Year 7 and 8 Art
Art, caft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality Art and Design education should engage, inspire and challenge students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of Art, Craft and Design.
As students progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of Art and Design. They should also know how Art and Design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. Therefore, exposure to various fields and techniques is what Art in Year 7 and 8 is all about.
At the start of Year 7, we focus on the formal elements of Art as well as the principles of Design. These make up the foundation needed to create all artwork.
During Term 2, we started with teaching students the skills to draw different facial features. After this, they had to put their newly acquired skills to use by drawing a portrait of our principal from a photo. The results are astounding. This is in preparation for Year 8 where they do self-portraits.
Colourful Mandalas were the order of the day in their June practical exam. This served as yet another opportunity to show their creative skills and freedom of expression. Currently the Year 7’s are busy with paint blending while the Year 8’s are exploring the world of Graphic Design. They are designing their own emotion-inspired font and using this in further practical tasks.
In Term 4, both Year groups will be exploring other areas of Art and Design as well. The purpose of exposure to the various areas of Art and Design is to help students make a more informed decision when it comes to taking Art as a subject at IGCSE or AS Level.
Art in Year 7 and 8 is exciting, challenging and a test for student’s creativity, thinking, hard work and dedication.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words so here are a few examples of what the Year 7 and 8’s have been up to thus far in 2021…
Ane Gornall
Year 7 and 8 Art and Design Teacher
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Why do the President’s Award?
71% of business leaders and 63% of young people asserted that formal education alone is not enough to equip young people to be world ready. According to business leaders surveyed during the 2020 Global Survey; the following skills in the order of importance are considered in helping young people become ready for the world out there:
– Individual skills, such as confidence, resilience and determination.
– Analytical critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
– Social skills, communication, teamwork and leadership skills.
– Humanitarian skills such as empathy, adaptability, intercultural and civic engagement.
– Technical ability, technical knowledge and practical technical skills.
Achieving The President’s Award will give participants the skills, confidence and an edge over others when they apply for college, university or a job. Beyond their academic achievements, universities want to see evidence of so called ‘soft skills’ that they have developed through extra-curricular activities, such as communication, commitment, leadership and teamwork. The President’s Award is a fantastic way to demonstrate these practical skills.
The President’s Award equips young people for life through the development of universal skills enabling them to become responsible, committed, dedicated citizens. It provides a framework for non-formal education and has set guiding principles, with proven outcomes for young people who complete the Award.
It creates experiential learning opportunities to help young people discover talents that do not necessarily show up in the classroom context.
The programme brings together practical experiences and life skills, building confidence, encouraging physical health and recreation, and motivating young people to engage with their communities.
For the thousands of young people who take part in developing themselves through the President’s Award each year, the benefits of achieving The President’s Award at any level are endless. The Award is about helping you along the path to a productive and prosperous future. Many of our participants say that it’s a life-changing experience. Participants will make a difference to other people’s lives and their community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and memories to last them a lifetime.
Participants undertake regular activities in four main sections:
– Physical Recreation
– Voluntary Service
– Skills
– Adventurous Journey
The Award is comprised of three levels and four sections. Participants complete all four Sections at each level in order to achieve either their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award. At Gold level, participants also complete a Gold Residential Project.
Here follows the requirements of each level:
Bronze level requirements
Older than 14 years old.
Younger than 25 years old.
Minimum completion period of 6 months.
Participants must complete the requirements in each of the sections simultaneously.
Silver level requirements
Older than 15 years old.
Younger than 25 years old.
Minimum completion period of 6 months for Bronze Award holders and 12 months for non-Bronze Award holders.
Participants must complete the requirements in each of the sections simultaneously.
Gold level requirements
Older than 16 years old.
Younger than 25 years old.
Minimum completion period of 12 months for Silver Award holders and 18 months for non-Silver Award holders. Participants must complete the requirements in each of the sections simultaneously.
“South Africa’s youth are our future. Developing their potential is a top priority in our country. One practical way is to develop this huge reservoir of talent through their participation in The President’s Award Programme. The young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well in the future as future leaders. ”
– The President’s Award Founding Patron-in-Chief, Mr Nelson Mandela.
To register for The President’s Award please contact Mr Riaan Vosloo,
email: riaan.vosloo@iesmail.com
Riaan Vosloo
High School Teacher and President’s Award Coordinator
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Year 3 Chess Champion
“Every Chess Master was once a Beginner” – Irving Chernev
This is not a game of Chaturanga or a Queen’s Gambit, but it is certainly a move in the right direction for Sinddhizhai Divakaran in Year 3.
Sinddhizhai finished first in the Western Province Open Chess Championship and came second in the Under 8 Girls closed championship. Sinddhizhai matched the total points with the player who ranked first, but because of a tie breaker system, she ended up in second position.
Last week, Sinddhizhai took part in an International World Youth Under 10 Rapid online chess tournament, stage 1. Top players from 54 different countries participated in the tournament. Sinddhizhai managed 4 wins and drew 1 game, and also achieved an overall position of 97th out of 154 players.
Sinddhizhai got the chance to play with players from Slovenia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Malta, Belgium, Panama, Vietnam, Albania and South Africa. She also managed to directly win against the South African player, who previously won the under 8 National Championship in tie breaker.
An important highlight in this whole story is, that there is no separate section in the international arena for Under 8 girls, where Sinddhi actually belongs. She competed with a more senior group of under 10 players.
As Irving Chernev said, this is only the beginning for Sinddhizhai Divakaran.
We are super proud of you!
