tutor. This person will have a special responsibility for all aspects of a students’ life and work in school. Any difficulties that a student may be facing, be them academic, social or emotional can be discussed with the form tutor. In a form group there are typically between ten and fourteen students.

Many students enjoy taking part in the numerous extra-curricular activities that are on offer at lunchtime and after school. These include such diverse activities as futsal, card making, poker, tarot and Japanese lessons.

St. Nicholas sees itself as part of the wider community; for this reason students of all ages are encouraged to do community service. Students in years 11 and 12 visit patients at a cancer hospital and help in a local crèche. Students in the senior school also contribute to projects run by the student council; this year this has included raising money to provide school equipment for the children of the school workers and contributing Christmas presents for the creche of the charity of the term. Some of the older students are also giving English lessons to the local Brazilian workers in the school.