The half-term break beginning today provides a well-deserved opportunity for everyone to relax, recharge and spend quality time with loved ones. It's essential to make the most of this break while also preparing for any end of year examinations, where relevant.

Below is some advice that may help:

1. Revision and Preparation: During the half-term break, it is advisable for students to engage in focused revision and preparation whilst also taking time to spend with friends and family. Make use of revision guides, textbooks, and online resources recommended by our teachers. Identify areas that require extra attention and allocate time accordingly.
2. Study Groups and Support: Consider forming study groups with your classmates to review and discuss key topics. Collaborating with others can help deepen your understanding and provide different perspectives. Additionally, don't hesitate to reach out to teachers for guidance and support as needed.
3. Healthy Habits: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial during this demanding period. Ensure you get enough restful sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engage in regular physical activity. Taking care of your well-being will contribute to improved focus, concentration, and overall performance.
4. Positive Mindset: Approach the exams with a positive mindset. Believe in your abilities, stay motivated, and maintain a sense of confidence in your preparation. Remember that hard work and perseverance will lead to success.
5. Keep everything in perspective: While we all want our students to ace every examination, the end of year examinations are just a stepping stone to the IB Diploma. Learning how to improve study habits, exam technique and subject understanding is more valuable than the grade itself.

Year 12 Theory of Knowledge Trip

Our Year 12 students visited the Egyptian Museum and the National Egyptian Museum of Civilisation on Monday, as part of the Theory of Knowledge module of the IB Diploma. The aim of the trip was to allow students an opportunity to explore TOK concepts in the real world by examining ancient artefacts, and possibly considering them as objects for their own TOK exhibition. The students completed all the TOK activities examining how knowledge is acquired and produced, as well as exploring ethical values and beliefs related to that knowledge. All students were well behaved and incredibly respectful of our culture and heritage.

U14 CISSA West Football Tournament

BISC hosted this tournament last Friday. The girls’ team won the competition, whilst the boys finished as runners-up. Having drawn their first three matches, the girls had to win their last game to have any hope of clinching the championship and secured it with a 2-1 in a tight match. 

The boys started slowly and were off the pace in their first game, losing 2-0. They then played very well for the rest of the tournament, winning their next three games, eventually finishing second on points.

What was pleasing about the girls’ win was the fact that they were behind in all their matches but had the strength of character to fight back to get a result.

More photos of the tournament can be seen here.

Year 7 Arabic History

Students in Year 7 were tasked with producing creative projects reflecting the periods that they have been studying in Arabic History this year. Below you can see some of their best work.

Year 9 Computer Science

Students have been coding their own websites in Computer Science, and collaborating to produce some great results.

Student Achievements

Tony in Year 9 recently entered a competition run by the New York Academy of Sciences. His outstanding research and development on a solution for clean water won second place in his category - an achievement he can be very proud of.

Below you can read his one-page pitch, and pictures of his research and proposed solution. This began as an initiative of our school's STEM Club; if students would like to participate in the next school year, they should contact Mr Sagun: john.sagun@bisc.edu.eg. 

Yassin in Year 9 has competed in two Egyptian Boxing Federation tournaments this year.

He won a gold medal at the Ramadan Championship in Cairo and received a certificate of appreciation from the Gezira Sporting club.

He also won a bronze medal last week at Cairo’s official Junior Boxing Championship.

Well done Yassin, we wish you the very best of luck in all future tournaments. (Note: on the photos below, Yassin is the competitor wearing red.)

Year 6 Production - Twist

Today we saw an amazing performance from the Year 6 children in their production of 'Twist’. It was fantastic to see the story of Oliver Twist come to life on the BISC stage. The children acted and sang with great aplomb; and it was clear that a tremendous amount of effort had been put into the production.

Special thanks to Ms Jo, Mr Shaun, Ms Farag, Ms Miah, Mr Banton, Mr Watt, Ms Christina, Ms Nermine, Mr Mohamed, Ms Menna, Ms Amal and all the extra support staff who helped to make this a spectacular performance. The recording of the show can be watched below. And hundreds more photos from the show can be seen here.

Year 5 Library

Students in Class 5G enjoyed their library session this week, finding a cosy corner to read something recommended by Ms. Vivian!

Year 6 Science

Year 6 students were in the Nature Garden yesterday, collecting pollen grains, leaves and petals to view under the microscope.

This activity, led by Mr. Sagun, aims to improve their practical skills to prepare them for KS3 Science Biology. More photos of the class can be seen here. And here are some photos of the results!

Egypt and Middle East Programme Parent Meetings

Dr. Alia Elmahdi, Head of Egypt and Middle East Programme, met with parents this week to discuss our progress in this area and to provide information about future plans.

Year 3 and 4 Penpal Writing Enrichment

The children were very excited to receive their first emails back from the Lyminster School in Surrey, which provided information from their own personal pen-pal in the UK.  The children wrote their responses by return this week; and it was clear to see how much the children are enjoying this project as they laughed and shared their emails from their new friends.  During the session the children wrote about BISC and they wait patiently for the next email.

ASA Riveting Reading

The children that attend the Riveting Reading session with Ms Fisher, Ms Paget and Nour from Year 9 have made good progress so far this term. Their enthusiasm for reading has improved, along with their fluency and comprehension. It’s been wonderful to have the children also tell us about their books, even outside of the ASA time. We are very proud of them and their hard work.

Key Stage 1 Summer Reading Workshop - Tuesday 6th June 

This workshop will provide parents of students in Years 1 and 2 with tools and resources to best support your child's reading development over the summer. During this workshop, we will share practical advice on how you can help your child consolidate and improve their literacy skills in a fun and engaging way during the holidays.

The workshop will cover topics such as understanding phonics, building vocabulary, improving comprehension, and selecting age-appropriate books. Parents will have the opportunity to engage in interactive learning activities and will receive a list of useful links and resources that they can use to continue their child's reading development at home. The workshop will take place in the Theatre Foyer at 14:00.

Splash Day for Years 1, 2 and 3

Details regarding the fun Splash Day have been shared in a separate letter via Engage today. This is always a fun and exciting event for the children. 

Keeping Safe in the Sun

As we are now experiencing hotter weather, all pupils in Junior School are expected to wear a BISC cap at break times. Please ensure that all caps are labelled with your child’s full name and class. Sun cream is permitted. We will be enforcing a ‘No hat, no play’ rule so that all children are kept safe in the sun.

‘Littermittee’ Challenge

Due to their passion to keep our school clean, the ‘Littermittee’ have given us a challenge. All play areas must be completely litter-free for a period of 2 weeks (10 days)! 

What’s in it for the pupils? Apart from having a lovely, clean school, they will be rewarded with a much requested Pyjama Day!

Student Achievement

Well done to Laila and Talia from Year 5, who came first place in a gymnastics competition this week!

Well done also to Layla in Year 3 who won a gold medal at the Egyptian National Competition. Congratulations!

In Class This Week 

As the temperatures rise, the FS1 children wanted to have a Summery week. They made banana popsicles using bananas, yoghurt and some sprinkles. They designed and made summer clothes using different fabrics. They also continued to enjoy their swimming lessons, and their skills are improving; after the half-term, some children will start to swim in the big pool!

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 safe online habits we all need to follow.

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