Koldovstoretz

## About

Located off the northernmost tip of October Revolution Island, the Russian magical school is a place of snow and ice, a glittering palace built atop a magical floating iceberg. Founded relatively recently in 1796, it was a successor to the Russian Imperial Academy of Magic (Российская Императорская Академия Магии, or Rossiyskaya Imperatorskaya Akademiya Magii) in Moscow, which was forced to disband in November of 1796 following the death of its chief supporter, the witch monarch Catherine II. Its newly remote location was the result of an 'out of sight, out of mind' mentality which saw its existence preserved through the centuries of political upheaval which were to follow.

## Catchment

The Koldovstoretz students are drawn from the magical population of Russia, and countries of the former Soviet bloc. These countries include but are not limited to: the east of Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Korea, China, and Vietnam.

## Culture

The culture amongst staff and students at Koldovstoretz is reflective of the culture amongst the wizarding residents of Russia from which they are drawn, and is a highly competitive atmosphere in which nothing but the very best is considered acceptable. Those who fail at either academics or extracurricular pursuits face harsh punishments, and many prefer to drop out rather than undergo them. Purism is widespread, and although Muggleborn students are admitted, most choose to go elsewhere after a series of non-too-subtle hints dropped by school staff regarding how very unlikely they are to be treated as equals by either staff or students at the school. Fighting amongst students is not only tolerated but actively encouraged as a manner of allowing natural selection to take place, leaving only the most capable witches and wizards to graduate in one piece. Tolerance of any form of difference is minimal.

## Curriculum

The Koldovstoretz curriculum is very martial in nature, with a heavy focus on practical subjects. They are one of very few schools still to teach the Dark Arts as a mandatory class to all their students, whilst subjects such as Muggle Studies or even Care of Magical Creatures do not feature on their timetables. Their History classes are very much focused on the political history of their own school and country, and the accomplishments of those students who are former graduates. Many classes consist essentially of propaganda, teaching the superiority of wizards over Muggles and the inferiority of 'half-breeds'.

## School Structure

Koldovstoretz has no House system; they sort their students according to their level of ability, with the most capable students receiving the best accommodation, the widest choice of food, the most luxurious uniforms, and the use of various additional facilities including a heated swimming pool cut into the ice of the castle's cellars. The least capable students sleep in long, cold dormitories in the cellars, wear uniforms of rough wool, and eat only basic foods; those who top their classes have individual bedrooms in the upper towers, wearing silks and furs, and eating whatever they choose at meals. There are four ability-based groups with only a set number of students in each; in order for one pupil to move up, another must move down, so competition and rivalry within the school remain fierce at all times.

## Uniforms

### Girls

- White blouse with black ribbon.

- Dark blue double breasted blazer with silver buttons and school crest.

- Dark blue double breasted overcoat with silver buttons.

- White fur cape (short).

- Dark blue skirt (ankle length).

- Black stockings.

- Black boots or shoes (flat).

- Hair plaited or down.

- No cosmetics permitted.

### Boys

- White shirt with black tie.

- Dark blue double breasted blazer with silver buttons and school crest.

- Dark blue double breasted overcoat with silver buttons.

- Dark blue trousers.

- Black socks.

- Black boots or shoes.