I am delighted to announce that Marianne Taylor will be our new Head of Primary from August 1st 2020. I think we are all rightly proud of our Early Years and Key Stage 1 provision with its innovative and child-centred approach to play-based learning and Marianne takes a great deal of credit for this. Marianne has been in leadership roles (including in upper primary contexts) almost since the moment she entered the profession and has always looked destined for the top. Mr. McNeill is also moving into a new and expanded role as Deputy Head across all of primary (as opposed to the solely Upper Primary role that he has now). I am very optimistic (yes, I know I always am!) about where these talented colleagues can take our primary school in the months and years ahead and i know they can count on all your support in that journey.
I would like to congratulate the following colleagues who successfully qualified as Olevi teacher trainers following a rigorous 4-day course here in school led by a provider from the UK:
Natalia Cáceres
Alex Kilford
Jodie Pashley
Matt Burdett
Colin Hogan
Mayra de Recinos
Andrea Amaya
Carmen Chávez
Tom McNeil
Marianne Taylor
Jen García
Fabiola Cáceres
These colleagues are now fully-qualified to offer Olevi’s teacher training courses, as is James Foster, who qualified previously. In the first instance, they will be supporting ABC teachers to sharpen their practice but in the future our vision is to become a Teaching School offering teacher training to the wider El Salvador community. In addition, we currently have Natalia Caceres, Adrian Hall and Margarita Valdes completing their Masters in Educational Leadership studies and Matt Burdett working his way through his NPQH.
Did you know that the ABC spends approximately $100,000 on professional development for teachers every academic year to ensure that we are providing cutting edge, high-quality education to your children?
On a more mundane note, please can I assure parents that we never undertake fumigations when the students are in school. One of our residential neighbours did begin fumigating earlier this week but we brought a halt to it quickly and are assured that we will be consulted in the future to ensure that this does not recur.
From the Head of Primary
Assess to Learn
Teachers, leadership, parents and students need rich and comprehensive information about what students know and can do. Parents need to be confident that ABC uses assessment to support a child’s learning. We need good quality information on students’ achievements - gained through effective assessment practice - in order to make good quality day-to-day and long‑term decisions for students. For assessment systems to work well schoolwide, all teachers need to develop an understanding of the purposes of assessment and about appropriate learning and achievement expectations for their students. We have worked hard to link assessment with student learning needs and achievement. This includes:
- Clear, school-wide expectations for student learning and achievement that are well-founded and used to inform teaching;
- Closely linked assessment processes to learning priorities;
- Clear rationale and appropriate systems across the school; and to strengthen assessment consistency and judgements.
Assessment linked to learning priorities
Effective guidance, provided by well-structured planning and assessment systems, helps teachers to link assessment information directly to the identified learning priorities for each student. These explicit connections should be a strong feature at all levels in the schools and are established in all curriculum areas.
Teachers regularly assess student achievement. They use this information to determine student placement in flexible groupings within classrooms, to ensure learning needs were met through daily planning. It provides a basis for reporting student progress to parents and management.
Careful consideration is given to the purpose of assessment and the most appropriate tools for gathering meaningful data about students’ learning needs, strengths and progress. These included school-wide assessment timelines, long‑term plans, comprehensive evaluation frameworks, and indicators of progress in literacy, numeracy and other subjects including IPC.
Teachers analyse the data collected to support student learning and teaching. Students and teachers also used this information at ‘three-way conferences. These valuable meetings promoted strong partnerships in learning between the school and students’ families, by allowing teachers, students, and parents to participate in discussions about progress, achievement and to set future goals.
Staff professional development is ongoing to ensure all teachers are very familiar with the principles of assess to learn. We also encourage teachers to collect evidence of a child’s progress, which is used to back up the judgements made by the teacher and to give parents confidence in the judgments that have been made. Assessment, teaching and learning are interdependent. Teaching activities should not be separate from assessment activities or from teachers’ knowledge of their students’ interests, needs and abilities.
