Archived News
2019-20 T1:1
Headteacher's News Thursday 17 October 2019
Half a term of learning and progress
Scrolling back through my Thursday blogs, I'm amazed by how much the children have packed into the past seven weeks. Moreover,the contents of this page are the merest tip of a enormous iceberg - every school day, over 240 lessons are taught and learned in Years 3 to 6, each learner spending 330 productive minutes developing their knowledge, skills and understanding. Sports achievements have been outstanding so far this term, with multiple junior teams set up and already making a name for themselves in competitions around Bahrain - check out the sports blog for a running report on Fixtures Week. We have held our first round of target conferences, a wide-perspective look at children's priorities for the year ahead. We have published our English and Maths webcasts, bristling with specific information on the learning our teachers have planned for the students. The extra-curricular clubs programme is in full swing. Juniors raised BD612.505 for Think Pink yesterday - well done, everyone - and I know other parts of the school have raised amazing totals too. All of this makes us mindful of a very important part of our education: how to work and play happily, among those with whom we share a school. Albert in Class 6.08 gave us an uplifting message in a recent PSHE lesson, supported by a display model he had made himself. He kindly recorded a video of his message - you can hear it here.
Think Pink: Students' Charity Initiatives
This report has just come in, written by Jesse and Shanessa, both in Class 6.06:
For Think Pink we did a charity event in our compound. We cleaned bikes for money. After we made the money, we sent it to Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Charity. We thought it would be a good idea because there are people who need the money more than us and since it is Cancer Awareness month we would go above and beyond to help the poor, it is also a kind thing to do.
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Jude in Class 5.05 made some super fabric wallets, bracelets and coasters, and sold them yesterday for Think Pink, making a splendid contribution to our overall total
Great effort, everyone. Every dinar we raise for Think Pink helps keep people healthy, all over the world.
Whole-Class Maths Learning
As per Mr Drennan's curriculum webcast, published in a blog post earlier this term, Maths in juniors is being taught in class groups this year, not in between-class sets. This positive, forward step brings BSB into line with best UK and international practice, based on research published in 2017, which we have been considering carefully for some time. You can find more information in this article.
Evidence based on educational research has been mounting, in recent years, indicating that between-class setting within year groups does not have a positive impact on learning in Maths. More and more schools are adopting a mastery-based approach, as Mr Drennan explained in his webcast. The mastery approach to Maths promotes whole-class teaching, suitably differentiated, and a growth mind-set.
Sowing the seeds of learning
Year 6 students have been studying "Adaptation": how plants and animals have changed, over time, to fit their environment, in order to survive. The children have embedded Portulaca plants in the school eco-garden.
Species of this plant are adapted to grow in very hot climates with little water. Classes will be monitoring the plants' progress regularly. On your next visit to school, don't forget to take a walk around the eco-garden, between gate 5 and E-block, to see how the plants are coming along.
Here is a Google photo album of the research team at work. My thanks to Mr Travers for the information and photos.
Have a fantastic half term break...
...and see you all back at school on Sunday 27 October, refreshed and ready to get started again.
Headteacher's News Thursday 10 October 2019
HE Mr Roddy Drummond visits BSB
Today the Head Student Team welcomed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr Roddy Drummond. Mason, Hajar, Adam and Jesse guided Mr Drummond on a tour of the school. Take a look at the video. First, you'll see their planning meeting, followed by excerpts from the tour itself. In the final clip. the students share some facts they learned from Mr Drummond on the tour.
Digital Leaders 2019-20
Report from Mrs Drennan
The results of the application for our new Junior Digital Leaders 2019-2020 are in! All children in Upper Juniors were invited to apply. They were asked to provide me with an explanation of why they would be a good Digital Leader. They had to attach a presentation that would demonstrate their digital skills. Here are some of the very impressive applications: iMovie, Powtoon 1, Powtoon 2 and Scratch.
Congratulations to all of those who entered. The standard of competition this year was extremely high.
The following children are our new Digital Leaders 2019-2020
Haider 5.05
Maryam 5.07
Pratyush 5.06
Danial 5.07
Yasmine 5.09
Zain 5.04
Lina 5.08
Ahmed 6.03
Ali B 6.08
Atharva 6.07
Deema 6.07
Harris 6.05
Haya 6.04
Hajar 6.01
What is a Digital Leader?
