Nobel Algarve British International School Hosts Global Olympics Competition

The three-day competition took place in three locations, including the school's own campus, where basketball matches were held. Track and field events and additional football matches took place at Estadio Municipal de Bela Vista, while Praia Grande Beach in Ferragudo was the venue for volleyball and team games like Capture the Flag, as well as leisure activities on the Navibordo inflatables challenge.

The Global Olympics are one of seven international events on the Globeducate calendar – Globeducate is one of the world´s leading education groups with more than 55 premium international and bilingual schools in 10 countries. In addition to Nobel Algarve Lagoa and its sister campus in Almancil, 25 Globeducate schools travelled to the Algarve to participate in this 10th edition of the Olympics, marking a return to in-person events after the previous year's online format due to the pandemic.

Abi Lewis, Head of School, expressed her delight at hosting the event and commended the students, teachers, and host families for their enthusiastic participation. The competition focused on fostering collaboration among students from diverse backgrounds, languages, and cultures, with teams comprising students from different schools. Abi Lewis also extended her gratitude to the Year 10 Nobel Algarve students who contributed as referees and mentors for the younger participants. She said, “It was fantastic to witness the high level of enthusiasm and engagement from students and teachers – our visitors were excited and committed participants, and our own students and teachers made superb hosts. We thank those parents and families who hosted the overseas students, as without their support and warm welcome, the event simply would not have been such a success, or even possible.

The teams were mixed between schools, so the competition was about bringing students together from different countries, languages, cultures, and – with the support of a team coach – allowing them to thrive, make friends and work together.” The students shared their positive experiences of the event. Alessandro,11, from ICS Milan, Italy, praised the opportunity to make new friends and participate in various sports. Holly, 9, from Nobel Algarve British International School enjoyed the inflatables and playing football at the stadium, while Harry, 13, from Stonar School appreciated the kindness of the people he met and his enjoyment of football and basketball. Angela, 12, from Coruña British International School cherished the warm welcome, ease of making friends, and expressed a desire to stay in touch with everyone she had met. A teacher from Pascal Private English School Lefkosia, Cyprus, Nectaria Hadjisergis, lauded the passion and camaraderie exhibited by the students, considering it a fantastic experience for both teachers and students. She said: “Lovely, passionate students, loving the sports, loving being all together, creating new teams - taking it very seriously but having fun at the same time!”

Overall, the Global Olympics provided an unforgettable platform for international collaboration, sportsmanship, and the formation of lifelong memories for the participating students and teachers. Nobel Algarve British International School works with a number of Globeducate partners including wildlife charity WWF and LEGO® Education, and in September will launch a new partnership with performing arts education provider Arts International who have been working with other schools in the group. This partnership is one of the many exciting developments planned for the next academic year at the school.

For more information, please visit www.nobelalgarve.com.