Book of the Week
The One That Got Away by Jan Mark
Jan Mark was the author of many highly regarded novels including Thunder and Lightning which won the Carnegie Medal. She was exceptional at capturing dialogue at the same time as conveying the unspoken in human communication. This was particularly apparent in her short stories such as those in the collection Nothing To Be Afraid Of. Most of Jan Mark’s books, including her short stories, have been out of print for some time. Happily, editor Jon Appleton, who is her literary executor, has collected together thirty of her stories and published them in this volume for the enjoyment of a new generation of readers.
Dates for your diary
Lower Primary
February
Friday 15th until Sunday 23rd: Extracurricular activities 4th session enrollment for Lower Primary
Monday 17th: Kinder González trip to Move Wellness lab
Tuesday 18th: Kinder Bonet trip to Move Wellness lab
Wednesday 19th: Kinder Francés trip to Move Wellness lab
Thursday 20th: Kinder Siri trip to Move Wellness lab
Thursday 20th: Pre-Kinder and Kinder Sports evening - 6:00-7:00pm
Friday 21st: Pre-Kinder Suárez assembly - 7:40am - PAC
Upper Primary
February
Tuesday 18th - COESAL father/son meeting for Grade 5 - 7:30am - 8:30am - Lecture Theater
Tuesday 18th - COESAL mother/daughter meeting for Grade 5 - 7:30am - 8:30am - PAC
Wednesday 19th - 2nd Pashley Assembly - 8:15am & 10:55am - PAC
Thursday 20th - Grade 3 Camping Night - Tuscania Club House
Monday 24th - Half Term Holiday
From the Head of Secondary
Dear parents and carers,
Happy Valentine's day! I would like to start by thanking our StuCo team for organising the celebrations of this special day for the Secondary school. We had a great time today exchanging tokens of appreciation and friendship, culminating in the traditional ‘marriages.’
IGCSE and IB Exam Schedule- G10 and G12.
From Mr. Hall- Deputy Head Curriculum
As parents of students in Grade 10 and 12 are no doubt aware, we are rapidly approaching the end of the IGCSE and IB Diploma Programmes for students in the second year of those courses. With study leave starting shortly after the Easter break, we urge you to discuss the exams with your children, support their revision by providing a quiet place for them to work away from distractions and ensuring they are eating and sleeping well. You can find a copy of the exam schedule here, along with a link to the exam regulations for Cambridge and the IB. Their teachers will be working hard over the final six weeks of the programmes to support your children and we are grateful for your support.
This week, Grade 10 had their first Life Skills lesson on the IB, and I will be running one for Grade 8 next week.
IB Options - Key Dates SY1920
Thursday 13th February: Grade 10 Life Skills Lesson 1: Introduction to the IB (AHA/CHO)
Tuesday 18th February: G10 Learning Review Day
Friday 21st February: Life Skills Lesson 2 - Grade 10 will have the opportunity to speak with current IB students about the IB Diploma Programme and what they will study.
Friday 21st February: IB Options Booket published and emailed to all parents and students for reflection over half term.
Tuesday 10th March: IB Options Evening / Parent/Teacher evening
4.30pm - 6.00pm: P/T Meetings
4.30pm & 5.30pm IB Options Presentation (in Lecture Theatre):
6.00pm - 7.00pm: Subject Visits
Tuesday 10th March: Online options form opened for students to complete (Via Google forms)
Monday 16th March: Options forms closed.
IGCSE Options - Key Dates
Tuesday 18th February - Grade 8 Life Skills lessons - Introduction to the IGCSE programme
Monday 2nd March: IGCSE Options Booklet published to students/parents
Week commencing Monday 16th March: Grade 8 IGCSE Taster week - Students will find out more about the IGCSE courses in their subject lessons.
Tuesday 24th March: Online options form opened for students to complete
Tuesday 24th March: Grade 8 Parents evening.
4.30pm - 6.00pm: P/T Meetings
4.30pm & 5.30pm IGCSE Options Presentation (in ABCLT):
6.00pm - 7.00pm: Subject Visits
Tuesday 24th March: Online options form opened for students to complete
Monday 30th March: Options forms closed.
