Secondary News - 17. junij 2022

Block 7 Week 4

The sun has shined beautifully on the second last week of the school year! There are so many events that teachers and students are involved in, that it will certainly be a busy final week. The Adventure Trips were a resounding success for all year levels and the students are busily preparing now for the Wizard of Oz production to be performed next week. There have been many late nights preparing sets for Ms Hawkins and the team with students staying back also to assist. The PE Department hosted the Secondary Sports Day this week also with all cohorts whole-heartedly taking part across Secondary.

The progress tests in Mathematics and English concluded this week with many students demonstrating their wonderful progress in Mathematics and English over the year. The results of these will continue to inform the planning for teachers for next year.

Mr Batson and the Sixth Form teachers successfully completed their transition week for the future Year 12 and 13 students, which resulted in many students returning to begin their subject work for next year. This is invaluable information directly from their subject teachers to best prepare them for their year ahead.

For the Year 7 to Year 10 students, they are already amidst their transition working towards concepts for next year, consolidating current work and working collaboratively on project work. Every day at school is critical for their learning to promote and ensure the best possible outcomes and with only one week left, students are encouraged to not miss a minute. There is a lot to look forward to next week, with further sports events in support of the PE block and the performance of the Wizard of Oz, it certainly will be a wonderful way to end the year. On Friday, students conclude school at 12pm, and are to dress down appropriately in their House colours for the final time this year.

I wish everyone a wonderful weekend.

Stephanie Andronikos, Head of Secondary

In line with BISL tradition, our Secondary students embarked on two fantastic expeditions around beautiful Lake Bohinj to celebrate a successful academic year together. Take a look here!

PE Block

Block 7, Week 4

Take a look at our Secondary Sports Day gallery here!

Throughout Week 4 of the PE block, students continued with their competitive BISL Olympics events.

It has been another brilliant week of sporting action, with some incredible individual and team performances.

Here are the results from the respective BISL Olympics events:

Volleyball Tournament

Year 7: Sapphire - 9, Emerald - 12, Zircon - 15, Hessonite -16

Year 9: Hessonite - 7, Zircon - 8, Emerald - 12, Sapphire - 13

Basketball Tournament

Year 8: Zircon - 7, Hessonite - 9, Sapphire - 12, Emerald -20

Year 10: Zircon - 2, Emerald - 10, Sapphire - 10, Hessonite - 14

Here are the current BISL Olympics scores - across the whole school (18/06/22):

Here are the current BISL Olympics scores - across the whole school (17/06/22):

• Zircon: 338

• Emerald: 387

• Hessonite: 403

• Sapphire: 393

The BISL Olympics will continue throughout the whole school, across Block 7.

PE Team

Science news:

In the past 2 weeks year 7 and year 8 students have been applying their programming skills in science. They have been working on different projects using Micro:bits. They made a population trait data counter, which they then tried out together on students from different years.

They designed lighted fishing nets which could prevent bycatch and programmed sea turtle safe beach lights which could help sea turtle hatchlings head safely towards the sea.

In the past 2 weeks year 7 and year 8 students have been applying their programming skills in science. They have been working on different projects using Micro:bits. They made a population trait data counter, which they then tried out together on students from different years.

They designed lighted fishing nets which could prevent bycatch and programmed sea turtle safe beach lights which could help sea turtle hatchlings head safely towards the sea.

In the past 2 weeks year 7 and year 8 students have been applying their programming skills in science. They have been working on different projects using Micro:bits. They made a population trait data counter, which they then tried out together on students from different years.

They designed lighted fishing nets which could prevent bycatch and programmed sea turtle safe beach lights which could help sea turtle hatchlings head safely towards the sea.

Year 7: Year 7A worked on a newspaper report from the evidence found in “The ballad of Charlotte Dymond” while 7B worked on creating their own Limericks

Year 8: Year 8 reached the final stages of “Blood brothers.”

Year 9: Year 9 worked on preparing a role play of the trial of Lennie for the murder of Curley’s wife.

Year 10: Year 10 looked at pessimism and optimism according to Thomas Hardy’s “He never expected much.”

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

Maths News:

Key stage 3 and year 10 students had finished their project work, practised their teaching time, and presented their project to their peers while becoming teachers for one day.

Aleksej and Saurabh from 7B provided well thought out explanations and involved the whole class into the activities.

Teodora, Tikhon and Ryan from 8A prepared an intriguing, well-planned lesson. All group members contributed to the teaching time, showed excellent topical knowledge, and finished the lesson with a Set notation themed Jeopardy.

Ema and Lovro from 10A created an amazing starter regarding surveys that connected to the main activity, involved all the class and ensured we had a great time.

