WE HAVE OPENED THE FIRST TIME CAPSULE!

Our 2nd Year Bachillerato students recently opened the very first time capsule organised at the school five years ago. Inside, they discovered the messages they had written to their future selves in English, along with photographs and memories they had chosen to keep when they were in 2nd Year ESO.

Reading their own words from the past and revisiting those special moments made the experience truly emotional and unforgettable. It was wonderful to share such a meaningful occasion with them and to celebrate how much they have grown over the years.

 CELEBRATING BOOK DAY: ENGLISH LITERARY CONTEST AT IES CALATALIFA

To celebrate Book Day, IES Calatalifa organised an English Literary Contest, inviting students to showcase their creativity and writing skills through short stories written in English.

Participants competed in two categories: the first for 1st and 2nd year ESO students, and the second for 3rd and 4th year ESO students. After carefully reading all the entries, teachers and language assistants selected the winning stories for each category.

To make the occasion even more special, we held a fun award ceremony during break time, where the winners were announced and celebrated by their classmates and teachers. The winning stories were also displayed in the school lobby so that everyone could enjoy the students’ excellent work and imagination.

Saint Patrick’s Day the BrainBox Way! 🍀

 Today in class with 2º ESO we celebrated Saint Patrick’s Day in a different way — by playing a BrainBox game! 🍀

It turned out to be such a fun and engaging activity. The students were not only enjoying the game, but also learning lots of interesting facts about Saint Patrick, Irish traditions, and symbols like shamrocks and leprechauns. It was great to see how quickly they picked up new vocabulary and shared what they remembered with their classmates.

What I loved the most was the atmosphere in the classroom: lots of laughter, teamwork, and genuine curiosity. Learning really comes alive when students are having fun, and today was a perfect example of that.

Definitely an activity to repeat!

Let's go to the lab!

Let’s go to the lab!

This year, our Biology and Geology teachers have refurbished the laboratory, and our 1st, 3rd, and 4th grade students have already gone to the lab to carry out some very exciting experiments. The 1st and 3rd grade students have dissected organs and vertebrates to learn more about their anatomy and physiology. Meanwhile, the 4th grade students have extracted DNA and observed mitosis in plant cells! 

Moreover, as part of our TEAM project (Together Everyone Achieves More), the 1st grade students have carried out several teamwork projects, such as creating posters about invertebrates and building models of viruses and bacteria. Here you can see some pictures of these amazing experiences:

Color Theory: Exploring Emotion Through Color

    One of the most important elements in art is the use of color. In this project, we explored how color can be used intentionally and how it can evoke different emotions and sensations. Color is not just a visual element it has the power to influence how we feel and how we interpret an image.

    The challenge consisted of creating three drawings and painting each one of them using a specific color scheme: complementary colors, analogous colors, and triadic colors. Through this exercise, we were able to experiment with contrast, harmony, and balance, leading to a better understanding on how different color combinations create different emotional effects.

    These are the artworks created by our students of 2ºESO during the project, each one representing a unique approach to color and expression.

ONE OF OUR CHALLENGES THIS YEAR.....GLOBAL SCHOLARS.

A group of 2ESO students have been working with partners from different countries discussing about FOOD, how it is grown, under which circumstances, how it is transported to our homes and supermarkets. Sustainability, food security or food waste are among the terms they are concerned with. 

They have created a cookbook in which they have included recipes from their families and home countries. Let´s have a look at them in the following link:

Storyjumper_cookbook

Thank you for all your time, effort and commitment. 

Pyramids of Giza - 1ºESO model creation project

 

During the first weeks of February 2026, our 1st ESO students explored one of the most fascinating civilizations of the ancient world: Ancient Egypt. As a final project, they created models inspired by the Pyramids of Giza, integrating the religious and cultural elements studied in class.

Their models included burial chambers, sarcophagi, scenes of the judgment of the soul, and representations of different gods. Some projects also showed aspects of Egyptian economy, such as agriculture along the Nile, craft workshops, and trade activities, highlighting the social and economic foundations that made these great constructions possible.

The result has been a creative exhibition that reflects both their understanding of the topic and the artistic skills of our students. 

