ISA 2023
We are incredibly proud of our High School students! We came third overall at ISA and brought the Spirit Cup back home, where it belongs.
WATCH the full cheer here: https://youtu.be/f6pvIRiedII
Economics
This year BIS is thrilled to launch Cambridge IGCSE Economics as a subject. The first two weeks of Economics have been a thought-provoking time wherein we were introduced to the topic and spent time updating ourselves on what is happening around the world - both the good and the bad – challenging our thought patterns and debating various issues.
In class, we dreamed up what products might be available in ten years’ time: either new products or how old products could be reinvented. These ideas were put into an envelope to be opened by BIS Economic students in 2033.
With a new subject comes great opportunities and we are excited to make the most of these opportunities to grow and be challenged.
Caroline Grix
Economics Teacher
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Planting the seeds of knowledge!
Planting the seeds of knowledge!
A little seed for me to sow.
A little seed to make it grow.
A little hole, a little pat
A little wish and that is that.
A little sun, a little shower.
A little while,
And then a flower!
What do seeds need to grow? This was the question posed to our Year 5’s in our first Science lesson this term.
But… instead of telling the students, we decided to let them discover it for themselves. Using their knowledge of what a fair test is, the students investigated by setting up their own scientific enquiry. In groups, they were supplied with four plastic cups, soil, 12 seeds and a little water. Together a discussion was held on what the independent, dependant and control variables would be. Once they reached a consensus, students set about planting their seeds. Two samples were placed in a warm place in the classroom – one with water and one without. The two remaining samples made their way into their teacher’s fridge-one with water and one without.
Predictions were made and arguments put forward, but only time will tell. For the next couple of weeks, students need to water some of the seedlings and keep a vigilant eye on any possible germination before they can reach a conclusion. Watch this space!
Well done Year 5’s!
Mandy Goch
Year 5 Teacher
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Mathematics Can Be Fun!
If you’re like me, Mathematics at school was always a daunting subject! However, I have discovered that the key to motivating children in any subject, but especially Mathematics is to make it fun.
Counting in various intervals, e.g., 1’s, 2’s 3’s 4’s 5’s, forwards and backwards, etc. is crucial to laying the foundation for mathematical skills. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are all based on counting. If a child have a solid understanding of counting in different intervals, they find the transition to the later operational activities much easier.
A study by researcher Louis Manfra from the University of Missouri suggested that teaching pre-schoolers to count, better prepares them for success in mathematics once they start school and found that children who could recite and count to 20 in preschool had the highest mathematics score in first grade.
(Origo Education)
In class we played a ball game to make counting more fun. I gave one student a number to begin with. They had to say the next number and throw the ball to a friend, who then followed with the number after that one. We had a lot of fun during this activity.
Kim Coetzer
Year 2 Teacher
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Learning Our Phonic Sounds In a Fun Interactive Way
In Pre-Reception the students start to learn phonics which provides the building blocks to later success in reading. We use the Jolly Phonics programme as one of our tools to learn the letter sounds and names. It is a fun and multi-sensory method which is active, with stories, actions and rhymes. Multi-sensory learning is when students learn with all their senses, they are then more likely to remember what they learn.
Here we have some hands-on activities that we did during the week that are fun and interactive:
- Playdough is synonymous with excitement for students of all ages. Phonics can also be made more enjoyable for students using playdough. Playdough mats allow the students to form the sound correctly. This activity encourages not only sound recognition, but also fine motor skills development.
- Students all benefit from this great kinesthetic activity. The students practiced writing the sound with their fingers. A salt tray engages the senses and is an exciting way for students to learn how to form the sounds correctly.
- Q-tip painting is a fun way to strengthen their fine motor skills while learning the sounds.
- The students enjoyed creating their ‘S is for Snake’ activity. In addition to being fun, this activity helps students strengthen their fine motor skills that they will need for writing and helping them with phonemic awareness.
We introduced the Pre-Reception students to the Sound Puppy as well, the students will take turns to take him home with them and find something that starts with the sound of the alphabet that we are learning about this week at home and bring it back to school the following day.
It is important that we as teachers and parents put a lot of effort in phonic activities as students at this age develop their basic ability to recognise sounds. This can help the students to become better readers, writers and listeners in the future.
Martie van Dyk
Pre-Reception Teacher
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Our First Week In Year 4
“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset. Every sunrise begins with new eyes.”
(Richie Norton)
The first week back has taken off with great excitement and eagerness. It was created on a recipe for success combined with only the finest ingredients.
A tonne of laughter and cheer combined with a Kilotonne of smiles and giggles. Whipped together with a megatonne of chatter. Stirring in a gigatonne of pure joy, topped with just a sprinkle of nervousness.
The Year 4’s have kicked off 2023 with a bang. They spent the first week organising, sorting and decorating books and stationery. Catching up with friends was the number one priority. We also delved straight into our work and had fun recapping Mathematics concepts, looking at stories from the past in English and even setting up and performing Science experiments.
We look forward to a successful and fun-filled year.
Nadia Mahomed
Year 4 Teacher
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Welcome
The high school Induction Day was held on Friday, 13 January 2023. The event was organised and led by the Student Representative Council (SRC), who can be praised for an extremely successful event.
The day began with the SRC taking the new students on a tour of the school. The tour included an explanation of our building project and went a long way to ensuring that no student was lost or without a friend on the first day of school.
After an early lunch, students participated in a variety of games and activities designed to help them to get to know each other better. The ice quickly broke and a nervous group of students started holding animated conversations with the SRC and each other.
The day ended with much laughter as the students provided facts about themselves and guessed who the author was.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new students. May your time at BIS be enjoyable and fulfilling.
Sheila Marais
SRC Coordinator
The Year Ahead
Monday, 16 January was a beautiful sunny day and the Teachers at Blouberg International School welcomed their new students. As the new faces arrived in Year 1, some very excited and others a little more apprehensive, they quickly settled into their new class and greeted friends from last year. There is always a buzz on the first day as students reconnect and tell their peers all about their holiday.
Some comments from the Year 1 students about the year ahead.
I am excited to do ballet. – Purity
I am excited to learn about maths. – Nikraad
In Year 1 am excited to do gymnastics. – Chaitrika
I want to learn about how nature works. – Ayominde
I am excited to learn more maths. – Sofia
In Year 1 am excited to do maths and drawing. – Lolwam
I like to do colouring. – Tiwatope
In Year 1 I love doing maths. – Jonah
I am excited to be grown up and I want to be a soccer player like Ronaldo. – Chimdindo
I am excited to make new friends in Year 1. – Isabella
I am excited to learn about stories. – Tinashe
I am excited that there are new people and I get to play with Daisey at playtime. – Juliet
I want to learn new things. – Anam
I am going to do maths. – Somto
I am excited to be in Year 1 because I will be 7 years old. – Luka
This year we all get to play on the big field and we write sentences. – Alupheli
I like learning about science. – Likani
I like to draw and learn new things. – Marcus
I want to be in Year 1 because it is fun for me. – Naleli
I like to work and be kind to people. – Leah
Ann Cordner
Junior Primary Coordinator and Year 1 Teacher
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