Message from the Head of School – November 4, 2022

Following on from my previous email, please be reminded that, due to the G20 summit, BIS will have to revert to online learning on the following days; Monday 14th to Thursday 17th November at 1200pm. Recall that after 12pm, teachers will be engaged in professional development and strategic planning work. Friday 18th is a holiday. The programme coordinators and teachers will make it clear to your child/children what is expected in terms of teaching and learning approaches. In other words, in the PYP, screen time and self-study are very different from the approaches taken in the DP and we will adopt synchronous and asynchronous approaches accordingly in each programme. We will be making it clear to our students what is expected in terms of BIS adhering to our definition of High Quality Learning. Note that attendance will be taken and we expect cameras to be turned on, students to be dressed appropriately and when engaged in online learning, to be in a suitable location to facilitate learning. Should you have any questions, please discuss with your child’s teacher.

May I take this opportunity to thank all of our community for the continued support and efforts in restoring our community spirit through a series of recent events. The past few weeks have seen a large number of social gatherings that have gone a long way to rekindling the wonderful spirit that has always existed at BIS. Please continue to show your support in making these events successful and well attended.

As part of our continued efforts to involve our community in formulating school policies and improving what we do at BIS, I will shortly be reaching out to ask for volunteer parents to serve on policy revision committees. For example, in an ever-changing world that seeks to be even more inclusive, we shall be reviewing our Inclusion policy to ascertain whether it meets our current context. There are other policies that will be cyclically reviewed and I shall share more details shortly.

Photoshoot: Recall that we have photo shoots next week. Primary will be on Tuesday 08th November and Secondary will be on Wednesday 09th November. Students should wear the white BIS polo shirt. 

Future dates for the diary:

• Thursday 17th November, half day for staff professional development.
• School break, Friday 18th November, school closed for mid-term break
• Counsellor Workshop: Thursday 01st December, Primary and PS3, “Wellbeing and brain development in early years”.