Tjaša and Martin from 10B demonstrated perfect organisation skills in their powerpoint and provided enough time for their peers to make clear and relevant notes.

The students summarised their topics on strategy posters - check them out on display in front of room 316!

MFL News:

This week Y7´s recorded a drama text “Zakaj avto zjutraj noče vžgati?” by Alenka Goljevšček and had some great fun. They had to imitate car sounds and other surroundings which they found very amusing.

Well done everybody!

In Y7 Slovene Advanced lessons the students are working on a radio drama text “Zakaj avto zjutraj noče vžgati?” by Alenka Goljevšček. The aim is to use their voices and sound effects (made by the students) to replace the visual side of drama. We are looking forward to their final pieces!

Ms Kotnik, MFL Coordinator

MEPI News:

As part of their MEPI award, our MEPI participants successfully completed their qualifying Adventurous Journey last weekend.

The expedition consisted of an almost 23 kilometre long route and over 1000 metres of ascent across 2 days. Take a look at their recount here!

Exemplary EAL Provision & Outstanding Results

In our latest article from the EAL Team, as we celebrate student success across the school heading into the final week of the academic year, we examine the link between English proficiency and academic results. Read it here.

Year 6 Graduation

Our Year 6 students graduated Primary school on Friday afternoon - they will certainly be a welcome addition to our bustling Secondary School in August!

Join us in congratulating our Year 6s and take a look at this gallery of photos from their Graduation ceremony here.

Orientation Day - Friday August 19

We look forward to seeing all of our returning and incoming families at Orientation Day on Friday August 19 ahead of the start of the academic year!

Coffee with the Principal - Friday September 2

We look forward to seeing all of our returning and incoming families at Orientation Day on Friday August 19 ahead of the start of the academic year!

Donations Drive for Refugees

Following on from the many fundraising projects by our community in these last few months, from bake sales, clothing and food drives, to sporting events and donations, you can now join our efforts to support Slovenska filantropija in the final week of the academic year and beyond.

They are currently accepting donations for various essential items including hygiene products, canned and dried goods, cleaning products, and essential foods, which can be dropped off directly at Cesta Dolomitskega odreda 11 between 9am-6pm on weekdays.

For details, please visit their aid page here.

Dear Parents,

Wow, the pace has really picked up at school during this final term and we have felt a constant 'buzz' of excitement as there seems to be 4 or 5 events every day! - this is amazing.

We've had the BISL Olympics, Transition Days for Year 12 and 13, Adventure Days for 7-10 (See article below), a MEPI expedition, Year 6 Residential camp and graduation, Year 5 production, Year 4 are getting ready for their gallery of significant people, Year 3 mini Olympics, Year 2 at the city museum, Year 1 projects in space and transport, Early Years Walks, Languages trip and much more!

There are several links in my full Update that include pictures and quotes from our students for these trips and events. Enjoy.

The Performance Theatre continues to grow and develop, it is being used daily by lessons, lubs, rehearsals and classes giving our students a whole range of new opportunities. Since the stage, curtain and seats have arrived, we now have some new stage lights that bring the quality of the facilities up another level. It's an exciting time and something that will be used at BISL in future for many years. I am very proud of what we have achieved and the momentum we have built over recent times. This could not have been possible without the students, staff and also the continued support and encouragement from our families. Thank you.

Our Summer School is going to be the biggest ever! increasing from 76 students in 2021 to over 100 students this summer! Running from Monday 4th to Friday 15th July.

On the academic side, we've completed the PTE/PTM progress tests and after analysis, we will share the breakdown next week. We will present certificates, celebrate successes and congratulate the students over the coming days. It really has been a fantastic effort! Thank you to our staff for working so hard with the students, and well done to each and every single student involved!

We've also had a delivery of Raspberry Pi computers at BISL to further invest in programming and computing. These are a great tool to promote computational thinking, creativity and problem-solving! With Micro:bits, LEGO robots and now Raspberry Pis, the students have lots of opportunities to learn to code.

A letter has been shared out from our incoming Principal, Matthew Cox. I hope you have received this and I am very excited about the future of the school moving forward with him. As mentioned in my last update, we have included all events on the events page, so you can keep updated and plan ahead for the summer and the key dates coming back for next year!

Finally, a quick reminder that our last day of term is a 12 noon finish as normal, this is a dress down day and we will wear our House colours! - it's always a great way to end with everyone celebrating the house system together across the year groups in a sea of red, yellow, green and blue.

Please read my full Update from the Principal here for links, photos and more details.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Kind regards,

Paul Walton

Principal

All upcoming events and details are available on our website.