PARENTS

On Saturday 26^th March the Lawnside Room was buzzing with excited Latin students from seven schools, local and not so local, who had gathered to take part in the International Cicero Competition. MSJ was one of five UK centres. Sixth form students had given up a Saturday to take a Cultural Test on the Jason and the Argonauts story followed by a Latin translation test. The MSJ Classics and Latin students ensured that the day was a memorable and enjoyable experience.

After a warm welcome from Mrs Woodhouse, Mrs Judy Nesbit from Bristol Grammar School explained the history of the competition and how it had grown in the course of the five years since Mrs Dicks, from MSJ, and Patrick Voisin had decided to launch this ambitious project. A real ice-breaker was the entertaining short video made by MSJ Lower Sixth Classical Civilisation group showing many of the episodes of the Jason and the Argonauts story.

The video-conferencing was a resounding success and created much excitement. Throughout the day students were not shy about broadcasting messages to the other UK centres and Italy. Students were also able to see video clips of earlier sessions during which Tamsin Elsey had spoken from a Spanish lesson to students in Spain. Tamsin and Lianna Beesley Peck had woken up very early on Saturday to speak to participants in Australia who had just come to the end of their competition. Mrs Dicks was visiting a school in Manchester and was visible on the screen during the videoconferencing.

The winners of the competition will be announced at the JACT (Joint Association of Classical Teachers) conference in May. The Malvern St James Cup will be presented to the winner of the U6 Translation Test.

Mrs Dicks is constantly updating the ‘2011' page of the CICERO website where information about all the participating countries, high-profile sponsors and prizes can be found, as well as the MSJ Jason video.

This competition exists to facilitate communication between young adults and enable them to have fun with their peers in the rest of the world. Latin literature is still very alive and the love of Classics stands out in this comment from one participant.

“The competition was highly entertaining. I don't think I have ever laughed harder in my whole life, when translating the passage about Cicero. His wit shines through even today - or should I say his 'urbanitas'!!!!”