Secondary News - 27. junij 2020

A shortened week this week, has still been extremely productive with some classes completing final assessments, content, and consolidation of topics before the summer break comes next week. There are a lot of resources available for students via the online platform Canvas, so that students can refer to that when preparing for the new year. For reflection, students have been given their full and comprehensive final report this week, so that they can see their strengths and areas to improve within all subjects.

It was wonderful to see staff and students celebrating International Day at BISL this week, by wearing the colours of a country and dressing down. Even in these trying times, it was good to be able to celebrate our diversity in some way.

As a reminder, on Wednesday July 1st, the final day of school, students will attend for a half day, leaving before lunch at 12pm. For all students, they are to clean out lockers fully and hand back the locker key, so that further fees will not be incurred. For KS3 students, under the direction of their teachers, they are to ensure all borrowed Science, Mathematics and French textbooks are returned.

The Yearbook 2019-2020 in both online and printed versions will be available soon. Teachers have prepared the class pages with various photos and highlights of the year. Any school events that we have been fortunate to have this year will also be included. More information about accessing and/or purchasing the Yearbook will follow.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank parents and staff for their support this year. There have been significant improvements across the school, and with some incoming members of enthusiastic staff already recruited for the new year, the momentum is looking to continue. I am excited to continue working with a wonderful, positive and enthusiastic group of staff next year.

Lastly, as per Mr Walton’s latest Update from the Principal, please continue to be safe in these last few days of the school year. Continue to social distance and sanitise regularly, I encourage families to take the necessary precautions to stay safe.

I wish the whole community a happy and healthy summer break and I look forward to seeing everyone back, refreshed for the new year.

Kind regards,

Stephanie Andronikos

Head of Secondary

Transition Week

Over the past two weeks, BISL welcomed back the current Year 11 and 12 group to participate in a transition week, which sought to help the students transition from their current year of study into the next. During that time, students were introduced to the next stage of their studies, in the case of the Year 11 group this meant an introduction to AS Level. For Year 12, this meant the final level of Secondary education, A2 Level. In addition to participating in lessons, students were also given a taste of what life will be like in Sixth From next year, what the expectations will be concerning their engagement with the whole school community and they were also given insights into study and revision tips that will aid them to overcome the challenges that A Level courses hold.

Their teachers, the staff, their peers and I'm sure the extended BISL school community wish them all the best as they wait to receive their examination grades in August and we look forward to welcoming them back also in August.

Mr Batson, Head of Sixth Form

PE News

This week in PE, students have made the most of the warm weather by going for a run in the forest, testing their strength as well as Mr Damjan's. Students competed by seeing how long they could hold a pull up for and who could climb the rope the fastest. Also this week students have been involved in numerous games such as capture the flag and have utilised the use of tactics and strategy.

Megan Maddison, PE Teacher

English News

This week Year 7 worked on a scene from a play about “Bugsy Malone” and “Blousey Blouse”. They also wrote a scene of dialogue of their own. They also discussed life in Prohibition times (1920 to 1933) in the USA.

Year 8A finished reading the Michael Morputo novel “Private Peaceful” and studied some World War I poems from Wilfred Owen and Sigfried Sassoon.

To give them a taste of the things they will be studying next year in Year 9 - Year 8B had a fascinating look at Shakespeare and his play “the Merchant of Venice”. They attempted to ‘translate’ some of the play into current day English.

Year 9s have been given a taste of the Poetry they will be studying next year in Year 10. Their introduction involved Seamus Heaney’s “Mid-term break”.

This week in English class, Year 10s have been working on the poem “She dwelt among the untrodden ways“ by William Wordsworth. This poem is an example of Romanticism, a period of English writing focusing mainly on nature and the lives of ordinary people.

Mr Eve . Mr Kirwan English Department

Science

We were excited to welcome our Y11s back last week for a transition to year 12. In Chemistry we went straight into practical work which is one of the important aspects of A-level. Both Taja and Rosemarijn showed good skill and I am excited to work with them and Chloe next year.

French News

Year 7 have concluded their French pen pals project by meeting them through Zoom. After a shy start the students regained their confidence and were able to answer and ask questions to their French friends. What a nice way to finalize the year!

Year 9 have been producing incredible videos for their "Flashnews" topic in French. They have shown commitment and enthusiasm. The results are great! Well done.

Ms Poulet, French teacher

Music

Asia of Y9 correctly guessed the full title of the music in the end of term 'guess the tune' competition.

The first four bars of Imperial March (Darth Vader's theme) are on display outside the music department.

Mr. Kirwan was the first member of staff to come up with the correct title.

This was the final 'guess the tune' quiz until next term.

Mr Austin, Head of Music

In line with this week’s government announcement that masks will be mandatory indoors, we have decided to reintroduce masks at school for the protection of our community. Safety is our number one priority at the British International School of Ljubljana. Please read Mr Walton's full update here.