 

Electronic practices in 3ESO

In 3ESO Technologies 2nd term classes, we are studing electronics. 

Our last circuit controls the brightness of a light with a potentiometer or variable resistor. 

Here are some students projects:

WORKING HARD FOR OUR B2 CAMBRIDGE EXAM

 📚✨ **Working Hard for Our B2 Cambridge Exam!** ✨📚

Our 4th ESO class is fully committed to preparing for the B2 Cambridge exam. We know that success doesn’t happen by chance — it comes from dedication, effort, and constant practice.

In class, we work hard every day to improve all our skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We practise real exam tasks, do mock exams, learn useful vocabulary, review grammar, and help each other grow. Sometimes it’s challenging, but we know that every activity brings us one step closer to our goal.

Preparing for the B2 exam is not just about passing a test. It’s about building confidence, improving our English, and opening doors for our future studies and careers.

We are proud of our effort, our teamwork, and our progress. Step by step, we are getting closer to success! 💪🌍

#B2Cambridge #HardWorkPaysOff #4thESO #LearningTogether

PANCAKE DAY -SECOND EDITION-

  🥞 Pancake Day and Our Cooking Class

Yesterday in 2nd ESO we celebrated Pancake Day at school, and it was a day full of learning, laughter, and delicious food! Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is a traditional celebration that takes place before the season of Lent. In the past, people used up ingredients like eggs, milk, and flour before Lent began, and making pancakes was the perfect way to do this.

In our cooking class, we had the chance to make our own pancakes. We worked in groups to measure the ingredients carefully, mix the batter, and cook the pancakes in the pan. It was exciting to flip them (some flips were more successful than others!). The classroom smelled amazing, and everyone was proud of their results.

While we were cooking, we also learned about the history and traditions connected to Pancake Day. In some places, people even take part in pancake races, where they run while flipping pancakes in a frying pan! It was interesting to see how food can be connected to culture and history.

The best part of the day was sharing the pancakes together and adding our favorite toppings. Some chose sugar and lemon, others added chocolate spread or fruit. It was not just about eating—it was about working together, learning new skills, and understanding traditions from the past.

Learning about traditions while having fun makes school even more special. Pancake Day was a perfect example of how education can be hands-on, meaningful, and enjoyable at the same time.

Gymnastics classes in 2ºESO

 During the second term the students of 2ºESO practice different skills and specific elements that they must know to build their own exercise. Among these skills we can highlight rolls (forward and backward), vertical jumps, rotations, balances (such as handstand and headstand) and supports (like the nail and the bridge). Besides this, the students have to perform other skills like the horse jump.

The work is accompanied by Bach´s music which helps them concentrate and creates an atmosphere  suitable for gymnastics.

 

Teamwork and Orienteering in Action

 Our 3ºC students have recently taken part in a cooperative orienteering gymkhana designed to combine Physical Education and English in a practical and motivating way. This activity challenged them to work together while using English as their main language of communication throughout the different stages of the course.

Throughout this unit in Physical Education, we have been working on basic orienteering skills such as map reading, spatial awareness, and decision-making. During the gymkhana, students had to complete different physical challenges in groups while following instructions and communicating in English. The focus was not only on physical performance, but also on teamwork, cooperation, and effective communication.

Participating in this activity allowed students to experience how important collaboration is when facing challenges. They organised roles within their teams, supported each other, and used English as a real tool to solve problems and move forward in the course. Beyond completing the tasks, the most valuable achievement was strengthening their team spirit and confidence in using a foreign language in a practical context.

Congratulations to 3ºC for their positive attitude, effort, and enthusiasm.

We look forward to many more active and collaborative learning experiences!

 

A SUCCESSFUL DEBUT IN REGIONAL ATHLETICS COMPETITION

 We are proud to share that our selected athletics students have taken part, (for the very first time), in a regional championship in the Community of Madrid, achieving excellent results and representing the school with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship.

Throughout the first term in Physical Education, we have been working on relay techniques, jumping, and endurance running. These sessions have focused not only on improving physical performance, but also on teamwork, perseverance, and confidence, values that were clearly reflected during the competition.

