A New Principal at BISC

Dear Students, Teachers, Parents and BISC Management & Staff, 

I welcome you all back to school, and I wish our children and students a safe, enjoyable and successful 2023/24.    

In particular, I welcome our new teachers, teaching at BISC for the first time. I look forward to your seamless transition into our BISC community. I am also confident that you will enjoy the wealth of experience and treasures that Egypt has to offer.

It is also with great pleasure that I introduce you to the new BISC Principal, Mrs. Basman Zora.  

Mrs. Zora is not new to BISC, having previously served as its Vice Principal, for seven years between 2010 and 2017. Before that, she was Head of English and Deputy Head, Academic. Her service at BISC, throughout, was exemplary. She took a leading role in raising academic standards and improving the quality of learning and teaching.

Following her years at BISC, she was Principal at the British International School in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), before returning to England to work first as an Education Development Consultant, and then as Senior Advisor to the Birmingham Diocese (whose remit covers 235 schools).

Mrs. Zora, in her own words, is ''aware of the immense privilege and trust delegated to the Principal at BISC''. She is committed to work with all the members of the BISC community, to create a school where every member feels valued, safe, respected and truly able to achieve their best.  

Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Basman Zora, our new Principal.

Once again, the Board of Directors and I wish all the BISC community a successful 2023/24.

Ahmed EZZ 

Chairman, The British International School Society 

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Delivers the Keynote Address at the BISC Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony

On 9th June 2023, at the Graduation Ceremony of the Class of 2023, BISC had the pleasure to welcome Mr. Boris Johnson, the former British Prime Minister, as the keynote speaker. He was welcomed by Mr. Ahmed Ezz, Chairman of The British International School Society and His Excellency Mr. Gareth Bayley OBE, Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Cairo.

In his address, Mr. Johnson described BISC as ‘a famous training ground for future leaders in so many fields’. He also expressed his happiness to be back in Egypt, not only because it is ‘the birthplace of every branch of human intellectual endeavor’, but because it was where his grandparents, Irene and Wilfred, met each other for the first time in the 1930s.

I am delighted to write my first BISC Bulletin entry. I am honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to the success of our wonderful school. Having worked here previously, I know the community and the school very well; indeed Cairo and BISC remain a much loved second home for me. I am committed to working hard and collaboratively, with all members of the school community, to ensure everyone feels valued, safe, respected and able to achieve the best they can.  

The start of a new academic year is now upon us, and from the outset, we will focus on fostering a positive and professional learning environment, where every child can grow, learn and reach their full potential. This will be a key priority for us. Our expectations need to be high, of ourselves and our students. Strong pastoral care, high quality teaching and learning and a respectful learning environment are key elements in an outstanding school. At BISC, we will know our students; we will work hard, and with you, to nourish their strengths and support them.

Induction Programmes

On Sunday, it was so good to see Years 7, 10 and 12 and our new students in the Foundation Stage, Junior and Senior Schools on campus for their induction programme. Their engagement and participation was excellent, and exactly what I remember of BISC students. Well done to you all. A particular warm welcome to our new families joining us this year. We encourage you to please get in touch if you have any questions; we want to ensure all our children feel welcomed, settled and ready to enjoy everything the school has to offer.

Welcome to our New Staff

Our new staff have been working diligently and collaboratively to prepare for the start of term. I would like to extend a warm welcome to them, and to all returning staff, and thank them for their commitment to BISC. 

Leadership Appointments

We have significantly developed the leadership capacity in both the Junior School and the Senior School. In the Junior School, Mrs Paget will be taking over the post of Deputy Head Teaching and Learning, securing further development in this important area. Mrs Bukhari will continue in her role as Assistant Head Pastoral and will be joined by Mrs Farag as Head of Key Stage 2 and Mrs Fellows as Head of Key Stage 1.

In the Senior School, I am pleased to announce the following leadership appointments:

• Mr Starkie is our new Deputy Head (Academic), who joins us from China, where he was the Founding Assistant Head for a British International boarding school. After graduating in Physics from Imperial College London, he spent the past 16 years working in the UK as well as internationally in a range of contexts. Mr Starkie comes with a wealth of experience in leading the academic and curriculum elements, including performance analysis, the impact of teaching & learning, and external examinations. 
• Ms Fuschillo has been appointed as Deputy Head Pastoral. Her commitment to BISC and knowledge of our students will be invaluable to our priorities this year.
• Mrs McGinley joins us as our new Director of Sixth Form. Mrs McGinley has extensive experience in senior leadership and in particular in leading the IB programme in British, international schools. Mrs McGinley is originally from the Isle of Man and has worked internationally in Spain, Indonesia and Qatar. She has worked in the IBDP since 1992.
• Further pastoral capacity is assured by the appointment of: Ms Ayad as Head of Key Stage 5, Ms Walker as Head of Key Stage 4 and Ms Turner as Head of Key Stage 3.
• Mr Owen also joins us as our new Director of Careers and Higher Education. He comes to us with vast experience and qualifications in his field. He is joined by Ms Coughlin, who brings with her valuable experience of the US university system. 