Recilectura Club visits Centro Escolar Jardines de la Sabana
By Jubran Lemus- Class of 2021
Going to Jardines de La Sabana School was an enriching experience for each of us not only as ABC students but as members of Salvadoran society.
We had the opportunity to celebrate Valentine's Day with the students. The children's story "San Valentín y Cupido no están en el mismo nido" was read in order to promote reading. Those who answered the reading comprehension questions were given chocolate cakes.
There were elementary school children and a few high school students. With the older children, we decided to do sports, a hard-fought soccer game was played while with the younger ones we enjoyed more conventional games like "'Duck, duck, goose!".
As part of the ReciLectura Club we believe that we have a commitment to give back to society through direct service.
As ABC students we believe that we are in a situation of immense privilege to receive a competent and world-renowned education. We have to share with our Salvadoran colleagues the gift of learning.
Young people are our future.
Photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/48254552@N04/albums/72157713091508371
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUoSg2Qc7QA
Thank you to all the parents who attended our Grade 7 parent-teacher evening yesterday. We had a great turn out and it was great to receive positive feedback from parents, we appreciate your support.
Grade 10 Learning Review Day is coming up next week and we look forward to welcoming you to the school for these important conversations!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Kind regards,
Natalia Cáceres Escalón
Head of Secondary School
Dates for your Diary
February
Sunday 16th - ICT Silicon Valley Trip returns
Tuesday 18th - Grade 10 Learning Review Day, all day in LRC (by appointment)
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
March
Tuesday 3rd - Grade 12 Bio SL Deininger National Park Trip, 7:30am to 12:30pm
Tuesday 3rd to Saturday 7th - Mathscount Trip - 10 students G6/8
Wednesday 4th - Knowledge Bowl Trip - after school
Thursday 5th - Secondary School Sports Day, 7am to 3:30pm
Friday 6th - Grade 9 PSAT Tests, 12m to 3pm
Tuesday 10th - Grade 10 Parent/Teacher Meetings/IB Options Evening, 4:30pm, PAC
Friday 13th - Central American College Tour, in Colegio La Floresta, 10am to 12:30pm
Saturday 14th - SAT TEST, 8 to 9am
Friday 20th - Spanish Poetry Competition; Grade 10 Francophonie Day 2020
Friday 20th to Saturday 21st - Grade 9 Empowerment - Camping at school
Tuesday 24th - Grade 8 P/T Meetings / IGCSE Options Evening
Friday 27th and Saturday 28th March - Brave New World
Tuesday 31st - Grade 6 Learning Review Day in LRC all day
Sports Day 2020 Guideline
Thursday March 5th
Highlights
Secondary’s Sports Day will take place at the ABC campus. Students will have different sports activities to participate in throughout the day: Athletics, Basketball, Volleyball and Futsal.
Preparation:
Students will sign up for Athletic events in advance, Tribal Chiefs will be in charge of distributing at PE lessons.
EVERY student must compete in at least one event. Students can compete in a maximum of 3 events.
Students will organize themselves and practice during PE lessons, on the 17 - 21 of February. The tribes will also have time to design posters and banners to show off their Tribal spirit on the day of the event.
Tribal Chiefs will organise the competitors on that day for the Athletic competition as well as the Team Sports tournaments. If a student doesn’t show up or is absent, they need to arrange for a substitute and inform the judges.
Schedule for the day
7:00 am. Tutor time for registration
7:10 am Staff/Students will gather with their Tribal Chiefs at specific points to ensure there are no gaps in the Athletics event lists.
Pipils Tribal meeting at the Auditorium
Aztecs Tribal meeting at the outdoor BKB court
Mayas Tribal meeting at the Cafeteria
Incas Tribal meeting at the Football field/Archery area
7:30 am. Parade starts. ROUTE: Auditorium - BKB courts - Cafetería - Football pitch - then a lap on the track finishing in front of the Stage by the Cafeteria.
Students encouraged to cheer for their tribes – Tribal points for best chants/posters etc.
