| Birralee International School Trondheim | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Disce ut vivas (Learn to live) |
| Established | Autumn 1973 |
| Type | International School |
| Principal | Trude Farstad |
| Academic staff | 28 |
| Students | 175 |
| Location | Trondheim, Norway |
| Website | www.birralee.no/ www.bamsen.com |
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Birralee International School provides an English-speaking education for children aged 4–16 living in Trondheim, central Norway. The Australian founder gave the school the name 'Birralee' meaning a 'safe place for children'. The school is non-profit and co-educational.
The children come both from Norwegian families living permanently in Trondheim and families from overseas living in Norway between one and five years. The parents of overseas children work in the oil industry, at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in medicine and in a variety of other businesses in the city.
To help develop children's confidence, Birralee creates a positive learning atmosphere encouraging self-discipline, natural inquisitiveness and independence. Classes are relatively small and the staff is fluent in English and Norwegian.
Birralee aims to provide continuity in the education of children moving from one country to another. Social and cultural activities are organized for the enjoyment of children, parents, and staff.
In August 2006, Birralee International School Trondheim expanded to include a Middle School, located at Bispegata 9c. The middle school has thus been united with the primary school in the city center.
The Middle School is open from 8:50 until 15:15 Monday through Friday and the students receive 35 lessons of instruction each week. The Middle School expands on the Norwegian curriculum (Kunnskapsløftet) to include elements of the British National Curriculum and aims to offer students a creative, individualised and well-rounded education. Students receive instruction in English, Norwegian, Spanish, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Religions, Morals & Ethics, Design, Technology and Art, Computer Science, Music, Gym and Home Economics. The students are also offered to do the I.G.C.S.E. exams as an extra choice.
In 1991, the school’s founding head Mrs. Tønseth was awarded the Albert Einstein Academy Foundation Alfred Nobel Medal by the Albert Einstein Foundation.