Site Development

As you know, significant renovation, particularly in the Senior School, has taken place over the summer, with herculean effort. My thanks to Mr Ezz and our Board of Directors who have spearheaded this project. The School looks incredible, and I know our students will appreciate and enjoy the wonderfully renovated site. 

I look forward to meeting you all and ensuring that your children enjoy their return to school.

Mrs Zora

A warm welcome back to all our Senior School students, who returned full of enthusiasm from the Summer break.

This week, we saw Year 10 Economics students get straight to work with Mrs Shahi, as they commence their IGCSE studies.

Parent Information Afternoons

All parents are invited to the school to attend a Parent Information meeting on the following dates:  

Sunday 3rd September - Year 13, at 15:30 in the Farag Hall

Monday 4th September - Years 8 & 9, at 15:30 in the Farag Hall

Tuesday 5th September - Year 11 at 15:30 in the Rosemary Theatre

Wednesday 6th September - Year 10 at 15:30 in the Rosemary Theatre

Senior School ASAs

After School Activities for Senior School will begin on Sunday 10th September. Further details to follow. 

Parents' Handbook

We would like to welcome all Junior School parents and students back to school. Your children have already made an energetic start!

The gallery below shows Year 1 children in the playground:

Meanwhile, Class 4E were making posters with Mr Ellerby, practising their writing and drawing.

And Class 5B returned to the Junior Library for some quiet reading time.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Arrangements

Key Stage One Students (Year 1 and 2):

A reminder that all Key Stage 1 (KS1) students should come in at Gate 1 and should go directly to their classrooms.

Pick-up is at 15:10 (but 14:50 on Thursdays) from the benches at the side of the school field - your child’s class will be labelled on the wall.

Key Stage Two Students (Years 3, 4 , 5 and 6)

A reminder that all Key Stage 2 (KS2) students should be dropped off at Gate 2, and should go directly to their classrooms. If they are arriving with a younger sibling, then they can come in via Gate 1. 

Pick-up is at 15:10 (but 14:50 on Thursdays) from the benches at the side of the school field - your child’s class will be labelled on the wall.

After School Activities

After School Activities will start on Sunday 10th September for Years 2 to 6. More details to follow.

No Hat, No Play

We would like to remind you about our ‘No hat, no play’ policy for Junior School children at break times. Please make sure that your son or daughter has a school cap to wear to protect them from the sun. If they don’t have a hat they will be asked to stay in the shade at these times.

Healthy Snacks

BISC is committed to promoting healthy nutrition. The School regards a nutritious  diet as an important educational issue, fundamentally linked to students’ life-long health and safety. 

Students have time allocated for a snack in the morning and afternoon. Parents are encouraged to send their children to school with healthy snacks. Some ideas for this are listed in the Parent Handbook below.

Parents' Handbook

Details of who to contact in the Junior School, along with uniform guidance and general information can be found in our Junior School Parents' Handbook.

Welcome to all our Foundation Stage Families at the start of the new academic year. We look forward to getting to know all our new pupils and welcoming back the children who attended FS1 last year. This year there are seven FS classes, comprising three FS1 classes and four classes in FS2. 

You are invited to attend an information meeting to learn all about what we have to offer your children this year. These meetings will be held at the end of the first week, on Thursday 31st August in the Farag Hall, with FS2 at 10.00 and FS1 at 11:00. You will learn about the teachers and TAs, curriculum, specialist lessons and the structure of the days.

This week, our FS2 children enjoyed their first PE lesson with Ms Tatiana - great exercise and coordination practice.

They also had fun in the playground, exploring the various equipment on offer.

In the meantime, please email if you have any queries or concerns, and please take time to read the Parent's Handbook (link below) that contains general information about who to contact, school uniform and more.

The most up-to-date information about Term Dates can be found on our website. Use the link below to learn more about school and public holidays.

For parents who still need to buy school uniform, our new Uniform Shop will be open from 09:00 – 20:00, seven days a week, until 31st August 2023.
From 1st September, the opening hours will be from 08:00 – 17:00 (Sunday - Thursday inclusive).

On this link below you can see photos of the required school uniform:

House uniforms will be announced in September.
Winter uniforms will be available by mid-October.

Year 11 students should email Sally Kaf at the Business Office (sally.kaf@bisc.edu.eg) before placing an order. For any queries please email me: bm@bisc.edu.eg or sally.kaf@bisc.edu.eg 

Mona El Fawal

Business Manager

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