Friday 31 May 2013

35: Friday 31st May 2013

From the Headmaster

Headmaster’s Reception - Classes of 1983, 1988, 1993 and 2003
The Headmaster’s Reception will take place on Friday 7th of June at 19:30 and a special call goes out to alumni from the 30th, 25th, 20th and 10th graduation anniversaries! Come and meet the Class of 2013 and some of your ex-teachers!
Exabrit MUST obtain a pass card (from Lissett de Castro).


British Week
The British Embassy is organising BRITISH WEEK from the 8th to 15th of June. As part of this they are organising an ECO-CAMINATA on Sunday 8th of June. Spaces are limited but registration and free t-shirt is available at the school reception for just $5 (children under 5 free). This is a guided walk with fun activities! Please see the poster for details.



Pre-registration and registration - time limit on reserved places for next school year
Thank you to all the vast majority of parents who have Pre-registered and now Registered your children for next school year. Please note that we are unable to keep places any longer and urge those few who have not yet registered to do so with all haste.

Primary News

Upper Primary Family Days
Our LP family days have been very enjoyable. Our older pupils are now looking forward to welcoming their parents into school to help them to celebrate the fact that we are almost at the end of another school year!

Transition and Moving up days
Next week our Grade 5 children will be spending Thursday 6th June and Friday 7th June in the secondary school and will have the opportunity to meet some of their teachers and get to know their way around. In the evening of Thursday 6th June Grade 5 parents are invited to a ‘Welcome to the secondary school’ meeting in the PAC at 17.30.

All other grades will move up to their new classes for a period of time on Friday 7th June. This is always an exciting day for our pupils!

Recommended books to read to or with your children.
Good readers are developed on the laps of their parents! Here is a collection of books for you to read aloud to or with your children.


From Oxford Reading Tree - free e-books which link directly to curriculum


From Collins Big Cat books - free apps for your iPad

Read more here

A reminder......
Unless your child is in an extracurricular activity or taking part in team sports they must be picked up from school by 3pm please. There is no specific adult supervision for children after this time. Thank you.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Friday 7th June: Moving Up Day
Friday 21st June: Last day of school PK, Kinder, Prepa & 1st Grade children leave at 11am

Upper Primary
Monday 3rd June: 5th grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Tuesday 4th June: 4th grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Thursday 6th June: 2nd grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Friday 7th June: 3rd grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Thursday 6th-7th June: 5th grade Moving Up Day
Tuesday 18th June: Talent Shows, at 10.00am and 12.00pm
Wednesday 19th June:
CAL 3 Achievement Ceremonies, in the PAC
2nd grade 7.00
3rd grade 10.00
4th grade 12.00
Thursday 20th June: 5th grade Graduation and Achievement 7.00am
Friday 21st June: Last day of school

Secondary News

In school this week we have been marking World Health Organisation NO TOBACCO Day which is today. We know around the world that the trend in adult smoking is falling and the number of people quitting smoking is rising. For the younger generations the percentage of children who start smoking has declined among the youngest group (age 12 - 17). The message that 'smoking kills' , must be repeated relentlessly. Everyone needs to remind the young that smoking is not 'cool' anymore. There is concern that in some developing countries many young people are not aware of the dangers of tobacco. We know that every young person at the ABC should be aware of the dangers and is urged to be smart and not start smoking. Please play your part at home in spreading this message and join the WHO NO TOBACCO DAY TODAY

The Class 2014 Mentors will be working with younger students 

Grade 6-8 Inter Tribal Swimming galas next week; Grade 7 Gala on Monday, Grade 6 on Tuesday and Grade 8 on Wednesday. Please note all students should bring their swimming costumes to their gala in case they are needed to swim.

Grade 8 MUSICAL REVUE ’13 in the PAC is on Tuesday featuring great songs from top Broadway musicals! Starting at 6.30pm prompt tickets are $2 at the door. The Grade 9 Business & French Team will be selling French treats before and after the show. LIMITED SEATS.

Student Council PRESIDENT Elections took place today. In a close election the following posts were elected. The turnout was high with over 60% of the Secondary students voting:

Student Council President: Esteban Cabrera
Student Council Vice President: Sigifredo Ochoa
Student Council Vice President: Shari Ortiz Sochandamandou

Congratulations to all involved and to the three successful candidates.

Come to the Fun Fair and BINGO TOMORROW. Enjoy fun carnival games, including the "Haunted Hospital". Games open at 4:30pm and BINGO starts at 6pm. Cost is $5. Tickets from Grade 11 students or Roxana's office.

