Author: trindadecamara

To learn a foreign language at an early age, or not?

“Research shows that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, critical-thinking, and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask. Children proficient in other languages also show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility.” (Lead with Languages website).

There is much debate around the topic of teaching young children a second language. On the one hand, there is the argument, that children should first be proficient in their own language, before they learn a second language. For many students in our school, English is a second language, so do we add additional languages or not?

As I have been watching my Year 2 class tackle both Spanish, German and Afrikaans with enthusiasm and ever-increasing conversational skills, I believe that there is a place for additional languages in a young child’s life. The earlier they are exposed to hearing these additional languages, the easier it will be for them later in their school years, should they wish to choose the language route in our Cambridge curriculum.

Kim Coetzer
Year 2 Teacher

We have been learning about birds this week in Foundation Stage.

The students have really enjoyed learning about different birds and how their bodies are different according to where they live and what they eat.

We completed a Bird Busy Booklet this week with various bird themed literacy and numeracy activities. As part of our art activities, we have made some lovely hanging bird cages with colourful birds inside, which have decorated the class beautifully.

We have also learnt some songs about birds, which we have listened to daily. One of our favourite songs is “What is a Bird?” by Pancake Manor. Please follow the link to enjoy the song at home:

Bronwen Nuthall
Reception Year Teacher

The 2020 academic year began with an exciting opportunity for Marco De Mattos when he enrolled for the International Programme for Youth Development, more commonly known as The President’s Award.

Life took an unexpected turn with the advent of Covid 19 and the subsequent national lockdown. This was an incredibly difficult time for parents, teachers and especially for students who had to adapt quickly to the medium of online learning.

However, this Year 8 student would not allow any of these challenges to stand in his way and, despite the disruptions of lockdown, managed to complete all the requirements for a Bronze medal. Marco is the first student at BIS to achieve a Bronze medal in the President’s Award and we are all incredibly proud of him.

Since enrolling in the programme, Marco has acquired a ream of new skills, such as cooking and sign language. He served his community by handing out free hand sanitizer and followed an exercise regime, making sure he remained fit and active. On top of all of this, he also completed an ‘adventurous journey’ as prescribed in the requirements for a Bronze award.

Congratulations again to Marco for setting such an aspirational example for his peers.

Riaan Vosloo
High School Teacher

At BIS students can choose Chemistry as a subject from Year 9.  This provides students with a unique opportunity to have more variety in high school as Chemistry and Physics can be taken separately instead of as a single subject.  Students can choose between Chemistry and History and between Physics and Art. This often results in some interesting subject combinations such as Chemistry and Art or Physics and History.

After a long period of online lessons, it is exciting to have the Chemistry students back in the classroom.  Since BIS is privileged to have a well-equipped science laboratory, Chemistry practicals can now take place again.

This term the Year 9’s have been revising electrochemistry and enthalpy changes, whilst the Year 11’s have been revising chemical equilibrium, Hess’s Law and Maxwell-Boltzmann distributions.

Philippa Gogh
High School Chemistry Teacher

The Year 6’s wrote their final Exams for the year this week. It was a long, grueling process, however, they have finally made it to the end. Miss Nel and myself are both incredibly proud of the effort and dedication that the Year 6’s have put into each of their Progression Tests.

As the Year 6’s take on the daunting task of entering the High School next year, here are a few tips that may be useful:

1. Pursue activities you really enjoy.
2. Work hard.
3. Be yourself, no matter what.
4. Take care of yourself.
5. Ask for help.
6. You are loved.
7. Learn to manage your time.
8. “Let’s eat, Granny” vs “Let’s eat Granny” – Grammar saves lives!
9. Don’t be afraid to make new friends and lose old ones.
10. You will use Math after school!
11. The teachers aren’t your enemies.
12. Make the most of every experience.
13. Don’t forget how funny you used to find your KS2 teachers.
14. “A lot” is two words.
15. Miss Nel and I will be here whenever you need anything.

We have no doubt that the Year 6’s will go on to accomplish great things in the future and we cannot wait to see the amount of growth that is going to happen for each student! WE BELIEVE IN YOU!

What are the Year 6’s excited about for High School:

“We will be learning new subjects” – Maia Davies
“We will be taking part in ISA” – Treasure Daniel
“We could choose our own languages” – Alessio Lemme
“I am excited to leave early during exams and be more independent” – Iviwe Matakata
“I am excited about looking up to new people” – Saumya Maharaj
“I am excited to learn new things and to be more responsible and independent in my learning” – Faith Chivaka

Brittney Hakime
Year 6 Teacher

 

In Year 1 we have been working on the school Ipads. In our Geography lesson we used a program called, ‘ARMAKA.’ This is a fun, educational game where you can create your own world and put what you want into it.

We have been following the travels of Barnaby Bear around the world this term and we were able to create a new virtual place for him to visit using this program.  The students had lots of fun creating underwater scenes, or a Japanese scene, a busy day in London and many more, and during the Barnaby dress up day they could walk around and explore the spaces they created.

Many families have tablets and devices at home and this program can be used by the whole family to have fun and get creative together. All you need is some space!

Charlotte Cronje
Year 1 Teacher

During the last two weeks we have been learning more about pets in Pre-Reception. Pets encourage self-esteem, responsibility and nurturing by handling, caring for and in some cases, playing with the pet.

There are many benefits to having a pet in the family. Pets teach students very important life lessons. Students and pets enjoy playing as well as having a cuddle during nap time. Students need to understand the responsibility to look after a pet. A pet gives unconditional support when a student is sad, angry or upset. A pet can teach the student to trust the pet. When the student takes care of the pet, they learn to be kind to others through taking care of the pet’s basic needs.

Other skills students learn includes respect when they learn the boundaries when the pet is eating or sleeping. Students would also learn to be patient when teaching their pet a new trick. Students growing up with a pet do so with more empathy towards animals and more empathy in general. When pets show their unconditional love, it boosts the student’s self-esteem.

To supplement the theme of learning about pets, we did various art activities and the students had the opportunity to draw their own pet or a pet they’d like to have. We also did a numeracy activity where we had to count the pets.

Martie van Dyk
Pre-Reception Teacher

Exams can be stressful. Taking time to prepare for your exams can make them much less stressful and enable you to focus better. This article contains advice on how to prepare for your exams.

One should not attempt to study without first knowing what papers you will write each day. Knowing the date of each exam will enable you to plan your study time and ensure that you have enough time to revise for each exam. Download and print your exam timetable and put it on display in a prominent spot to help you stay on track.

Compiling a study timetable will help you to manage your time. Find out what you need to study for each exam and ensure that you give yourself plenty of study time for each subject. Be prepared to adapt your timetable should something unexpected occur.

Prepare a space to study that is comfortable and free of distractions. Try to avoid studying on your bed, as you may fall asleep! Turn your phone off, put it in another room or, if you don’t wish to do this, set your WhatsApp status to ‘studying’ so that friends will know that you will take a little longer to get back to them because you need to focus.

Varying subjects and study techniques will help you to avoid boredom. Try summaries, flash cards, key words, mind mapping and mnemonics. It is okay to use a variety of techniques, as some are better suited to particular types of content than others. If you have been making study notes throughout the year and have found them to be effective, use them to give yourself a head start.

Using the correct exam technique and being able to finish your exam within the allocated time are also very important. Practicing past papers will help you to master both, and will also help you to better understand what the examiner will be looking for. The CIE website and PapaCambridge are good places to look.

I wish you all the best for your exams and I hope that you have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Sheila Marais
High School Teacher