From the Director
I would like to begin by sharing my congratulations to the Class of 2016 who celebrated their graduation last night. I would like to reiterate my closing words. We are an academic school with high standards and a proud record of achievement in the international arena. We celebrated some of those achievement last night as we will with our IB and IGCSE results in the summer. These successes are very important to us but so is our community and our support for our young people. The ABC has to work as a caring community that unites around our values providing a safe educational environment for young people. We want to see them go out into the world, like the Class 2016, as responsible outstanding citizens making positive differences wherever they go. I would also like to thank Gabriela Andino from the Class of 2001 who was our guest speaker at the graduation event last night and she reminded me of all that is positive about Exabrits and their ability to change the world. As a final note on the Graduation we did have an illness during the event but our nurse and medically trained parents were available to help and I am pleased to say that the person who was unwell is doing fine this morning.
In terms of our community I would like to report back on the Community Protection Evening which we held last Tuesday. This event was organised in response to parental requests following the initial meetings earlier this term. We talked about how parents can remain in control of their children’s laptops, tablets and devices to ensure they do not overuse them or use them to surf inappropriately on the internet. It is possible for you to set limits and controls if you have administrator rights on your children’s devices rather than simply handing them over to them. Our ICT team was also available to provide technical help and then we followed up with a very informative session about maintaining strong relationships with teenagers so they will come and talk to you when they face a problem. The feedback from the parents who attended was very good although the turnout was not high! We recorded the event and it is available for you to watch on our youtube account. You should be able to see the event on the following link. We will also be adding some other resources on a Community Safeguarding Link that we are putting on the frontpage of the school website.
As many of you are aware we have screens in our car parks with information for parents who are dropping off their children. If you do not manage to see all the messages please note they can also be seen from the Calendar and Events tab on our website so you can check them at your leisure each day!
We have an exciting week coming up and I hope to see many of you at the various events we have planned. It is our final week of term next week and I hope all of you are looking forward not only to a summer holiday but also next school year. Over the summer we will be running our ABC Summer Camp and details are available from school.
I hope you all have a very pleasant weekend.
Primary News
Dear Parents and Carers,
We had our talent shows this week both Upper and Lower Primary. I admire any student who can get up on the stage and perform but I was very impressed with the quality of the performances in both sections. The presenters in the Lower Primary show also did an excellent job of introducing the acts. Well done to everyone who participated, to the music and dance teachers for organising the shows and the ICT team for managing the sound and lights and streaming or videoing the performances. The videos will be shared shortly.
Another spectacular event in the Primary Calendar was the Olympic exit point our official Olympic closing ceremony. It started with a full Parade around the field, led by the Olympic flag carried by some 5th Graders, our primary dance squad, and then jugglers and stilt walkers followed by every class carrying their flag and sport banner as well as some of our teachers on their bikes. As we approached the auditorium we went through giant bubbles and passed the school Batucada band. A lot of suitable pomp and ceremony! We were visited by local professional Basketball players , who played a quick match with our U10 basketball team. The dance squad did a wonderful performance with ribbons and we finished by putting out our Olympic flame. Please see the PE blog for all the photos. Thank you to everyone involved in the organisation of such a memorable event.
We have boxes on site at the moment to collect school equipment that the students have finished with. If your child has finished with any pencils, colours, rulers etc. Please encourage them to put them in the box.
On Monday morning we will have our ‘Lap of Honour’ when we celebrate those students who have participated in sporting and other activities throughout the year. Those students who have been part of the Team Sports clubs and teams, students who have been part of the choir and orchestras, students who have represented the school in competition or a show such as the Bicultural Festival should all come to school that day in their t-shirt or costume. We would also like to recognise participants of individual sports such as gymnastics, karate, squash and tennis and athletics and those students who were part of the DVA awards have their T-shirts that they can wear. The Lap starts at 7.00am so students should be in a little earlier on Monday. If a student qualifies for more than one section we would prefer they chose something where they represented the school as their first priority but otherwise they have a choice who they align themselves with.
There are several school outings next week we expect all students to attend. All trips have a risk assessment and are carefully vetted. If the reason your child cannot go is financial please speak to the class teacher and we will see if any help can be given. If your child does not go on the trip they are still expected in school.
Please note that the first and last weeks of school are a very important time for our students when their achievements are recognised and when they have a chance to reflect on the year past and set goals for the coming year. We do not expect students to be off at these times. In fact we take a very dim view of families prioritizing other things over schooling. It is a legal requirement that students are in school and by law we have to report students who have insufficient attendance. In the first weeks of term friendships are renewed, class routines established and last years key points quickly revised to ensure that students can continue forward positively from the word go. When students miss these times they start the year on the wrong foot and some of them take weeks and weeks to recover academically and socially. PLease make sure your children are in school at all times unless ill.
Next week we have our ‘Effort leads to Success’ assemblies for grades 2 to 4 and the ‘Moving On’ assembly for grade 5. PLease see the schedule below and support your child. The invitations have already gone out and entry tickets for the events provided.
Our final school week is upon us and I know many of our teachers are exhausted, as are the students. I know that you will express your appreciation to all our staff for their hard work. I don’t know if any of you have looked after 25 or more children for a day but to do it every day and make sure they learn as well, takes a very special talent. It does make a difference to them when they know that all they have done has been recognised.
Best wishes,
Mrs Short
Dates for your diary
Lower Primary
June
Friday 10th: Lower Primary reports go home
Friday 10th: Extra curricular activities end
Monday 13th: Kinder González and Kinder Carbajal trip to Maya Country Club - 8:30-12:00m
Tuesday 14th: Kinder Quintanilla and Kinder Suárez trip to Maya Country Club - 8:30-12:00m
Thursday 16th: Prepa trip to Cinemark - Gran Vía - 9:15am - 12:15m
Thursday 16th: First grade trip to Maya Club 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Thursday 16th: Last day of School - School closes at normal times.
