Clubs on Offer for Pro- and Kurzgymi

Two special “clubs” that are taking place more than 3-4 times (these count as 2 clubs each):

Student Council (Adam Murfitt) - weekly meeting all year long

• All year long every week 30 minutes @ TBC with all students elected

• Minimum: 2 students from each class

• Language: Multilingual

Description: The council sets goals based on student ideas, promotes school events, encourages school spirit, and organises activities and fundraising. They can also develop new rules, policies or suggest/work on new ideas for school management to implement. Council members gain leadership skills, teamwork experience, school pride, and opportunities to represent their peers and make decisions. It allows students to participate in the growth and positive development of their school. It also allows them to make an impact on their own learning environment and to develop other social skills such as observing, listening, empathising and negotiating.

With 85% attendance, a certificate will be delivered which can be helpful for a placement, internship or an apprenticeship application.

Journalism Club (Beatrice Montedoro) - monthly meeting

• Wednesdays @ 13:00-13:45 (about once a month; about 10 times during the year)

• Wednesday, 02. & 23.09., 28.10., 25.11., 27.01. (5 next dates tbc)

• Minimum: 2 Maximum number of students: 6

• Language: English

Description: Have you ever thought of becoming a journalist? Would you like to run the school magazine and interview teachers, other students, writing articles and editorials? Then this is the right club for you! Build your future now and experience what it means to be a journalist! Did I tickle your curiosity?

See our first issue here.

On the next pages follows the list of regular clubs that take place 3-4 times only.

Volley Tennis (Mirja Bock)

• Mondays | 31 August, 7 and 21 September | @ 12:10-12:55 (additional, spontaneous drop-ins are welcome)

• Minimum: 2 Maximum number of students: 10

• Language: German

Description: Have you ever played badminton, tennis or table tennis? In this Volley tennis competition we will compete against each other… you enter as a team of two and try to keep the ball in the air as long as possible. The team with the most ball exchanges wins. Simple, a good work-out and lots of fun!

Introductions to Logic for Philosophy Olympiad (Raphael Bucheli)

• Tuesdays | 8, 15 and 22 September | @ 17:05-17:50

• Minimum: 1 Maximum number of students: 10

• Language: German

Description: Have you ever thought back to an argument you had with someone in order to figure out all the things you could have said and how you could render the point you were trying to make watertight? Sometimes we can convince others with flashy rhetoric. However, we then have to hope that the other party does not notice the holes in our argument. A good way to plug these holes is to make your arguments logically sound and, therefore, resistant to counter-examples. In this course, you will learn the basics of logic and how to apply them to improve your everyday arguments. As an additional perk, this will help you pass the preliminary exam for the Swiss Philosophy Olympiad, in case you have always wanted to discuss the meaning of life and other thorny questions with like-minded high school students.

What’s Up? Politics & Society Club (Stephanie Fischer)

• Thursdays | 22 and 29 October, 5 and 12 November (four times) | @ 12:10 -12:55

• Minimum: 1 Maximum number of students: 10

• Language: German

Description: Was bewegt die Welt – und was denkst du darüber? In diesem Club diskutieren wir aktuelle politische, gesellschaftliche und soziale Themen, die uns und unsere Zukunft betreffen. Wir greifen spannende Nachrichten, Reportagen, Videos oder Podcasts auf, hinterfragen unterschiedliche Positionen und schauen auch hinter die Schlagzeilen. Dabei geht es nicht darum, die “richtige” Meinung zu finden, sondern eine eigene zu entwickeln, Argumente auszutauschen, andere Perspektiven kennenzulernen und gemeinsam zu diskutieren. What moves the world – and what do you think about it? In this club, we discuss current political, social and societal issues that affect us and our future. We explore interesting news stories, reports, videos and podcasts, question different viewpoints and look beyond the headlines. The aim is not to find the “right” opinion, but to develop your own, exchange arguments, explore different perspectives and discuss them together.

Glass Engraving (Sonya Maechler-Dent)

• Tuesdays | 10, 17 and 24 November | @ 17:05-17:50

• Minimum: 2 Maximum number of students: 4

• Language: Multilingual

Description: Would you like to create a truly unique Christmas present? Come and learn the art of glass engraving and turn an ordinary piece of glassware into something personal and special! The engraving tool may make you feel a little like you’re at the dentist but the drilling is actually fun! Goggles and face mask are provided - please bring your piece of chosen glassware (a vase, a glass necklace, a wine glass etc.)

School of Rock (Paul Woodward)

• Thursdays | 3, 10 and 17 December | @13:00-13:45

• Minimum: 5 Maximum number of students: 10

• Language: English

Description: Do you play an instrument or enjoy singing and performing? If we can assemble a range of instrumentalists, singers and performers, we can create our own school rock band playing classics or takes on modern hits. Maybe with something to present at the Christmas event with parents?

Movie Club (Paul Woodward + Beatrice Montedoro)

• Tuesdays | 12 and 26 January & 9 February | @ 16:20-17:05

• Minimum: 3 Maximum number of students: 10

• Language: Multilingual

Description: Do you like movies, want to learn more about them, filming conventions and techniques as well as the narrative, special effects and meaning behind the stories. In film club we will study classic, significant and famous movies for their cultural and historical contexts in cinema.

