Celebrating Success

Now that we have settled into the term, it has been a pleasure this week to visit so many classes and see real learning taking place. From outdoor play in the Foundation Stage to Higher Level IB lessons in Year 13, it is clear that the majority of our pupils love their school, love and want to learn, are ambitious in their approach and respectful towards their peers and teachers.

Our records show that 6028 positive behaviour rewards were issued in the Senior School and 3943 in the Junior School. We are drawing attention to best behaviour first and rewarding success, effort and academic achievement. Attendance continues to be a focus for us. As every lesson matters and every day counts, I want to congratulate Year 5 for achieving 98% this week. Very well done.

Ready, Respectful, Safe 

I shared with parents our very simple and very clear BISC behaviour rules in the parent presentations held earlier this term. Being ready for learning in every lesson will have a significant impact on achievement; having self respect and showing respect to others is a necessary foundation for any community and essential for us to be able to work together, for the good of the children; finally, being safe is a basic human right for all. All children and adults have the right to feel safe and respected. I would like to draw everyone’s attention please to our Anti-bullying Policy, which can be found on our website and via this link. At BISC, we will operate a zero tolerance policy for any type of bullying. I know parents will appreciate and support our efforts to ensure all children feel safe and part of our community. Please do go through this policy with your child and if you have any concern do contact me or the pastoral team; we will take all bullying cases very seriously. 

Next week, I will be working closely with the pastoral team on targeted intervention, focusing in particular, and in stages, on Key Stage 3. We will aim to establish effective learning routines and raise expectations to ensure minimal disruption to learning in lessons. Intervention plans will be personalised; pastoral leaders will inform relevant parents as necessary. I would like to thank all parents for their support in this initiative. 

Prophet’s Birthday

A reminder that Thursday 28th September is a public holiday, and the School will be closed on this day. You can find our latest term dates on the website, here.

Open Mic Monday

As well as wonderful piano, violin and vocal performances, we also heard from a group of Year 7 drummers demonstrating what they have learnt in class.

Year 13 Business Studies

Year 13 students were comparing notes during their Business Studies class, using graphical work as part of a peer-teaching activity.

Year 13 Art

Students in the Sixth Form are experimenting with diverse media and techniques, building their art portfolios in style.

Model Arab League

ستبدأ المدرسة هذا العام تنظيم نموذج لجامعة الدول العربية، غالباً كأول نموذج للجامعة العربية في أي مدرسة مصرية، تكون فيه اللغة الرسمية هي العربية. الهدف أن يتعلم الطلاب الحديث في الأمور الدبلوماسية والموضوعات العامة باللغة العربية، وأن يتعرفوا على قضايا الإقليم. نأمل أن نستطيع متابعة بعض أنشطة الجامعة العربية عن قرب خلال فترات انعقاد الجلسات التدريبية.

This year, we are starting a Model Arab League at BISC. This is probably the first Model Arab League at any school in Egypt.

We aim to educate Senior School students to use diplomatic terms in Arabic. In order to increase students' awareness about regional developments in the Arab World, we will include actual Arab League activities during the training sessions. The Model Arab League at BISC will also build the students' negotiating skills; working towards reaching resolutions by consensus. We are proud to observe a promising enthusiasm from students to join this exciting activity. 

Sets and Costumes After School Activity

A new ASA invites Senior School students to help design and create the sets and costumes for the next Senior School production. As you can see, Ms Wheeler and the team are hard at work.

Robotics After School Activity

An enthusiastic group of Computer Science fans joined Mr Roomee for the Robotics ASA, where the students combine coding and engineering skills to bring robots to life.

International English Language Olympiad Achievement 

Andrei in Year 10 recently competed in the first edition of the International English Language Olympiad in Bucharest, Romania. Over 60 students from Europe, chosen by their respective countries, competed in three individual tests (Use of English - grammar and vocabulary, Integrated Skills - listening and creative writing, Speaking - an oral on-the-spot presentation on a given topic), and one group test (a presentation on a given book, prepared before the start of the Olympiad). 

Andrei won first place in the individual tests, and his team, representing Romania, won second place in the group presentation. Congratulations, Andrei. 

Great Golf

Congratulations to Ali in Year 10 who participated in the Egyptian Open Amateur Golf Championship, achieving the best result amongst the juniors and equalling the Egyptian champion El Shafei in 20th place. 

Ali ranked as the 3rd best Egyptian player participating in the tournament. 

