Teaching And Growing Young Minds
It has been an “out of the normal” sort of start to term 1, however it has been nothing short of fun and exciting.
As a teacher, these times are never easy. We are always worried about whether our students are receiving the tools they need to grow or getting enough of us as we try to stretch ourselves between numerous tasks. As daunting as it is to be teaching during a pandemic, it amazes me how strong and committed our students are. They remain eager to learn and excited for each new day. They never falter to take on a new challenge.
Today I tasked my students with a research activity and before I could guide them on which search engines to use or how to go about starting their research they were already absorbed in the activity and enthusiastically writing down facts. They were guiding each other and sharing advice with their peers. I was so proud as I watched them and listened to the helpful chatter that filled the classroom. Except for the masks and distance between each student teaching and learning continued.
This reminded me that as teachers we are changing the world and we do make a difference. To be able to keep your classroom running as normal when you are still trying to figure out what the ‘new normal’ is and to see the little faces of eager students that excitedly walk through the door each morning wanting to learn and then actually partaking of the knowledge you have to give is remarkable. We can all take from that, that we are making a difference. Pandemic or not, we are still doing what we love… TEACHING and GROWING young minds.
Nadia Mahomed
Year 5 Teacher
Pre-Reception And Nursery – All About Me And My Family!
The Pre-Reception and Nursery students are starting to settle in beautifully into the class routine. This week we are learning about “All about me and my family”. The theme is to help children learn about each other and each other’s families and to realize that every person is unique and special. All our activities help them get to know the special and unique things about themselves and each other.
During creative activities we painted hands to make their handprints to decorate their art files and to see that all their hands and finger prints are different. The students were also encouraged to build their houses out of blocks. Circle Time was used to learn about the social skills of being together as a group and to learn more about the theme.
All our activities are centered around the theme the students are really having fun learning about themselves, their little friends and their families!
Cindy Nunan
Pre-Reception & Nursery Teacher
A Special ‘Thank you’ After A Challenging Year
One thing, on which we can all agree, is that this year was tough and none of us want to see another year like it again.
We thank you for your support and trust during this difficult time and commend our students on their steadfastness and fortitude this year, especially with regards to online learning.
I would also like to thank the high school teachers who have worked tirelessly in the best interests of the students.
I wish every parent, student, and teacher a blessed 2021 and we look forwards to seeing you in the new year.
Please stay safe and have a joyous festive season.
Julian Harrison
Head of Academics – High School
(Photo: High School students dressed up for the last day of school Civvies Day)
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Year 6 Ingenuity In Action
This term the Year 6 students learnt about electrical insulators and conductors. As part of their Design and Technology project they needed to design a board game that incorporated an electrical circuit.
Students completed and submitted a planning page that showcased a design sketch, a list of the various materials they needed to build their game and an explanation of how their game would work. Once their idea was approved, the Year 6’s started creating their board games in class. It was wonderful to see the students apply their creativity and critical thinking skills while creating their board games.
Students presented their board games in front of the class. They needed to explain the following in their presentation:
- How they created their board games.
- What materials they used.
- Who their target audience was.
- Lastly they had to demonstrate how their game worked.
On Friday, 4 December, the Year 6’s displayed their board games to the rest of Key Stage 2. They demonstrated how their board games worked and gave the other classes an opportunity to play their game.
We are incredibly proud of the hard work, ingenuity and effort the Year 6s put into their designs.
Katherine Nel
Year 6 Teacher
From the Principal’s Desk, 27 November 2020
Dear Parents
Prize-giving ceremonies are a special part of our year-end celebrations; a chance to reward the hard work of our students. This is the one event we were not going to miss out on in 2020!
This has been an eventful week as we planned and celebrated our Prize-giving ceremonies online. Our children have endured so much throughout this year and still managed to finish the race with success!
As parents you too have endured many challenges and yet your support and commitment to the school and its teachers has been evident throughout. You all deserve star certificates as well!
I believe the challenges we all endured have made us stronger and increased our endurance. Our students are champions and well deserving of a good holiday.
Next week will be the last week of examinations for our high school students and we continue to cheer them on to the finish line.
As we are at the end of the week, I wish you all a wonderful and restful weekend ahead.
“Time spent with family is time well spent. Family is the one constant element in life.” – Author Unknown
Kind regards
Edna
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Valedictory Ceremony 2020
Earlier in Term 4 our Matric 2020 students’ achievements were celebrated at our very special annual Valedictory Ceremony.
