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
Read More
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
Goeie Dag! Guten Morgen! Holla! Bon Jour!
To learn a foreign language at an early age, or not?
“Research shows that learning a second language boosts problem-solving, critical-thinking, and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask. Children proficient in other languages also show signs of enhanced creativity and mental flexibility.” (Lead with Languages website).
There is much debate around the topic of teaching young children a second language. On the one hand, there is the argument, that children should first be proficient in their own language, before they learn a second language. For many students in our school, English is a second language, so do we add additional languages or not?
As I have been watching my Year 2 class tackle both Spanish, German and Afrikaans with enthusiasm and ever-increasing conversational skills, I believe that there is a place for additional languages in a young child’s life. The earlier they are exposed to hearing these additional languages, the easier it will be for them later in their school years, should they wish to choose the language route in our Cambridge curriculum.
Kim Coetzer
Year 2 Teacher
Learning About Birds In Foundation Stage
We have been learning about birds this week in Foundation Stage.
The students have really enjoyed learning about different birds and how their bodies are different according to where they live and what they eat.
We completed a Bird Busy Booklet this week with various bird themed literacy and numeracy activities. As part of our art activities, we have made some lovely hanging bird cages with colourful birds inside, which have decorated the class beautifully.
We have also learnt some songs about birds, which we have listened to daily. One of our favourite songs is “What is a Bird?” by Pancake Manor. Please follow the link to enjoy the song at home:
Bronwen Nuthall
Reception Year Teacher
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
Chemistry
At BIS students can choose Chemistry as a subject from Year 9. This provides students with a unique opportunity to have more variety in high school as Chemistry and Physics can be taken separately instead of as a single subject. Students can choose between Chemistry and History and between Physics and Art. This often results in some interesting subject combinations such as Chemistry and Art or Physics and History.
After a long period of online lessons, it is exciting to have the Chemistry students back in the classroom. Since BIS is privileged to have a well-equipped science laboratory, Chemistry practicals can now take place again.
This term the Year 9’s have been revising electrochemistry and enthalpy changes, whilst the Year 11’s have been revising chemical equilibrium, Hess’s Law and Maxwell-Boltzmann distributions.
Philippa Gogh
High School Chemistry Teacher
“Success doesn’t come to you; you go to it” – Marva Collins
The Year 6’s wrote their final Exams for the year this week. It was a long, grueling process, however, they have finally made it to the end. Miss Nel and myself are both incredibly proud of the effort and dedication that the Year 6’s have put into each of their Progression Tests.
As the Year 6’s take on the daunting task of entering the High School next year, here are a few tips that may be useful:
- Pursue activities you really enjoy.
- Work hard.
- Be yourself, no matter what.
- Take care of yourself.
- Ask for help.
- You are loved.
- Learn to manage your time.
- “Let’s eat, Granny” vs “Let’s eat Granny” – Grammar saves lives!
- Don’t be afraid to make new friends and lose old ones.
- You will use Math after school!
- The teachers aren’t your enemies.
- Make the most of every experience.
- Don’t forget how funny you used to find your KS2 teachers.
- “A lot” is two words.
- Miss Nel and I will be here whenever you need anything.
We have no doubt that the Year 6’s will go on to accomplish great things in the future and we cannot wait to see the amount of growth that is going to happen for each student! WE BELIEVE IN YOU!
What are the Year 6’s excited about for High School:
“We will be learning new subjects” – Maia Davies
“We will be taking part in ISA” – Treasure Daniel
“We could choose our own languages” – Alessio Lemme
“I am excited to leave early during exams and be more independent” – Iviwe Matakata
“I am excited about looking up to new people” – Saumya Maharaj
“I am excited to learn new things and to be more responsible and independent in my learning” – Faith Chivaka
Brittney Hakime
Year 6 Teacher
Creating A Virtual World
In Year 1 we have been working on the school Ipads. In our Geography lesson we used a program called, ‘ARMAKA.’ This is a fun, educational game where you can create your own world and put what you want into it.
We have been following the travels of Barnaby Bear around the world this term and we were able to create a new virtual place for him to visit using this program. The students had lots of fun creating underwater scenes, or a Japanese scene, a busy day in London and many more, and during the Barnaby dress up day they could walk around and explore the spaces they created.
Many families have tablets and devices at home and this program can be used by the whole family to have fun and get creative together. All you need is some space!
Charlotte Cronje
Year 1 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
