Life at Bellerbys College

The Harvard Interview!

Posted by Jamie Tan @ Bellerbys Brighton

I'm so relieved that it's over. So incredibly relieved. I have been anticipating this interview for the past two months and finally, it's done and dusted.

We rendezvoused at a quaint little cafe called the Birdcage Walk at Ditchling Road. It was a good 20 minute walk in the morning fog for me, and I was sweating by the time I had arrived at the doorstep. The shop owners were just opening up for the day and saw that I was nervously waiting outside in the cold, and thus invited me in. They even treated me to a complimentary cup of hot chocolate said to bring good luck for the interview.

I waited, fiddling with my hands, trying to soothe my nerves by sketching. My friend told me to expect the unexpected - an oxymoron that didn't seem to apply in my case.

The door opens and I look up to find a young man clutching two oversized leather satchels. He immediately knew who I was and introduced himself after casually running his hand through his floppy, chestnut brown hair. He told me that he was suffering from a winter cold and preferred not to shake my hand, which personally, I thought a bit prudent but not at all intimidating. We sat down and he ordered something to eat. He was very much a gentleman and even offered me some breakfast, which I politely declined. I had my energy booster two hours before and didn't need any food in my mouth to obscure my speech.

I have to say that it was very informal and nonchalant. He reminded me that he didn't like stiff conversations and that seemed to settle my anxiety a little. He asked me many questions about my art and my personal background to get a good taste of my character. Thank God I had slaved away all of yesterday trying to piece together a mini portfolio! It was the perfect thing to portray my sense of style and my artistic interests.

To my disappointment, my nerves had gotten the better of me and I struggled to vary my phrases. I kept repeating the words, "...a whole bunch of..." and it was not until the end of the interview that I had realised how limited my vocabulary must have sounded! However, I got the chance to ask him some questions about university life and altogether, the interview went well. He said that I shouldn't worry about anything and that he was going home to write the report this very afternoon.

Harvard dreamers, do not fear the interview. It could have been the most nerve-wrecking 45 minutes of my life, but I really didn't have anything to worry about. I can only hope for good news in the mail in April!

Jamie is studying A Levels at Bellerbys Brighton

The Scrutiny of the Human Species

Posted by Jamie @ Bellerbys Brighton

We are trapped.

Our boundaries are limited, our spaces confined.

We are all being watched; we are all being judged.

We are all Under Glass.

One of Brighton's many prized features, though often overlooked, is its endless calendar of events. I'm in love with this city primarily for its urban, grunge culture that oozes out creativity and artistic expression.

Mrs. Dreiling, my Photography teacher, introduced me to the magic of Brighton theatre performances and it was then that I came across Under Glass. From the one image printed in the catalogue, I was captivated and utterly engrossed

Not only was it a dance performance, it was completely relevant to my Photography project [I'm currently exploring themes of Identity].

I had been religiously slashing days off my calender, drawing the date closer and closer until finally, it was 7pm and I was sitting in the cafe of The Basement. I entered the hall labelled 'The Space' [how felicitous] and we were guided by the blinking signals of a single torchlight. Otherwise, we were walking into a void of complete darkness.

The music starts and it is subtle. Surrounded by glass cabinets and a jar, we filled the empty spaces. Soon, it was we that surrounded the subjects. The specimens.

One by one,  each solitary and isolated figure begins to move. Not to the music, but to their own rhythm. They breathe and then they are still. As a claustrophobic, I was already uneasy staring at their restricted cases.

It was amazing and incredibly esoteric. In a split second, the music and lights would pulsate simultaneously, and that flicker of movement would imprint into the darkness before you. The whole performance really brought to the surface ideas of social conformity and anonymity. I felt like the performers were representative of every one of the 7 billion people on this rotating rock. I was so moved by the piece that I wanted to watch it over and over again.

For anyone who's reading, I strongly recommend you take an hour out of your life to be apart of something truly magnificent. Look out for the Clod Ensemble's Under Glass and many other performances.

 Jamie is studying A Levels at Bellerbys Brighton

Turning 18 Over a Snowy Weekend at Bellerbys Brighton

Posted by Jamie @ Bellerbys Brighton

I can't believe I haven't posted anything for the past 2 months. Has it been that long? It feels like time just dissipates in Bellerbys. We're already halfway through December and 2010 is coming to a close!

What have I been doing? So far, I've sat for 4 SAT tests, finished my UCAS applications, slaved away at my US university applications and started a volunteer job. Productive much?

