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SOS-HGICSOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College

“ ....we recognize and appreciate ourmulticultural diversity, and are proud to be part of a community. ”

- I.T Ofei, Principal

Table Of Contents4

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Explore

Meet the HGIC sharks

Campus Life

Sporting Groups

Community Service

Academics

School Activities

Meet the Alumni

Meet the Staff

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ExploreCampus Life . Sports. Service.

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2017 Inter-hostel Swimming Competition

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As an athlete at SOS, be assured that you’ll be valued, and given thechance to train your way to excellence along with your similarlygifted peers.

Come join the SOS-HGIC Sharks!

42 ISSAG gold medals in the past 5 academic years. This is a school of champions, the home of winners and aplace of dedication.

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Campus Life

While we place enormous value on academics and structured ex-tracurricular activities, our community of students are given time to relax and enjoy themselves on free nights. On these nights, popular activities include watching TV in the common rooms, playing games or just “chilling” with friends. On Saturday nights, we have entertainment, which includes activities such as movie night, game night and jams. During the weekends students are free to take a dip in the pool, play sports, or sleep to their hearts’ content.

Each hostel/dormitory has between four to eight rooms. The rooms have single or bunk beds, closets, shared washrooms and study areas, and are inhabited by an average of four students. As part of the education they receive at SOS-HGIC, students are required to keep their rooms and environment clean, which includes tending to the beautiful gardens around the dormitories.

LeisureHousing

DiningThe College is equipped with an open air eating area, and the Hostels have a spacious dining hall. Meals served at SOS-HGIC are simple but nutritious, and include many local foods.Favorites include jollof rice, kenkey, and waakye. Our meals are craft-ed by dedicated dining hall staff, but two days a year, students man the kitchens to cook traditional foods from their countries, allowing everyone to experience tastes from around the world.

Some interntional cuisine served on National Day

Students celebrating the breaking of theschool record for high jump

Students performing duringNational Day Celebration

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Students are divided into four hostel groups.

TROJANS

VIKINGS

SPARTANS

TITANS

Titans cheering their team on

SOS-HGIC has a steadfast commitment to advancing the lives of others through community service. All students are required to engage incommunity service through our Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) programme. Though an IB DP requirement, SOS-HGIC requires every student to join the diploma candidates in participating, as we believe CAS is instrumental in building social responsibility in our students.

Each DP1 class hosts an annual fundraiser, all proceeds from which go to support acommunity service project of their choosing.

Community Service

In 2019, the DP1 class focused on infant mortality and improving education in a selected community in Ghana.The project encompasses minor activities which address issues aligned with UN SDG 3 Goal Health and Wellbeing by providing resources for the purchase of incubators and phototherapy machines to treat jaundinced premature babies. The project also involved the provision of books and resources for a school in Tema, this was geared towards the goal of improving the quality of education.

Environmental CAS group students planting carrots using recycled bottles

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LearnAcademics . Facilities

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achieve your goalsacademics at SOS-HGIC2019 Group 4 Project Presentation

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Furthermore, the emphasis on an African common purpose, both among and within nations, finds formal expression within essential aspects of IB programmes such as service learning and particluar contexts selected as part of the academic curriculum. IB learners at SOS-HGIC are taught not only to be knowledgeable and inquiring, but also principled and caring - and these are all attributes of the IB learner profile that unites all of the IB programmes”

“The pan-African spirit that runs through the school is necessarilyinternationalist in outlook and chimes with the understanding at theheart of the IB mission statement

- Julian H. KitchingDirector of Studies

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IB MYPEnglishAmharicSwahiliFrenchEnglish LIterature

EconomicsGeographyHistoryBiologyChemistry

PhysicsMathematicsExtended MathematicsVisual Arts

Perrforming Arts

IB DPMathematicsAnthropologyChemistryLanguage and Lit.Physics

EconomicsGeologyBiologyITGSComputer Scence

Swahili Spanish FrenchMathematical Studies

HistoryVisual Arts

TOK

The Creativity Lab is a place designed to enable ourstudents to explore and innovate in the world of design. The lab is equipped with iMacs, on which there are a plethora of applications that help students expand their creativity. This includes software for architecture, filmediting, programming, animation and music-making.The College has two additional computer labs for student use, and Natural Science Labs where brilliant ideas are generated and shared.

Design

HGIC Courses

AcademicsPrograms Offered

Thinking Skills Reading Seminar ICT Personal & Social Education (PSE)

Amharic

Facilities

Bespoke

Robotics student working on a First Lego League Project

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Our VALCO Library is well-stocked with both fiction and non-fiction books from a variety of genres, and with cubicle desks for individual study or leisure reading. It also serves as a learn-ing center for our students. It is equipped with both software and a variety of hands on literary programs to encourage knowledge gain. We are constantly updating our collection of 76000resources and magazines, and workshopping with staff and students to facilitate theacquisition of knowledge in whatever field.