Wendy Menton
Year 3 Teacher
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Our First Ever Blouberg International School Arts Eisteddfod!
The BIS Arts Eisteddfod was created to offer students a chance to build confidence and skills through performing to an audience and provide feedback from external expert adjudicators. It is also an opportunity to watch and share with fellow musicians. We are excited for this to be the beginning of a new annual tradition at our school!
The Music category took place on Wednesday, 11 August 2021. As the music department, we aim to create multiple platforms for our students to perform in front of audiences and adjudicators, so that they have firm goals to work towards, and have the opportunity to learn something new and different from each experience. It is very important for our musicians to not only learn how to play their instrument, but to also learn how to become a confident performer.
We welcomed Ms Elizabeth Retief, head of music at Elkanah House, as our adjudicator for the music Eisteddfod. For the high school category, we congratulate Mateja Mitic, Faith Chivaka, Iviwe Matakata, Jéan Marie Schoots, Saumya Maharaj and Niklyn Pillay on their outstanding performances and results. A special congratulations to Zoe Onochie for winning the high school Eisteddfod Music category for 2021.
We hope to see and hear many more of our students in future Eisteddfods.
Heidi La Bercensie
Music Teacher – IGCSE Music
A special congratulations to Zoe Onochie for winning the high school Eisteddfod Music category for 2021.
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InterSEK 2021
InterSEK 2021
InterSEK is a competition in which SEK/IES schools from around the world compete against each other in a variety of tasks. The ongoing pandemic meant that the 2021 event had to be held virtually. Blouberg was one of 23 schools to compete in this prestigious event, which ran from 3 to 7 May.Ten High school students were selected to participate in the various events: Daniel Moodie, Shaylee Brandt, Jagadish Mohanty, Shameek Singh, Oswald Pieterse, Catherine Fortuin, Angelic Lossy, Remofilwe Shuping, Samia Naidoo and Adithya Maharaj. There students were briefed before the school holiday and preparation began in earnest upon their return to school. Blouberg participated in 9 events, namely Programming, Virtual Chess, Mathematical Photography, Creating Songs, TikTok Video, Escape Room, Artistic Photography, SEKscience and A Look to the Future.
We are proud of the fact that our students made it to the final round of several events. Daniel, Shaylee and Jagadish won 3rd place in both Programming 1 and 2. Catherine Fortuin was a finalist in the Mathematical Photography and Remofilwe Shuping was a finalist in the Artistic Photography.
Our students shone even in events in which they did not place. I feel that special mention should go to the team that participated in the SEKscience with their fingerprint experiments, as well as the team that participated in A Look to the Future, who designed a robot able to dispense hand sanitizer. The chess players played 9 games of chess one after the other, even managing a few wins. Such concentration is admirable indeed.
Remofilwe Shuping and Angelic Lossy looked amazing dressed in traditional attire for the opening ceremony. Their video even made it onto the highlights of the closing ceremony.
I have no doubt that Blouberg shall continue to go from strength to strength. This round was good. Next round will be even better!
Sheila Marais
High School Teacher
Winners of 3rd place in the Programming Event! Photo left to right Jagadish Mohanty Shaylee Brandt Daniel Moodie
Winners of 3rd place in the Programming Event! Jagadish Mohanty Shaylee Brandt Daniel Moodie
Finalist Artistic Photograph Entry by Remofilwe Shuping Year 9
Finalist Mathematical Photograph Entry by Catherine Fortuin Year 9
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Foundation Stage Recognition Ceremony 2020
It was with great excitement that we hosted our annual Foundation Stage Recognition Ceremony last Friday. Unfortunately, this year we couldn’t share our special day with our parents in person, but we were lucky enough to live stream the event to all our friends and family at home.
Each little one received a certificate special to them and their accomplishments this year. As teachers we are exceptionally proud of all our students and it is with great excitement and a bit of sadness that we send our little ones on to the next year group.
We would also like to thank all the parents who have been there to encourage and support our students and teachers.
This year has been especially challenging, but we can definitely learn something from the students who still come to school with big smiles. They have shown great dedication and perseverance, setting a good example to all of us.
Monique Meyer
Foundation Stage Teacher
From the Principal’s Desk, 23 January 2020
Dear Parents
“Your present circumstances do not determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” – Nido Qubein
The beginning of every academic year brings a familiar set of challenges. One of these challenges, affecting both parents and students, is that of a child attending school for the first time. The struggle to adapt and the need for reassurance, until they become used to the setup and daily routine. A daunting challenge for new students and their parents, but one we are well prepared for. We are available and ready to assist in whichever capacity best suited to the student, parent or staff member. It may be as simple as asking a parent to stay a little longer in the morning, just until the student settles.
Rest assured that we are equipped with the patience, endurance and kindness to assist our little ones overcome this initial challenge.
Another recurring challenge is impatient, inconsiderate behavior in the car park and drop and go areas. I urge every parent please to be mindful and not hold up traffic or park in the drop and go area. Everyone is in a hurry but a little kindness and respect goes a long way. Should you wish to walk your child to class, please park your vehicle in the designated bays. When you are in the drop and go zone, please be aware of other vehicles wishing to exit and give them the space to do so.
CAMBRIDGE TOP ACHIEVERS REWARD
We received the Cambridge Top Achievers Awards yesterday and are very proud to announce that Sreeja Chinthala achieved the Top in South Africa award for Business Studies AS level. Audrey Lepo won first place in the world for a High Achievement in French.
Well done to both students!
REMINDER
This Friday, 24th January, the PA is hosting a movie night. We are looking forward to seeing all our families at this exciting event.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Edna
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