From the Principal’s Desk, 22 April 2021
Dear Parents
Thank you to all the many parents who joined us for our parent meeting on Tuesday. Your interest and support is much appreciated. A recording has been sent out for those who were unable to attend. I will be sharing a google form during the course of next week and will appreciate your input and honest feedback. In the meantime, I remind you of our school’s mission statement. It is important that we remain aware of this so that we can align our vision and goals accordingly and ensure that we are consistent.
Mission Statement – Blouberg International School aims to empower all its students to become educated, lifelong learners, by teaching the English National Curriculum together with Cambridge International Education in a caring, dynamic, creative, encouraging and nurturing environment.
FEATURE PHOTO
Our main newsletter photograph features Ms Yvette Fourie. Yvette started at the school in 2006, as a Year 2 teacher. After a few years she moved over to Pre-Reception and then for 4 years as a class teacher she taught Year 3. She loved being a class teacher, however her passion is sport and she knew that being the Head off Sport was what she wanted to do. In 2019 she took the position of Head of Sport. She is passionate about her school and it is her vision to build a great sporting culture within the school and provide our students with top class coaching in all sports. She is extremely proud of all our sport stars.
Did you know that Yvette:
- Loves reading crime novels about serial killers and has a bookcase full (300 books).
- She is very scared of spiders!!!!
- She was born in Botswana and spent most of her childhood on their family farm.
- She loves studying and has completed a number of courses and diplomas in education.
- Her dream is to foster a baby rhino.
LONG WEEKEND
Parents are reminded that this weekend is a long weekend, with Monday, 26 April (School holiday) and Tuesday, 27 April (Freedom Day) being no school. School will re-open on Wednesday, 28 April at the normal time.
WEEKLY THOUGHT: Perseverance
“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” – Newt Gingrich
Too often we think, “Well, I truly have persevered a great deal – it must be time for a break.” Or maybe this sounds more familiar: “I have persevered for such a long time now; I am sure that success is imminent.”
For those of us that think perseverance is reflected in these statements, Gingrich says: “Nope, you may not be there yet.”
True perseverance is to “keep on going on” long after you think you have done enough, waited long enough, and worked tremendously hard…
In the trying times we face worldwide and in our country, we need the perseverance Gingrich is referring to. Things might even get worse before getting better. We must prepare ourselves for this, buckle up, roll up our sleeves and persevere.
If you know you’re heading in the right direction, keep on walking, do not be deterred, do not rest, do not change course, and don’t slow down. Keep going. Persevere.
Have a brilliant weekend, don’t give up…ever!
Andre
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From The Principal’s Desk, 16 April 2021
Dear Parents
Thank you so much for the warm welcome to Blouberg International School. It was wonderful to be greeted by so many students and parents on Tuesday and I was immediately touched by the smiles and warmth. I look forward to a wonderful time at the school and getting to know you all better.
FEATURE PHOTO
Our main newsletter photograph features Mr Julian Harrison. Julian has been with the school for nearly 10 years and currently holds the position of High School Academic Head and is, most certainly, the glue that holds the High School together. For those who do not know Julian very well, here are 5 facts about him.
- He holds a degree in dietetics.
- He is a qualified architectural draughtsman.
- He hates flying and therefore does not fly anywhere.
- He is part of a bowls team who have been the champions for the past 2 years.
- He is a true South African – He has braaied EVERY DAY since January 2021.
Thank you, Julian, for your commitment to the students, staff and the school.
OUR VALUES
Please be reminded of our school values. Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Responsibility, Leadership, Excellence & Stewardship. We use these values to ensure that our students become responsible adults who will make a positive difference in our country.
It will be appreciated if you could use these same values, at home, while parenting your children.
Together, we make a difference.
ONLINE PARENT MEETING
We have scheduled an online parent meeting for Tuesday, 20 April 2021 at 6.30pm. The meeting is an opportunity for me to introduce myself to you. It would be great if you could join me for 30 minutes.
Please use the following link: meet.google.com/upe-rdgk-pdb
I look forward to spending time with you.
Every week I will be sharing a WEEKLY THOUGHT with you. I find these very interesting and often they lead me to improving what I do. I trust you will enjoy them too.
WEEKLY THOUGHT: Thinking Clearly
“The first step to think clearly is to question what we think we know about the past” – Peter Thiel
In response to this statement by one of PayPal’s founders, most people will remark, “Much easier said than done.” But Thiel’s view is 100% correct.
