Markham College

History

The school was named after the British historian and explorer Sir Clements Robert Markham (1838–1916).

The first students entered Markham College in March 1946. By 1978, it had grown to about 1,200 students and it was necessary to acquire a second site. The transfer of the Lower School to this site began in 1979. Students enter the school at the age of 4+ and transfer to the Upper School at the age of 11+. Currently, there are around 155 students in each year group. Competition for places is severe and currently (2016) there are very few spaces in most year groups.

In 1992, the school became co-educational with girls being admitted in roughly equal numbers to boys. In recent years, it has accepted slightly more girls than boys.

In 2004, the school became part of Round Square, an internationally recognized organization of schools which follows the IDEALS of Kurt Hahn, and Markhamian delegations have attended Round Square conferences both regionally and globally ever since. The school is also a member of the G20 Schools Group.

The House System

In the second year of primary school (P2) students are nominally divided into four "houses" which compete in sports, academics and other activities. They are called Cochrane, Guise, Miller and Rowcroft, and named after Lord Cochrane, Vice Admiral Guise, General William Miller (all military figures) and Thomas Edward Rowcroft, the first British diplomat in Peru. Their colours are red, blue, green and yellow, respectively. Houses compete in a series of events, among them a swimming competition and an athletics event, to obtain the Founder's shield.

The House competition is mainly but not entirely focused on sports. The house competition has three major elements; the Swimming Gala, Markham on Stage, and Sports Day. While these are the three most important competitions, during the 2nd and 4th bimesters students compete in sports weekly. The Interhouse competitions include: football, basketball, rugby, cricket, hockey, volleyball, softball and minisports. Minisports consists of many small disciplines such as archery, shooting, climbing, surfing, table tennis, tennis, badminton, chess, croquet and others.

Languages

Classes are mostly taught in English, with a small number of courses taught in Spanish. The study of French is compulsory from P6 to S1, becoming optional from S2 onwards.

Subjects offered

At IGCSE level, for courses at secondary three and four, Markham offers classes in Additional Mathematics, Art & Design, Business Studies, Computer Studies, Co-ordinated (Double) Science, Design and Technology, Drama, English at both First and Second Language levels, Food and Nutrition, French, Geography, History, Information Technology, Literature in both English and Spanish, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education and First and Foreign Language Spanish.

At IB Diploma level, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, Economics, English A, French B, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Psychology (in Spanish), Spanish A and B, Theatre Arts and Visual Arts are currently all being taught at both Higher and Standard Level. Environmental Systems and Film Studies are available at Standard Level. Sports, Exercise and Health Science will become so in 2012. Further Mathematics will also be offered at Higher Level for suitable students in 2012.

Apart from the academic curriculum, the school offers a variety of extra-curricular activities. These include several art courses, drama, music, sports such as football, hockey, cricket and rugby, and many other activities such as Model United Nations or debating. The full list runs to over 150 options.

Examination Results

In 2011 Markham students sat an average of 10.2 courses at IGCSE and passed 9.95 of them with Grades A-C. 46% of the results were Grades A*-A. This despite the fact, that with the obvious exceptions of French and Spanish, all courses are taught in English and the overwhelming majority of Markham students have Spanish as their First Language.

In the last ten years, Markham has entered 587 students for the IB bilingual Diploma and 580 have passed with an average score of 33.2. 58 of them have achieved scores of 40 points or more, and Markham has the South American record for highest IB results.

All students are entered for Preliminary English Test in their last year of Primary education and for the First Certificate of English examination at the age of 14. Pass rates are close to 100%.

Uniform

Tradition plays an important part in Markham College, and is represented by the uniforms that the students wear. In the summer months, a white polo shirt with beige shorts or skirts and sneakers is the norm. In winter, students adopt a more formal style of dress which consists of brown shoes, grey trousers or skirts, brown belts, white shirts or blouses, and a brown and gold jumper. There is also a separate P.E. uniform.

Sixth form students are required to wear a formal suit or a blazer in the winter. The use of a tie is not compulsory although it is required during formal activities and events.

Drama at Markham College

Markham College stages at least three plays throughout the school year, in Spanish, English and French. Recently, some of the most popular ones have been: El Cadaver del Señor Garcia The Mikado; The Gondoliers; Chicago; Iolanthe; The Pirates of Penzance; The Phantom of the Opera and Little Shop of Horrors in English; Don Juan Tenorio; Los Figurantes and La Tras-Escena in Spanish.

Notable alumni

Markham College alumni are organized through the Old Markhamian Association (OMA), and include:

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