English
On more than one occasion I have had my students ask me why they need to learn English. As someone who has adapted to the language well since I was young, I never understood what was so challenging about it, until I found the poem below:
We’ll begin with box; the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox is oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, and two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose is never called meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a house full of mice;
But the plural of house is houses, not hice.
The plural of man is always men,
But the plural of pan is never pen.
If I speak of a foot, and you show me two feet,
And I give you a book, would a pair be a beek?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn’t two booths be called beeth?
If the singular’s this and the plural is these,
Should the plural of kiss be ever called keese?
We speak of brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his, and him;
But imagine the feminine… she, shis, and shim!
English is a language packed with rules, but at the same time has an exception to almost all of them! However, the beauty of the language lies within its sub-context. English allows us to say something without saying it. Imagine if a gentleman still wished ‘to be a glove upon that hand; that [he] may touch that cheek…’ or thought that you ‘doth teach torches to burn bright…’
Although the grammatical rules of the English language is not everyone’s cup of tea, it is the Literature that makes it worth loving.
There are so many words and phrases we use daily which were invented by the great William Shakespeare, that we don’t even realise we are quoting him when we do:
English isn’t an easy language and I understand why some students find it challenging. However, hopefully they won’t feel like they ‘haven’t slept a wink’ if they ever find themselves ‘in a pickle.’
And for those who choose to ‘fight fire with fire’ in English, it is definitely not for the ‘faint hearted’. In their case, they would much prefer to say, ‘what’s done is done,’ to ‘send [English] packing’ and wish it ‘good riddance.’
They may feel that ‘the world is their oyster’ and that they can never have ‘too much of a good thing’.
But in the end, ‘the naked truth’ is that in their ‘heart of hearts’, they know it is ‘a brave new world’ after all, and they can uncover a new love for English once they ‘break the ice.’ Their confusion and frustration will ‘vanish into thin air’, they will escape ‘out of the jaws of death’ and they will come ‘full circle’ in their new appreciation and love for English.
Mia Tossel
IGCSE, AS and A Level English Teacher
Read More
Year 7 and 8 Cultural Outing
It is always a treat when the students are able to take some time away from their every day school routine for rejuvenation and energy. This is exactly what happened on Friday, 18 February, when the Year 7 and Year 8 students went on a cultural tour to Gardens and the Foreshore, where they visited the Iziko National Gallery and the Artscape theatre.
We were able to see two exhibitions at the National Gallery, “Drawing from the Collection” and “Tribute”.
“Drawing from the Collection” showcases a variety of drawings and works on paper from the Permanent Collection of Iziko South African National Gallery. The artworks represent an eclectic number of visual artists working in different styles and stretches across history and countries to provide an overview of drawing as a medium.
“Tribute” is an active display. Here we could interact with artworks especially chosen to support their classroom practice.
Our next stop was the Artscape Theatre in the Foreshore, where we had a guided tour of the costume exhibition. The exhibition portrayed the unforgettable moments for various productions dating back from 1971 to the present day.
After we had our fill of culture, we refuelled at the Food Court of the popular V&A Waterfront. This concluded our Cultural outing. With transport by Elwierda, we made our way back to Blouberg International School safe and sound.
Riaan Vosloo
IGCSE, AS and A Level Art and Design Teacher
Read More
What role do physicists play in the advancement of human civilisation?
If it weren’t for physicists, the world as we know it, would be a very different place. I cannot imagine what life is like for the uncontacted North Sentinelese tribe which has none of our modern technology. If all modes of transportation and communication ceased to exist for a minimum of 30 days, how would your life be? Would the human race survive? It is these types of questions that drive physicists to constantly develop new technologies. Most of the cutting-edge technology used in the 20th century was developed by physicists collaborating with professionals from various disciplines. For example, in 1938, Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch discovered nuclear fission, which was used to build nuclear bombs and is used today in nuclear power plants to produce electricity for our homes and businesses.
A degree in physics equips one with analytical and problem-solving skills, which are in high demand. These skills also offer a background for understanding an increasingly technological society. Physics degree-holders wind up in a wide range of jobs, many outside of academia. Physics grads often work in the private sector and sometimes at government laboratories. “Financial institutions are always on the lookout for physics majors since they have the perfect blend of strong math skills and the training in how to apply math to modelling real-life problems,” says Jed Macosko.
