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
Design
With the introduction of the Middle Years Programme came the introduction of Design as the newest subject to be offered at HBIS. The students have embraced the subject wholeheartedly and have produced some extraordinary work for their first projects. Working in groups to help break the ice of a new subject the MYP 1s have constructed Baby Mobiles; I think many have learned how small...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
DP 1 Leadership Camp – Reflection
Having only known Joelle for a mere 29 days, I now found myself clinging onto her for dear life as we whizzed down the zip-line. Whether it was jamming to pop songs of our childhood, or splitting the last Oreo, the two-day camp fostered unity, laughter, and comfort among our fairly unfamiliar class. Being one of the newer students here at HBIS, my academic year started off with a...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 – 06 December, 2018
Dear Parents, I seldom publicly comment on movies that I have seen but after watching the new biopic about the band Queen called “Bohemian Rhapsody” this weekend, I have to say I left feeling inspired. Many critics have commented on the inaccuracy and artistic license taken with regards to timelines and the glossing over of some events but this is not what that moved me. What...Read More