Rektor´s Letters

Latest Update

In this section, you can find the most recent letter / update from Rektor Laurence Nodder informing parents, guardians, National Committees on news, events and life at UWC Robert Bosch College; earlier updates can be found at the bottom of the page:

22nd February 2024

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I have been the Head of a UWC since April 1999, and have learnt over the last 25 years that there are typical rhythms in the life of UWCs. This is the time of the 2nd/4th Semester when many within the community typically feel stretched and stressed. 1st year students have gained the new and important subject, Theory of Knowledge, and have started the process of their extended essays – this in addition to the already full formal and informal programmes. 2nd year students are approaching their Mock examinations – these start next Friday. The stretch and stress show in the length of the queue at the Nurse’s Office each morning, general wellness not being helped by a couple of virus infections doing the rounds. (Also, several teachers have needed to take periods of sick leave.)

There are many special events, both formal and informal student-inspired and led events, that punctuate the semester, complementing the regular college programme. For instance, the community accomplished another generally successful Project Week (4th – 9th February), the whole of last week there was a focus provided by the RBC Afro-Caribbean community culminating in a wonderful student show on the Saturday evening. Following on from the highly successful Inequality Special Focus Day in January, this Friday (23rd) is the Model United Nations (MUN) Special Focus Day with the theme: “How does the UN make peace or fail to do so”. While the 2nd year students are writing their Mock Examinations, 1st year students focus on their week-long Liveable Cities project and on data collection for their “G4” (Experimental Sciences) internal assessment.

If you are able, this is a good time to reach out to your child, RBC’s student, to “check-in” with them.

Next week, several colleagues, two students and I are scheduled to attend a UWC Congress. The UWC Congress brings together a wide range of people: those involved in the schools and colleges, at least one representative from each of the 160 UWC National Committee representative, Governance representatives including from each of each of the schools and colleges, the UWC Council and the UWC International Board, International Office staff and several donors. Generally, a Congress takes place every six years. It is time to take stock, to gain inspiration, to look ahead. The broad theme this time is “Education as a Force” – taken from the Mission Statement. Five areas gain particular attention: Curriculum, Teaching & Learning; Admissions; Wellbeing; Financial Sustainability; and Educational Leadership and Partnerships. For more insight, I invite you to read https://www.uwc.org/congress

For those of you who might be in the vicinity of Freiburg on Saturday 2nd March, there is a “Kultur in der Kartaus” performance by Berlin-based jazz vocalist Amanda Becker and RBC/Freiburg/London jazz pianist Will Bartlett, starting at 20:00. Refreshments (and campus tours) are available starting 19:00. Traditionally, the Kultur in der Kartaus series raises funds for scholarships for further students from SOS Children’s Villages to attend RBC. Entrance is free, donations welcome.

Looking ahead, the Spring/Easter break starts at 18:00 on Tuesday 26th March. Campus remains open over this break. Typically over half the students spend some or all of the break on Campus, and catering continues in the Mensa. Students who leave at any stage during the break are expected to return to campus by 21:00 on Sunday 7th April.

With best wishes,

Laurence Nodder, Rektor

Find past letters / updates here:

• Update from January 15th, 2024 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from December 18th, 2023 (Rektor’s Xmas Letter to Panrets and Guardians)
• Update from December 18th, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from November 7th, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from October 9th, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from September 29th, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from September 5th, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from August 17th, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update (1) from May 16th, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update (2) from May 16th, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from May 12th, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from April 5th, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from February 2nd, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from January 18, 2023 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from November 24, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from September 21st, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from August 31st, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from August 26th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from August 24th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Incoming Parents and Guardians)
• Update from August 10th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from July 6th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Incoming Parents and Guardians)
• Update from May 27th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from May 17th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from May 16th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from May 10th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from April 29th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from April 1st, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from March 10th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from February 23rd, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from February 17th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from February 9th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from January 20th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from January 17th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians) 
• Update from January 10th, 2022 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from December 10th, 2021 (Rektor´s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from December 2nd, 2021 (Rektor´s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from November 30th, 2021 (Rektor´s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from November 29th, 2021 (Rektor´s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from November 17th, 2021 (Rektor´s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from October 8th, 2021 (Rektor´s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from September 25th, 2021 (Rektor´s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from August, 29th (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from August 9th, 2021 (Rektor’s letter to 1st year Parents and Guardians cc. National Committees)
• Update from July 7th, 2021 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians of incoming students)
• Update from July 6th, 2021 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and 2021 Graduates with DP results)
• Update from June 18th, 2021 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians, copied to National Committees)
• Update from May 25th, 2021 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians of 1st year students)
• Update from May 17th, 2021 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians, copied to National Committees)
• Update from April 21st, 2021 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians, copied to National Committees)
• Update from April 1st, 2021 (Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians, copied to National Committees)
• Update from March 22nd, 2021 Rektor’s Letter to Parents and Guardians, copied to National Committees
• Update from February 19th, 2021 (Letter to Parents and Guardians, copied to National Committees)
• Update from January 29th, 2021 (Letter to Parents and Guardians, copied to National Committees)
• Update from January 7th, 2021 (Letter to Parents and Guardians cc. National Committees)
• Update from December 23rd (Letter to Parents and Guardians cc. National Committees)
• Update from December 10th (Letter to Parents and Guardians cc. National Committees)
• Update from December 3rd (Letter to Parents and Guardians cc. National Committees)
• Update from November 11th (Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from October 28th (Letter to Parents and Guardians)
• Update from October 16th (Letter to parents and guardians)
• Update from September 16th (Letter to all parents and guardians)
• Update from August 11th (Letter to first-year parents)
• Update from August 11th (Letter to second-year parents)
• Update from June 17th (Letter to first-year parents)
• Update from June 16th (Letter to second-year parents)
• Update from May 7th
• Update from May 1st (FAQ for parents and guardians of incoming students)
• Update from May 1st (letter to parents and guardians of incoming students)
• Update from April 21st (Information for returning students)
• Update from April 16th
• Update from April 1st
• Update from March 23rd
• Update from March 19th
• Update from March 16th
• Update from March 13th
• Update from March 12th
• Update from March 9th
• Update from March 2nd
• Update from February 26th

We post updates from the College regularly here on our News-page, on Instagram or on our Facebook page. Please visit any of these platforms to get informed further about the College’s handling of the situation.