From the Principal’s Desk – 13 June 2019
Dear Parents,
“A love of learning has a lot to do with learning that we are loved”
Fred Rogers
It is very rewarding to look back on a term filled with meaningful learning and fun-filled events.
In the first two weeks our high school students had the benefit of learning from our visiting Spanish exchange students from our sister school SEK Eiris in Coruña, Spain. Our visitors enjoyed staying with our HBIS host families, were shown around all the attractions of our beautiful city, and spent time attending our school.
Academically, our high school curriculum was enriched when over 60 of our students participated in the SA Mathematics Olympiad and 50 students wrote the UCT Mathematics Challenge. Furthermore, over 110 students from PYP 6 to DP achieved outstanding results in the General Knowledge Olympiad.
The “Week without Walls” high school camps to the Breede and Orange Rivers were a great success enabling our students to get to know each better and work together as a group.
The High School Diversity Evening once again was well-supported and showcased our talented students and the wonderful diversity of nationalities in our unique school.
Highlights of our Primary School term included a much appreciated Mother’s Day morning in the EY/JP which included a little concert and a spa/art activity in the classes. Our Open Play morning was also very well received when we invited prospective parents and their children to participate in our school morning. Our brand new Nursery classroom was also launched after much anticipation.
The many parents and students who attended our Winter Melodies musical soiree this term were blown away by the variety and quality of the performances of our young musicians. The inspirational programme included a range of instrumental and vocal solos, vocal duets, our school choir and staff band.
The Primary School term ended on a high with our annual Book Week, which the students (and parents) embraced with enthusiasm. From Spelling Bees, to authors’ talks, moms and dads decorating classrooms and then reading stories at night to the children, movie night, and the spectacular dress-up fashion parade today, this week could only inspire our students to love and enjoy reading. My thanks to all the teachers and parents for their hard work.
Our sports’ programme was also extended this term, with wide-spread participation in our team sports across the school and some notable wins in friendly and league games. Congratulations to all our students who gave of their best and played with such commitment. The High School Inter-House Activity Day, arranged as a CAS project by two of our DP2 students, Konstantinos and Carlton, also proved to be a most enjoyable day to end off the term.
By now you would have accessed your child’s mid-year academic report on ManageBac. Parent meetings in the High School will be held in the first week of next term.
May I wish all our families a most enjoyable holiday, and I look forward to welcoming you all back to school on Tuesday, 9 July 2019.
Kind regards,
Gavin Budd