Message from the Head of School – February 10, 2023

IMPORTANT: Please recall that the deadline for re-enrollment for current BIS students is Friday, 17th March. After this date, enrollment will be opened up to the families who are on the waiting lists. You may re-enroll your child/children via this link and by paying the 15 million IDR registration fee to guarantee your place(s) for the next school year, 2023-24.

The ISA testing was very successful for all our students who took part in the assessment process. When the assessment data is available, I shall organize an information session with parents on how to interpret the data. A huge thank you to our IT Team for organizing a seamless week, well done! 

Our Grade 12 Visual Arts exhibition is returning this year after a hiatus caused by covid restrictions. This will take place in mid-April, and the date, times, and location will be shared shortly. Meantime, I kindly ask in advance that you attend the exhibition and show your support to our wonderful, hardworking Grade 12 Visual Arts students when it happens. Our mission talks of empowering learners to be creative. This is an excellent example of our mission in action.

Our Strategic Planning groups meet this coming Wednesday 15th, to finalize the strategic goals for each pillar. If you are a parent who has been involved in this important project, please do attend the final meeting this Wednesday to deliberate and finalize the 4 goals within your group. The meetings will take place from 1230-1400 and each Pillar leader will reach out shortly with a room number for the meeting. May I take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and efforts you have put into shaping the next 5 years of BIS from a strategic planning perspective.

Student absences: as we approach the mid-semester break in March and look toward the end of the academic year, I once again ask that parents are mindful of the necessity for children to fully attend all classes for assessment purposes. This is important in ALL grades, but especially so from Grade 9 upwards. Note that universities require transcripts from Grade 9 upwards, and BIS will not be in a position to supply a favorable transcript for students who have willingly missed school to extend holiday times. Therefore, I once again kindly request that the school calendar is respected and that you do not book flights, etc, on dates that will cause unnecessary absence, thereby potentially adversely affecting your child’s transcript and report cards/grades.

Future dates for the diary:

• Wednesday, 15th February, is a school half-day for teacher professional development and strategic planning.
• Friday, March 17th, 3-way/student-led conferences.
• After the student-led conferences, BIS will enjoy a mid-semester break for students and faculty until and including Tuesday, 28th March. STUDENTS RETURN ON WEDNESDAY, 29TH MARCH. Please see the calendar here.