Ramadan Hours 

The Holy Month of Ramadan is projected to begin on Wednesday 22nd March. As in previous years, the school will adjust the timetable to recognise the cultural and religious significance of this period.

From Tuesday 21st March, the school day will finish at 14:30; school buses will depart at 14:45. The starting time of the school day will remain 07:55.

The Junior School will have an adapted timetable with minimal lesson swaps. The Senior School will follow the same timetable, but lessons and breaks will be shortened by 5 minutes. 

After School Activities (ASAs) will be cancelled, with the exception of academic support sessions for our GCSE and IB examination groups. The Canteen will continue to serve food as normal. 

The Calendar for Next Academic Year (2023/24)

Below is an outline of the calendar for the next academic year (2023/24). As the Eid Al Adha celebration is projected to commence on the 16th of June, the school year will finish earlier than normal.

To ensure the school has the normal number of teaching days, the holiday at the end of Term 2 has been reduced to one week from the traditional two weeks. In addition, Term 1 is slightly longer than normal.

Academic Calendar Outline 2023-24

*All Islamic holidays are subject to confirmation at the time

*Non-religious holidays that are midweek are likely to be moved to the following Thursday

The event on Wednesday was thoroughly enjoyable for all. Students and parents had the opportunity to speak to Heads of Departments and Year 10 student representatives about each subject. This was followed by the first set of in-person parent-teacher meetings of the year. 

Full details of the GCSE Options available to students can be found on the link below. If you have any questions about the (I)GCSE options process, please contact Mrs Baxter.

IGCSE AND GCSE OPTIONS 2023-24 https://bisc.schoolzineplus.com/gcse-options?nid=8

On Monday 13th February we will hold a similar event for Year 11 students and parents and we look forward to seeing you all there.

'Girls Get Strong' Event

Last Saturday, Year 12 students ran a successful 'Girls Get Strong' event.

Students from Years 6 to 8 were introduced to a range of different sports, to encourage an active, healthy lifestyle. 

Under 16 Football

Well done to all the students who played in the U16 CISSA tournament at BISC on Saturday, and represented the school so well.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Tony and Salaheldin for being accepted to the New York Academy of Sciences - Junior Academy (ages 13-17), where they will be working on a project focussed on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Tony and Salaheldin will be creating solutions to real-world issues as part of an international team from the MENA region and the United States. 

Tony and Salaheldin have been part of the BISC STEM Club since they were in Year 5. Each year, they both participated tirelessly in all activities and helped promote STEM awareness amongst their peers. Well done!

If you would like to participate in the Key Stage 3 STEM Club Programme, please contact: john.sagun@bisc.edu.eg or matt.bowen@bisc.edu.eg

We are also proud of our students Keyan, Ismail and Hussein for their participation and great performances in the Egyptian Chess Federation tournament.

Ismail got 3.5 points and won 3 games. Keyan got 3 points and 2 wins. Hussein got 2.5 points and 2 wins.

Well done to Hassan in Year 8 who achieved 3rd place in a horseback riding competition last week.

And well done to Selim in Year 10 who participated in the Cairo Winter Swimming Competition and won a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle.

Safer Internet Day

This week we celebrated Safer Internet Day, and students and staff in the Senior School have been involved in a number of activities to raise awareness about the positive and negative impacts of the internet on our digital wellbeing.

In Tutor time, students discussed strategies for staying safe online, and the Key Stage 3 and 4 assemblies focussed on Digital Wellbeing and how to deal with cyberbullying, including those linked to WhatsApp chat groups. Our Key Stage 4 PSHE lessons have also addressed the topic of online safety and image sharing. For more information please see Saferinternet.org, where you can find a number of good resources for young people and parents.

Book Week - 26th February - 2nd March

"What is Book Week? Not only is Book Week a period where we embrace literature and all its impacts on us and the rest of the world, Book Week is a revival of one of our favourite BISC traditions.

Book Week 2023 will be full of wonderful activities that you can engage in to celebrate your favourite books; from comics to novels, from horror to fantasy! You can create your own book covers at the book cover photobooth, show off your bookish knowledge on Trivia Night, and wow the whole school with your costume during the costume parade!

There is something for everyone in Book Week 2023, and you don’t have to be a total bookworm to get involved and have fun!"

By Nour, Year 12

Advanced notice for parents:

The BISC Literary Costume Parade will take place on Wednesday 1st March.  Students can come to school dressed as their favourite literary character or author and spread their love of reading by talking about why they’ve decided to dress up as that person. If they do not want to be involved in this, they should come to school in their regular school uniform.

Elevate Education Parent Workshops

Junior School Band

Our photographer visited a rehearsal of the Junior School band this week, led by Mr Shaun and the instrumental teachers. They sounded great!

Well done to Class 4T, who performed an excellent assembly for their peers and parents today!

