Waves Spring 2016

Bonn International School Magazine | Spring 2016 | magazine@bonn-is.de

7MOUNTAINS The Musical

A Coffee with

Pat Baier Service at BIS

Providing Aid to the Refugees

On the cover: The fisher people in a scene from the Primary School Production, 7Mountains.

Bonn International School e.V. Martin-Luther-King-Strasse 14, 53175 Bonn Magazine Volunteers: Maureen Adams

Contents A Coffee with Pat Baier 2 Staff Run the Bonn Marathon 3 Sports at BIS - Results 4 Winter 4

Claudia Appel

BISSV Update 6

Melissa Beck

EC Activities 8

Agnieszka Boud

Tech Pilots 8

Kate Carey

TEDxYouth@BIS ‘Who Cares?’ 9

Krista Ferguson Rosemary Ford Hewitt Karolyn Fox

Teacher Feature 10 Eight questions to get to know our teachers 10 Primary Years Programme 12

Janet Hannah

7Mountains - The Musical 12

Anuradha Koratkar

Is Construction Just Play? (Early Learning 3/4) 14

Natalie Niklas

Simple Machines 15

Sonja Seitamo

Investigating Belief Systems 16

Jayanti Srinivas Sam Winnall

Middle Years Programme 17 International Schools Arabic Debating Championships 17 Grade 7-8 German Trip to General Anzeiger 18

Students:

Grade 10 First World War Battlefields Trip 19

Rachel F

Service at BIS 20

Elisabeth H Krupha V Layout and Design: Janet Hannah Photography:

Sport, Exercise and Health Science 22 Diploma Programme 24 Is Geography relevant in the modern world? 24 Unsung Heroes 25 Hausmeisters 25 Student News 26

Thank you to the many

Movie Reviews 26

community members who shared

My Favorite Book 27

their photos.

Restaurant and Cafe Reviews 28 Mr Frank Retires after 30 Years at BIS 29

Printing: The Happy Printer, Bonn. magazine@bonn-is.de

Community News 30 Marabu Theatre, 30 BIS Saloon 31 New Building - New Opportunities 32 Translations for School Supplies 32 Confessions of a Crossing Guard 33 BIS in Pictures 34 Favorite travel destinations in Europe 36 Alumni 37

1

A Coffee with

Pat Baier I would say embrace opportunities, don’t

Bonn International School will welcome its new Director, Pat Baier, in August 2016. Previously the Director of the International School Hannover Region, Pat, a British citizen, is looking forward to her move to Bonn and will be joined here by her husband. She attended boarding school in the UK and completed her post graduate teaching qualifications at Warwick University, UK. She has two grown-up daughters. We recently asked Pat to share a few personal insights and her views on topics related to our school, Bonn and what today’s students have to look forward to.

of the friends I had when I was 15.

Pat, you are new to Bonn but not to

over indulgent. I’m also a fan of John Irving,

What are both the most significant

Germany. What are you most looking

Ian McEwan, Paul Auster, Joyce Carol Oats

opportunities and challenges for students

forward to here?

and many more. In fact reading is my main

in 2016?

Apart from being really excited to join BIS, I’m very much looking forward to long bike rides along the Rhine with my husband and enjoying the beautiful countryside around Bonn. It’s far too flat up here in Hannover!

What was your favorite book or series of books growing up?

My all time favorite as a child was Charlotte’s Web (I still get the odd tear in my eye when I read the book to kids). I also enjoyed and still have all the Heidi books as well as a well-worn edition of Black Beauty.

form of relaxing and winding down.

What is your favorite breakfast?

Fruit, bread rolls and cheese at the weekend and a bowl of Special K with walnuts and raisins on weekday mornings.

When you first visited BIS, what impres­ sions did you have of the school?

be afraid of change, don’t pretend to be what you are not and value your family and friends above all else.

So far I have been very fortunate in choosing the best profession in the world, enjoying my job and having a close and loving family and some wonderful friends.

In fact I am still in close contact with some

The class of 2016 is entering a very complex and rapidly changing world. We are facing challenges of a global nature which will effect us all - poverty, lack of clean water, climate change to name but a few, to which solutions on a global level have to be found.

The growing pace of technological change brings with it weighty ethical questions

Modern, dynamic, busy, welcoming and

as to privacy versus security and safety;

warm. The facilities and location are

extremism and acts of terrorism are testing

fantastic and there was a very purposeful

us as people and as a community. The job

atmosphere. However, I first visited BIS

market for school leavers is also far less

in 2003 when the school was in the old

secure than it was 20 years ago. That is why

What are you reading at the moment, by

building and so over the years have been

it is so important to provide our students

whom, and what do you like about the

able to observe the impressive growth and

with the knowledge and skills to make

book or genre?

development from afar.

the most of the wealth of opportunities

I’ve just finished reading Salman Rushdie’s

If you were able to give your 15-year-old

Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight

self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Nights and was somewhat disappointed.

