From the Principal’s Desk – 28 February, 2019
Dear Parents, At times, teachers and parents get perturbed when our adolescent children can be mature one moment and frustratingly immature the next. Over the past few years, medical research has cast light on how the nature of brain development can help explain this phenomenon. With the development of functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI), scientists can see inside the adolescent’s...Read More
From the Principal’s Desk – 21 February, 2019
Dear Parents, Last week, I introduced a new Teacher Effectiveness programme to our staff. We discussed the key performance indicators of their roles as educators which include, among others: planning, subject knowledge, teaching and assessment for learning, learning environment, pastoral care and student well-being and co-curricular involvement. We analysed what effective teaching...Read More
From the Principal’s Desk – 14 February, 2019
Dear Parents, This past week I attended the High School Swimming Gala at the American International School. I was so impressed by our small group of swimmers, who competed in every race with enthusiasm and determination. The highlight of the afternoon was the final event of the day – the Girl’s relay race – which HBIS convincingly won! Our school achieved a well-deserved 2nd place overall –...Read More
From the Principal’s Desk – 31 January, 2019
Dear Parents, Firstly, a sincere thank you to the large group of parents who attended my welcome function this week. It proved to be a most enjoyable evening for our parents and staff to socialize accompanied by some wine, snacks and jazz. I include excerpts from my speech below for those parents who were unable to attend. Unfortunately, we have had an unexpected and sudden resignation from...Read More
From the Principal’s Desk – 24 January, 2019
Dear Parents, Ultimately, the success of a school depends on each teacher in every class: students succeed academically and love learning because of effective teachers. Obviously, the characteristics of a good teacher include excellent qualifications, in-depth subject knowledge and extensive teaching experience, but first and foremost, a good teacher must love children and be able to establish...Read More
From the Principal’s Desk – 18 January, 2019
Dear Parents, Welcome back to Hout Bay International School and the start of a new academic year. A special word of welcome to our new families – I trust that you already feel at home. May I also take this opportunity to thank you all for the warm welcome I received this week. I was especially impressed by your delightful children, who immediately embraced me as the new Head of...Read More
From the Principal’s Desk – 29 November, 2018
Dear Parents, One does not have to go too far to come across articles or news reports on TRADE WARS, ECONOMIC DOWN TURNS, RECESSIONS, ENTREPRENEURS, BLACK FRIDAY etc. Our news outlets are filled daily with stories of economic importance. While some of them may not be exactly “happy news”, it highlights the importance of understanding our economic world and how to survive within it....Read More
From the Principal’s Desk – 22 November, 2018
Dear Parents, The annual PYP 6 Exhibition was held last night and once again it was a huge success. Each year you think that it just cannot get better and yet the standard and levels of interactions are phenomenal. I am blown away by the students’ self-confidence, their passion for their chosen topics and their execution of the final product. One can be forgiven for forgetting that these...Read More
From the Principal’s Desk – 15 November, 2018
Dear Parents, This week saw the Early Years and Junior Primary students perform in their annual concerts – what an incredibly wonderful feeling of pride and admiration I had watching these youngsters just go for it and have a complete ball. I thoroughly enjoyed the various miss steps in the dance moves, swaying in the wrong direction, singly loudly and in some cases completely off...Read More