Real Life Inspiration
When we embrace the truth that we are the authors of our own stories, we become empowered to add to the joy and beauty around us.
This term, Year 4’s are going to look at the genre of fiction based on real life problems.
We have a whole audio library of books to enjoy for the next month that deal with everyday problems. After reading how the characters in these books made choices that overcame obstacles, we will be choosing a problem to write about – and then developing our story to ensure that the solution makes for, not only a happy ending, but an enjoyable and intriguing read.
Starting a new term, with a new Head and so many new opportunities, the Year 4’s prepared themselves last term by designing colourful and vibrant inspirational art.
What a great beginning to this new chapter of 2021 – I can’t wait to see how our story unfolds.
Carey Schoots
Year 4 Teacher
The Shapes Around Us
Everything we see in the world around us has a shape. We can find different basic shapes such as the two-dimensional square, rectangle, and oval or the three-dimensional rectangular prism, cylinder, and sphere in the objects we see around us.
In Year 1 this term, we are learning about shapes and noticing them in the world around us.
We had some fun making shapes using various materials in our classroom such as ice cream sticks, play dough and then we went onto the school field to create shapes with our bodies.
We look forward to learning more interesting facts about shapes as the term progresses.
Charlotte Cronje
Year 1 Teacher
Join Us For a Whirlwind Trip Around The World…
Our new curriculum subject, Global Perspectives, has proven to be a hit with the Year 2 students. Over the last few weeks, they have imagined packing a bag and jetting off to a destination.
We started our journey, touring South Africa, made our way to Madagascar (a firm favourite) and then on to Japan. This was particularly of interest to the children, as we have a student, currently studying online, living in Japan. We ended our trip in England and the London Eye was definitely their most discussed landmark.
Apart from learning about the different traditions, cultures, foods, sports, and landmarks, we also explored what it would feel like to move to a new country. The children made posters and discussed their favourite destination during our Show and Tell lesson.
We cannot wait to continue exploring when we return for Term 2!
Kim Coetzer
Year 2 Teacher
From The Principal’s Desk, 19 March 2021
Dear Parents
As I was packing up my office and making the final preparations for my new journey, I was reminded how many times I have had to deal with procrastination.
Procrastination: – “The action of delaying or postponing something.”
In all honesty, I should’ve filed a few things earlier in the week. However, my delayed tidy-up did reveal wonderful reminders of my time at Blouberg International: students’ artwork, pictures of concerts, class photos etc. These will all become part of a memory book I have started compiling.
I don’t believe procrastination is always a bad thing. Bruce Grierson writes that sometimes it means you are putting something off to make time for your passion instead (Psychology Today). He also suggests that it can give you a change of energy. Another psychologist, Fuschia Sirois, says procrastination can be about something bigger, like self-doubt.
Students often procrastinate before exams, leaving studying until the very last minute. This has serious repercussions when they find themselves unable to cover all the term’s work the night before the exam. In this example, self-doubt creates negativity and anxiety. In the workplace, procrastination has much the same effect, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and unable to meet our deadlines.
The question is, why do we put things off for another time? Why not complete the task as soon as it arises? This would create a sense of accomplishment and avoid feelings of guilt and anxiety. This week, I am not putting off anything for a later date. I am enjoying my time with the students and spending quality time with my staff. Then lastly, I am packing away files and books in order to make space for Andre. No more procrastination, but rather taking on tasks with a goal-oriented and positive mindset.
“I am taking care of my procrastination issues; just you wait and see!”- author unknown
I hope that last sentence gave you a good chuckle!
Have a super weekend and enjoy quality time with those special to you.
Kind regards
Edna
My Journey In Computer Science
I have been at Blouberg International for as long as I can remember. I joined the school in Pre-Reception when I was only two years old. Now I am in Year 10 and I have seen the school grow so much over the years.
In Year 9 I was given the opportunity to take Computer Science and Coding as a subject. Since beginning the course I have taken a strong liking to the Coding aspect of the curriculum. In Coding, I am able to stimulate my mind and develop my problem-solving skills.
