Economics Society Guest Speaker | Ms Maria Michael | 12 December

On 12 December, the Economics Society welcomed Ms Maria Michael (Eurobank Cyprus Ltd) for a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how a modern bank operates in Cyprus — and what corporate banking looks like in real life. Drawing on her experience as a Large Corporate Banking Account Manager, Ms Michael connected classroom concepts (risk, performance, ratios, regulation) to the day-to-day decisions banks make with customers, companies, and major projects.

Ms Michael began by outlining Eurobank Cyprus’ positioning in the local market, highlighting its scale and the breadth of services offered. Students were introduced to the bank’s activity across:

• Corporate and commercial banking
• International business banking
• Private banking and wealth management
• Retail banking
• Insurance services (including ERB Asfalistiki and ERB Cyprialife)
• Provident fund services for businesses

We warmly thank Ms Maria Michael for an engaging and highly practical talk, and for giving students an honest view of the skills and mindset needed to succeed in corporate banking.

We are delighted to celebrate an outstanding achievement by our student Derem Uluerli, who represented himself and our school with determination and courage at the OCEANMAN World Final Championship, Dubai 2025 (United Arab Emirates).

Competing in a high-energy open-water setting alongside swimmers from around the world, Derem delivered a strong performance and earned an official Certificate of Gratitude from OCEANMAN, recognising his inspiring participation and unbreakable spirit in the event.

Derem’s official results (Dubai 2025)

• Overall placing: 6
• Bib number: 1108
• Category: U15 – Male
• Category placing: 5
• Time: 00:06:51

This is a fantastic result in a world-final environment, reflecting real discipline, endurance, and composure under pressure—qualities that go far beyond sport and speak to character.

Congratulations, Derem. We are proud of you and look forward to seeing what you achieve next.

If you want the article to explicitly say “3rd place,” tell me what that 3rd refers to (overall / category / a specific distance or subgroup), and I’ll adjust one sentence so it’s 100% accurate.

On Friday 9 January, the Economics Society welcomed Ms Pahita, an alumna, for an engaging session focused on studying at the University of Cyprus (UCY) and what that pathway can look like after school.

A closer look at UCY

Ms Pahita introduced students to UCY as a study destination and spoke about its growing reputation, noting that the university is ranked among the top institutions in Europe. She explained what makes UCY an attractive option for students who want a strong academic experience while staying connected to the region.

Why choose UCY

A key part of the discussion focused on the reasons students might consider UCY, including:

• the value of a respected degree and the opportunities it can unlock
• the importance of matching your course choice to your strengths and interests
• how university is not just about lectures, but about building independence and direction

Career opportunities, challenges, and real-world perspective

The talk also explored the wider picture: how a university experience connects to career opportunities, and what students should realistically expect along the way. Ms Pahita spoke openly about the challenges students may face when transitioning to university life, while also highlighting the opportunities that come with taking initiative, staying curious, and making the most of what a university environment offers.

Student questions and an honest Q&A

The session ended with a lively Q&A, with students asking thoughtful questions and receiving practical, clear answers. Overall, it was a highly informative discussion that helped students think more confidently about their next steps and how to evaluate university options with purpose.

The Economics Society would like to thank Ms Pahita for giving her time and sharing her experience so generously.

On 16 January, the Economics Society welcomed Mr Eros Nicolaou (Qualified Advocate) for an engaging talk that blended career guidance with a thoughtful discussion on what it means to live well. Drawing on real-world experience from the legal profession in Cyprus, Mr Nicolaou invited students to look beyond the traditional “ladder” of achievement and consider a bigger question: how do happiness, purpose, and success actually fit together?

Rethinking “success”
A key starting point was Mr Nicolaou’s challenge to the idea that success has one fixed definition. Students explored how success can look different depending on personal values, life stage, and context. The conversation moved naturally into the tension many people feel between building a career and building a life—and how the two don’t always develop in a neat, predictable way.

Career pathways: Cyprus, abroad, and the value of investment
Mr Nicolaou spoke openly about career decision-making and the realities behind different pathways, including the question many students consider: Should someone pursue opportunities in Cyprus or abroad? In discussing law specifically, he touched on the commitment required to build a legal career locally, and the importance of understanding the long-term “investment” of time, training, and persistence.

Alongside the practical elements, he highlighted the role that society plays in shaping expectations—particularly in academic and professional environments—where external measures of “achievement” can sometimes overshadow personal fulfilment.

Law in Cyprus: society, politics, and change
The talk also placed law within its wider context. Mr Nicolaou discussed how social and political developments in Cyprus can shape legal practice and public life, reinforcing the idea that law is not just about rules and procedures, but also about people, institutions, language, and change.

Happiness, mindfulness, and purpose
One of the most impactful themes was the distinction between success and happiness. Mr Nicolaou encouraged students to think about enjoyment, mindfulness, satisfaction, and purpose—not as “extras,” but as essential components of a sustainable and meaningful life.

He also emphasised a reality that many people only learn later: in the real world, the “next step” is often unpredictable. Opportunities can appear unexpectedly, and progress is rarely linear. Rather than viewing uncertainty as a threat, students were encouraged to see it as a space where growth and new directions are possible.

Goals, setbacks, and the non-linear journey
Mr Nicolaou offered a balanced perspective on short-term and long-term targets, encouraging students to plan with intention while staying flexible. Importantly, he normalised setbacks, stressing that failure can lead to success and that careers often develop through turns, pauses, and unexpected learning moments.

At the heart of this message was a simple point: progress is easier to sustain when it’s fuelled by genuine interest. For Mr Nicolaou, passion for law—and the willingness to keep learning—was presented as a key driver of professional development and resilience.

