ROBOT RACES
In class this week a few of our Year 6 Students designed and created robot cars. A debate on who they thought could build the fastest car erupted. Eventually we had to settle the debate with a robot race to prove who built the ultimate robot car. The rules were simple, programme your robot car to get from point A to point B as fast as possible and remember to have fun. Excitement and curiosity filled the room as they all got ready to race.
In the end it didn’t matter who won the races, all the students had learned to re-evaluate and improve their designs. Isn’t that the essence of technology? Learning to use your imagination and knowledge to create a better design. Perhaps one day a few of our students will look back at these robot races and say: “That was the moment I knew that I would build the best robot on the planet.”
Here is to the future.
Sonia Terblanche
Junior School ICT & Robotics
DISSOLVING SCIENCE – YEAR 2
Science has the ability to grab a child’s attention from the get-go. Place an experiment in front of a class and you’ll have a focused group of students in seconds. In Year 2, we have been learning about dissolving. Disappear, vanish, melt away, evaporate, dissipate, diffuse are a few synonyms for the word dissolve. In Science, dissolving is when something becomes incorporated into a liquid to form a solution.
What is scientific enquiry?
- Ideas and evidence – collecting evidence by making observations to try to answer a science question.
- Plan investigative work – Ask questions, predict what will happen, and recognise that a test or comparison may be unfair.
- Obtain and present evidence – make and record observations, take simple measurements, and use a variety of ways to tell other what happened.
- Consider evidence and approach – make comparisons, talk about predictions, and review and explain what happened (draw conclusions).
- The Year 2’s had to go through the scientific process from start to finish. Mrs. Baker began by asking them a scientific question: Which substances will dissolve in the water?
Prediction comes next: Different substances – sugar, salt, chalk, sand, oil and flour – were shown to the students, and they had to predict which substances would dissolve in water. If the teacher allows for discussion, students use their debating abilities to convince their peers why they think they are right. Wonderful banter ensues!
The experiment was performed and students were eager to see what would happen. Here they were obtaining the evidence and recording what they observed.
The last step is to conclude: Students were required then to conclude according to their predictions.
Science is a wonderful subject that promotes problem-solving and critical thinking. If anything, it promotes an inquiring mind allowing children to engage and ask questions about the natural world.
Gillian Baker
Year 2 Teacher
From The Principal’s Desk – 30th May 2019
Dear Parents
For the past two weeks our students have been writing examinations and we recognize that a number of students battle with anxiety during this stressful period. I may not be a medical professional, nor any of my teachers, but we have learnt to recognize the signs of examination anxiety. Whether it be a sudden onset of tummy cramps, angry outbursts or just a general sad countenance, it is clear to us when a student is not coping with the pressure of the examination period.
I admit, I am also guilty of turning up the pressure as examinations approach. Cellphones are banned (causing many dark mutterings amongst the older siblings) and speeches of “you need to succeed” ring through the house. I have come to realize, however, that I am fueling my children’s anxiety due to my own fears. University is not always the right path for every child and a university degree isn’t necessarily a measure of success. Every child is an individual, who excels in his or her own manner. Some of the most successful people in our society did not graduate from university. Take Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates or Richard Branson for instance; their success was due to determination, creative thinking and self-belief. Not every venture that these great men undertook was successful, but they used their failures as an opportunity for growth and development.
We have a responsibility towards our children to support them in their endeavors and to manage, teach and guide them throughout their lives.
A reminder about the PA fundraiser next week with Stuart Lightbody. Child-minding services will be available at school.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Regards
Edna
From the Principal’s Desk – 24th May 2019
Dear Parents,
The week spent with our exchange students from Ecuador went by far too quickly and it was sad moment for me when I said goodbye to them on Monday morning. We are very grateful for the reciprocal invitation extended by our sister school in Ecuador and I am certain there are many families who will wish to take advantage of such an exciting opportunity.
I would like to extend a special thank you to the following families for their warmth and care in welcoming the exchange students into their homes:
Leonard family.
Pieterse family.
Lott family.
Schoots family.
Barker family.
Knowles family.
Thatcher family.
Tardieu family.
Ngono family.
De Matos family.
Ameer family.
Da Silva family.
I am certain you are left with wonderful memories and have built strong friendships which will continue into the future.
