Yesterday it was my privilege to be involved in the final interview panel to select our Head Students and Deputy Head Students for the coming year; it proved to be an experience that ranks among the most powerful of my 28 year career in teaching. All of the students shortlisted performed superbly and were clearly young people who embody what it means to be a responsible outstanding citizen. However, the speech below from Jubran Lemus quite simply blew me away. It loses a little when simply read because it was delivered with such, passion, commitment and integrity but nevertheless, I am sure you will agree that, with young people of this calibre in our midst, we truly can change the world.
"Leadership, for me, is much more than the act of being able to lead others to a common goal. Leadership is more significant than just getting others to do what you want to be done because they want to do it too. For me, a leader is an individual, not necessarily the most intelligent, the most popular, the most charismatic or remarkable in any sense of the word. A leader would be the one who would be able to empower others humbly, unostentatiously, through the building of powerful relationships of kindness, affection and love.
A leader would be the person who would stay, selflessly attending others in times of need. He would be the one who would encourage others to do their best when they accept it's all wasted. He would serve as the gateway out of moments of grief, desperation and darkness. Like the moonlight in the midst of a gloomy night, he would be a beaming escort in the path of life.
I believe in the qualities mentioned earlier of a leader. Furthermore, I think that it should be our obligation to serve as an example to others and younger generations by manifesting them each day. In this sense, you can say every individual is a leader inside our community, whether it's our home, the school or even our country. We are responsible for the change inside our society.
The duty of serving through acts of kindness, understanding and empathy is our fate as a human race. We are all agents in this change of attitude, so a leader needs to be able to funnel this free-flowing positive energy with the best of its ability. A leader would be an empty vessel, coming to life through the passion of the people who advocate for change.
Leadership is not always straightforward, there are challenges met in the position as in all things of life. Nevertheless, one thing is sure, that in a lifetime, no matter how big the trial, the deed, the task, we must seize every opportunity that is possible to be the vessel for change to occur."
Class of 2026 End of Term 1 Feedback 19/20 (Grade 6)
Which subjects have you enjoyed the most and explain why?
Science because the experiments are awesome
Science because it's the easiest to understand and we learn something new each day.
English because the activities are fun and we get to read Peter Pan
I like Spanish, English and P.E the most because I like those subjects, I am good at those subjects and the teachers explain really well.
The subjects I have enjoyed the most are French because I have learned a new language and it's very fun learning in that class and music because we have learned many songs and notes, which are fun for me
Science has been one of the most different subjects because in primary we did not have it the way we do now. I enjoy science because …………….. is very nice and explains clearly all the tasks and she makes different activities for us to learn more!
P.E , humanities , maths , music in this classes i enjoy the most because while we are learning we have fun and they explain the activity clearly and I love this subjects.
Humanities because it’s easy to learn and fun.
Humanities, because …………. is a nice teacher and she always has fun activities set up.
Math- ……………….is really sweet and explains well what sometimes I don’t understand
Humanities: I really liked learning about history and the teacher made every class fun.
French: l enjoyed learning a new language
PE and Maths, PE because I love making exercise and Maths because I like my teacher and he explains the lessons really good
Humanities because I have a good teacher
Art because we have learned about some artists and some techniques.
Math, because I always have fun and I always learn something new.
Humanities, Spanish and Music because we do lots of fun activities and its easy and fun to learn.
I have enjoyed Humanities, Spanish, Music and English Reading. I like these subjects because the teachers explain really well
I have enjoyed most English since our teacher is a great teacher and gives us fun activities to do and also helps us a lot.
Humanities because we always do fun stuff even the homework is fun
I have enjoyed a lot Spanish, Humanities, English, Music and Math because the teachers make the class fun
I like Humanities the best because the teacher is very nice. I enjoy the lessons and always understand what we are doing.
Music and English because they make the learning happy.
Science because we learn different subjects and we do experiments and when you understand you feel great.
What have you enjoyed most about term 1 of Grade 6?
Meeting the teachers
Being with my friends
Tutor Time and Life Skills
That teachers are the best.
That all the teachers have been very nice to us and that I have learned new things.
That we have done various activities in almost every class.
Everything
I have enjoyed moving from class to class during the change of periods.
I have enjoyed meeting new people.
Everything.
I have enjoyed moving classes
I have enjoyed moving from class to class and learning about different things.
I have enjoyed being with my friends and becoming more independent.
