This Monday, November 11th, 2019 marks 101 years since the end of World War ; it is variously celebrated as Remembrance Day, Armistice Day or Veterans Day in different parts of the world. In recent years the day’s aim has become more universal, prompting us to reflect upon all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in military service throughout history and across the world. To sacrifice one’s life in service to others is the ultimate expression of human dignity. In no single way are we as a human species more different from others than this….nothing could be more contrary to the Laws of Nature. Shakespeare tried to capture some of this nobility when he wrote in his play Hamlet:
“What piece of work is a man, how noble in reason,
how infinite in faculties, in form and moving,
how express and admirable in action, how like an angel in apprehension,
how like a god!”
Sacrifice and humility are inseparable interwoven. The following parable explores both and I hope and trust you enjoy it and the weekend ahead.
Bamboo
Once upon a time, in the heart of the Western Kingdom, lay a beautiful garden. And there, in the cool of the day, the Master of the garden was wont to walk. Of all the denizens of the garden, the most beautiful and most beloved was gracious and noble bamboo. Year after year, bamboo grew yet more noble and gracious, conscious of his Master’s love and watchful delight, but modest and gentle withal. And often when the wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo would cast aside his grave stateliness, to dance and play right merrily, tossing and swaying and leaping and bowing in joyous abandon, leading the Great Dance of the garden, Which most delighted the Master’s heart.
Now, once upon a day, the Master himself drew near to contemplate his Bamboo with eyes of curious expectancy. And Bamboo, in a passion of adoration, bowed his great head to the ground in loving greeting.
The Master spoke: “Bamboo, Bamboo, I would use you.”
Bamboo flung his head to the sky in utter delight. The day of days had come, the day for which he had been made, the day to which he had been growing hour by hour, the day in which he would find his completion and his destiny.
His voice came low: “Master, I’m ready. Use me as Thou wilt.”
“Bamboo,” – The Master’s voice was grave --- “I would have to take you and cut you down!”
A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo…”Cut …me… down ? Me.. who thou, Master, has made the most beautiful in all thy Garden…cut me down! Ah, not that. Not that. Use me for the joy, use me for the glory, oh master, but cut me not down!”
Beloved Bamboo,”—The Master’s voice grew graver still—“If I cut you not down, I cannot use you.”
The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowly bent his proud and glorious head. There was a whisper:
“Master, if thou cannot use me other than to cut me down.. then do thy will and cut”.
“Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would cut your leaves and branches from you also”.
“Master, spare me. Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust; but would thou also have to take from me, my leaves and branches too?”
“Bamboo, if I cut them not away, I cannot use you.”
The Sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away. And Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low: “Master, cut away”
“Bamboo, Bamboo, I would yet… split you in two and cut out your heart, for if I cut not so, I cannot use you.”
Then Bamboo bowed to the ground: “Master, Master… then cut and split.”
So did the Master of the garden took Bamboo…
and cut him down…
and hacked off his branches…
and stripped off his leaves…
and split him in two…
and cut out his heart.
And lifting him gently, carried him to where there was a spring of fresh sparkling water in the midst of his dry fields. Then putting one end of the broken Bamboo in the spring and the other end into the water channel in His field, the Master laid down gently his beloved Bamboo… And the spring sang welcome, and the clear sparkling waters raced joyously down the channel of bamboo’s torn body into the waiting fields. Then the rice was planted, and the days went by, and the shoots grew and the harvest came.
In that day Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, was yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty he was life abundant, but in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to his Master’s world.
From the Head of Primary
Welcome back after a week’s holiday. I hope you managed to spend time with your children. They were certainly keen to return to school to catch up with friends and teachers and get back to learning.
As part of our policy of supporting teachers become even better teachers we have started our Learning Appraisals. This means teachers are asked to reflect on what they want to do better, set a goal and work throughout the year to achieve that goal. The senior Management team as well as colleagues undergo observations in which we see a lesson and evaluate the lesson against professional standards. After the observation we meet with the teacher to give feedback and consider next steps for development. This process is important for teachers to reflect on their practice, identify areas of strength and areas to work on so your child/children receive quality learning in a safe, challenging and engaging way.
