From the Principal’s Desk – 13 September, 2018

Dear Parents,

Once again it is Musical season at HBIS. The annual productions of the senior primary and high school musicals are about to commence their runs and there is an air of expectation and excitement about the school. Opening tonight is the senior primary production of OLIVIA and opening on Monday night is the high school version of ANNIE. Both productions include the participation of well over 175 students and have taken much time and commitment to get to this stage. One of the things I enjoy about this time most is seeing students who thought they couldn’t actually realise that they can! Any expression of one’s artistic abilities can at the best of times be nerve wracking and the most intimidating thing about the performing arts is that the feedback from those watching is instant and “in your face”. It is this conquering of nerves, facing and performing in front of a crowd and sharing of one’s talent that is a powerful character building exercise. Sometimes it can go horribly wrong and sometimes it can be the most important boost in self confidence that a child can get – both equally important lessons to be learnt.

This term has been a great term for the Arts – the DP students’ final Art exhibition held last week at the famous First Thursdays in the city’s CBD, created an opportunity where patrons walking the streets of Cape Town would have been none the wiser by thinking that our student’s art being exhibited was that of a formal artist – that is how high the quality of work on display was. Followed up by the MYP art exhibition held this week, where budding artists could most certainly be proud of their work on display.

I am a fan of public displays of student achievement and ability – there is no message more powerful than an exhibition of such a nature to validate what our students are capable of. The IB demands that public displays of student work is equally as important as any examination or written task. At HBIS we fully embrace this and are proud to exhibit and showcase our students.

So if you have not yet bought your ticket to join us in celebrating our students hard work and talents please do so to avoid being disappointed. And to all our students and staff who have worked together to put on such amazing productions, a heartfelt and sincere thank you. And lastly, as they say in the theatre, Break a leg everybody!

Kind regards,

Grant Ruskovich