Friday 30 May 2014

35: Friday 30th May 2014

From the Headmaster

ABC Accreditation
This week we hosted the Council of International School’s (CIS) visitors to accredit the ABC at the five year stage. The team consisted of Alan Scott (CIS Regional Accreditation Officer based in Canada) and Kerry Tyler-Pascoe (Director - British School, Quito) who met with teachers, administrative staff, students, the parents association board and the ABC board.

They were able to go into classes and observe teaching and learning as well as seeing the whole school in action. We expect their report in about four weeks.

Primary News

Transition to Secondary
August seems far off but at school, both Primary and Secondary sections are already working together on the transition grade 5 students will face soon. We will do all we can to ensure this is an exciting and smooth move for them and you.

Grade 5 students will be coming up to Secondary on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th of June to get to know some of the teachers they will work with next year and get an idea of a secondary school day in action. We would also like the chance to meet with you, their parents, to give you some important information to better prepare you for this move. 

Please could you all attend a short meeting on Thursday 5th of June, at 6.00 p.m. in the PAC. Here you will meet Mr Keslake- Head of the Secondary School, Ms Lucy Burns, your children's Head of Year for the next academic year and Mrs Natalia Sol, Deputy Head Pastoral, as well as Ale Novoa, our grade 6 psychologist who is also part of the support team for them next year. 

UP Family Days
The last few weeks have seen some lovely family picnics and breakfasts as our youngest pupils have celebrated their special family day with their parents.

Next week our UP children will have their opportunity to spend some quality time, at school, with their mums and dads. Please check below for dates and times.

Moving Up
Friday 6th June is an exciting day for all primary pupils as they have the opportunity to spend some time with the teachers who will be responsible for their learning and care next school year. Some new teachers will be joining our school in August so it won’t be possible for all classes to meet their new teachers but we will make sure that the children visit their new classrooms and teachers will talk to the children about what to expect next year.

5th Grade UK trip team building morning
Another year is coming to an end and the students participating on the UK TRIP 2014 are getting ready for this exciting experience. This year the trip will take place from June 24th to July 12th.

Before we arrive in England, the journey begins here. Students have been attending Study Group sessions led by one of the teachers in the team. The main aim of these sessions is to give students an awareness and understanding of what they will see and experience in England. Children have learned about The Tower of London, they have taken a virtual tour of the different museums they will be visiting, they have learned about the City of York and York Minster.

On June 7th the students and teachers will be taking part in an exciting Team Building morning. This is an opportunity for children and teachers to become acquainted with each other before the trip. The morning will give participating students the opportunity to take part in a series of activities designed to promote teamwork.

We are very much looking forward to our morning in school and our journey to the UK.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary 
Saturday 31st May: Transition meeting for 1st Grade parents PAC 9.30am
Friday 6th June: Moving up day
Thursday 12th June: LP Talent show - just for children - 8:00am - PAC
Friday 13th June: LP reports go home
Friday 20th June: Last day of school. School ends at 11.00am

Upper Primary
Monday 2nd June: 3rd grade Family Day
Tuesday 3rd June: 4th Grade Family Day 
Wednesday 4th June: 5th Grade Family Day
Thursday 5th June: 2nd Grade Family day
Thursday 5th June: 5th Grade Transition
Friday 6th June: 5th Grade Transition
Friday 6th June: UP moving up day
Wednesday 11th June: UP Talent Shows - 2nd and 3rd grade in the PAC,10:00am
Wednesday 11th June: UP Talent Shows - 4th and 5th grade in the PAC, 12:00pm
Friday 13th June: CAL 3 goes home
Tuesday 17th June: Father’s day, NO School
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 2nd grade Achievement Assembly, 9:30am in the PAC
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 3rd grade Achievement Assembly, 10:00am in the PAC
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 4th grade Achievement Assembly, 12:00am in the PAC
Thursday 19th June: 5th grade Graduation & Achievement Assembly, 9:30am in the PAC
Thursday 19th June: “Class Party 2021
Friday 20th June: Last day of School. School ends at 11.30am

Secondary News

This is a very busy time every year and we ask that you follow our blogs and calendar to ensure students are up to date with activities and events.

Joseph
Please come along and support Joseph which will be happening on Monday and Tuesday next week. The cast have worked very hard and we are sure it will be a fabulous show. Tickets are still available from the School Offices.