As the world we live in is continuing to advance in the digital aspect, taking up Coding as a subject is a huge benefit to anyone as it is a more sought-after job and skill set to wield in the current day and age.
Our school also offers a variety of different languages for the students to learn to code in, opening up many opportunities for the future.
With Computer Science, the possibilities are endless for future opportunities, whether you take it further in a career or continue to the code as a hobby.
– Shaylee Brandt (Year 10 Student)
Shaylee Brandt (Year 10 Student)
Shaylee coding in the Apple Lab at Blouberg International School.
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Maths Games
Last year, Riaan Vosloo, our high school art teacher, painted games on the corridors of the foundation phase building and on the playground. These games not only keep the students busy at playtime, but also give the teachers opportunity to use them, to reinforce maths concepts taught in the classroom.
Benefits of playing maths games:
- Increase student engagement –
Maths games are an excellent and fun way for students to practice their maths skills. Although students are thinking, working and exploring concepts, the games increase their level of engagement by adding excitement to the learning process.
- Reinforce learning –
As teachers we can reinforce the concepts learnt in class and give the students new and meaningful ways to practice.
- Develop social skills –
Working with a partner or in a small group reinforces social skills such as taking turns, co-operation, communication skills and sportsmanship.
- Provide opportunities to differentiate –
All students learn at different rates and in different ways and games provide ways to differentiate, so student’s individual needs are addressed.
- Build student confidence –
When students are playing a game, they are less fearful of failure and work through mathematical challenges and this builds their confidence.
At home parents can play games that develop maths skills and at the same time enjoy family time together. While electronic games are fun, children do work in isolation. Pintrest is a great resource for finding games you can play at home with your children.
Ann Cordner
Year 1 Teacher
Reference Credit to STORIES by storie March 25, 2019 (storiesbystorie.com)
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Biology – Term 1
This term has been a busy one in the Biology laboratory with various topics covered and practicals completed.
IGCSE – The Year 9’s started the term with an introduction to IGCSE Biology. They had an overview of the work covered during the course, as well as the different exam papers they will write at the end of Year 10. Their biological journey began by discussing the features of different groups of organisms which are used by biologists to classify them into groups. We moved on to the cellular organization of living organisms and the processes involved in moving substances across the cell membrane. We did practicals to investigate the movement of water between potato cylinders placed in different solutions and investigated the nutritional content of unknown food stuff by doing various food tests.
In Year 10 we are fast approaching the end of the syllabus with only three chapters left to do. This term we compared the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction, drew countless Punnett squares to look at the outcome of genetic crosses and discussed the various adaptations that organisms may have to survive in their environment. We are currently discussing energy flow in food webs, nutrient cycles and factors which regulate population size in species.
AS Level – We’ve made a gentle start in Year 11 as the jump from IGCSE to AS level is an intimidating one. We’ve spent many weeks discussing the ultrastructure of plant- and animal cells and the microscopy calculations associated with this chapter. A couple of microscope practicals were done to practice drawing skills and identifying structures in cells. Next, we looked at the building blocks of biological molecules and the chemical bonds that hold them together in complex arrangements. Currently we are investigating enzymes by comparing their affinities for their substrate and the commercial application of immobilizing them in alginate beads. A few “wet practicals” have also been done to practice the skills of diluting stock solutions using different methods, gathering accurate results and the ability to present these in a suitable table. The practical in the photos required students to test for the release of carbon dioxide from a suspension of yeast cells in a sucrose solution by using bromothymol blue indicator solution. This indicator will change to different colours depending on the concentration of carbon dioxide.
The Year 12’s finished the syllabus at the end of 2020, and we are currently revising by working through activities from a workbook and past papers. Practicals are also important to build confidence for Paper 3 at the end of the year.
A Level – We are firing on all cylinders, working through the A Level topics as this is typically a jam-packed and intense academic course. Various topics have been covered in great depth, from the biochemical pathways of photosynthesis and respiration, to how the kidneys regulate the osmotic potential of blood and tissue fluid. Currently we are delving into nervous and chemical coordination of animals, by looking at how action potentials are generated in neurons, the process of muscle contraction and how hormones regulate the female reproductive cycle. This has indeed been a very busy term.
