We are quickly approaching the end of the school year, with only one more block to go. Block 6 saw the arrival of a new colleague to the school, Tobija Siter, as the specialist of English as Additional Language, who joined the Primary EAL team in supporting the students in the program. The EAL department continues to work closely with the Primary Literacy department in tracking pupils’ progress and making sure that all teachers continue to support the learning opportunities of their pupils.

School activities and trips remain the key component of the many initiatives that Primary staff undertake in order to consolidate learning. In the last Block, Preschool started their mornings with a warm-up activity involving teachers and students, as part of their Topic 'Olympics, let's get moving'. Y1 were invited to visit the Fridolin Kindergarten and made important links with their local community. The Y1 also held a Profile Afternoon, during which the children talked to their parents about the work they had completed and showed some examples of their writing, Maths and Topic work in their exercise books.

Y3 and Y4 visited the sight of an old Roman town Hrušica, to explore the ruins and visit a small museum, in connection with their previous Topic of Tombs, Temples and Treasures. Y5 and Y6 attended a course in Skuhna Restaurant to learn about nutrition and gain some useful culinary skills. While learning about ‘The Human Body’, Y3 presented important facts during their parent assembly, while checking their parents’ listening and knowledge skills through a quiz. Next block brings more exciting curriculum and residential trips, plus the swimming program consisting of students learning various swimming techniques, water sports and games, and generally having fun in the water during their focused daily trips to the local swimming complex.

There have been a number of events going on too. Congratulations to all of the Y4-Y6 students participating in the 24 maths competition organized by the Primary Maths Coordinator Mr. Bishop with the other international schools of Ljubljana. Students did very well in the tough competition and will be returning next year in the hope of reclaiming the trophy. The C4C (Caring for the Community) continued their endeavours in collecting for charity through the Bake Off event, where teachers competed with their innovative and healthy versions of favourite cakes and deserts. Primary students further supported the 6th Form’s fundraising event ‘Movie Night’ to help towards Graduation Ceremony. Watch out for the upcoming C4C Art Auction raising awareness of endangered species and funds for chosen charities.

Preschool and Primary Dance Show was a great success and beautifully reflected the passion that the students have for dancing, thanks to the efforts of our dance teacher Mrs. Petra Škofic-Damjan. The Performing Arts Team are currently in preparations for the next show, the Grease Musical, coming up soon!

On the 4th May, BISL took part in the POT Walk from the lake Bajer to Mostec. You can read more about primary staff and students completing their walk through sheer determination.

We look forward to the last Block 7, as the students partake in the end-of-year assessments and celebrate the progress they have made this year. Students will receive the Primary Summer Reports, reflecting their achievements in subjects of Maths, English (including EAL) and Topic, while setting students new challenges for the next academic year.

Enjoy your break,

Katarina Železinger, Head of Primary