Leaders of the future

I’d like to thank all of them for stepping up and putting themselves through the process, a very useful learning experience in itself.  Student leadership comes with many responsibilities and I am sure that Zander, Lydia, Ryan and Ella will prove to be great ambassadors for BISS.

Congratulations also to Doeun Lee in the Secondary school for oustanding academic effort in the first part of the school year.

Andrew Lancaster, Principal

One particularly ‘Proud Teacher’ moment!

Following an intense selection process, I am delighted to announce the Head and Deputy Girls and Boys for the academic year 2019-2020.  Last week, a group of brave, articulate and hugely nervous students gathered outside my office. The reason? Interviews for Head Girl and Head Boy. The first stage was to write a letter outlining why they thought themselves to be suitable for the post and then the more nerve-wracking part was a formal interview.

I can honestly say that I was truly amazed by all of the candidates’ ability to articulate their ideas and display their passions despite their nerves. For many, this was their first time in the Head Teacher’s Office! The decision has been one of the most, if not the most, difficult decision I have had to make since taking this position because of the sheer quality of candidate and I would like to share some of the highlights from the process because it serves to demonstrate just how strong these students are.

Asked why they had applied, one candidate said “I can improve life at school for others. Problems can always be solved if you reflect on them and you can always find a solution”.

In answer to how they embody the ‘Be Ambitious’ philosophy, one quoted Martin Luther King: “You have to have a dream. If you have a dream, you have a goal and if you have a goal, you can succeed.” While another said “I am always up for trying new things and encouraging others to do so too”.

When asked about what made them most proud to be a BISS student, one candidate said “I have learned that you don’t always have to fit in, it is ok to stand out” while another said that it was the very opportunity to apply to be Head Girl.

Ultimately, I could only choose one Head Girl, one Head Boy and one Deputy Head Girl and one Deputy Head Boy and I am pleased to announce them as:

• Head Girl – Lydia Neiteler
• Head Boy – Zander Brown
• Deputy Head Girl – Ella Prince
• Deputy Head Boy – Ryan Kim

All of the applicants have received a Principal’s Commendation from Mr Lancaster and I would like to congratulate the following for their efforts:

• Dulce Duran Pedroza
• Ciara Gisenan
• Veronika Janciova
• Dohee Kim
• Yvette Lee
• Luca Magni
• Ningzheng Weng
• Stephanie Xu
• Tiffany Xu
• Ethan Yang

Finally, we would also like to congratulate all the participants in the Soloist Recitals last week. The standard of each performance was remarkable and it was great experience for the students performing to an audience of parents and peers. Well done to everyone involved!

Elizabeth Westwood, Head of Primary