IES Sports Day 2022
On Friday, 22 July 2022, Blouberg International School hosted our fellow IES South African schools, Hout Bay International School and Helderberg International School, for an exciting day of sport. The U18 teams of the three schools competed in Soccer, Netball and Chess with some joyous cheers from the supporters.
Even though all matches were played with competitive intent and passionate hearts, we were extremely proud of the sportsmanship displayed by all athletes. It was evident that sportsmanship-values took priority above having good results, a true inspiration for our younger athletes who supported their teams. BIS celebrated victories in all games played. The U18 boys had even more reason to celebrate as they also received their brand-new soccer match kits on Friday.
We are looking forward to visiting Hout Bay International School next year to compete for the trophy.
Louis Marais
High School Sport
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Aftercare And Holiday Care
At BIS our main focus for Aftercare is to provide support for students when formal school activities close for the day. Some of the benefits and value that students receive when enrolled in our BIS Aftercare Programme includes:
- Basic homework routines support by aftercare assistant.
- Fun activities such as reading, drawing, arts and crafts, movies.
- Basic needs are met which includes safety, a snack, play time.
- Strengthened relationships with peers and more quality time to spend with parents at home, as homework and other activities are completed at Aftercare.
We also offer a fun, interactive and structured Holiday Care Programme, where extra-mural activities and recreation forms part of the daily routine.
Some of these activities include:
- Participation in sporting activities to strengthen and develop physical and team building skills.
- Learn life skills through participation in a range of informal and structured activities that teach children how to cope with everyday situations.
We have an exciting Holiday Care Programme planned for the June/July school holidays; enroll your child by clicking on the link below.
Avril Lai Wing
Aftercare Manager
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Year 5 Camp 2019
On Wednesday, 20th November 2019 anticipation filled the air as the Year 5’s headed off to Worcester to enjoy in the exhilarating camp at High Africa. Songs, cheers and pure excitement was felt on the 2-hour bus drive from BIS to Worcester. Games were played and conversations were had to pass the time.
On arrival we were met by our highly energetic camp leaders who welcomed us to our new headquarters for the next three days. We were warned of the pesky mosquitoes, the cluster of spiders lurking in the night and the potential dangerous snakes out there in the fields. NOTHING was going to stop us from having a good time, not even the 32-degree Celsius weather that greeted us on arrival.
We scaled up 12 meter climbing walls and jumped 5 meter heights off the ground. We ventured into the veld and built bridges with just the natural wood planks laying around. We offered words of encouragement, a helping hand when needed, a shoulder to cry on and hugs of motivation. We had pure fun playing in water and getting our hands and feet dirty. All the pleasures of being a child.
Camp has taught many of us how to be team players and how to persevere even when we really want to give up because the satisfaction of trying is far more rewarding than being an onlooker.
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated” – Maya Angelou
Nadia Mahomed
Year 5 Teacher
Hidden Benefits To Reading To Your Children
As a much younger teacher, I remember emphasizing to parents, the importance of reading aloud to their children. It was really only after having my own children and practicing what I had preached, that I began to understand that I too was benefiting!
I recently read an interesting article, published by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, in which they set out the basic “hidden” benefits…
Building Bonds
While reading is a necessity for learning, it is also one of the best ways to develop bonds with your children; researchers say reading to your child is “a gift for time-challenged parents who may feel guilty about missing special moments with their kids.” (www.scholastic.com) The book publisher suggests parents schedule reading sessions often and use the moments to enrich their relationships with their children, as well as build their vocabularies. Parents will forever cling to such innocent moments. Children, meanwhile, are learning about complex aspects of life and relationships when they are engaged in stories with themes that can be more mature than anything they’ve encountered in life. Going through those educational moments with a parent allows them to confront these issues in a safe space.
Secret to Success
The article goes on to explain that research showed that children four to five years of age who are read to three to five times a week are six months ahead of their peers in terms of reading acumen. Those children who are read to daily are a year ahead of those who are read to less frequently. ”It does appear to be the case that children who are read to more often keep doing better as they age than other children.”
Rich Vocabulary Equals Advantage
Educator Jim Trelease notes that there is a clear difference between conversing with a child and reading to him or her. As he points out in his book “Read-Aloud Handbook,” literature is more intricate than speech and therefore vastly more educational.
“The language in books is very rich, and in books there are complete sentences. In books, newspapers, and magazines, the language is more complicated, more sophisticated. A child who hears more sophisticated words has a giant advantage over a child who hasn’t heard those words,” Trelease says.
Teaching by Example
“A child who has been read to will want to learn to read herself. She will want to do what she sees her parents doing. But if a child never sees anyone pick up a book, she isn’t going to have that desire,” Trelease points out in a conversation with GreatSchools.org. Reading increases a child’s attention span and a parent’s own cognitive ability, the best-selling author says. It is one of the most essential and valuable activities children can inherit from parents simply by observing them being engrossed in a book or magazine. Knowing how many habits children pick up from grown-ups around them, reading is one activity parents should aim to get caught doing in front of their children!
So, enjoy cuddling with your child and reading that bed time story.
Kim Coetzer
Year 2 Teacher
High School – Term 1 Review 2019
2019 started with a bang and I can only wonder where the time went as we approach the end of the first term. It’s been a busy and productive term both culturally and academically.
On Saturday the 26th of January, we had our Interhouse Athletics Day which was closely followed by the annual ISA Athletics Day on the 15th of February. Our students did us proud, with Samuel Hermabessiere in year 12 winning the award for the ‘Best U19 Male Athlete’. We narrowly missed winning the Spirit Cup this year but were proud to come second against tough competition. Next year, however, the Spirit Cup will be back at BIS where it belongs.
Valentine’s Day saw our year 11 students deliver roses and goodies to students throughout the school and our annual Valentine’s Dance, held on the evening of the 22nd of February, saw students dancing late into the night.
Term 2 begins on Tuesday the 9th of April and is an important examinations term. We will be holding parent-teacher meetings next term and more information will be sent out in a letter on Engage. We encourage parents to attend these meetings to discuss their child’s progress in preparation for the June examinations.
From all of us in the High School we would like to thank the parents and students for their hard work and support this term. We wish you all an enjoyable and restful holiday and if you are travelling, we wish you a safe journey.
Mr Julian Harrison
Head of Academics High School