Founder’s Day Celebrations
Founder’s Day is traditionally a very important day in the school calendar when members of the school community meet to remember those who founded the school and who have developed the school.
An atmosphere of celebration filled Blouberg International School when the students and teachers gathered to celebrate Founder’s Day on Friday, 4 March 2022. The day began with Mr. Swart addressing the students, teachers and parents. He acknowledged a wonderful and dearly missed music teacher, Mr Johann Smal who wrote the school song. We need to remember and strive to reflect the words of the school song to improve our future and then our school will continue to be a school of excellence.
We live our lives to the full
Here at BIS
We want to make a success
Trying our best
We want to lay a foundation
to build our lives upon
As students we want to learn
and discover ourselves
Blouberg International School
Blouberg International School
We live our lives to the full
here at BIS.
We respect all people
in reaching our goals
We work together as a team,
united we shall stand.
We turn failure into success,
Proud to be a part…
Of Blouberg International School
Blouberg International School
B.I.S.
B.I.S.
B.I.S.
Blouberg!
The day was celebrated with enthusiasm in the school. An extravaganza of activities was conducted. Starting with box car races as well as boere sport during the school day. We then watched Mr and Miss BIS and we were treated with performances from our very talented staff members. We also enjoyed food from different countries at the International Food Fair.
It was one of the best days of this year!
Martie van Dyk
Pre-Reception Teacher
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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
From the Principal’s Desk – 2nd May 2019
Dear Parents
I trust you all enjoyed a well-deserved, mid-week break yesterday and were able to spend it with loved ones.
I have been thinking this week about the different phases, or seasons, we experience during the course of our lives. These seasons roll through every aspect of our lives, whether it be home life, the workplace or friendships. Perhaps it’s just a matter of growing older gracefully. Things which seemed of tantamount importance in our twenties are no longer an issue in our thirties and forties; our outlook on life and our goals change as we grow older and as our children grow up.
It is during holidays like yesterday that I remember, with mixed feelings, that my children have grown up and have their own holiday plans. I admit to feeling torn and initially felt relief (as my wallet is my own again) but also surprised, and a little saddened that they don’t need me like they did when they were little. This doesn’t have to be the end of an era however! The key is in planning family time differently to how we did when the children were younger; each different stage of life requires its own planning and goals. New hobbies can be explored, new ventures undertaken and, most importantly, new guidance given to our growing children.
Every season sparks a new beginning and should be treated with optimism for the potential it holds. Cherish the time spent with your younger children and find new ways of spending time with your teenagers. If you have some newly-minted adults in your home, as I do, encourage them to fly and gently, but firmly, tip them out of the nest…they will thank you one day.
“I will remain focused on my goals. Even if I have a moment of difficulty, I will not give up. I know success comes with consistency. I know that I will make it. Things will get better. No problem or challenge will stop me. Everything I deserve is coming my way.”
– Author unknown.
Please remember we have an Interactive Curriculum Morning this Saturday, 04 May 2019. We look forward to seeing you there!
Kind regards
Edna
Growing Artists From Fynbos
The Year 9 and 11 Art and design students enjoyed a field trip to the botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch, Cape Town. The vast and beautiful gardens are situated on the side slopes of Table Mountain that hosts South Africa’s most famous fynbos fauna and flora.
The steep mountain paths and shady tunnels through parts of the “forest garden” gave us not only a good workout, but allowed us to observe a wide variety of wild flowers and grass species. In art we encourage students to use all their senses when gathering and collecting material or ideas for their art concepts. They were very fortunate to experience South Africa’s national flower, the King Protea and took many photo’s as reference for their art topics.
The highlight of the day was a walk about over the famous Silver Slangboom bridge that towers over the tree tops and gave the students a different viewpoint on a vast pallet of treetop colors. An indoor glass house hosted indigenous succulents, bonsai trees and bulbs where the students could sit quietly and observe the plants and create drawings from these first-hand studies.
We concluded our outing with a visit to an art exhibition of local artists’ work where students learnt how to read paintings and distinguish between the mixed media that has been on display. They gathered enough visual evidence for their upcoming photographic art exhibition. Watch this space!
Ms Ilse du Plooy
High School Art Teacher
From the Principal’s Desk – 11th April 2019
Dear Parents
Welcome to the second term of 2019! I trust you all had a wonderful break and are ready to plunge straight in to what promises to be a busy term. Easter is also just around the corner and with the slew of public holidays this month, we’ve got a few four-day weeks ahead of us.