Students at HGIC are strongly encouragedto learn and practice music. We have a fantastic school band and choir who regularly blow us away with astounding performances.Budding young performers can learn how to play a new instrument or improve in our music facility with numerous instructors who will bring the astounding talent out of our pupils.

The SOS-Art Studio and Auditorium serve as spaces for students to hone skills in visual and performing arts. In the Art studio, students work with various media, including clay, and other sculpting materials as well as the traditional paint and canvas. Our stage space in theauditorium gives birth to annual theatricalproductions that showcase students’ hardwork.

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opportunities for all facilities at SOS-HGIC

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opportunities for all facilities at SOS-HGIC

As a student of SOS-HGIC, you will be given the chance toventure outside the walls of the school for an even richer,

Our students participate in exchange programs and conferences in Norway, the United States, Qatar and South Africa. We also havesports tournaments in Togo, robotics competitions in Nigeria, someEuropean countries and many more.

You can be sure that you’ll have opportunities to employ your knowledge, skills and talents all over the world.

perspective-broadening experience.

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Band Concert

Creativity, Activity,Service (CAS) Hostel Athletics

The Atewa Forest Exhibit

Singing Competition

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With over 20 student clubs and organizations, there are tons of activities to keep you interested.

Most students play at least one musical instrument or sing for the school and hostel choirs. Students have the option of joining the School Band, which performs 2 major concerts a year. Our student musicians also have the option to play in the Brass Band.

HGIC sports teams have won over 28 ISSAG (Internation-al School Sports Association Games) trophies. The school also provides sports facilities such as tennis courts, a fitness center and a swimming pool to allow our students to stay fit and healthy.

Drama CAS at SOS-HGIC produc-es a play in the second semester of each Academic year.

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MeetStudents . Alumni Staff

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Our StudentsSOS-HGIC’s student body has a wide range of interests and talents. From running clubs to running marathons,SOS has its fair share of accomplished young students.

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‘18

Best Student

Head Boy

Lead Actor

Emmanuel Bimpong

Ananse in the Land of Idiots

2016/2017Academic Year

PresidentPan-African

Club

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‘20

Adwoa Afrifa

Creative DirectorDebate Club

School ChampionGalois Math

Contest

DefenderField Hockey Team

ISSAG Gold MedalHockey

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HilaryOvamba

‘19ISSAG Gold Medalist

SOS-HGIC Sportsman of the

Year

Captain

2017

Athletics

School Football Team

2016, 2017ISSAG Champions

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AlumniFor the 29 years we have been in existence, SOS-HGIC has produced high achieving alumni. They have made their way into top universities, and many of our students have stayed in or returned to ourcontinent, living according to the motto of the school, “Knowledge in the service of Africa.”

I believe SOS-HGIC is one of the best secondary schools in Ghana. Not only in terms of classical education, but in terms of imbuing individuals with a spirit to achieve, and a desire to understand. It’s definitely an age

“...the fundamental idea of knowledge in the service of Africa is one that permeated a lot of the things that we did and it has left a profound mark on me. In my work now I try to apply the principle of creating and disseminating knowledge that is not just about Africa but that contributes to a broader collective vision of an African future.”Anthony Addo ‘14

Software Engineer at Atlassian

Annette Joseph-Gabriel ‘05French Professor, University of Michigan

of my life I will always appreciate.”

A

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“The school has played a major role in the way I view andengage with the world. Havinginteracted with students from most parts of Africa, I got to appreciatethat my worldview was just that, mine, and not necessarily areflection of the myriad of opinions and experiences of my classmates. This has served me well in myprofessional life as I get to work with students from different backgrounds and academic strengths.”

“SOS-HGIC is special as it offers a world class education in and out of the classroom to children from diverse socio-economic and national backgrounds. It instills in students self-discipline, a sense of community and service, a yearning for life-long learning and asensitivity or appreciation ofdifferent cultures.”

“My SOS experience was probably one of the things that has made me into who I am. My favourite thing about it was the class I was in, just the sense of community with my friends. Living with them made me feel like I was home, and doing all the little things with them made us closer. The school gave me some of my best friends.”

John Kamau ‘03Teacher, SOS-HGIC

Kelvin Ndoro ‘02Senior Economist, Department of Labour and Advanced Education of Nova Scotia, Canada

Akua Kwakwa , ‘16Senior, Cornell University

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Staff“This is a selective school made up of students from diverse backgrounds acrossAfrica, and one that promotes the ambitionof students based on merit.”

Mark CarterHead of Math Department

“SOS-Hermann Gmeiner International College is unique for its academic rigor, multicultural richness and multi-faceted learning experiences. This is a carefully curated community of bright minds,amazing personalities, and incredible strength.”

Flossy Azu ‘05Communications and Alumni Relations Director

Pupils are taught by a host of impeccably trained teachers. Our teachers are highly experienced, and incredibly dedicated to their work, bringing out the best in our students, both academically and otherwise. Our 6:1 student to teacher ratio means that students are able to receive individual attention and support from their tutors, who are very friendly and always open to lending a helping hand.

