From the Principal’s Desk, 16th January 2020
Dear Parents
Welcome to the 2020 academic year! We are all excited about this year and the changes, both aesthetic and academic, planned.
We received our matric AS results last week and are very happy to announce that 29 of the 32 students who wrote passed matric. 16 students passed with matric exemption.
TOP IGCSE STUDENT 2019!
Chloe Goldman wrote 8 IGCSE subjects in which she obtained 6 A* and 2 A’s. A total of 8 distinctions! We are exceptionally proud of her and are looking forward to more such achievements in her AS levels!
A total of 22 distinctions were achieved across the various subject areas. Top marks were achieved in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, First Language English, English Literature, Spanish Foreign Language, German Foreign Language, French Foreign Language and Music.
We wish to congratulate Ms. Alice Pryor on her excellent teaching skills in English First language. A total of 6 Distinctions were obtained for First Language English and 5 Distinctions for English Literature. Her dedication to her students and her love of the subject area is clearly displayed.
Just a reminder that we are starting renovations on the downstairs bathrooms on Monday, 20th January and request that you remind students to use the bathrooms upstairs. Foundation Phase have a brand new hopscotch-themed play area and the students are thoroughly enjoying the colorful spaces.
Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 have a Parent Information Evening on Thursday, 23rd January and we are looking forward to an enjoyable and informative evening.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead.
Regards
Edna
From the Principal’s Desk, 5th December 2019
Dear Parents
We have come to the final week of examinations for the high school and I would like to congratulate the students on their hard work and dedication.
We had a lovely evening of music, games and goodies at the Moonlight market last Friday. Thank you to our wonderful PA who organized the event for our school. We are so grateful for all their hard work and the effort they put into the event. The feedback from vendors was incredibly positive and we hope to have more such events in the future.
This week we celebrated our students and their achievements. I spent a lovely morning with students, and their parents, from Foundation Stage and look forward to watching their growth and development as they move through the school. We teach our students the importance of acceptance and are mindful that our children learn more from what they see than from what they hear us say. These are important years of growth for their hearts and minds; lessons instilled at this young age will guide their behaviour later in life. It is with this in mind that our teachers work diligently instilling the values of integrity and tolerance in their young charges and it is with a happy heart that I watch the students move to the next phase of their academic career.
Tonight we will have our Key Stage 2 ceremony and tomorrow morning, our Key Stage 1. We look forward to these events as it gives us an opportunity to celebrate with our students and their parents.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend ahead as we all prepare for the festivities of the season.
Warm regards
Edna
From the Principal’s Desk, 28 November 2019
Dear Parents
With only two weeks left of the 2019 academic year, things can feel a bit overwhelming for parents and teachers alike.
On Monday morning there was a buzz of excitement as students were introduced to their new teachers for 2020. A Year 1 student could barely contain her excitement as I passed her in the corridor and, with a grin a mile wide, announced, ‘I am Year 2 now!’ It was heartwarming to see the excitement and pride in her face and reminded me what an exciting experience this transition is for the students.
2019 was not without its challenges, but here we stand, and look how far we have come. We have been tested and learnt new lessons and it is with a positive and optimistic outlook that we approach the new academic year. With the festive season on our doorstep there is much to look forward to, and beyond that, the opportunities that come with a new year. The final stages of planning for the 2020 academic year are underway as a gentle hum of happy anticipation fills the corridors.
We are looking forward to our Moonlight Market tomorrow night and I encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the festivities! The event will run from 17h00 to 21h00 with plenty of fun activities and delicious treats for the whole family. I look forward to seeing you all there.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Edna
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From the Principal’s Desk, 21 November 2019
Dear Parents
It is essential that we prepare our students, throughout their school career, not just to pass their final examinations, but for the challenges which lie beyond the confines of the education system.
The Year 11 students left for their annual leadership camp on Monday and when I joined them on Tuesday, I was immensely proud of the teamwork I witnessed. I saw the students come to each other’s aid in order to conquer the various obstacles set before them; from helping each other navigate the river to leading a blindfolded friend via a safe path, these were only a couple of the skills on display. I watched them with pride, as so many of the students I have known since they were in junior school and have followed their progress as they transitioned into high school and now into the leaders of our student body. They are a keen and passionate group and we have much to look forward to as they navigate their final year.
