BIS Interact Club
- Promoting a peaceful environment within our communities.
- Fighting life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS and malaria
- Providing clean water and hygiene.
- Caring for the underprivileged mothers and children.
- Supporting basic education and literacy.
- Creating opportunities for economic development in our communities.
- Protecting the environment.
With the presence of technology in our everyday lives, our children have never been more globally connected through social media, the internet and a daily bombardment of news and opinions from every corner of the world; and yet, today so many children are feeling disconnected. Perhaps it is because no tech gadget can replace our innate need to socialise, to belong, to care for each other, or to make connections. Unfortunately, many of us are overwhelmingly busy with our daily jobs, homework, school lifts, and supper, and little time – and energy – is left to switch off from the mad rush.
Our Interactors pay weekly visits to Peace Home, a shelter for children who come from difficult upbringings, to help them with their homework – what a great opportunity it has become for a safe space to connect with each other, share daily experiences and a few laughs in between doing school work.
These are some Interactors’ thoughts on going to Peace Home visits:
“It helps you to learn how to teach. You can also appreciate what you have.” (Faith Chivaka – Y8)
“The day I went I really enjoyed the little girls, Kaitlin and Precious, they were so sweet and funny.” (Favour Chimezie – Y8)
“… it was very fun and a great experience. Teaching the little Grade 2 girl, Precious, was very enjoyable and I was glad to be able to help someone else with their education.” (Amanda Nkomo- Y8)
“My experiences at Peace Home are always lovely. It feels very rewarding to help someone with homework, especially when I know my contribution makes a huge impact on their lives.” (Landelwa Maqanda – Y11)
“I enjoyed helping the kids with their work. The dogs are really cute and everyone is very inviting and well mannered”. (Daniel Moodie – Y11)
Thank you parents, grandparents, guardians and carers for caring about our children. As the African proverb says, “it takes a village to raise a child”.
Elena Berger
Interact Club of Blouberg International School Coordinator
Year 9 Mathematics Treasure Hunt
Generally, Mathematics is considered to be boring. With my class we decided to change this and always design activities that encourage critical mathematical thinking as students find different ways of solving real life mathematical problems and deepen their understanding of mathematics.
Throughout the year, we did quite a number of project/fun activities with my students, which included “guess the concept “, tarsia puzzle, tag of war, Kahoot team race, pair/match card race, geometry ball coordination outdoor play, blind fold math master and so on. Of all these phenomenal fun activities, the treasure hunt stood out as one of the best loved by students because of the way we redesigned it this year.
Unique treasure hunt design
Students were divided into groups of 4 and given a set of questions to use. Their task was to then design the map the way they wanted and give reasonable clues along the way. A minimum of 5 stops are allowed before the final point where the treasure is hidden. Think about it; Year 9 students were practicing key topic Mathematics questions, working in teams, solving all the problems I had prepared for them. All of that, without even knowing they are actually learning new things.
Teams design their own stations and always give two optional answers which are closely related. I guided them to see some common silly mathematical mistakes made by students and allow these as an alternative that will eventually lead to a different station, which we called the “battery changing station” or simply “corrective station”. At this station, they will ask a similar question and be given a second chance to take themselves back to the correct station.
All 4 teams did well, running around the school grounds and classes. Finally, the treasure was found. In reality, students love Mathematics.
See attached pictures of Year 9 teams in action.
Hebert Tapfuma
High School Mathematics
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English News
During the fourth term, the English department focused on sharpening the creative writing skills of the BIS students.
All Year 7, 8, 9 and 11 students were tasked with writing narrative and descriptive essays this term, whether it be for a CASS or for the exam.
Creative writing is one of the elements of teaching English that is most enjoyable – not only for the students to write, but for the teachers to mark! It enables the students to express their creativity and come up with stories that have never been told before. The sky truly is the limit when it comes to creative writing.
It is so refreshing and rewarding to read through some of our students’ creative pieces and to be able to see the future novelists and script writers.
As a treat for our readers, we have included one of the narrative pieces written by Nicholas Neethling in Year 9 below:
Artecua Demenzis by Nicholas Neethling
The burn of ice, the tunnel of darkness, the loneliness, all dramatically leading up to a state of desperation. A hungry desperation – starving and lustful with no sense of consequence – with its feedings a torment.
Friday, 07:54, 1908. Screams echoed wherever one went in this place, the mishaps and the damned all crying for the sense of hope that existed prior to their foolish mistakes. This was Rokka Penitentiary. Shadows escaped but souls were left wrecked and misplaced. The bitter-sweet evolution of pain coursed through the veins of the “Whisper Killer”.
