The British International School, Cairo eNewsletter

Well done to everyone for another fantastic week at BISC. We are so very proud of the students’ focused approach to the start of the new year.

It was wonderful to see so many parents attend our Curriculum Information events in the Senior School; next week, these will launch in the Junior School, and we look forward to seeing you all then.

Next week we will also focus on embedding routines. I would kindly ask for your support in ensuring we consolidate the excellent start to the new academic year. We will focus on:

Improving attendance: every lesson matters and every day counts.
Targeting punctuality: to this end, and as established last year, the school gates will close at 08:00 from Sunday 10th September. All pupils should be on campus from 07:55 please.
Being ready, respectful and safe: at all times, to ensure everyone can focus on their learning and enjoy being at BISC.

Many thanks for your ongoing support.

Open Mic Music

Our Music Department provided an Open Mic session for Senior School students, and as ever, their talent shone through, with some sensational singing and playing.

Year 7 Science

Year 7 had their first experience of working with Bunsen burners today and learned how to use them safely in practical experiments.

Year 8 Arabic

In their Arabic language class today, Year 8 students enjoyed some educational activities with Ms. Heba using the Blocket app. They also read a story ('Every Day Homework') followed by some writing activities.

Year 9 Science

In Year 9 Science classes this week, students were looking at onion skin through a microscope - offering a fascinating perspective on the beauty of nature.

Year 12 Science

Our Sixth Form students conducted a distillation practical this week, making ethanal from ethanol thereby enhancing their practical skills to support the IA.

Senior School Curriculum Meetings

This week we held the first in our series of Curriculum Meetings for Years 8-11 and Year 13 parents. Focusing on the curriculum experience of our students, with recommendations for support strategies at home and an opportunity to ask questions, these were positively received.

The presentations are available to view online:

Further sessions will be held throughout the year, catering for the particular needs of each year group.

If you have any questions about the curriculum, please contact the subject teacher in their first instance or, for more general information, refer to the Head of Department and/or the Deputy Head of School (Academic), Mr. Starkie, anthony.starkie@bisc.edu.eg.

Year 13 Extended Essay Support Session

As the EE journey reaches its end, we would like to offer support and advice to all our Year 13 students. To this end, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Zora and Ms. McGinley will all be in school on Saturday 9 September, from 09:00 - 12:00 to help. We will meet in IB 106.

To join us, just add your name on this link: Year 13 EE Club Sat 9 September.

Mrs. McGinley and the IBDP team

Entrance and Exit Procedures for Senior School Students

Students are expected to be on campus by 07:55. Key Stage 3 students should enter by Gate 5. Key Stage 4 and 5 students should enter by Gate 4. Students arriving with younger siblings can use the gate that is appropriate for the youngest sibling.

If there are situations where you know that your child is going to be late to school, for example because of a visa appointment, please ensure you email attendance@bisc.edu.eg the night before, so that we can inform security accordingly.

At the end of the school day, students should exit by the same gate as they use in the morning. Senior School students should not use Gate 1 in the afternoon unless they have a Junior School sibling with them.

Careers and Higher Education

The new Careers team, Mr. Owen and Ms. Coughlin, would like to share their thanks for the warm welcome given to them by the BISC community.

Mr. Owen and Ms. Coughlin are looking forward to supporting all members of the Senior School community, especially with each student’s career exploration, planning, and action. For the next two weeks they will be meeting all the Year 13 students to clarify their plans and support them with the completion of their university applications. Later this term they will then be working with all Year 12 students, prior to meeting with Year 9 to 11 students. Significant support will be offered to Year 9 students when considering their IGCSE options and also to Year 11 students as they begin to consider subject options for their IB Diploma.

There will be regular news related to Careers and Higher Education shared in the Bulletin; but please do reach out if you have any questions on email:

Mr. Owen: jon.owen@bisc.edu.eg

Ms. Coughlin: bridget.coughlin@bisc.edu.eg

Trinity Music Awards

Well done to all of the Senior School students who have received Trinity Music Awards this week. Congratulations to all the talented musicians.

Library Books

Please could last year's library books be returned to the library as a matter of urgency. Thank you, Ms. Ward.

Senior School After-School Activities

After School Activities (ASAs) for the Senior School will begin on Sunday 10th September. Students can now see their selected ASAs on Engage.

Parent Handbook

Details on who to contact, school policies and general information for Senior School parents can be found in our Parent Handbook below.

