PASCAL at the International History Bee & Bowl European Championships in Berlin

A delegation from PASCAL Schools Lemesos recently travelled to Berlin to participate in the European History Bee & Bowl Championships, competing against schools from Europe and beyond. This important international experience brought together students from PASCAL Private Secondary School Lemesos, PASCAL Primary Lemesos and PASCAL Primary City Centre, who travelled as one united delegation for the first time. 

Throughout the championships, our students demonstrated strong historical knowledge, critical thinking, teamwork and determination. Their participation reflected not only their academic preparation, but also their ability to collaborate, think quickly, respond under pressure and represent their School with confidence and maturity. 

Among the delegation’s notable achievements were: 

Bronze Medals for PASCAL Primary Lemesos in the Elementary Division of the International History Bowl 

A Bronze Medal for Platon Pronin of PASCAL Primary Lemesos in the Elementary Division of the International History Bee 

4th Place for Maxim Maksimov of PASCAL Primary City Centre in the Elementary Division of the International History Bee 

A Gold Medal for Evangelos Neophytou of PASCAL Primary City Centre in the Open Division of the International History Bee Competition 

PASCAL Private Secondary School Lemesos was represented by two Varsity History Bowl teams, while students also competed in the Varsity and Junior Varsity divisions of the International History Bee. The Secondary students delivered highly competitive performances throughout the tournament, taking part in closely contested matches against some of the strongest schools participating in the championships. 

Beyond the impressive results, the educational value of this experience was truly significant. Students had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of history beyond the classroom, engage with international peers and develop important skills such as communication, resilience, leadership and cooperation. Competitions of this kind encourage students to approach learning with curiosity, discipline and enthusiasm, while also helping them appreciate history as a living subject that connects people, cultures and societies. 

The trip also strengthened the sense of unity across the PASCAL community. Older students supported and encouraged the younger members of the delegation during the preparation sessions and throughout the trip itself, demonstrating responsibility, kindness and excellent team spirit. This mentoring role was one of the most meaningful aspects of the experience, as it reflected the values that PASCAL aims to cultivate in all its students: respect, collaboration, confidence and care for others. 

In addition to the competitions, students explored Berlin’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Their sightseeing programme included the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie, the Holocaust Memorial and sections of the Berlin Wall. These visits allowed students to connect classroom learning with real historical locations and events, making history more meaningful, memorable and relevant. 

The delegation was accompanied by Mr Valentinos Valanos, Ms Elaine Charalambous, Mr Harry Charalambous and Ms Inna Denkovych, whose guidance, support and dedication contributed greatly to the success of the trip. 

We warmly congratulate all students who participated and represented PASCAL Schools with dedication, enthusiasm and cooperation. Their achievements and conduct throughout this memorable educational experience are a source of pride for our School and reflect PASCAL’s commitment to academic excellence, international engagement and the holistic development of every student.