Speak in 3D - American Sign Language (Nicole McLaren)

• Wednesdays | 13, 20 and 27 January | @ 12:10-12:55

• Minimum: 3 Maximum number of students: 10

• Language: Multilingual

Description: Ever wondered what it’s like to speak without uttering a single sound? Welcome to ASL, this visual language will completely reshape how you think about communication. In just three hands-on sessions, you'll discover one of the coolest linguistic secrets: ASL is among the exceptionally rare 3D languages on Earth.
By using your hands, facial expressions, and spatial mapping, you'll bring thoughts and stories to life right in front of you. Bonus: with ASL, you can chat across crowded rooms, through soundproof glass, or even underwater — this definitively feels like learning a superpower! Fun Fact: Did you know Deaf hip-hop artists rap using sign language, turning raw rhythm into a visual masterpiece? If you dare to speak in 3D, sign up for the Club!

Introduction to the game of Go (Julien Laks)

• Thursday | 4, 11 and 18 March | @ time 12:10-12:55

• Minimum: 2 Maximum number of students: 6

• Language: Multilingual and some Japanese

Description: Go is an ancient strategy game from China, with surprisingly simple rules and almost endless possibilities. Like chess, it is a game of strategy and foresight. A landmark moment in the history of artificial intelligence came in 2016, when AlphaGo, an AI developed by Google DeepMind, defeated legendary Go player Lee Sedol. Easy to learn, difficult to master, and fascinating at every level, Go is a game where creativity, logic and intuition all come into play. This club will introduce you to the rules of Go and its basic strategies and get you playing! If you have a game of Go at home, bring it with you!

Tandem Makerspace (Paul Woodward)

• Thursday | 1, 8 and 15 April | @ 13:00-13:45

• Minimum: 2 Maximum number of students: 10

• Language: English

Description: The world of technology is changing and we now have the tools available to realise our ideas. Some students will already have access to CAD and 3D printing, but this is an opportunity to come along and design cool things that we can print, build and test. We also have a laser cutter to expand your creative skills. Whether you want more ‘design and make’ than we can fit into lessons, you want to build your models or kits, or you just want to play with 3D tech, the makerspace is a creative place to bring your ideas to life.

Opera Lovers (Rita Gloor and Alexander Minder)

• Tuesday, 23 March, Wednesday, 31 March and Tuesday, 6 April | @ 17:05-17:50

• Minimum: 2 Maximum number of students: 10

• Language: German

Description: Do you love powerful stories, stunning costumes, magnificent orchestral music, and drama that brings goosebumps? “Music is the language of passion.” - Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

We are excited to launch the Opera Lovers Club at Tandem IMS, and we would love for you to be part of it. Whether you are already a passionate opera fan or simply curious to experience the magic of powerful vocals, dramatic storylines, and grand stage productions for the very first time, everyone is welcome. We will discover the secrets of stage design, costume make-up, and production rehearsals. We will listen to iconic operatic masterpieces and share your thoughts in relaxed, open discussions. We will plan and enjoy visits to real rehearsals and live performances together. Come along, share the passion, and let’s lift the curtain together.

Grow Seedlings (Mirja Bock)

• Monday | 5, 12 and 19 April | @ 12:10-12:55

• Minimum: 2 Maximum number of students: 10

• Language: German

Description: It is Springtime and the right time to start your own edible garden. We will produce simple and eco-friendly pottles from newspaper, fill them with soil and add some seeds. You will get the choice of what to grow and water/observe your seedlings over a couple of weeks. Of course you can take them home to plant out in the garden.

Photography (Paul Woodward)

• Thursday | 13, 20 and 27 May | @ 13:00-13:45

• Minimum: 2 Maximum number of students: 6

• Language: English

Description: We all use our cameras to take photographs but do you want to take your photography skills to a new level. In this course we will look at the work of famous photographers and recreate famous photos using our smartphones, but also the professional digital cameras we have at school. As well as framing the image, we will look at how digital images are processed to improve them and even look at the use of AI to enhance images without losing their original qualities.

Stretching & Mindfulness (Joya Guerriero)

• Monday | 24 and 31 May & 7 June | @ 07:45-08:30

• Minimum: 2 Maximum number of students: 6

• Language: German

Description: Start your morning with a calming blend of gentle stretching and guided mindfulness! Learn key techniques to release muscle tension, improve your posture, and center your mind before the day gets busy. Whether you want to boost your flexibility or just need a peaceful space to breathe and de-stress, this club is the perfect way to reset. All experience levels are welcome, please wear easy-to-move-in clothing and also bring your own yoga or any thin mat (a camping mat is also good!).

Aquaforme (Antoine Chartrand)

• Thursday | 17 and 24 June & 1 July | @ 16:30-17:15

• Minimum: 2 Maximum number of students: 10

• Language: French/English

Description: The aquaform class is a low-impact group workout that will be performed in the lake, chest-in- or to the waist. It will combine cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility work, using the water's natural resistance and buoyancy to reduce strain on joints while still providing an effective workout. If time permits, we will then play a bit of games in the water.