Senior School Handbook

Year 1 Sports

Class 1N were in the Sports Hall this week, practising various ball skills with our PE staff.

Year 4 Swimming

Cooling down in the pool this week, these Year 4 boys loved their swimming lesson with our coaches.

Key Stage 1 Assembly

Mrs. Fellows hosted a Key Stage 1 assembly this morning, and was joined by our Principal, Mrs. Zora. Mrs. Fisher told a remarkable allegory about a turnip that our pupils loved!

Congratulations also to the pupils rewarded as Stars of the Week and Mathematicians of the Week.

Key Stage 2 Assembly

In today's Key Stage 2 assembly, our Principal, Mrs. Zora addressed the pupils and helped to present awards for Stars of the Week and to those who have earned Trinity Music Awards. Congratulations to everyone who collected a certificate!

Curriculum Evenings

We are looking forward to welcoming parents to the Junior School Curriculum Evenings as follows:

Year 1 and 2 Parents: Sunday 10th September from 17:00 - 18:30.

Year 3 and 4 Parents: Monday 11th September from 17:00 - 18:30.

Year 5 and 6 Parents: Tuesday 12th September from 17:00 - 18:30.

The session will start in your child’s classroom at 17:00 and then will continue in the Theatre with the Junior School Leadership Team from around 17:45.

If you have siblings in multiple year groups, you need not attend each session in the Theatre. However, during the presentation for Year 5 & Year 6 - further information will be shared regarding BSME.

Please note this is an adult-only event.

Carers' Authorisation to Pick Up Form

For the safety and security of our Junior School students, we need to be informed of persons authorised to pick them up from school.

Please fill in the information on this form accurately and attach a clear photo per individual. Please select a minimum of two carers to pick your child up and a maximum of 3.

Please note that parents must inform the School Office of any changes to pick up arrangements. To secure the safety of our students, parents must inform us immediately if a carer to whom a BISC card was issued is no longer allowed to pick up the child.

Uniform in Key Stage 1

All children should come to school wearing their full school uniform. This includes ties, black shoes and a hat for play times. The school uniform shop is open from 08:00 - 17:00 (Sunday to Thursdays) for parents that still need to buy items.

Please note we are now enforcing the “no hat, no play” policy; therefore, if your child does not have a hat, they will be asked to sit in the shade during break times.

Junior School After School Activities

After School Activities (ASAs) start in the Junior School next week (Sunday 10th September). All confirmations will be sent via email automatically from Engage from Thursday 7th September.

All ASAs will run between 15:20 and 16:20. Please collect your children promptly, and ensure that any bus changes that are required are sent to transportation@bisc.edu.eg.

If you would like to change your options for ASA, please contact Mr. Watt (callum.watt@bisc.edu.eg) and Mrs. Issa (moushira.issa@bisc.edu.eg) during the first week of ASAs. For any issues logging into Engage, please contact eman.gamal@bisc.edu.eg.

PE and Swimming

Just a reminder that all classes will swim once a week until the half term break. It is imperative for their learning that they bring their swimming kit on the correct day.

The days for swimming are below;

Year 1E	Monday
Year 1J	Monday
Year 1H	Sunday
Year 1N	Sunday
Year 2B	Wednesday
Year 2C	Wednesday
Year 2L	Tuesday
Year 2F	Tuesday
Year 3 Boys	Monday
Year 3 Girls	Wednesday
Year 4 Boys	Thursday
Year 4 Girls	Tuesday
Year 5 Boys	Sunday
Year 5 Girls	Wednesday
Year 6 Boys	Thursday
Year 6 Girls	Monday

Morning Drop-off Reminder

Please be reminded that Year 1 and 2 children should be dropped off at Gate 1. Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 children should be dropped off at Gate 2.

If you have an older child with a sibling in Year 1 or 2, then they may also enter using Gate 1.

Please adhere to these drop-off arrangements in order to keep our children and community safe.

Parent Handbook

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

Junior School Parent Handbook

For the safety and security of our Foundation Stage pupils, we need to be informed of persons authorised to pick them up from school.

Please fill in the information on this form accurately and attach a clear photo per individual. Please select a minimum of two carers to pick your child up and a maximum of 3.

Please note that parents must inform the School office of any changes to pick up arrangements. To secure the safety of our pupils, parents must inform us immediately if a carer to whom a BISC card was issued is no longer allowed to pick up the child.

Foundation Stage One

The children have had an exciting week and they have all started to familiarise themselves with their class teacher, school environment and new friends.