He writes beautifully, but this novel was

2

In giving myself advice from hindsight,

before them.

Students must be taught to become lifelong learners, skillful communicators and critical thinkers and be given the skills

and values to be responsible, open-minded

which the faculty and staff are motivated,

and mindful citizens in a multi-cultural,

committed to the school and its students

interconnected, fast-paced world. With the

and held responsible for the quality of their

right skills and attitudes our global world

performance.

offers an exciting wealth of opportunities.

What are your most closely held values?

I believe passionately in the benefits of an international education for the reasons stated above. An international school has to be a thriving, happy and vibrant community of students, staff and parents, in which all are valued and respected. An excellent school ensures that each student is supported to reach his/her individual potential by providing a wide range of quality academic and extra curricular activities. A successful school is one in

I believe the qualities expected of a teacher must be role-modeled by the leader of a school. It is vital that the head of a school acts ethically and fairly, is able to take difficult decisions, and views the faculty and staff as a valuable resource to be used and consulted in driving forward school improvement. The effective school leader is visible in the daily life of the school and ensures that the vision is communicated to all and that all are working towards that vision in a clearly structured and managed fashion.

The school community can look forward to welcoming Pat at the start of the new school year in August 2016.

Staff Run the Bonn Marathon Congratulations to the 30 staff members who ran in this year’s Bonn Marathon! A special mention to Gary Wilberforce who placed 10th overall in the half-marathon and Mike Bailey who placed 5th in his age group.

3

s t l u s e R winter After two friendly galas in Luxembourg and Antwerp, BIS swim team headed once again to Luxembourg for the NECIS tournament.

Swimming (NECIS Winter) The team performed brilliantly over the two days and returned

Under 16 Girls Bente K

with an impressive medal haul of 11 golds, seven silvers and four bronzes. Lara W and Hannah W came first in each of their

Divya B

four events, with Lara setting two new NECIS records. Not to be outdone, brother Max W also claimed two golds and two NECIS records. The U16 Girls relay team rounded off the weekend long

Lara W

Sabrina S

1st (NECIS record)

200m Individual Medley

1st (NECIS record)

100m Backstroke

1st

100m Butterfly

1st

50m Butterfly

5th

50m Freestyle

4th

5th

50m Breaststroke

5th

100m Backstroke

4th

50m Freestyle

2nd 3rd

50m Backstroke

4th

100 m Breaststroke

1st

50m Butterfly

1st

100m Butterfly

1st

200m Individual Medley

1st

Alice L

50m Butterfly

3rd

Kaitlyn F

100m Butterfly

2nd

Hannah W 200m Freestyle

2nd

100m Freestyle

Isabelle C

event with an impressive victory in the 200m freestyle relay.

Under 12 Girls

50m Breaststroke 100m Freestyle

Aura L

200m Freestyle

4th

100m Butterfly

3rd

200m Medley Relay

2nd

200m Freestyle Relay

1st

Isabelle C Hannah W Bente K Alice L Hannah W Alice L Isabelle C Divya B Girls 16 and over Aura L Lara W Divya B Kaitlyn F

4

200m Medley Relay

3rd

s n o g a r d o G Boys 10 - 11

Max W

Under 16 Boys 50m Breaststroke

1st (NECIS record)

50m Backstroke

1st (NECIS record)

50m Freestyle

2nd

100m Freestyle

2nd

50m Backstroke

5th

200m Freestyle

4th

Anton T

100m Backstroke

2nd

50m Backstroke

4th

50m Breaststroke

4th

Under 14 Boys Jack W

Basketball (Winter) The younger teams travelled to Rotterdam for their NECIS

NECIS Results

tournaments accompanied by many BIS parents, who were in fine

Under 12 Girls

3rd from 9 teams

voice cheering our teams on. The Under 12 Girls came third after

Under 12 Boys

Plate Winners 5th from 8 teams

an exciting and tense last quarter in which the winning basket

Under 14 Girls

4th from 8 teams

was a true team effort. The Under 14 Girls came in fourth and the

Under 14 Boys

8th from 9 teams

Under 12 Boys were the Plate Winners.

Junior Varsity Girls

7th from 8 teams

After their promotion last season, the Varsity Girls travelled to

Junior Varsity Boys

8th from 9 teams

London to compete in their first ISST Division I tournament.

ISST Division I

Tess L (Grade 9) was selected to the All Tournament Team, an

Varsity Girls

honorary all-star team comprising the tournament’s best players.