The first week of examinations are winding up for our Year 5 and Year 6 students and with High School examinations starting this coming Monday, 27th May, we wish all our students the very best.
This week marks a special date for our High School students as they honor the role models in their lives. The Junior School celebrates Grandparents/Someone Special Day annually and we thought it to be a good idea for our High School students to reflect on, and pay respect to, the role models in their own lives. We are looking forward to the first of our celebration of ‘Our Role Models’ on Friday, 24th of May.
“When any of us thinks of ourselves as a role model – whether that’s as a parent being observed by their kids or a teacher under the microscope of their followers – it creates a natural stepping up of how we carry ourselves and what we expect from ourselves.”
Chip Conley
I wish you all a wonderful weekend.
Regards
Edna
Why Learn A Foreign Language
At Blouberg International, students have the privilege of studying foreign languages as part of the curriculum.
As Floria Lewis once remarked: “Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.”
- In our foreign language classrooms, students step into another world. As they do the work of studying vocabulary and getting their head around the grammar, they are also broadening their cultural and linguistic awareness.
- Foreign languages may also help students to develop their creativity and think of new and interesting ways to speak and to write. Learning a foreign language opens possibilities to communicate with a whole new group of people!
- It also builds confidence – even though the grammar might not be perfect, they are getting their message across. The satisfaction of communicating and being understood is a great experience for many.
- Students learn to listen carefully to what others say and think before they respond.
- Knowing foreign languages is a invaluable skill when it comes to one’s career.
- Lastly, developing these skills will make learning a third language that much easier.
All in all, learning a new language is not just an isolated classroom experience, but instead engages the whole person. Students develop valuable skills that they can carry with them for life.
Ms Renate Yotti (High School German) & Mrs Elena Berger (High School Spanish)
Read MoreSkeletons in Year 4
The Year 4’s have been learning about Skeletons in Science. We have covered what skeletons are made of, why we need a skeleton, how muscles help us move and many other interesting facts.
Did you know that there are 206 bones in the human body?!
The students were always enthusiastic and willing to take part in the lessons and came to class full of questions. They took part in the “bend a bone” experiment which involved the leaving a chicken bone in vinegar for a few days. It was very exciting to see what happened to the bone at the end of the experiment, however we all were delighted to get rid of that “wonderful” vinegar smell in their classrooms!
The Year 4’s also built their own skeleton puppets out of recycled materials. So much effort was put into this, they really impressed their teachers. The students’ innovative abilities really shone through here and it was so pleasant to see how well they worked as a class, always offering to help each other!
If you would like to find out more about skeletons, please speak to our wonderful Year 4’s!
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein
Miss Brittney Hakime
Year 4 Teacher
Year 6: Active Studying Techniques
Our Year 5 and Year 6 students have just finished writing their Semester 1 exams. For many, this can be a stressful time of year. It is normal to feel some level of anxiety when faced with a big test or exam. Some of the ways students can combat test anxiety is by having a positive attitude while studying, being well rested before test day, and being well prepared.
The Cambridge Progression Tests are written at the end of Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Key Stage 2 for the core subjects and are based on the year’s work. Therefore, it is important that students make revision a habit and use active studying techniques to ensure their understanding of the concepts. Cambridge places a lot of emphasis on active learning and not simply regurgitating information. Michael Prince describes active learning as “any instructional method that engages students in the learning process. In short, active learning requires students to do meaningful learning activities and think about what they are doing.”
Here are some effective active studying techniques students can try for the remainder of the year:
- TEACH IT TO UNDERSTAND IT. The best way to understand a concept is to teach it to someone else. Allow your child to teach you a skill they have learned in class. Once we understand something, we are much more likely to remember it. Older students can also make PowerPoint presentations or demo videos of themselves explaining the concept.
- USE MNEMONIC DEVICES TO HELP YOU REMEMBER FACTS. Mnemonic devices are memory devices that help you to recall information. There are many different types of mnemonics; they can be things like rhymes, songs, phrases, pictures etc. Students can come up with their own mnemonic device or use one that has already been created.
Here are a few examples:
- CREATE FLASH CARDS
Making your own flash cards is a very effective way to learn facts, including key vocabulary and even times tables. Students can also use flash cards to play memory match games.
