In the heart of Kathmandu
The Riviera International Academy, Kathmandu, Nepal
Inservicing teachers for the 100 Views Program in Kathmandu
100 Views in action!
High school students at Riviera
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Riviera International Academy was established under its current management in October 2007. In this small space of time the school has rapidly grown from 180 to now having almost 250 students. Mitrataa Foundation has provided scholarships to 11 children studying at the school with 5 of these students are living in the school’s hostel. The school itself also supports the local community by providing scholarships to needy students. Riviera is an English medium school meaning all classes are conducted in English with the obvious exception of those in Nepali.
A Progressive Approach
The schools’ philosophy is to make learning an exciting and participatory activity for its students, which is a very progressive concept in Nepal. Most schools in this country still follow a rote learning approach that offers almost no opportunity for students to express their views or be creative. Riviera’s goal is to change this starting right here and now.
Mitrataa Assistance
Mitrataa Foundation has worked with Riviera on a number of teacher training programs designed to assist the teachers in bringing more learner centred methods of teaching to their classrooms. The next stage in Riviera’s and Mitrataa’s partnership is opening this teacher training to teachers from other schools, especially those in remote areas outside of the Kathmandu Valley.
Riviera pupils at the school gate.
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Mount Everest as Icon
In their endeavour to help children in Nepal and enrich literacy and approaches to current teaching learning, the Directors of Mitrataa, Adam and Rebecca Ordish, invited Australian author Libby Hathorn to inservice all teachers at Riviera, in order to take part in the first international program of 100 Views. Not surprisingly, Mt Everest was chosen as the ICON for 100 Views Kathmandu. (See slide show 100Views Kathmandu)
Poetry and Art Workshops
Libby ran three poetry workshops there whilst Australian artist Pat Granville Smith ran three specialized art workshops adapted for Nepal.100 views Kathmandu was launched to all school students with the lighting of 100 candles at a special assembly at the end of the three day workshops. A five-day shoot of 100 Views Kathmandu was organized, directed and produced by Libby Hathorn and the documentary will be released in Australia at the end of 2008 to give insight into the Nepali school culture, the work of the Mitrataa Foundation and the impact of the 100Views Program in encouraging not only a celebration of the community through the arts but a cultural exchange student to student.(See slide show Introduction to Nepal for Students).
Art workshop with artist Pat Granville Smith (below left). The Riviera International Academy (below right).
Though computers are new to the school, two Nepali students were able to talk to an Australian student through Skype. Whole classes are now taking part in pen pal exchanges which are monitored through Mitrataa, enhancing understandings of two different cultures firsthand. More Skype interviews are also planned whereby students can see and talk to each other.
100 candles launch 100 Views, Kathmandu.
100 Views Australian teachers explore historic Kathmandu, Nepal.
Go to slideshow ‘Introduction to Nepal for pen pals’
Go to slideshow ‘Introduction: 100 Views Kathmandu’