Secondary Weekly Update 30/11/2018 from Mr. Nick Lee

Anti Bullying week

In line with the recent Anti-Bullying week around the world, we too have had a focus this week on Anti-Bullying. The week started off with ‘odd sock Monday’ where students were encouraged to wear different socks on each foot - to demonstrate that we are all different and that we need to be able to respect those differences. In PSHE lessons, there has been a focus on cyber bullying and we have been discussing the differences between being a ‘bystander’ and an ‘upstander’ - ie are you someone who stands by and witnesses cyber bullying but does not do anything about it - or do you stand up for those being bullied and find a considered way to do something about it?  We have given the students a framework of “Stop, Speak, Support” to help them find the appropriate ways of dealing with situations like these. 
In addition to this, we have had a ‘positive messages’ board outside of the Dining Hall where students and staff have been posting messages that are designed to encourage us all. The response to this has been so good. My thanks to Mr McKIe for organising this week, and to all of the teachers and students for contributing so positively.
 

IGCSE Options evening
On Wednesday of this week, we welcomed Year 9 parents and students to our annual IGCSE Option Information Evening. Once again, staff and older students were on hand to inform parents about the nature of their subject at IGCSE so that the students can make really informed choices.

Student parliament
After several weeks of electing members and forming ‘ministries’, the full Student Parliament met for the first time last week. They discussed many issues and passed two ‘bills’ that I have been pleased to ratify. The first thing they would like to do is to offer IGCSE revision sessions and techniques for the Year 10 and 11 students ahead of their mock exams in January.  The second bill is to start a student radio show - in the form of a podcast - which will be made available to all students each week. I wish them all well with their continuing efforts in making this such a strong channel of student voice in the school.
 

‘All The Broken Pieces’ translation project
Following our innovative translation project in the first half of the term, where by the whole school contributed to translating ‘All The Broken Pieces’ by Ann E Berg, the author has been in contact with us and wishes to congratulate BVIS students for such an amazing achievement!  We are also delighted that she has agreed to do a Skype interview, or a Facebook Live Q&A, with students in January or February. My thanks to Ms McKie and Ms Giang for all of their work in enabling this wonderful project to have been so successful.

I hope you all have a great week ahead