Dear Parents

The school has a responsibility to ensure that children learn - it also has a responsibility for children's - and their teachers' - wellbeing. These last few weeks have been a testing time and as the days have become weeks and the weeks have become months, staff wellbeing has been at the forefront of my mind - in particular that of our youngest staff members - for some, the BSB has been their first overseas posting away from their families.

However, at the end of this week, there was a generally upbeat feel. At first, I wondered whether it was the thought of the upcoming spring break. However, upon reading the teachers' feedback on how well one-to-one and small group live teaching trials have gone, I realised something. All teachers were buoyed, and their spirits lifted, by reconnecting live with their charges and doing what they came into teaching to do.

I came to a simple conclusion. Teachers need children as much as children need teachers. We look forward to increased live provision at the start of the new term.

Dear Parents,

When we embarked upon virtual school four weeks ago, little did we know how quickly this alternative way of working would evolve.

Interestingly, there have been many unforeseen positive outcomes. Collaboration and teamwork amongst colleagues is the strongest it has ever been. We have had glimpses of magnificent creativity and innovation as personalised resources are developed. The recording of teaching videos has also proved to be a great way to model best practice.

The way we work is also being refined week by week. Online video conferencing with young children was deemed impractical a month ago. However, trials with individual children, in small groups and even as a whole class have proved to be very effective. The delight on the children's faces when they reconnected with classmates and teachers, albeit virtually, was uplifting for all. Our virtual learning will include increased provision of this type in the coming weeks.

I applaud all teachers and assistants for their flexibility and 'can do' approach at this time and am extremely grateful to parents for their input and feedback.

Dear Parents,

Mothers' Day

Mothers' Day is an opportunity to recognise, honour and celebrate the role of the mother in a family and her contribution to society in general. At the BSB we would like to mark Mothers' Day 2020 by thanking all mothers for their efforts in supporting children's learning, particularly over the past few weeks. For young children the success of virtual school depends hugely on parental support. Thank you.

KS1 Cobis Art Competition

Well done to all students who participated in the art competition held by COBIS, the Council of British International Schools. Teachers voted for the top three entrants in the competition with the theme ' Today's actions shape tomorrow's world ' and we have forwarded them to the organiser. Fingers crossed!

Safer Internet Day 2020

The theme of the UK’s Safer Internet Day 2020 is exploring identity online. Children in Infants were excited and enthusiastic to discuss the games they play and the things they learn online. They also talked about how it is fine to share some information online, for example their favourite dish or favourite sports teams but it is not sensible to share photographs, addresses or dates of birth.Children in Key Stage 1 thoroughly enjoyed creating their own avatars. Many thanks to Ms. Rasha for making learning so relevant and meaningful for the children.

Farming at its best

Many many thanks to Ms Reem for hosting all eleven Year 2 classes at her local farm this week. Children benefited hugely from the hands on experience, learning about three types of vegetables- leafy ones like lettuce, root ones like beetroot and “flower” ones like broccoli and cauliflower. I hope the children’s original designs for irrigation systems were useful Reem!

Dear Parents,

We are generally reluctant to postpone or cancel any commitment, firmly believing that 'The show must go on". However, this morning the weather had the upper hand and it became increasingly clear that the Key Stage 1 Sports' Day would have to be postponed until a later date. Naturally, spirits were low at the start of the day. Sports' day is always one of the highlights of the year and the children had been practising hard for it. Normal lessons, however interesting, were not what the children were hoping for!

However, in true BSB style, our circumstances were used as a learning opportunity. Mr. Brant led an assembly about coping with disappointment and we had fun exercising inside so that we are ‘even fitter’ for the rescheduled sports day. I smiled as I observed one mother patiently explaining to her son what the word ‘postpone’ means as they made their way into school.

On the up side we are now glad that we still have sports day to look forward to. Nursery and Reception Sports' Days will continue as planned next Thursday, 30th January and Sports' Day for Year 1 and Year 2 will now take place on Thursday 6th February.

Celebration of Learning in Reception

Parents of children in Reception have been invited into their child’s classroom for a demonstration and celebration of recent learning. I was fortunate to be able to pop into R3’s gathering this week. It stuck me that there couldn’t be a better way to develop a child’s confidence than in the intimacy of a familiar classroom with a small audience of familiar adults. The atmosphere was very special, with every adult rooting for absolutely every little performer. It has been said that it takes a whole village to raise a child!

Dear Parents,

Our surroundings have very much been at the forefront of our minds this week. Children, teachers and assistants in Year 1 have been doing their bit for the environment and certainly made a difference with all their hard work during the beach clean up at Nurana. As ever, a real life experience made for great discussion and learning. Learning about hygiene and the need to wear gloves to protect us from bacteria on the rubbish, learning how effective wearing layers of clothing is - keeping us warm in the early morning yet easily removable as bodies heated up with exertion, and most importantly, learning about respecting our environment. Many thanks to the Year 1 team for organising such a worthwhile experience for the children.

New Year, Glad that we’re Here

Year 2 are to be congratulated on learning a new song in record time this week. I am sure you will enjoy the beautiful words.

PCC Coffee Morning

The PCC wishes to invite you to the first coffee morning meeting where we would like to introduce the PCC members and to introduce our International Family Fair 2020 to you.

Our theme this year is CARNIVAL and we are very excited. As this is a parent driven event we would like to invite you to participate and help make this a successful event. There are many ways to participate, by joining a team or volunteering a few hours of your time.

Please join us on 14 January 2020 at 8 am in the Atrium and see how you can be part of this fun, exciting event.