Teachers also will be setting targets to move their students to Working At or Exceeding through the use of data, classroom assessments and teacher judgements. I hope the recent three way conversations gave parents a better understanding of their child’s attainment level and next learning steps. Teachers are working hard to ensure the work they give their students is based around the assessment data mentioned above. Once the learning needs have been identified then the learning activities should be differentiated or personalised to support the child’s achievements. The learning given to students should consolidate their knowledge and skills and also challenge them.
Next week is British week. The week will end with a wonderful Guy Fawkes evening. There will be entertainment, food and fireworks. There will also be stalls selling items that could make great Christmas presents. There are Sparklers for sale, which will only be for Primary children. A Family Zone will be set up for Primary children only to let off their Sparklers and there will be other fun activities as well. Primary children with sparklers must be supervised by an adult at all times as the wire used to hold the sparkler can be very hot and they need to be disposed of correctly in the sand bins. We all enjoy this school tradition and we look forward to seeing you there.
Cardboard Donation for Fun at Break Time- Recently we added more equipment and games for Upper Primary students at Break time on the field. One of the fun ideas is to slide down the bank on a large piece of cardboard. If you have spare cardboard big enough to hold a Grade 2-5 student, please donate it. Students who bring cardboard to school are kindly asked to put it near the Primary sports trolley, which is next to the cafeteria. Many thanks.
Inspirational Movie- Aamir Khan: Best Teacher Ever | Taare Zameen Par
Many of our teachers having been watching Aamir Khan: Best Teacher Ever | Taare Zameen Par. It is about how a teacher inspires his class. It is well worth watching. Please click on the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LEyl7GGU38
Book of the Week
That's not a Daffodil!
When Tom’s next door neighbour Mr Yilmaz gives him a gift of a Daffodil bulb, the boy can’t believe it is a flower. To him it looks like an onion. Time passes and Mr Yilmaz often asks Tom “How’s the daffodil?” Each time, the plant has grown a little but it still doesn’t look like a daffodil and Tom has lots of imaginative ideas about what it resembles.
Lower Primary
November
Monday 11th: Hamlet Presentation of “Cinderella”
Friday 15th: Teletón jeans day
Friday 15th: Kinder Siri assembly - 7:40am - PAC
Friday 15th: Guy Fawkes Night 5:00pm-9.30pm
Monday 18th: Christmas Shoebox collection starts
Friday 22nd: Teletón jeans day
Friday 29th: Kinder Bonet assembly - 7:40am - PAC
Saturday 30th: Come and Play: Open Morning for Prospective PK and K parents
Upper Primary
November
Monday 11th - Hamlet Presentation of “Cinderella”
Wednesday 13th - 3rd Cáceres Assembly- 8:15am & 10:55am - PAC
Friday 15th - Teletón Jeans Day
Friday 15th - Guy Fawkes / Christmas Fair - 5:00pm- 9:30pm - Field, Auditorium and BKB Courts
Friday 22nd - Teletón Jeans Day
Monday 25th - Extracurricular Enrollment for Session 3 (starting on Monday 6th January)
Wednesday 27th - 2nd Mena Assembly- 8:15am & 10:55am - PAC
Thursday 28th - Grade 4 Field Trip to Club Salvadoreño Corinto, Lago de Ilopango (Returning Friday 29th)
From the Head of Secondary
Dear parents and carers,
Congratulations to Carlos Ernesto Vasquez for being recognised as Most Valuable Player in the Varsity division!
I hope everyone is ready for our traditional Guy Fawkes festivities! We are very much looking forward to the event and in particular we hope everyone supports our first ever Parent Association BINGO!