Congratulations to Lucia Palomo and Lizanne Arias for their winning movie in the ABC Digital Video Awards last week

The IGCSE exams finish for Grade 10 next Wednesday and they have a programme in school starting on Thursday morning.

Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd June: Joseph Broadway Musical Performance, 7pm PAC
Wednesday 4th June: Grade 10 Final IGCSE examinations; Class 2014 Ring Ceremony 
Thursday 5th June: Meeting with 5th Grade Parent, 6 p.m. PAC
Thursday 12 June: Grade 9 Award Assembly; Class 2014 Graduation Ceremony at 5 pm which will be attended by Grade 10 and Grade 11. Secondary School closes at lunch time.
Friday 13th June: ABC MUN; Grade 9 Reports issued
Monday 16th June: Grade 9 start Work Experience
Wednesday 18th June: Grade 11 Group 4 Science Project. Grade 6 Award Assembly 
Thursday 19th June: Grade 11 Group 4 Science Project. Grade 7 & 8 Award Assemblies
Friday 20th June: Grade 11 Award Assembly; Grade 6,7,8 and 11 Reports issued
Secondary Students leave at 12 noon

Friday 23 May 2014

34: Friday 23rd May 2014

Primary News

Prepa Family Days
Next week it is the turn of our Prepa parents to join their children in school for their special family days. Unfortunately we are unable to allow siblings in school to attend these family days as they go on for several weeks and this would create a major disruption to the children’s learning. However, we do hope that parents enjoy the opportunity to have some special time with each child. 

Digital video awards
The Digital Video Awards take place in the PAc next Tuesday evening (27th May) and primary as well as secondary children have taken this opportunity to show off their technical skills. We do hope that you will come along to support the children.

Latin Music and Arts Festival
Our annual Latin Music and Arts Festival also takes place next week, on Wednesday 28th May, and our choir and musicians have been working hard to prepare for this occasion. There will also be the opportunity to view some of the work that our primary pupils have been working on in Art and ICT lessons. Again, we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible coming to support our children and specialist teachers. A letter will be coming home shortly and tickets are available from the primary office.

Transition meeting for Grade 1 parents
At 9.30am on Saturday 31st May we will be having a meeting specifically for parents whose children will be moving from Grade to Grade 2 next school year. Teachers from Grade 2 will talk to parents about what they should expect when their children start in Grade 2 and reassure them that their children will continue happily through the next academic year. It will also be an opportunity for parents to ask any questions they may have. 

Primary classes
Unless there are exceptional circumstances the primary school has a policy of not mixing classes on an annual basis as used to happen. It is felt that keeping the children in the same class with the same friends and tribe is better both for their education and for their social development. On Moving Up day, Friday 6th June, the children will move up to their new class as a cohort and will have the opportunity to spend a few hours with their new teacher ( wherever possible).

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary 
Thursday 22nd May: Prepa Night Activity
Friday 23rd May: Prepa Jeans day
Monday 26th May: Prepa Cáceres family day
Tuesday 27th May: Prepa Monks family day
Wednesday 28th May: Prepa Burrows family day
Thursday 29th May: Prepa Pashley family day
Saturday 31st May: Transition meeting for 1st Grade parents PAC 9.30am
Friday 6th June: Moving up day
Friday 13th June: LP reports go home
Friday 20th June: Last day of school. School ends at 11.00am

Upper Primary
Wednesday 28th May: UP Latin Music and Arts Festival, 6:00pm
Monday 2nd June: 3rd grade Family Day
Tuesday 3rd June: 4th Grade Family Day 
Wednesday 4th June: 5th Grade Family Day
Thursday 5th June: 2nd Grade Family day
Thursday 5th June: 5th Grade Transition
Friday 6th June: 5th Grade Transition
Friday 6th June: UP moving up day
Wednesday 11th June: UP Talent Shows - 2nd and 3rd grade in the PAC,10:00am
Wednesday 11th June: UP Talent Shows - 4th and 5th grade in the PAC, 12:00pm
Friday 13th June: CAL 3 goes home
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 2nd grade Achievement Assembly, 9:30am in the PAC
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 3rd grade Achievement Assembly, 10:00am in the PAC
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 4th grade Achievement Assembly, 12:00am in the PAC
Thursday 19th June: 5th grade Graduation & Achievement Assembly, 9:30am in the PAC
Thursday 19th June: “Class Party 2021
Friday 20th June: Last day of School. School ends at 11.30am

Secondary News

Last IB exam for Class 2014! 
Congratulations to the Class 2104 who finished their final IB Examination today. We are looking forward to the events leading up to their School Graduation on Thursday 12th June. Please note the Class 2016 (Grade 10) IGCSE examinations carry on until Wednesday 4th June.