Thank you to all of you who supported the Grade 8 fundraising for the San Vicente de Paul peoples home. Yesterday we delivered over 200 pounds of rice, 150 pounds of beans, 30 pounds of sugar and many bags of delactosed milk. Again a big thank you to all who helped!

The Grade 11 IB Art Exhibition starts next Thursday and next Friday the Bronze Award International Award trip leaves for El Pital at 2.30 pm. The Class 2013 Ring Ceremony is on Wednesday and the Headmasters Reception on Friday.. 

Please keep an eye on the school calendar over the coming three weeks as there are many events and deadlines coming up.

Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 3rd June: Swimming Gala for Grade 7: 1.00 - 1.50 pm
Tuesday 4th June: Swimming Gala for Grade 6: 1.00 - 1.50 pm
Wednesday 5th June: Swimming Gala for Grade 8: 1.00 - 1.50 pm 
Wednesday 5th June CLASS 2013 Ring Ceremony
Thursday 6th and Friday 7th June: Grade 5 Induction days
Friday 7th June: International Award trip leaves on Friday at 2.30 pm
Friday 7th June Headmarter's Reception
Wednesday 12th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 9 students
Thursday 13th June: School closes at lunchtime and Class 2014 Graduation at 5 pm
Friday 14th June: Cal Reports for Grade 9 will be sent home
Tuesday 18th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 10 students
Wednesday 19th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 6 students
Thursday 20th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 7 & 8 students
Friday 21st June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 11 students
Friday 21st June: End of term. Students leave from 11.45

Friday 24 May 2013

34: Friday 24th May 2013

STOP PRESS: ABC SWIMMING TEAM ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

Primary News


Pre Kinder Family Days
Our youngest children will be inviting their parents into school next week for their family days. Please check the dates below.

Prepa Field trip
As part of our IPC topic 'Media Magic', Prepa children will be visiting the studios of radio La Femenina next Thursday and Friday. We have been learning about different means of communication and have already visited a live TV show. On our way to the radio station we will be calling at the post office to post a letter - another means of communication! 

Latin Music and Arts Festival
The Latin Music and Arts Festival is a wonderful event where the colors and music joins together to create a fusion of Arts. This festival is an opportunity to show the work and progress in the different areas of Arts and ICT, involving students from the whole Primary including the extracurricular musical groups and a selected group of secondary students. This year we have a special guest; the rock band "Bohemio" who will be performing with our primary musicians making a big ensemble and giving to our students the great experience to perform with a professional band. 

Everybody is welcome to come and enjoy this great activity, but admission is limited. Tickets can be purchased at the Primary Offices at the cost of $2 including full access to the festival (Art exhibition, ICT Expo, Music Performance and Snacks and Refreshments). Come and support our primary students...!!

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Tuesday 28th May: PK Siri Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Wednesday 29th May: PK Carbajal Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Thursday 30th May: PK Cáceres Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Friday 31st May: PK Flores Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Friday 7th June: Moving Up Day
Friday 21st June: Last day of school

Upper Primary
Monday 3rd June: 5th grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Tuesday 4th June: 4th grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Thursday 6th June: 2nd grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Friday 7th June: 3rd grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Thursday 6th-7th June: 5th grade Moving Up Day
Tuesday 18th June: Talent Shows, at 10.00am and 12.00pm
Wednesday 19th June:
CAL 3 Achievement Ceremonies, in the PAC
2nd grade 7.00
3rd grade 10.00
4th grade 12.00
Thursday 20th June: 5th grade Graduation and Achievement 7.00am
Friday 21st June: Last day of school

Secondary News

The Class of 2013 finished their IB Diploma Exams on Tuesday and we are now looking forward to their graduation in three weeks time. They have worked hard and we are aware of the effort they have made to prove themselves to be responsible outstanding citizens and they have been good role models for our younger students.

Our new prefect team is now working in the car parks each morning and we also welcome five new Deputy Head Students to make the Leadership team.

Head Student: Gerardo Daura and Paola Lopez

Deputy Head Student: Sigifredo Ochoa, Eduardo Lemus, Daniela Grijalba, Paola Corpeno and Ting Yi Lin.

Thank you to all parents and students who supported the non uniform day today which raised money for the Class 2017 community programme. It was very successful.

Some members of the Class 2014 are organising a Bingo night on Saturday 1st June to raise funds for their project in Atac and are asking for your support.

We will be marking World No Tobacco Day next week as we help our students decide agianst smoking!

Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 3rd June: Swimming Gala for Grade 7: 1.00 - 1.50 pm
Tuesday 4th June: Swimming Gala for Grade 6: 1.00 - 1.50 pm
Wednesday 5th June: Swimming Gala for Grade 8: 1.00 - 1.50 pm
Thursday 6th and Friday 7th June: Grade 5 Induction days
Wednesday 12th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 9 students
Thursday 13th June: School closes at lunchtime and Class 2014 Graduation at 5 pm
Friday 14th June: Cal Reports for Grade 9 will be sent home
Tuesday 18th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 10 students
Wednesday 19th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 6 students
Thursday 20th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 7 & 8 students
Friday 21st June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 11 students
Friday 21st June: End of term. Students leave from 11.45

Friday 17 May 2013

33: Friday 17th May 2013

Primary News

More suggestions for reading with your children
This year we have placed considerable emphasis and resources on the development of the children’s reading but we do need your help and support at home. Recently I have been adding websites in our weekly newsletter to help you to help your children with their reading, there are also suggestions on all UP grade blogs for English books which are appropriate for the age range of the grade.

Here is another suggestion http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/

Family Days
I hope that our Pre Kinder parents agree that the family breakfasts this week have been a delightful way to start the day and it has been great to see so many parents coming along to join their children. Next week we have the Prepa family day at 7.15am on Thursday 23rd May and our 1st Grade Family day at 12.15pm on Friday 24th May. We look forward to seeing you then.

3rd Grade IPC
IPC allows the children to learn through practical activities designed to create life-long learning experiences. Third grade is learning about Chocolate. As part of our Exit Point the children developed a chocolate based product which they had to create, produce and test, improve and advertise. Last week they learned how to make a Television commercial from scratch. They were able to develop the concept, make a story board/script, produce and edit it. They got the help and guidance of professional publicists. Many thanks to Mr. Gerardo Funes who provided us with the equipment and personnel necessary to make this life long experience. 

Parent and Pupil Surveys
Many thanks to the parents who took the time to complete the recent survey sent out to primary parents. We are very happy about the largely positive feedback from you and will look carefully at any concerns which have been expressed to ensure that all children in our school have the best possible academic, social and physical care.

This week children from Prepa through to Grade 5 are also completing surveys. We have been giving these surveys to the children for three years now which allows us to accumulate some useful data and gives the children an opportunity to tell us about how the school is from their point of view. 

Congratulations to Ms Caceres on the safe arrival of her new son!

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary
Thursday 23rd May: Prepa Family Day 7:15 - 8:15am - LP Playground
Friday 24th May: First Grade Family Day 12:15 - 1:15pm - Auditorium
Tuesday 28th May: PK Siri Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Wednesday 29th May: PK Carbajal Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Thursday 30th May: PK Cáceres Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Friday 31st May: PK Flores Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Friday 7th June: Moving Up Day
Friday 21st June: Last day of school

Upper Primary
Monday 3rd June: 5th grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Tuesday 4th June: 4th grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Thursday 6th June: 2nd grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Friday 7th June: 3rd grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Thursday 6th-7th June: 5th grade Moving Up Day
Tuesday 18th June: Talent Shows, at 10.00am and 12.00pm
Wednesday 19th June:
CAL 3 Achievement Ceremonies, in the PAC
2nd grade 7.00
3rd grade 10.00
4th grade 12.00
Thursday 20th June: 5th grade Graduation and Achievement, at 7.00am
Friday 21st June: Last day of school

Secondary News

As we approach the end of term we would like to remind all parents that we expect all our students to participate in school activities through to 12 noon on Friday 21st June when we break up for our summer holidays. There are important activities and events taking place during the final week and for Grade 11 (Class 2014) the IB Group 4 Science trip or Environmental Systems activities are compulsory aspects of the IB Diploma and cannot be done at other times.

Please note that all activities can be found on the Secondary School Calendar

The Class 2013 complete their IB exams next Tuesday and will soon be celebrating with their Ring Ceremony and their School Graduation on Thursday 13th June 2013. Please note school will close at lunchtime on this day and Grade 10 and 11 students will be expected to attend the event.

Class 2016 (Grade 9) Work experience takes place during the last week of term. This is an important activity for our students and one where they learn a lot about the world of work. If you think you can offer a suitable placement please contact Mr. Quijano at school.

Class 2017 (Grade 8) are running a jeans and T shirt day next Friday in return for students bringing milk powder rice, beans, floor sanitizer or soap to school to help with the feeding of elderly people at the home they are supporting. Students can wear any previous ABC Campaign or Green T shirt.

