Secondary News - October 11 2021

Block 2 Week 1

Welcome back for Block 2! Many developments have occurred this week, and the Humanities team are leading the way with their Block theme this block. They have added some exciting new displays on the walls of the Secondary floor, with some wonderful student work being showcased. They are also busy planning some events for this block, including a Humanities Quiz, Ljubljana Castle Trip and Computer Science competitions in the coming weeks. It is looking to be a wonderful block with many events planned so watch this space.

Additionally, this week we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Day! Thank you to all the wonderful teachers at BISL making a difference every day and motivating students to achieve their very best. Thank you to the PTA for putting on a lovely breakfast for the staff and to the students for writing lovely heartfelt messages of appreciation to their teachers. It is wonderful to recognise the care and extra effort teachers put in every day to support their students.

Next week, there is a ‘Meet the Form Tutor’ afternoon on the 14^th October from 15:45pm in Form rooms. It is a timely event to be able to come in and meet Form Tutors again to get a general update on what is happening in classes currently. Should you wish for more specific feedback regarding the academic progress for your child however, parents are encouraged to contact subject teachers directly via email. Please follow the usual parking procedures for events at school.

We look forward to seeing many parents next week at school, please ensure that you read the current Update from the Principal for the latest information, and I wish all families a joyful weekend.

Stephanie Andronikos

Head of Secondary

From the week beginning Monday 4th October, we have welcomed Mr Fordham (Head of English) and Mrs Fordham (Assistant Teacher) to join our community. They join us from the UK.

Also, on Friday 8th October, we welcomed Mr. Stanic (Physics) to join us as a specialist qualified teacher in the Secondary School.

On Monday 11th October, we will welcome Ms Strmčnik (Biology) to join us as a specialist qualified teacher in the Secondary School.

All science lessons will now be fully staffed.

We would like to announce our Student Leadership Roles starting with Head Boy and Head Girl, Nikolay M. and Chloe Z. Congratulations to both on being chosen to represent our school.

BISL Head Girl and Head Boy

Congratulations also to school prefects:

Jakob P (Year 7), Mei T (Year 8), Zoja C (Year 9), Ema B (Year 10), Eva F (Year 11), Taja B (Years 12/13)

Congratulations also to our new Student Council members:

Eva D (Year 7), Naomi G (Year 8), Leeloo S (Year 9), Martin Ban (Year 10), Nika F (Year 11), Irmak T (Years 12/13)

Finally we would like to congratulate our new House Captains:

Sapphire: Tony W - (Year 9)

Hessonite: Andraž P - (Year 10)

Emerald: Abdulla B - (Year 9)

Zircon: Kevin Č K - (Year 11 )

BLOCK 2 : HUMANITIES BLOCK

Humanities News:

We are delighted to begin celebrating the Humanities subjects at BISL for Block 2! We have lots of fun and informative activities spread throughout the block and we hope as many of you get involved as possible!

A few things to look forward to:

● Year 7 Ljubljana Castle field trip

● Geoguessr Knockout Tournament

● Year 7 - 9 Humanities Quiz

● Bebras Computational Thinking Skills Competition

● Seterra Knockout Tournament

● Remembrance Day Commemoration

There will be even more to come!

Mr Bradley and the Humanities Department

Maths News:

Last week's topic for KS3 students were fractions. Year 7 learnt how to construct a regular hexagon using a compass and a ruler, in order to compare different shaded areas to understand the meaning of equivalent fractions.

Year 8 and 9 students enjoyed teaching their peers how to add and subtract mixed numbers as well as multiply and divide fractions. They engaged in competitive activities in pairs using mini whiteboards, jigsaws and many more.

Year 10 students also had a teaching moment, where they explained the difference between direct and inverse proportion through worded problems.

Year 11 students started this block with algebraic challenges, such as rearranging more complex formulae and factorising quadratic expressions. They demonstrated an excellent level of understanding of manipulating expressions.

Year 12 students understood the connection between parallel and perpendicular lines and a gradient of a straight line. They successfully applied their prior knowledge of straight lines into problem solving questions.

Math mistake of the week:

Thank you for your enthusiasm and eagerness to find the mistakes including Naomi, Peter and Valentin from 8B, Peter and Rem from 8A, Milena and Lucia from 7B, who got at least 2 House points each. Well done!

Keep an eye open for 'Find the mistake' lesson starter activities this Block as well!

And as always, do not forget to check out next week's math mistake, displayed opposite room 316.

Ms Zupanc

Mathematics Teacher

PE News:

To begin Block 2, students across secondary were tested on their overall fitness level and also introduced to the sports knowledge unit running throughout the year. All students completed a fitness circuit, focusing on gaining a greater understanding of the movements required when playing net and barrier games. Students were also tasked with answering a range of sport knowledge questions before having to create sports knowledge related quizzes for their peers.

