With a 100% pass rate, the International School of Monaco is able to boast an exceptional pass rate in what can only be described as an extraordinary year.
Many of these students have been accepted into the UK’s leading universities, including King’s College London, the University of Exeter, UCL and two into Oxford.
Monaco Life spoke to three students: Jett Nunn, Tommaso Pelanconi and Marina Nalbantis, about how they made it through the most challenging school year in living memory, what they thought when the Bac exams were cancelled, and what their hopes and dreams are for the future.
Monaco Life: What were the biggest challenges you faced during lockdown?
Jett: I went away with my family to the countryside as soon as lockdown started so I was very isolated and didn’t see any of my friends for three months. The school was very quick to organise online interactive schooling, and I think it worked really well. I was working even more than I would have in class, perhaps because I was alone or because I was extra motivated to get good grades, but it seemed to work really well for me. It would be great, in fact, if my university has something like this next year.
Tomasso: I found lockdown easier than a lot of other people simply because, as Jett said, the school adapted very quickly to the situation. I didn’t feel insecure at all about taking the exams in these conditions, because I felt like the classes we were having were almost identical to the ones during a normal school year, they were just behind a screen. There was a little less interaction, but I was alone in my room with no distractions, so I found it quite beneficial.
Marina: We had online classes for a little while and that was a bit difficult having to look at a screen all day, but the school definitely made a big effort to help us and the teachers were available at all hours if we had any questions.
How did you feel when you learned that the International Baccalaureate results would be based on an average of the school year and not final exams?
J: I wasn’t happy at all. In January, we had mock exams and I didn’t study very much for them so my grade was just ok. From then on, I started working extra hours every day, revising, for the end of year exams. So when I heard we wouldn’t be doing them, I was devastated. I felt like I had really been rising up since January. But I did all I could to make sure my grades were representative of the work that I had put it.
T: In all honesty, I was quite disappointed with the grade simply because it was below my average of the last two years. But I am sure there was a long discussion about it and that was probably the best option that they had for teachers, schools, students and universities.
M: When the exams were cancelled in mid-March, we didn’t know what was going to happen, whether we would get our diplomas or what they would be based on, so that was quite stressful. Obviously, everyone is nervous about exams but when they are suddenly cancelled, you expect it to be a huge relief, but it’s not. All the work we had been doing for two years, all that build up, was for nothing. It was a very strange feeling.
There’s no doubt this was a difficult situation, but you’ve all managed to achieve great results and were accepted into some very good universities. Can you tell us about that?
J: I was accepted into Exeter, St Andrews and Cass in the UK. But I decided to go to Esade in Barcelona because I prefer the course and living in a large city, and the school there is very good.
T: I was accepted at Cass for all the courses I had applied for. Outside the UK, I got accepted into ISC in Paris and Esade in Barcelona, and I also decided that Barcelona would be the best option for me simply because the country and the city are amazing. It also allows me to learn a fourth language and widen my potential in the future.
M: I was nervous about getting my results despite the fact I had a conditional offer from Oxford, but as soon as I saw the numbers, I was relieved I was in. I will study law, and I am excited to learn more about human rights law. When I was in Year 9, one of the mothers at the school started a philanthropy course and I have been involved in that ever since. I was president of the philanthropy club during my last year at ISM and so I think that’s really directed me towards helping other people and looking at human rights law as a way to affect positive change in people’s lives.
What was your experience like at the International School of Monaco?
J: Overall, I had a very happy schooling. My parents weren’t extremely concerned with my grades, even though I did end up doing quite well, they just wanted me to be happy in school and ISM gave that to me. I enjoyed school, I made amazing friends for life, and had very good relationships with all my teachers. I think every time I come back to Monaco I will go to the school and speak to my teachers. It was great.
T: I think the key asset of ISM is the fact that it is a truly international school. We were able to make friends and have conversations with people from all walks of life, from all across the globe: Russia, Germany, US, Europe, Asia … even if they are not originally from there, they all lived there and have travelled a lot, and it is always very enriching to have people around you from multiple diversities, it makes you more open minded. In terms of the school itself, since it is quite small, we were able to get really close to our teachers and approach them even in a break or lunch time and ask them anything. They were always there, hands open to help us, which I found extremely useful. I think it is the relationships we had with students and teachers which made the school a really nice place to study.
M: It was definitely a good experience. The school is so supportive and there is such a close network with parents, teachers and students. It is a very supportive environment and they do a lot more than just academics, they support our wellbeing and our education outside of the classroom.
What are your dreams for the future?
J: I am still slightly lost for what I want to do, but I am not going to stop searching until I find something that I just love doing.
T: Honestly, I think we are still too young to give a very specific answer, but hopefully in five or six years, when we have done work experience and completed university, we will be able to have a clearer idea. But for me, in the future, I really just want to wake up in the morning and be happy doing what I’m doing. Because as long as that’s the morning routine, I don’t think it can get any better.
M: I am looking forward to meeting leading professionals in their field. What I love about law is that it’s so versatile.
You had a different kind of graduation on 25th June – a virtual graduation – followed by a small get together at Stars n’ Bars. Were you disappointed you couldn’t have the traditional send off?
M: Of course, it was disappointing not to have the big graduation event like normal at the Hôtel de Paris, but I think the online graduation was really lovely. It was really nice to see some faces again and share that moment together. The messages from Prince Albert and Nico Rosberg made it extra special.
Top photo: Tommaso Pelanconi and Jett Nunn
Day: 16 July 2020
Formula E to finally use full F1 track in 2021
Formula E will be fought out on the full F1 Monaco street circuit in 2021, and ROKiT Venturi told Monaco Life it will make next year’s race even more special for the Monegasque team.