A Digital Leader is an individual who is part of the Digital Leaders' Team. They support the improvement and development of technology within the Junior School.
Members of the team are given training and support to develop specific areas of ICT expertise. Once a pupil has become proficient in an area, staff may then request the assistance of the Digital Leader in a variety of different roles.
Typically, tasks performed by a Digital Leader could be:
Test and review new ICT resources, which could be websites, software or hardware.
Share their skills and expertise with other pupils, classes and teachers.
Set up ICT equipment in classrooms for teachers.
Attend and lead Computing Clubs.
Support teachers in using ICT in the classroom.
Share information on our school blog.
Train members of staff to develop new skills.
Create 'how-to' video help guides.
Assist in organising event days (e.g The Hour of Code).
Please can the new Digital Leaders meet on Monday 14th October at 10.30am in the Computing Suite.
Lorna Drennan
Aladdin Auditions
This news is just in from Mrs Carter and the 'Aladdin' team.
We are now coming to the end of our Aladdin Auditions and are all set to have a great double strength cast from Y5 up to Y13 who will start rehearsing after half term.
Watch this space and enjoy our out-takes film, available soon...
Rugby Taster Sessions & Coaching Sessions
News from Mr Brennan and the BRFC team:
There was a great turnout for the ‘Rugby Taster Session’ this week, despite the midday warmth. With the lack of youth rugby provided in Bahrain, a vast number of BSB students from Years 3 to 9 took part in a fun-filled introduction to rugby with Bahrain Rugby Football Club’s own 1st XV players/coaches.
The sign-up for the first six week coaching block is open to everyone, with the sessions commencing in the second half of the term. Here are the Google forms to sign up (the forms have also been emailed to parents):
We hope to see more rugby enthusiasts grace the field in the upcoming weeks!
Arabic Reading Challenge
Message from Mrs Sana Mansour
We are very pleased to inform you that The Arabic Reading Challenge competition has begun this year. All the information is in the documents linked below. We hope you encourage your children to be a part of this interesting event.
The Reading Passports are ready to collect. If you need any help you can contact Mr Amr or Ms Sana in the Junior Arabic Department.
Thanks for your help and good luck to the children!
Think Pink
On Wednesday 16 October, Juniors are holding a non-uniform day in aid of Think Pink, a charity promoting good health world-wide. Junior students are welcome to come to school in sensible, suitable non-uniform clothes on that day if they wish to, and make a Think Pink charity contribution of at least 500 fils, to be handed to their form teacher at morning registration. Normal lessons will take place on the day. Seniors are also raising funds and together we hope to make a significant contribution. Thank you in advance.
Staff Training Afternoon
As per the school's calendar, Thursday 17 October will be a staff training (InSeT) afternoon. Therefore, students in Years 3 to 6 will finish school at 12:00 and should be collected from their usual pick-up point at that time, please.
Headteacher's News Thursday 3 October 2019
Junior Head Student Team
The results of the election are in! Congratulations to those who were voted in. This term's line-up is
Head Girl: Hajar 6.01
Head Boy: Mason 6.08
Deputy Head Girl: Jesse 6.06
Deputy Head Boy: Adam 6.02
The team will commence their duties next week. They'll be having regular meetings with me, and will be involved in Junior Parliament, with the goal of implementing sensible suggestions to make BSB Juniors an even better place. We are all looking forward to working with such a dedicated and promising Head Student Team. The names of the Head Student Teams for terms 2 and 3 are sealed in a cast iron safe, buried under 150m of concrete in a secret location, ready to be revealed when the time comes. Click the image above to see the video news flash, which was broadcast to screens all over BSB this morning. My thanks to Ms Mohi and Mr Doyle for their video-shooting expertise in making the news flash possible.
Meetings with class teachers
As per my recent email, we are holding target meetings for parents and students, with class/form teachers, next week on 6-10 October. Parents and students are welcome to attend the meetings together. The focus will be targets for the year ahead, and a chance to talk about how well students have settled in and got to grips with their studies. Class/form teachers will relay information from specialist subject teachers where necessary. If you did not manage to make an appointment while the online booking system was open, please email your child's class/form teacher (scroll down this blog page for teachers' email addresses) and they will be happy to help you book a slot.
Next term, in March, we plan to hold our Student-Led Conferences, when a day is given over to discussions with teachers on how children are doing in each of their subjects.
