BPS Newsletter
Issue 17 - 10th January 2020
Happy New Year! by Mr Luke Chaeter
Firstly, I would like to welcome you all back after what I hope was an enjoyable break. Walking around the campus, it is obvious that all of the children thoroughly enjoyed the holiday, and I have heard many stories regarding the different activities which they did during this period, whether in Taiwan, or further afield!
During the break, it was wonderful to hear about the success of our students who attended and gained first place at the SAM Labs STEM Design Asia Invitation Tournament. As well as thanking the children for all the hard work and effort which went into the development of the successful project, I would also like to thank Mr Cheung for the tremendous effort he made, which was also instrumental to the success. Further information regarding this is below.
As you read this, I will be in Bangkok with Mr Gatley at a Search Recruitment and Professional Learning event, again showcasing the school to teachers, and spreading the word of our academic success to other head teachers throughout Asia. This also provides an excellent opportunity to share good practice and ensure that we are at the forefront of educational development.
Currently, Year 5 and Year 6 students are having trials for the FOBISIA Games which will be hosted in Thailand toward the end of this academic year. I would like to thank all the students who are taking part in this, it is evident that we have great talent in our school!
Finally, I would like to thank you, the community for your continued support. Having completed my first semester as Head of British Section, I am fully aware that it is your support which further drives the success of the school!
Wishing you all a wonderful and healthy 2020,
Luke Chaeter
2019 STEM Design Asia Invitation Tournament Champion - by Mr Frank Cheung
On December 15 (first weekend of the Christmas holidays) four selected Year 6 students: Wilson Li, Otto Yang, Hayden Mok and Ethan Tsai represented BPS in the first ever SAM Labs STEM Design Asia Invitation Tournament. This year, the event was hosted in Taoyuan Stadium as part of the TOP International Robotics Tournament (TIRT). We competed against teams from Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Malaysia and schools within Taiwan.
In the morning, our BPS team H2O Mega started off with a bang by winning the Fast Finger Competition in which judges posed a series of challenging questions to see which team could answer them correctly in the quickest manner. During the main event in late afternoon, our team remained poised and calm throughout the presentation. We wowed the judges with the design of an automated filtration system. In the end, H2O Mega also won the STEM Design Challenge and was awarded the champion of the 2019 STEM Design Asia Invitation Tournament. This event was indeed a special Christmas present to all who were involved.
Thank you to all the parents who supported the event. I would also like to give a special thanks to Mr. Mondal and Mr. Dawes for assisting in solving technical challenges the team faced during the months of trial and errors, the children could not have done it without your expertise. Thank you to Mr. Stallwood for taking the time to support the team in Taoyuan. Congratulations to everyone!
Physical Education workshop for parents - by Mr Peter Poulton
On Tuesday morning we hosted an information session about PE and Sport at TES Primary. Parents listened to a presentation about the PE and Sports programme which highlighted our philosophy of education, the types of activities that students participate in, how students learn and how they're assessed. We also outlined the overall vision for PE and Sport moving forward as well as a discussion about how parents can support their child's learning in Physical Education. We finished with a Q&A session that allowed parents to ask questions and enquire about the PE curriculum and extra-curricular sport.
This kind of event is always very beneficial for both parties and so I'd like to thank all parents that attended and would also encourage more to attend the next session. Building a connection with the parents of TES is crucial to a successful PE department and so I'm always happy to meet and discuss things. PE and Sport are evolving all the time and we'll continue to develop the department so that we can offer more sporting opportunities for your children.
If you have any questions or queries about the curriculum or sports programme, please feel free to contact me at peter.poulton@tes.tp.edu.tw
Lantern Festival 2020 by Mr Eamonn O'Callaghan
Mr O's ECA group have created a display for the lantern festival. It will be exhibited in Ximending to celebrate the Chinese New Year but you can call into the school atrium to see it first.
The students at the Taipei European School come from all over the world so we wanted to create a lantern display that would resonate with our international community. As our school is a fusion of cultures we blended a traditional Chinese inspired fabric lantern with stained glass paintings that reflect our European heritage.
The title of our lantern is HOME IS EVERYWHERE WE GO. We wanted to convey how our students have brought their cultures to Taiwan and made a new home for themselves here. We feel that the education we provide will be a light to guide our students in the future as they make their way in the world. It will give them the confidence and skills to adapt and thrive no matter where they go.
Important Reminder by Mr Luke Chaeter
Uniform
Jewellery, watches and Make-up
Children in the British Primary Section are not allowed to wear any make-up or jewellery to school for health and safety reasons. Small studs are allowed as long as they are worn flat against the ear. However, children are encouraged to wear a watch. An analogue watch with hands is preferable to a digital watch, to enable the children to practise telling the time, but either is acceptable.
Please also long hair should be tied up ESPECIALLY during PE lessons!
After school central playground use
Please ensure that you supervise your children if you wish to make use of the central playground. The playground equipment which is stored in the lockable storage unit is not to be played with during this time. All children are aware of this.
Class Photo Reminder
● Photographs will be taken in the amphitheatre. All students are required to wear school uniform, no PE kits.
● It will be possible for children to have both their individual photo and one taken with siblings (brothers and/or sisters). This is optional but it is only for children who attend school in the EPC. As a rule the younger sibling/s will join the time for the oldest sibling.
- If you have a child or children in the Nursery, parents must collect the younger child or children and take them to the time scheduled for the oldest sibling.
- If you have a child or children in Reception and above, please ask the oldest sibling to collect the younger child or children from their class.
- Send a note to your child’s class teacher stating that you would like them to have a photo taken with their sibling/s.
Safeguarding
ECAs Reminder
FRIDAY MUSIC CORNER - LET'S ENJOY THE MUSIC!
BP PTA Monthly Meeting
Dear Parents,
I hope you had a lovely Christmas, a happy new year and are back with new energy. Just a few event reminders before Chinese New Year is knocking on your door. BP-PTA will have their next monthly meeting on
Thursday, 16 January 2019
8:30 - 10:30
Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Central Admin Building, EPC.
We will talk about the financial outcome of Christmas Bazaar, trigger the school uniform policy, update the status about the installation of a new water filter system at EPC. Everyone is welcomed to be informed and give us constructive idea’s.
Also PTA is planning a Chinese New Year bake sale shortly. More information will coming out soon.
Your BP-PTA team
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/