Primary Update | 14th September 2018

Dear Parents,
 
One of the great things about being at BSG is the constant drive by staff to give all of our students the very best educational experience possible. This week I would like to talk about four great examples that have been going on this week.
 
PTCs
On Monday, we welcomed parents to the first PTC of the year. In response to both parents and teacher feedback the decision was made to have this PTC earlier than in previous years in order to help teachers, parents and children get to know each other and address questions sooner in the term. The feedback has been very positive with teachers saying it has really helped them to learn about the children.
 
Janet Smith - Visiting Maths Consultant
This week we welcomed our visiting maths consultant Janet Smith to BSG. Janet Smith has over 19 years’ advisory experience. She has been a Local Authority Adviser in England for both Primary Mathematics and School Improvement, and a Senior Adviser with the Department for Education National Strategies, working with schools in challenging circumstances across London. She was also part of the national team that developed The Improving Schools Programme and Primary Stronger Management Systems; both were evaluated as outstanding school improvement models.
 
As a specialist in primary mathematics, she works with schools to strengthen subject knowledge and progression and improve quality first teaching. More importantly she strives to make maths a vibrant and exciting part of the curriculum and help teachers and children to see the fun and fascination of the subject.
 
During her visit, Janet worked with year teams to develop their approach to planning, teaching and assessing maths through a series of workshops, planning sessions and co-teaching lessons. Staff have learnt a huge amount and we can’t wait to see the impact it has for our students.
 

Roald Dahl’s Birthday
Never wanting to miss an opportunity to dress up in celebration of the English language, on Thursday we marked the birthday of children’s author Roald Dahl. Fittingly staff and students were invited to dress as a character from one of his books, and there were some fantastic efforts.
 

PIMs
Finally, next week the Primary Instrumental Music Scheme (PIMs) will begin for all students in the Primary Phase.
 
PIMs is a Wider Opportunities initiative for our students to have group instrumental tuition. These one hour lessons take place every week. Lessons are an opportunity for classes and teachers to learn music together and prepare for an upcoming performance.
 
This year the instruments on offer are as follows:
 

 
We are excited to announce that Y5 & Y6 will be having new PIMs classes from next week. These new classes will allow students to select their instrument of choice from the wind, string and brass families over the course of two academic years.
 
The school has entered into a partnership with a quality supplier to provide a range of instruments at a discounted price with after sales guarantee. This will mean students will have the option to purchase their instrument directly from the supplier and take it home to practice.
 
In addition, the music team will be working closely with the visiting instrumental staff to deliver these classes. To make your instrument purchase please click on the link below and follow the registration procedure:
 
https://form.jotform.me/82449379965477
 
Have a relaxing weekend,
 
Mr Stephen Follows
Assistant Head of Primary (Our Staff)

Messages & Notices

Mid-Autumn Festival Dress Up Day 
Friday 21^st September 2018 is the day before our Mid-Autumn festival break. To celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and to create a fun festival atmosphere around our school, our Chinese Department would like to invite all primary students and staff to dress up in either traditional Chinese costumes or wear an item of red, yellow or gold clothing on this day. On Friday, we will be having a Mid-Autumn Festival themed lunch including some Chinese dishes and Chinese dessert as well. We look forward to celebrating this festival with our BSG community.
 
From the Primary Chinese Team 
 
PPSG Update
It was a great pleasure to meet all of you who attended the coffee mornings.  I hope you all enjoyed this worthwhile morning; meeting with other parents and the PPSG committee.  If you missed this event and would like to know more about the PPSG, please email us for more information: ppsg@bsg.org.cn
 
Our next event will be the run-up to Christmas celebrations and we would welcome all participation. Thank you.
 
From the PPSG
 
House Points
Congratulations to every child who has been awarded House points this week. So far this term Saxons are in the lead with 4973 points.
 

Magnetic Words and Phonics Sound Sets
We are offering Year 1, 2 & 3 children the chance to purchase a set of magnetic resources to support reading at home. The magnetic resource consists of more than 100 high frequency words used daily in reading and writing, and a set of sounds that match our new phonics programme, Read Write Inc. The magnetic sheet of words and sounds will come together in a plastic folder and will be sold for 78RMB. There will also be a guidance note inside with some suggestions of how to use the words and letters. Please see the photo of the resource below. Your child will be familiar with the resource as all classes have two sets of words and sounds for use throughout the day and within phonics lessons.
 
This invaluable resource can be used to make words and sentences. The words and sounds can be stored in a metal tin for easy storage and the lid can be used in the same way as a magnetic board. The words can also be used and stored on the fridge or used on magnetic whiteboards. Manipulating them is also good for developing fine motor skills. These magnetic resources will prove to be valuable in the coming years as your child continues their reading and phonics journey.
 
Please use the Yoopay link below to purchase this resource. Your child’s teacher will then send it home with your child. Please read the guidelines inside the folder to give you ideas of how to use this resource at home.
 
http://t.cn/RsymO7Y

From Miss Sarah Brewster, Head of Primary English 
 
Parent Reading Volunteer Workshop
Y1 - Y3 parents are invited to join Ms. Rebekah and Ms. Bonnie for a parent reading workshop on Thursday 20^th September @ 8.30-9.15am at South Park Campus. This event is for parents who are interested in volunteering their time to support their child’s class to become avid readers. Parents will come to BSG to read one to one with children in their school environment. If you would like to get involved it is important that you attend this workshop to understand how our staff at BSG utilise one to one reading time to develop a child's individual reading skills and to ensure we instil a love of reading from a young age. Please let Ms. Rebekah know if you would like to attend this workshopRebekah.Martin@bsg.org.cn
 
From Ms Rebekah Martin, Primary Reading Leader
 
BSG’s Got Talent
We are glad to announce that we are holding a BSG’s Got Talent for Y5-Y13 students on Thursday 25^th October. 4 or 5 Primary acts will be chosen.  We will select the acts from video auditions sent in via an email link.  Students who wish to participate must also complete an online form which they can access from the QR code below. Deadline for applications is Friday 5^th October. Please encourage your children to make their entries.  If you have any questions, please contact Mr Dan Guerrard   Daniel.Guerrard@bsg.org.cn


 
From Mr Daniel Guerrard, Head of Primary Music 
 
Bus Information
Click the links below to read some frequently asked questions and answers about our school bus service:
 
Chinese FAQs:  
https://img.nordangliaeducation.com/resources/asia/_filecache/9d9/47f/151765-bus-faqs-chinese.pdf
Korean FAQs:
https://img.nordangliaeducation.com/resources/asia/_filecache/101/e0a/151766-bus-faqs-korean.pdf
Bus Section (schedules and contacts):
https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/schools/guangzhou/parent-essentials/school-bus-service
 
Parent Essentials
Our school website provides lots of information, including some useful ‘parent essentials’ such as our ASAs (After School Activities); School Uniform; School Lunches and relevant policies. Use the Parent Essentials tab at the top of our Home page or the link below.
https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/schools/guangzhou/parent-essentials
 
Important dates for your diary