The BISC Newsletter 14th November 2024
Kindness Week at BISC
This week, we have been promoting kindness across the School. This involves understanding others, showing compassion and actively choosing to make a positive impact.
These skills help children build strong friendships, develop emotional intelligence and become adept at handling stress, conflict and collaboration.
In communities like BISC, encouraging kindness reduces bullying, enhances feelings of safety and boosts self-esteem; as children see their actions appreciated.
This cycle of kindness and joy not only strengthens school culture but also prepares children to contribute to a compassionate society. Navida Bukhari - Assistant Head of Junior School (Pastoral)
A Student Perspective on Kindness
This week, while distributing thank-you letters prepared by our Sixth Form students for their teachers, I had the privilege of witnessing kindness in action. Each teacher's face lit up as they read the heartfelt messages from their students. It was an uplifting moment that filled me with joy; knowing that I played a part in bringing happiness to others.
I encourage each of you to make kindness a daily practice, extending your compassion not only to friends but to everyone within our school. Together, we can cultivate a supportive and caring environment where each person feels valued and respected.
Let’s all aim to be the reason someone believes in the goodness of others. Your small acts of kindness can make a big difference! Giselle Kamel - Head of Wellbeing
Senior School News
Outstanding IGCSE Achievements Celebrated in Special Assembly
Congratulations to the students who have gained recognition from the Cambridge and Pearson international examination boards for their outstanding performances in GCSE examinations, which were taken by their cohort of students in the Summer of 2024. They were recognised today in a special assembly led by the Chairman of the Board of Governors. We are very proud of your hard work and celebrate this recognition.
Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards, June 2024
- Omar EA - Top in Egypt in Cambridge IGCSE History
- Layan M - High Achievement in Cambridge IGCSE Drama
- Mansour EK - High Achievement in Cambridge IGCSE Geography
- Omar A - High Achievement in Cambridge IGCSE Physical Education
Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards, June 2024
- Ali G - Highest Mark in the World in Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Mathematics
- Layan M - Highest Mark in Egypt in Pearson Edexcel International GCSE English Language
- Nour S - Highest Mark in Egypt in Pearson Edexcel International GCSE French
- Sarah R - Highest Mark in Egypt in Pearson Edexcel GCSE Arabic (Second Language)
- Tamara M - Highest Mark in Egypt in Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Spanish
Stars of the Week
Congratulations to this week's Stars of the Week in the Senior School:
Omar A (Year 7), Malek Z (Year 8), Lana A (Year 9), Obakeng M (Year 10), Nadia EG (Year 11), Nazly and Giselle (Year 12), and Seif M (Year 13).
Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 - Secret Students
To promote positive outcomes, we are encouraging students to take responsibility for their attitude and learning; awarding points for attendance, punctuality and positive behaviour. Secret Students embody our goal for a supportive school culture.
The Secret Student winners this week are:
Daria (7GHO), Malak (8SBA), Hana (9RMI), Gamal (10HHA) and Abdallah (11JOL).
Student Perspective - Model United Nations
Organising BISCMUN XII was a remarkable journey, bringing together 350 attendees in our most successful conference yet. The scale of the event required immense teamwork and constant adaptability. From the very beginning, we worked closely as a committee, brainstorming, coordinating logistics and finding innovative solutions for unexpected challenges. The importance of collaboration became clear as each member brought unique strengths to the table, making it possible to handle the numerous demands that emerged along the way.
I am incredibly grateful for the dedication and hard work of the entire organising committee. Without their support, energy and commitment, BISCMUN XII would not have reached the level of success it did. Seeing everything come together and watching delegates actively engage in debates was rewarding beyond words. MUN is a fantastic activity that promotes leadership, collaboration and global awareness - I encourage everyone to stay involved and continue their participation. It is an experience that truly makes a difference! Anant Jethwani
More photos of the event can be seen in this folder.
Senior School COBIS Art Competition Entries
The Art Department is thrilled to announce the winning entries for the COBIS Art Competition 2024. These artworks were submitted to the global competition and the results will be announced in January. We wish them the best of luck!
Karima M (Key Stage 3), Malak W (Key Stage 4), Nataly E (Key Stage 5)
Teaching With Kindness
As students grow older and face the pressures of academic and personal life, kindness becomes an essential quality, guiding them and shaping who they will become beyond their time at BISC. As a Year 11 Form Tutor, I believe it is essential for students to witness kindness first-hand and experience it themselves.
Form Tutors are the first teachers they see every morning; I ensure that every student is always greeted with a smile. Starting the day with a warm and welcoming presence helps set a positive tone in a student's day and shows them that their school is a place where they are supported and valued.