Diet and School
Hats off to many BSB students, who bring a wholesome, healthy lunch to school each day, or choose balanced options when buying from the canteen, also staying hydrated by keeping up their water intake. Such students find it easier to sustain concentration and physical activity throughout the school day. Less healthy choices, such as sugary doughnuts or large bags of fatty crisps, can give us a rapid boost followed by a fast drop in energy levels, and we don't get the most out of our afternoon lessons. Sports energy drinks are also not suitable for school lunch - they are better consumed during or after long periods of intensive activity. Some sports drinks are not suitable at all for young people of junior age.
We are also reviewing the range of food on offer in the canteen, to promote healthy eating as best we can.
Going to bed early, when it's school the next day, is essential for good, consistent learning.
Headteacher's News Thursday 26 September 2019
Curriculum Webcasts
Clear, open communication between school and home is essential to successful education. During this early part of the school year, we aim to share information about English and Mathematics teaching and learning in the junior school, to help parents keep in touch and support children's learning effectively at home. We wish to reduce the number of large curriculum meetings we hold for parents. We certainly don't want to create additional parking woes, nor to have everyone spend a long time sitting on uncomfortable seats. Therefore, we are moving towards webcasts as a means of disseminating this information. You can click on a web link at any convenient time and watch/listen in the comfort of your home or office. After watching, you are welcome to email us with any questions you have. Please enjoy the webcasts.
Sports Season Begins - article by Mr Travers
The 2019 – 2020 football season at the BSB began in earnest this week as two squads of boys began serious training for the year ahead. This year, the Sunday (development) squad will be working under the direction of Mr Alex Brennan and this squad consists of Twenty Year 5 and 6 students.
The Tuesday squad is also drawn from the same year groups and consists of 31 players. This group will be training under the direction of Mr Martin Drennan and Mr Owen Williams.
The squads were picked following two gruelling selection sessions where an original group of 132 hopeful boys was whittled down to the current two squads.
With so much enthusiasm and talent among our players this was a very difficult process and Mr Drennan and his team of coaches would like to thank and commend all participants for their effort and commitment.
The BSB has an enviable record in football throughout Bahrain and the wider Gulf region for skill, competitiveness and teamwork so our squads have the enviable challenge of maintaining this proud tradition.
We are looking forward to some very impressive results – so good luck, boys! Here is a Google photo album.
Also watch out for the Girls' Football squad in coming weeks. They held a training session today.
“I was very nervous during the tryouts but I felt good too. I was very happy when I got picked because I didn’t expect it. Now I’m looking forward to the season ahead.” – Tom (Year 6 & Development Squad)
“The tryouts were tiring but it was all for a good cause. I was anxious too, and wondering if I would get picked. I think I played well so I was relieved to be chosen.” – Jad (Year 6 & Tuesday Squad)
“The tryouts were scary at the start because there were so many good players competing for a few places, but when I made it through to the second stage I thought I really had a chance. I was delighted when I made the squad and now I think my skills will really improve.” – Mason (Year 6 & Development Squad)
“It was very tiring but I played a few games and we won every one! I was relieved to be be picked again as I was chosen last year too. My mum and dad were also very pleased.” – Yahya (Year 6 & Tuesday Squad)
Headteacher's News Thursday 19 September 2019
Seeing the world through a lens of kindness
At times, wherever human beings work together in close proximity, sharing spaces, resources and facilities, there can be things that do not go quite according to plan. I think that will always be the case, not just in schools but universally, no matter how hard we all try to organise everything to the last detail and guard against any slips or misunderstandings. When things do go slightly awry - perhaps a message is misinterpreted, causing us to feel upset or aggrieved - the eventual outcome depends largely on how those who are affected respond.
The only people who never get anything wrong, I firmly believe, are those who never do anything at all. When I'm helping to fix things that have not worked out quite right, two thoughts rise to the forefront of my mind. One is that, in life, we should not let the one or two per cent of things that do not go well overshadow the ninety-eight or ninety-nine percent that go near-perfectly. The other is, when something needs to be changed for the better, how can we best bring about the necessary change? Rather than get cross, I find it helpful to try to see the situation from different viewpoints, and work as a team with a common goal. Kindness and understanding can motivate people to move mountains and achieve wonderful outcomes. The cheerful positivity of the children, parents and staff at BSB embodies that spirit. The students are unfailingly resilient and upbeat about everything they do, and they are full of kind words and smiles for those who help them in their daily learning. Let's keep spreading kindness and understanding, and the sky will be the limit.
