The Nexus International School's annual Carols by Candlelight Concert was a heartwarming celebration that united our community in festive cheer. The evening began with enchanting solo performances at the Eco Café, where learners captivated the audience with their musical talents, creating an intimate and inviting ambiance.

Transitioning to the main event, the Secondary Orchestra and School Choirs took centre-stage, delivering a series of traditional and contemporary carols that resonated with the spirit of the season. Their performances showcased the dedication and artistry of our learners, leaving the audience in awe.

A special highlight was the participation of the Nexus Community Choir. Their harmonious collaboration exemplified the unity and shared passion for music that defines our community.

Throughout the concert, the audience was invited to join in a variety of Christmas singalongs, fostering a sense of inclusion and collective joy. The shared melodies created a lively and engaging atmosphere, strengthening the bonds among attendees.

The grand finale was a spectacular rendition of Elton John's "Step into Christmas," where everyone was encouraged to participate. The lively performance, accompanied by the glow of candlelight, filled the venue with warmth and festive spirit, leaving a lasting impression on all present.

This year's Carols by Candlelight Concert not only highlighted the exceptional musical abilities within our school but also reinforced the strong sense of community that Nexus cherishes. We extend our deepest gratitude to all performers, organisers, and attendees who contributed to making this event a memorable success.

Following the concert, the festive spirit continued as everyone gathered in the school atrium to enjoy mulled wine and a selection of mince pies and cookies. The warm refreshments provided a delightful complement to the evening's chill, encouraging conversations and camaraderie among attendees.

Adding to the convivial atmosphere, the school's jazz/pop group performed an array of Christmas pop songs. Their lively tunes infused the gathering with energy, prompting spontaneous singalongs and even some dancing. 

As we reflect on this joyous occasion, we eagerly anticipate future events that continue to celebrate the arts and strengthen the connections within our Nexus family. 

Our next major event will feature our school music ensembles at the Botanic Gardens on Saturday 12th April; please save the date!

In an exciting initiative aimed at fostering creativity and problem-solving skills, our school hosted its very own Nexus Hackathon 2024 . The theme for the hackathon was 'AI for good' and ‘Digital Wellbeing & Cybersecurity’. Designed to challenge learners and encourage them to think outside the box, the event was a resounding success, bringing together young minds with a passion for technology and innovation.

The Nexus Hackathon 2024 was a 24-hour event, where learners from Year 9-12 formed teams to tackle real-world problems using technology. Whether they were coding, designing apps, or brainstorming sustainable solutions, the learners were challenged to push their boundaries and come up with creative, tech-driven ideas .

Throughout the hackathon, learners not only applied their technical skills but also learned the value of teamwork and collaboration. The event encouraged learners to take on different roles, from team leaders to developers to designers. The variety of backgrounds and skill sets within each team led to the creation of well-rounded and innovative solutions.

The event concluded with pitch presentations to a panel of expert judges, including Anuj Triivedi (AI specialist), Ramneek.H (Director of FX Exchange Engineering and startup founder), and Duncan Shiel (Deputy Head of Secondary). Their thoughtful questions and insights truly challenged our learners to think critically about the technical and real-world impacts of their ideas.

One of the most inspiring outcomes of the hackathon was the sheer enthusiasm and dedication shown by the learners. Whether or not they won, the experience of being part of the hackathon left them with valuable skills in problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation.

A huge congratulations to the Year 12 team for their winning idea, “Insight”. Designed to empower visually impaired individuals, Insight is a pair of glasses using computer vision to detect and identify nearby objects, helping users navigate and understand their surroundings.

Our learner, Kaeden, from the winning team shared:

“Developing the product all in a time frame of around 24 hours was quite a challenge. However, by working together as a team and sharing our ideas, we were able to overcome the issues and create a good presentation. Overall, I am happy and proud, not only of the finished product but also of us as a team for all the effort we put in that allowed us to win the competition.”

We also celebrated winners in Best Impact, Best Design, Best Pitch, Rising Stars and Emerging Talent categories

Our third rotation in the Arts carousel wrapped up this week, with our Year 8 learners proudly placing their ceramic creations in the garden on Level 5 East.

These ceramic pieces form a collaborative totem pole, symbolizing the learners' cultural backgrounds and personal interests. During their first Visual Arts rotation, they designed and handbuilt these items using clay techniques. After the initial firing, the pieces were glazed and re-fired in the kiln.

Through teamwork and collaboration, the learners ensured the final installation featured harmoniously balanced colours and an aesthetically pleasing arrangement. Fantastic effort, Year 8!