Cultural Diversity and French cuisine Festival today
The IGCA team hosted an excellent assembly on monday to launch Cultural Diversity week. Wellsone to Jocelyn Hernandez, Camila Fernandez and Evelyn Sosa who introduced the programme. A big thank you to everyone and especially the Class 2018 who helped us celebrate Cultural Diversity week with the French cusine today. We will also be celebrating our cultural heritage with a ….

Un dia de la Identidad
Which will take place on friday 30th May. We will have traditional food, entertainment and fun in an extended lunch time. Please encourage your son or daughter to participate by joing their friends for lunch that day. There will be a delicious selection of local treats

Don’t Miss the ABC Digital Video Awards next Tuesday
Free tickets are available and we hope to see many of you there to see the talents of our film makers and to celebrate all the work they have been doing over the last 12 months

International Award:
Bronze expedition this weekend and Silver Expedition next weekend. The trips have been organised by Mr. Horrocks and his team and will help students develop their self reliance as well as their leadership skills

IB Class 2015 Geography trip returns tomorrow (Saturday) after their field trip to case study the city of Antigua. We look forward to seeing them all back in school on Monday. Thank you to Ms. James for all the work of organising the trip

Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is coming soon!
The students and teachers are working really hard and we hope many of you will be able to come along and support them

Prefects
The new team will be announced at the start of next week when the Class is reunited after the Geography trip. The school wants to thank all the students who have acted as temporary prefects this term. We really appreciate their efforts and help each morning in the car parks and helping supervise in the playgrounds with teachers during break times.

Secondary dates for your diary
Saturday 24th - Sunday 25th May: International Award Bronze final expedition
Tuesday 27th May: ABC Digital Award, 6pm PAC
Wednesday 28th May: Grade 8 History trip
Friday 30th May: Diversity Cultural event (Día de la Identidad)
Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd June: Joseph Broadway Musical Performance, 7pm PAC
Wednesday 4th June: Grade 10 Final IGCSE examinations; Class 2014 Ring Ceremony 
Thursday 5th June: Meeting with 5th Grade Parent, 6 p.m. PAC
Thursday 12 June: Grade 9 Award Assembly; Class 2014 Graduation Ceremony at 5 pm which will be attended by Grade 10 and Grade 11. Secondary School closes at lunch time.
Friday 13th June: ABC MUN; Grade 9 Reports issued
Monday 16th June: Grade 9 start Work Experience
Wednesday 18th June: Grade 11 Group 4 Science Project. Grade 6 Award Assembly 
Thursday 19th June: Grade 11 Group 4 Science Project. Grade 7 & 8 Award Assemblies
Friday 20th June: Grade 11 Award Assembly; Grade 6,7,8 and 11 Reports issued
Secondary Students leave at 12 noon

Friday 16 May 2014

33: Friday 16th May 2014

Primary News

ABC Sponsored Walking for Water event
Last Friday all children in primary took part in a sponsored walk around the school field to raise money to help children who, unlike us, do not have access to clean running water. Thanks to your support and generosity the children have raised around $3000 between them. We will send pictures and details soon about how this money will help less fortunate children in our local area.

PK Family Days
Kinder have enjoyed their family days this week and we look forward to welcoming parents of our PK children next week. Please check the calendars below for the appropriate dates.

1st Grade to 2nd Grade Transition meeting for parents
On Saturday 31st May we will be having a special workshop for parents whose children will be moving from Grade 1 to Grade 2 next school year. This transition is seen by some parents and children to be a big step and we would like to take the opportunity to reassure parents that the transition between lower and upper primary is actually very smooth and nothing to be concerned about. Grade 2 teachers will take this opportunity to talk to you about the curriculum, expectations and adventures their children can expect next year.

