- Townshend International School
The Townshend International School is a private internationalist
Bahá'í school located inHluboká nad Vltavou in theCzech Republic . The school was founded in 1992, and inspired by Bahá'í principles. The school is named after the Irish medical doctor and linguist George Townshend.Vision
The vision of Townshend is the creation of a moral and ethical environment in which, through guided interaction, students can learn to respect and appreciate people of different cultures and backgrounds and to show that respect in communication and consultation. Through challenge and discipline they can learn to take responsibility for their own lives and be of service to their environment. They should leave this school with a positive attitude towards life and have acquired the ability to process what they have learned with creativity and entrepreneurship.
Townshend Virtues
Townshend International School is built up on 5 virtues:
# Honour
# Respect
# Dignity
# Commitment
# ResponsibilityAcademics
The school is a 6-year
secondary school or Gymnázium accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education. It offers general and academic education from Grade 8 to Grade 13. The school’s curriculum follows the Czech state guidelines, with certain modifications partly due to the use of English textbooks and partly due to theholistic approach to learning employed.The range of subjects includes standard sciences, humanities, and arts. All non-Czech students have 'Czech Conversation' classes to acquaint them with the basics of the language spoken around them. Studies of
Bahá'í teachings is an additional subject for students from Bahá’í families, and optional for others who may wish to select it.Campus
The Townshend Campus is situated on a hilltop with an amazing view of a 13th century castle, and the surrounding lakes and forests. Including modern and traditional elements, the school building, built for approximately 350 students, spreads its arms wide open to embrace the hilltop upon which it has risen. Across the path from the school stand 2 completed dormitory buildings, each accommodating approximately 50 people, and 2 part-constructed dormitories.
Events
* The school hosted the fifth international Conference of the International Environment Forum, which included a speech by Professor
Bedrich Moldan ofCharles University , who is a former Czech Minister of Environment. [ [http://www.uga.edu/bahai/News/121101.html Values and Education seen as Key to Sustainable Development] Hluboka nad Vltavou, Czech Republic, 11 December 2001 (BWNS)]* Bahá'í International Youth Conference in late 2003, had speakers like
Robert Henderson , Lesley Taherzadeh (wife ofAdib Taherzadeh ),Bijan Khadem-Missagh , andInder Manocha . [ [http://news.bahai.org/story/281 Inspiring youth to assist humanity] Hluboka, Czech Republic, 25 February 2004 (BWNS)]*The school hosted the 2007 "The 6th Annual Changing Times" forum [ [http://www.changing-times.org/ct2007.html The 6th Annual Changing Times] ] with
Mark Bamford ,Hooper Dunbar , and others. [ [http://www.changing-times.org/ct2007-presenters.html The 6th Annual Changing Times Presenters] ]*The school is set to host the 2008 "World Peace Programme" [ [http://europeanbahai.wordpress.com/2007/10/13/world-peace-programme-summer-2008-czech-republic/ World Peace Programme] - Summer 2008 (Czech Republic)] featuring a certificate course with Prof. Suheil Bushrui and Prof. James Malarkey.
References
External links
* [http://www.townshend.cz Townshend International School]
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