Sat, chained to a wall and what appeared to be deep in thought, was this monster. However, after five months, the state had sentenced him to death by the ropes.
07:55 came. With a nail tearing, blood boiling screech, the bolt moved.
07:56, a dark figure appeared, standing nearly 7ft tall; this was the warden.
“By the laws of the constitution and sentencing by the honourable Judge Michael Harringway. You, Artecua Demenzis, have been sentence to hang tomorrow at midday.”
For a moment the room was silent and still without a thought of any kind.
07:57 came. The room stood silent still…
07:58, the door whined closed and once again the bolt sent all listeners of the locking of the bolt through the ninth hell. All except one – Artecua Demenzis. He had not moved even to look at the slowly growing dust collection around him. He remained unaffected for the following 27 hours.
Saturday, 11:50, 1908. The bolt grinded open, again the warden had appeared, this time with three other men – prison guards. The men removed the wall-mounted shackle and dropped it to the ground. Now Artecua’s body was completely limp as they dragged him down the halls and into the underground of the facility.
11:56, around the corner appeared the gallows. Although internally unbothered with the situation, Artecua Demenzis had heard the murmurs of the small crowd of people who were hurt, damaged, or forever changed by his actions; thus, he put on a show to remember. Hysterical laughter filled the room. He hadn’t made a sound for months, but this carried pure emotions of satisfaction and no regret.
11:58, the Pope gasped at the sight of this monster but read the piece, nonetheless.
“For filth like yourself, I wouldn’t give it to ya. However, have you any final words, Mr. Demenzis?”
“See? Killing doesn’t end the killing… I will be back – maybe with a changed form, but in this life or the next. I am inevitable…”
The clock struck twelve. The platform dropped. But still the laughter did not stop.
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The Arts & Crafts Club Rocks!
The Arts & Crafts Club have been busy this term with completing a Rock Art project with the theme ‘ be kind, be caring and be encouraging’ in line with our anti bullying campaign at the school.
This was a process of preparation of the rocks, painting an undercoat, decorating, writing and finally varnishing them. They enjoyed completing it at all the stages and finally they were dry. At the beginning of Term 4, the Club enjoyed the last step of placing the Rock Art creations in the rock garden near the entrance of the school.
We hope you also enjoy looking at them while visiting the school.
Kerstin Pani
Club Coordinator
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Our Amazing Gourmet Burgers
The Year 4’s spent one of the term’s art lessons creating these mouth-watering gourmet burgers. Our objective was to create traffic-stopping art that would cause our audience to stop, stare and desire to eat an amazing burger on the spot, on-route to class. This has certainly happened. We have noticed students and teachers slow down in our passage, admiring our art. We have even had a teacher come into our classroom to express her great desire for a particular burger on display.
We worked with different paper textures as well as a variety of coloured paper. Each student had to design their own burger, having to think of every topping imaginable. The background was just as important. Many students put time and effort into creating detailed wooden table tops or beautifully designed table cloths. For those who had extra time at hand, sides were an added addition to their menu.
This was a highly rewarding art lesson and certainly showed us how powerfully persuasive pictures can be. Take a look at the photos below and see if you can resist the tempting thought of a gourmet burger satisfying your tummy!
Carol Blake
Year 4 Teacher
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Intaka Island
The week before last, our Year 2 students went out to Intaka Island at Century City. They were given the opportunity to explore nature in all its wonderful ways.
We looked at various small organisms under the microscope, were given a guided tour around the island, spotting and appreciating the little birds, bugs and flowers around us. After the wildlife watching, were given a guided boat tour around the canals, appreciating the views around us and learning more about the conservancy.
This is definitely an outing we can recommend for the whole family! So much fun was had by all!
Siobhan Hendry
Year 2 Teacher
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Year One Barnaby Bear Day
“Travel leaves you speechless. Then turns you into a storyteller.” – IBN Battuta
The Year 1 students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed an eventful day, traveling from country to country (class to class), learning about the different countries Barnaby Bear had travelled to and tasting all the delicious cuisines each country had to offer.
Barnaby Bear is the bear we learnt about in Geography that travels the world to visit different countries. He sends the teachers post cards which explains in detail, the sites he visits, the transport he uses to get around, the seasons in each country and the temperature he is currently experiencing.
The students in Mrs Cordner’s class represented America, Mrs Cronje’s class represented England and my class (Miss Hierse’s class) had the privilege to represent India. The students flew from class to class where they got to do some fun activities and learn some interesting facts that symbolized the country they had travelled to. They then enjoyed some delicious snacks and cold drinks which each class offered. The students were dressed beautifully and walked away from the day with more knowledge on America, England and India as well as full tummies.
