Schools Fair To Showcase 89 Various Schools
The International Schools Fair Bermuda will take place at the Fairmont Southampton on September 24th and 25th, with some 89 schools being represented.
Various schools fairs have taken place in Bermuda for the past twenty-five years but this year, the International Schools Fair will be a truly collaborative event: schools from the UK, USA and Canada will all be taking part in one large exhibition, as well as those schools offering additional learning support.
Tory Dodge, founder of the Fair, and a consultant who has helped a large number of Bermuda students to find places at boarding schools in North America, has again teamed up with British educational consultant, Niall Browne, to organise the event that will bring together some of the leading schools from both sides of the Atlantic.
Dodge explains, “Despite the economic downturn, many Bermuda parents are still very interested in exploring the opportunities of a boarding school education for their offspring. I used to hold separate events for different types of schools – so that the whole spectrum of school types was covered – but it makes much more sense to combine all these events into one comprehensive International Schools Fair.
“This means that all Bermuda families are able to attend one single event and have the opportunity to meet a large number of schools which may be perfect for their child.”
Browne, who brought over a number of British schools for the first time last year adds, “Bermuda’s mid-Atlantic position means that Bermudian students have always looked at both the UK and North America for educational opportunities, so it is fitting that we have been able to bring fine schools from both together, allowing families to explore all the wonderful possibilities available to them.
“It is the perfect chance for students and their families to meet and talk to some absolutely superb schools, and learn about the fantastic academic, sporting and cultural opportunities which might be available.”
One family that attended last year said, “It was great to have so many awesome schools available to tal k to in one place. We were able to discuss our son’s needs and interests, and he has just started at his new school and is really loving it!”
The schools themselves are also looking forward to being in Bermuda. Dr. Niall Hamilton, Senior Admissions Tutor at Marlborough College, in Wiltshire [the alma mater of the Duchess of Cambridge] says, “We could fill the school twice over from the south of England,’ but they choose not to because ‘everyone has a different story to tell and we hope that some Bermudians will be able to benefit from the experience we offer.”
Similarly, Felsted School, in Essex, are keen to see what burgeoning cricket talent there is in Bermuda, and their Director of Cricket will be holding nets sessions at Berkeley Institute.
The International Schools Fair Bermuda takes place in the Fairmont Southampton, on 24th and 25th September, from 4 – 8 p.m. Entry is free but, if you would like to pre-register or learn which schools will be attending, visit schoolstoknow.com or bvs-education.co.uk