Egyptian Cinema Club

This week, Year 5 students, and those in classes 4E and 4T, watched the Egyptian movie titled “Barra Elmanhag (Out of the syllabus)” by Maged Elkidwany.

Classes 4W and students in Year 6 will watch the same movie on Sunday 12th February.

Foundation Stage & Junior School Sports Days

Students in Years 5 and 6 took part in their Sports Days today, with parents in attendance.

Here are some Year 5 photos, and a link below to view even more.

Year 5 Sports Day https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10vSb8diTZBsNFqX9GUBDlzwFFbpGrjL3?usp=share_link

Here are some Year 6 photos, and a link below to view even more.

Year 6 Sports Day https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1V1i1sLlqXtt2Bv4nGMKhWqtgcqkRjUbE?usp=share_link

Below are the dates and times for the rest of the Junior School and Foundation Stage Sports Days next week. 

Children in FS1, FS2 and Year 1 can wear their PE kit for their event. Years 2 to 4 will need to wear their HOUSE tops on the correct day, as it is a House event.

Date	Group	Timings	Location
Sunday 12th February	Year 1	12:30 - 13:30	Top field
Monday 13th February	Year 2	12:30 - 13:30	Lower field / Track
Monday 13th February	Year 3	14:00 - 15:00	Lower field / Track
Tuesday 14th February	Year 4	14:00 - 15:00	Lower field / Track
Wednesday 15th February	Foundation Stage 2	14:00 - 15:00	Top field
Thursday 16th February	Foundation Stage 1	14:00 - 15:00	Top field

Book Week

We look forward to celebrating ‘Book Week’ from Sunday 26th February to Thursday 2nd March.

The following events will take place during ‘Book Week’:

Book in a Box Competition (hand in before Sunday 26th February)

This year, children can participate in a ‘Book Week’ competition. Children will need to create a diorama based on a book they have read. They will display imagination by representing a whole book or a scene from the book in a box. Children can use a shoe box and recycled materials to create their dioramas. It should be decorated on the inside and outside.  They should also add a book summary to the back of their box. Pupils should label boxes clearly with the book title, name, and class. Please hand your box to your class teacher no later than Sunday 26th February. 

Visitors from the UK (Monday 27th February and Tuesday 28th February)

A performance group from the UK will visit us, providing creative learning workshops and enabling pupils to experience something truly magical. All Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children will attend a performance and a workshop linked to our Book Week theme, ‘Animals’. The activities during the rest of the week will be inspired by the things learned during our workshop.

Joint Senior School and Junior School Activities (Tuesday 28th February)

Senior School students have been working hard to organise different activities for our Junior School pupils to share their love for reading. They will create a photo booth, participate in buddy reading activities and model good reading throughout the week. 

Book Week Parade (Wednesday 1st March )

Children are invited to come into school dressed as: a character from their favourite book, an animal, or as a word of their choice. A parade will showcase costumes to the other children in the Junior School during assembly. Parents will not be able to attend this event, but we look forward to sharing photos of all the fantastic costumes. 

Buddy Reading (Thursday 2nd March)

Classes from the Junior and Senior Schools will participate in a buddy-reading activity to share their favourite stories. This will also be a fantastic opportunity for our Senior School pupils to model good reading behaviours to Junior School pupils. 

Book Fair

(Tuesday 28th February, Wednesday 1st March, and Thursday 2nd March )

The Book Fair will be set up around the Junior School Quad. Each class will be designated a slot during these three days. Parents are allowed to attend the book fair at this time. Class teachers will inform parents accordingly. Additionally, parents can visit the book fair before and after school to purchase books.

• Children in Key Stage 1 will use their slot to browse books and create a wish list. Parents attending the book fair can purchase books with their children. Children should not bring in their own money. 
• Children in Key Stage 2 are allowed to bring in money to purchase books. However, children are responsible for their money; teachers cannot collect money for safekeeping, but they will be able to guide children when choosing books. The money should be sent to school in a sealed, clearly labelled envelope on the designated day.

Recap of Book Week dates: 

If you have any queries, please contact Lisa Dooijeweerd (KS1) or Katie Miah (KS2).

Pupil Achievements

Well done to Khadija in Year 3 who won 2 gold medals in the Egyptian Aerobics National Championship recently.

Songwriting Competition

Calling all young songwriters, singers, musicians, and producers: the Song Academy Young Songwriter 2023 Competition is now OPEN for entries!

All students in Key Stage 2 are invited to enter this global competition, before the deadline of Friday 31st March.

Star-studded judges include Fraser T Smith, Plested, Amy Wadge, Jimmy Napes & Calum Scott), and there are fantastic prizes up for grabs, including a Yamaha instrument worth up to £1,000, home studio set-up, a recording studio session with a top producer and a chance to perform at The Young Songwriter 2023 showcase.