Selecting the Junior Head Student Team
Mr Doyle has put out a message to the Year 6 students - it is time to start the process of finding twelve eager, capable young people to fill the roles of Head Girl, Head Boy and their Deputies, for each of the three terms. I am sure there will be no shortage of candidates. Year 6 students interested in standing for the roles should write an email to me, explaining exactly why they are the right person for the job. They should also prepare a speech, which they will deliver to a panel of teachers next week. So, if you want to have a go, please get your email and speech done this weekend. Don't let any grown-ups try to take the limelight by writing your speech for you. The best speeches are the ones that come from you, in your own voice with your own words. Best of luck.
Clubs begin next week
607 club places have been allocated this week; that number will rise as we complete entries of invitational clubs such as Football and Netball. This term's club season begins on Sunday 22 September and runs until Thursday 5 December. After club, students should be picked up promptly at 4:00pm from the shaded area between the school building and the astro pitch, please. Parents can check their child's enrolled clubs at mis.thebsbh.com
Once enrolled in a club, students are expected to attend every meeting of their club unless they are absent from school because they are unwell. Wishing everyone a super run of clubs!
Eco-Rangers
Congratulations to Zaynab, Krisha, Finn, Sami, Kavya, Lamiah, Abdulrahman and Aaida on their appointment as Eco-Rangers at today's assembly for Years 3 and 4. There will also be eight green-minded students from Years 5 and 6 joining Ms Sellers' band of planet-preservers. I know they will go on to find innovative ways of helping the environment, keeping the Earth the way we would want future generations to find it. The Eco-Rangers will be making sure lights and projectors are turned off in rooms that are empty, and avoiding plastic waste ending up in the world's oceans.
Headteacher's News Thursday 12 September 2019
Assemblies
Our regular Thursday assemblies for Years 3 and 4 will be in the Multi-Purpose Hall this year. Parents of children in Years 3 and 4 will receive an invitation to a class assembly on one Thursday during the year, when their child's class is performing. On occasion, we have larger assemblies for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 together. Last Thursday, Mr John O'Connor, Executive Head of School for this term, hosted an assembly and introduced himself to the juniors, as well as showing us a video clip of Fred Astaire, then aged 70, dancing like someone a third of his age. If you set your mind to something, you can achieve great things. That same message was reinforced at today's assembly for Years 3 and 4, when the teachers of our BSB Music department demonstrated a range of musical instruments, and a vocal performance. Here is a Google photo album of the two assemblies. Efe in Class 4.04 reminded us that daily practice leads to success, as he proudly received his Grade 1 Piano certificate. Parents of any student who would like to start instrumental music tuition should contact Ms Wendy Harling via harlingw@thebsbh.com
Term 1 Clubs
Our programme of extra-curricular activities for this term will begin in the week commencing Sunday 22 September, and will run until Thursday 5 December. As usual, after-school club time is 3:00pm until 4:00pm. Children in all year groups can be picked up from the shaded area, between the school building and the astro pitch, at 4:00pm prompt, after their club.
Signing up for clubs will be online, via the portal at mis.thebsbh.com.
The list of clubs will be available for preview on Saturday 14 September.
Online sign-up will open at 0630 on Sunday 15 September, to choose one club. If your child has been enrolled in an invitational club, that is their first club.
Subject to availability, it will be possible to choose a second club from 0630 on Monday 16 September, then a third from 0630 on Tuesday 17 September, and a fourth (if any places still remain) from 0630 on Wednesday 18 September.
Contacting your children's teachers
Communication between home and school is essential to a child's education. Your first point of contact for any inquiry relating to your child's learning or pastoral welfare is the class/form teacher. Here is a list of email addresses.
Academies programme
Please see these fliers regarding the BSB Academies programme. Please contact academies@thebsbh.com for further information.