Upper Primary
June
Friday 10th: Primary extra-curricular classes - End of 5th session
Friday 10: Upper Primary reports go home
Monday 13th: 2nd Grade Effort Leads to Success Assembly 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Monday 13th: 3rd Grade Effort Leads to Success Assembly 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday 14th:4th Grade Effort Leads to Success Assembly 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday 14th: 5th Grade Field Trip to Atlantis 8:00 a.m.- 2:30 p. m.
Wednesday 15th: 5th Grade Moving on Assembly 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday 15th: 3rd Grade Trip to Atlantis
Wednesday 15th: 2nd Grade Trip to Dreamland
Thursday 16th: Last day of School - School closes at normal times.
Secondary News
Dear Parents / Guardians,
This week we had the final iGCSE examinations for Grade 10 (Economics Paper 1 on Thursday and Music Paper 1 today). These examinations brought the ABC examination season to an end - much to the relief of students and teachers!
This week saw one of the highlights of the school year, the Graduation Ceremony. What a great event it was and what a lovely way to mark this milestone in the education, and lives, of the students from the Class of 2016.
This week has also been an exciting week for our Grade 9 students who have been on work experience. The feedback that I have had has been very positive. I hope the students have enjoyed the experience and that in some way it has helped crystalise their career plans.
Pre-IB Induction Course 2016
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” – Neil Armstrong (1969)
On the 6th of June, the Grade 10s returned to school after their IGCSE exams and took their own “giant leap” into the IB Diploma. The Pre-IB Induction Course gave students a small insight into the core elements of the IB Diploma; the Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS. This year, the Grade 10s were welcomed to the IB by the current Grade 11s who helped them gain a deeper understanding of the expectations of the IB Diploma Programme, and to help them settle quickly into life as Seniors.
The programme involved an action-packed and informative schedule of activities which allowed the Grade 10s to develop skills such as team building, problem solving and stress management. They were also given the time to focus on specific subjects. Students attended ‘Taster Sessions’ in their IB subjects where they were given the opportunity to ask questions about what it is like, for example, to study Biology or Business Management or French.
I would like to thank the Grade 11 students and ABC teachers for their involvement in the Induction Programme and for making sure it all ran like clockwork.
Ciara Gillespie
IB Coordinator
Lap of Honour - Monday 13th of June
On Monday we invite students that have been involved in a sports team, sport or other event (academic, musical, dramatic or other) to be part of the Lap of Honour. The Lap of Honour is a celebration of the vast array of this year’s achievements by our students. We encourage all our students to pursue a sport or interest, whatever it may be, that they enjoy. There are many ways, and many times this academic year, that each of our students has shone and has done something to be proud of. Recognising and celebrating achievements is an important part of life and work here at the ABC. Students should feel good about their achievements and feel happy to be recognised publicly.
The teachers in charge of the activities / events that are part of the Lap of Honour have been in contact with the students concerned. If students are invited to more than one activity/event then we have asked them to decide which they want to support in the Lap of Honour.
Students are asked to wear the relevant event t-shirt / sports wear on this Monday (and then remain in these clothes for the remainder of the day).
University Search and Application Process - Parents & students of Class of 2017
On Tuesday June 14th at 6.00pm we will be holding Part 2 of the information session entitled ‘University Search and Application Process’. Parents and students of Class of 2017 are strongly encouraged to attend as we are certain it will provide information that will prove helpful in the application process. Part 2 of the session will focus on applying through UCAS (UK) and the Common App (US); we will also be answering any questions that you might have before the start of summer holiday.
Maria Eugenia de Vides
University Guidance Counselor
Awards Assemblies
Please be reminded that next week we have our awards assemblies (see details below).
Monday 13th June:
11.25am to 12.20pm - Grade 6 Awards Assembly (followed by, 12.30pm to 1.30pm, Grade 6 Family Day Picnic).
12.55pm to 1.50pm - Grade 7 Awards Assembly (followed by, 2.00pm to 3.00pm, Grade 7 Family Day Picnic).
Wednesday 15th June:
11.25am to 12.20pm - Grade 9 Awards Assembly.
1.05pm to 2.00pm - Grade 8 Awards Assembly.
Thursday 16th June:
8.15am to 9.10am - Grade 10 Awards Assembly.
9.10am to 10.00am - Grade 11 Awards Assembly.
As stated in a few weeks ago, we invite parents of all students in a grade to attend these events as we feel that it is important to collectively celebrate student achievements.
I look forward to seeing you at these celebrations next week.
Kind regards,
Stephen Spicer
Head of Secondary
Secondary dates for your diary
Monday 13th June: Lap of Honour at 7.00am
Monday 13th June: Grade 6 and Grade 7 Awards Assembly at 11:25am; Grade 6 Family Day Picnic-Lunch at 12:20pm (Grade 6 students leaving with Parents at 1:30pm) and Logros Event at 6.00pm PAC.
Monday 13th to Wednesday 15th June: Group 4 Science project (Grade 11)
Tuesday 14th June: University Search and Application Practicum (Invitation open to parents and students in Grade 11), 6.00pm to 7.30pm
Wednesday 15th June: Grade 8 and Grade 9 Award Assembly
Thursday 16th June: Grade 10 and Grade 11 Award Assembly
Thursday 16th June: CAL 3 Reports issued for Grades 6-11
Thursday 16th June: Last day of School Year (normal finishing time)
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