News from Bellerbys Oxford

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Bellerbys Oxford Graduation Ceremony 2008

Oxford staff and students gathered recently at the 2008 Bellerbys Graduation ceremony to receive acknowledgement of completion of their courses - and also to award outstanding performance.

Each year we like to take the chance to say well done to students who have persevered to
the end, and also to praise examples of achievement - there are always students who
deserve a special mention.

This year Dar'ya Pluzhynk (pictured holding cup) won the Student of the Year award for outstanding service to the school.  Dar'ya started the student newspaper and took a very active part in the college social programme.  Dien Linh Do (pictured with Principal, Julia Southby) was chosen as the Oxford candidate for this years Richard Ryde Scholarship.  She was selected from all our AS students as the most outstanding academically, as well as having many extra-curricular interests.

Other students who received special awards include:

A Level students: Sergey Badikov from Russia, Tope Balogun from Nigeria, Angel Belichenov from  Bulgaria, Charmmy Lio from Macau, Alan Lio from Macau, Sheila Nur Ibrahim Masilamani from Malaysia, Kitty Shi from China and Irina Savvinova from Russia

Foundation students: Eric Ma from China, Thomas Loi from Macau, Valeria Kozlovskaja from Estonia, Emily Tong from Hong Kong, Pa Ousman Jabang from Gambia and Sarvin Shamsbod from Iran.

Afterwards, everyone had strawberries and cream and a glass of make believe Bucks Fizz
and had our photos taken in the warm sunshine.  It was a fitting end to a hard year of study.  Now the students will leave us and progress to universities -  big fish into an even bigger pool - we wish them well.

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Oxford Students Exhibit Work at Museum of Modern Art

The Oxford Open at the Museum of Modern Art (until 17th February 2008) features the art of two of Bellerbys Oxford luminaries, Sarvin Shams and Bijan Hazrat.  Sarvin from Iran is studying Art & Design Foundation following an ELP course.  Bijan, also from Iran, is studying A Levels at the college.

The exhibition is not determined by a single curator or by a selection panel.  The idea was to see what happens when you open the doors and seek to invite everyone.  The result is more than 500 paintings, drawings, sculptures and lens-based works being installed.  The entry criteria was being able to show something that would fit into the allotted size and space.  Bellerbys Oxford is very proud that two of our own students have been bold and talented enough to exhibit their work in a much respected gallery. We recently caught up with them to ask them a few questions about art and how they got involved.

How did you come to have your art exhibited at MOMA?
Sarvin: I was informed by Emma (a Bellerbys teacher, and her husband, who works at the museum) to provide a photo which was related to Global Warming.  I realised that it could a perfect opportunity for me to have my work exhibited.
Bijan: Well, my art teacher found out about it from Emma (the Accounting Teacher). Then we put it as a goal to reach.

What does it mean to you to have you art exhibited there?
S: First of all, it was a worthwhile experience to feel the real atmosphere of an art exhibition.  Apart from that, I can have my work presented amongst other artists work, which provides me with a deeper insight into an exhibition.
B: It was always my dream and actually seeing my work up on the wall of a gallery is like living that dream.

What ambition do you have for your art?
S: My ambition is to become a fine artist and achieve my own style, by which I can express my feelings in order to contribute to the world of art.  This would not only raise my self-confidence about my abilities, but also inspire others of my age to become ‘illuminated’.
B: I would say taking my art and my ideas one step further and be an inventor in my own style.

What’s your impression of the exhibition in general?
S: I am amazed by the enthusiasm of those who did some work for the exhibition.  It is worth saying that not all the contenders were academically qualified for the work they had done.  Therefore, I can compare my work with others and get fresh ideas.
B: Well, its any artists dream to be exhibited and for viewers and mostly art students to attend these exhibitions.  That’s how it has been working since the beginning of art.  That is how artists get inspired and influenced.    

Have you ever before shown your art publicly?
S: There have been some occasions where I have participated in exhibitions.  I participated in my art school exhibition and also in the Kharazmi National Festival and I attained the second place in Tehran.
B: No, this is my first time.

Can you tell us something about studying art at Bellerbys Oxford?
S: It is quite interesting because Oxford is a nice city and it has a lot of artistic places which you can get inspiration.  Also, when I came to Bellerbys they helped me to  improve my abilities and put them in the right direction.  Now I enjoy being creative and I view art as a natural way for me to express myself.
B: Well I started studying art at Bellerbys College in my AS.  For me it is useful and educational but if we had a bigger department that would be even better!

Who is your artistic hero?
S: My artistic hero is Van Gogh who could express his feelings by using colours and marks.
B: I would say Francis Bacon.

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Bellerbys Oxford Graduation Ceremony

On 7th June this year, Bellerbys Oxford held their annual graduation ceremony for the Foundation and A level students in the Old Library of St Mary’s Church in Oxford.  It was a really lovely setting: an impressive and gracious room in the heart of the old city with big windows overlooking the Radcliffe Camera.  In the past this room was used for University of Oxford graduation ceremonies.

The Principal, Julia Southby, spoke to the assembled students, congratulating them on their achievements and wishing them well for the future.  The Foundation and A Level programme managers, Jackie Eadie and Yasmin Hurrell, then handed out awards for academic achievement and exceptional progress or effort to our prize winners who were all very excited as they did not know about the awards beforehand. 

Erik Karabayez, pictured right, was awarded the Student of the Year Award.  Erik from Kazakhstan studied English Language Preparation, followed by five-term A Levels at Bellerbys Oxford.

Special mention should be made of Nursheila Masilamani, a first year student from Malaysia, whose remarkable achievement of receiving this year’s Richard Ryde Scholarship was announced; this is an award which is given to the most promising first year A level student across all four of the Bellerbys colleges.  Naturally we are all really proud of her!

After many photographs students and staff enjoyed strawberries and cream served with soft drinks or a glass of Pimms.  It was a very happy and festive occasion which rounded off the students’ time at Bellerbys in suitable style.  Good luck to the “class of 2007”, you will be missed!

Read more about the A Level and Foundation course