16: Friday 15th December 2017

From the Director

We have just had some excellent news from the IPC about our recent accreditation which you can read about in Sharon’s part of the newsletter.

I would like to take this final newsletter before Christmas to thank you for all of your contributions to this term. I cannot begin to list all the occasions this term which have been enriched by parental involvement. I can tell you that your involvement makes so much difference and inspires our children creating a safe sense of community for our children to grow up. It is vital that we as role models do help our children understand our values, the difference between right and wrong and that we respect each other. The Christmas season is an ideal opportunity for us in our families to continue being great role models for our children. For me the best thing about Christmas is seeing children getting excited about the holiday. This is evident of course in conversations with them but also in the Christmas events we have witnessed this week. The fun at Santa’s Fair, the Amazing Lower Primary shows and the Christmas concert last night. In all of these events the joy shown by the children participating has shone through. I am sure this will continue into your own family and community celebrations over the coming weeks. I would like to add my best wishes for a peaceful celebration with your families.

When we return to school on Monday 8th January we will be in 2018 and all of us should be looking forward to a new year. A new year brings new hope and I want to ask that all of us do our best to encourage our children to be optimistic and hopeful about the future. It is sometimes easy for us as adults to be negative about the world but we must remember the world is our children’s future and we have to share their hopes for a better tomorrow. I know so many of our children are doing their bit to make the word a better place and they need our genuine support. We will see an example of this determination with Operation Pupusa next week and with the ABC TED talks which many of our community are supporting. Please do come along next Wednesday if you have time. Information is available in this link. Soon after our return to school the Class of 2019 will be presenting their Cyanic, their Circus and we are all looking forward to their show. Please book the dates in your diary.

You should be receiving the 2016/17 ABC Yearly today, which we hope you will enjoy looking through over the holidays. If you are a parent or friend of a member of the Class of 2017 I am sure you will enjoy sharing the ABC Yearly with them. We have seen a number of them over the last few days in school and I would especially like to wish them a happy first Christmas after their graduation!

Please do have a Happy, peaceful Christmas and encourage and share your children’s hopes for the future. I look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Primary News

Dear Parents,

Well we made it to the end of the term! I feel it has been a long but very successful one. I know the students have really enjoyed their learning all term.

There have been several trips out in the last few days as part of the IPC units and it seemed the right thing to do when the children and teachers are so tired. Still giving learning opportunities but in fresh, new settings.

The Santa’s Festival and Lower Primary shows were a triumph this week. Many, many parents have complimented the staff and students for their hard work and said how much they enjoyed everything. It actually takes the teachers and the ‘Fairs to Educate’ committee weeks and weeks to organise such a successful event, and on top of their everyday work. They are often in school until late at night and so it is wonderful when all their hard work pays off. Thank you to everyone involved and to everyone who came.

We sent our mountain of Shoeboxes off on Thursday. They will be distributed among poor communities in our area. The Lower Primary Toys collected will be taken to local hospitals on Christmas Eve. We would like to thank all the children and parents who made these donations that will bring such happiness to the less fortunate children in El Salvador.

The Whole School Concert last night was very enjoyable and it was wonderful to see and hear the musical and vocal talents of our students from Lower Primary through to the IB music. Well done to all the students and teachers who took part.

I would like to wish you all a wonderful, happy, relaxing, safe and peaceful Christmas time and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

STOP PRESS!

Just this morning our IPC accreditation report has come through. We are now an officially accredited IPC school. We can now use this logo on all of our school documents and become a focus for the IPC in Central America. Thank you to everyone who supported us through this process.

Very best wishes,

Sharon Short

Head of Primary

Dates for your diary

Lower Primary

8th January, 1st day back.

Monday 8th - Extra curricular activities starts, 3rd session

Friday 19th - Kinder Cáceres assembly - PAC - 7:45am

Friday 26th - Kinder Francés assembly - PAC 7:45am

Upper Primary

Saturday 6th - ABC Ski & Snowboard Trip to Mammoth, California.

Monday 8th- 1st day back.