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“This school gives a unique opportunity to experience people different from you...and the staff of the school with their unique combination of professional dedication and friendliness close the gap between teachers and students, enhancing their relationships.”

Mandy Ndoro ‘05Head of IT Department

“The students are open-minded, and they are veryintelligent kids, who are ready to think outside thebox, so it makes the teaching experience enjoyable,as an educator. Also the diversity of the students thatcome here enhances the learning experiences forthe students.”

Sahlu KidaneLiterature and Theory Of Knowledge Teacher

“I find the cultural diversity in the school fascinating;students come from different parts of Africa and beyond... students of the school also display precocious talents,making teaching and learning such anenthralling experience.”

Christian GogoviHead of English Departmentt

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CULTURE OF SOS-HGIC

Value

Service

RigorousAcademics

AmazingDiversity

of StudentBody

ExcellentFaculty

OpportunitiesAvailable

for All

Care

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PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES

The School’s philosophy embraces internationalismin its widest sense, a commitment to uplift Africa

and active service to the community. Its educational mission is holistic in nature, aiming to develop allstudents into confident adults capable of facing

the challenges of a fast-changing world, by inculcating in them critical and analytical abilities which will equipthem to become compassionate thinkers who are

aware of their common hummanity, with a belief andpride in themselves as Africans. The College’s ultimatemission is to graduate lifelong learners who are fully

prepared for the best universities worldwide and who arealso committed to putting their knowledge, skills

and resources intodeveloping their continent, Africa.

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16 hostels

360 students

20 countries represented

1990 year founded

100% university enrollment

6:1 student-to-faculty

ratio

93% IBDP pass rate

15+ clubs

12+sports offered

28 ISSAG trophies

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LOCATIONSOS-HGIC is LOCATED in Tema, Community 6, which is 25km away from Accra.

STAFFCurrently, SOS-HGIC has 62 faculty. There is a 6:1 student to teacher ratio, and the class sizes range from 5 to 24 students.

STUDENTSThere are 360 students currently enrolled in SOS-HGIC. SOS-HGIC has a culturally di-verse student body, hailing from 20 countries across Africa and

the world.

CASCAS (Creativity, Activity, Service is at the heart of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). With its holistic approach, CAS is designed to strengthen and extend students’ personal and interpersonal learning. As part of our school philosophy, CAS in SOS-HGIC runs on Thursdays from 3:15 -5:00 pm and is done by ALL STUDENTS.

RESIDENTIAL LIFEAll students of the school live in residential facilities called The Hostels. These are a 20 minute walk from the college campus. Students walk to and from the hostels on school days. We have nine hostels for girls and eight hostels for boys, with eight residential hostel tutors, each responsible for about 40 students.

ATHLETICSSOS-HGIC provides the necessary sports facilities, equipment, and staff for our students to train and compete in a variety of athletic activities. SOS-HGIC offers over 12 sports in which most of the student body participate. There are also several inter-hostel sporting events.Sports offered include:• Swimming• Basketball• Soccer• Tennis• Volleyball• Hockey• Track & Field

ADMISSIONMYP ApplicantsThe IB MYP is a 5 year programme designed to prepare students to become creative, critical and reflective thinkers.Applicants in grade 9, JHS 3 or its equivalent are eligible to apply to HGIC for the last 2 years of the 5 year MYP programme. Admission is highly competitive and is based on an en-trance examination and subsequent interviews for shortlisted applicants. Priority is given to qualified students from SOS Children’s Villages across

Africa.

IB ApplicantsThe IBDP is a two-year programme designed for students aged 16-19. The program provides an interna-tionally accepted qualification for entry into higher education and is recognised by many universities worldwide. In view of the fact that the majority of vacancies in the DP class will be taken by continuing SOS-HGIC students, limited places are usually available for new applicants. Admission into the DP programme at SOS-HGIC is therefore competitive and based solely on performance in the IGCSE or GCE “O” Level and an entrance interview.

CONTACT INFORMATIONMailing AddressSOS-Hermann Gmeiner International CollegePrivate Mail BagCommunity 6, Tema

Ghana

E-mailSecretary_to_princip@

soshgic.edu.gh

Telephone+233 (0)303-204267 +233 (0)303-202907

+233 (0)243 -690197

For more information,please visit soshgic.edu.gh

EXCHANGE PROGRAMSSOS-HGIC offers several opportunities for study abroad. Exchange programs with schools such as Philips Exeter Academy and St. An-drew’s Episcopal in the US, Lillestrom VGS in Norway, Wisby Gymnasiet in Swe-den, and L’Ecole Arc-en-Ciel in Togo offer our students an international perspective and global-mindedness.

Editor : Kwesi Afrifa Principal photography : Adwoa Serwaa Afrifa Communications: Michael Torku Writer: Efia Awuah Produced by the Viewbook Team in collaboration with Francis Hehemeku, Flossy Azu, and the Office of Communications

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soshgic.edu.gh