Mr Hayes

PE Department

English News:

Year 7: Year 7B began reading our class literature in the shape of “Stone Cold'' by Robert Swindells and learned some facts about homelessness and the struggles of people who have to live on the streets.

Year 8: Year 8B enjoyed having a lesson in the library in the new building next door. Here we can see them getting stuck into some serious reading.

Year 9: Year 9 wrote a piece of persuasive writing on whether the Apollo Moon Landings could have been faked and began to look at George Orwell’s famous novel “Animal Farm.”

Year 10: Year 10 began working on the play “Crumbs from the table of Joy”

together to get them ready for the exam in summer

Mr Fordham, Mr. Wilkins, Mr. Staines, Mr Siter and Mr. Eve - English Department

MFL News - Slovene

Year 7 has been very busy this week. Straight after their quiz they put lots of effort in preparation for speaking assessments. They will do a presentation about themselves and their family. We can't wait to hear their introductions.

As well, we have been learning about our school premises and trying to name all the photos you can see in the pictures below.

Zelo dobro Year 7!

Ms Drofenik, Ms Tatil, Ms Kosec

MFL Department

MEPI News:

The first day of the block saw our MEPI participants embark on their expedition training.

They needed to ensure that they had a few basic map skills ready for our 'orienteering style' event in Tivoli Park this coming Sunday. 6-figure grid references were the order of the day, along with a brief look at map symbols, and the basic functions of a 'baseplate' compass.

Mr Irving, MEPI Coordinator

After-School Activities - important notice

Pick Up Procedures for After-School Activities

Please note that the pick-up arrangements for primary aged children have been revised in order to maximise safety. We ask that students are picked up by their parents/guardians from the drop-off area (blue square) at the end of their activity at 15:40 (or at the time previously agreed by the activity teacher) not from the Reception area. Please follow the normal pick up procedures:

- if by car, please wait in your car

- if by foot, please wait outside near the drop-off/pick-up area

- if parking, please use the public car park.

If you need to pick up your child before the end of activity time, please inform the activity teacher via email in advance to let them know. In case of delayed pick-up or emergency, reception should be notified as soon as possible.

For Supervision pick-up EY/Y1 and Y2-Y6 on Tues and Wed only Pick up arrangements stay the same. Pick up is via reception.

Martial Arts Club presentation

Come along and learn about this fantastic new club and take part in some Martial Arts!

There will be two presentation events:

• Tuesday 12th October from 15:10 until 15:40 for primary students and parents.

• Wednesday 13th October from 15:10 until 15:40 for secondary students.

Clubs will run on Tuesdays for Primary and Wednesdays for Secondary.

Please come along to the presentations on the dates above to find out more.

Ms Kenealy, Head of Performing Arts

Dear Parents,

I hope you enjoyed your block break and welcome to Block 2, where we will be celebrating Humanities as our theme across the school this month.

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day! Today we take the opportunity to celebrate the work of our wonderful teachers, their effort and dedication to ensuring that all students have wonderful learning experiences and exciting lessons at school. Thank you to all teachers.

I wanted to thank parents for your help with our Teacher Appreciation Day, your support with the after school clubs, the positive emails we have received and those who have volunteered to help with decorations around the school. As you can see from the pictures below, it looks amazing! I really appreciate this and it is a wonderful way to bring the community together, celebrate Halloween and create a great atmosphere around the school for the students to enjoy.

Some of the bats and skeletons 'surprised' me yesterday when I arrived, thank you to the parents for positioning them around the school, it looks fantastic!

For Remembrance Day, we will have a ceremony and an opportunity to share our respect planned for Friday 5th November. Poppies are available for students, staff and parents at reception from Monday 11th October.

During the next block break, from Monday 8th - Wednesday 10th November, we have arranged extra days for IGCSE/A Level students, more details will be sent out to students as this is a great opportunity for:

• Extra 1 to 1 help from subject teachers

• Booster sessions on Topics

• To sit past papers (and to have them marked by staff)

• Revision and support

More information will be sent out regarding this in the next week from our Secondary team. With 65% of grades at IGCSE A/A* and 75% of grades at A Level A/A*, we look to continue our exceptional examination success over the past 3 years.

From the week beginning Monday 4th October, we have welcomed Mr Fordham (Head of English) and Mrs Fordham (Assistant Teacher) to join our community. They join us from the UK.

Also, today, we welcomed Mr. Stanic (Physics) to join us as a specialist qualified teacher in the Secondary School.

On Monday 11th October, we will welcome Ms Strmčnik (Biology) to join us as a specialist qualified teacher in the Secondary School.

If students need further support to catch up, complete work or extra lessons, these are going to be planned and arranged at a convenient time for students from extra work set, after school, block break etc.

Today is also Coffee Morning day and my updates are included in the full Update from the Principal here.

Have a fantastic weekend.

Kind regards,

Paul Walton

Principal

All upcoming events and details are available on our website.