FEBRUARY 2013 School presents an open mind with Special Educational Needs class
On February 21st, Billabong High received a visit from Clinical Psychologist, Afiya Ali. Ms. Afiya conducted a presentation which focused on identifying and educating learners with special educational needs. This was a very insightful event, aiding the teachers in better understanding why a student may be struggling in class, and how we can help them. Billabong High would like to ensure parents we will never exclude a child with learning difficulties. Instead, we will ensure the proper resources and teaching methods are in place to aid them to develop as best they can. Everyone has a right to be educated, no matter whether they have any learning difficulties or not. The School would also like to thank Ms. Afiya Ali for sharing her knowledge and experiences with our teachers.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS WEEK Between the 24th and the 28th of February, the staff and students of Billabong High were trained in handling dangerous situations. The classes included educating the teachers in what actions to take in the event of Male’ being hit by a natural disaster. Captain Naheed from the MNDF Fire & Rescue Officials gave multiple presentations, detailing how shockingly destructive fires can be. One section in particular shocked the staff as they watched an entire room go up in flames within two minutes of a single flame being lit! The staff were also involved in practical demonstrations showing how to extinguishing fires.
BILLABONG CELEBRATES FOUNDERS DAY IN STYLE Billabong High celebrated its fourth birthday on February 7th. To celebrate the milestone, an audience of parents and teachers were entertained with fantastic performances from the students. Parents also got involved and performed a very comical dance routine which had the audience in hysterics. The night was made more wonderful as Buru Park was lit spectacularly by lanterns created by the Billabong staff. The night ended with the students presenting TWENTY SIX delicious cakes which, when put together, read ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILLABONG HIGH’. Here is to many birthdays to follow.
Editor-in-Chief Mr. Matthew Secondary Editors Ms. Reena, Ms. Fortune,
Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. - Malcolm
Ms. Sophia, Ms. Sharon Primary Editors Ms. Mariyam, Ms. Carol Layout & Design Mr. Aslam
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MAY THE BEST EXPLORER WIN! By Aishath Raya Riyaz (Grade 7-A)
"Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom." - George Washington Carver
Random Trivia
Astronauts get taller when they are in space.
It was one of the most competitive and stimulating presentations of all time. For our first history project of this year we were given different, remarkable explorers of the past and competed in an election to win ‘Best Explorer Title’. Four groups from our class competed for the title. The explorers included Vasco da Gama, Ferdinand Megalin, Prince Henry the Navigator and Bartholomew Dias. Unfortunately for our group, we got Prince Henry, not only an unfamiliar explorer, but also
someone who had never sailed in an expedition ever! However, we did not let that stop us. After thorough research, we came to know some remarkable work by our explorer, so much so we decided to present him as ‘PRINCE HENRY THE NAVIGATOR—HERO OF MODERN EXPLORATIONS’. We presented our posters in the form of an old map and made banners as well as sashes for everyone in class. But, it was the jaw-dropping
landslide win. We dressed as four famous explorers, three of them the names of the explorers being represented by the other groups. We then advocated how Prince Henry’s incredible contributions had been forgotten while other explorers who were just his executives, or people who used his inventions, got all the glory.
twist in our presentation that earned us an overwhelming
The Badge by Maryam (Grade 10-A ESL) Standing up for school posts will take a lot of courage and responsibility. I am very proud of everyone who got elected as part of school council this year and I wish you all the luck. I have heard many people praise the students who were elected as student council members. But little did I hear the appreciation for those who tried so hard but didn't get elected. Those students who didn't get enough support to reach so high. Well, this post is for them. The way I see it, everything fades and nothing remains. No matter what you are called at school, it all goes in a couple years. After sometime, no one actually looks at the school leaving certifi-
cate, or in fact on other achievements We don't always walk around with our certificates to prove how better we are. Certificates and academic achievements are tools we use to get a good jobs or something like that; once you get hired, no one cares what you achieved in school. I think that matters is, if the education has had any good influence on your character or self. I think what’s important is to build a strong character that has the courage to manage and handle anything that passes by, to succeed in the little battles of life. It’s more important to have the strength to control ones self when required. It takes a lot of guts and
courage to build a strong character, to have a strong personality that could pass anything that comes your way and the strength to forgive and live ahead. Believe me, after sometime certificates and school leaving certificates become nothing but filed paper. If you have a character, with or without the badge, you are already much more than a true captain. And besides, you still have so much time to prove everyone what you are capable of. So, hold on and never give up.
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Welcome to the Student Gallery
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I'm (Not) Sorry! By Zuhura Ismail (8- B) To my dearest friend: To you I send a note of sorry, so that you won't worry, about who ate, your chocolates, sweets and cake. Wonderful sweets I wanted to send, But so lovely they were, they met their end. In my stomach they now reside, And more shall join them inside. Chocolates so velvety sweet, They send bursts of warmth to your very feet. I dearly wish you could've tasted it too, But I'm afraid there's none for you.
Mishka Ibrahim Sujau from 4-B created this stunning painting of the sun setting over a beautiful landscape.
Caramel all gooey and brown, They're better than a golden crown. I wish you could've seen it, set on a lovely plate, But sorry my friend: it's now too late.
Optimism is the faith that leads to achieve-
The cake was so pretty, with icing and sugar, I can't look at it without a snigger: For soon it will be gone, And alas! for you there will be none!
ment, nothing can be done without hope
So I write this to tell you, About the chocolates, sweets and cake I didn't send you. I hope you don't mind, My failed attempt to be kind.
and confidence. - Helen Keller
Ali Nuaym Mohamed from 3-A constructed a spectacular collage of the solar system which is simply out of this world.
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Community service On February 23rd, the Dept. of Biology conducted an Ecology trip and community service in Villingili, a land of no cars. The activities took place between 8am to 3pm. Forty one students from grade 8 and 10, four teachers, five parents, one nurse and the Vice-Principal participated in the trip. During their community service program, a group of students helped the NGOs in preparing for their upcoming Clean the Beach program.
IAYP We are proud to announce that Billabong High EPS International School is the first and the only school in Maldives to receive a formal authorization to conduct the International Award for Young People (IAYP) programme. It is a great opportunity for the students to display their talents and to be recognised internationally.
Billabong goes GREEN On February 6th, the solar panels installed on the Billabong High EPS International School were finally inaugurated by the Hon. Minister of Environment and Energy, Dr. Mariyam Shakeela. The minister appreciated the School’s efforts in encouraging 'green' thinking among its students. We are proud that our educational institution is to be among the front runners in the country (perhaps in the world) to use a sustainable source of energy.
Book drive BHIS students carried out a book drive to collect books from all grades in Billabong High. The idea of sharing is caring, which is embedded in the minds of the Billabong kids, was seen throughout the book drive. Over two thousand books were collected and have been donated to K. Gulhi School. These books will light up the lives of many students who do not have the financial means to attain these expensive books. Our dream of making our students more compassionate and caring is now being realized.
‘Who do you think you’re kidding?’ Ms. Leena Ashar, the founder of Billabong High and Kangaroo kids launched her new book, ‘Who do you think you are kidding’ on February 26th. The function was held in the School Hall at 4pm. Many parents attended the function where copies of the book were sold on the spot. The book is now in high demand across Male’.
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If you would like to provide any feedback, please contact Mr. Dinesh Bakshi at principal@billabonghigh.mv
EVENTS AHEAD 3 March - A Level Launch 5 March - World Literacy Day 6 March - World Math Day 7 March - World Science Day 14 March - Maths Olympiad 21 March - Sports Day