7:45 am. Opening short ceremony - Tribal pep talks/introductions
COMPETITION
8:00 - 9:30 am Slot # 1
9:45 - 10:40 am Slot #2
11:10 - 12:30 pm slot # 3
12:00 - 1:05pm LUNCH TIME
1:05 - 1:45 pm RELAYS
1:45pm. Paletas hand out
Expectations
Students may stay in the sports areas, moving to the areas with their tribe. Students are not allowed in the halls or classrooms. Staff should supervise according to the duty rota for common areas (exits, cafeteria, bathrooms, etc) so that students are supervised.
Heads of Year must walk with and stay with their year group at all times, ensuring that kids are behaving properly
The Competition will be run by KS, while one KS compete in Athletics the others will be participating in basketball, volleyball and futsal tournaments.
Track and Field events: Tribal Chiefs to remind students of their event time. Students should go to the start line 10 minutes before the start time. The announcers can notify students, but Tribal Chiefs should also be tracking competitors down to ensure nobody misses their event. STUDENTS IN ATHLETICS: must remain in the Cafeteria waiting for their competition
Track competitors need to be at the start line 10 minutes before the start of their race. If there is a clash between a field and track event, the student MUST go to the track event, and complete in field events afterwards. Track events MUST stick to the schedule.
Team Sports Tournaments:
All students will have the opportunity to participate in: athletics, basketball, volleyball and futsal according to the timetable. Tribal Chiefs ensure that everybody participates.
1:05pm – 1:45 pm:Relay finals. All students and staff not competing must be under the Canopies at the Football pitch encouraging, cheering its Tribe. At 1:45pm students are getting a Paleta provided by Madres Enlace, then students are dismissed.
1 hour duties will be allocated for staff to supervise . At all other times, staff are expected to be with their tribes, supporting the Tribal Chiefs in organizing the competitors, and encouraging students to cheer on their peers.
When not competing, students will need to be WITH THEIR TRIBE. We don’t want students wandering about, though, and we need to keep tribes together.
Drinks and food
Healthy drinks and food will be sold by the Bulldog Pack at lunch time. Students must bring their lunch boxes or cash to buy the food.
ABC ATHLETICS RECORDS
This coming week the Varsity Boys team will play the Bilingual League Semifinals, against Colegio Internacional on Monday February 17th, 4:00pm at CISS.
The Pasarela Boys team will play the Bilingual League Final against Colegio Lamatepec on Wednesday February 19th, 3:30pm at Escuela Americana.
All Bulldogs are invited to cheer them on, good luck boys!
Semifinals and Finals of the Football Bilingual League are around the corner, as well as the opening of Juegos Estudiantiles in which we will participate with all our teams and we will look towards classifying at CODICADER with U17 categories teams.
To read more about this week’s Sports events, please visit our Instagram and Facebook pages.
Tuesday 3rd - Grade 12 Bio SL Deininger National Park Trip, 7:30am to 12:30pm
Tuesday 3rd to Saturday 7th - Mathscount Trip - 10 students G6/8
Wednesday 4th - Knowledge Bowl Trip - after school
Thursday 5th - Secondary School Sports Day, 7am to 3:30pm
Friday 6th - Grade 9 PSAT Tests, 12m to 3pm
Tuesday 10th - Grade 10 Parent/Teacher Meetings/IB Options Evening, 4:30pm, PAC
Friday 13th - Central American College Tour, in Colegio La Floresta, 10am to 12:30pm
Saturday 14th - SAT TEST, 8 to 9am
Friday 20th - Spanish Poetry Competition; Grade 10 Francophonie Day 2020
Friday 20th to Saturday 21st - Grade 9 Empowerment - Camping at school
Tuesday 24th - Grade 8 P/T Meetings / IGCSE Options Evening
Friday 27th and Saturday 28th March - Brave New World
Tuesday 31st - Grade 6 Learning Review Day in LRC all day
Sports Day 2020 Guideline
Thursday March 5th
Highlights
Secondary’s Sports Day will take place at the ABC campus. Students will have different sports activities to participate in throughout the day: Athletics, Basketball, Volleyball and Futsal.