Participating in an event of this level has been a fantastic experience for our students. They showed commitment, respect for their peers and competitors, and a true passion for sport. Beyond the results, which were outstanding, the most important achievement has been their personal growth and the opportunity to put classroom learning into practice in a real sporting environment.

Congratulations to all participants for their effort, attitude, and dedication.

We look forward to many more experiences like this!

 MEET OUR 2025-26 LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS!                    

Riley: Hello everyone! My name is Riley Nieboer and I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Michigan is considered to be in the Midwest of the United States, and it is surrounded by five Great Lakes! I live about a 30 minute drive from the beach, where I love spending time when the weather is nice. I studied Elementary Education and English as a Second Language in university and wanted to pursue a career in education outside of the United States. I picked Madrid because I wanted to learn more about the culture and live in a beautiful and vibrant city. Teaching abroad merges my two passions: working with students and travelling. I also wanted to practice my Spanish! I am looking forward to the rest of the year here at IES Calatalifa, as I have enjoyed getting to know the teachers and students so far.

Melanie: Hi! I'm Melanie Santiago, and I'm from Chicago, a big welcoming city filled with culture, good food, and beautiful views of Lake Michigan. I've always loved working with children, which is why I'm so excited to be teaching this year. I'm thrilled to be living in Madrid, practicing my Spanish, and traveling whenever I can. I can't wait to learn from my students and be part of this community!

Charlie: Hello! My name is Charlie and I'm from Oxford in the UK. Oxford is famous for its university and its beautiful architecture. I recently graduated from the University of Bristol in Theatre & Spanish and have come to Spain through the British Council. I love Spain and I'm really liking living in Madrid for the first time! I've taught English in Argentina and Guatemala before so I'm excited to continue teaching at IES Calatalifa!

David: Hello! My name is David and I am from Los Angeles in California. In my free time I enjoy learning languages, cooking, and watching baseball. I wanted to teach in Spain because I am passionate about teaching and learning about new cultures. Working with all of the amazing staff at IES Calatalifa has made my first few months in Spain an incredibly enriching experience.

Emily: Hi everyone! My name is Emily and I'm from San Francisco, California. San Francisco, which is on the west coast of the USA, is famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, redwood trees, and sourdough bread. I came to Spain because I love Spanish culture and am excited about the opportunity to learn a new language and travel. In the future I hope to work with youth in the mental health field, so I felt this was all around the perfect opportunity. So far I am really enjoying my time here in Madrid, and I look forward to the rest of the year! Working with the IES Calatalifa staff and students has been such a great and positive experience that I am so grateful for.

GLOBAL SCHOLARS

Some of our 2nd ESO students in the bilingual groups are taking part in Global Scholars, an international program that connects young people around the world to share ideas and create projects related to the UN 2030 Agenda.

This year’s theme is “Food and Our Cities.”
We’re excited to share a beautiful digital recipe book featuring healthy Spanish dishes created by students in classes 2A and 2D.
Take a look at the link — we’re sure you’ll be impressed!

https://www.storyjumper.com/book/read/186423211/6937d4b401fd0

2º ESO's Final Global Scholars Project

Raising Awareness on Climate Change at Calatalifa School

Throughout this school year, our section 2nd ESO students have worked hard at the Global Scholars program. They've learned about sustainability and overconsumption, connected with peers around the world, and created different projects to demonstrate their learning. 

For their final project, the students were tasked with making a change around their school and/or their community to address some of the climate change-related issues they have learned about. The students in 2ºF chose the goal of raising awareness about climate change by creating posters, building a website, and giving talks to different classes around the school.

To view their work, please visit their website: Raising Awareness on Climate Change at Calatalifa School.

Be sure to explore the different pages of the website to see:

• their informative posters (that have been put up around the school and that have QR codes leading to the website,
• a video and photos of their talks given to both older and younger students,
• the presentation they used in their talks,
• and their sustainability photojournals that offer suggestions on how to be more sustainable.

The students have put in a lot of time and effort into this project and into the Global Scholars program for the whole school year. Not only have they learned about topics like sustainability and climate change, but they have also used what they've learned to make a difference in their community. We hope you enjoy the results of their efforts, and maybe even learn something new from their projects!

