BPS Newsletter
Issue 32 - 8th May 2020
It is certainly heating up!
It has been yet another incredibly busy (and hot) week. Students throughout the British Primary Section have been engaged in a variety of learning, from developing their own computer games, growing various vegetation to using the outside environment in developing key mathematical concepts. Besides this, students in certain year groups have completed various assessments, which are used to further support our teaching and learning agenda, ensuring that any misconceptions can be revisited, the key in ensuring that all children flourish!
As you have all experienced, the temperature is certainly rising in Taiwan, and although this comes as great delight for many, we are vigilant to ensure that students continue to access water with ease around our campus, and that children can visit the various designated shaded areas around the school. It is also advisable that students wear a hat as additional protection, as the sun has been particularly strong this week.
I would like to take this further opportunity of thanking the community in supporting the schools active role in ensuring that we keep our students as safe as possible during this current difficult time. It has been visible over the last weeks that the pick up and drop off arrangements have been particularly successful, which has further supported risk management. Currently, I want to reassure you that we continue to plan outstanding opportunities for our students, and have already booked various residential trips for next academic year, however, if current restrictions still apply, these would not be able to occur. By mentioning this, I hope you understand that we continue to plan in any case - this gives you further reassurance that as a school we are relentless in our pursuit of providing opportunities, but will never put children at risk!
Finally, I would like to wish you a fantastic, enjoyable and restful weekend,
Best wishes
Luke Chaeter
Progress assessments completed - by Mr Aidan Stallwood
In years 2-6 we have finished our external assessments and are beginning to compile the results. This began with a staff meeting for a triangulation of data, this week pulling together the plethora of data for each child, be it internal formative assessments or the different external assessments. It has been highly encouraging to see indications of the children outperforming international and UK averages once again.
Assessment in the British Primary School is about building a picture over time of a child's learning progress across the curriculum. The teachers use different ways to gather evidence about how and what the child learns on an ongoing basis. All culminating in the end of year Individual Learning Record and reports which we look forward to sharing with you next month.
Tribe Competition - Tug of War and Volkerball - by Mr Peter Poulton
Because of the coronavirus, we have not been able to have a traditional sports day. However, the PE department values competition and so over the past few weeks we have been running a Tribe event during PE lessons. As we were limited by the social distancing policy, this event took place within each individual class. The students competed in Tug of War and Volkerball and represented their Tribe. These large team games are perfect for Tribe competitions and within each lesson, the students were able to win points for their Tribe.
This was a KS2 event with all points being accumulated to result in an overall Tribe champion. I am pleased to say that all students took this event seriously and participated with enthusiasm and an appropriate level of competitiveness. Everyone worked hard for their Tribe, but in the end there is only one winner.
After all the points were added up, the KS2 Tribe Champions are BUNAN!
Europe Day Celebrations in Nursery - by Mrs Jennie Bonnalie
To celebrate Europe day, European parents in Nursery were invited to share a short video about where they are from, and a few fun facts. They also gave us a greeting in their home language. It was very interesting to learn more about our global community. The children painted a European bunting, and hung it in the garden to have our snack under, and to celebrate with our French and German friends.
Maths in Reception! - by Mrs Jess Gosling
Last week, Reception classes explored the concept of sharing into parts or smaller groups. We use the term ‘part, part,whole’: the full amount (or object) is the ‘whole’, then the smaller groups are named ‘parts’.
We began by discussing single objects as a ‘whole’, such as one pizza or one piece of paper. Then we broke the one item into parts. We continued this by discussing a ‘whole’ as the quantity of a group of objects, such as our whole class. By asking questions, we could break our whole class into two or three parts. We used questions like:
“Choose your favourite colour, is it pink/green or red?”.
The children were very engaged with these activities, moving into the part of the whole they represented, with enjoyment.
This week, we have continued this idea by integrating our new transport theme using the part, part, whole method and data handling. The children chose which vehicle they have at home or use to come to school, separating themselves into “yes” and “no” groups. This is the concept of “data handling” in action. We compared which set had the most/fewest children. We compared the information recorded and then discussed how these different groups constituted parts of the class. We continued to use the data to answer questions such as:
“How many have a bicycle at home?”
“How many do not have a SUV?”
“Which group has more? (e.g. a small, medium or large car)”
The children then visually represented the part, part whole.
These activities draw on a number of understandings and skills:
-knowing that numbers identify how many (the “quantity") in a set.
-counting to 10 and beyond.
-how to compare and use the language of comparison.
-using the language of "more" and "less" (also called "fewer").
-how Maths problems can be recorded using marks and objects/people.
Through practical activities such as these, the mathematical concept is made clear and relevant, and the children enthusiastically compare amounts plus express their ideas. Showing pleasure for joining in, with the physical activity encouraging motivation, the children really enjoyed learning this Maths concept.