Look at the evolution of computers: the first computer had a processing speed of 1 MHz, but through understanding quantum physics, the fastest computer to date, can process data at 100 million times faster than the classical computer.
Physics is the study of nature itself. The more we understand nature, the more we can advance as a civilisation.
Brian Sizani
IGCSE, AS and A Level Physics and Mathematics Teacher
Read More
Greetings from BIS Interact Club!
As the 2021 academic year drew to a close, the Interact Club celebrated one of the highlights of the year, which was the hand out of over 50 gift boxes at Sam’s Creche Christmas party. It was indeed an immense privilege to witness the joy in the children’s faces when they received their gifts.
So thank you for your amazing contribution. This would not have been possible without your continuous generosity.
To add, this past Saturday a few Interact volunteers paired up with Friends of Blaauwberg Conservation and they did a beach clean up in Melkbosstrand. It was a fun opportunity to contribute to the environment on a beautiful summer’s day by the sea with friends.
On a final note, our board members cannot wait to share their exciting ideas for the year ahead. Amongst those ideas, we have recently launched a plastic collection drive for the whole school. The funds raised will go to selected disadvantaged schools in Langa, Mitchells Plain and Retreat to assist them with setting up recycling collection facilities. Further details of the collection drive will be emailed via Engage very shortly.
Elena Berger
BIS Interact Club
Read More
High School Induction Day 2022
Foreword
Welcome back to Blouberg International School and the start of a new academic year. A special word of welcome to our new families – I trust that you already feel at home.
We recognize that in order to be successful in school, our children need support from both the home and school. We know a strong partnership with you will make a great difference in your child’s education. As partners, we share the responsibility for our children’s success and want you to know that we will do our very best to carry out our responsibilities. We ask that you guide and support your child’s learning by ensuring that
he/she:
- Attends school daily and arrives on time, ready for the day’s learning experience.
- Reads daily to develop a love for reading and to improve literacy skills.
- Shares school experiences with you so that you are aware of his/her school life.
- Informs you if he/she needs additional support in any area or subject.
Looking forward to a successful term and great year,
Mrs Carmen de Villiers
High School Coordinator
High School Induction Day 2022
The high school Induction Day for new students took place on Friday, 14 January 2022. It was organised and led by the Student Representative Council and Matric students, who showed commendable diligence by planning this event from Term 4 and in the last week of their holidays.
Students participated in a variety of games and activities designed to help them to get to know each other better. They were also taken on a tour of the school so that they could be familiar with their subject teachers and the building before their first day. Students were allocated a house and the Year 7s met their tutor teachers.
Something new that was introduced this year was Matric Mentors. The Matric students were allocated Year 7 students who they need to keep in contact with during the school year. The purpose of this is to help the Year 7s settle into high school and encourage student involvement and effective communication.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new students. May your time at BIS be enjoyable and fulfilling.
Ms Sheila Marais
SRC Coordinator
Read More
A Fun-filled Year of Growth and Learning in Foundation Stage
Our little ones have really grown from strength to strength this year with so much development taking place in all areas. It has been very rewarding to see them master many skills. Some have experienced the joy of writing their own name or cutting out a shape on a line. For others learning to read, write their own sentences or calculating sums has been a highlight.
On Tuesday, 30 November, the students will be meeting their new class teacher from the class they will be in next year. This is what the students are looking forward to: for 2022:
Nikraad Manoucheri: “I am looking forward to doing sums.”
Mackenzie Theunissen: “I am looking forward to doing homework.”
Liam Okebalidiet: “I am looking forward to learning to read.”
Joshua Mpako: “I am looking forward to finding new friends to play with.”
Isabella Oosthuizen:”I am also looking forward to making new friends.”
Myles Xegwana: “I am looking forward to meeting my new teacher and doing homework.”
Jadey Howes: “I am excited about wearing my new school uniform in Year 1.”
Arye: “I am looking forward to making new friends.”
Bronwen Nuthall
Reception Year Teacher
Read More
Monsters
The key to learning any language is practise. Therefore, oral presentations are a pivotal part of the German lesson and gives all the students the opportunity to show what they have learnt in class and to practice their pronunciation. This term in Year 5, we learnt all the vocabulary for naming and describing the body as well as describing the character of a person.