Class of 2021 Parent Partnership with children
A gentle reminder to please accompany your child at our Parent Partnership event next Wednesday 13th of November, at 7.00 am in the PAC!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Kind regards,
Once upon a time, in the heart of the Western Kingdom, lay a beautiful garden. And there, in the cool of the day, the Master of the garden was wont to walk. Of all the denizens of the garden, the most beautiful and most beloved was gracious and noble bamboo. Year after year, bamboo grew yet more noble and gracious, conscious of his Master’s love and watchful delight, but modest and gentle withal. And often when the wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo would cast aside his grave stateliness, to dance and play right merrily, tossing and swaying and leaping and bowing in joyous abandon, leading the Great Dance of the garden, Which most delighted the Master’s heart.
Now, once upon a day, the Master himself drew near to contemplate his Bamboo with eyes of curious expectancy. And Bamboo, in a passion of adoration, bowed his great head to the ground in loving greeting.
The Master spoke: “Bamboo, Bamboo, I would use you.”
Bamboo flung his head to the sky in utter delight. The day of days had come, the day for which he had been made, the day to which he had been growing hour by hour, the day in which he would find his completion and his destiny.
His voice came low: “Master, I’m ready. Use me as Thou wilt.”
“Bamboo,” – The Master’s voice was grave --- “I would have to take you and cut you down!”
A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo…”Cut …me… down ? Me.. who thou, Master, has made the most beautiful in all thy Garden…cut me down! Ah, not that. Not that. Use me for the joy, use me for the glory, oh master, but cut me not down!”
Beloved Bamboo,”—The Master’s voice grew graver still—“If I cut you not down, I cannot use you.”
The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowly bent his proud and glorious head. There was a whisper:
“Master, if thou cannot use me other than to cut me down.. then do thy will and cut”.
“Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would cut your leaves and branches from you also”.
“Master, spare me. Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust; but would thou also have to take from me, my leaves and branches too?”
“Bamboo, if I cut them not away, I cannot use you.”
The Sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away. And Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low: “Master, cut away”
“Bamboo, Bamboo, I would yet… split you in two and cut out your heart, for if I cut not so, I cannot use you.”
Then Bamboo bowed to the ground: “Master, Master… then cut and split.”
So did the Master of the garden took Bamboo…
and cut him down…
and hacked off his branches…
and stripped off his leaves…
and split him in two…
and cut out his heart.
And lifting him gently, carried him to where there was a spring of fresh sparkling water in the midst of his dry fields. Then putting one end of the broken Bamboo in the spring and the other end into the water channel in His field, the Master laid down gently his beloved Bamboo… And the spring sang welcome, and the clear sparkling waters raced joyously down the channel of bamboo’s torn body into the waiting fields. Then the rice was planted, and the days went by, and the shoots grew and the harvest came.
In that day Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, was yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty he was life abundant, but in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to his Master’s world.
From the Head of Primary
Welcome back after a week’s holiday. I hope you managed to spend time with your children. They were certainly keen to return to school to catch up with friends and teachers and get back to learning.
As part of our policy of supporting teachers become even better teachers we have started our Learning Appraisals. This means teachers are asked to reflect on what they want to do better, set a goal and work throughout the year to achieve that goal. The senior Management team as well as colleagues undergo observations in which we see a lesson and evaluate the lesson against professional standards. After the observation we meet with the teacher to give feedback and consider next steps for development. This process is important for teachers to reflect on their practice, identify areas of strength and areas to work on so your child/children receive quality learning in a safe, challenging and engaging way.
Teachers also will be setting targets to move their students to Working At or Exceeding through the use of data, classroom assessments and teacher judgements. I hope the recent three way conversations gave parents a better understanding of their child’s attainment level and next learning steps. Teachers are working hard to ensure the work they give their students is based around the assessment data mentioned above. Once the learning needs have been identified then the learning activities should be differentiated or personalised to support the child’s achievements. The learning given to students should consolidate their knowledge and skills and also challenge them.
