From the Principal’s Desk, 23 July 2021
Dear Parents
Term 3 is a short 9-week term. We should remember that there is much to do as this is a non-exam term and every task is important.
Our school activities remain hampered by the Covid pandemic but we remain positive. We have much to be grateful for and making excuses will not help us. Let us continue focusing on the many blessings we have and make the most of every opportunity.
We welcome Mr Louis Marais (Year 7 & 8 Mathematics, Science and PE teacher) and Ms Michellene Williams (IGCSE, AS and A Level English teacher) to our school. It is with much excitement that we look forward to having them settle in and work with us to reach our goals.
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today” – Abraham Lincoln
ONLINE LEARNING
“Accountability is the glue that bonds commitment to results” – Will Craig
Thank you to all concerned for a good start to our 1st week of online learning despite some connectivity issues on Tuesday. We sincerely trust that our students will fill our school from Monday, 26th July.
As mentioned at our Parent meeting on Tuesday evening, we have divided the first six weeks of this term into 4 periods. Parents/students have a choice to learn from home or attend school in person from Monday, 26 July 2021.
I request that parents inform the respective class/tutor teachers of their choice for next week (26th – 30th July). Once a choice has been made, we expect students to stick to that choice for the duration of that period. It becomes very disruptive and disorganized if students do not stick to their choice. Please could you let teachers know by the end of this week so they are prepared for Monday.
Online learning is no excuse for students not to attend classes. It is normal school. Please assist all students in maintaining their full commitment.
6 Tips for productivity:
- Establish a routine
- Be organized
- Make deadlines
- Take small breaks
- Stay motivated
- Know yourself
“ACCOUNTABILITY – It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable” – Moliere
FEATURE PHOTO
Our main newsletter photograph features Mrs Nadia Mahomed. Mrs Mahomed is one of our Year 5 teachers and started at BIS in 2016.
A little bit about Nadia:
- She was born in Durban, schooled in Johannesburg and currently lives in Cape Town.
- The things she loves the most are being a mum and those moments when she gets to hide in her room with a bag of Simba chips.
- She is obsessed with Thai food and loves cooking. She does not like baking and has been known to set an oven or two (or three) alight in her attempt to bake.
- She has a Bachelors of the Arts Degree, specialising in Industrial Psychology and English Literature. She also has a Postgraduate Degree in Education.
- She loves travelling but stays far away from camping or any place she cannot plug in her hair straightener.
- Kindness and honesty are values of high importance to her.
Thank you, Nadia, for all you do for the students and our school.
WEEKLY THOUGHT: Do We Invest in Ourselves?
“We take better care of our smartphones than we do of ourselves – the phones are always recharged!” – Arianna Huffington
If the above were not so extremely accurate, one might have thought that Huffington was taking a cheap shot. But she really isn’t…
Our cell phones have screen protectors, covers, and are always charged.
When it comes to us humans, however, the reality is that we do not always take as much care of this person – ourself – whom we hope makes it to a 100%.
I am sure you will agree that most of us don’t take enough care when it comes to:
- What we eat and drink, and in what quantities;
- Ensuring we get enough sleep, rest and time for meditation & thought;
- Exercise and outdoor activities;
- Friendships and depositing into the lives of others;
- Spiritual matters.
While most of us get a new cell phone every 2 years, the body we have and the person we see in the mirror each morning, will be the same image we see until the day we die. The better we take care of ourselves, the better shot we have at a long life. But merely reaching a high age is not first prize – it’s reaching those big numbers and still being able to enjoy life at that stage. That’s the trick!
Like most investments, the sooner you start, the better.
Have a brilliant weekend, setting some time aside for a coffee/tea with yourself.
Andre
Read More
From the Principal’s Desk – 18th April 2019
Dear Parents
This week I was reminded of life’s challenges and the various forms in which they visit us. How we respond to these challenges is vital to our physical and emotional well-being. Too often we are so focused on overcoming these challenges that we fail to introspect, and it’s therefore so important that we regularly evaluate where we are at and how we are moving forward.
Introspection and honest evaluation allows us to deal more effectively with the challenges we face. It is important to take quality time for oneself and, in so doing, take the time to reflect on our own well being. If we do not take the time to reflect we are bound to become overwhelmed. If we are not self-aware, we can easily become bound in a prison of negative emotions.
I wish to encourage you, as we are on the verge of a long weekend, to take time to reflect on where you stand, both emotionally and physically. Let’s embrace positivity this long weekend and each take some much needed time for ourselves. Take a deep breath and relax; rejuvenate and reflect on the important things in life other than commitments and responsibilities. Too often, in chasing future success, we forgot about the present. Remind yourselves this weekend to laugh, be joyful and enjoy the precious wonder of life. We cannot get back time ill spent.
Have a wonderful Easter break with your friends and family and if you are travelling, be safe!
Kind regards
Edna