UPPER PRIMARY TALENT SHOW
After four days of auditions, with more than 150 students performing and hard work evaluating every presentation; here is the list of students who will perform in the Final Show. Congratulations to all the children who took part in the Auditions!

To all students who qualified to the final show, well done and be aware of the rehearsals dates.

The list of final students for the talent show can be found here:

Taking other people’s children home at the end of the school day
This year we have had a few instances of parents taking other people’s children home without the parent’s knowledge. As you can imagine this is very worrying for all staff and parents involved. Fortunately, after a very stressful period of time for everyone and often hours spent phoning around and searching the school campus, all has turned out well. However, we would ask that you follow the Primary school rule of informing your child's class teacher in the HCB or by email if your child is going home with someone other than their normal parent or driver. Thank you.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary 
Tuesday 20th May: Pre Kinder Flores family day
Wednesday 21st May: Pre Kinder Carbajal family day
Thursday 22nd May: Pre Kinder Cáceres family day
Friday 23rd May: Pre Kinder Siri family day
Monday 26th May: Prepa Cáceres family day
Tuesday 27th May: Prepa Monks family day
Wednesday 28th May: Prepa Burrows family day
Thursday 29th May: Prepa Pashley family day
Friday 6th June: Moving up day
Friday 13th June: LP reports go home
Friday 20th June: Last day of school. School ends at 11.00am

Upper Primary
Wednesday 28th May: UP Latin Music and Arts Festival, 6:00pm
Monday 2nd June: 3rd grade Family Day
Tuesday 3rd June: 4th Grade Family Day 
Wednesday 4th June: 5th Grade Family Day
Thursday 5th June: 2nd Grade Family day
Thursday 5th June: 5th Grade Transition
Friday 6th June: 5th Grade Transition
Friday 6th June: UP moving up day
Wednesday 11th June: UP Talent Shows - 2nd and 3rd grade in the PAC, 10:00am
Wednesday 11th June: UP Talent Shows - 4th and 5th grade in the PAC, 12:00pm
Friday 13th June: CAL 3 goes home
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 2nd grade Achievement Ceremony, 9:30am in the PAC
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 3rd grade Achievement Ceremony, 10:00am in the PAC
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 4th grade Achievement Ceremony, 12:00am in the PAC
Thursday 19th June: 5th grade Graduation & Achievement Ceremony, 7:00am in the PAC
Thursday 19th June: 5th Grade Graduation Party
Friday 20th June: Last day of School. School ends at 11.30am

Secondary News

Prefect Selection
There are many ways that our senior students are able to serve the school but one way is by helping with prefect duties and working with younger students. We held our selection process this week and will be announcing the new team at the start of next week

Shoeing Campaign
We are looking for pairs of shoes that you no longer need - perhaps they are now too small or you have discarded them for a reason. We would like these pairs of shoes to donate to people who are in need of shoes - especially children but also their parents. thanks you for your help!

Dia de Identidad
Next week we are celebrating Cultural Diversity in school and we have decided to have a special event the week after on Friday 30th May to celebrate the culture of where we live. This is part of our Think Globally Act Locally theme which helps us to use our local environment to reflect on global issues.

Secondary dates for your diary
Wednesday 21st - Saturday 24th May: Grade 11 Geography trip to Antigua, Guatemala.
Friday 23rd May: Grade 12 Final IB examination
Saturday 24th - Sunday 25th May: International Award Bronze final expedition
Tuesday 27th May: ABC Digital Award, 6pm PAC
Wednesday 28th May: Grade 8 History trip
Friday 30th May: Diversity Cultural event (Día de la Identidad)
Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd June: Joseph Broadway Musical Performance, 7pm PAC
Wednesday 4th June: Grade 10 Final IGCSE examinations; Class 2014 Ring Ceremony 
Thursday 5th June: Meeting with 5th Grade Parent, 6 p.m. PAC
Thursday 12 June: Grade 9 Award Assembly; Class 2014 Graduation Ceremony
Friday 13th June: ABC MUN; Grade 9 Reports issued
Monday 16th June: Grade 9 start Work Experience
Wednesday 18th June: Grade 11 Group 4 Science Project. Grade 6 Award Assembly 
Thursday 19th June: Grade 11 Group 4 Science Project. Grade 7 & 8 Award Assemblies
Friday 20th June: Grade 11 Award Assembly; Grade 6,7,8 and 11 Reports issued. Secondary Students leave at 12 noon

Friday 9 May 2014

32: Friday 9th May 2014

From the Headmaster

What is inside? (Specially for Water Day)


We usually do not see what is inside the drinking fountains at the ABC. Yet we have a five step filtration system and have our water analysed regularly to ensure that we have excellent drinking water. 