The Year 1 teachers are extremely grateful for the parents help and support in making the day a successful one.
“Wanderlust. (n.) A strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world.”
Year 1 Teacher
Erin Hierse
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Foundation Stage Recognition Ceremonies
It was with great excitement that our little ones in Foundation Stage came to school ready for the end of year Recognition Ceremony. Every year we take time to acknowledge the amazing progress our little ones have made. They have all worked so hard and we are incredibly proud of them.
Each class got the chance to perform a song or a poem before receiving their special certificates. We want to say a big thank you to all the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who are always there to support and encourage the little ones on their learning journey.
We can’t do it without you!
Monique Meyer
Foundation Stage Coordinator and Reception Year Teacher
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What My Pre-Reception Students Love Most About School
I can’t believe that it is already the fourth and last term of the year! The students have grown in leaps and bounds. They come to school eager to learn and participate in the daily activities. The classroom is always full of cheerful laughter, inquisitive questions and daily chitter chatter. I am so proud of each one of my students, they have all grown in different areas throughout the year.
I asked my students what they LOVE doing most in Pre-Reception and this is what they said:
Alex: “Making friends.”
Keneo: “Playing with my friends.”
Aubrey: “Painting.”
Victoria: “Playing outside.”
Kai: “Building blocks.”
Jefferson: “I like to play on the monkeybars.”
Emily: “Doing art.”
Chaitra: “I like to be friends with everyone.”
Jasper: “I love playing with playdough.”
Cayden: “Playing with the wooden blocks.”
Dylan: “To give my teacher hugs and laying with the train tracks.”
Amelie: “I love doing art and painting.”
Ava: “Playing outside.”
Suhaila: “I like to draw.”
Aksharath: “I like to play with the wooden block with my friends.”
Athena: “I like painting.”
Edyn: “I like to play with everything at school.”
Nozhin: Loves to colour in.
I love to see the students in my class learning through play, interacting with each other and most of all happy to be at school.
Cindy Nunan
Pre-Reception Teacher
Meal plans from the Year 5s
In Science, the Year 5s have been looking at the digestive system. We learnt that animals, including humans, need a balanced diet to be healthy. While a balanced diet for a zebra might include a variety of grasses and leaves, humans are a bit more complicated than that. We found out that we need to eat meals and snacks, which have a variety of food groups – including lots of fruit and vegetables! Once we knew the theory, the Year 5s used their knowledge (and some research on the iPads) to create a healthy meal plan over three days – and I must say they gave their teacher some ideas for what to cook over the next few weeks!
Here are some of the delicious meals that were suggested:
Breakfast:
- Avocado on wholewheat toast with 2 scrambled eggs
(Sehan Singh)
- All-Bran flakes with sliced bananas mixed in
(Lereko Tabohane)
- Muesli with yoghurt and blueberries.
(Nivad Manouchehri)
Lunch:
- A bowl of pasta with mixed vegetables and cheese.
(Zahrah Allie)
- A bagel with tomatoes, mozzarella and lettuce, with a smoothie on the side.
(Wanda Ahadzadeh)
- A burrito with peppers, cheese and lettuce.
(Keira Nicholl)
- Mac and cheese with sliced cucumbers.
(Tinashe Chivaka)
Dinner:
- Pap and steak with spinach and sliced tomato.
(Pelumi Olawoyin)
- Butternut, baked potato and chicken pieces
(Isabella Schultz)
- Omelette with mushrooms and sausages.
(Okuhle William)
Snack ideas:
- A smoothie with 1 cup of frozen strawberries, 1 cup of frozen peaches, and some yoghurt and milk.
(Shanna-Rose Jenkinson)
- Salti crackers with some snoek pate, feta cubes and pear slices.
(Emily Rӧhlandt)
- Carrot sticks with hummus.
(Mika Bhyat)
- Carrots and peanut butter, with some grapes (do not put peanut butter on the grapes!).
(Dicla Tona)
- Strawberries with yoghurt and honey.
(Alistair Mouton)
- Wholewheat grain crackers, light cream cheese and mixed berries.
(Talicia Nyausaru)
Of course, it helps to know WHY a meal is healthy – and the students had that covered too!
“The pasta, beef and vegetables were healthy because there were different food groups that can help our body in different ways and give us nutrients.”
(Ileana Dias)
Watch this space – next up for the Year 5s is a video oral where the students make one of the meals on their meal plans and then tell us about it. Masterchef Junior, here we come!
Hannah Kirkaldy
Year 5 Teacher
WATCH: Khanya Luthango’s Healthy Food English Presentation and Oral
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