From The English Department Term 2 2021
Greetings from the English Department!
It’s only the second week of term and already my desk is hidden under a snowfall of loose paper. And we all know what ‘Term 2’ means… the whispers of which flit their way along the corridors in tones of quickened dread… it’s an exam term.
“Honestly, it’s really not that bad!” My biannual refrain seems to bounce off the students like those tiny silver balls used to decorate cakes (not the most creative analogy, I admit, but what else would bounce dramatically pleasingly off a teenager?). Point is, they never do seem to believe me. Rather than inspire dread, I believe an exam term is an exciting challenge! An opportunity to beat your personal best and push the pliable boundaries of our own abilities. However, we’ve still got a few weeks ahead of us and plenty of essays to pen before exams start. So, pop your head down the rabbit hole and take a look at what our students are busy with in English class:
The Year 7’s can only watch as the blisters spread across the palms of poor Stanley Yelnats as he digs those blasted holes at Camp Green Lake. A class project making homemade Sploosh anyone? Although perhaps the season for peaches is over?
Ralph, Jack and Piggy are the constant companions of the Year 8’s this term… and ‘the beast’ of course! We can’t forget about him…or it?
The Year 9’s are wading through their IGCSE Literature short stories and this week covered a particularly satisfying story called ‘The Widow’s Might’ by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. A widow gets the upper hand on her children who, after their father’s death, are quibbling over ‘who gets mom’ and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the lawyer with dad’s will. The students experimented with Blackout Poetry as way to engage with the deeper concerns or themes of the short story. We received some beautiful and insightful submissions; the talent of our students never ceases to warm my heart. Please see the photos accompanying this article.
The Year 11’s are similarly enmired in the wonderfully marshy ground of prescribed short stories (the ‘short’ in short stories being a decidedly subjective term). They have just read a story called ‘Gabriel Ernest’ (Hector Hugh Munro) about a werewolf who, well, does what werewolves do best really.
Our 10’s and 12’s are on a desperate quest for something so rarely experienced in the final year of IGCSE and AS-level – free time. The word ‘revise’ a mantle around their shoulders. Setworks are looking decidedly grubby and overly thumbed, but the sight of their dog-eared books I find oddly reassuring… experience has taught that it’s the pristine-looking copies one needs to be concerned about.
And for now, that’s all from us. If you are looking for the English Department, we are reassuringly close to the library, always within reach of a good book.
Alice Pryor
High School English Department
Some of our students created these amazing poems using the Blackout Poetry technique. [1] Blackout Poetry is a form of “found poetry” where you select specific words from a page of a printed text and then redact all the words you don’t want.
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Karneval, Fasching And Fastnacht
Carnivals are celebrated in many countries around the world such as America (e.g.Mardi Gras of New Orleans) Brazil (e.g. Carnival of Rio de Janeiro) and Italy (e.g. Carnival of Venice) with lots of music, dancing, costumes and colourful processions.
In Germany, Carnival time is one of the most popular traditions celebrated. It is known by many names such as Karneval, Fasching and Fastnacht and varies from region to region all over Germany.
The most popular Carnival is called Karneval and happens in Köln (Cologne) in Northern Germany where the largest procession takes place in the country. It is the most famous street party and usually draws up to a million visitors from all over the world to the city every year.
The Carnival celebrated in Southern Germany is called Fasching or Fastnacht referring to the start of the fasting time in the region.
It begins officially on the 11th of November at 11:11am in Köln (Cologne) and ends on Aschermittwoch (Ash Wednesday) the following year, usually a few weeks before Easter. The Monday before Ash Wednesday is known as Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) where all the famous Umzüge (processions) take place in the streets. The first Rose Monday procession was in Köln in 1823.
These processions include dressing up in costumes with masks and wigs and having decorative floats that go through the towns with lots of music and dancing. Everyone is on the street and the children especially enjoy all the sweets that are handed out during the parade. Krapfen/Berliner (Jam doughnuts) are a typical food enjoyed especially at Carnival time.
Sadly, this year the actual Carnival parade on the streets was cancelled due to the pandemic, but as a replacement in Köln, 32 meters of stage scenery was built for the event, reproducing the buildings the parade would traditionally march by. On Rose Monday, 155 traditional puppets wearing Carnival outfits were used to ride this year’s floats. This performance was filmed and everyone could enjoy the procession from their homes: https://www.dw.com/en/colognes-rose-monday-covid-19-parade/g-56472583
Our students enjoyed learning about the Carnival and each student decorated a mask in class.
