 Welcome to this first edition of ACS International Schools' e-newsletter, in partnership with Living Abroad, bringing you expert opinion, commentary and news on international education and family relocation. In this newsletter:
Relocating to London
By Anne Dean, Living Abroad, LLC
With a population of over seven million people, London is Europe's largest city, and the economical and political capital of the UK. According to the last UK census, almost a third of Londoners were born outside of the country, making London a truly multicultural city with a population made up of all nationalities and creeds. Read more...
 Focus on ACS Hillingdon
A new Housing Officer has just been appointed at ACS Hillingdon, with a remit to help families and relocation service providers looking for property within the school's busing zone. Of her new role, Maxine Hand (pictured) says, "The catchments area of the school, including Gerards Cross and Beaconsfield - offers some of the best value high-end property in the South East". Read more... Developing the curriculum ACS Hillingdon is now a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IBMYP), for 11 to 16 year olds. The IBMYP curriculum provides excellent preparation for the renowned International Baccalaureate Diploma programme and Advanced Placement courses that are offered at the school. Read more...
Namibian cultural exchange
For the last nine years, ACS Cobham has developed and managed an ongoing programme of outreach work in Namibia, with students raising funds and visiting the country annually to help schools in need. In April the visit was returned, as two teachers (pictured) from Kutenhoas Primary school, Southern Namibia, were funded to visit the UK, for an opportunity to experience life here at ACS Cobham. Read more...
Olympic training at ACS CobhamACS Cobham International School has passed the rigorous selection process to be named as a venue for teams to train in advance of the London 2012 Olympics. The campus's excellent facilities will be available to international teams looking to train for basketball and archery. The school will be included within the London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camp Guide, which will be distributed to the central Olympic Games Committee in every country, following the completion of the Beijing Olympics. Read more...
Podcasting aids international learners Students at ACS are learning to use podcasting as a way of developing their language skills. For international students who do not speak English as a first language it is particularly useful.
"Learning a new language can be very frightening for a young child", says Wendy Brandse, 2nd Grade Class Teacher at ACS Egham. "Making a podcast is something they can be successful at straight away. They can record and listen to themselves, and delete and re-record if there is a mistake". Read more...
Changes to the English qualification systemThe post 16 qualification landscape is changing and whilst providing more choice it also creates more complex decisions for those relocating to England. Fergus Rose, Head of Marketing at ACS International Schools, explains the changes in English post -16 qualifications over the last month, and what they might mean for relocating families. Read more...
Multicultural skills can make or break business deals From Families in Global Transition (by L.M. Sixel, copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle) 
They're known as Third Culture Kids or TCKs for short. They're people who have spent a
significant portion of their formative years in more than one culture. Many grew up in missionary, military, diplomatic and international business families. "And if companies are clever, they'll find them and hire the untapped talent", said Nancy Ackley Ruth, senior global coordinator and facilitator for Cultural Awareness International in Dallas. Read more...
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