Our Year 12 students completed their final Cambridge examinations on Friday the 15th of November and we eagerly await the results in early January next year.
We had a fruitful information morning on Saturday the 16th of November and are looking forward to welcoming our new parents and students in the 2020 academic year.
This coming Monday, the 25th of November, is the primary school orientation morning where students will be introduced to their teachers for the 2020 academic year. It is an exciting time for both teachers and students as we all prepare for the new academic year.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend!
Kind regards
Edna
From the Principal’s Desk, 14 November 2019
Dear Parents
It is unbelievable how quickly this year has passed. With less than four weeks left of school, the last stretch is ahead of us.
We had a wonderful sports day last week Saturday and I am exceptionally proud of how well organized it was. Miss Fourie is an asset to the school and, together with her colleagues, they ensured that everyone had a wonderful experience.
Sport is a reminder of the necessity of healthy living and is therefore integral in a child’s development. The sport at our school has grown tremendously over the past year and we acknowledge and appreciate the parental support which has made this possible.
We are incredibly proud to have such talented students across a range of disciplines. Last Friday’s music evening showcased the talents of our junior musicians; both students and teachers have worked diligently throughout the year and the showcase of talent on Friday night was amazing to behold. This coming Friday will see our high school students perform and I wish to invite everyone to attend the performance.
I wish to remind everyone that Hatrick (our uniform store) will be open until the 20th of December 2019 and deliveries will begin from the 6th of January 2020.
We are planning a range of parent workshops for the 2020 academic year and I would like interested parents to email me with suggestions for topics. We have the best interests of our students and their families at heart and I therefore urge parents to engage with the upcoming workshops. Together we are better and we can achieve more.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend.
Regards
Edna
From the Principal’s Desk, 7 November 2019
Dear Parents
What makes a school stand out? What makes BIS an extra ordinary school? We at BIS believe that education is more than the academics we offer to our students. One of the key skills that all students need in life is the ability to apply critical thinking in decision-making.
Critical thinking should be integrated across curriculum content through activities and strategic planning.
What is the language of critical thinking? Here are some traits that we can identify:
- Adapt
- Strive
- Examine
- Create
- Communicate
- Collaborate
- Inquire
- Reflect
- Link
Students must be taught to identify and nurture these traits and apply them academically as well as in social interactions.
Critical thinking fosters teacher development, student growth and family engagement; all important factors for intellectual and emotional growth.
This weekend we will be hosting our Foundation and Key Stage 1 Sports Day. Please join us for this exciting event!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Edna
From the Principal’s Desk, 31 October 2019
Dear Parents
“Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the wrong. Sometime in life you will have been all of these.”
― George Washington Carver
Our world has become a place of intolerance, impatience and entitlement. It saddens me to see the anger and impatience of drivers when they have to share the road with pedestrians and instead of honouring the elderly members of our community, we treat them as a burden.
At Blouberg International we teach our students to greet parents, staff and visitors. Respect and kindness is never wasted.
You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force. Educating our children is far more than academics; it is also the tolerance, respect and compassion we show and teach our children.
As a country we are gearing up for the Rugby World Cup finals on Saturday. In support of our national team therefore, students will enjoy a free civvies day tomorrow (Friday, the 1st of November) and we encourage everyone to wear green and gold in support of the Springboks.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend.
Edna
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From the Principal’s Desk, 24 October 2019
Dear Parents
This week I received several emails from parents expressing their excitement after seeing students practicing for athletics in the mornings. It is indeed an awesome sight to see both Key stage 2 and the high school preparing themselves for the upcoming sports events. Their display of hard work and dedication goes a long way in building school spirit and a sense of community amongst the students.
Saturday, the 9th of November, is a Sports Day for the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 students and we look forward to cheering on our little athletes. Throughout the key stages, our teachers are encouraging students, as per school policy, to ensure they are doing at least one winter and one summer sport every term.
“If we did all the things, we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” – Thomas Edison.