In PSHE sessions, I aim to understand each student's unique strengths as well as their challenges, be they social, academic or extracurricular. These moments allow me to listen, offer encouragement, and ensure they feel seen and heard.
Ultimately, my goal is for students to leave our class understanding the value of small daily acts of kindness and feeling inspired to spread this positivity to others. Fernanda Avalos - Year 11 Form Tutor, and Spanish Teacher
Year 12 Guest Speaker
في المحاضرة الرابعة التي نظمها "برنامج مصر والشرق الأوسط"، استضاف طلاب الصف الثاني عشر السيد كريم عوض، الرئيس التنفيذي لمجموعة "إي إف جي"، في مناقشة حول مسارات العمل في مجال المال والاستثمار، وذلك في حضور رئيس مجلس إدارة المدرسة، وتمثيل من أعضاء مجلس الإدارة.
قدم السيد عوض نبذة عن تاريخ شركة "إي إف جي"، متحدثاً حول المهارات التي يتطلبها العمل في مجال الخدمات المالية، وفرص الاستثمار في مصر، وخطورة هجرة أصحاب العقول والتعليم المتميز من الشباب، في دول شابه مثل مصر. ألقى السيد كريم عوض أيضاً الضوء على كيفية دخول تكنولوجيا الذكاء الاصطناعي في مجال الخدمات المالية، مشيراً إلى تجربة شركة "إي إف جي" مع "فاليو".
تطرقت مناقشات الطلاب، وحوار رئيس مجلس الإدارة معهم، إلى أهمية العمل اليومي الشاق حتى يثبت الخريج نفسه، حيث أن تملّك شركة لم يعد بالضرورة شرطاً لإدارتها، وأن مصر دولة تتيح فرص للنمو والتوسع لأي كيان مصري، من الصعب توافرها في أي مكان آخر.
In the fourth lecture organised by the "Egypt and the Middle East Programme", Year 12 students hosted Mr Karim Awad, CEO of EFG Group, in an enriching discussion about career paths in finance and investment. The talk was also attended by the Chairman and members of BISC board.
Mr Awad gave an overview of the history of "EFG", shedding light on topics like the skills and qualifications required to work in the financial services sector, investment opportunities in Egypt, and the danger of brain drain among Egypt’s top graduates. Mr Awad also highlighted how artificial intelligence is now being used in micro-finance, referring to EFG’s experience with “Valu”.
In the Q&A session with the Guest Speaker and the Chairman, additional important points were emphasised such as; the importance for BISC graduates to work hard every day to prove themselves, that ownership of a company is no longer necessarily a requirement to manage it, and that Egypt is the place where Egyptian companies can grow and have opportunities that would hardly exist elsewhere.
Open Mic Event
Students organised a music event during lunchtime this week; with performers fearlessly demonstrating their instrumental and vocal skills.
The Science of Kindness
Kindness is regarded as a simple, everyday virtue something we extend to others in moments of compassion or generosity. But its true significance goes far beyond fleeting gestures.
Recent research highlights the profound benefits of embedding kindness into daily life. One key area of focus is the role of oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone". Oxytocin plays a crucial role in forming social bonds, promoting generosity and boosting feelings of happiness. It also helps lower blood pressure and promotes a sense of calm and well-being. In this way, kindness not only strengthens our relationships with others but also enhances our physical and mental wellness.
Although kindness may seem like a simple concept, its role in therapy is both profound and multi-dimensional. Kindness helps create a safe, supportive space, where clients can feel seen, heard and understood. This foundation of compassion and empathy fosters trust, openness and self-exploration; all of which are crucial for healing and growth. Jason Ahmed - School Counsellor
Junior School News
Kindness Week in the Junior School
The Junior School was filled with joy this week as we celebrated kindness in its various guises.
We enjoyed Parent Workshops, which provided a chance to bring the community together for some art projects, as you can see in the pictures below. See more pictures of the Parent Workshops held for Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6.
Buddy classes joined up; meaning our younger pupils could learn all about respect from their seniors. See more pictures from the buddy classes in Year 1 and Year 4, Year 2 and Year 5, Year 3 and Year 6.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to our Junior School Team!
Pupils played a part in a video called 'Kindness is Contagious', which shows how little acts of generosity can brighten the day of everyone around us.
U11 Boys Football
Our U11 boys' football teams participated in an exciting friendly tournament at BISC this week. Both teams showed great determination and sportsmanship throughout the afternoon's matchesو and we are very proud of their development.
