Now we can rock science!

Key Stage 2 is very excited.  We have taken delivery of a brand new science cupboard which has equipment, apparatus and chemicals supporting our science curriculum  – including a periodic table; solar system model and the rocks and minerals we study. The apparatus comes in sets of 10, allowing students to work in groups of  2 or 3 to apply what they are learning in class.

Some new investigations this year can now include:

Grade 3: To investigate some properties of metals and non-metals.
                 To investigate how cranks and pulleys work.

Grade 4: Investigating melting and solidifying using different substances.
                To investigate what materials are good/bad conductors of electricity.

Grade 5: To investigate the changing shape of the light on the moon.
                  To investigate soil types and measure how much water each soil can hold.

Grade 6: To investigate what happens when we mix different substances and compare their properties before and after mixing, to investigate whether we can recover the solute from the solution by different methods.

Written by:

Carey Schoots
Year 4 Teacher

From the Junior German classroom

‘Back-to-school’ in South Africa is always an exciting time of the year, students start a new grade, they join a new class with a new teacher and classroom.

The Year 1’s also started the year with new languages to learn, German being one of them. In the introduction to German and Germany they learnt the phrase “Ich lerne Deutsch” (I am learning German) and the colours of the German flag.

They were very surprised to hear that most German schools start in September after the summer holidays in Europe and that the students do not wear uniforms at school. They were also introduced to “die Schultüte” (a school cone) a German tradition that all “Klasse 1” (Year 1) students look forward to on the first day of school. Before “Klasse 1” they would usually be attending a type of Kindergarten (a play group or nursery) at another institution and therefore making the first day of school one of the most important days of their childhood.

So, what exactly is “die Schultüte”?

It is a colourful and elaborately decorated cone which is prepared by a students’ parents and filled with goodies such as small school supplies (like pens, pencil cases, erasers, etc.), toys and sweets.

This German tradition originated in the early 1800’s in the cities of Jena, Dresden and Leipzig. Back then, parents brought the “Schultüten” directly to the schools, where they were hung on a so-called “Schultütenbaum” (“school cone tree”) in the classroom. When the tree was “ripe” with school cones, it meant that students were ready to begin first grade. On the first day of school, students were instructed to pick the cone with their name on it.

Naturally, the tradition spread and evolved over time. Today, students often receive their “Schultüten” before they leave their homes to go to school and the kids proudly carry their “Schultüten” to their new classrooms. Even Austria and the Czech Republic have adopted this fun ‘back-to-school’ tradition.     ***Source: Edited excerpts from the newsletter “This Week in Germany” (TWIG edition 8/28/2015) published by German Information Center/Embassy of Germany. https://german-world.com/the-history-of-the-schultute/***

The year 1 students on the photos enjoyed holding “die Schultüte” and the Year 2 students proudly displayed their completed Germany flags.

They are really looking forward to learning more about other German traditions this year.

Written by
Frau K. Pani
German Teacher
KS 1 & KS 2

‘My Body Belongs To Me!’

(Educational Show Presented by Puppet World)

‘Allow your children to be taught how to take care of and protect their bodies in a fun and interactive way.’

On Friday, 1st February 2019, the Year 1’s had an interactive educational puppet show on, ‘Our Bodies’.

When used in teaching, puppets can help boost creativity and stimulate kids’ imaginations, from the preschool age up to early teen years. The innate interactivity draws children in and encourages them to be actively involved in the learning process and share their thoughts and observations.

The show was excellent and really involved the children as they joined in singing and dancing to various action songs. They had a lot of fun!

 

“My favourite bit was when they showed us the body parts.” Kara Jones, aged 5

 

“I liked it when the skeletons danced.” Scott Leach, aged 6

 

“ I loved the skeletons dancing and the songs.” Zach Gouws, aged 7

Written by
Mrs Charlotte Cronjé
Year 1 Teacher

‘My Body Belongs To Me!’

‘We are family’ – Reception Year Term 1 2019

During the past two weeks in Reception Year we have been learning about ‘My Family’. The students had to prepare a family tree for ‘show and tell’ and present it in front of their peers.

Show and tell creates opportunities for students to grow and develop in the following areas:

Oral and language skills – It encourages them to use descriptive words and complete sentences, expanding their vocabulary. It helps children to communicate feelings, thoughts and emotions with words.

Self-esteem and pride – Speaking often in front of a familiar group helps children to feel comfortable with public speaking. This positive interaction builds confidence and self-esteem. It gives them a chance to be the center of attention and show off what they have to discuss, and in turn makes them feel good about themselves.

Social skills – Because this is a group activity, it helps teach children appropriate social skills. Each child must be patient and listen, and wait their turn. The speaker also learns to look at their audience and speak clearly in order for them to hear.

Creating friendships – ‘Show and Tell’ can create opportunities for children to make new friends. Some of the children may have similar interests and it will provide a connection between them.

