Ms Deirdre Grimshaw: Weekly Update 29/05/2020

Ms Deirdre Grimshaw: Weekly Update 29/05/2020 The children are well established into their new routines now and doing very well when remembering the new procedures that have been put in place.

The children are well established into their new routines now and doing very well when remembering the new procedures that have been put in place.

With 4 weeks of term remaining, the campus is once more a hive of activity with learning in every form happening around the school.

And so we look forward, to preparing the students for their next academic year.  Year 2 students will soon join us here on the Junior Campus and preparations are well underway for their transition.  Year 2 and Year 3 teachers are working collaboratively to plan a transition day for each class and information for parents to support them also.

Similarly, our Year 6 students are in their final weeks of primary school and will soon be ‘heading over the bridge’ to secondary here at BIS or elsewhere in the world.  Once again, our Year 6 teachers have been working closely with secondary colleagues to ensure that all are prepared for the move and they too will have a transition day with information and support for parents to provided also.

We are fortunate that our classes remain steady for next year and we are now in the process of placing these classes with teachers.

Departing Teachers from the Junior Campus

At this time of the year, we have to bid farewell to some staff and below we would like to let you know who is leaving us this year.

From Year 6 we bid farewell to Ms Deborah Spencer and Mr Tom Furniss.  Debs, having been here for 6 years is heading to Beijing to take up the position of Assistant Head at our sister NAE school.  We are very happy for her and her family and know she will be a wonderful asset to the school. 

Tom is heading back to Europe where he and his partner, Ms Emily Hilton from Year 3 will join the British School of the Netherlands for their next adventure.  Although they have only been with us for short while, we are delighted for both and excited to hear how they too will make a great impact on their new school.

 In Year 5 we say a semi goodbye to Mr Greg Wilde, Ms Kirstine Sargent and a more permanent goodbye to Mr Gary Fyles. All have given so much to the school with 17 years of amazing leadership and teaching between them here at BIS. Greg, who has been with us for 5 years has decided to take a year out from full time teaching and do some travelling but he will remain in Vietnam.  We very much hope to see Greg on campus in the coming year and remain as part of the BIS community.

Similarly, Kirstine having taught at BIS for 6 years, will also take a year away from the classroom to be a stay at home Mum to the lovely Sienna.  Remaining in Vietnam, Kirstine too, we hope will be a regular visitor to our campus.

Gary returns to the UK having completed 6 years at BIS. He is keeping all options open at the moment and we are excited for him and to see what his next adventure might be. Watch this space!

From our specialist departments in Music, our Performing Arts Leader, Ms Beth Bown, having been part of BIS for 7 years, is also off to pastures new.  Not too far away and staying within the Nord Anglia Family, Beth will join Dovercourt School in Singapore, as their new Primary Music Leader. We know she will be a wonderful asset just as she has been here in building the Music and Performing Arts including choirs and orchestras. 

The PE department will see Ms Lindsey Shuttleworth and Mr Richard Soriano leave us.  Lindsey joined BIS 5 years ago and as Assistant PE leader has helped to shape and drive the school’s provision forward. Lindsey will return to the UK and we look forward to hearing about her next adventure!

Mr Richard has been working across all three campuses with the students at BIS since August 2012.  His enthusiasm for teaching the younger children has been an inspiration for many to go on to achieve great things in PE.  When conditions allow, he will be heading back to the Philippines to begin his own coaching business to support children in his home country.

From Early Years and Infant Campus, we will also be saying farewell to Ms Jessica Miller and Ms Leanne Rees.

To all our departing teachers, we wish them well and every success as they begin their new adventures.

Next week, we will begin to introduce our new staff joining us.  Coming from various locations around the globe, they bring a wealth of knowledge, talent and experience to further improve and enhance  our school.

The Power of Reading

‘Never before has this been more important than in recent months’ writes Ms. Kirstine Sargent, English Subject Leader at our Primary Campuses. Please click on the link below to read this beautiful piece by Ms Kirstine about the power of reading. 

EAL in Year 4

Virtual schooling was a time for reflection, which fitted in perfectly with Year 4’s English topic on Diary Writing. Find out more about this unit of study and how are EAL students accessed it during their virtual learning.

Health and Safety

COVID – 19 Precautions

Masks must be worn to and from school and whenever the children leave the classroom, and safer distancing needs to be practised by everyone in accordance with government guidelines.  Children will need to bring their own named mask and carry a spare in their bags.

if your child has any symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulties) that could possibly be linked to Covid 19, keep them at home. 

We thank you for following our new routines for morning drop off and afternoon collection of the children.  We are aware that families with children in different year groups are having to wait longer to collect their children in the afternoon, however we must keep to our procedures to ensure every child is safe and is collected by their correct adult.  We thank you for your understanding with this decision.

Safeguarding at school – it’s everyone’s responsibility

If, during your visit to school, you have any reason to be concerned about the safety of a young person, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Person.

Please note that CCTV cameras are in operation at all times across the campus.

Please take note of some upcoming important dates for the diary. 

19/06/20 – End of Year Reports Emailed to Parents with new classes

23/06/20 – Class Swap Day - Children will meet their new teachers

26/06/20 – Term ends

And Finally

We are pleased to inform you that we will be offering our annual summer sports and activities program.  We are just finalizing the details with our 3^rd party providers and details will be shared with you very soon.  We will be offering the program for the entire month of July.

Warmest wishes,

Ms Deirdre Grimshaw, Headteacher of Junior Campus