Participating in Oliver
The lockers
Being an Ambassador
The LRC and learning in lessons with creativity
If you have any comments about moving into the secondary school please write them below.
I feel the transition between primary and secondary is good as it is.
Give more food options in cafeteria
I think the process was great. Nothing to improve.
Finish this sentence. My impression of Secondary School is…
Being independent and respectful
it's different compared with primary, as it has more enjoyable and new subjects
Very good
That is is really fun and there are a lot of exams
Don't know
Fun and new to learn new things and start over
That is more fun than expected
I loved it! It is very fun and you get to learn a lot
That every teacher is very nice.
That it is going to be a fun journey
That it has more variety
Good because all of the teachers help us.
The teachers are very nice
Not as stressful as I thought
Good because it is like the next brick of building a Lego called ¨life
The different classes
Was great. I really enjoyed this amazing change.
They are very kind
That it is really big and really fun
Very good because everyone is kind
Ahh! There is only five minutes to get to class and try to find my way around?!
(I now know how to get around, do not worry. But at first it was hard. )
From the Head of Primary
Well, we made it to the end of the term! I know the students have really enjoyed their learning all term.
There have been several trips and camps which has brought learning alive outside of the classroom. Lower Primary’s Santa’s Festival and 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 the occasion. The hard work from the teachers, learning assistants and the organising committee made this event very memorable. They were often in school until late and so it is wonderful when all their hard work pays off. Thank you to everyone involved and to everyone who came.
We sent lots of Shoeboxes to the less fortunate in our community. They will be distributed to local communities soon We would like to thank all the children and parents who gave these donations that will bring such happiness to the less fortunate children in El Salvador.
The ABC Musicians' Christmas Concert last night was very enjoyable and it was wonderful to see and hear the musical and vocal talents of our students from throughout the school. Well done to all the students and teachers who took part.
I hope your Christmas is filled with joy, love, family and friends. Christmas is about parents and children spending quality time together. If you are travelling, please take care, and if you are not, I hope you have a safe and fun holiday. School reopens on Monday, January 6 2020
Book of the Week
Mr. Scruff by Simon James
The ABC Musicians' Christmas Concert last night was very enjoyable and it was wonderful to see and hear the musical and vocal talents of our students from throughout the school. Well done to all the students and teachers who took part.
I hope your Christmas is filled with joy, love, family and friends. Christmas is about parents and children spending quality time together. If you are travelling, please take care, and if you are not, I hope you have a safe and fun holiday. School reopens on Monday, January 6 2020
Book of the Week
Mr. Scruff by Simon James
This new picture book by the author/illustrator is great fun to read aloud! The rhyming text introduces a variety of dogs and their owners, deftly demonstrating the irregularity of English spelling. It has a lot going for it in terms of phonics, rhyming and prediction.
The pictures show the relationships between the dogs and their human companions. However, there is more to this book than naming these existing pairings between pets and people. Mr Scruff is one dog who does not have a companion – will he find one?
Lower Primary
January
Monday 6th - Back to school
Monday 6th- Extracurricular activities, session 3 starts
Saturday 11th - Open morning
Saturday 18th - International Friendship fair
UPPER PRIMARY
January
Monday 6th - Back to School
Monday 6th - Session 3 Extracurricular Programme starts
Saturday 18th - International Friendship Fair - 7:30am - 12:30pm
Thursday 22nd - 5th Navas Assembly - 8:15am & 10:55am
From the Head of Secondary
ABC recommends the Young Adults’ Choices 2019 Reading List
by Daniel Jenkins- English Department
The Young Adults’ Choices 2019 Reading List is a project supervised by the International Literacy Association’s Literature for Young Adults Committee. The goals of the project are: 'to encourage young people to read; to make teens, educators, librarians and media specialists, and families and caregivers aware of new literature for young adults; and to provide middle and secondary school students with an opportunity to voice their opinions about books being written for them and in whose pages they can find characters and experiences to which they can relate.'
The ABC recommends this list which reflects responsible and fun reading choices for students from grades 6 to 10. Obviously, some books won't appeal to everyone, and the usual decisions about difficulty levels need to be made - but, this list should help to maintain an extensive reading habit on and around our campus over the coming months.
The books listed can either be found in the LRC or online. You can see the titles in the document attached to this email.
Dear parents and carers,
Dear parents and carers,
We made it to the end of the term and what a term it has been!
My message today is short and simple. Gratitude.