- The Year 6 students celebrated Karneval in Köln creating colourful masks with feathers.
- The Year 5 students celebrated Karneval with the animals of the Berlin Zoo and made different types of animal masks.
- The Year 2 & 3 students learnt all about Fasching in München (Munich) with Anna and Benno and all made decorative masks with materials included in the Hallo Anna neu workbook.
They had a lot of fun making the masks. Well done to all the students for their enthusiasm and creativity!
The students also learnt a popular Carnival party song called das Fliegerlied (the Aeroplane song) and were able to easily learn the words to the song and enthusiastically took part in doing the actions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcFRF5ZaGns&list=RDtcFRF5ZaGns&start_radio=1&t=0
For a brief moment we felt part of the Carnival celebrations that occur in Germany.
Frau Kerstin Pani
German Teacher Primary School
We Know How To Use A Dictionary!
The Year 3 group have been learning how to use a dictionary. They are having so much fun building their vocabulary which is one of the greatest assets that a student can have. It improves their academic performance and lays a strong foundation for future skills to develop. The use of a dictionary has also been linked to better mental health.
Using a dictionary supports students in developing language skills and helps them understand new words at different ages. Using a dictionary helps students master important concepts like spelling, word meaning, alphabetical order and word classes.
Using a dictionary is a skill for life that students develop with practice. We are so proud of the Year 3’s who have developed a love for dictionary work, which makes looking up words fun!
We are pleased with their application considering that they are using dictionaries for the first time. Well done Year 3!
Sasha Rajah
Year 3 Teacher
The Importance Of Learning How To Weigh Objects At A Young Age
It is important for young students to understand, recognise and use the units of weight as it appears in their daily lives.
Learning about weight in Mathematics can be an extremely fun activity as measuring weight requires a lot of practical work. Students need to use their hands or place items on a scale to compare the weight of items.
The Year 2 students may find it difficult to judge weight visually at this age and that is why it is very important to focus on necessary measuring tools. Students’ subjective interpretations of weight (heavy/light) are replaced by the graduation indicated on measuring tools. This is where teachers will start bringing in the use of a scale.
Since we introduced weight this week, the Year 2 teachers thought it would be best to begin measuring weight by using a balance scale, as it makes it easier for the students to understand the concept of weight and visualize the meaning of measurement. To our delight, the students found the lesson extremely interesting and they are excited to share their knowledge with their families at the end of the school day.
“Pure Mathematics is, in its own way, the poetry of logical ideas” – Albert Einstein
Erin Hierse
Year 2 Teacher
Learning More About Colour
- Mixing colours – We used our hands to mix different colours. (blue + yellow to make green and yellow + red to make orange and blue + red to make purple)
- Colour sorting – Students had to sort colourful beads and blocks into piles of colour.
- Books – We read different stories with lots of colour in them.
- Rainbow Collage – We made a beautiful rainbow collage by sticking different coloured shapes on the rainbow template.
We enjoyed completing all of the activities in class. Wishing all our families a colourful weekend!
Martie van Dyk
Pre-Reception Teacher
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From the Principal’s Desk, 22 April 2021
Dear Parents
Thank you to all the many parents who joined us for our parent meeting on Tuesday. Your interest and support is much appreciated. A recording has been sent out for those who were unable to attend. I will be sharing a google form during the course of next week and will appreciate your input and honest feedback. In the meantime, I remind you of our school’s mission statement. It is important that we remain aware of this so that we can align our vision and goals accordingly and ensure that we are consistent.
Mission Statement – Blouberg International School aims to empower all its students to become educated, lifelong learners, by teaching the English National Curriculum together with Cambridge International Education in a caring, dynamic, creative, encouraging and nurturing environment.
FEATURE PHOTO
Our main newsletter photograph features Ms Yvette Fourie. Yvette started at the school in 2006, as a Year 2 teacher. After a few years she moved over to Pre-Reception and then for 4 years as a class teacher she taught Year 3. She loved being a class teacher, however her passion is sport and she knew that being the Head off Sport was what she wanted to do. In 2019 she took the position of Head of Sport. She is passionate about her school and it is her vision to build a great sporting culture within the school and provide our students with top class coaching in all sports. She is extremely proud of all our sport stars.
Did you know that Yvette:
- Loves reading crime novels about serial killers and has a bookcase full (300 books).
- She is very scared of spiders!!!!
- She was born in Botswana and spent most of her childhood on their family farm.
- She loves studying and has completed a number of courses and diplomas in education.
- Her dream is to foster a baby rhino.
