Welcome Living and Learning together This week last year was the last week we were at BSQ before our lockdown and online learning started. So much has happened in that time that now, as we approach the processes needed to enable us to return to school safely, we can look back and reflect on all that we have achieved. You, as parents, have become true partners in the learning process as you have supported your children to learn at home, come to curriculum briefings, attended PTCs, provided resources, shared photographs, supported events and all whilst also managing the challenges of your own work and homes. BSQ is always proud of its community and more than ever we can be thankful for the teamwork and loyalty that has enabled our students to both survive and thrive. Thank you. Return to school updates: Today you will receive the survey via the Parent Portal that will ask you to select a return date for your children. Please complete this by 5pm on Wednesday so that we can organise the classes and logistics. Following the collation of all the information from the survey we will organise our classes so that we meet the requirements of the capacity rulings for safe learning. International Women´s Day This year’s them for IWD this year is #ChooseToChallenge and there is no better time than now to challenge the inequalities in the world - not just for women. At BSQ our own purpose is always to challenge inequality, misconceptions, ignorance about rights, bigotry, prejudice and cruelty that exists in the world. Here is a collage of some of our community and what they #ChoosetoChallenge: From the Staff and the Students Continuing with our teachers and their stories about e-learning this new period. This week we have Mrs. Claire Maudsley, Mrs. Patricia Tufiño, Ms. Sara Avent, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Kennedy and the Equality & Diversity Committee from Secondary and Mr. Chris Leadbeter and Ms. Antonella Coronel from Primary.
KS3 Spanish Year 7 students are working on the topic of biography. After investigating the biographical data of the painter Frida Kahlo, the students made an infographic with the most important aspects of her biography. In Year 9 Spanish lessons, students are learning about the Lyric Genre. The work is developed in groups, each group investigates a topic and exposes it in written and oral form. After their presentation, they close with a didactic game so that their classmates better internalize the subject. Mrs. Patricia Tufiño - Spanish Teacher Year 8 Science In year 8, students are investigating circuits using a virtual circuit builder program. In this investigation Gianella was looking to see the differences/similarities between series and parallel circuits and the effects of adding/removing cells and lightbulbs. Ms. Sara Avent KS4: When students become teachers: We truly know when we have mastered a topic when we are able to teach others about it. In year 10, students have been demonstrating their abilities to educate their peers on the geometrical properties of circles by creating challenging questions based on circular objects we see in everyday life. Here are some purr-fect examples by Bernarda, Koushiki, María and Bárbara. Mr Bowles, Mathematics Teacher KS5: Year 12 Biology Students of year 12 investigated the adaptations for pollination of a local plant species. They analysed the structure of the flower and linked that to the flower's function as the reproductive organ of the plant. Then they looked at how the adaptations of the pollinator have co-evolved with the plants. Several students did some beautiful flower dissections, matching structure to function (a key concept in biology). Here are some examples of their fantastic work. Mr Kennedy, Biology Teacher Equality and Diversity Committee Using gender-inclusive language means speaking and writing in a way that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender or gender identity, and does not perpetuate gender stereotypes. This is a kind reminder to use more gender inclusive language in any form of communication. Not doing so might make others feel isolated from a project, lesson or conversation in general. Ary - Equality and Diversity Committee member Do you have any questions? Contact Ary. Mr. Chris Leadbeter – Year 3A teacher Class 3A recently completed a topic all about the United Nations and human rights. This ended with children imagining they could give a speech at the UN’s headquarters. The focus of their impressive speeches ranged from reducing plastic waste to ending racism. The children also wrote a story based on the graphic novel Azzi in Between. They had to imagine what it would be like to have to leave their home and move to a new country. The children’s stories demonstrated excellent levels of empathy and thoughtfulness. The new term has brought the fascinating topic of ancient Egypt to 3A. Our learning has already included thinking about why The River Nile was so important, how to write an information text about one of the many gods of ancient Egypt and how to create a sculpture. Ms. Antonella Coronel – Head of EYFS Dear parents, It is an honour to celebrate with each of our families in both Nursery and Reception International Women’s Day. We believe that it is important for children as little as the Early Years Foundation Stage to learn about the inspirational achievements of women throughout our history in addition to how we have grown and progressed over time. It also raises awareness of gender parity and what hard work and dedication can lead us to. Friday will be a day to celebrate all the Mothers in the Early Years Foundation Stage and thank you for being that magnificent pillar your children can look up to in your homes. Over the past two week the children in Reception have been learning about The World and the different types of homes we can find all around. The students not only wrote about their homes, they also designed and built them, they made homes such as bungalows, yurts, castles, apartments and tree houses. Brilliant architects in the making! Dates for your Diary