Here are the top achievers of the 2020 Valedictory Ceremony 2020:
| Award | Description | Name |
| ACADEMICS | ||
| Highest Mark Achieved | Accounting | Darshan Naidoo |
| Highest Mark Achieved | Afrikaans | Jianicia Meintjes |
| Highest Mark Achieved | Art | Keryn Crawcour |
| Highest Mark Achieved | Biology | Darshan Naidoo |
| Highest Mark Achieved | Chemistry | Darshan Naidoo |
| Highest Mark Achieved | Computer Science | Damian De Mattos |
| Highest Mark Achieved | Design and Technology | Yolanda Shabane |
| Highest Mark Achieved | English | Katherine Lott |
| Highest Mark Achieved | Geography | Keryn Crawcour |
| Highest Mark Achieved | German | Katherine Lott |
| Highest Mark Achieved | History | Audrey Lepo |
| Highest Mark Achieved | Mathematics | Darshan Naidoo |
| Highest Mark Achieved | Physics | Darshan Naidoo |
| Acknowledgement | achieving an aggregate of 70% and above | Katherine Lott |
| Honours | achieving an aggregare of 90% and above | Darshan Naidoo |
| DUX | First position in Year 12 | Darshan Naidoo |
| SPORT | ||
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Being part of the 1st Tennis Team | Nuan Theart |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Selection for the u18 FN Rangers soccer team | Nuan Theart |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Selection for the Senior FN Rangers soccer team | Nuan Theart |
| Merit | Service to sport | Nuan Theart |
| Sportsman of the Year | Nuan Theart | |
| CULTURE | ||
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Contribution to ISA | Khanyisa Buthelezi |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Contribution to ISA | Audrey Lepo |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Contribution to ISA | Vallarie Fodson |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Contribution to ISA | Esethu Dlamini |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Contribution to ISA | Sinokhanyo Maqanda |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Contribution to ISA | Azande Dube |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Contribution to ISA | Nuan Theart |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Contribution to ISA | Mpumelelo Mgidi |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Contribution to ISA | Alex Massyn |
| SRC 2020 Acknowledgement | ||
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Damian De Mattos | |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Khanyisa Buthelezi | |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Alex Massyn | |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Audrey Lepo | |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Venus Chamunorwa | |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Katherine Lott | |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Head Boy | Mpumelelo Mgidi |
| Certificate of Acknowledgement | Head Girl | Azande Dube |
Congratulations to all the award winners. We are extremely proud of our class of 2020!
Valedictory Ceremony 2020 – Audrey Lepo
Valedictory Ceremony 2020 – Damian De Mattos
Valedictory Ceremony 2020 – Jianicia Meintjes
Valedictory Ceremony 2020 – Katherine Lott
Valedictory Ceremony 2020 – Keryn Crawcour
Valedictory Ceremony 2020 – Nuan Theart
Valedictory Ceremony 2020 – Yolanda Shabane
From the Principal’s Desk, 20 November 2020
Dear Parents
Every morning I watch the students as they walk through the reception area. Some wave quietly and others are full of cheerful chatter! Having the students come through the reception area every morning provides me with such a valuable little window into their lives.
I can always sense when a student is not having a good morning and need that little bit of encouragement and support to brighten up their day. I cherish these moments with the students, and it reminds me of the importance and value in being an educator.
We have all had a difficult and demanding year, but this morning I am filled with enormous gratitude for my staff. I am proud of their adaptability and positivity. Each one of them is exhausted but they retain their cheerfulness and willingness to serve.
Last Saturday morning, the 14th November, we welcomed our new parents for 2021 and the feedback we received is amazing. We look forward to expanding the Blouberg International community next year and welcoming new faces and families.
One of the most important events of the year is the end of year Prize-giving. This year our various Prize-givings will be streamed virtually and you will receive a letter with the relevant dates and times. We cannot miss the opportunity to acknowledge our students’ hard work and dedication this year.
As we all prepare for the weekend, I hope you all have something wonderful in mind as we are going to have awesome weather!
Best regards
Edna
The President’s Award Achievement – Well Done Marco!
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
The Benefits Of Pets – Pre-Reception
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
From the Principal’s Desk, 16 October 2020
Dear Parents
“SOCIAL NETWORKS”
In 1969, a few professors from three California universities created the first communications network called the ARPANET. This would be the precursor of what we know today as the INTERNET. Since then, the growth in the number of users has risen exponentially, reaching more than 4.5 billion in this year 2020.
Today you can find on the “network” multiple services developed on different protocols such as email, instant messaging, online video games, education and communication platforms, or popular social networks, among others.
The recent pandemic caused by COVID – 19, has in many cases forced teleworking, proving a new normal way of living and communicating with the rest of the world. The use of global platforms for the acquisition of consumer goods over the Internet and the massive development of social networks such as Facebook with 2.45 billion users, YouTube with 2 billion, Instagram with 1.1 billion or TikTok with more than 850 million has also increased, just to name the most popular and widespread.
Today our world’s reality is very different from that of a few years ago, we can ask ourselves a series of questions:
– Do these technological devices or the algorithms that manage these applications cause addiction?
– Does the excessive use of social networks have negative effects on mental health?
– Are the big companies behind social networks using our personal data in a disinterested way?
– Is our consumption and life habits being influenced by controlling the use we make of social networks?
– Are massive amounts of data being manipulated to influence our citizens’ decisions in politics, life choices, hobbies, etc.?
These and other questions have complex answers.
As responsible educators, at Blouberg International we are concerned that our students may be making the wrong use of social networks and digital applications. We are convinced that benefits can be obtained, but there are also risks. We believe that parents and educators must do everything possible so that our students can take advantage of technological advances to have optimal personal, physical and mental development, but more importantly have them know how to discern between the positive and the negative in the world around them.
Recently, the Netflix platform has included in its offer the documentary “The Social Dilemma”. We believe it is a very interesting film and recommend students over the age of 14 to watch it. It will allow them to better understand how these and other networks interact with them as social network users, but of course, this being not a program specifically designed for schools, it must be you, their parents who decide at your own discretion whether or not it is convenient for them to watch it.
In 2019 we hosted Emma Sadlier from the Digital Law Company to address parents and students about the dangers of social media. We hope to have a follow up on the talk she had with us and would like to encourage you to attend when we host the next session with her.
Have a wonderful weekend ahead.
Best regards
Edna