If we want to live a successful life, we must take complete responsibility for everything we experience. This week I have been particularly mindful of responsibility and the potential greatness we can achieve if we take responsibility for both our physical and mental well-being. The key to success in every aspect of our lives lies within us. Challenging though it may be, taking responsibility for the aspects of our lives within our control, does bring peace of mind.
A couple of weeks ago, our Year 10 and 12 students began their final AS and IGCSE examinations. It was moving to see a group of students the other day, gather and pray before entering the examination venue. I was impressed by their calm and the mindset with which they faced the examination.
The school’s management team is actively planning for 2020 and we are excited to see the growth in our class numbers. An additional Year 5 class will open in 2020 as we strive to keep our classes small, allowing our teachers to give personal attention to their students.
My goal for the week ahead is inspired by Dale Carnegie.
“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.”
I wish you all a wonderful weekend ahead.
Kind regards
Edna
From the Principal’s Desk, 17 October 2019
Dear Parents
I have just returned from a wonderfully informative conference in Budapest. It is always encouraging when principals from different corners of the world come together as it’s an opportunity to learn from each other’s different experiences.
I have also recently had a visit from Cambridge Regional Director, Juan Visser, on Wednesday the 16th of October. I am happy to report that as a Cambridge Registered Centre we are looking forward to continued support from Cambridge; their guidance with regards to university entrance, subject choice and compliance is invaluable.
Cambridge Primary has traditionally focused on Mathematics, Science and English as Core Subject Areas. However, effective from September 2019, the curriculum will be broadened. It is important that students are able to identify their favorite subjects early in their academic career and are encouraged to pursue the areas in which their natural talents lie. In order to accommodate the differing strengths and interests of the students, Cambridge has broadened its curriculum with the addition of Art and Design, Digital Literacy, Music and Physical Education. Their aim is to develop the all-important “soft skills” of teamwork, responsibility, leadership and resilience. Cambridge is constantly developing and revising its programs in order to offer the best possible education for the learners.
“In a fast-moving world, education needs to evolve.”- Dr. Judith Roberts
The focus of the curriculum for the various subjects are as follows:
- Digital Literacy aims to develop learners understanding of the digital world and celebrates the opportunities that technology offers. The aim is to increase the confidence in students while using technology.
- Physical Education focuses on developing movement skills.
- Music allows the learners to explore the subject as performers, composers and listeners.
- Art and Design encourages learners to express themselves as they experience and reflect on art.
We are incredibly excited about the broadened scope of the curriculum as we are now able to offer the above subjects to the standard which Cambridge requires.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend.
Kind regards
Edna
From the Principal’s Desk, 11 October 2019
Dear Parents,
The definition of appreciation- the thoughts of a teacher.
It’s the little things.
As clichéd as it might sound, I truly feel that it is the small moments of triumph, the quiet moments we keep to ourselves when an involuntary smile breaks across our face and a lightness, a sense of joyous freedom descends; these are the moments we return for.
Humans need to feel valued, is this not a universal truth? Most of us want our value vocalized, trumpeted, for us to feel secure.
I am coming to realize that teachers are a little different in this respect.
The importance of teachers is undisputed and good teachers are invaluable. I think we know our value and it’s not just about our students reaching a predefined academic standard. We applaud the A’s and encourage the C’s and, naturally, seeing a student or a class improve over time gives us pleasure; it’s the pleasure of knowing that we are fulfilling our purpose, our requirements. Where I believe the true joy in teaching lies is in the little moments, insignificant perhaps in the grand scheme of academic terms and mark sheets, but nourishing to the soul of a teacher.
The simple phrase “thank you, ma’am” has a healing quality which can transform bitterness into relief, it can coax a reluctant smile from even the most recalcitrant of jawlines. A scribbled note in the corner of the board, a ‘U rock!’ Or perhaps a ‘stay awesome!’- it doesn’t secure an A, but it sure secures a smile.
We enjoyed a visit from Andrew Blackie (Commercial Director) and Louise Mayor (Head of Marketing) of Sparx this week. The Sparx Programme will be introduced to our School next year. More information will be sent to parents shortly.
Wishing you a restful weekend.
Kind Regards
Edna