Monday 8th - Extra curricular activities start, 3rd session

Wednesday 10th - UP Assembly - PAC - 9:20am & 12:15pm

Please note Ana Gloria Mena and Edda Padilla are Primary Safeguarding Officers

Secondary News

Dear Parents and carers,

We have finished our first term with a fantastic Tribal celebration and christmas spirit!

What a term! I would like to thank each and every member of our incredible Staff for all their work and enthusiasm throughout the term! It is undoubtedly the fuel which keeps the ABC going and without their selfless and above and beyond commitment to the wellbeing and healthy development of our students.

Portezuelo trip- G8

Last week we had a camping trip with the Class of 2022. The aim of this activity was to strengthen the sense of belonging and bonds of friendship amongst our students. It was a very rewarding experience during which the ABC Values were evident. During the day we hiked, and during these two hikes our students showed enthusiasm and resilience. The students also had the opportunity to play bubble soccer, practice horseback riding, play volleyball, skip the rope, get to know the process for the production of coffee, set up their camping tents, and sing karaoke. At night we had a bonfire and the presence of an unexpected guest, “La Mirtala” (local legend). All the students showed respect, effort, and enthusiasm during the two days of our trip. I want to thank all the parents for trusting our team with their children. Thank you to the teachers, the Madres enlace, and the parents who came with us on our camping trip. We all had an excellent experience in which we enjoyed and were able to demonstrate fellowship amongst ourselves. We can say with satisfaction: goal attained!

Here are some pictures we’d like to share with you: pictures.

Christmas boxes and Christmas baskets

With the support of staff and parents, our students have engaged in many acts of charity this term. In this particular time, a huge THANK You must be given to all the community for bringing in gifts! They truly embody the spirit of Christmas.

First day back- Punctuality and uniform

We ask that you help us raise the standards of punctuality and uniform next term. As we have previously mentioned in other weekly messages, this is one of the most important factors in school success. It allows a positive start to the day and ensures pupils are fully aware of the daily news and events which are taking place around school. Please help your children access their schooling opportunities fully by ensuring they arrive with plenty of time to go to their lockers and be in their tutor groups for a 7.00 am start.

We must start the new year as we mean to go on. Uniform has been the subject of many conversations around school and at home. It is clear that the community thinks highly of the ABC school uniform so I ask your support in this matter. Unfortunately many of our children wear their shoes inappropriately by bending the back of their shoes in and wearing them flip-flop style. This is not acceptable so some students will perhaps need to purchase new footwear. I also respectfully ask parents to check how their children’s uniforms fit them during this break. As teenagers, they are growing rapidly and it is important their uniform fits appropriately for uniform length of skirts and trousers, Sports Shorts (not beach short length) as well as proper footwear. Thank you in advance for your support with this.

I end my message with the message of Christmas: This for me is a message of hope and renewal, a message of light in our everyday and Goodwill for all. As Gandhi said, “you must be the change you want to see in this world”. What changes do you personally plan to make to see changes in our world?

Thank you for your continued support and I wish you, on behalf of all the staff in the Secondary School, a Merry Christmas and a very prosperous 2018!

See you in January!

Kind regards,

Natalia Cáceres Escalón

Dates for your diary

January 2018

Monday 8th - First day of Term 2- Please be punctual for a 7.00 am start!

Friday 12th - Grade 6 Learning Review Day

Thursday 18th and Friday 19th - Class of 2019 CIRCUS- 6.00 pm; Auditorium

Friday 19th - Grade 7 Learning Review Day

Tuesday 23rd - G9 and G11 Parent Teacher Meetings 4.30 pm- 7.00 pm

Team Sports

TSP Basket ball

Friendly BKB game- Pre Mini (m) -

An exciting end of year game in the Pre Mini category

BeSport 8 - 10 ABC

TSP Equestrian

TSP wishes to congratulate Andrés Kenneth Rendón for winning the “Gran Torneo” Championship of table tennis organized by the Table Tennis Federation, Category U10.

TSP Note