This past week has seen the school abuzz with events to celebrate everything to do with English language and literature, centred around World Book Day on Thursday, 3rd March.
In the Secondary school assembly on Tuesday, students were reminded that the biggest indicator for future success – far above the economic and educational background of parents – is reading for pleasure, and they should therefore savour their library lessons in Years 7 and 8. Putting this into practice, Tuesday also saw some of our IB students go into Primary classes to read books on the theme of pirates to the younger students.
This week also celebrated, through activities and competitions, students’ engagement with English, whether that be ‘in the moment’ Speed Date a Book, dressing up as a literary character, putting favourite quotes on the Poetree and Match the Teacher with their Favourite Book style events. It was also celebrated through displays, ceremonies and competitions which were the culmination of, in some cases, weeks of hard work and collaboration such as the Boscars Film Awards, the Diorama competition and the Spelling Bee.
Many congratulations to all of the winners this week:
Diorama
Best representation of a scene: Leon Franco ter Huurne Year 7 (Calvin and Hobbes)
Most creative: Finn Turner, Annabelle Garamvolgyi, Ruben Henssen Year 7 (Stranger Things- the graphic novel)
Best execution: Alexandra Lavenut Year 10 (Journey’s End)
Boscars
Best Documentary Film: Gendered Space by Lila Bota, Joey Cai, Zeenath, Emily Thompson
Best Editing: Refugees by Junu Lee, Sutian Cao, Xiran Wang, Mara Mecs
Best: Sound: Social Distress by Annakata Mercz, Kristina Spanarova, Anagha Sudin
Last, but not least, renowned Slam poet Harry Baker led Virtual Workshops, to an audience of Year 10s and 7s, on Tuesday. Students in Year 10 wrote and performed their own original slam poems, and were given feedback by Harry, who applauded them on their ingenuity in using technology to work together and their ability to draw on and use their own experiences. Many students were so inspired by the workshops that they will continue to write and share their poems.
Thanks for all of the support and hard work from our English prefects Lili Casson and Aadya Gupta, the English department staff, Gabor and his team, Miki and the IT Team, Gavin and the MAC team and to all those students who participated with such enthusiasm.
Joanna Leach
On behalf of the English Department
Following the postponement of Journey’s End before Christmas, we are pleased to announce the new dates.
Year 9 have been showing their green fingers/thumbs by trying to germinate cress seeds under various conditions, to see what is important for the seed growth.
There was more basketball on Saturday. This time our U14 Girls A and B teams had their DVAC Festival here at BISB.