Next week is British week. The week will end with a wonderful Guy Fawkes evening. There will be entertainment, food and fireworks. There will also be stalls selling items that could make great Christmas presents. There are Sparklers for sale, which will only be for Primary children. A Family Zone will be set up for Primary children only to let off their Sparklers and there will be other fun activities as well. Primary children with sparklers must be supervised by an adult at all times as the wire used to hold the sparkler can be very hot and they need to be disposed of correctly in the sand bins. We all enjoy this school tradition and we look forward to seeing you there.
Cardboard Donation for Fun at Break Time- Recently we added more equipment and games for Upper Primary students at Break time on the field. One of the fun ideas is to slide down the bank on a large piece of cardboard. If you have spare cardboard big enough to hold a Grade 2-5 student, please donate it. Students who bring cardboard to school are kindly asked to put it near the Primary sports trolley, which is next to the cafeteria. Many thanks.
Inspirational Movie- Aamir Khan: Best Teacher Ever | Taare Zameen Par
Many of our teachers having been watching Aamir Khan: Best Teacher Ever | Taare Zameen Par. It is about how a teacher inspires his class. It is well worth watching. Please click on the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LEyl7GGU38
Book of the Week
That's not a Daffodil!
by Elizabeth Honey
A simple story to celebrate Spring that conveys information about growth and is set in modern multicultural Australia.
A simple story to celebrate Spring that conveys information about growth and is set in modern multicultural Australia.
When Tom’s next door neighbour Mr Yilmaz gives him a gift of a Daffodil bulb, the boy can’t believe it is a flower. To him it looks like an onion. Time passes and Mr Yilmaz often asks Tom “How’s the daffodil?” Each time, the plant has grown a little but it still doesn’t look like a daffodil and Tom has lots of imaginative ideas about what it resembles.
Lower Primary
November
Monday 11th: Hamlet Presentation of “Cinderella”
Friday 15th: Teletón jeans day
Friday 15th: Kinder Siri assembly - 7:40am - PAC
Friday 15th: Guy Fawkes Night 5:00pm-9.30pm
Monday 18th: Christmas Shoebox collection starts
Friday 22nd: Teletón jeans day
Friday 29th: Kinder Bonet assembly - 7:40am - PAC
Saturday 30th: Come and Play: Open Morning for Prospective PK and K parents
Upper Primary
November
Monday 11th - Hamlet Presentation of “Cinderella”
Wednesday 13th - 3rd Cáceres Assembly- 8:15am & 10:55am - PAC
Friday 15th - Teletón Jeans Day
Friday 15th - Guy Fawkes / Christmas Fair - 5:00pm- 9:30pm - Field, Auditorium and BKB Courts
Friday 22nd - Teletón Jeans Day
Monday 25th - Extracurricular Enrollment for Session 3 (starting on Monday 6th January)
Wednesday 27th - 2nd Mena Assembly- 8:15am & 10:55am - PAC
Thursday 28th - Grade 4 Field Trip to Club Salvadoreño Corinto, Lago de Ilopango (Returning Friday 29th)
From the Head of Secondary
Dear parents and carers,
Thank you so much to all the families who contributed to making our annual Colour Run a huge success. In spite of the weather and heavy rain, our ABC ROCS completed the race in style. I am happy to report that we will be donating $2,782.00 USD to the Fundación Ayúdame a Vivir pro niños con cáncer, on behalf of the ABC community. A huge thanks to our Head Prefects Paulina Alarcon and Matteo Cabrero and our Deputy Heads and Prefect team for all their hard work and dedication and their endless enthusiasm organising and carrying out this great event.
Students on campus between 2.00- 3.30pm- Extra Curriculars and Team Sports
We are growing concerned over our students' well being between 2 and 3 30 pm. If students do not attend extracurriculars after school, we ask parents to arrange pick-up as soon as possible after lessons end. If students remain on campus, it is under the understanding that they are attending extra curriculars. As you know, the ABC offers a wide range of extracurricular activities for our students ranging from hobbies to music, STEAM type activities and academic support. These take place between 2 and 3 pm. Team Sports begin at 3 30 to allow for our student athletes to make the most of all the activities on offer. The LRC is also open to students after school. On our website you can access our extra curricular handbook and check which activities your child may wish to attend. They should sign up with the teacher in charge and be added to the register. You will then be able to check their attendance via the ISAMS parent portal. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding on this matter which regards our students safety.