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

Students in Years 12 and 13 have eagerly begun this year’s studies of Theory of Knowledge (TOK). TOK is a compulsory core subject in the IB curriculum that students are required to pass in order to achieve their diploma.

Though it forms part of the IB curriculum, it is unlike the other subjects found in the six subject groups. For subjects like Biology and Economics, students are generally taught new subject knowledge. The more they study, the more they know about the subject matter. But, in TOK, this is not exactly the case. TOK studies the process of knowing and explores questions about knowledge. During lessons, teachers do not impart new knowledge in the form of subject content. Instead, they prompt students to reflect on knowledge they have learnt over the years.

This approach highlights the plurality of perspectives, beliefs, and values. Through awareness of other perspectives, students are called to evaluate their own perspectives and question them.

TOK is important; it broadens a student’s horizons. By recognising that the world is not monochromatic but in vivid technicolour, TOK nurtures students to be global citizens, citizens that are sensitive, understanding and respectful to the perspectives held by others.

If you have any questions regarding the course please contact Ms Curran, TOK Coordinator. 

Senior School Upcoming Dates

New Play Equipment

Junior School pupils have been enjoying some new outdoor toys at breaktime, including space hoppers and a tug-of-war rope!

Year 1 PE

Year 1 children showed their swimming skills this week, enjoying their time with our specialist coaches! 

Just a reminder that all pupils should have swim shoes or appropriate footwear for health and safety reasons. Also, swim caps are a must, especially for those with long hair, as this will help them get the best out of their lessons.

Year 1 Shared Reading with Year 4 Buddy Class

In Year 1, the children have been doing some shared reading with their buddy class in Year 4. The older children shared the text and asked questions to ensure their understanding.

Year 3 Arabic

Year 3 pupils were working diligently in Arabic this week, boosting their vocabulary and reading skills with a game of word Bingo.

After School Art Club 

Art club got off to a wonderful start as children in Years 2, 3 and 4 recreated faces inspired by Pablo Picasso.

Key Stage 1 Assembly

Last week’s assembly featured awards for the Stars of the Week, as well as a lesson in resilience from Mrs Bukhari and Mrs Paget.

Key Stage 2 Assembly

Last Thursday, we awarded our Stars of the Week, the best Mathematicians of the Week, and our Senior Leaders demonstrated the importance of practice and effort when learning new skills.

Playground PALS

The Playground Activity Leaders (PALS) are back in force this year, leading, supporting and encouraging pupils to take part in a variety of games and activities. They will also be ensuring that everyone is being Ready, Respectful and Safe during our break times. 

Congratulations to the following PALS who have been chosen for this year`s PALS Team:

Soliman in 2B, Laila in 2C, Youssef in 2F, Mona in 2L, Francis in 3B, Ismail in 3F, Mourad in 3M, Omar in 3S, Elina in 3O, Gulnaar in 4B, Kayla in 4E, Yolanda in 4D, Ramzi in 4T, Youssef in 5B, Khadija in 5S, Tamara in 5W, Marlise in 6F, Osman  in 6I, Ali in 6M and Farida in 6W.

Intervention and Enrichments

As discussed in the Parent Curriculum Information meeting, the Intervention and Enrichment sessions have been taking place for many children across the Junior School already this term.  Last year these sessions were very successful and helped to raise and maintain good academic lessons across the school. 

Reminder: 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; we are still missing a significant number of returned forms. 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.

Junior School Upcoming Dates

Foundation Stage One

This week the children stepped back in time to explore the Mesozoic Era. They have been investigating dinosaurs, finding out about their habits and playing with some of the newly arrived equipment, they even made an enormous dinosaur ice cube! We will continue this topic next week.

Foundation Stage Two

FS2 has begun the Phonics programme and the children have been learning the first phase sounds, s/a/t/p/i/n. This is their first step in the process of learning to read.

Meanwhile, in the playground, it's all smiles and laughter; learning through play, building confidence, and developing close friendships!

Arabic in the Foundation Stage

This week the children were engaged in creative activities to improve their use of the Arabic language. 

Ms Hala will soon invite the FS2 parents to a workshop to explain how she is delivering Arabic to pupils. You will receive details about this next week.

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

Keeping our students safe online is a priority at BISC. We are happy to share advice from the Safeguarding Training Centre, to enable parents to understand the pros and cons of various social media, games and digital trends.

This week we are sharing tips about how to avoid Cyberflashing.