What is inside?
Step 1 - 10” vegetable fibre filter for sediments: efficiently filters larger particles such as some microbes, molds, sand, and other particles.

Step 2 - 10” carbon filter (yellow) for filtering metals, lime, silica and others.

Step 3 - 10” carbon filter (black) for filtering chlorine, bleach, odours.

Step 4 - active carbon filter for a smooth taste, eliminates harmful chemicals.

Step 5 - ultra violet sterilization for destroying microbes.

Besides the drinking fountains around the campus, including two at the edge of the field, we will have a new potable water dispenser at the side of the cafeteria installed in two weeks - bring your own drinking bottle and fill up! Free!


Primary News

Book Week
It is Book week in the primary school next week and the children will be immersed in reading, writing and listening to stories throughout the week. On Thursday we will have a book character parade. Your class teacher should already have let you know about this years theme for the parade. We will have representatives in school from local publishers and have ordered a stock of age appropriate books for the children to purchase. Please read letters home and class blogs for more information.

Family Days
Despite the rain our Grade 1 Family Day picnics have been a great success and much enjoyed by children and parents. Next week our Kinder children will have their family days. we look forward to seeing Kinder parents on the days outlined below.

Specialist workshops
Many thanks to our specialist teachers in art, music, Computing and PE, for preparing and leading some very informative and useful workshops for parents this week. The workshops were well attended and enjoyed by parents from all areas of the primary school who felt that they had been well informed and now have a better understanding of the importance of these subjects within the primary curriculum.

A reminder about Smartphones
Children in the primary section of the school are not permitted to bring Smartphones to school. If Smartphones are found to be in school they will be removed from the children and parents will be asked to come to collect them from Mr. Hall’s office at the earliest opportunity. If your child really must have a phone in school a small, standard Nokia phone, which does not have access to the internet, would be adequate. These must be handed into the UP office first thing in the morning. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary 
Tuesday 13th May: Kinder Rampone family day
Wednesday 14th May: Kinder Súarez family day
Thursday 15th May: Kinder Lima family day
Thursday 15th May: Book Week Parade
Friday 16th May: Kinder Francés family day
Tuesday 20th May: Pre Kinder Flores family day
Wednesday 21st May: Pre Kinder Carbajal family day
Thursday 22nd May: Pre Kinder Cáceres family day
Friday 23rd May: Pre Kinder Siri family day
Monday 26th May: Prepa Cáceres family day
Tuesday 27th May: Prepa Monks family day
Wednesday 28th May: Prepa Burrows family day
Thursday 29th May: Prepa Pashley family day
Friday 6th June: Moving up day
Friday 13th June: LP reports go home
Friday 20th June: Last day of school

Upper Primary
Monday 12th May: UP Talent Show Auditions
Wednesday 14th May: UP Talent Show Auditions
Thursday 15th May: Book Week Parade
Wednesday 28th May: UP Latin Music and Arts Festival, 6:00pm
Monday 2nd June: 3rd grade Family Day
Tuesday 3rd June: 4th Grade Family Day 
Wednesday 4th June: 5th Grade Family Day
Thursday 5th June: 2nd Grade Family day
Thursday 5th June: 5th Grade Transition
Friday 6th June: 5th Grade Transition
Friday 6th June: UP moving up day
Wednesday 11th June: UP Talent Shows - 2nd and 3rd grade in the PAC, 10:00am
Wednesday 11th June: UP Talent Shows - 4th and 5th grade in the PAC, 12:00md
Friday 13th June: CAL 3 goes home
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 2nd grade Achievement Ceremony, 7.00am in the PAC
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 3rd grade Achievement Ceremony, 10.00am in the PAC
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 4th grade Achievement Ceremony, 12.00am in the PAC
Thursday 19th June: 5th grade Graduation & Achievement Ceremony, 7am in the PAC
Thursday 19th June: 5th Grade Graduation Party
Friday 20th June: Last day of School

Secondary News

IB & IGCSE Exams in progress
These exams have started and please help ensure your son or daughter arrives at least 15 minutes before an examination is due.

