From The High School Music Department
The music department had a prosperous year in 2022: the high school band, string ensemble and percussion band were added as new ensembles. We also had a successful BIS eisteddfod for the second year running, and held our very first choir concert featuring all our school choirs, and our staff choir, at the end of the year.
The BIS Music Department is excited for what is to come in 2023. As the department continues to grow, we look forward to many more firsts. This term, we started off with our introductory ensemble concert on Founder’s Day, featuring our variety of ensemble groups. Our choirs will also be taking part in the Tygerberg Eisteddfod, where they will compete against other schools in the Western Cape.
Later on this year, we look forward to hosting our inaugural IES Eisteddfod, which will include Helderberg and Hout Bay, and will consist of solo, ensemble, choir, poetry and dance categories.
In August, the high school will present a ‘Barnyard Show’, themed 80’s vs 90’s. This will be an entertaining show worth watching!
We look forward to an eventful and successful 2023 where we continue to showcase and celebrate the wonderful talent we have in our school!
Heidi La Bercensie
Music Teacher
PHOTOS: Ensemble performances at our recent Founder’s Day International Food Fair
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Travel and Tourism Out & About
Our quarterly tourism excursion took place last Thursday the 16th of February.
The Year 9 and 10 Travel & Tourism students visited the Hotel Sky. Leigh, the client consultant, took us on a site visit of note. We experienced the unrivalled panoramic views across the City Bowl to Table Mountain and out over the Waterfront and Table Bay from most floors. Other features include the Infinity Restaurant on the 26th floor, AI-powered robots, and a 30m thrill ride on the rooftop! We saw that the well-being of Hotel Sky’s guests is of foremost importance. They implemented stringent health and safety protocols as well as hygiene measures throughout the hotel to ensure this.
From there onwards, we strolled through St. Georges Mall and the Company’s Gardens and witnessed the heart of Cape Town through a tourist’s eye. Even the very strong Southeaster could not dampen our excitement.
Our final destination was the SunSquare Cape Town Gardens Hotel. The lovely gardens are quite secluded so that all the students had a swim and enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at the pool, compliments of the Zepi restaurant at the Hotel!
We learned that the SunSquare Cape Town Gardens is a Sunpet-friendly hotel that offers a warm welcome and a selection of amenities to ensure that your pet is as comfortable as you are when you stay with them. Your pet will receive a welcome treat on arrival, pet bedding for the ultimate Sunpet sleep experience, and a range of tail-wagging meals from the Sunpet Gourmet menu.
Both Year groups of Travel & Tourism students and the teachers that accompanied them agree that it is a very tough choice if we had to choose between these two hotels. Both hotels went out of their way to impress our students with their warm hospitality and answered questions that assisted the students with the completion of their CASS assignments.
We will definitely be back for another visit!
Carmen de Villiers
High School Travel and Tourism Teacher
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Economics
This year BIS is thrilled to launch Cambridge IGCSE Economics as a subject. The first two weeks of Economics have been a thought-provoking time wherein we were introduced to the topic and spent time updating ourselves on what is happening around the world - both the good and the bad – challenging our thought patterns and debating various issues.
In class, we dreamed up what products might be available in ten years’ time: either new products or how old products could be reinvented. These ideas were put into an envelope to be opened by BIS Economic students in 2033.
With a new subject comes great opportunities and we are excited to make the most of these opportunities to grow and be challenged.
Caroline Grix
Economics Teacher
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Welcome
The high school Induction Day was held on Friday, 13 January 2023. The event was organised and led by the Student Representative Council (SRC), who can be praised for an extremely successful event.
The day began with the SRC taking the new students on a tour of the school. The tour included an explanation of our building project and went a long way to ensuring that no student was lost or without a friend on the first day of school.
After an early lunch, students participated in a variety of games and activities designed to help them to get to know each other better. The ice quickly broke and a nervous group of students started holding animated conversations with the SRC and each other.
The day ended with much laughter as the students provided facts about themselves and guessed who the author was.
We would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new students. May your time at BIS be enjoyable and fulfilling.
Sheila Marais
SRC Coordinator
Welcome Back
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back to the beginning of Term 3. My wish is that you have relaxed, recharged, and feel ready to start the new school term. Campus bounced back this week with students returning from their vacation and new students joining the BIS family. Our students are indeed grateful to see their friends again as they prepare for their collaborative learning and captivating lessons.
We have been looking forward to what Term 3 has in store, including yesterday’s IES Sports Day, Year 10 camp, and our Macbeth production at the Baxter Theatre on August 10th.
I appreciate your positive energy and I look forward to working with you in the new term. All signs point to another incredible and productive school term.
I know each of us wants to make a difference in the lives of our students.
Parents, here is how you can support us and help your child become independent and “own” their learning:
- Be sure to check in with your child daily, about the learning tasks, activities, and assessments they are working on.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude about education to your children. What we say and do in our daily lives can help them to develop positive attitudes toward school and learning and to build confidence in themselves as learners. Showing our children that we value education and use it in our daily lives provides them with powerful models and contributes greatly to their success in school.
- In addition, by showing interest in your children’s education, parents and families can spark enthusiasm in them and lead them to a very important understanding that learning can be enjoyable as well as rewarding and is well worth the effort required.