During the week of the 15th to the 18th of April we are hosting a Book Week for Foundation Stage to Key Stage 2 and on the 4th of May we are looking forward to hosting another Interactive Open Morning.
“In good schools there is a great deal of fun and laughter, but also a great deal of seriousness, honesty and fairness. There is a kind of security; sense that growing up is something to be enjoyed, not merely got through. There is a feeling of safety and an immense variety of outlets, as if you are surrounded by a thick, firm hedge inside which is a world of beckoning activities and interests.” – Michael Oakeshott (British philosopher)
I’d like to welcome Ms. Sonia Terblanche to our school as the Junior School IT teacher and we are excited about the Robotics Programme she is putting in place for our Junior School students. The addition of Ms. Terblanche to our team enables Mr. Kroukamp to devote all his attention to the High School’s more advanced Coding and Robotics Programme, as well as his Computer Science classes.
I’d also like to welcome Miss Caroline Grix to our High School staff and I am certain she will valuable addition to the Business Studies Department.
This term promises to be a challenging one, but as our students continue to grow academically, so do they grow emotionally and socially, better preparing them for the world beyond our walls.
I would like to congratulate Michael Schoots for achieving the Top Achiever SA Cambridge award for the AS level Business Studies exam in November 2018. This is the second year in a row that one of the Blouberg International students win the Top Achiever for Business Studies and we are super proud of their achievements.
Audrey Lepo also won the Top Achiever SA Cambridge award for French IGCSE.
Well done to both students and teachers who relentlessly encouraged and assisted them in their studies.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend with family.
Kind regards
Edna Carolissen
“I would like to congratulate Michael Schoots for achieving the Top Achiever SA Cambridge award for the AS level Business Studies exam in November 2018. This is the second year in a row that one of the Blouberg International students win the Top Achiever for Business Studies and we are super proud of their achievements.
Audrey Lepo also won the Top Achiever SA Cambridge award for French IGCSE. Well done to both students and teachers who relentlessly encouraged and assisted them in their studies.” – Ms Edna Carolissen (BIS Principal)
Planted in knowledge
The Year 3’s are concentrating on Plants in Science. They are learning about the different parts of a plant, their functions and what they need to have healthy roots, stems and leaves. The students partnered up with each other to design, draw and label their own flower.
They also participated in various class experiments which included one with a white flower turning pink in order for them to understand the function of the roots and stems. Currently we are observing and investigating whether plants need water and light to grow and stay healthy. To date, as predicted, Petunia number 1 is thriving, while Petunia 2 and 3, through lack of water or light, are not doing so well.
After our experiment, we will have to work on our ‘green fingers’ to nurse our Petunias back to health!
Mrs Mandy Goch
Year 3 Teacher
From the Principal’s Desk – 21 February 2019
Dear Parents
“The bottom line is that you are the one who is creating your life the way it is. The life you currently live is the result of all of your past thoughts and actions. You are in charge of your current thoughts and your present feelings. You are in charge of what you say and what you do. To be more successful, all you have to do is act in ways that produce more of what you want. That’s it, It’s that simple!” – The success principles: Jack Canfield.
Last Friday, the 15th of February, we had our ISA sports day at the Swartland Hoërskool in Malmesbury. Our students had phenomenal spirit and made us proud in every event they participated in. As is normal during sports days, one or two athletes sustained injuries and we had to improvise by having reserves run in their stead. One of the highlights of the day was the relay event for the under 15 boys. During this event we had a reserve run who ensured that we won the race! When he took off from the starting line, I could not help but wonder why he had not been participating the entire day as he was clearly a trained and talented athlete. When I asked the student after the race why he had not been participating the entire day, he responded, “I was fearful Ma’am! I did not think that I could do it.” I realized that there are probably more students who talents are hidden from us because they are afraid to enter, afraid of failure. This is the case with so many of us at times. We fear failure, disappointment and rejection and hence we do not even try.
The above quote from Jack Canfield challenges me daily to do more, be more, strive for more and succeed according to my own strengths. May it challenge each and every one of you to strive for more in your daily lives. Let us all challenge our fears as we never know what hidden talents lie beneath the depths and we all deserve the chance to let those talents shine.