The SATs were not as fruitful as I would've liked. Not only did I have to travel far to get to the test centers, but by the end of each four hour session, half my day had disappeared! Fortunately, I finished my last test 5 days ago and am in no hurry to ever face the SATs again. All the nights spent learning new words like jingoism, opprobrium, perspicacious and histrionic [bet you've never even heard of these!] and practicing tedious comprehension tasks are well in the past! I can only hope that my scores will suffice for the scrupulous eyes of the admissions officers.

I just turned eighteen 8 days ago. The big one-eight. Everybody kept asking me how it felt like to be a legal adult now, to which I would reply that it's similar to being a kid who's too big to fit in the kiddie pool. Double period Math on your birthday, how glorious!

Thank the stars that school ended an hour earlier due to bad weather. Everybody rendezvoused at the open carpark next door and a massive snowball fight broke out! What a paradoxical event - acts of violence in the tranquil of snowfall. At midnight, my friends serenaded me outside my room and presented me with a massive cupcake. I swear, I've never seen such a sight.

They also threw an awesome birthday dinner for me in Bella Italia. The night ended with some flying lanterns on the beach and games at the Pier. Eighteen-schmeighteen. I'm still young. And God smiled graciously to me and granted me with a four day weekend. Snow, I conclude, is the best thing ever.

Great news: I have a Harvard interview next Monday.

Bad news: I have a Harvard interview next Monday.

How does one prepare for such an occasion? I'll let you know this weekend after getting my friends to drill me with potential questions.

Apart from that, I am due to start my volunteer job this Saturday as a playworker in Fiveways Nursery. I get to play all day with kids who have disabilities.

To be honest, I couldn't ask for a better way to spend my time because frankly, college life makes you selfish. All you ever do is think about how tired you are, or how much work you have, or how little time there is. But by dedicating 3 hours a week to a bunch of children who don't get half as much attention as they deserve, I'm not allowed to be self-absorbed. I don't have to think about anything else but making someone happy.

I'll keep you guys posted on what happens next. The last 6 days of school should be hectic as usual.

xx Jamie T.

Jamie is studying A Levels at Bellerbys Brighton

Le Festin

Posted by Autumn @ Bellerbys Oxford

It’s the beginning of December.

Hello my beloved readers,

Winter has finally arrived in Oxford. The icy winds are coming, blowing the remaining leaves off the trees. The days are getting shorter and shorter. There is less and less sunlight. People dress in the thickest winter coats and walk as fast as they can to avoid the bitterly cold gales. It’s winter!

This freezing season also brings about the warmest period of time. The county comes to live as we prepare for Christmas.

Christmas trees have been set up. Houses have been decorated with garlands and lights and ornaments. People are shopping for the perfect Christmas gifts.  Christmas carols are heard everywhere, in shops, in restaurants, in the city centre, and in Bellerbys College Oxford. It’s the festive season!

We students in Bellerbys CollegeOxford are celebrating our winter in the most pleasing and interesting way.

At the end of November, a fantastic International Food Night was held.  Attended by our staff and students, the Night were expected to offer us a marvelous chance to share with others our own traditional dishes and specialities and to spread the holiday spirits by participating in fund-raising events that were organised by Building Futures (a project of Study Group).  

And the International Food Night, unsurprisingly, turned out to be a massive success. I was able to enjoy a variety of food from many countries (such as Russia, Iran, Korea, Pakistan, New Zealand, etc.) which were all cooked by our staff and students.  

The Vietnamese students here in Oxford also contributed our special “sticky rice” to this grand banquet. After months eating English food, the familiar taste of our home country’s dish did partly ease the homesickness from which we were all suffering.

The school’s own band, “Marcus Learns to Rock” had an amazing performance that made my evening even more enjoyable. What talented students and staff Bellerbys College Oxford has! 

On Friday November 26^th 2010, Oxford officially started the-season-to-be-jolly with the sparkling Christmas Light Night.  The glittering lights that the Night gave off did not fail to impress me deeply.

The night began with a wonderful lantern procession made up by local children, whose lanterns were made from recycled materials. Following the resplendent parade, we arrived at Broad Street in time to enjoy an excellent feast of performances. The dancing was fabulous, the singing was beautiful.  The Night marked the beginning of a season full of wonders and merriment in our cherished city. 

My first term at Bellerbys College Oxford is coming to an end. In the midst of past papers and mock exams, staff and students here at the college never miss a chance to have fun and spend some great time together.