Formula E will form part of Monaco’s highly anticipated ‘Racing Festival’ next year, a magic trio which will also include the F1 Grand Prix and the Historic Grand Prix.
It will be the fourth time that Formula E has raced in Monaco but the first time it has used the full traditional track.
Previously, the championship used a bypass of the stretch from the Sainte Devote corner round to the tunnel, utilising a link behind the Tabac corner and a hairpin at the harbourfront chicane.
ROKiT Venturi Racing Team Principal Susie Wolff told Monaco Life that the move marks a significant step in the evolution of the 100% electric championship.
“It’s one of motorsport’s most iconic street circuits and as a series that is nearly entirely made up of street racing, I think it’s great that Formula E can now race the entire course. It’s also a sign of how far Formula E has come in terms of technological progress and the profile of the series.”
Earlier this month, Formula E CEO Jamie Reigle said he had hoped that racing on the main track would be possible next year. On Thursday, series founder Alejandro Agag confirmed it at an ABB virtual press conference.
“I can confirm that we will be racing on the complete circuit of the Monaco Grand Prix,” said the Spaniard, who is currently in Monaco. “I think this is another clear example of the progression of Formula E. I am really looking forward to it.”
The Monaco ePrix has been held every two years since 2015, alternating each season with the Historic Grand Prix.
Thursday’s announcement has given ROKiT Venturi even more reason to be proud of Monaco for hosting the event. “As our home race, anything that adds to the overall excitement and enjoyment of the Monaco ePrix is obviously fantastic for us,” said Ms Wolff. “It’s a race that means a lot to the team and one that our partners really look forward to. And with our newly refurbished headquarters ready, it will make the 2021 race even more special for us.”
Amid suggestions the circuit change may make it difficult for fans to distinguish between F1 and FE, Ms Wolff says the two series are still very different: “The beauty of Formula E is that the event schedule is condensed so fans can enjoy one whole day of non-stop action. Formula 1 takes over Monaco for at least five days, so I think both have their place on their respective calendars.”
In May 2018, the team signed a three-year deal with eleven time Formula One race winner Felipe Massa and rehired seven time Macau World Cup winner Edoardo Mortara as teammate to Massa.
The 2021 FE Championship calendar will kick off on 16th January in Santiago, Chile, before eventually making its way to Monaco on 8th May.
Top photo Felipe Massa (BRA), Venturi, EQ Silver Arrow 01 leads Maximilian Günther (DEU), BMW I Andretti Motorsports, BMW iFE.20 and Daniel Abt (DEU), Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, Audi e-tron FE06 during the Mexico City E-prix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on February 15, 2020 in Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico. Photos courtesy RROKiT Venturi for use by Monaco Life.
CARE reviews first files
Around 20 companies have put their hands up for government support under the new CARE initiative. Businesses have only two weeks left to apply for the aid.
Monaco’s Economic Recovery Support Commission (CARE) met at the Ministry of State on Wednesday 15th July to examine the first files from companies looking for assistance.
The companies under review are primarily involved in trade linked to tourism and international markets, such as catering, events planning, international trade, international retail and those in the hotel and restaurant businesses.
The meeting was chaired by Jean Castellini, the Minister of Finance and the Economy.
At present, roughly 20 files are being examined at the Monaco Welcome Office ahead of two commission meetings next week.
The primary goal of CARE is to help the companies most affected by the fallout from the recent health crisis. In some cases, partial coverage may be available to help these struggling companies with a portion of their monthly fixed costs. If accepted, the company will receive a lump sum, allowing a certain flexibility by the business owners to determine where the funds are most direly needed.
Requests for CARE assistance must be delivered to the Welcome Ofice before 31st July in order to be considered.
Neowise giving best comet show since 2007
Neowise – officially called Comet C/2020 F3 NEOWISE – passed closest to the Sun on 3rd July and its closest approach to the Earth will occur on 23rd July.
It is named after NASA’s Neowise infrared space telescope, which spotted the comet in March.
Photo: Comet Neowise, observed on 9th July 2020, as recorded by Raman Madhira from Ray’s Astrophotography Observatory.
Prestige Summer Auction dates set
It’s auction time in Monaco and this summer, Accademia Fine Art will be organising two events at the Hôtel Metropole with a vast selection of beautiful pieces.
Accademia Fine Art has joined forces with Drouot Digital Live, Lot-tissimo and Invaluable for a summer auction coming up on 6th August.
All in all, 230 pieces will go under the gavel including beautiful furnishings, one-of-a-kind objets d’art, letters, manuscripts and modern and classical art pieces from private collections. These sought-after items will all be up for grabs starting at 4:30pm at the Hôtel Metropole.
All pieces will be available for viewing at the hotel from 31st July from 10am to 7pm until the day of the auction so the actual condition can be determined.
Additionally, Accademia will host another auction on 23rd July, also at the Metropole, featuring nearly 300 rare timepieces and unique fine jewellery. Previews of the pieces begin on the 18th.
To see the catalogue, click here: accademia.
Top painting: ‘The feast of St. George’ by Jan I Brueghel Dit Brueghel De Velours (Bruxelles 1568 – Antwerp 1625)
Piano recital at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Mosaic Art and Music is launching the first of its new series of concerts and recitals at the magnificent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on Thursday 16th July.
The evening will begin with welcome cocktails and canapés in the gardens of Villa Ephrussi in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and the villa’s unique dancing fountains will be turned on for a special display at 8.15pm.
Then guests will be treated to a piano recital by Tatiana Smelova featuring the music of Schubert and Liszt in the Grand Patio, where Beatrice Ephrussi once received guests and held her soirées.
Tickets are €150 each to be booked in advance by contacting tsvetlova@svetlovallp.com or calling +44 7808 273 173.
The recital is limited to 50 guests only, dress code is summer chic.
The event is being organised by LuxPro Monaco.