- Encourage them to complete work to the best of their ability
In closing, I would like to share this interesting post from the “parenting team”, and I would like to add teachers to that team as well – because we are all in this together.
Challenge: Back to School
Been There, Been Through That…9 Tips for Parents of High Schoolers
https://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/been-there-been-through-that9-tips-for-parents-of-high-schoolers
We thank you once again for the consistent and unwavering support you have always shown.
Carmen de Villiers
High School Coordinator
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From The Principal’s Desk, 16 April 2021
Dear Parents
Thank you so much for the warm welcome to Blouberg International School. It was wonderful to be greeted by so many students and parents on Tuesday and I was immediately touched by the smiles and warmth. I look forward to a wonderful time at the school and getting to know you all better.
FEATURE PHOTO
Our main newsletter photograph features Mr Julian Harrison. Julian has been with the school for nearly 10 years and currently holds the position of High School Academic Head and is, most certainly, the glue that holds the High School together. For those who do not know Julian very well, here are 5 facts about him.
- He holds a degree in dietetics.
- He is a qualified architectural draughtsman.
- He hates flying and therefore does not fly anywhere.
- He is part of a bowls team who have been the champions for the past 2 years.
- He is a true South African – He has braaied EVERY DAY since January 2021.
Thank you, Julian, for your commitment to the students, staff and the school.
OUR VALUES
Please be reminded of our school values. Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Responsibility, Leadership, Excellence & Stewardship. We use these values to ensure that our students become responsible adults who will make a positive difference in our country.
It will be appreciated if you could use these same values, at home, while parenting your children.
Together, we make a difference.
ONLINE PARENT MEETING
We have scheduled an online parent meeting for Tuesday, 20 April 2021 at 6.30pm. The meeting is an opportunity for me to introduce myself to you. It would be great if you could join me for 30 minutes.
Please use the following link: meet.google.com/upe-rdgk-pdb
I look forward to spending time with you.
Every week I will be sharing a WEEKLY THOUGHT with you. I find these very interesting and often they lead me to improving what I do. I trust you will enjoy them too.
WEEKLY THOUGHT: Thinking Clearly
“The first step to think clearly is to question what we think we know about the past” – Peter Thiel
In response to this statement by one of PayPal’s founders, most people will remark, “Much easier said than done.” But Thiel’s view is 100% correct.
Most of us find ourselves working in the same careers, living in the same towns, and applying the same patterns of thought which we’ve known for decades. But what if where you live and what you do are no longer satisfying or sustainable, leaving you emotionally, mentally or financially at risk…What then?
Thiel suggests that we press “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” (at least to an extent) in our thinking and ask ourselves the following:
- Are all my assumptions about life correct?
- Am I on the right road?
- Do I have the expectation that this road will lead somewhere?
- What new innovations are realities today that were not around a couple of years ago?
- Can I use these technologies to my benefit?
Thinking is a lost art, but it is one of the most worthwhile and essential exercises any human being can engage in. After all, we have been given the wonderful ability to use our minds!
But we must not only think – we need to think CLEARLY.
May Thiel’s advice bring us all to the point where we can start the process of thinking clearly.
Have a brilliant weekend, make time to just sit and think.
Andre
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Orientation Morning 2021
Written By – Alyssa (Year 12 Student)
On Tuesday the 12th of January, we had our induction day, introducing the new students as well as last year’s year 6’s entering year 7. With the current global pandemic, induction day was done a little differently this year with all the safety measures put in place.
The fresh faces were guided through our campus by our lovely matrics. Each group of new faces were led by three of our seniors to meet all of their amazing and inspiring new teachers and become familiar in the new environment at Blouberg International. All students had an introduction to their tutor teachers.
At the end of the day, each student was given a pre-packed snack pack and all the students sat with their new friends and enjoyed their snacks. It’s safe to say that induction day went extremely well.
Written By – Hope (Year 12 Student
On Tuesday the 12th of January, the matric class welcomed new students and the year 7’s to the high school. The day started at 09:00 with a brief introduction of the seniors.
We then proceeded with separating the children in groups of 5 or 6 (in order to follow covid regulations) and we took them on a tour of the facility where they will be spending the next few years. The kids were excited and had so many questions about anything and everything. They met their teachers and got their timetables and lockers.
At the end of the morning, they were given some water and a healthy but delicious snack box. In conclusion, the day was an absolute success and the children were so happy to be beginning high school. As a senior, I was proud to be a guardian to the kids and I can’t wait to see them grow and mature.
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First Day Of Year 1
The first day of year 1 is always very exciting, it is the beginning of the students formal schooling. The students arrived at school full of anticipation for the big day and the year ahead. This is what they want to learn about this year.
I want to learn to read books. – Keona
I want to learn about animals. – Wany
I want to learn about rainbows. – Juliana
I am excited to learn more Maths. – Tilda
I want to learn Maths. – Pearce
I want to learn to read books on my own. – Hayley
I want to learn about reading. – Ifunanya
I want to learn about pets. – Mataio
I want to learn harder sums. – Jaanae
I want to learn more Maths. – Eva
I want to learn about science. – Muhammad
I want to learn about growing up. – Neveah
I want to learn about my friends and my teacher. – Defne
I am confident that by the end of the year they will have learnt these things and so much more.
Ann Cordner
Year 1 Teacher