Check out www.songacademy.co.uk/SAYS23 for further information, plus songwriting tips. If you would like advice or support, please contact Mr Shaun Bracey or Mr Callum Watt.

Maths Workshop

Mr Banton-Smith, Junior School Maths Coordinator, will be hosting a workshop to share examples of the work the children complete in Maths, and go over the variety of concepts and methods used. The workshop will take place on Sunday 5th March in the Farag Hall and is for all year groups.

ASAs and After School Collection

We continue to have a number of children who are regularly not collected on time at the end of the school day or after ASA’s have finished.  Please be reminded that children finish at 15:10 on a normal school day and during ASA’s they finish at 16:15. Thank you.

Personal Organisation

We have been receiving an increasing number of children coming to the Junior School office requesting to phone home for extra food and school equipment that they have left at home. Can you please ensure that your child has everything they need for the day each morning. Thank you for your support. 

Words of the Week

In Key Stage 2, we are committed to expanding the vocabulary of our learners across the curriculum. Every week, we will share a 'Word of the Week', for children to learn and practice at school and at home.

Below you will find the words of the week for Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

Parent Information Event

Thanks to the parents who attended the Parent Information event today. The event was to explain the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum in more detail. If you missed the event, please contact Ms Lauren Fellows for information (s677@bisc.edu.eg)

In the Classroom

In Foundation Stage 1, the children enjoyed starting their day with the ‘Daily Mile’; we have already noticed the positive impact this has on them. This week, we moved on to ‘The Bad Tempered Ladybug’.

In Foundation Stage 2 classrooms, we saw examples of how the children are developing their writing, literacy and mathematics.

There was also the chance to play with some handmade rockets in the playground. The children acted as astronauts and blasted off on a mission to the moon. The children found some moon rocks, which they brought back to Earth! 

FS1 Arabic Class

Children learnt the letter (ب). They enjoyed learning the sound and writing it on the sand. They then looked for eggs in the garden that contained the letter (ب).

FS2 Arabic Class

FS2 students learnt the sound of the letter (ط) this week. They enjoyed the creative activity they did, using the sound of an aeroplane to mimic the sound of the letter (ط).

Book Week in Foundation Stage

We look forward to celebrating ‘Book Week’ from Sunday 26th February - Thursday 2nd March. The following events will take place during Book Week, which will be centred around the theme of ‘Animals’.

Unusual Places to Read a Book

We aim to celebrate and continue to foster a love of reading for the Foundation Stage children. We are going to find the most obscure and unusual place to read a book. To participate please take your child somewhere unusual to read a story. Take a picture and email it to your class teacher or print it out and bring it with your child to school. We will share and celebrate these with the class. In school, we will also be taking class photos of our unusual story times which will be posted in the Bulletin next week! 

Foundation Stage Activities

Primary Pupils from a range of year groups will come to Foundation Stage to share their love for reading. They will participate in buddy reading activities and model good reading throughout the week. Foundation Stage One children will be making a non-fiction animal book in school. Foundation Stage Two classes will have a range of reading-based activities around the theme of 'Animals.' It will be centred on the stories; 'Giraffes Can't Dance’, ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’, ‘Elmer’ and ‘The Lion Who Wanted Love' 

Book Week Parade - Wednesday 1st March

Children are invited to come into school dressed as: a character from their favourite book, an animal, or as a word of their choice. A parade will showcase costumes to the other children in the Foundation Stage playground. Parents will not be able to attend this event, but we look forward to sharing photos of all the fantastic costumes.

Parent Reading

We would like to invite parents to read a book of their choice to their children's class. If you are interested in reading a story, it will be at the end of the day before the children go home. Please email your children's class teacher to express interest and organize a time during book week. 

Book Fair - Tuesday 28th February - Thursday 2nd March

The Book Fair will be set up around the Junior School Quad. Each class will be designated a slot during these three days. Parents are encouraged to attend the book fair at this time. Class teachers will inform parents accordingly. Additionally, parents can visit the book fair before and after school to purchase books.

Children in Foundation Stage will use their slot to browse books and create a wish list. Parents attending the book fair can purchase books with their children. Children should not bring in their own money. 

FS1Y: Tuesday 28th February   13:55-14:30 

FS1C: Thursday 2nd February  13:55-14:30 

FS2F: Wednesday 1st March 13:55-14:30 

FS2H: Wednesday 1st March 14:40-15:05

FS2S: Thursday 2nd March   08:55- 09:10

FS2G: Thursday 2nd March   14:40-15:05 

Keeping our students safe online is a priority at BISC. We are happy to share advice from the NOS (National Online Safety), to enable parents to understand the pros and cons of various social media, games and digital trends.

This week's advice is about how to combat online bullying.

If parents would like copies of any of the photos you have seen in the Bulletin, please email s706@bisc.edu.eg.