Prefects Election
Next week we will be selecting the Prefect team for the coming school year. We would like to say a big thank you to all the temporary prefects who have worked so hard this term

We are all supporting the TELETON campaign….. please encourage your son or daughter to participate by buying a Tshirt or goodies. We want to contribute to the success of this national campaign as we normally do 

RAF photos - two weeks ago the set of photos were given to your son or daughter. If you still wish to make an order, please send them to the Office with the money on Monday.

International Award trip
This will be rescheduled following the wet weekend when we decided that it would not be sensible to camp on wet ground and with more rain forecast. We are sorry if the cancellation caused any inconvenience but please remember that the safety of our students is always paramount

Last week of term
The last week of term is an important week for us and we expect all our students to be present until the end of term on Friday 20th June at 12 noon. Within this last week of term the Grade 11 Class 2015 participate in their IB Group Four Science project which is a compulsory element of the IB Diploma programme. 

Secondary dates for your diary
Friday 16th May: Spring Musical Recital; Grade 9 Business trip
Wednesday 14th May: Grade 11 B&M trip (Production)
Wednesday 21st - Saturday 24th May: Grade 11 Geography trip to Antigua, Guatemala.
Thursday 22nd May: ABC Digital Award, 6pm PAC
Friday 23rd May: Grade 12 Final IB examination
Saturday 24th - Sunday 25th May: International Award Bronze final expedition
Wednesday 28th May: Grade 8 History trip
Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd June: Joseph Broadway Musical Performance
Wednesday 4th June: Grade 10 Final IGCSE examinations; Class 2014 Ring Ceremony 
Thursday 5th June: Meeting with 5th Grade Parent, 6 p.m. PAC
Thursday 12 June: Grade 9 Award Assembly; Class 2014 Graduation Ceremony
Friday 13th June: ABC MUN; Grade 9 Reports issued
Monday 16th June: Grade 9 start Work Experience
Wednesday 18th June: Grade 11 Group 4 Science Project. Grade 6 Award Assembly 
Thursday 19th June: Grade 11 Group 4 Science Project. Grade 7 & 8 Award Assemblies
Friday 20th June: Grade 11 Award Assembly; Grade 6,7,8 and 11 Reports issued, Secondary Students leave at 12 noon

Friday 2 May 2014

31: Friday 2nd May 2014

Primary News

Workshops for parents - Specialist subjects
The primary teachers of PE, art, music and ICT would like to welcome you to workshops next week (starting at 7.15am) to show and tell you about your children’s learning in these important subjects. As a school the ABC recognises the value of the education of the whole child and our specialist teachers extend and enhance the learning and opportunities provided to the children within the school day. We look forward to welcoming you to these workshops. Please remember to use the emergency car park.

Family Days
Our annual Family Days begin on Monday 5th May. Please check the calendar carefully so that you know which dates are relevant for you.

Water Day - Did you know that many children in developing countries around the world walk an average of 6 km every day to get clean water?
Children in the primary school have begun learning with their new IPC units related to the importance of water in all of our lives. Within this unit the children will learn about global water issues and will help raise funds to contribute, in a small way, towards helping to solve these problems.

On Friday May 9th the ABC Primary children will be participating in a Walking for Water sponsored walk. This is an awareness and fundraising initiative which takes place each year around the world.

We are hoping that family and friends will sponsor the children generously to walk around the PE field carrying bottles of water in their backpacks. We feel that this will raise the children’s awareness of how lucky we are to live in an environment where water is available on tap. The experience will help children to understand what many children their age in developing countries must do every single day, often at the expense of being in school, to kave enough water to drink, cook and keep clean. It is a motivating and effective community event to engage young generations in an important topic WATER and teach them they can make the difference in the lives of others.

All funds raised from this activity will go towards buying water filters which will be donated to Centro Escolar Senora de las Gracias en el Volcán.

Please help and support your children in this event by sponsoring them $1 per lap or with a donation.