Key Stage 1 Stars of the Week
We celebrated the following Stars of the Week in last week's KS1 assembly, as well as the Mathematicians of the Week:
Yehia (1E), Ronan (1H), Mia (1T), Farida (1N), Hannah (2F), Zainab (2L), Yassin (2B) and Noah (2S).
Key Stage 2 Stars of the Week
Meanwhile, in the KS2 assembly, we celebrated the following Stars of the Week:
Emily E (3O), Ahmed S (3M), Karim E (3B), Khadija (3F), Hana E (4D), Selim T (4B), Rashad A (4W), Malaika I (4F), Sonny D (5S), Nader R (5C), Hana (5B), Amaya H (5D), Taya A (6F), Laila C (6i) and Thari D (6M).
Congratulations also to last week's Mathematicians of the Week:
Nelly B (3F), Naguib (4B), Medhat S (5S) and Hannah D (6M).
Junior School COBIS Art Competition
Ms Fox is delighted to announce the winning entries for the COBIS Art Competition 2024:
Adam S (Key Stage 1) and Lily AE (Key Stage 2).
The artwork has been submitted to the global competition and the results will be announced in January. We wish them the best of luck! In the meantime, please do enjoy the calibre of artwork from all pupils who entered. Their pieces can be viewed near the Theatre and will remain there until 24th November.
Year 5 Art
Class 5B were working with wood in the Art Room this week, preparing miniature ships to align with their Vikings curriculum topic.
Lego Club
We are excited to launch a Lego Club on Mondays and Wednesdays during the second break, starting 28th October in the Multipurpose Room. Students will have the opportunity to make new friends from all year groups, practise social skills and learn more about problem-solving. Everyone is welcome, Join us!
Stay Healthy this Winter
As winter sets in, it is important to keep our immune systems strong and reduce the spread of illnesses in school. Here are some key tips to stay healthy:
1) A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially those high in vitamins C and D, can help strengthen your immune system. Include foods like oranges, berries, spinach and fish in your diet.
2) Staying active also improves immunity, so try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.
3) Getting adequate sleep (8-10 hours per night for most students) is essential, as rest helps the body fight off infections.
4) Practise good hygiene: Washing hands frequently is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs. Use soap and water; scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitizer if soap is not available. Avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose and eyes, to reduce exposure to germs.
4) Try not to share your sickness: Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, and encourage classmates to do the same. Keep shared surfaces clean and disinfected and if you feel unwell, consider staying home to recover.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy a healthier winter season at school. Dr Manal Moaaz
House Christmas Appeal
As a BISC act of kindness, the Junior School Heads of Houses would like to launch a Christmas appeal to help create boxes for Palestinian refugee children in Egypt. The items the House Captains request are as follows:
Water: Toys
Earth: Reading and colouring books (Arabic or English)
Air: Pens and colouring pencils
Fire: Warm clothes: hats, scarves, socks or blankets (All Houses can donate warm clothes and blankets if they wish.)
The deadline for collection is 14th December. Please deliver items to your child's classroom.
Ms Kay Faraz - award winning author
Ms Faraz, Year 2 class teacher and author, has won The Golden Wizard Book Prize 2024 for three of her books: The Magic Map of Palestine (Children of Palestine series), Laila and the Seven Sages (Arabian Nights: Retelling of Fairytales series) and Rumi and Julana (Arabian Quill Shakespeare’s Tales Series).
The Golden Wizard Book Prize is renowned as a top children's book award globally. We are very proud of this achievement, Ms Faraz!
Read more about the books here: https://www.instagram.com/kfarazbooks/
Student Achievement
Congratulations to Divit in 4D who recently took to the stage as a solo drummer at Theatro, Arkan Plaza, delivering an impressive performance that captivated the audience, including many of his classmates. We are proud of Divit’s talent and dedication – well done!
Upcoming Events
Year 4 Production | Thursday 21st November, at 13:30 (seated by 13:15), Theatre |
Key Stage 1 Production | Thursday 5th December |
Foundation Stage News
Kindness, and in particular how to empathise with others, underpins the Foundation Stage curriculum. It is embedded in every element of the FS day; sharing and learning to make good choices that do not harm others are essential to a child’s happiness and ability to thrive.
This week, the children have been extending their care towards the adults they encounter during the day. They have been encouraged to greet visitors to their classroom with a smile and a warm welcome and have learned that this elicits a similar response.
Upcoming Events
FS2 Parent Workshop “Phonics” | Thursday 21st November 2024, at 11:00, in FS2 classrooms |