Seniors Latest news
Thursday 25th October
A hectic half term ends
It has been another productive half term for the BSB Senior School, and while we use the blog to announce a whole range of activities happening in the school, what might be in danger of getting overlooked, is the great teaching and learning taking place in our classrooms. Our teachers work exceptionally hard in lessons and out, and when you consider that most teachers have 130-170 students across various classes, and it takes a minimum of five minutes (and more often than not 10-20 minutes) to mark a cycle test or check an exercise book, you can easily calculate the hours each member of staff works outside of the class. They really are the beating heart of the school.
Our teachers are also, it seems, brilliant at basketball, because today they beat the students in the postponed Think Pink Charity Match, 10-8. It was a thrilling match where the teachers seemed to have the game all wrapped up until the last few minutes, when the students staged a stirring comeback; alas, it was not to be. The students were keen to point out that they won last year; proof that students have excellent memories when called for. There was a fantastic turnout from student and staff supporters; the weather was beautiful; it was a wonderful way to wrap up the half term.
This week we installed our new chemical storage cupboard, allowing us to safely and securely store the vast array of chemicals that we use for particular experiments. The new system is a vast improvement on the previous cupboards, and is just another example of the little-seen, but vital facilities we have in place to improve what happens in the classroom. In further science-related news, we were 'devastated' to find out that Mrs Motara and her Year 12 Biologists had carried out a lung dissection without us being able to visit and witness the practical work in all its glory!
We also recognised the fine efforts of the students who last year did so well in the UK Maths Challenge. Many thanks to Mrs Gorick, who organised the certificate presentation and photograph.
Finally, it was the birthday of our awesome Assistant Head of English Department, Ms Bouroubi, yesterday... and it was lovely to see her colleague, Mrs Swick, and her tutor group surprise her with a card and chocolate. It is great to see the fantastic rapport between colleagues and also between teachers and students: it is one of the reasons BSB is the vibrant community that it is.
One very quick, polite request for our Senior School students: the staff toilets in the administration block are for staff only, if you wish to change for sports fixtures and training, please use the designated changing rooms!
Thursday 18th October
Think Pink a huge success yet again!
It is that time of year again, when we stop to remember everyone we know affected by breast cancer, and raise money to help the Think Pink Bahrain Society. The British School of Bahrain has been proud to be associated with this great cause for several years, and each year our fundraising and awareness events, and the amount of money we raise, get bigger and bigger! Last year we were awarded a community award by the charity; but we still strive to do more!
This year our Head of Chemistry, Mr Radley, kindly agreed to have his beautiful blond locks ruthlessly shaved off if the Senior School could raise BD500. Such is Mr Radley's popularity, that staff alone raised almost this amount - he is lucky to have such supportive colleagues. Thank you to Mr Radley for revealing the true nature of his hairline. Mr Roberts provided stern opposition in goal for a penalty kick contest, while unfortunately the showpiece staff vs students basketball event was postponed due to the rain. This will take place next week, weather permitting! Behind the scenes, Mr Kerr has helped with the music and Ms Tennant (PA to Senior School) and Ms Al Sabbah (Junior Receptionist) have done huge amounts of logistical work.
But what was great to see, was that it is our students leading the way in fundraising. Our Sixth Form charity committee have been nothing short of fabulous, with a Haunted House experience set up in one of our Drama rooms yesterday; the penalty kick contest mentioned above; a basketball free throw competition; and the organising and performing of music at events during breaktime this week, and in particular at the Cupcake for a Cure event this morning, which was held in association with the Think Pink Bahrain Society. They have been constantly striving to raise more money and it makes the teachers so proud to see students taking responsibility for helping such a worthwhile cause.
For your viewing pleasure, we provide a variety of pictures of events below:
Thursday 11th October
Busy week in the Senior School
This week has been exceptionally busy for the Senior School. On Monday Years 7-9 students attended the public speaking event, which is described in more detail on Mr Smith's page. We've had a number of sports fixtures which are detailed on our dedicated site, and of course lessons have continued apace!
Teachers and parents beware - our very own Year 8 students will be out to scare the wits off you as they prepare for their Halloween Disco, next Thursday at 5pm. This should be a fantastic night and it is again fabulous to see our Head of Year, Ms Gay, her able Assistant Head of Year, Mr Calveri, and the team plan another great social event for the students. If you happen to see any strange goings on at the BSB next Thursday evening, you'll know why.
A special medieval shout-out to Mr Roberts, perhaps the coolest Anglo-Saxon History teacher in the school (Mr McHugh being a Celt and Ms Timmer-Arends being from New Zealand...!), who planned a special re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings this week on the school playground. The shield wall rattled the window frames of the B-Block, and the war cries of the Normans filled the air. Junior School students looked on in amazement as Duke William of Normandy won the day.
Thursday, 4th October
Senior students succeed at St Chris
Last weekend a number of BSB students attended ChrisMUN, the St Christopher's School Model United Nation's Conference. As ever, our students acquitted themselves phenomenally well, resulting in a number of awards:
Thursday, 4th October
Bahrain Rubik's Cube competition
Aryaman Arora (12D) took part in the Bahrain Rubik's Cube competition, hosted in Ramli mall by the World Cubing association.
Out of 95 participants, he was a finalist in the following categories:
2x2 speed cube - solved the 2x2 cube in 3.825 seconds
3x3 speed cube - solved the 3x3 cube in 16 seconds
Pyramix - solved the pyramid puzzle in 18 seconds
Congratulations to Aryaman, a fantastic achievement!
Thursday, 27th September
BSB Senior School starts with a bang!
Another year begins at the BSB and it has certainly been high-octane. With changes to the school building, new students and staff, and a new timetable - not to forget cycle testing - September has been a month to remember. Despite all the changes, it has been fantastic to see so much great teaching going on. I've seen socratic seminars in English, novel-inspired Dance, friction and titration experiments in Chemistry, and more.
In Arabic Ms Sawsan has been getting students to demonstrate their understanding through group presentations and information boards. Ms Sawsan and Ms Eman are new members of the team, joining our existing teachers, Mr Mahmoud, Mr Magdy and Mr Raouf.
In Drama, Mr Bissell continues to get the very best from his students. They performed various myths and stories to younger students, to improve their performance skills and understand of the origins of drama. All cultures have aspects of storytelling within their history. Human being since the dawn of time gathered around a camp fire and shared stories; over the past two days AS drama students have performed to year 1 and year 2 short 5 minute stories using gesture, movement and voice to bring the stories to life.
At the start of the school year, may we ask that you support us by discussing your son or daughter's personal targets for the year. We encourage SMART target setting to help students manage their time and develop a mindset that, with hard work, they can and will get better. If you can find some time to talk through what your child hopes to achieve this year, you will not only support our efforts but also (we hope) find it an interesting conversation that you can continue to have on a regular basis.
Wishing you all a pleasant week.
The Senior School leadership team.