The Crucible Performance
Lead Article by Joe Berwick
One of the joys of working with young people is seeing them take on a challenge, exceed expectations and then impress with the skills that they show.
On the 2nd – 5th of December, here at Royal School in Transylvania, we had the pleasure of seeing one of those moments. A cast of 22 students performed Arthur Miller’s famous play, ‘The Crucible’. Across 4 separate sold out nights, we were able to see their talent, strength and commitment to a complicated, yet important play.
The trailer for this performance can be seen here.
A huge congratulations to the students for all of their hard work, we are so proud of all of you!
Visit to Ioan Bob School
Visit to Bob School
On Friday, November 22, our Year 7 students, along with their form tutor Ioana Boștenaru and German teacher Anastasia Revnic, visited Ioan Bob School—the oldest public school in Cluj—for an educational exchange.
Both our students and the class we visited prepared presentations about their schools. The aim was to introduce students to different education systems while helping them build confidence in public speaking and develop social connections.
Our Year 7 students embraced the challenge of presenting their school with enthusiasm. We were proud of how they managed their nerves and gave an excellent overview of the Cambridge education system and the core values of Royal School.
After the presentations, students participated in a collaborative project. They worked in teams with the other students to create a “Friendship Calendar” and were thrilled to receive books as gifts from their hosts at the end of the day.
Experiences like this play a big role in helping our students grow beyond academics. It’s important to provide opportunities that encourage them to step out of their comfort zones, practice public speaking, and engage in face-to-face communication—skills that are becoming increasingly important in today’s world.
We would like to thank Elena Boștenaru, the Romanian teacher at Ioan Bob School, for inviting us and organizing such a meaningful and well-prepared event.
Winter Fair at Royal School
Winter Fair
The Winter Fair at Royal School was the event of the season. Even though we had no snow, that didn’t stop the loud Christmas music and the smell of cookies and sweets from filling the air. Many people from the whole school — students, teachers, and parents alike — came together for this event. There were tons of tables: some filled with candy and sweet treats, others with savory food, some offering warm drinks, and others showcasing toys and books.
The event was really fun, in my opinion! The food was great, the drinks were hot, and the whole place was filled with Christmas energy.
I’d recommend this event because it’s a great way to raise money and help others, with half of the proceeds being donated to charity. It’s also very exciting and a wonderful opportunity to meet and talk to people.
Eva-Lucia Ceucă (Year 7)
Christmas Carols Concert
Christmas Carols Concert
On the 12th of December, all students up to Year 8, along with parents and our dearest teachers, gathered in the Saint Paul and Peter Church for our annual Royal School Christmas Carol Concert. The energy in the church was beautiful and joyful. Everyone was captivated by the mesmerizing atmosphere created by the astonishing paintings on the church’s walls and, of course, deeply moved by the melodious and artistic voices of our students and the parents’ choir.
Our students and parents rehearsed for months before this special event to ensure it was perfect and enjoyable. A special thank you goes to Miss Renata Burca, our dedicated music teacher, for all the hard work she put in. She painstakingly worked with each and every student and parent, ensuring everyone could take delight in our unique and unforgettable Christmas Carol Concert.
Iva Claru (Year 8)
Trip to Sibiu
Trip Year 8&9R
On the 8th of December, Year 8 and Year 9R left for Sibiu for a short break and visit, lasting 3 days and 2 nights.
On the first day of the trip, they arrived at the B13 Hotel, located in the heart of the marvellous old town of Sibiu, which was perfectly suited for their stay. The location of the hotel was great! It was close to the Christmas market and even had a convenience store nearby! The old city was amazing to walk through, especially on cold winter evenings. Although it was sometimes very chilly, they managed to keep their spirits high and continued exploring new and bewildering locations.
As soon as they arrived, they were split into a few rooms and given about half an hour to settle in. Afterwards, they went for a walk to the nearby mall, where they enjoyed a good, warm meal followed by some shopping time. They had loads of fun together with their friends and classmates.
The next day, they woke up and visited the ASTRA Museum, the largest open-air museum in Europe and the most complete one. It features more than 10 km of alleys and over 400 reconstructed buildings made of wood, stone, and brick, illustrating the daily life of ancestors who lived in Romanian villages. Despite the rainy weather, they walked around and admired the sheer beauty and history of the olden days.
After an hour, they met up for a great lunch at the museum’s local restaurant. The food was delicious and filling, and the tea was just perfect.
Next, they went ice skating! Most of the kids didn’t know how to skate, and they had a great laugh watching each other fall on their bums. It was an experience that brought the two classes closer together. They had loads of fun and thoroughly enjoyed their time. Though exhausted and wet, the kids walked through the Christmas market for a few good hours, where they ate langos and drank hot chocolate.
When they returned to the hotel, they organised a party to celebrate Iva’s 13th birthday. They danced, sang, ate pizza, and drank juice, making the evening as enjoyable as possible.
On the final day, half of the students went to ParaPark to solve escape rooms, while the other half stayed at the hostel working on a DIY activity. The escape rooms were very unique compared to what you usually see. There were three themes: Jungle Adventures, Chemical Attack, and The Virus. Each theme had its own story and mystery to solve. The rooms were cleverly designed to entertain and keep everyone excited.
The trip helped the students build a stronger bond with their schoolmates and teachers and brought the two classes closer together while enjoying a few days full of activities and laughter. The teachers did a marvellous job preparing everything, and it was definitely a memorable trip for everyone involved!
Iva Claru, Cristina Mocanu (Year 8)
Poems Y6
THE SNOW
Without warning a snowflake
Of white rises in the sky.
Spreading joy among the villagers
And painting smiles on the children’s faces.
Colorful scarfs and handmade hats.
With great hopes and wishing the best
To families and friends.
Antonia Unsain Y6
DESTRUCTION OF THE GODS
Without warning Poseidon – king of the waters,
Rises high and mighty in the sky.
He roars as he gets higher and spreads a giant wave.
The sun goes out and the sky is dark.
Far away is heard the shout of Zeus,
Up rushes the storm a moment after waves crash soaking everything.
The darkness suddenly lifts its wings around the surface of earth and crushes everything.
Desmond Balint Y6
THE FOG
In the thick fog,
I feel something
Holding me back.
I can’t move
As I want.
The fog thicker and closer,
I am being pulled into
The fog.
Yujin Soh Y6
THE LONELY BIRD
I came from the dark cloudy hills
And then I noticed… I am lost.
I am lonely.
I am as lonely as a deserted island
And I cry for days and days.
One lucky day, I saw and I thought,
It looked like a mirror,
But it was birds, like me.
It was a rainbow after the storm.
But the birds flew into me
And their sharp beaks scratched me.
And I who was as pure as driven snow
Am now as wondered as a war horse.
Katie Murphy Y6
A DROP OF RAIN
A drop of rain, am I, falling from the sky
Amongst many others,
Wetting the Earth.
A drop of rain, am I,
The one splashing and
The life-giver to many.
A drop of rain, am I,
Tiny, wet drop of sky-water,
And I create a new beginning.
Ana Rusu Izabela