                                    

 

Art is everywhere! Exploring art through design

In Arts, the students of 1st and 2nd ESO have developed an exciting project that has allowed them to delve into the History of Art and, at the same time, apply their knowledge of graphic design and composition.

The challenge consisted of creating informative posters about different artistic periods and plastic techniques. To do so, the students organised themselves into teams and chose an artistic movement (such as Renaissance, Baroque, Impressionism or Cubism) or a specific technique (watercolour, oil painting, collage, among others). From this choice, they began a research phase in which they gathered information on the most representative artists, the visual characteristics of each style and the tools used in each technique.

Once the research phase ended, it was time for creativity. The students designed their posters by applying principles of visual composition, typography and colour combination to achieve an attractive and harmonious result. To do so, they made preliminary sketches and used both manual and digital tools, reinforcing their graphic design skills.

The result was a gallery of posters full of colour, information and creativity, which were displayed in the school corridors for the whole school community to enjoy and learn from.

We look forward to seeing the next projects of these young artists and designers!

 

 

The Strength of Paper

 

The Strength of Paper: Innovation in Structure Construction at Our Institute

    In the realm of technical education and creativity, we often face challenges where the key isn't just the strength of materials, but also the ability to think innovatively and find out-of-the-box solutions. A clear example of this was the activity carried out at our institute, where the capacity of an apparently fragile material like recycled paper was tested to create structures strong enough to support a significant load, such as the weight of a person.

Objective and Challenge:

    The challenge presented to the students was to design and build a structure that was not only functional but also resistant. The uniqueness of this project lay in the use of recycled materials, specifically paper from the daily use of the institute and was no longer necessary. Through this exercise, participants explored concepts of structural design, material strength, and sustainability, demonstrating that creativity and engineering don't always require expensive or hard-to-find materials.

The Construction Process:

    The key to this activity was transforming recycled paper into a form strong enough to withstand the expected load. Starting with regular sheets of paper, the students transformed the material into sturdy bars by carefully rolling the sheets to create a solid and resistant product. This process was carried out using basic materials like hot glue, scissors, a cutter, and toothpicks—simple tools that were enough to shape the structures.

    Each sheet of paper was carefully rolled, beginning from the corners, to form a rigid bar that, when combined with others, became an essential component of the final structure. This method of manipulating and transforming paper allowed a material that is normally light and flexible to gain the strength necessary to support the load.

     

Materials Used:

• Recycled paper (discarded paper, newspapers, magazines, etc.): The base material for the project, accessible, eco-friendly, and surprisingly versatile.

• Hot glue: Used to bond the paper bars together and give them greater firmness.

• Scissors and cutter: Basic tools for cutting and shaping the paper.

• Toothpicks: A creative resource that helped reinforce connection points and improve the stability of the structures.

Solution Adopted:

    The design of the structures was the result of a combination of testing and adjustments. The students experimented with different shapes and configurations, from triangular models to bridge-like designs, to maximize the stability and strength of their constructions. 

Each model was tested with load trials, and while not all structures were able to hold the weight of a person immediately, the iterative process and constant improvements were key to finding the most effective solution.

The most successful structure was one that used a series of columns and beams arranged in a triangular reinforcement network— a common technique in structural engineering due to its efficiency in evenly distributing weight. Moreover, the construction allowed students to grasp fundamental concepts of physics, such as force distribution, torsion, and compression.

       

Final Reflection:

    Through this activity, students not only learned about structural design, but also gained awareness of the importance of recycling and responsible material use. By using recycled paper, the activity promoted sustainable thinking and demonstrated how an everyday material can acquire new functions and applications with creativity and ingenuity.

    This exercise made it clear that engineering doesn't always require complex or expensive materials. With simple materials like recycled paper, and a good dose of imagination, it's possible to create surprising and effective solutions. This activity not only strengthened students' technical knowledge but also fostered innovation, collaboration, and environmental awareness within the academic setting. Without a doubt, it was an excellent example of how simplicity can be incredibly effective when paired with the right creativity.