Most of us find ourselves working in the same careers, living in the same towns, and applying the same patterns of thought which we’ve known for decades. But what if where you live and what you do are no longer satisfying or sustainable, leaving you emotionally, mentally or financially at risk…What then?
Thiel suggests that we press “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” (at least to an extent) in our thinking and ask ourselves the following:
- Are all my assumptions about life correct?
- Am I on the right road?
- Do I have the expectation that this road will lead somewhere?
- What new innovations are realities today that were not around a couple of years ago?
- Can I use these technologies to my benefit?
Thinking is a lost art, but it is one of the most worthwhile and essential exercises any human being can engage in. After all, we have been given the wonderful ability to use our minds!
But we must not only think – we need to think CLEARLY.
May Thiel’s advice bring us all to the point where we can start the process of thinking clearly.
Have a brilliant weekend, make time to just sit and think.
Andre
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Welcome Back To Term 2
The High School staff welcomes all students and parents to the second term of 2021!
We hope you all enjoyed the well-deserved holiday. We also wish to extend a special welcome to our new principal, Mr. Andre Swart and wish him the very best for his first term at BIS.
Term 2 is a busy and important term. June examinations for Year 7, 8, 9, 11 and 13 start on the 7th of June 2021 and the Year 10 and 12 students start their Prelim examinations on the 31st of May 2021. Prelim examinations are extremely important in preparing students for the final IGCSE and AS Level examinations at the end of the year.
The High School will have online parent/teacher meetings next week and parents are encouraged to book with the relevant subject teachers. A letter has been sent on Engage regarding the online meetings and how to book.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Julian Harrison
Head of Academics High School
Real Life Inspiration
When we embrace the truth that we are the authors of our own stories, we become empowered to add to the joy and beauty around us.
This term, Year 4’s are going to look at the genre of fiction based on real life problems.
We have a whole audio library of books to enjoy for the next month that deal with everyday problems. After reading how the characters in these books made choices that overcame obstacles, we will be choosing a problem to write about – and then developing our story to ensure that the solution makes for, not only a happy ending, but an enjoyable and intriguing read.
Starting a new term, with a new Head and so many new opportunities, the Year 4’s prepared themselves last term by designing colourful and vibrant inspirational art.
What a great beginning to this new chapter of 2021 – I can’t wait to see how our story unfolds.
Carey Schoots
Year 4 Teacher
Term 1 High School 2021
2021 started with a bang and now that we have reached the end of the term, I can only wonder where the time has gone.
We were very fortunate that school sport and sport lessons for Year 7 and 8 could resume after February 15th when the Covid restrictions were eased. We remain positive that we will be able to resume with our winter sport in Term 2.
Term 2 will commence on Tuesday, 13 April 2021. Term 2 is an important term as students will be writing their June examinations. There will be parent-teacher meetings in Term 2, and we encourage parents to attend if they have concerns regarding progress in a particular subject. Parents will receive more information about these meetings next term.
We would like to thank Mrs. Lawrence for everything she has done for us as parents, students, and teachers. We wish her all the best for her new journey.
Finally, we would like to thank all the parents and students for their hard work in Term 1 and we look forward to a busy and exciting second term. If you are travelling these holidays, please be safe.
Julian Harrison
Head of Academics, High School.
Taste Monsters!
My eyes can see the big bright sun.
My nose can smell hot cinnamon buns.
My ears can hear the big loud drum.
My tongue can taste good things. Yum! Yum!
My hands can feel the sand. What fun!
I like my senses, every one!
(Poet unknown)
In Science, this term, Year 3 had a lot of fun experimenting with their senses. From testing different flavours in a tasting experience to participating in a treasure hunt, making their own telephones, and ultimately culminating in creating a Taste Monster!
Here’s how they did it:
First, students were asked to select one flavour – sweet, salty, sour, bitter or spicy. They then had to bring pictures of foods illustrating their particular flavour to school. After that, they selected an A3 colour card which matched their flavour. Using their imagination, they drew a Taste Monster which represented their particular flavour. Students needed to pay special attention to their monster’s mouth as the final step was to fill the monster’s mouth with their food pictures. The results were spot on and some were quite scary…
Well done, Year 3!
Mandy Goch
Year 3 Teacher
Join Us For a Whirlwind Trip Around The World…
Our new curriculum subject, Global Perspectives, has proven to be a hit with the Year 2 students. Over the last few weeks, they have imagined packing a bag and jetting off to a destination.