Vaping
Unfortunately, this continues to be an issue in teen culture and even with the information available regarding the health hazard, this entails, teens continue to use them. I take this opportunity to remind our community that we are a smoke free campus and deem vaping and electronic cigarettes as smoking and therefore out of bounds and as breaking school regulations gravely. Please be advised regarding school procedures and Actions and Sanctions Policy and discuss with your children at home.
MOVEMBER
Our G9- 12 students have signed up and are participating in this campaign! Please check with your child if they are participating and encourage them to sign up.
COFFEE
A polite reminder that coffee or other hot drinks should not be brought into school by students. If your son/ daughter takes a coffee with them when leaving home for the journey to school, we ask that the thermos cup is left in the car.
The school policy is that students drink water during the day (in a clear bottle/ container) with juice or an alternative cold drink at break or lunch if desired.
Thank you for your understanding & cooperation.
Students on campus between 2.00- 3.30pm- Extra Curriculars and Team Sports
We are growing concerned over our students' well being between 2 and 3 30 pm. If students do not attend extracurriculars after school, we ask parents to arrange pick-up as soon as possible after lessons end. If students remain on campus, it is under the understanding that they are attending extra curriculars. As you know, the ABC offers a wide range of extracurricular activities for our students ranging from hobbies to music, STEAM type activities and academic support. These take place between 2 and 3 pm. Team Sports begin at 3 30 to allow for our student athletes to make the most of all the activities on offer. The LRC is also open to students after school. On our website you can access our extra curricular handbook and check which activities your child may wish to attend. They should sign up with the teacher in charge and be added to the register. You will then be able to check their attendance via the ISAMS parent portal. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding on this matter which regards our students safety.
Vaping
Unfortunately, this continues to be an issue in teen culture and even with the information available regarding the health hazard, this entails, teens continue to use them. I take this opportunity to remind our community that we are a smoke free campus and deem vaping and electronic cigarettes as smoking and therefore out of bounds and as breaking school regulations gravely. Please be advised regarding school procedures and Actions and Sanctions Policy and discuss with your children at home.
MOVEMBER
Our G9- 12 students have signed up and are participating in this campaign! Please check with your child if they are participating and encourage them to sign up.
COFFEE
A polite reminder that coffee or other hot drinks should not be brought into school by students. If your son/ daughter takes a coffee with them when leaving home for the journey to school, we ask that the thermos cup is left in the car.
The school policy is that students drink water during the day (in a clear bottle/ container) with juice or an alternative cold drink at break or lunch if desired.
Thank you for your understanding & cooperation.
Knowledge Bowl- Congratulations Bulldogs!
From Mr Al Razi Masri and Mr Chris Kendrick
The El Salvador Knowledge Bowl competition is hosted by Colegio International . It is a fast-paced quiz on academic knowledge between two teams at a time. At each Knowledge Bowl there is a Varsity Division, for 11th and 12th graders, and a Junior Varsity Division, for 9th and 10th graders.
From Mr Al Razi Masri and Mr Chris Kendrick
The El Salvador Knowledge Bowl competition is hosted by Colegio International . It is a fast-paced quiz on academic knowledge between two teams at a time. At each Knowledge Bowl there is a Varsity Division, for 11th and 12th graders, and a Junior Varsity Division, for 9th and 10th graders.
Our two teams competed against Colegio International, Highlands, Escuela Americana, and Colegio Maya. Congratulations to the Junior Varsity team for their coming in 2nd place!
Congratulations to Carlos Ernesto Vasquez for being recognised as Most Valuable Player in the Varsity division!
I hope everyone is ready for our traditional Guy Fawkes festivities! We are very much looking forward to the event and in particular we hope everyone supports our first ever Parent Association BINGO!
