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Oxford International College
Switzerland
2015
A Focused, Exclusive Tutorial
College & Boarding School in
the Gstaad Valley
Ages 14 to 19
Contents
Vision & Quickfacts
Our Home in the
Gstaad Valley
The Campus
Academics
A-Level Programme
IGCSE Programme
Duke of Edinburgh International Award
Activities & Travel
Winter & Summer Workshops & Camps
Ski Instructor Courses
Fashion Modeling & Photography
International
Students
School Profile
Our Tutors
British
Curriculum
Small. Focused. Flexible.
European
Style
Our vision is to combine
British tradition and
Swiss perfection
for an excellent education.
Quick Facts
International British Tutorial College
Partnered since 2012 with
Oxford International College, UK
Ages 14 - 19
Boys and Girls Individual Chalet
Residences
Located on the border of German and French-speaking Switzerland
Intensive Academics
Edexcel Board IGCSE and A-Levels
European travel
Skiing, Snowboarding and many other Alpine sports
Exciting Activities and Travel Program
Germany
Zurich
France
Geneva
www.oicswitzerland.com
Bern
Chateau d’Oex
Gstaad
Montreux
Italy
Austria
Chateau d’Oex &
the Gstaad Valley
Alpine Winter Region with skiing up to
3000 meters
French-speaking, friendly,
safe
Town center is just a 10
minute walk
Population is 3,000 people
English cinema, restaurants, cafes, shops,
sports centers
Located 2 hours from
Geneva, 3 hours from Zurich
Easy access to major cities:
Paris, Munich, Milan, Vienna
Major cultural attractions
Our Home
The Campus
Two renovated intimate chalets, separate dormitories
Library, high-speed wifi, classrooms, drama club rooms
Public and private lounges, Fitness room, Art studio,
Dining hall, kitchen, school chef, healthy food service
Single and double rooms, sauna, gardens
10 minutes walk to main train station, school transport service
Academics
A true education for the 21st century, our flagship
Academic Year Programme course is an intensive
programme of personalised study and individual
tuition, based on one-to-one tutorials and small
group work to fully engage each student in his or
her own development. The programme is carefully
tailored to ensure that each student is prepared
for entry to the best British or international
universities.
It is based on the successful courses developed since
2002 by Oxford International College in Oxford.
IGCSE (ages 13 - 16)
English Secondary Language
English Literature
English Language
French
Spanish
German
Mathematics
Science
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Psychology
History
Geography
Buisness
Economics
IGCSEs and A-Levels are internationally
recognised qualifications for university
entrance. They provide in-depth study of the
chosen subjects, wherever possible relating
them to events happening in the real world.
Studying at our school will ensure that the
student achieves its very best in order to gain
a place on the most competitive degrees, that
is why our students are well prepared for the
challenges of university life.
A-Levels (ages 16 - 19)
English Language
English Literature
Spanish
French
German
Russian
Mathematics
Further Mathematics
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Psychology
Buisness
Economics
History
Geography
Government and Politics
Sports & Activities
With the introduction of the Duke of
Edinburgh International Award, we aim
to build confidence and self-respect in an
open and welcoming environment, giving
everyone the opportunity to contribute and
be listened to and to take an active part in
their personal development.
From the adrenalin thrills of white
water rafting, mountain biking and via
ferrata to the gentler pleasures of high
mountain walks and horse riding through
the pasturelands of the valley, we offer
activities to suit every student.
As part of the International Award
requirements, students complete
community service projects and build
additional skills.
The region around Château-d’Oex is
astonishingly rich in cultural events. We
organise cultural trips to some of the most
interesting sites in the area, such as the
Fondation Gianadda at Martigny and the
Palais des Nations, the offices of the United
Nations at Geneva.
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Service
Physical Recreation
Skills
Adventurous Journey
Residential
Project
Winter Camps
Oxford
International College Switzerland was all about academics, until now.
Summer
in Switzerland
We now offer a number of specialty programmes aligned with each of the
academic terms (3 per year) and our summer term. Combined with the winter
and summer language and activity camps, students can now chose between a
Swiss Ski Instructor course, Professional Photography, Master Art Classes or
Fashion and Modeling.
Summer Camps
Swiss Ski Instructor Course
Become a qualified ski instructor with a certificate from the Swiss Ski Federation. Our January to March course combines ski instructor
training in the Swiss Alps with language study.
Students who successfully complete this course
are qualified to teach skiers of designated levels. We provide an opportunity to work at one
of the local ski schools after you have completed the course.
Activity & Language Programmes
We think that a summer camp should include
having lots of fun (while learning lots of new
skills), meeting people from all over Europe
and the world and making lots of new friends,
living in a new place and experiencing new
things, and having a brilliant time with super-friendly staff.
The OIC Switzerland summer camp is all of
that indeed. Additionally unique options like
graphic art sessions, photography, modeling,
and digital media enhance a core programme
of 2 to 4 hours of intensive language study
(English, French or German) each day.
Fashion, Modeling, Art &
Photography
Eric Ceccarin & Guisi Ferrato
Photographer & Makeup Artists
Classes in photo movement (posing), runway techniques
and voice projection will give you a professional edge
no matter what your ultimate career goals may be.