Written By
Martie van Dyk
Reception Year Teacher

Reception MvD Class Artwork for ‘My family’

Open Day (2 March 2019) – Nursery to A Levels

Saturday, 2nd March 2019 at 9:00am

Come join us for a fun filled day of tours, information and interaction!

Please remember to RSVP and share our open day with your friends and family!!

Young Author’s Club 2019

Blouberg International’s Story Time Fun

For the budding writers who signed up for Young Author’s club, week two of term meant the beginning of a new adventure. The children picked up their pencils, took a deep breath, and started to create a world of their own. Dragons swooped around their ears, unicorns cantered through the classroom desks. Bandits and robbers lurked under the cover of darkness, locked chests were discovered, Aztec treasure was looted. Knights, ninjas and nine-tailed fox-like creatures all scampered their way through the minds – and pencils – of our aspiring young authors. Read on for a sneak peek at the beginnings of some of the stories – and keep your eyes peeled for more!

‘In the far distant past, before Napoleon had piles at the battle of Waterloo, there lived a brave, adventurous knight named Sir Atkinson. He dwelled in a fairly large town called Regno and Regno was ruled by a very fat king…’

– Darian (Year 6 Student)

‘Once day there lived a unicorn called Olivia. She lived in the rain forest in Brazil. She was very unhappy because it was very hot there, so she asked her Dad to go to the city…’

– Maria (Year 4 Student)

 

I am thrilled at the imaginations that spring to life around me, and can’t wait to read more of what the children write!

Hannah Kirkaldy

Year 5 Teacher

From the Principal’s Desk – 31 January 2019

Dear Parents

It was such a joy to see so many families at our Sports Day last Saturday. Your support of our young athletes builds their self-confidence and drive to succeed. I am certain that as our Sports Department continues to grow, we will see many more of you at matches and other sporting events.

As parents we want the very best for our children; we entertain a myriad of hopes and dreams for their future. We nurture their dreams, provide as best we can and are there to put them back on their feet after a fall. We wish to alleviate their pain, but also equip them for the world beyond their own front door. Our support is crucial to their growth, and their development as well-rounded and conscientious members of society.

Our innate desire as parents is to want more for our children, to provide them with whatever will make them happy, but what is really important is how we build and develop them through our love and support.  Irrespective of diverse backgrounds, our goal is the same. The inherent desire to put our children first and to do so, and be good stewards of them, we must be in good spirits ourselves.  We must take care of our own emotional well being in order to care for theirs.  We work hard, taking on the realities and challenges of life, often hiding the truth from our children to protect them.  It is crucial, however, that we have balance in our lives and take time out to reboot. When we are taking good care of ourselves, we are better equipped to take care of our young charges.

On a different note, tomorrow, the 1st of February, is “World Read Aloud Day”. This annual advocacy day, presented by the global literacy nonprofit organization LitWorld and sponsored by Scholastic, unites people around the world by highlighting the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories.

Our librarian, Mrs. Mashazi, will read aloud to the whole of the junior school tomorrow as we play our part in this important celebration.

We trust you will have a wonderful weekend!

Best wishes

Edna

Welcome Pre-Reception 2019

The new year at Blouberg International has begun! Most of the students come to school full of excitement and energy ready for the day’s activities. Some of the educational play activities they have participated in so far are: painting, cutting out and rolling play dough, various ball skills, cutting, pasting and much more!

This is what some of the Pre-Reception students said they liked most about their new school:

1. Kelvin & Melvin Ngula (3 years 6 months) – “building with the wooden blocks!”
2. Jaanae Pillay (3 years 5 months) – “I like it when my teacher reads a story to the class.”
3. Hannah Baker (2 years 9 months) – “I like playing with the dolls the most!”
4. Richard Hoskins (2 years 10 months) – “I like watching the birds fly into the classroom.”

Starting Pre-Reception is a significant event for every child. It can be both exciting as well as emotional. I am excited to see how they grow and develop throughout the year. We hope the start to your child’s journey be an exciting & joyful one!

Cindy Nunan

Pre-Reception Teacher

The best part of Year 1

Being a Year 1 teacher is immensely rewarding. I have the privilege to make a lasting, positive impact on my classes’s well-being and development. I get to open young minds to new concepts and ideas on a daily basis, and teach my students how to read and write which they will use for the rest of their lives!

We are now in Week 3 of the 2019 academic year, so I decided to ask a few of my students what the best part of Year 1 is:

“The best part of Year 1 is playing on the field.” Blake Olivier 6 years old

 

“The best part of Year 1 is working because it keeps me busy.” Gamelilhe Masuku (5 years 10 months)

 

“My best part of Year 1 is golden time!” Charlotte Neal (6 years 10 months)

 

“The best part of Year 1 is learning new things.” Tshimologo Shuping (6 years 10 months)

 

“The best of Year 1 is going to school!” Sancia Paul (5 years 7 months)

 

“The best part of Year 1 is snack time.” Lucas Kane (6 years 4 months)

 

“The best part of Year 1 is learning how to write.” Mackenzie Matthee (6 years 8 months)

 

Miss White

Year 1 Teacher