LONG WEEKEND
Parents are reminded that this weekend is a long weekend, with Monday, 26 April (School holiday) and Tuesday, 27 April (Freedom Day) being no school. School will re-open on Wednesday, 28 April at the normal time.
WEEKLY THOUGHT: Perseverance
“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” – Newt Gingrich
Too often we think, “Well, I truly have persevered a great deal – it must be time for a break.” Or maybe this sounds more familiar: “I have persevered for such a long time now; I am sure that success is imminent.”
For those of us that think perseverance is reflected in these statements, Gingrich says: “Nope, you may not be there yet.”
True perseverance is to “keep on going on” long after you think you have done enough, waited long enough, and worked tremendously hard…
In the trying times we face worldwide and in our country, we need the perseverance Gingrich is referring to. Things might even get worse before getting better. We must prepare ourselves for this, buckle up, roll up our sleeves and persevere.
If you know you’re heading in the right direction, keep on walking, do not be deterred, do not rest, do not change course, and don’t slow down. Keep going. Persevere.
Have a brilliant weekend, don’t give up…ever!
Andre
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From The Principal’s Desk, 16 April 2021
Dear Parents
Thank you so much for the warm welcome to Blouberg International School. It was wonderful to be greeted by so many students and parents on Tuesday and I was immediately touched by the smiles and warmth. I look forward to a wonderful time at the school and getting to know you all better.
FEATURE PHOTO
Our main newsletter photograph features Mr Julian Harrison. Julian has been with the school for nearly 10 years and currently holds the position of High School Academic Head and is, most certainly, the glue that holds the High School together. For those who do not know Julian very well, here are 5 facts about him.
- He holds a degree in dietetics.
- He is a qualified architectural draughtsman.
- He hates flying and therefore does not fly anywhere.
- He is part of a bowls team who have been the champions for the past 2 years.
- He is a true South African – He has braaied EVERY DAY since January 2021.
Thank you, Julian, for your commitment to the students, staff and the school.
OUR VALUES
Please be reminded of our school values. Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Responsibility, Leadership, Excellence & Stewardship. We use these values to ensure that our students become responsible adults who will make a positive difference in our country.
It will be appreciated if you could use these same values, at home, while parenting your children.
Together, we make a difference.
ONLINE PARENT MEETING
We have scheduled an online parent meeting for Tuesday, 20 April 2021 at 6.30pm. The meeting is an opportunity for me to introduce myself to you. It would be great if you could join me for 30 minutes.
Please use the following link: meet.google.com/upe-rdgk-pdb
I look forward to spending time with you.
Every week I will be sharing a WEEKLY THOUGHT with you. I find these very interesting and often they lead me to improving what I do. I trust you will enjoy them too.
WEEKLY THOUGHT: Thinking Clearly
“The first step to think clearly is to question what we think we know about the past” – Peter Thiel
In response to this statement by one of PayPal’s founders, most people will remark, “Much easier said than done.” But Thiel’s view is 100% correct.
Most of us find ourselves working in the same careers, living in the same towns, and applying the same patterns of thought which we’ve known for decades. But what if where you live and what you do are no longer satisfying or sustainable, leaving you emotionally, mentally or financially at risk…What then?
Thiel suggests that we press “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” (at least to an extent) in our thinking and ask ourselves the following:
- Are all my assumptions about life correct?
- Am I on the right road?
- Do I have the expectation that this road will lead somewhere?
- What new innovations are realities today that were not around a couple of years ago?
- Can I use these technologies to my benefit?
Thinking is a lost art, but it is one of the most worthwhile and essential exercises any human being can engage in. After all, we have been given the wonderful ability to use our minds!
But we must not only think – we need to think CLEARLY.
May Thiel’s advice bring us all to the point where we can start the process of thinking clearly.
Have a brilliant weekend, make time to just sit and think.
Andre
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Welcome Back To Term 2
The High School staff welcomes all students and parents to the second term of 2021!
We hope you all enjoyed the well-deserved holiday. We also wish to extend a special welcome to our new principal, Mr. Andre Swart and wish him the very best for his first term at BIS.
Term 2 is a busy and important term. June examinations for Year 7, 8, 9, 11 and 13 start on the 7th of June 2021 and the Year 10 and 12 students start their Prelim examinations on the 31st of May 2021. Prelim examinations are extremely important in preparing students for the final IGCSE and AS Level examinations at the end of the year.
The High School will have online parent/teacher meetings next week and parents are encouraged to book with the relevant subject teachers. A letter has been sent on Engage regarding the online meetings and how to book.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Julian Harrison
Head of Academics High School
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