Our new jungle gym was completed on Tuesday the 19th of February and we opened it up to the Foundation Stage this morning. What an amazing experience to see the excitement on the faces of the students and hear the gratitude in their voices.
We will start construction of the cricket pitch this weekend and we ask all students and parents to bear with us during this time as the pitch will not be available next week.
Onward and upwards we go as we continue to grow from strength to strength. Thank you for all your support on this journey!
Kind regards
Edna
Big words for growing minds
-What is an adjective?
In its simplest form, an adjective is a word which describes a noun or a pronoun. These are the words that, in essence, add the real joy and life to our every day speech. Without adjectives, literature and language would be rather boring and getting truly passionate or excited about something would be tough to express verbally or in written form.
-How do we teach?
Adjectives come in many different forms in the English language. It is important that parts of speech are re-taught every year as they help to mold our speech and language as we get older.
There are 5 steps that need to be taken in teaching basic adjectives to students.
- Define
- Identify
- Edit
- Apply
- Revise
Each step is crucial in the process and requires special attention.
Practice creative speech with your child and you will foster wildly developed communication skills in your little future world leader.
-Year 2’s get Creative in Assembly:
My Year 2 class presented a creative yet educational performance on Adjectives in our Junior school assembly. They began by singing a song about adjectives, using their bodies to show the actions that would mimic the words. They danced and sang as the audience watched intrigued by the combination of literacy and dance . The little ones in the front were loving it – not even realizing they were hearing and repeating various simple adjectives as they sang along. After the song they moved into a long front-facing line on stage, each holding up a piece of paper. All dressed as bunny rabbits they looked great, as the audience waited to find out what was going to happen next. They went on to describe their class’s favourite animal, with each child announcing one adjective describing a bunny as they went down the line. They were super! How great it is to learn about adjectives in such a fun way!
Ms Siobhan Hendry
Year 2 Teacher
Helping your child learn to read
Learning to read is one of the fundamental skills taught in our Reception classes. By listening to stories and learning the letters and sounds our students are building the necessary skills to become good readers. Our students all start their reading journey with ‘no word’ readers, or picture books. This is often confusing for parents and little ones as they have to come up with their own story. Hearing stories and telling their own stories, help our students are build and expand their own vocabulary and improves their sentence construction. By nurturing their imagination you introduce kids to whole world of achievable possibilities.
Here are a few phrases to help your child create their own story:
I wonder why…
Where did…
I wonder what will happen next…
My favourite part was…because…
Our little ones love reading with mom and dad, therefor those special moments spent together become treasured memories.
“Children are made readers in the laps of their parents” Emilie Buchwald
Ms Monique Crawley
Reception Teacher
From the Principal’s Desk – 14th February 2019
Dear Parents
I would like to thank all parents who joined us for the Interactive Curriculum Morning last Saturday. As Ms. Kiley and I walked from around the different venues, observing all the different classroom activities, we were thrilled with the atmosphere of excitement and joy that enveloped the school. The positive feedback we received from parents, coupled with numerous inquiries about next year’s event, has us planning for 2020 already.
This past week has proved to be very productive with regard to the various projects taking place around the school and anticipation is rife among students and teachers. Most noticeably, our faithful old jungle gym has been dismantled and already a new one is rising in its place.
A touching moment for me this week was when Kiara Macey, one of our year 7 students, came and shared her memories of the jungle gym with me. She shared her sorrow at seeing the jungle gym coming down as she met her first friend at BIS whilst playing on that jungle gym. She went on, sharing all her wonderful memories of the jungle gym, and spoke of how her memories of her junior school days hold a secure place in her heart. Our interaction filled me with such warmth and reminded me of how some of our simplest experiences can be our best.
I believe that schools are more than just ‘places of learning’, they are communities where students build memories and create bonds which sustain them into adulthood. As teachers, it is a privilege to witness, and be part of, our students’ formative years and I’m certain that the new jungle gym will be home to many more such memories.
A reminder for high school students and parents that our ISA Inter-schools sports day is taking place tomorrow at Swartland High School in Malmesbury. We are holding thumbs that our high school students will bring home the Spirit Cup again this year! The bus will depart at 5h30 am strictly from the school premises.
Please remember to pack in lots of water and hats as protection against the sun. We are looking forward to participating tomorrow and cheering our athletes on to success.
I wish you all a wonderful weekend ahead.
Best regards
Edna