Class of 2021 Parent Partnership with children
A gentle reminder to please accompany your child at our Parent Partnership event next Wednesday 13th of November, at 7.00 am in the PAC!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Kind regards,
Natalia Cáceres Escalón
Head of Secondary School
Dates for your diary
Head of Secondary School
Dates for your diary
November
Monday 11th - IGCSE Drama performances from the Grade 9 Drama class, 2:30pm PAC.
Wednesday 13th - Grade 11 Parent Partnership meeting (with children) - 7am PAC
Friday 15th -; Second TELETON jeans day, Guys Fawkes celebration and Christmas Fair / ABC Parent Association BINGO - from 5.00 pm onwards
Monday 18th - Shoe Box campaign starts
Thursday 21st - ABC Musical Production ‘OLIVER’, matinee for students, 1pm PAC
Friday 22nd - Third and last TELETON jeans day; ABC Musical Production ‘OLIVER’, 6pm PAC
Saturday 23rd - IGCA Turtle Release and Beach Cleaning with FUNZEL, 1:30 to 4pm / ABC Musical Production ‘OLIVER’, 6pm PAC
Wednesday 27th - Grade 9 Parent Partnership meeting (with children) - 7am PAC
Thursday 28th and Friday 29th - Grade 10 Empowerment and Camping days trip, Helvetica Cerro Verde
December
Tuesday 3rd - Grade 10 Art Mock starts
Wednesday 4th - Grade 12 Empowerment Day and Grade 9/11 Parent Teacher meetings, 4:30 p.m. Auditorium
Friday 6th - Grade 12 ToK Essay deadline
Saturday 7th - SAT Test
Tuesday 10th - Grade 8 Learning Review Day, all day in LRC (from 7am to 4pm by appointments) and Grade 12 Art Mock first part
Wednesday 11th - Grade 12 Art Mock second part
Friday 13th - Last Day of Term and Christmas and New Year holidays start
Monday 11th - IGCSE Drama performances from the Grade 9 Drama class, 2:30pm PAC.
Wednesday 13th - Grade 11 Parent Partnership meeting (with children) - 7am PAC
Friday 15th -; Second TELETON jeans day, Guys Fawkes celebration and Christmas Fair / ABC Parent Association BINGO - from 5.00 pm onwards
Monday 18th - Shoe Box campaign starts
Thursday 21st - ABC Musical Production ‘OLIVER’, matinee for students, 1pm PAC
Friday 22nd - Third and last TELETON jeans day; ABC Musical Production ‘OLIVER’, 6pm PAC
Saturday 23rd - IGCA Turtle Release and Beach Cleaning with FUNZEL, 1:30 to 4pm / ABC Musical Production ‘OLIVER’, 6pm PAC
Wednesday 27th - Grade 9 Parent Partnership meeting (with children) - 7am PAC
Thursday 28th and Friday 29th - Grade 10 Empowerment and Camping days trip, Helvetica Cerro Verde
December
Tuesday 3rd - Grade 10 Art Mock starts
Wednesday 4th - Grade 12 Empowerment Day and Grade 9/11 Parent Teacher meetings, 4:30 p.m. Auditorium
Friday 6th - Grade 12 ToK Essay deadline
Saturday 7th - SAT Test
Tuesday 10th - Grade 8 Learning Review Day, all day in LRC (from 7am to 4pm by appointments) and Grade 12 Art Mock first part
Wednesday 11th - Grade 12 Art Mock second part
Friday 13th - Last Day of Term and Christmas and New Year holidays start
We are very proud of the recent achievement of our Varsity Basketball girl’s team who got 3rd place at the the AASCA Pacific Division. The team represented our ABC colors with honour, thank you girls for being outstanding athletes and students.
ABC sports along with the ABC University Guidance department, will host a meeting regarding Sports-educational scholarships. Athletes and parents in grades in 10th, 11th and 12th are invited to attend, don’t miss this opportunity.
No comments:
Post a Comment