It may sound like a cliché and an expected message for this time of year, and in fact, that may be true! But there is also scientific proof that demonstrates the benefit of practising gratitude in our daily lives!
Did you know that Gratitude opens the door to more relationships? It improves physical and psychological health. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression! Grateful people sleep better at night. Gratitude improves self-esteem and mental strength!
I invite you to take a moment at home with your children and encourage the practice of reflecting on everything you are grateful for.
I am grateful for being part of this community and grateful for all the support staff, students and parents have shown us throughout the term! I am also very grateful to see we exceeded in the number of thank you X-mas baskets the Secondary school has put together for our incredible team of maintenance staff!
Next term is extremely busy as well and we start with our G12 and G10 mocks. Please do all you can to encourage effective revision to prepare for these important exams.
I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas holiday with your loved ones and a wonderful 2020.
See you all early on Monday 6th of January, 2020!
Kind regards,
Natalia Cáceres Escalón
Head of Secondary school
Dates for your diary
January 2020
Monday 6th - School opens - First Day of Term 2
Tuesday 7th to Friday 17th - Grades 10/12 Mock Exams
Tuesday 21st to Friday 24th - Grades 7 and 8 Exams
Friday 31st - Grade 9 Geography Coursework Fieldtrip
Friday 31st and Saturday 1st February - Mathrelay and Mathcounts Central America, ABC Auditorium and Field, from 7am to 2:30pm
February
Tuesday 4th - Parent Partnership meeting No.2 - for Secondary
Friday 7th - Staff INSET Day - school closed for students
Monday 10th to Sunday 16th - ICT Silicon Valley Trip (TBC)
Tuesday 11th -Grade 11/12 Learning Review Day in LRC all day (by appointment)
Thursday 13th - 7th Grade - Parent Teachers meeting - 4:30pm, Auditorium
Thursday 13th and Friday 14th - Grade 8 Empowerment Days trip
Tuesday 18th - Grade 10 Learning Review Day, all day in LRC (by appointment)
Wednesday 19th - Grade 7 empowerment Day
Friday 21st - Grade 12 Family Day
Friday 21st to Sunday 1st March - Art trip to Europe
Monday 24th to Friday 28th - Half Term holidays, school closed
My message today is short and simple. Gratitude.
It may sound like a cliché and an expected message for this time of year, and in fact, that may be true! But there is also scientific proof that demonstrates the benefit of practising gratitude in our daily lives!
Did you know that Gratitude opens the door to more relationships? It improves physical and psychological health. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression! Grateful people sleep better at night. Gratitude improves self-esteem and mental strength!
I invite you to take a moment at home with your children and encourage the practice of reflecting on everything you are grateful for.
I am grateful for being part of this community and grateful for all the support staff, students and parents have shown us throughout the term! I am also very grateful to see we exceeded in the number of thank you X-mas baskets the Secondary school has put together for our incredible team of maintenance staff!
Next term is extremely busy as well and we start with our G12 and G10 mocks. Please do all you can to encourage effective revision to prepare for these important exams.
I wish all of you a wonderful Christmas holiday with your loved ones and a wonderful 2020.
See you all early on Monday 6th of January, 2020!
Kind regards,
Natalia Cáceres Escalón
Head of Secondary school
Dates for your diary
January 2020
Monday 6th - School opens - First Day of Term 2
Tuesday 7th to Friday 17th - Grades 10/12 Mock Exams
Tuesday 21st to Friday 24th - Grades 7 and 8 Exams
Friday 31st - Grade 9 Geography Coursework Fieldtrip
Friday 31st and Saturday 1st February - Mathrelay and Mathcounts Central America, ABC Auditorium and Field, from 7am to 2:30pm
February
Tuesday 4th - Parent Partnership meeting No.2 - for Secondary
Friday 7th - Staff INSET Day - school closed for students
Monday 10th to Sunday 16th - ICT Silicon Valley Trip (TBC)
Tuesday 11th -Grade 11/12 Learning Review Day in LRC all day (by appointment)
Thursday 13th - 7th Grade - Parent Teachers meeting - 4:30pm, Auditorium
Thursday 13th and Friday 14th - Grade 8 Empowerment Days trip
Tuesday 18th - Grade 10 Learning Review Day, all day in LRC (by appointment)
Wednesday 19th - Grade 7 empowerment Day
Friday 21st - Grade 12 Family Day
Friday 21st to Sunday 1st March - Art trip to Europe
Monday 24th to Friday 28th - Half Term holidays, school closed
