Secondary School Update (03 March 2023)

As part of book week, we also welcomed local author Ngoc Nguyen to speak to students and teachers on Thursday. Ngoc’s book, Weird Culture Kids, is a memoir of her incredible life living in multiple countries and an exploration of her identities, which cross over into several cultures. Her messages are so important for our students to hear and for our staff to learn more about our students, as many have diverse backgrounds.

Book week culminates with an assembly on Friday afternoon for all students, where they work with fellow students in their House on a book week quiz. 

This week, we also held parent meetings for students and parents in Years 11 and 13 on the topic of how parents can support their students at home in preparation for success in their examinations. These were well attended, so thank you to all the parents and students who came to the sessions.

We have a range of upcoming events, including Parents Evenings in March, the dates for which you will see below.

Chris Newman 

Head of Secondary

Key Dates

• 4th March: Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition 
• 8th March: Year 12 Parents Evening
• 14th and 15th March: Juilliard Visit - Dance
• 14th March: Parent Connect workshop on Sleep 
• 16th March: Year 10 Parents Evening  
• 17th-19th March: Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expedition  
• 18th and 19th March: Model United Nations Conference at BIS 
• 23rd March: Group 6 IBDP & IGCSE Showcase Event 
• 24th March: End of Term 2 

Pastoral Updates

Year 9s have had a strong and eventful beginning to Term 2, with lots of challenging yet enriching activities for their Wellbeing.

Going from strength to strength, Term 2 has shown Year 9's continued improvement in respect towards others, attendance focus, positive and harmonious friendships, working relationships with peers, professional appearance through maintaining a neat and regulation school uniform, and plenty of sporting and physical activity. 

As befits maturing young adults at their crucial life stage, Year 9 have also been learning about the human body and healthy sexuality, as well as how to manage themselves and positive relationships with others in a mature, sustainable, and conscientious way. Showing themselves to be characteristically sensitive to others, the Year 9 Form Tutors have been commended for the way they are engaging with our Wellbeing curriculum and dynamic activities.

A strong turnout to the Year 9 Parent-Teacher Information Evening allowed many of you to voice your questions about subjects, obtain answers, and obtain helpful tips as to how best to support your child, but most importantly, this evening strengthened the school-student-home partnership that is so essential to BIS.

I am sure that we will see much growth continue from Term 2 into the final term of our year.

Yours sincerely, 

Nathan Miller Royters 

Head of Year 9, Teacher of English Language & Literature