APRIL 2013
BILLABONG STUDENT PUBLISHES HER FIRST BOOK
Primary teachers collect peas and dodge Article by Hanani Aslam - Author of Dead in the Water paper landmines for I’ve probably pictured this mo- I was much a reader myself to in my head since I was begin with; but soon after I startprofessional develop- ment 10; I still haven’t wrapped my ed writing my grade 5 English ment day head around the whole idea of teacher, Mr. Brown, told me I By Ms. Fazla Abdul Khaleel
On the 18th of April, the Primary School academic staff had their professional development session focusing on "Positive Communication for Positive People". The session was conducted by Ms. Rita D'Souza, Director of Operations and Training from ‘People Pro trainers and consultants’, India. The session was interactive, fun and hands on. Mr. Matthew narrowly avoided losing a leg after triggering a paper landmine during one of the group activities. Teachers enjoyed themselves throughout the team-bonding exercises and also gained insight in positive communication.
having my first book published. Writing has been more than a hobby or activity to me; it’s sort of become something I have to do everyday, like eating or sleeping. That’s what makes this book launch even more amazing for me.
was good at it, and I that actually inspired me to read more.
Having my work published has been a dream since I was 10, and so when this chance came along I seized the opportunity as soon as I was told that this could be made possible. I had spent two When I was asked what got me weeks with my grandparents and into writing, all I could think of my brother, Yunus on Maathoda, was “words”. I really love where Yunus and I went to these words; the way they fit togeth- uninhabited islands. My cousin er and how the right words told me a ghost story about one can touch a person, how they of these islands and once I heard transform and sometimes heal that Dead in the Water came to whoever reads them. Not that life.
Dead in the Water is about two siblings who get stranded on an island along with a supernatural force that haunts them as they try to find a way to get off the island. If you want to find out what happens I would really love if you could buy my book.
SPORTS DAY GIVES YOUNG STUDENTS AN AFTERNOON OF FUN Grades 1 & 2 were able to show off their physical skills during the annual sports day. The ceremony began with a wonderful display as the students launched a mass of blue, red and yellow balloons (these colours representing the three teams) high into the sky.
involved and competed against each other in a few games (much giggling from the parents and teachers ensued).
As the fun-filled afternoon turned into evening, the learners entertained the crowd with a charming and lively performance led by Ms. Maria Teresa. Games prepared for the sports Finally it was time for the results. Well done, team Yellow! day included football, relays, Congratulations on your win. river crossing, basketball and However, no one left emptybowling. And it was not only the children and teachers who handed. All learners received took part. The parents also got certificates for their efforts
which were presented to them by the BHIS Chairman, Mr. Abdul Rasheed. Good luck to Grades 3, 4 & 5 in June when they participate in their own sports day!
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Students push themselves to the limit for sports day By Aishath Luyoona, Mariyam Zaina, Raba Ismail & Ainy Niyaz (6-B)
“Don't limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time.” - Rabindranath
As you all know, we had our sports day on the 4th of April. It was an amazing day with many children receiving lots of medals. Now, lets move on to what we did on the sports day! Everybody came in their house coloured t-shirts and all the houses stood in front of the house captains. We then com-
menced the sports day with a parade. After this, everybody stood in front of our chief guest, Mr. Abdul Rasheed. It was then time to start the events! There were activities including sprinting, the relay race, tug of war and many more! After all the events we had the awarding ceremony, with Equality landing in 1st-
place! This was the best sports day we ever had at Billabong!
Tagore
Billabong team reaches semi-finals at basket tournament by Aishath Luyoona & Ainy Niyaz (Grade 6-B)
Random Fact
Fourteen billion pounds of garbage, mostly plastic, is dumped into the ocean every year!
The Milo International Basketball Tournament began on April 10th. Billabong High International School played the opening match straight after the opening ceremony. We played against Ghiycasudelin School. We lost with 30 points to Ghiycasudlin and 10 to us. The next match we played was with Lale’ School. We won with a fantastic 24 points to 5. The next match we played was with Jamaluddin School. This game was much tenser than the previous one as the scores were closer. However, through great determination we won with 16 points against 15. We went to the semi-finals and played with Iskandar School. Unfortunately, we lost with
The team members were not sad, but proud, because BHIS went to the semi-finals for the first time. We would like to thank our dear coach 16 points to 12. We were and manager, Tom Sir just 4 points away from and Csaba Sir, for their getting into the final. We guidance and for motivathad played well throughout ing us throughout the the match, and for a major- tournament. We would ity of the game we were also like to thank our ahead. However, towards dear teachers, parents, the end Iskandar got the the chairman and the upper hand and slipped rest of the management past us. The whole tourna- team for their support. ment ended on April 25th.
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Welcome to the Student Gallery This month we have some phenomenal artwork to show you created by the secondary students. Please look through the blog to see more beautiful pieces of art created by our incredibly talented young learners.
The Great BHIS Short Story Competition In April, students and teachers were given the task of writing a short story using only SIX words. Below are some examples of the top work created for the competition. ‘Revenge shatters all that you love.’ ‘Slept in his arms. Bones remain.’ ‘So called free country, psychological prison.’ ‘Travelled through time to erase myself.’ Her only friend, an imaginary friend.
The complete list of stories can be found here on the blog.
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Izu has been awarded one of only two 2 year scholarships offered to Maldivian students to attend the Red Cross Nordic United World College in August. There are twelve United World Colleges all around the world, attended by students from over 80 different countries, who study the International Baccalaureate syllabus, originally developed by the founder of the first college in Wales. As part of the selection process Izu had to go through three rounds, starting with a written application. From there Izu was chosen with 19 other students to attend a two day camp where candidates participated in team building activities and a number of presentations; Izu did his individual presentation on “Insults”. Only ten candidates then went onto the third round; an interview with a panel of five judges. Izu is very excited to be given this opportunity, but he is also nervous. He hopes that his success will inspire other Billabong students to also apply for this scholarship, so they too might experience this once in a lifetime opportunity. However, before Izu heads off to Norway in August he will be travelling to Pittsburg in the USA in May. There he will be attending the South East Asian Youth Summit with young people from Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. During this three week cultural exchange Izu will take part in leadership development and will get to experience many of the sights of Pittsburg and Washington DC.
A good professional development workshop boosts the individual’s productivity, reinforces his belief in his profession and also helps in enhancing his occupational education. Professional development is essential for every individual as well as for organizations. Mr. Suresh Appavoo, Associate Professor from Dominican University of California and Fulbright scholar working with IIPD Maldives, was our resource person for the professional development day.
Editor-in-Chief
We secondary teachers were looking forward to the workshop as the topic was INTERACTIVE TEACHING.
Mr. Matthew
Dr. Suresh had planned the workshop very well, by splitting it into sessions each lasting for about one and half hours. All the sessions were activity based, that gave us insights into our own learning styles as well as our teaching practices. We also discussed the challenges that a teacher faces on an everyday basis and how we can help resolve those challenges.
Editors
Overall the workshop was informative, interesting and thought provoking. We thank the School Management , Principal and Vice Principal for organizing this workshop for us.
Primary Editors
By Ms. Reena Francis
Follow us at: http://www.facebook.com/BillabongHighInternationalSchool https://twitter.com/Billabong_High
Secondary
Ms. Reena, Ms. Fortune, Ms. Sophia, Ms. Sharon
Ms. Mariyam, Ms. Carol
EVENTS AHEAD May -
Netball tournament
May 9th -
Children’s day
https://twitter.com/Billabong_High
If you would like to provide any feedback, please contact Mr. Dinesh Bakshi at principal@billabonghigh.mv