Robin Williams on Greece

“I have been to all the islands,,, facing some ancient sites I thought to myself: I cannot believe that here is recounted everything we read in Greek mythology. Greek history is something all mankind must bow to. Maybe your economy goes to hell, but that does not mean you’re helpless. Economic data is constantly changing in Europe and America for all. What is not changing is the legacy, your identity. The Parthenon does not leave Athens. It’s there to remind all that progress and prosperity may return.  I am now in England, for example, I have gone nowhere. I am here to promote a movie and will leave. What’s there to see, Buchingham Palace? I don’t care. As when I go to Germany, I am not interested in the Berlin Wall, which is not a symbol of prosperity, but the opposite. However, one cannot ignore Delos, the Parthenon and Mycenae!”

Robin Williams on Greece, during an interview to George Satsidis in London (December 2011)

100% Success in the Exams

Congratulations to all our students of the Proficiency class on their success in Michigan Proficiency Exams and the kpg exams! This year we have an extra reason to celebrate because it is a 100% success. 9 out of 9 candidates passed successfully their ECPE exams and 4 out of 4 candidates succeeded in the state certificate exams (C level). Also - a late addition - one more successful candidate passed his ALCE exams!

Well Done!!! Kudos to all of you!!!

κπγ - May exam Results

It has just been announced by the Ministry of Education that the results of the May 2014 exams are available online. In order to access your results you will need to record your own candidate number (written on your candidate card) and the first 3 letters of your surname!

You can check your results here.

Good Luck!!!!

Schooling

Horace Mann is considered the father of democratic schooling. He believed that schools should be provided by the state for the purpose of educating a collective democratic citizenry. From the "Twelfth Annual Report of Horace Mann as Secretary of Massachusetts State Board of Education," Mann (1848) wrote:

Without undervaluing any other human agency, it may be safely affirmed that the Common School, improved and energized, as it can easily be, may become the most effective and benignant of all the forces of civilization. [...] [Education] gives each man the independence and the means by which he can resist the selfishness of other men. The spread of education, by enlarging the cultivated class or caste, will open a wider area over which the social feelings will expand; and, if this education should be universal and complete, it would do more than all things else to obliterate factitious distinctions in society. (p. 3) 

Though these words were written back in 1848, they sound more contemporary than ever; a warning or a reminder of our responsibilities towards future generations.

New MOOC: Exploring English language & culture

In a previous post we were presented with the idea of attending MOOCs as an excellent way to practise English language skills. However, the Advanced fluency level demanded by the majority of these courses was a deterrent for many of you. Fortunately, the British Council is offering a MOOC aimed at non-native English speakers (approximately at intermediate (B1) level). “Exploring English: language and culture” looks at British culture and examines English in use so as to help you improve your language skills. If you want to learn more details you can visit Futurelearn/Explore English language & culture

The course starts on  1st September and you can join for free. In order to register you should give your name and email. Will you take up the challenge?

The real-life locations for Game Of Thrones

Stunning locations where TV’s smash hit swords and sorcery show is filmed

There are actually very few people who haven’t heard about the Game of Thrones, the American fantasy-drama television series, based on A Song of Ice and Fire novels written by George R. R. Martin. The story follows nine noble families who fight for control of the mythical land of Westeros. But though the plot is set in a fictional world, the locations where the series is filmed are real-life ones. From Northern Ireland to Malta, Croatia, Morocco and Iceland the settings of ice and fire have become popular places to visit with the cult programme’s fans.

The following photos have recently been published on the  Daily Mail:

The beech tree lined road is known as the Dark Hedges to locals near Stanocum in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

 But to fans of Game of Thrones it will be more recognisable as the Kings Road and the Dark Hedges of Armoy.

 The Stangford Castle Ward Estate and the Castle Ward tower stands proudly in County Down, Northern Ireland.

In Game of Thrones the castle towers are transformed into Winterfell, where the head of House Stark rules over his people.

The limestone Azure Window, in Gozo, Malta, was used for filming in the first season.

The archway provided the backdrop for Daenerys and Khal Drogo’s wedding in season one of Game of Thrones.

The Minceta Tower and fortification is a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Dalmatian Coast in Dubrovnik.

The House of the Undying, the site of the season two finale, was the real-life Minceta Tower.

The Ounila River and the red citadel of Ait-Ben-Haddou in Morocco impressed the Game of Thrones producers.

It provided the setting for the fictional city of Yunkai, featured in the third season of the Game of Thrones.

For the icy scenes, programme makers favoured the Hverfjall volcano in the Lake Myvatin region of Northern Iceland.

It is also recognisable as the Beyond the Wall area, the large area of Westeros in the hit show.

These and many more photos along with a video about the making of season 4 can be found on Dailymail/Game-Of-Thrones-Stunning-locations 

Announcement

ΕΚΘΕΣΗ ΜΑΘΗΤΩΝ ΤΟΥ ΤΜΗΜΑΤΟΣ ΕΙΚΑΣΤΙΚΩΝ

ΤΗΣ ΣΧΟΛΗΣ ΤΟΥ Φ.Σ. «ΠΑΡΝΑΣΣΟΣ»

Την Παρασκευή 13 Ιουνίου 2014 και ώρα 19:00 θα γίνουν

τα εγκαίνια της έκθεσης των μαθητών Σχεδίου και Ζωγραφικής,
στην αίθουσα εκθέσεων του Φ.Σ. «Παρνασσός»,
πλατεία Αγ. Γεωργίου Καρύτση 8.

Η έκθεση θα διαρκέσει μέχρι την Παρασκευή 20 Ιουνίου και θα είναι ανοικτή στο κοινό από Δευτέρα μέχρι Παρασκευή, 10:00 – 13:00.

Την ημέρα των εγκαινίων το Σύνολο «Κέλσος» θα παρουσιάσει φωνητική και οργανική μουσική του 17^ου αιώνα, με όργανα εποχής.