Foundation Finger Fun (Fine Motor) Club
This year we reintroduced after school clubs. I decided to start a club that focuses on strengthening fine motor muscles and make it lots fun. I think I am starting to achieve my goal! The students do not even realise that they are refining their fine motor skills, because they are having a great time while doing so.
Fine motor skills refer to how we use smaller muscle groups in our bodies to perform tasks, mainly involving the muscles in their hands, fingers and wrists. Children use their fine motor muscles to do various things, namely, writing their names, cutting paper with scissors and to tie their shoelaces.
When a child develops their fine motor skills they are also mastering their coordination. Using the smaller muscles requires thought, action and precision. Fine motor skills are crucial for doing many of the actions we take for granted, like feeding ourselves, holding things, doing up zippers and buttons while getting dressed, drawing as well as colouring to name only a few. Learning to use smaller muscle groups leads to bigger accomplishments.
Fine motor movement:
- Allows a child to play with small objects.
- Encourages creativity.
- Assists in development of communication skills.
- Encourages independence.
- Improves physical awareness.
- Builds confidence.
It is really wonderful to see how enthusiastic the students are about our Finger Fun Club. They can’t wait for their lesson on Tuesday afternoons. Our last lesson of the term was a hit when they got to make shapes out of toothpicks and jelly tots.
We can’t wait to have more fun in Term 2.
Cindy Nunan
Pre-Reception Teacher
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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
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Founder’s Day Celebrations
Founder’s Day is traditionally a very important day in the school calendar when members of the school community meet to remember those who founded the school and who have developed the school.
An atmosphere of celebration filled Blouberg International School when the students and teachers gathered to celebrate Founder’s Day on Friday, 4 March 2022. The day began with Mr. Swart addressing the students, teachers and parents. He acknowledged a wonderful and dearly missed music teacher, Mr Johann Smal who wrote the school song. We need to remember and strive to reflect the words of the school song to improve our future and then our school will continue to be a school of excellence.
We live our lives to the full
Here at BIS
We want to make a success
Trying our best
We want to lay a foundation
to build our lives upon
As students we want to learn
and discover ourselves
Blouberg International School
Blouberg International School
We live our lives to the full
here at BIS.
We respect all people
in reaching our goals
We work together as a team,
united we shall stand.
We turn failure into success,
Proud to be a part…
Of Blouberg International School
Blouberg International School
B.I.S.
B.I.S.
B.I.S.
Blouberg!
The day was celebrated with enthusiasm in the school. An extravaganza of activities was conducted. Starting with box car races as well as boere sport during the school day. We then watched Mr and Miss BIS and we were treated with performances from our very talented staff members. We also enjoyed food from different countries at the International Food Fair.
It was one of the best days of this year!
Martie van Dyk
Pre-Reception Teacher
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Lovely Letters Of Encouragement
Last Friday, the students had a surprise visit from Postman Sean who delivered letters to each of the Foundation Stage classes. Excitement filled the students’ eyes as Postman Sean entered the classroom, and the students eagerly made their way to the carpet find out more about his special delivery. Postman Sean then told the students about his job as a postman and explained the different stages from posting a letter to receiving it. He then handed out each of the letters to the delighted students.
These letters of encouragement had been sent in during the course of the two week theme. Some children even received letters from grandparents, cousins, siblings and other loved ones in their family. We read out the letters in class and it was so beautiful to see the smiles on the students’ faces as they listened intently to the very special messages from their lovely ones.
This was such a lovely and memorable way to end off our theme.
Bronwen Nuthall
Reception Year Teacher
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People Who Help Us
For the past two weeks, the Foundation Stage has been learning about People Who Help Us in our community and how they help us in our daily lives.
The students also learnt how some of these people help us in emergencies, like firefighters, police, doctors and nurses. If there is an emergency, they will need to know how to get in touch with the right person to help in the situation (however old they are).
They also learnt of other people who help us stay safe and healthy, like opticians, dentists and refuse collectors.
Learning about this topic helps the students to make connections between themselves and the outside world. It makes them more aware of the different jobs and roles people take on in their own homes, in school and in their community. By educating the young students about the people who try and prevent these things happening or help us if they do, we are showing them the systems in place within our society to ensure that we live in a safe and supportive community.
The theme also provides key life skills for children, e.g. knowing how to dial the emergency services, who to ask if they get lost, what to do in case of a fire etc.
The Foundation Stage students were visited by law Enforcement Services, Fire and Rescue Services and Neighbourhood watch. They learnt what to do in various emergency situations and to call the toll free numbers 107 & 10111 to get help in any emergency.
This theme encourages children to notice places and people in their community and show them that they are part of a wider community that opens up possibilities for them to consider for future careers.
Cindy Nunan
Pre-Reception Teacher
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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