10th Anniversary - Skt. Josef's International School
10th Anniversary - Skt. Josef's International School
On Friday, August 26, Skt. Josef’s International School celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Early this morning, all students and teachers of the International School were photographed in the schoolyard by the flagpole, with flag garlands from all over the world, more than 40 nations are represented at Skt. Josef’s International School. Many of the students had turned up in national costumes. At 9:00 we continued by sing "Happy Birthday to you, Skt. Josef’s International School" - in the Amphitheater in Folkeparken - 1000 students and staff from the whole school celebrated the day in the most beautiful sunny morning.
At 12.00, the current Head of International, Alison Eriksen, welcomed the many attendees – all the students and staff and many parents had stopped by.
Dom Maher, current head of Lolland International School, and one of the many pioneers during since the school's start in 2012, talked about the ideas that formed the basis for us having an international school today.
Senior Leader, Kevin Goggins, continued, stressing that of course academic subjects have an important role to play, but it is at least as important that students are formed with skills; "character building" with "critical thinking" and "global perspectives". In all their teaching, teachers work, for example, to strengthen students' curiosity and persistence – character traits that are crucial in a modern working life.
After the speeches, three time capsules were buried on the nature playground – it was done by one of our teachers, Irena Wacker, who has been a teacher at the school for all the years, greatly assisted by 3 students from Year 10 who have attended the school since the beginning too. In the time capsules, students have written down their hopes, dreams, and ambitions - where would they like to be in 10 years.
These time capsules will be excavated in 10 years when the school is 20 years old.
Skt. Josef’s International School, History
The international school was started in 2012. The school was created as a result of former principal Thorsten Dyngby's ambitions and a vision together with Roskilde Municipality to offer a strong and good international school life to the foreign newcomers and Danish foreigners moving home in the Roskilde area.
After lots of research and company visits to sister schools, our school's international department opened in 2012 with only 12 students. In 2016, we reached 100 students, and in 2022 there are about 230 students. It brings the school close to its full capacity.
As Roskilde has become more international as a city, there has been an increased demand for international education. The school has been very successful in providing this type of education, and both the surrounding community and the other 800 students at Skt. Josef’s School have benefited from this.
Skt. Josef’s International School follows the Cambridge curriculum and offers a diverse degree program in English, combined with developing skills such as character development, critical thinking, and a global perspective. The school's students have a strong sense of community and identity and celebrate its multicultural and international birthday with many nationalities represented.