Headteacher's News Thursday 5 September 2019
Team Building
During my weekly lesson of Personal, Social & Health Education with Class 6.10 today, we listed some things that can make us feel a little anxious or worried as we go through life. One thing that can disquiet us all, at times, is Change. No, we didn't mean the 100 fils of change we get when we buy a canteen sandwich. We meant the things that change in our lives as we move on from year to year. Settling into a new school or a new class can be a big change. However, once a few days have passed with a fresh group of classmates, our worries fly away and we feel as though we have all been working in concert for years. Team Building Day this week was a golden opportunity to break the ice and get used to achieving great things together. Don't forget one of the truest sayings ever:
Together
Everyone
Achieves
More
In the activity pictured, called the Helium Stick, the children of Class 4.03 worked in teams to lower the stick gently to the floor as it rested on their fingers. At first, the stick moves upward, because our natural instinct is to try to lift the whole mass of the stick. With six children's fingers all lifting simultaneously, the stick rises, and they have to co-ordinate their movements to avoid dropping it as they lower it. Here is a Google photo album of pictures taken on team building morning.
The children had these words to offer, after their activities:
“Team-building day was great fun and it helped everyone to enjoy themselves and join together like a team really should. In my favourite activity, everyone in the class had to connect with each other using wool.” – Lamiya (5.04)
“I thought Team-building day was great fun and it helped everyone in our class to work together - just like a team. In our best activity, we had to use cups and cards to make a castle. This wasn’t as easy as it looked but if you really tried, you could do it!” – Ibrahim (5.03)
“We had ten activities and we had to use our intelligence to solve them. One activity was organising everyone from oldest to youngest and in another we had to organise everyone by height. The whole class needed to work together and then teamwork made everything work well.” – Letizia (6.05)
“My class had a few activities on Team-building day. Some used lego and another involved stacking cards. We were all working together and we found we solved them best when we worked in small groups, then did different tasks and then put them together at the end.” – Sabian (6.01)
“On Team-building day, some of our tasks were putting everyone in order by height, by their birthday month and by their age. Team-building Day was important because it helped people in a class get to know each other better and become more involved.” – Kareem (6.05)
“On Team-building day, we all worked together to accomplish a goal. We all learned that it’s important to work together. In my favourite activity we had to pass a ball backwards and forwards and time ourselves. Great fun!” – Henry (6.07)
PE Kit Requirements - message from Ms Gray
Ms Gray, Head of PE in juniors, has sent me this list of requirements for junior PE kit. Arriving for PE lessons with the right clothing ensures a good start and the best chance of great progress.
Year 4 Football Trials - Wednesday 11 September 3pm
Mr Ibn-Tahaikt (Mr T) is holding football trials and has sent out a separate email and Google form. The date has been moved to Wednesday after school. Good luck to all who plan to take part.
Junior PE Trials Over The Next Two Weeks
Please complete the relevant Google Form that has been sent out if you would like your son/ daughter to participate in any of these trials. All other sports clubs will operate via the normal sign-up system that will go out in due course.
Wednesday 11th September
Junior swimming trials: 6-7:15am
WSG Athletics trials
Y4 Boys’ Football Trials: 3:15-4:15pm
Thursday 12th September
Senior swimming trials: 6-7:15am
Girls’ football trials 3-4pm
(WSG football trialists included)
Sunday 15th September
WSG Athletics trials
Tuesday 17th September
Y5/6 Boys’ football trials
(WSG football trialists included)
Please ensure children arrive for trials in school PE Kit. For football, they may wear their squad kit from last year, but please ensure shin pads and long socks are worn for safety.
Please click on our Junior Sport website which will show all our sporting success from last year and will be updated to celebrate our sporting achievements over the course of this year. We will also be uploading fixture lists to this website. The list of upcoming trials is also on there.
Alexandra Gray
Head of PE & Swimming
In other news this week:
The Ashoora holiday is now confirmed as Monday and Tuesday next week, so Sunday 8 September will be a normal school day. School will be closed on Monday 9 September and Tuesday 10 September. School will reopen on Wednesday 11 September.
The PCC will be holding a sale of 2nd-hand uniform items on Wednesday 11 September - see the flier below for details
Year 3 and 4 class teachers will hold welcome talks for parents in classrooms, starting at 2pm on Wednesday 11 September.
There will be a welcome talk for parents of Years 5 and 6 at 3.15pm on Wednesday 11 September in the Sports Hall.
There will be an Arabic Curriculum Presentation for parents in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 in the Sports Hall on Thursday 12 September a 3:15pm.