How to use flash cards: https://www.parent24.com/Learn/School-exams/watch-how-to-study-using-flashcards-20160825
Editable flash card templates and how to make flash cards in MS Word: https://templatearchive.com/index-and-flash-cards/#Creating_flashcard_templates_in_Microsoft_Word - CREATE AND TAKE QUIZZES
Practising past class tests can be a good way to prepare you for the kind of questions that may crop up in an exam. Another good strategy is to create your own quiz on the content you are studying. There are online sites that help you do this and many will give you access to quizzes others have created. For example: https://quizlet.com/latest - PRACTISE ACTIVE READING
It is not enough to simply read through information. Understanding and retention can greatly be improved by paraphrasing what you read, making colour coded notes, jotting down key ideas using bullet points or drawing pictures, and creating mind maps of the information.
How to colour code notes: https://study.com/blog/5-tips-for-color-coding-your-notes.html
How to come create a mind map: https://imindmap.com/how-to-mind-map/ - GO ONLINE AND EXPLORE RESOURCES SUCH AS WEBSITES, GAMES AND YOUTUBE
A simple internet search will turn up a host of online educational games and resources. YouTube can also be a wonderful resource of videos that help explain concepts in a more visual way. In addition, all our primary students have access to Reading Eggs and Mathletics (Mathseeds R – YR3), which are excellent apps that help reinforce skills taught in class.
At the end of the day, everyone learns differently and students need to find the most effective and efficient strategy to help them in their understanding. It is important to remember that tests and exams do not measure intelligence and they cannot assess what makes you special and unique.
Mrs Amanda Hack
Year 6 Teacher
Key Stage 1: Grandparents & Someone Special Day 2019
“Grandparents are there to help the child get into mischief they haven’t thought of yet.”– Gene Perret
One of the most special bonds in the world is that between a grandparent and their grandchild. It is a relationship based on love, appreciation, fun and pure joy. This is why here, at Blouberg International, we take pride in having a special day in our year set aside for showing our grandparents just how much we love and appreciate their presence in our lives.
Our Year 1’s and 2’s spent the morning celebrating their Grandparents in song, in craft and in love. The day started off with a gathering in our main hall where our Grandparents and other loved ones got to hear our wonderful junior choir sing and perform, joined with a very special slide-show where a few of our fondest and favourite memories with the children were displayed. After which, all loved ones were escorted to our classrooms where we got to say a special poem for them, ask them some questions about their childhood and school days and then get super crafty together. Our children and their loved ones then enjoyed a special picnic together outside in the sun. Moments that will surely be treasured forever.
What a truly beautiful day it was!
Ms Siobhan Hendry
Year 2 Teacher
Foundation Stage: In Our Garden
In Reception we have been learning about all the creatures we find in our garden. The students were very excited to tell their friends all about their favourite insects.
Read More“I like a scorpion because it has a poisonous sting” Juan Amouhadi
“I like butterflies because they are beautiful and can fly” Liha Tredoux
“I like bees because they make honey” Daisy Cronje
“I like ants because it starts with a ‘A’ like my name” Anthony Van Tonder
‘I like grasshoppers because they can jump and hide” Nathan Williams
“I like butterflies because they like to fly around and look for flowers” Hannah Borien
Ms Monique Crawley
Reception Year Teacher
High School Examination Tips
The June exams are less than two weeks away and preparation should be underway, especially for Years 10 and 12. Arguably the best way to counter exam stress is to come prepared. To this end, I have ten guidelines students can follow that will go a long way to helping them feel prepared and confident for each exam.
- Print a copy of their exam timetable and put it in a prominent and safe place.
- Compile and stick to a study timetable.
- Give yourself sufficient study time for each subject.
- Identify topics you find most challenging and, if necessary, ask for assistance from the subject teacher. Do this as far in advance of your exam as possible.
- Utilize effective study methods rather than simply reading the textbook.
- Avoid pulling “all-nighters”.
- Limit your social calendar (holidays are just around the corner and good friends will wait).
- Avoid fad diets so as to maximize energy and concentration.
- Pack the necessary equipment for each exam, including a spare pen.
- Arrive punctually for each exam.
I also encourage parents to be involved in their child’s exam preparation. We know, often from our own experience as students, how easy it is to become distracted and bored. Encourage regular study sessions with short breaks, physical activity and healthy eating. Do not be afraid to check up on your child’s exam preparation progress, even if they are in their final years of school.
I wish students all the best for their exams and I hope that they have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Sheila Marais
High School Teacher