Book Week
Our Primary Book Week will take place in the week beginning May 12th. This year we will be keeping some of our trusted favourite activities and also introducing some new ideas. We will maintain our costume Parade on the Friday of that week and your children will tell you more about the costume later. This year we are inviting Dads to come in to read to the children and also the children themselves will be sharing books with children in other grades. There will be books for sale and specialist teachers will also be giving a focus to literacy in their lessons. We look forward to an interesting and fun week.

TALENT SHOW AUDITIONS
Upper Primary Talent Show Auditions are starting next week, please follow this link for the audition's program: http://upperprimarymusic.wordpress.com/talent-show-2014/

Please be aware that every child is responsible for bringing their music (CD/USB) to the audition.

Thanks!

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary 
Monday 5th May: First Vásquez family day
Tuesday 6th May: First Fastiggi family day
Wednesday 7th May: First Aguirre family day
Thursday 8th May: First Quintanilla family day
Tuesday 13th May: Kinder Rampone family day
Wednesday 14th May: Kinder Súarez family day
Thursday 15th May: Kinder Lima family day
Friday 16th May: Kinder Francés family day
Tuesday 20th May: Pre Kinder Flores family day
Wednesday 21st May: Pre Kinder Carbajal family day
Thursday 22nd May: Pre Kinder Cáceres family day
Friday 23rd May: Pre Kinder Siri family day
Monday 26th May: Prepa Cáceres family day
Tuesday 27th May: Prepa Monks family day
Wednesday 28th May: Prepa Burrows family day
Thursday 29th May: Prepa Pashley family day
Friday 6th June: Moving up day
Friday 13th June: LP reports go home
Friday 20th June: Last day of school

Upper Primary
Monday 5th to Friday 9th May: UP Parent workshops - Specialist teachers
Wednesday 7th May: UP Talent Show Auditions
Friday 9th May: UP Water Day
Monday 12th May: UP Talent Show Auditions
Wednesday 14th May: UP Talent Show Auditions
Wednesday 28th May: UP Latin Music and Arts Festival, 6:00pm
Monday 2nd June: 3rd grade Family Day
Tuesday 3rd June: 4th Grade Family Day 
Wednesday 4th June: 5th Grade Family Day
Thursday 5th June: 2nd Grade Family day
Thursday 5th June: 5th Grade Transition
Friday 6th June: 5th Grade Transition
Friday 6th June: UP moving up day
Wednesday 11th June: UP Talent Shows - 2nd and 3rd grade in the PAC, 10:00am
Wednesday 11th June: UP Talent Shows - 4th and 5th grade in the PAC, 12:00md
Friday 13th June: CAL 3 goes home
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 2nd grade Achievement Ceremony, 7.00am in the PAC
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 3rd grade Achievement Ceremony, 10.00am in the PAC
Wednesday 18th June: UP CAL3 4th grade Achievement Ceremony, 12.00am in the PAC
Thursday 19th June: 5th grade Graduation & Achievement Ceremony, 7am in the PAC
Thursday 19th June: 5th Grade Graduation Party
Friday 20th June: Last day of School

Secondary News

International Exams - IGCSE and IB
The International Examinations which our students sit along with students all around the world have started and will continue for the next month. The Class of 2014 who celebrated their last day in classes on Wednesday start their IB Exams on Monday.Our Grade 10 students had their first IGCSE Examination this week and after Monday when they are in school they will also be on Study leave as they do the remainder of their IGCSE papers.

Student Council President
Congratulations to Stephen Kawas who has been elected Student Council president for the coming school year. We wish him and the rest of the Student Council team the best of luck in these important posts of responsibility.

Prefects
Next week we will begin the process of choosing the new prefect team for the coming academic year. 

Parent Partnership Meetings - Grade 9 and 11
There are important Parent Partnership Meetings next Tuesday. Grade 9 will be in the PAC and Grade 11 in the ABCLT. The Grade 11 event will include important information about the University Application process for the Class of 2015 and we hope all parents will be present.

Secondary dates for your diary
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th May: International Award: Bronze practice expedition to the Montecristo park in Metapan. 
Monday 5th May: IB Exams start
Tuesday 6th May: Grade 9-Geo fieldtrip to El Tunco. Grade 6-Humanities fieldtrip to Joyas de Ceren. Parents Partnership meeting for Grade 9 and 11 parents, 6pm PAC
Friday 16th May: Spring Musical Recital
Thursday 22nd May: ABC Digital Award, 5pm PAC