Preparation:
Students will sign up for Athletic events in advance, Tribal Chiefs will be in charge of distributing at PE lessons.
EVERY student must compete in at least one event. Students can compete in a maximum of 3 events.
Students will organize themselves and practice during PE lessons, on the 17 - 21 of February. The tribes will also have time to design posters and banners to show off their Tribal spirit on the day of the event.
Tribal Chiefs will organise the competitors on that day for the Athletic competition as well as the Team Sports tournaments. If a student doesn’t show up or is absent, they need to arrange for a substitute and inform the judges.
Schedule for the day
7:00 am. Tutor time for registration
7:10 am Staff/Students will gather with their Tribal Chiefs at specific points to ensure there are no gaps in the Athletics event lists.
Pipils Tribal meeting at the Auditorium
Aztecs Tribal meeting at the outdoor BKB court
Mayas Tribal meeting at the Cafeteria
Incas Tribal meeting at the Football field/Archery area
7:30 am. Parade starts. ROUTE: Auditorium - BKB courts - Cafetería - Football pitch - then a lap on the track finishing in front of the Stage by the Cafeteria.
Students encouraged to cheer for their tribes – Tribal points for best chants/posters etc.
7:45 am. Opening short ceremony - Tribal pep talks/introductions
COMPETITION
8:00 - 9:30 am Slot # 1
9:45 - 10:40 am Slot #2
11:10 - 12:30 pm slot # 3
12:00 - 1:05pm LUNCH TIME
1:05 - 1:45 pm RELAYS
1:45pm. Paletas hand out
Expectations
Students may stay in the sports areas, moving to the areas with their tribe. Students are not allowed in the halls or classrooms. Staff should supervise according to the duty rota for common areas (exits, cafeteria, bathrooms, etc) so that students are supervised.
Heads of Year must walk with and stay with their year group at all times, ensuring that kids are behaving properly
The Competition will be run by KS, while one KS compete in Athletics the others will be participating in basketball, volleyball and futsal tournaments.
Track and Field events: Tribal Chiefs to remind students of their event time. Students should go to the start line 10 minutes before the start time. The announcers can notify students, but Tribal Chiefs should also be tracking competitors down to ensure nobody misses their event. STUDENTS IN ATHLETICS: must remain in the Cafeteria waiting for their competition
Track competitors need to be at the start line 10 minutes before the start of their race. If there is a clash between a field and track event, the student MUST go to the track event, and complete in field events afterwards. Track events MUST stick to the schedule.
Team Sports Tournaments:
All students will have the opportunity to participate in: athletics, basketball, volleyball and futsal according to the timetable. Tribal Chiefs ensure that everybody participates.
1:05pm – 1:45 pm:Relay finals. All students and staff not competing must be under the Canopies at the Football pitch encouraging, cheering its Tribe. At 1:45pm students are getting a Paleta provided by Madres Enlace, then students are dismissed.
1 hour duties will be allocated for staff to supervise . At all other times, staff are expected to be with their tribes, supporting the Tribal Chiefs in organizing the competitors, and encouraging students to cheer on their peers.
When not competing, students will need to be WITH THEIR TRIBE. We don’t want students wandering about, though, and we need to keep tribes together.
Drinks and food
Healthy drinks and food will be sold by the Bulldog Pack at lunch time. Students must bring their lunch boxes or cash to buy the food.
ABC ATHLETICS RECORDS
This coming week the Varsity Boys team will play the Bilingual League Semifinals, against Colegio Internacional on Monday February 17th, 4:00pm at CISS.
The Pasarela Boys team will play the Bilingual League Final against Colegio Lamatepec on Wednesday February 19th, 3:30pm at Escuela Americana.
All Bulldogs are invited to cheer them on, good luck boys!
Semifinals and Finals of the Football Bilingual League are around the corner, as well as the opening of Juegos Estudiantiles in which we will participate with all our teams and we will look towards classifying at CODICADER with U17 categories teams.
To read more about this week’s Sports events, please visit our Instagram and Facebook pages.
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