Don’t forget the ABC Digital Award Ceremony on Thursday! Interested parents are also invited to join students at the IE University visit on Thursday at 2 pm in the ABCLT.

Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 20th May: Grade 6 Humanities Exam 2 pm - 3 pm
Tuesday 21st May: Grade 7 History Exam 2 pm - 3 pm
Thursday 23rd May: IE University, Segovia and Madrid campuses, Spain presentation 2pm 
Thursday 23rd May: Digital Video Awards Ceremony, 6pm PAC
Monday 3rd June: Swimming Gala for Grade 7: 1.00 - 1.50 pm
Tuesday 4th June: Swimming Gala for Grade 6: 1.00 - 1.50 pm
Wednesday 5th June: Swimming Gala for Grade 8: 1.00 - 1.50 pm
Thursday 6th and Friday 7th June: Grade 5 Induction days
Wednesday 12th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 9 students
Thursday 13th June: School closes at lunchtime and Class 2014 Graduation at 5 pm
Friday 14th June: Cal Reports for Grade 9 will be sent home
Tuesday 18th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 10 students
Wednesday 19th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 6 students
Thursday 20th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 7 & 8 students
Friday 21st June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 11 students
Friday 21st June: End of term. Students leave from 11.45

Friday 10 May 2013

32: Friday 10th May 2013

Primary News



Congratulations to our Foundation Stage team!

Just before the Easter holiday we invited Sally Featherstone, a very well regarded and frequently published British early years education expert, to come to visit our school and to reflect on the education which we are offering the youngest pupils in our school. It was great to have Sally in school. She spent time in and outside of classrooms, talking to children, parents, teachers, assistants and the leadership team. The full report that we have received from Sally will be summarised and shared in more detail with parents with children in PK and K. We were very pleased with the report which identified ‘considerable development and improvement in practice’ which has had a ‘good effect on the children’s attitudes to and progress in learning.’ Our professional teachers and assistants continue to work hard to provide our PK and K children with stimulating and appropriate activities which were recognised by Sally as allowing our pupils to ‘be well motivated, considerate and kind, developing good concentration and playing with purpose.’ 



Well done to Ms Corry and the Foundation Stage teachers and assistants!



More reading advice

Reading with enjoyment, fluency and understanding is an irreplaceable and essential skill. Please encourage your children to read widely and regularly. 



‘Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.’





ABC KIDS GOT TALENT FINALS
After four days of Auditions and more than 150 students performing; here is the list of students who will be going through to the finals. Congratulations!


Dates for your diary


Lower Primary

Monday 3rd June: Moving Up Day
Friday 21st June: Last day of school
Tuesday 14th May: K Francés Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Wednesday 15th May: K Tenorio Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Thursday 16th May: K Mason Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Friday 17th May: K Suárez Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Thursday 23rd May: Prepa Family Day 7:15-8:15am - LP Playground
Friday 24th May: First Grade Family Day 12:15-1:15pm - Auditorium
Tuesday 28th May: PK Siri Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Wednesday 29th May: PK Carbajal Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Thursday 30th May: PK Cáceres Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Friday 31st May: PK Flores Family Day 7:20-8:00am - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Friday 7th June: Moving Up Day
Friday 21st June: Last day of school

Upper Primary
Friday 17th May: UP Breakfast at lunch Bake Sale, at 12.00
Monday 3rd June: 5th grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Tuesday 4th June: 4th grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Thursday 6th June: 2nd grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Friday 7th June: 3rd grade Family Day from 11:00 to 12:00
Thursday 6th - Friday 7th June: 5th grade Moving Up Day
Tuesday 18th June: Talent Shows, at 10.00am and 12.00pm
Wednesday 19th June: CAL 3 Achievement Ceremonies, in the PAC
2nd grade 07.00
3rd grade 10.00
4th grade 12.00
Thursday 20th June: 5th grade Graduation and Achievement, at 7.00am
Friday 21st June: Last day of school

Secondary News

Cal Grades and reports
Many students have received reports and Cal grades recently. Please take some time to talk through these grades with your son or daughter so they can appreciate ways of improving their performance. We will also be working in this area with your son or daughter.

Security on our campus
It is important for all students to recognise the importance of looking after valuable items in their possession during the school day. Each week we have many laptops handed into the Office and they are then returned to the owner. However we also have occasional items going missing and this causes us much concern and work to investigate the circumstances. This week a student lost her Vaio and if anyone has any information on it we would be most grateful.

IGCSE and IB Exams continue all week for Grade 10 and Grade 12
Please ensure your son or daughter check their timetables and arrive at the right exam on time.

