FRIDAY NEWSLETTER from Secondary, Friday, April 20th 2018

Week 33-Reflection and Preparation

With our busy schedules it is always nice to have a bit of time to reflect and prepare for the coming events.  This coming week will mark the last day of classes for our grade 12’s. We were fortunate to have some time to honor them and reflect on their accomplishments as they get ready for their IB exams which begin next Friday.  Please take some time this weekend to help your student slow down and reflect on the learning that they have gone through, this will certainly help them as they prepare for the events that are upcoming.

Farewell Assembly

On April 25th we will take time to honor and congratulate our grade 12 students.  Wednesday will be their last ‘official day of class’ as the following day IB exams begin. Our seniors will take one last tour around the school, being congratulated by the students and teachers before they head into the MPR for their final assembly as BIS students.  This will take place at 1:10 next Wednesday. We will take this time to honor their accomplishments, thank them for their contributions to the BIS community and wish them well on their upcoming examinations. I look forward to celebrating all that our seniors have accomplished.

IISSAC Swimming

Next Friday our Swim Team will be travelling for the IISSAC Swimming competition.   Mr. Lennan, Mr. Sutherland and Mrs. Walsh have been putting in a great deal of time and energy with our swimmers. IISSAC Events are a great way to establish long term friendships with different students and when we travel it allows us to be ambassadors for BIS and Bali.  Good Luck Dragons!

MUN To KL

On Thursday of this week our Junior MUN Team traveled to Kuala Lumpur to participate in a MUN event designed for junior delegates. This is a great way for our younger students to start to develop a greater sense of the world around them, work on presentation and speaking skills, while also making connections with like minded students from around the world. A huge thank you to Ms. Mathers and Mr. Marshall for all of their hard work preparing our students and organizing this wonderful opportunity for them.

IB Diploma Exams

Next Friday we are beginning our IB Exam period.  Students and teachers have revised and prepared all of the material that they have covered for the past two years.  This can be a stressful time. We do everything that we can to help relieve some of this stress and the more prepared we are the less stress we feel.  It is important to keep things as normal and calm as possible during these weeks. Students need the space to study and review, while also being given some time to rest and recharge.  Encourage your student to get outside at some point during their studying, fresh air and sunshine promote clearer thinking.

Celebrating Success

It is nearing the end of the school year.  At this time of the year we want to pause,reflect and honor all of the hard work and accomplishments of our students.  We know that our students shine in many different areas and we want to ensure that we recognize and honor all of our student’s varying skills.  The way we honor our students should reflect what we value as a school and a community. We will acknowledge the success of our students in each academic area as well as their Approaches to Learning and willingness to engage and give back to their community.  Each subject specific class will give two awards-1 for academic achievement, 1 for growth/improvement. Each grade level will have 1 IB Learner profile award-student who best exemplifies the traits that make up a well rounded and engaged learner. We will also honor our students for their engagement with the community; 2 Community and Action awards for MYP-1 lower MYP, 1 upper MYP- for the student(s) who have best exemplified the spirit of Community Engagement as well as  1 Creativity 1 Action and 1 Service award for grade 11 class. These awards highlight what we value as a school, academic growth, engaged learning and a positive and active role within the community. These awards will be given right before the end of the term.

PTFA Meeting

On April 25th at 7:50 am in the library the PTFA will be holding their monthly meeting.  Please stop by to hear about all of the fantastic things that the PTFA does for our school and to find out how to become more involved.  Thank you again!

BSSA Althletics

This term we are participating in Athletics for our BSSA Conference.  We have had a large number of secondary students sign up, but there is always room for more.  This past Wednesday our field was alive with over 70 athletes working on their skills and being active. It is a great way to stay active and be a part of the larger school community. Go Dragons!