Furthermore, the course can help you achieve great
success through self-confidence, and attractive personal
appearance. At the end of the week a book with your
best pictures will be provided for you to apply to top
modeling agencies
Mastering the craft of capturing the perfect photo
demands a strong technical foundation. At OICS you
can learn skills that will help you prepare for a career
as a professional photographer. With our innovative
approach to teaching, students find themselves
completely immersed in their course of study. In our
institution you learn the same modeling techniques
used by today’s top models such as Kate Moss and Gisèle
Bündchen.
Glamour & Style
Winter or Summer
School Profile
FRED SHARP, B. A. (University of Oxford, Exeter College)
English Literature, Mathematics,
Our Tutors
JANE HAESLER
Assoc. Director of Studies, English as a Second Language
STEPHEN DEXTER, M. A. in Political Science (McGill University, Montreal, PQ), M. Ed. in Secondary History (Boston College), M.Ed. in
School Administration (University of Massachussetts)
History & Political Science
VANISHA GORASIA, Post Graduate Certificate in Education for Secondary Mathematics, BSc. (Hon) Financial Mathematics (BRUNEL
University, Uxbridge)
Mathematics
JOHN SEYMOUR, M. A. in Tourism Management (University of Derby)
Business Studies & Geography
BILL HANSEN, M. A. in Economics (University of Michigan)
Economics
Barbara Lorenzetti, M.A., (Executive Director & Chairman of the Board)
Tel: +41 78 805 0405, [email protected]
Aaron L. Schmidtberger, M.Ed., (Head of School)
Tel: +41 79 834 9145, [email protected]
Jane Haesler, Assoc. Director of Studies
Tel: +41 78 889 9647, [email protected]
Type: Coeducational boarding Tutorial College
Grades: Year 8-13, Post Graduate Year
Enrollment: 15
Exam Board: Edexcel
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
SCHOOL TERM
Oxford International College Switzerland (OIC Switzerland), founded in 2012,
is a co-educational tutorial college boarding school, for students ages 14 to 19,
and post-grad, serving a small number of students from around the world. The
school is located in the village of Chateau d’Oex, in the Sarine valley (20 minutes
from Gstaad) in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. It is located about
2 hours from Geneva. English is the language of instruction.
The school year consists of three terms, beginning
in September and concluding in late June. All
students follow a Edexcel board exam program and
are enrolled in at least 4 course subjects, with each
course meeting for 45 minutes per session and at least
5 times per week. One third credit is awarded for the
successful completion of each term.
The school campus has two remodeled chalets, the Perce-Neige and Primevere
guest houses, near the centre of Château-d’Oex. From 1st September the school
will be able to welcome up to 18 pupils aged from 14 to 18, including both
international boarders and day students. The site is ideal for our school, as it was
originally built in 1905 as a boarding school. All students will attend lessons at
Perce-Neige, the hub of school life. OIC Switzerland facilities include various
classroom layouts, a lounge/library, dining hall, art studio, drama club room
and fitness room and access to horseback riding, ice skating, tennis, hockey
and swimming as well as the numerous ski pistes in the area.
Students are housed in two single-sex chalets. All students have access to a highspeed wireless network, mandatory laptop computers and cell phones. Students
are expected to participate in our winter skiing/snowboarding program or an
alternative winter sport.
ANGELA MCFALL, B. A. of Fine Arts (University of Ottawa, Canada)
Art & Visual Workshops
DR ROBERT BEDDOW, B.A., M.A., Ph.d, English Literature (Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge)
History & English Literature (Remote sessions from Oxford, UK)
GEORGES POPESCU, Ph. D. Candidate in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences (EPFL)
Physics
HEIDI BERGAMIN, M. A. in Biology and Living Resources (University of Miami), B. S. in Biology (Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia)
Biology & Sciences
FIONA WEBER, Swiss Maturite
French Language & Activities
AARON SCHMIDTBERGER, M. Ed. Administration (Endicott College), B.A. (University of Kansas)
Head of School, English Language
ENROLMENT
Our student body consists of students from 7
countries (China, Japan, Switzerland, UK, Russia,
Guatemala, Saudi Arabia, Romania, and Armenia).
The enrolment has grown from 3 students in the
first year 2013 to 13 in the second year (2014). The
expansion plans anticipate an enrolment of a total of
up to 20 students from September 2015 and a further
small expansion from September 2016. The school
plans to remain a small community never exceeding
more than 60 students.
FACULTY INFORMATION
Staff are highly experienced international educators from the UK, USA, Canada, and Switzerland. The faculty to student ratio at LAS
is 1:2 and the average class size is 3 students. OIC Switzerland employs 11 faculty and staff. Dormitory staff members live on campus.
80% are native English speakers. 60% hold advanced degrees.
CURRICULUM
At Oxford International College Switzerland, students can enrol in full-time study and a range of short programmes ranging from
A-level and IGCSE through to special courses (Language and Ski Instruction). All students receive expert careers counselling at the
beginning and throughout their studies. For students applying to university, we offer individual guidance for selecting suitable
courses, writing UCAS personal statements and interview practice.
Barbara Lorenzetti
Founder & Exec. Director
Aaron Schmidtberger
Head of School
Dr. Mario Peters
Founder of OIC Oxford &
Advisor
Route du Mont 10
CH-1660 Chateau d’Oex
Switzerland
Tel: +41 79 834 9145
+41 78 805 0405
[email protected]
www.oicswitzerland.com