The week before the holidays was a busy and exciting one, as this was the hotly-anticipated International Week. Many activities took place relating to internationalism: for example, huge, colourful flags were put up to commemorate the week and the students took part in competitions to guess the country for each flag. There was also an evening of International Music, and I would like to congratulate all those who took part: MK, Charlie, Louise R, Matej, Eunice, Ahra and Giselle for their participation in the orchestra, and Chloe N, who performed a beautiful piano solo.
However, undoubtedly the most exciting day of International Week was the Dress-Up Day and International Food Fair which took place on Wednesday 23rd March. Students came to school dressed in their national costume or national colours and proudly paraded around the field representing their country of origin. In many schools I have known, it is common for the older students to be less engaged in activities like this than the younger ones; I was therefore delighted to see how many Year 11 students had made a real effort to dress up for the occasion. I have attached pictures of each form group in their international finery!
Also before the holidays, 11C presented a well-planned and thought-provoking assembly on the topic of Drugs and Alcohol. This sensitive topic was presented thoughtfully and with a great deal of care. I would like to thank Mr Groark and the students of 11C for creating an assembly that was both entertaining and informative.
This week has also begun with a bang, with students coming dressed in House colours to participate in the 7-minute Workout Challenge. Filippo and Ben were our Year 11 representatives, and I have attached some pictures of them completing the activities. Well done, boys!
And now we move to our view from the classroom, which is of course revision-focused…
View from the Classroom
Science
In Physics, students have been exploring the ideas of magnetism and electromagnetism that have changed the meaning of energy by producing electricity. Meanwhile, in Chemistry, 11/3 and 11/4 have completed the last topic of titration calculations which was a great revision of the calculations they had started at the start of the year. They are about to embark upon teacher-led revision sessions.
Design Technology
As I mentioned earlier, the students have been focusing intensively on completion of their final product, the deadline for which is today. There are some fantastic products being created and I look forward to seeing them once they are complete. Thank you to Mr Mills for the extra work he has been putting in after school and at weekends to help the students bring their designs to fruition.
English
The English Language papers are the first on the timetable after the start of study leave, and so students have been focusing on the skills needed for these papers. In Miss Jeffery’s class, students have completed revision of narrative and descriptive writing and are about to move on to revise for the Reading papers. The English department would like to urge all students to keep practising at home with the past papers they have been given, as for English, practice in the development of the required skills really does make perfect!
Mandarin
The Year 11 first language class completed a great debate before the holidays on the topic ‘Are favourable circumstances, or adversity, better for someone in achieving a successful life?’ Students researched and analysed the topic before debating it in class. They are now moving on to revision before their final exam.
And in all subjects…
Revision, revision, revision!
Dates for your Diary
Mon 11 April GCSE Spanish and German Oral exams
Tues 12 April GCSE French and Mandarin Oral exams
Weds 13 April GCSE Art exam
Thurs 14 April GCSE Art exam
Thurs 14 April Year 11 and 13 Parents – Supporting your children through exams, 8:30 – 10am
Sun 17 April MUN Conference @ BISS Puxi
Mon 25 April GCSE PE Practical Exam
Tues 26 April GCSE ICT Practical Exam A
Weds 27 April GCSE English Second Language Oral exams
Thurs 28 April GCSE ICT Practical Exam B
Thurs 28 April Sports Awards Evening (Years 9 – 13), 6 – 8pm
Fri 29 April Last day of classes for Years 11 and 13
Mon 2 May No school except for IB students completing exams
Tues 3 May IGCSE exams start and continue until Friday 17 June
Thurs 12 May Stage and Screen Evening
Tues 17 May GCSE Art moderation and exhibition
Sat 4 June Summer Fun Day
Thurs 9 June Dragon Boat Festival – school closed but IGCSE exams continue
Fri 10 June CCAs end for Term 3
Fri 17 June IGCSE exams finish, and Year 11 Celebration
Mon 20 June IB Induction begins (Year 11) until Weds 22 June
Fri 24 June School ends 12 noon
Thank you for reading. As ever, please do contact me if you have any concerns about your child in the run-up to their exams.
Anna Jeffery
Year 11 Leader