Marlene Feltoe
IGCSE, AS and A Level Biology Teacher
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The Importance Of A Few Simple Words:
We all love receiving a compliment. Giving compliments make you feel equally happy. They are like little gifts from the heart – they let you know that someone appreciates that you are special, and how hard you are trying. They let you know that you belong, that others value you.
We try to end every day with a compliment. Each member of the class (including the teacher) can give (and receive) as many compliments as they want to share. In this way, we leave for home, filled with the successes we achieved, and the joy of knowing that someone has noticed.
Here are some of this week’s compliments:
Carey Schoots
Year 4 Teacher
The Impact Of Kiddies Yoga
“Yoga is the dance of every cell with the music of every breath that creates inner serenity and harmony.” – Debasish Mridha
The Year 2 teachers have started using Kiddies Yoga in class when the students need a bit of a break. We have found that moving the students desks and chairs to the back of the class and playing Kiddies Yoga videos for them to follow has had a positive impact on the students.
Kiddies Yoga has several benefits for young students. It helps students manage their anxiety, improves emotional regulation, boost students self-esteem, increase students body awareness and mindfulness, it also enhances concentration and memory, teaches discipline and reduces impulsivity as well as builds strength and flexibility. The lovely thing about Kiddies Yoga is that it works for both girls and boys which can be quite a fun activity to do. There are Yoga stories which include a story along with the actions that keeps the students in class quite busy with a big smile on their faces.
The Year 2 teachers are happy to see that all the students approach Kiddies Yoga with positive and enthusiastic attitudes. We hope that the students will absorb the benefits from Yoga and continue with it more regularly.
“Yoga is the fountain of youth, you’re only as young as your spine is flexible.” – Bob Harper
Erin Hierse
Year 2 Teacher
Yes, Year 9 students are allowed to focus on Photography for their IGCSE Art & Design course and it is not too late to start.
Do you love taking photographs and playing around with the images?
IGCSE Photography is for creative students who love photography and image manipulation. The photography coursework requirements are the same as the IGCSE Art.
This image was awarded 1st place in the Youth Section at the Huntly Artz Festival in 2012. (Credit: Photography by Melissa Kelsey, ACG Strathallan. NZ. From www.studentartguide.com)
These coursework pages are excellent examples of how to approach a project in a riveting and original way: combining local imagery to create breathtaking fantasy scenes.
Students are required to research photographers and develop their own ideas. They will learn how to experiment with cameras, studio lighting and editing. They are required to have an entry level SLR camera with a standard 18-55 camera and access to a colour printer.
Candidates are taught how to use traditional and new media processes to produce outcomes such as photomontage, printed photography, and digital photography. Their photographic artworks will be in colour and black & white.
The Photography curriculum guides students in responding to the influences and characteristics of the world around them in creating photographic artworks. They explore the traditional and contemporary genres of photography and a range of techniques.
The curriculum includes the study of:
- Shutter speeds
- Aperture
- ISO
- Exposure
- Depth of field
- F-stop
- Digital editing and postproduction with Photoshop
All Art Photography candidates complete two components:
Component 1
This coursework is completed in Year 9 and 10 and counts 50% of their total mark. There are two parts to the coursework:
- a portfolio and
- a final outcome.
Component 2
This component is done in exam sessions in a total of 8 hours. Component 2 is completed in the third term of Year 10 and counts 50% of their total mark.
The four Cambridge assessment objectives count 25% each.
The Assessment Objectives (AOs) are:
- Record, 25%: Record ideas, observations, and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.
- Explore, 25%: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques, and processes.
- Develop, 25%: Develop ideas through investigation, demonstrating critical understanding.
- Present, 25%: Present a personal and coherent response that realises intentions and demonstrates an understanding of visual language.
Riaan Vosloo
IGCSE, AS and A Level Art and Design Teacher
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