primary newsletter, the international school of the hague
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Primary Newsletter, The International School of The HagueTRANSCRIPT
ISHNEWS
#15PRIMARY SCHOOL
Primary Newsletter | Issue 15 | 13 April 2012
The International School of The HagueP. O. Box 520472505 CA The HagueWijndaelerduin 12554 BX The Hague [email protected]
Primary SchoolTelephone +31 (0)70 338 4567Fax +31 (0)70 328 2049Email [email protected]
This Issue is made byVerona Schroder [email protected] contact for Newsletter items
In this issue
3 Dear ISH News Readers,
4 - 6 Primary News
7 Dates for your Diary
* Cover photograph has been taken by Christel van Meeuwen
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Dear Parents,Next week we have interviews for new teaching staff for next year, which is always a very important process. Every year we try to procure the best teachers we can to come here and work with us and with your children. We had over 200 applications this year and the process of longlisting, shortlisting and selection is always a challenging one. Sadly, we do have some teachers leaving us at the end of this school year and I will provide you with more information on them as soon as I can. However, as always, we are confident that we can bring in some talented teachers with a range of skills and experience to join the excellent team we have here already. Our new primary principal, Kevin Rae will be joining us for the interview process.
Towards the end of next week, we have our first school camp of the year setting off. For the first time, our Year 3 children have an overnight camp in and around Arnhem visiting, amongst other attractions, Burgers Zoo as part of their rainforest topic. I know how excited the children are and I’m sure they will have a great time. I’m afraid we cannot guarantee they will get a long and full night’s sleep while they are away, but I’m pretty sure that they will sleep very well when they return. They will stay at a StayOkay hostel in Gorssel, the same location as our year 6 children have previously used, so we know it well.
The week after next I will be out on a school accreditation visit. It doesn’t seem so long ago that we were being accredited ourselves but this time I will be on the other side of the fence, working with another international school and supporting them in their own accreditation process. Accreditation not only provides a school with an external quality validation, it also gives school leadership the best possible mandate for change and improvement. We are now working at a much higher level than when we were accredited at ‘mastering’ level several years ago. It is more like the beginning of a process rather than the end of one.
Thank you for your attendance at our parent consultations last week and this. It’s always a pleasure to meet you and sometimes it’s the only time we see mum and dad together! I know the teachers enjoy the partnership that you share in the learning of your children.
We have some important events coming up soon. We have World Book Week and the visit of the world famous children’s author, Jeremy Strong. Miss Oakley worked very hard to get a ‘big name’ author in this year and Jeremy is certainly that. We look forward to his visit on Tuesday 24th April. Later the same week, we also have wildlife photographer and filmmaker Nick Williams visiting. He will spend time with all children in school and show them some of his beautiful work, also sharing some fascinating stories of his love of animals and birds.
Don’t you wish you were a child again??
Kind regards,
Graeme Scott
Dear ISH News Readers,
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Primary Newsletter | Issue 15 | 13 April 2012
Primary NewsMother Tongue NewsDear Parents,This week the Year 2 and Year 3 children travelled to London during their Mother Tongue lesson. There is a hub of activity in London at the moment in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games! Over the next 2 weeks The children will have to think of a famous sport from their home country, which is included in the Olympic Games. Their homework will be to collect information about their chosen sport, to bring to the next Mother Tongue session. They will be required to answer the following questions regarding their chosen sport. 1. What is the name of the sport?2. How many people are needed for this sport?3. How is the sport / game played?4. How is the game won?5. Has your home country won any medals for this sport? If so, how many?6. Any other interesting facts about this sport!
Their smaller groups will report back to their whole Mother Tongue class, answering the questions about their chosen sport, on the 24th April.
We hope the children will enjoy learning about famous sports from their home country.Kind regards,Shelley Gardella Year 2 / 3 Mother Tongue Coordinator
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Primary News Walk for WaterThe year 6’s and the year 5’s worked very hard to raise money for the Walk for Water. They walked 6km carrying 6L on their backs. Each student thought that it was very exhausting but it was still an enjoyable life experience. One student called Varie Keddie said, “It was exhausting but fun and many people completed it!” Virtually all of the children were sponsored by their family, friends and neighbours which was one way of collecting money. They also earned money by washing cars, fund raisers and doing other small jobs. They could also ask for donations from other people. The money will go to people in Bangladesh who need hygiene education, toilets and water wells. Each class participating raised over €300.By Dominique, Melinee and Naima 6W
A total of 3984.55 was raised by Year 5 & 6This will pay for a water sanitation complex at a school in Bangladesh and insure the children have constant access to safe drinking water, clean toilets and essential hygiene education. Well done to everyone!
IPC Topic Farm AnimalsThe reception classes have been having an exciting time learning all about Farm Animals. The four reception classes had a wonderful time on their visit to the farm and the Caterpillars are really looking forward to their trip next week.We had great fun brushing the goats, cuddling the guinea pigs, scooping the poop and feeding the chickens. It was amazing to see how good the children were at matching pictures of poo to the animal it came from!It is a wonderful time of year on the Farm and we were lucky enough to see a mummy goat with her two kids, baby chicks, tiny tadpoles and a very pregnant goat.We owe all the helpers that came on our trips a HUGE thank you. Without their support these trips would not be possible and they offer such rich learning opportunities to all the children.Here’s what some of the children had to say about it...Lilou “I liked the guinea pigs...I hold it. I would like to take it home”Zain “I like to brush the goats. The goats are kind”.David “ we could also feel their bones!” (the goats)Oscar “I stroked a guinea pig, it was a bit soft”Dominic “we saw the tadpoles, they like eating tomato”Scarlett “we saw the piglet’s milk”Joshua “The big pooh is the goat’s and the little pooh is the sheep’s. The white sheep is the Mummy and the black sheep is the Daddy.”Gulara “I was scared because I thought the goat would eat me. It feeled flat and soft. It had hair hanging under his chin – it means he is a man, not a woman.”The Reception Team
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Primary Newsletter | Issue 15 | 13 April 2012
Primary News
A total of 3984.55 was raised by Year 5 & 6 during their Walk for Water Charity Drive
IPC Mission to Mars Year 53…2….1….Blast off! On Tuesday, April 10th, the Year 5 classes boarded an intergalactic coach to travel to Space Expo. Their adventure there began with some experiments researching gravity and then they were given a tour by some of the inhabitants of the region. Finally, our intrepid Year 5 travelers had an opportunity to explore this curious and very informative location on their own.Our adventurers learned a lot about living in space and the equipment that humans need to survive in such a harsh environment. The full-size model of part of the International Space Station was a great way to learn about the conditions experienced by the astronauts who are living there right now…what an interesting toilet! There were also experiments that helped the children discover more about steering spacecraft in space and the importance of modern heat insulation materials, not to mention their weight on the various planets.Oh yes, who could forget the simulated launch of the Ariane rocket. What a blast! Afterwards, the Year 5 space exploration team felt ready to continue their Mission to Mars, but that would have to wait until their assembly on Friday the 13th!
Invitation Cyber SafetyMr Hagemeijer an Intelligence Officer from Europol with expertise in Cyber safety, has confirmed he will run a talk for parents aimed at year 5 to year 9 at 7pm on the 15 May. This evening is for parents only, it is not suitable to take students along.
Jackie Greenwood, School Counsellor
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Dates for your Diary
Year 3 Camp
World Book Day
World Book Day
May Holiday - School Closed
All Primary Students back to School
Info Evening year 5 & 6 Parents Cyber Safety
April May
20 07
15
28
24
23
Please check our website for a complete calendar.
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