The Varsity Boys were in Vienna for the ISST Division II end of season tournament and placed fourth. Alexey Z (Grade 12) was

9th from 12 teams

ISST Division II Varsity Boys

4th from 8 teams

also selected to the All Tournament Team.

5

Now in its second year, Bonn International School Sportverein e.V. (BISSV) is a club providing sports activities for children and adults throughout the year. Membership is open to all BIS students, families and those outside school.

Since its launch in August 2015, membership of BISSV has grown

Waves: Can you describe a typical training session?

from 55 to more than 230 members. The range of sports on offer

Daniela H: A typical training session includes warm up and

is also growing for both adults and students and successful sports

stretching, then training in the cheers, jumps and dance. After a

camps were run in the Carnival and Easter breaks, with more

short break, we then focus on the pyramid and stunt sequence

planned for the summer.

and full routine. We close every training session by cheering ourselves with our own team cheer: “We will win!”

Waves: How many members do you have and when do you practise?

Daniela H: At the moment we have 12 women and two men aged from 22 to 52. We practise – and have fun – every Wednesday from 19:00 to 21:00 at BIS. Waves: Are there any particular skills you need for cheerleading?

Daniela H: We focus on fun, getting fit, learning stunts and dancing together. We don’t do any ‘drill instruction cheerleading’ as for example in the US. You don’t need any special skills; you will learn everything in the class. Well, maybe there are three things:

Student sports BISSV now fields three football teams (F, E and D Jugend) with plans to expand to include a Bambini team and a further E Jugend team in the 2016 – 2017 season.

of having fun and be able to count to eight. Anyone interested is welcome to just drop by and watch a training session.

Waves: Are you involved in any competitions or events?

Daniela H: At the moment we don’t participate in official

The running club has participated in two races this season with

cheerleading competitions. But we do

BISSV runners placing first, second and third in the most recent

perform routines at a number of events.

event. Monthly races are planned for next season.

Waves: What is your favourite thing about

Tennis and swimming are also on offer and there are plans to add

cheerleading?

badminton next school year.

Daniela H: Cheerleading is much more than just

Adult sports Spotlight on Cheerleading Cheerleading is one of the adult activities offered by BISSV. Daniela Hadersdorfer told Waves magazine a bit about what’s involved.

Waves: What exactly is cheerleading?

Daniela H: If I were to use one word to describe cheerleaders, it would be ambassadors. Cheerleading is a mindset and about the way a person approaches life. In other words, cheerleading is an attitude.

6

you shouldn’t have back or hand problems, should not be afraid

training. You learn lots of life skills: enthusiasm, trust, teamwork, dedication and performance skills, as well as the cheerleading itself.

And last, but not least, cheerleading is about celebrating life and having fun together!

BISSV also runs recreational badminton, basketball and indoor football for adults. More on these sports in later editions of Waves.

UPDATE Your Sportverein needs you!

As with all good clubs, BISSV’s future success rests not only with the players and coaches, but also with those parents and volunteers who give up their time to support and help teams achieve their full potential. Waves magazine caught up with the Arrowsmith family to get their insights on the Sportverein.

Waves: How is your family involved in the BISSV? Valerie A: All three of our boys do football and two of them are in the running club.

Waves: Why did you decide to join?

Valerie A: I think the BISSV is a great initiative. When we started at BIS there were very few team sports available for primary kids.

The BISSV now gives my kids a great opportunity to take part in a team sport in a structured environment all year round and to learn all the sporting values, like commitment, discipline, team spirit and friendship. They love going.

Waves: What sort of time commitment is involved?

Valerie A: There are practices twice a week for football and running, but it’s so convenient as the sessions are at school. The running club has races in the Bonn/Cologne area and the football teams play at weekends but against local clubs so there’s never more than 20 minutes driving involved. We don’t really see it as a commitment because we really enjoy supporting the kids and the team and the boys enjoy supporting each other. It’s also a great way to meet other parents.

Waves: What do you think you’ve gained from being members?

Valerie A: The kids are in the unique position of being on teams with young players from around the world speaking several languages, but because the teams are part of the German league, they also get to integrate more in the local community and culture. I think it’s really cool. I’ve also found out the BISSV offers adult activities like indoor football and basketball, which give parents the chance both to be more active and to socialise at the same time.

Anyone wishing to participate in or help with BISSV should contact Rene Glinkowski by emailing rene.glinkowski@bonn-is.de or bissv@bonn-is.de

Orthodontics ORTHODONTIST DR.MED.DENT

F u n c t i o n

+

A d u l t s

C h i l d r e n

+

R e m o v a b l e

A e s t h e t i c s +

F i x e d A p p l i a n c e s

A d v a n c e d

B r a c k e t

I n v i s i b l e

A l i g n e r s

It

ASTRID WELLER-BERGMANN

starts

S y s t e m s

with

+

M o r e

a

smile...

