Welcome Back

Happy New Year to everyone and welcome back to term 2. 

The term has started with mock examinations for Year 11, and some of our Year 10 and Year 9 students. The purpose of mock examinations is not only to provide a checkpoint of students’ progress, but also an opportunity to practise sitting a formal examination before the real ones launch in June. We have been really impressed by the dedication, serious attitude and commitment of Year 11 to these examinations; they have made an excellent start. The exams continue next week and we wish everyone the very best of luck.

We also returned to a beautifully renovated Foundation Stage 1 playground and new outdoor play resources, much to the delight of the children, parents and staff. It looks wonderful and inviting. Everyone is really excited to play and learn in the new playground. 

Interim Head of Junior School

This week, we also welcomed Mr Clive Smith-Langridge as our new interim Head of Junior School.

Mr Smith-Langridge joins us from the UK, with extensive school leadership and headship experience, both in UK and in British international schools. Most recently, Mr Smith-Langridge was the Headteacher of an independent school in London, which was rated excellent in all areas in its last inspection. He will be working directly with me and the Junior Leadership Team in driving forward further developments for all our pupils in the Junior School. He has stated that it is an honour to be joining BISC in this role and has already been in lessons all week, meeting the pupils and staff.

Uniform Update

Thank you to all parents and students for your support in our next phase of the new uniform. It is so good to see so many of our pupils in their blazers this week.

A reminder that all students must wear their BISC blazer to School every day, unless it is a PE day, please. The full BISC uniform, which is shared in the Parent Handbooks, can be found on this link. In addition to the BISC tie, jumper and blazer, pupils can also wear the gilet to keep warm. 

All BISC pupils will be gifted with a parka jacket (see below) once they purchase a BISC blazer. Please do claim this gift from the uniform shop. This jacket can be worn on top of the blazer, to provide additional warmth, but must not be used as a substitute for the blazer.

Key Term Dates

Years 9, 10 and 11 Mock GCSE Examinations

Years 9, 10 and 11 students are diligently completing mock GCSE examinations throughout the first two weeks of this term. These valuable assessments provide students with a realistic examination experience and allow teachers to offer personalised feedback and targeted support, ahead of the summer term GCSEs.

We are grateful for the hard work and commitment demonstrated by both students and teachers during this important period.

The examination schedule can be found here.

GCSE Art Coursework

Our Year 11 Art students have been working hard to complete their final coursework pieces. The Art teachers are very proud of the students' work on ‘Identity’ and ‘A Sense of Place’. Well done all! 

Term 2 After School Activities

Term 2 ASAs will begin next week, commencing Sunday 14th January. Our clubs are provided by either our own teaching staff or by qualified coaches, and these range from sporting, musical, and academic, to other enrichment opportunities. Senior School students should check on Engage for confirmation of their activities. 

For any changes or requests, please contact Ms Wheeler at janie.wheeler@bisc.edu.eg. Requests for changes are limited, based on availability, and are restricted to the first week of ASAs.

ASAs end at 16:20 and all students attending ASAs must be either on the second bus or collected by 16:30.

Library News

The Accelerated Reader deadline for Year 9 students is next week, Wednesday 17th January. 

Well done to the following Year 9 students who completed their reading well ahead of time:

Sarah A.R., Hussein A.E., Seif A. H., Hebatalla B, Louis, Malak E.M., Nelly E, Naya F, Arnav, Tamara K, Chloe, Adham N, Mostafa S, Taleen T, Laila Y and Carma Z. 

Upcoming Events

Message from the Interim Head of Junior School

Further to the announcement by the Principal, I am delighted to be joining the BISC Junior School team. The School has an outstanding reputation and it is a huge honour to be working with your children, with the staff and with you in the coming months. I have been busy visiting all of the classes this week and attended both the KS1 and KS2 assemblies today. I hope to be able to bring all of my experience to bear, guaranteeing a smooth and steady transition and ensuring that key projects move forward as required. I look forward to meeting you in person. Mr Clive Smith-Langridge

English Writing Workshop

We are delighted to share the success of our recent English Writing Workshop. One of the workshop's primary objectives was to foster a collaborative environment between educators and parents. The workshop proved to be an enriching experience, equipping parents with valuable tools and insights to support their children in enhancing their writing skills. During the event, participants delved into the National Curriculum's requirements for progression from Year 1 to Year 6. This comprehensive exploration provided parents with a clear understanding of the curriculum's expectations at different educational levels, empowering them to better support their child's writing journey. More photos here.

Year 6: Senior School Entry Examination

A Reminder that Year 6 will be sitting the Year 7 Senior School entrance examinations on the week beginning Sunday 25th February. A detailed programme will be issued nearer to the date. 

These will be assessments in English, Maths and Science. The assessments will be provided and assessed externally, so they are standardised against the UK national average results. They are skills based, and designed to measure a pupil’s progress through the Junior School curriculum. The questions in these papers tend to also assess pupils’ ability to apply their knowledge to new situations. There is no need to revise or prepare for these assessments, and they only form one part of the overall profile of the pupils’ academic and personal progress through the Junior School.

After School Activities - Term 2

ASAs will begin next week, commencing Monday 15th January. Please check the Parent Portal for confirmation of your choices under the ‘Activities’ section. For any changes or requests, please contact Mr Watt at callum.watt@bisc.edu.eg. Requests for changes are limited, based on availability, and are restricted to the first week of ASAs.

ASAs end at 16:20 and all students attending ASAs must be collected by 16:30.

Year 1 PE

Year 1 pupils loved their PE lessons this week, running on the track and practising ball skills in the Sports Hall. More photos here.

House News

Every term, we count the well-earned Dojo points to see which House has gained the most House points; 5 Dojos = 1 House point.

We can now announce the results of the House Sports events from last term. 

House Sports Events December 2023

Term 1 - House Points Total

This means that it is congratulations to Water, who amassed a grand total of 7,088 House points in Term 1! 

This year, we are awarding the pupils who have earned the most House points for their year group with certificates and awards to acknowledge their contribution to the spirit and ethos of the BISC Houses.

Arabic Examinations for Years 5 and 6 - Native Speakers Only

Sporting Achievements

Well done to Hamza in 5W, Zayd in 5B, Osman in 6I, Hussein, Hassan and Omar in 6W and Hamza in 6F, who competed as part of the SODIC 2023 Water Polo team. The team won a U10 tournament organised by the Egyptian Swimming Federation. 

Congratulations to Layla in 2F for delivering a fantastic ballet performance and moving on to the next skill level. 

Upcoming Events

Foundation Stage One

The children returned to a wonderful surprise this week. The FS1 playground has been totally renovated during the course of the recent holiday. The garden is full of new, exciting equipment, including a climbing dome, a spiral slide, a football pitch, a ring road, a circular sandpit, mud kitchens and a number of planters in which we intend to grow tomatoes and salad greens. We are struggling to get the children into the classrooms! 

This term, the children have been scheduled once a week time slots in the School’s Computer Room. Each child will be allocated a computer, which will be loaded with various Mathematics and Literacy games. They will begin to learn mouse and keyboard skills.

Foundation Stage Two

This term, FS2 children will now explore the theme ‘Sea, Land and Sky’. This week, we have introduced our first topic, ‘Under the Sea’. The children have learnt about different sea creatures and how we can help take care of our oceans. The classrooms are full of related activities and the children have started making crafts linked to the sea.