We started our journey, touring South Africa, made our way to Madagascar (a firm favourite) and then on to Japan. This was particularly of interest to the children, as we have a student, currently studying online, living in Japan. We ended our trip in England and the London Eye was definitely their most discussed landmark.
Apart from learning about the different traditions, cultures, foods, sports, and landmarks, we also explored what it would feel like to move to a new country. The children made posters and discussed their favourite destination during our Show and Tell lesson.
We cannot wait to continue exploring when we return for Term 2!
Kim Coetzer
Year 2 Teacher
Little Hands Learning BIG Things
Everything the Nursery and Pre-Reception students do during their day’s activities contribute to their over-all development.
Children learn creativity, confidence, problem solving, perseverance, focus, dedication, collaboration and accountability through art.
Sensory play also contributes in crucial ways to brain development. Stimulating the senses sends signals to the children’s brains that helps to strengthen neural pathways important for all types of learning.
Children learn through doing. Art is an important part of a child’s world. It’s not only a way for children to express themselves, but it also helps them develop their fine–motor skills. The process during creative activities is more important than the final product. Small–muscle control is needed in order to cut with scissors, paint with a brush and colour with crayons. Creating these works of art builds a child’s self-esteem. The finished product, displayed on the refrigerator or wall, validates a child’s sense of worth.
Another very important activity during our day is building puzzles. Puzzles develop a child’s abstract thinking ability as they must be able to see a space and visualize what belongs in that space. Fine-motor coordination is developed when fitting the pieces into place.
Fine-motor control is developed by playing with a variety of toys such as big and small Legos, wooden blocks, pegboards, beads to thread, play dough etc. These manipulative toys help develop a child’s fine motor skills, which is a precursor to being able to write.
I hope you see play differently, through the eyes of a teacher and the importance of it!
Cindy Nunan
Nursery and Pre-Reception Teacher
From The Principal’s Desk, 19 March 2021
Dear Parents
As I was packing up my office and making the final preparations for my new journey, I was reminded how many times I have had to deal with procrastination.
Procrastination: – “The action of delaying or postponing something.”
In all honesty, I should’ve filed a few things earlier in the week. However, my delayed tidy-up did reveal wonderful reminders of my time at Blouberg International: students’ artwork, pictures of concerts, class photos etc. These will all become part of a memory book I have started compiling.
I don’t believe procrastination is always a bad thing. Bruce Grierson writes that sometimes it means you are putting something off to make time for your passion instead (Psychology Today). He also suggests that it can give you a change of energy. Another psychologist, Fuschia Sirois, says procrastination can be about something bigger, like self-doubt.
Students often procrastinate before exams, leaving studying until the very last minute. This has serious repercussions when they find themselves unable to cover all the term’s work the night before the exam. In this example, self-doubt creates negativity and anxiety. In the workplace, procrastination has much the same effect, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and unable to meet our deadlines.
The question is, why do we put things off for another time? Why not complete the task as soon as it arises? This would create a sense of accomplishment and avoid feelings of guilt and anxiety. This week, I am not putting off anything for a later date. I am enjoying my time with the students and spending quality time with my staff. Then lastly, I am packing away files and books in order to make space for Andre. No more procrastination, but rather taking on tasks with a goal-oriented and positive mindset.
“I am taking care of my procrastination issues; just you wait and see!”- author unknown
I hope that last sentence gave you a good chuckle!
Have a super weekend and enjoy quality time with those special to you.
Kind regards
Edna
My Journey In Computer Science
I have been at Blouberg International for as long as I can remember. I joined the school in Pre-Reception when I was only two years old. Now I am in Year 10 and I have seen the school grow so much over the years.
In Year 9 I was given the opportunity to take Computer Science and Coding as a subject. Since beginning the course I have taken a strong liking to the Coding aspect of the curriculum. In Coding, I am able to stimulate my mind and develop my problem-solving skills.
As the world we live in is continuing to advance in the digital aspect, taking up Coding as a subject is a huge benefit to anyone as it is a more sought-after job and skill set to wield in the current day and age.
Our school also offers a variety of different languages for the students to learn to code in, opening up many opportunities for the future.
With Computer Science, the possibilities are endless for future opportunities, whether you take it further in a career or continue to the code as a hobby.
– Shaylee Brandt (Year 10 Student)
Shaylee Brandt (Year 10 Student)
Shaylee coding in the Apple Lab at Blouberg International School.
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