On the 8^th of December, the Maths department at Bellerbys College organised a bowling trip for AS students and their enthusiastic teachers.  A couple of cabs took us to Bowlplex, a recreation centre. The first game started as soon as the teams were equally divided.  It was quite a surprise for us to witness our teachers, such good mathematicians and economist, displaying so many skillful bowling techniques. I am a mediocre player and I did rather badly that night, but this terrifying truth did not succeed in preventing me from having a great time of my life. 

I come from a tropical country. That’s why my tolerance to cold is extremely limited.  However, I never allow it to affect me. I simply cannot stand the idea of hiding under the blanket, running away from the terrible cold. Wrapping myself in layers and layers of clothes, I choose to step out of the house and join the parties, knowing that the warmth I will receive from friends, teachers and family is enough to protect me.

PS: Le Festin – performed by Camille/composed by Michael Giacchino.

“Let me free, I’ll astonish you; I’m planning to fly
I won’t let this party just pass me by

The banquet is now underway, so…
Bring out the bottles; a new tale has spun
In clearing this table, my new life’s begun
I am nervous, excited; (oh) just read the marquee!
A lifetime of hiding; I’m suddenly free!
My dinner is waiting for me”

Posted by Autumn, studying A Levels at Bellerbys Oxford 

Business Theory and Practice at Bellerbys Cambridge

Posted by Tien

From economics lesson to the real business world ...

In our modern 21^st century, business and economics are very popular. Millions of people are keen to study them. At Bellerbys College, we can see that a lot of students are taking Economics or Business as their A Level subject. I don’t want to be a businesswomen or a great economist in the future but I am still choosing Economics as my A level subject just because it’s very practical and of course it’s really interesting. However, the theory I study at school does not always reflect the real business world. Bellerbys Cambridge, therefore, supports a group of students to run small business – called ‘Young Enterprise’.

What is Young Enterprise?

Young Enterprise, usually called YE, is a national charity movement which has a vision to promote and develop entrepreneurship of young people in the UK.  In other word, it is a group of students who work together, found a company, and run it during school year. Throughout the year, they create business plan, have directors meetings, import or manufacture handmade products, join Trade Fairs and expeditions, sell their products and finally make profit! They even raise share capitals to finance the company!

I joined YE in October and now I am a member of “Winspire” company. Our link teacher is Chris Woolley. I am Art and IT Director but in reality I am doing other things including sales ...  

I believe that it is a great opportunity for students to gain business experience out of their books! In other words Young Enterprise is a good way to apply theory on real practical. Because in reality, there are always unexpected problems you may encounter. By the way it’s really helpful in micro-economics lessons. I always use examples from my real work.

On the other hand, Young Enterprise also helps me to see the way a real company works. All members are able to play a business role such as providing employment and creating prosperity. We also deal with the same problem as what real company faces such as interpersonal communication problem; and try to work together, listen to each other and try to find best solution.

It also not only teaches me how to apply my study in economics to reality, but it also how to value the money I earn by myself. For example, in our first Trade Fair, we had to go to Stamford which is about one hour by train from Cambridge. The journey starts at 6 a.m. in the morning and finished at about 5:30 p.m. We had to carry a really big board for the decorations and all our products.

It was my first time selling something to people. WOW!!! I was standing for 4 hours trying to talk and smile to everyone. Simply say “Good morning” to everyone.

To be honest it was not easy to smile all the time and to repeat information about our products for nearly 100 times! But ... I promised myself that from that moment I will be nice to all shop assistance even if they are talking too much.

At the end we made 47 pound of profit. I think we all felt that 47 pounds where something special. It was a really really really hard working day but for me it was full of memories and experiences!!!  

As a member of Young Enterprise, I highly recommend fellow students of Bellerbys to participate! Because YE is from economics lesson to the real business world!  :D

Tien is studying A Levels at Bellerbys Cambridge 

Welcome Nazim from Malaysia, New Blogger for Bellerbys London!

We are very pleased to welcome a new student blogger to represent Bellerbys College London.

Say hello to 18 year old Nazim Ahmad from Penang, Malaysia!

Nazim is studying Media Foundation at Bellerbys London and hopes to study Journalism at university.

He hopes to study at City University, London following his course at Bellerbys.

Outside of the classroom Nazim enjoys football and music.

Visit the blog again soon to read his first post about his very busy life studying Media Foundation at Bellerbys College London.