The project was to design a monster as colourful and different as possible and then to describe the monster using all the vocabulary including numbers, colours, plurals and grammar learnt in class.
The oral included a general introduction about the student and a description of their own body including colour of hair and eyes. A vital component to a good oral was using the sentence construction and vocabulary exactly as learnt in class so that all the students were able to understand the presentations.
The Year 5’s invented many very interesting and original looking monsters and they were given very creative names. We were introduced to Gütädid, Laura, Bibi, Lola, Yu-de-cuta 1782, Nina, Blobby and Cerberus to name a few.
They came from very interesting places, as far as Pluto, and as close as Cape Town. They were very creative with all the colours then carefully naming them in German. They included many interesting amounts of body parts; 4 legs, 6 arms, 3 eyes, 2 heads and 2 necks. The description of the character of the monster included many similarities with the students themselves e.g. laut ,lustig und frech (loud, funny and cheeky). We also tested our listening skills, as the class was asked questions about the monster’s description to show understanding of what was presented.
Please see some examples of the students’ work in the photos attached. They did a great job in their presentations.
Well done Year 5’s and looking forward to continuing the journey in German with you next year in Year 6!
Frau Kerstin Pani
Primary School German Teacher
Read More
The Year 7 & 8 Art tells a lot more than a thousand words…
Teenagers are unaware of the incredible natural resource they possess: their boundless creativity. Our students are natural storytellers and the depth of their imaginations never ceases to amaze me.
And yet, students approach a blank page with trepidation. When they have to write a story, they aren’t thinking about sharing their ideas and stories. More often than not, they’re stressing about letter formation and proper spelling. However, when they start drawing freely they immediately begin to unleash their ideas. What they may not realize is that they are telling a story as they draw.
Illustrations contribute to the telling of a story. The Year 7 and 8 Art students used photography (Year 8) and paper cutouts (Year 7), inspired by the cut out artworks of Henri Matisse, to discuss and interpret details of the characters, setting and plot, thereby unleashing endless possibilities and unlimited creativity.
The main objective was to harmonise words and illustrations. They exceeded all our expectations when even the smallest details were created with small pieces of paper. We are incredibly proud of their outstanding work.
Ané Gornall & Riaan Vosloo
Year 7 & 8 Art Teachers
Read More
Interact 2021
As the 2021 academic year approaches an end, I look back at the many events organized by the BIS Interact Club. I admire the ability of our students to adapt to the challenges that all of us had to face somehow. Our Interact Club members’ enthusiasm and willingness to serve the community has continued forth strongly.
The ongoing support of the BIS family has enabled BIS Interact to organise a stationery drive for Du Noon Primary School, collect tons of clothing for Home of Hope, fill two school vans to the brim with food for Peace Home and deliver boxes of canned food to Amathemba School.
The sandwich-making school competition earlier this year was a gigantic success, with over 4000 content and grateful bellies on delivery day!
Our Interact members also proposed initiatives for the wellbeing of our school, such as the Friendship Day board, where our students and staff could post heart-warming and encouraging messages to their peers. Their Mental Health Awareness Drive included a “green ribbon” civvies day, which was aimed at promoting ways to maintain a healthy mind.
Our last Interact drive for the year is the collection of gift boxes for Sam’s Educational Centre. The students are busy putting together the most amazing boxes to be delivered by “Father Christmas” himself. With the assistance of our Interact members, the event will consist of a surprise hand out celebration, which will take place at Sam’s Educational Centre on Tuesday, 30 November.
We kindly request that the gift boxes be handed in no later than Friday, 26 November, wrapped and clearly labelled with the child’s name.
Thank you for your invaluable support.
Elena Berger
BIS Interact Coordinator
Read More
Sound & Vibrations
Experi-Buddies came to visit Year 1, to teach us about sound and vibrations, which we are learning about in our Science this term.
The students had a lot of fun experimenting in class, making sounds using balloons, marbles, water in glasses and spoons hanging on string.
Sound is an integral part of a child’s development. In fact, the Parenting Research Centre says, “Sound is critically important to the way children learn about their world.”
The Inting was such a great tool to help our students grasp the concepts even more comprehensively. Perhaps ask your child if they can explain sound and vibrations to you, their first-hand knowledge might just surprise you.
Charlotte Cronje
Year 1 Teacher
