Newsletter 6 (2016-2017)

Recent Inspection

BIS strives to ensure ‘Excellence in Education’.  With this in mind, BIS has recently undertaken a ‘BSO’ - British Schools Overseas – inspection.

The UK government operates a system of inspections for British schools overseas, run by a number of approved providers – BIS was inspected by Cambridge Education. It looks in detail at similar aspects of education and welfare to the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) in England. These include the quality of the curriculum and teaching, the welfare of pupils, health and safety, and the suitability of the school premises.

In order to achieve BSO status, we had to demonstrate that we provide a British education that has similar characteristics to an education in an independent school in the UK – judgements are then made for each of the categories mentioned below.  Cambridge Education inspectors observed every teacher, carried out full book reviews, and held discussions with the headteacher, senior leaders, teachers and pupils.

We are delighted to announce the results of this rigorous inspection:

·         Teaching / Learning / Assessment / Curriculum – Outstanding

·         Social, Moral, Cultural - Outstanding

·         Health & Safety – Outstanding

·         Links with Parents  – Outstanding

·         Leadership and Management – Outstanding

We achieved the highest grade for every category!  This is very special with only a small proportion of schools achieving this internationally and within the UK.

The full report for school 9 can be found on the BIS website within the ‘About School’ section.

Year 4 Class Assembly

The Year 4 class assembly will be on Friday 21^st April at 14:40.  Miss MacMaster and Mr Payne would like to invite all Year 4 parents to watch their assembly based on some of the learning from this term.

Summer Term Clubs

Please be aware that paid clubs will start on Monday 10^th April and free clubs on Monday 17^th April.

Irish Dance club (paid club)

Please be aware that we have another new club to offer for the summer term.  The Irish dance club came in to school recently and gave a brilliant performance and several workshops for some classes. 

Ceramics club (paid club)

Also, due to popular demand, we are also offering ceramics club twice per week – on a Wednesday and Thursday.

Science Day

On Wednesday 19^th April, School 9 will host a Science Day.  Throughout this day children will take part in a variety of science-based activities to excite and inspire them.

The Science day will consist of two parts. In the morning the children will take part in some scientific investigations with different teachers in our school along with experiencing some exciting demonstration experiments.

The second part of the day will be devoted to a Science Fair. Children are invited to show off their scientific interests by bringing something they have created at home to share with other children and adults at school.  

For this homework, parents and other family members are also encouraged to help their children with the science project homework.  The homework could be interactive or include models. The possibilities are endless.

With each piece of homework it would be great if it could be accompanied by an information board or poster to help explain the science project.

There will be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize for KS1 and KS2 entries.  Judges will be asking the following question: Can you explain your project using scientific vocabulary?

KS2 Cambridge Exam Arrangements

Cambridge tests are for children who have reached a certain level of English in KS2 (Years 3, 4, 5, 6). 

Movers / Starters / Flyers

If your child has been entered into the Movers / Starters / Flyers Cambridge exam, it will take place on Thursday 27^th April throughout the day.  Please ensure your child arrives on time.  Many thanks.

KET Exams

If your child has been entered into the Cambridge KET exam, please take note of the following:

Your child should be dropped off at school 9 at 09:30 on Saturday 22^nd April; I will be at school 9 to meet pupils.  Please make sure you come to the school 9 building.

For the KET exam on the Saturday, please ensure your child has some photo ID, for example a passport, with them — without photo ID your child cannot sit the exam. 

Important Dates                   Event                                                                     Audience 31 March                   School closes for holiday at the end of the day               Everyone 10 April                      School opens                                                                   Everyone 10 April                      Paid Clubs Start                                                               Pupils 17 April                      Free Clubs Start                                                               Pupils 19 April                      Science Day                                                                     Pupils 21 April                      Y4 Assembly                                                                    Y4 Parents 22 April                      KET tests                                                                         KET pupils 27 April                      Starters / Movers / Flyers tests                                        Test pupils 1 May                        Government Holiday                                                        Everyone 5 May                        School closes for holiday at the end of the day                Everyone   Best regards, Daniel Kelly, Headteacher