Emma Newman Principal Being BSQ – Primary Update This week, we look forward to another week of learning for our Primary students, supported by our teaching teams and of course our wonderful parents. This partnership is as important as ever while we remain online; with the teachers sharing the learning in advance, you have the opportunity to teach any new vocabulary that is coming up. This is particularly relevant in Topic and Science where the students may already have some knowledge of the concept, but are unsure about the technical vocabulary used or the translation from their home language into English. This is commonly called flipped teaching, where the content coming up is shared with the student and they learn about some of the basic concepts before it is discussed and analysed in class. As described before, this is especially important in the acquisition of new language, allowing the student to familiarise themselves with the word, phrase or concept in their home language and then being exposed to the English version of that word, phrase or concept. This process takes time – the students then need to hear that vocabulary in different contexts and practise it a few times before it comes part of their general working vocabulary, which is why the spiral curriculum in the British School works so effectively, giving them opportunities to practice their skills in different contexts and establish mastery over time. So, please do take time to either attend in the Teacher Meeting each week in person, watch the recording or study the curriculum content from Tapestry or the Class Canvas page, to give you the chance to ‘flip’ the teaching and give your child prior knowledge and understanding of the learning coming up – this will only benefit them and also gives you a meaningful role to play in your child’s education, with the accompanying satisfaction you will get when they have that famous lightbulb moment and join their leaning together! Marcus Madden Head of Primary Being BSQ – Secondary Update The power of Art! We now finally have some clarity of how students will get to the point of assessment at IB and IGCSE. We have prepared excellent and thorough plans for teachers so that they know exactly what they need to do and when, and these are in the process of being communicated with students. I really am reassured that what we have in place will secure the deserved grades for each individual and I am impressed with the way that the news and plans have been received by the students. It really does reinforce just how adaptable and resilient they are at BSQ. There are of course additional tasks that now need doing or changing the best laid plans but once again, our very committed staff have just rolled their sleeves up, dusted down, and are now driving the tasks at hand placing the student needs at the forefront. The school celebrated International Women’s Day on Monday 8th March. During lessons on the day teachers dedicated a starter activity in lessons to this and shared some ideas from the Student Council such as statistics surrounding gender equality, and discussion areas like pay gaps, access to education, and violence towards women. During the LLS session our talented student council reps led the International Women's Day themed session and a Kahoot which they prepared themselves. They also took the time to prepare some excellent slides to share with the tutor groups. Once again, well done to those involved on the Student Council for their part in driving our high quality learning at BSQ. There are some really important student meetings currently to consider. On Friday last week there was a presentation to our year 12 to re-focus their attention on University Applications. There are a number of processes that are needed to secure their intended destinations after they graduate from BSQ. Our plan is for them to start early on preparing UCAS statements for UK universities, common application Essays for Universities in the USA, and securing decent teacher recommendations to support the whole process. The intention of course is to get slightly ahead of the game so that the pressures that inevitably arise in November and December when deadlines are approaching are relieved. We were also joined by Olivia Darby from BridgeU which is the application management platform that we use to support the process. She gave further direction on how she will assist in the process. Students in years 9 and 11 have important decisions to make in respect of study choices as they move into IGCSE study and IB study respectively. All parents and students are asked to attend virtual information events on the Morning of Saturday 20th March 2021. These important events will launch the process and provide information on what comes next. Do please try and join us. Finally, I would like to share some student work with you. We really do have some wonderfully talented students and in Visual Arts this is particularly evident. Ms. Belen Arellano works extremely hard supporting her students so that they produce their very best work. I look forward to being able to use some of this to display in the school once we return to not only proudly display our talents but also inspire our younger children. For now, here are a few pieces from the portfolios of Antonella, Gael and Marilin in year 11. Antonella: Gael: Marilin: What wonderful work! Thank you for sharing and well done.
Have a great week everyone. Lee Moors Head of Secondary
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May 2024
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