Secondary dates for your diary
Tuesday 14th May: Humanities trip to ‘Joya de Cerén’ for Grade 6 students
Wednesday 15th May: Grade 11 Geography trip leaves for Antigua
Thursday 23rd May: Digital Video Awards Ceremony, 6pm PAC
Monday 3rd June: Swimming Gala for Grade 7
Tuesday 4th June: Swimming Gala for Grade 6
Wednesday 5th June: Swimming Gala for Grade 8
Thursday 6th and Friday 7th June: Grade 5 Induction days
Wednesday 12th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 9 students
Friday 14th June: Cal Reports for Grade 9 will be sent home
Tuesday 18th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 10 students
Wednesday 19th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 6 students 
Thursday 20th June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 7 & 8 students
Friday 21st June: Awards Ceremony for Grade 11 students 
Friday 21st June: End of term - last day of school year. Students leave from 11.45

Friday 3 May 2013

31: Friday 3rd May 2013

Primary News


Talent Show
Auditions for the UP talent shows have been taking place over the last couple of weeks and it has been difficult, as always, to choose who will go through to the final competition. There will be some disappointed children. We are not inviting parents to the talent shows this year as over the last few years the show has become more and more competitive (not in a good way!) with some children even having special tuition and coaching to make sure they get their slot. We feel that the show has lost its original purpose and its element of fun and has become a source of stress for the children and adults involved and, therefore, this year the children will have the opportunity to perform and display their talents before their peers and teachers and we are sure that this will be a much more relaxed and enjoyable occasion for both the performers and the audience. We will livestream the event on the school website so that parents do not feel completely left out.

Reading
Suggestions for age appropriate books in English have been added to each of the UP grade blogs. Please encourage and support your children with their reading.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary

Tuesday 14th May: K Francés Family Day - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Wednesday 15th May: K Tenorio Family Day - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Thursday 16th May: K Mason Family Day - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Friday 17th May: K Suárez Family Day - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Thursday 23rd May: Prepa Family Day - LP Playground
Friday 24th May: First Grade Family Day - Auditorium
Tuesday 28th May: PK Siri Family Day - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Wednesday 29th May: PK Carbajal Family Day - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Thursday 30th May: PK Cáceres Family Day - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office
Friday 31st May: PK Flores Family Day - Ex-assembly area, outside the LP Office

Upper Primary
Friday 17th May: UP Breakfast at lunch Bake Sale, at 12.00
Monday 3rd June: 5th grade Family Day
Tuesday 4th June: 4th grade Family Day
Thursday 6th June: 2nd grade Family Day
Thursday 6th-7th June: 5th grade Moving Up Day
Friday 7th June: 3th grade Family Day
Tuesday 18th June: Talent Shows, at 10.00am and 12.00pm
Wednesday 19th June: CAL 3 Achievement Ceremonies, in the PAC
2nd grade 7.00
3rd grade 10.00
4th grade 12.00
Thursday 20th June: 5th grade Graduation and Achievement, at 7.00am
Friday 21st June: Last day of school

Secondary News

Next Week is Poetry Week!

Prefects
We want to say a big thank you to the temporary prefects of the Class 2014 who have been working in our car parks each morning. This week we will be electing our prefects and Deputy Head Students this week to join Jorge Daura and Paola Lopez our new Head Students.

Parent Partnership Meeting for Grade 9 parents is taking place on Tuesday and we hope to see all Grade 9 parents there. We will be issuing reports.

IGCSE exams for Grade 10 start this week. Please ensure your son or daughter knows their timetable and they arrive half an hour before an exam. Students must attend in full school uniform and may not leave school until they have completed their final exam of the day. Due to restrictions from Cambridge these exams do sometimes finish later than usual so please check with your son or daughter. IB Exams continue for Grade 12 with the same recommendation!

We have many universities visiting school at the moment and next week Ave Maria University are visiting us from Nicaragua. We encourage parents to come along with students to find out about the opportunities these universities offer.

On Tuesday Grade 7 are out on a trip doing some ecology work as well as having some fun on the way home!

Secondary dates for your diary
Friday 3rd May: International Award trip to Perquin. Last day in class for Grade 10
Tuesday 7th May: Parents Partnership and Cal Reports issued for Grade 9
Tuesday 7th May: Lifeskills trip for Grade 7 students
Wednesday 8th May: IGCSE exams start for Grade 10
Thursday 9th May: Parents Partnership and Cal Reports issued for Grade 11
Tuesday 14th May: Humanities trip for Grade 6 students
Wednesday 15th May: Grade 11 Geography trip leaves for Antigua