Student Q&A: from corporate law to communication skills
The session ended with a lively Q&A, where students asked thoughtful and wide-ranging questions. Topics included:

• Corporate law and the realities of legal work in business settings
• The skill set needed for case law, and the importance of analytical thinking
• The experiences and pathways of English School graduates studying in the UK
• Constitutional law and its relevance to civic life
• The importance of language in the workplace, especially clear communication and professional confidence

Thank you
The Economics Society would like to thank Mr Eros Nicolaou for a meaningful, honest, and inspiring session, and Ms Antoinetta Diola Skordi for capturing the key themes of the talk. We look forward to welcoming more speakers who can help students connect classroom learning with real-life choices, challenges, and opportunities.

Term 1 saw a brilliant start to our Inter-House programme, with pupils competing across a busy calendar of fixtures and events — including football, basketball, volleyball/futsal, cross country, and the ever-popular Founder’s Day challenges.

Junior Boys – Term 1 Standings

1) Newham – 30 points
2) Wolseley – 26 points
3) Beaconsfield – 23 points
4) Kitchener – 22 points

Junior Girls – Term 1 Standings

1) Newham – 33 points
2) Kitchener – 30 points
3) Wolseley – 23 points
4) Beaconsfield – 20 points

Senior Boys – Term 1 Standings

1) Beaconsfield – 14.5 points
2) Newham – 9 points
3) Kitchener – 4.5 points
4) Wolseley – 3 points

Founder’s Day (Junior Boys & Girls) – Points Summary

1) Kitchener – 21 points
2) Newham – 11 points (joint 2nd)
3) Wolseley – 11 points (joint 2nd)
4) Beaconsfield – 5 points

Well done to all pupils for their energy, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout Term 1. We look forward to more Inter-House action in Term 2.

Full Results (PDFs)
Junior Boys: View / Download PDF
Junior Girls: View / Download PDF
Senior Boys: View / Download PDF
Founder’s Day (Junior Boys & Girls): View / Download PDF

We are proud to share that Team Next Step, our student company from the Junior Achievement (JA) Company Programme, has been invited to represent Cyprus at the International Trade Fair in Vienna, taking place from March 12 to 15, 2026.

A standout achievement has already marked the team’s journey. In April 2025, Next Step earned 3rd place at the JA Cyprus Company Programme finale. After competing alongside 78 student companies, they were selected as one of the Top 10 finalists. Their innovative concept, strong pitch, and confident responses to the jury secured them a place among the programme’s top performers.

Next Step is a career exploration website designed for Cypriot high school and university students, bringing career guidance into one accessible platform. Shaped by personal experiences, the website offers insights into a wide range of professions, while also featuring dedicated sections on women in STEM, women in traditionally male-dominated fields, and the impact of AI on job security—helping students explore career paths through a modern, socially aware lens. With creative graphics, interactive videos, and interview flash cards, the team’s mission is to build a platform that supports change, innovation, and empowerment—a space that helps students take their Next Step with clarity and confidence.

We congratulate Team Next Step on this fantastic milestone and wish them every success as they prepare to showcase their work internationally in Vienna.

With thanks to JA Cyprus for the invitation and continued support of student entrepreneurship, and to the staff supporting the programme at the school.

Our Senior Boys Futsal team proudly represented The English School in the Nicosia Schools Senior Boys Futsal Tournament, securing a place among the Top 6 teams. Throughout the competition, the boys demonstrated impressive skill, determination, and excellent sportsmanship.

Match Results

• Match 1: The English School 2–1 Techniki Sxoli C
• Match 2: The English School 3–0 Lykion Paliometochou

Quarterfinal: Pascal School 3–2 The English School

After two strong wins, the team narrowly missed out on a place in the semi-finals, losing by a single goal in a highly competitive quarter-final. Their performance throughout the tournament was a credit to the school and reflected their commitment and teamwork.

Team Members

• Procopiou Alexandros
• Felekis Stephanos
• Middleton Alexandros
• Makris Kyriakos
• Kyprianou Andreas
• Pashias Athos
• Kallis Anastasios
• Illarionos Marios
• Constantinou Loizos
• Maroudias Nikolas

Coaches
Mr Andy Ioannou,  Mr Yiannos Papaioannou

Congratulations to all players and coaches on a fantastic tournament run—well done for representing the school with pride.

On Friday, 19th December, our Year 1 students marked the end of term with a truly heart-warming final Act of Kindness. With generous support from 2 Red (and special thanks to Ms Olia Antoniadou for her assistance), the children managed to raise an incredible €1,310, alongside a substantial collection of dry food, clothing, and toys.

All donations will be delivered later this morning by Mr George Venizelou to the Multiple Sclerosis organisations.

A huge bravo to Year 1 and 2 Red for this outstanding and compassionate gesture — a beautiful way to close the term and share the spirit of Christmas.

We wish everyone a happy, peaceful, and joyful holiday.

On Wednesday, 17th December, between 3:00–5:00 pm, our Year 1 students enjoyed a wonderfully festive Christmas MasterChef event organised by the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Department.

Pupils had the chance to taste a range of delicious French, Spanish, and German Christmas specialities, while also dancing and celebrating together in a joyful holiday atmosphere. The event brought students together in a fun, lively setting and was a lovely way to mark the season as a year group.

A huge thank you to our sponsor, the Parents’ Association (ESPGA), for their generous support in making this event possible.

Well done to all our Year 1 students for their enthusiasm, positive energy, and festive spirit.