Year 3 are applying mathematics in all subject areas - by Mr Chris Bonnett
In Year 3, we don’t just treat mathematics as a skill based subject but one that also fuels the imagination and promotes creativity.
We believe in the importance of teaching skills and working closely to ensure we do this in the best way possible. However, we also believe that children should be put into situations where they are given the opportunities to apply these skills or develop a thirst for learning more. One of the ways we do this is to focus on the process of mathematics, which are the ways of using the newly acquired skills creatively in new situations. Problem solving in different contexts is one of these mathematical processes and is the side of mathematics we regularly use to enable our children to try these skills in a wide variety of situations.
This week in Year 3, we have been asking our children to apply their mathematics in their Integrated Curriculum lessons. In Science, the children have been conducting their own magnet experiments, using their knowledge of statistics to record their data. They have also applied their understanding of measurement to check the distance a toy car travels on different surfaces when learning about friction. In History, the children practiced their place value, time and estimation skills by chronologically ordering trains on a timeline. During these lessons, the children were able to test their understanding of these different mathematical areas and ask inquisitive questions to support their learning.
Accepting the Challenge in Design and Technology - by Mr Colin Dawes
In Design and Technology, the students are often given a problem to solve or a challenge to complete after they have had the opportunity to learn about and explore the knowledge to be used.
But it is not all about the knowledge. The students work through the design process, researching and learning specific information, drawing ideas to show what they are hoping to make, using various skills to make their ideas become a reality and throughout the whole process, using reviews and critical thinking to evaluate their work and what they are doing.
From programming games on the BBC Micro:bit, building and programming racing cars with Lego EV3 kits (Year 5’s) or Lego WeDo kits (Year 3’s), to making electrical circuits and switches. These are only our current projects.
In an environment where creativity is encouraged the student’s trial and develop their ideas, learning a wide range of skills through hands-on activities.
In a couple of weeks these projects will conclude, and the students will be bringing their creations home.
Net Games in PE by Mr Peter Poulton
FRIDAY MUSIC CORNER - LET'S ENJOY THE MUSIC!
IMPORTANT REMINDER BY MR LUKE CHAETER
Student attendance and Lateness
Please be reminded that students arriving after 8.15 am will be directed or taken (age appropriate) to the BPS office to be updated onto the register.
If your child is absent from school, please ensure that the BPS office is informed before 8.15 am. If you have notified the teacher in the morning, this may not be picked up until 9 am due to teaching commitments, so please do not be offended if you receive a phone call from the school. The safety and whereabouts of your children is a priority.
再次提醒,凡於早上8:15後進校園的學生,都需要先至英國小學部辦公室報到(年紀較小的學生,則是被帶到辦公室報到)。
如您的孩子需要請假,請於早上8:15前告知英國小學部辦公室請假的原因。 或許,早上您已告知導師請假的原因,但可能因為老師正在上課,所以在早上9時前都未能回報辦公室;因此,如果早上收到秘書的電話,還請見諒。學生的安全永遠是我們首要考量。
Hot weather
夏天到了,最近天氣特別炎熱,在校園裡有許多的陰涼處及足夠的飲用水提供'給學生,還是請家長協助提醒孩子,每天要記得配戴帽子,降低中暑與熱傷害的情況發生。
Thank you for your interest in our summer school program. Before you fill out the form, please pay close attention to the following message from our CEO office regarding summer campus access.
Attention!
Message from our CEO Newsletter sent to all parents on May 1 is as follows:
At this present time, we cannot possibly predict what may happen, including but not limited to travel restrictions around the world and local inbound quarantine requirements. So, if you plan to travel, please do plan ahead to ensure your child can return to school in a timely manner when school opens, ready to begin the 2020-2021 school year.
Based on the information we have from CECC and MOE, students should be back on island at least 21 days before school begins. As it stands, all inbound travelers are required to undergo 14 days quarantine plus a 7 days self-health management.
We ask all community members to respect this provision and plan your trips/travel with this in mind. We understand that the guideline from the Taiwan authorities may change, but the above is the latest guidance.
Please do check the regulations of your destination / present country as well as continue to follow the updates from the Taiwan authorities.
Should you travel this summer, please note the dates of entry required.
For Week 1 (Aug 3rd~7th): arrive in Taiwan by July 12
For Week 2 (Aug 10th~14th): arrive in Taiwan by July 19
We are looking forward to having you in Summer School. Please be assured the school has taken extra precautions to mitigate risk in this present situation.
Student Services
Taipei European School British Primary Section
Website: https://taipeieuropeanschool.com/index.php?id=120
Location: No. 99, Fuguo Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, 111
Phone: +886-2-8145-9007
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/British-Primary-Section-Taipei-European-School-1781787432102978/