Dr. Astrid Weller-Bergmann Beethovenallee 58 53173 Bonn-Plittersdorf Easy parking at Arndtplatz Bus 614 5 minutes to BIS Fon: 0228 184 73 74 Fax: 0228 184 73 75 www.weller-bergmann.de info@weller-bergmann.de

7

Tech Pilots Exploration, | Discovery | Creation

The Tech Pilot program fosters the development of technology leaders by encouraging active participation in the school community through collaborative problem solving and applying innovative approaches to learning in both literal and virtual makerspaces.

Who are the BIS Tech Pilots?

Tech Pilots are Service and Action (MYP) and extracurricular activity (PYP) students in Grades 4 through 10 who joined a trial project

I helped my teachers upgrade their computers to the lastest version of OSX 10, streamed basketball games and did training for teachers that I found fun. Jeremy S, Grade 8

led by our Instrctional Technology Coach, Matt Brady, to create

Each Tech Pilot pursued their own interests from a wide variety

and develop interest driven, production centered, learning across

of STEM (Science, Technology, Design and Mathematics) related

the school. Expanded in 2015 – 2016 to over 35 students (from

possibilities. Some focused on Game Design, some built using

two in 2014-2015), the Tech Pilots have pushed the boundaries

Little-Bits to learn the basics of electronic circuitry, some flew and

of what is possible using technology at BIS.

repaired quadcopters, some worked to expand their computer

What do Tech Pilots do?

programming skills in languages like Java, Python and Swift.

I learned how to solder and repair delicate things like motors

As Tech Pilots, students follow their interests, build their core

and circuit boards and I taught myself how to attach a camera

knowledge of technology devices and systems, demonstrate

on the bottom of a drone and fly it. I filmed several events such

professionalism when interacting with BIS staff and students and

as the cross country meet in the Kottenforst, the Primary Play

develop leadership skills.

and Grade 7 Mock Trials. Nils O, Grade 8

If you’ve seen media coverage of any BIS student events in the past year – whether student assemblies, basketball and volleyball

The Future of the BIS Tech Pilot Program

games, cross-country, mock trials in Language and Literature,

Several of the initiatives the Tech Pilots helped build this year,

TEDx auditions, documenting the felling of the BIS cafeteria tree

including a new IT curriculum for the Primary School, a Digital

or other extracurricular activities – there’s a good chance a Tech

Literacy course for Lower Secondary, and an online Student Portal,

Pilot shot the live-streaming video or photos.

will be rolled out in the 2016 – 2017 school year.

I streamed basketball matches using Google Hangouts on Air.

Also for next year, new interdisciplinary technology options are

This was a new thing that I learned and I found it interesting

currently under development for the Secondary School and

that an app like Hangouts can be used for things like this. I also

will be the seed from which student capacities to be creative,

did a tutorial video on how to use Hangouts to stream video

self-motivated, independent learners in STEM subjects can grow.

so other groups could use it too. Pedro K, Grade 8

The ultimate aim of the Tech Pilots program is to create an

Behind the scenes, Tech Pilots helped improve technology

environment for students where not being afraid to try new things

integration. They offered in-class support to teachers. They audited

and making mistakes earns the highest marks.

how systems, devices and apps are used and how they could be

If you are interested in hearing more about the program or would like to participate, contact the BIS Instructional Technology Coach, Matt Brady at matt.brady@bonn-is.de

optimized. They tested out new iPad cases, iOS upgrades and provided feedback on streamlining our digital workflows.

8

Who Cares? was the topic of this year’s event. Talks ranged from saving the Orca

Juanita A, Grade 10:

whales to the trappings of social media communication to encouraging reading and “Equal rights shouldn’t just be shared in writing. These excerpts from our eloquent student speakers demonstrate the diversity

education, opportunities, jobs and politics.

of passions brought to the stage during this enlightening and entertaining evening.

It should also be shared among males and

Abigail C, Grade 10:

Britt K, Grade 7:

“What we read and what we write also “Please help. It would mean a lot to the

females in football.”

Valentina G, Grade 7:

doesn’t just better us biologically. This

Orcas. These beautiful creatures deserve “You may think, ‘Who cares, there are the right to have a proper home with their plenty of fish in the sea,’ but that is wrong.

effect can be summarized in one word,

pods. If you want to drench your sister, go

The seas are strongly overfished due to

albeit a very important word: empathy.”

to the outdoor pool.”

overcapacity of fishing fleets.”

Jarl B, Grade 8:

Emma V, Grade 6:

Aditya M, Grade 9:

impacts us on a much deeper level – it

“I think it’s great that we are able to create “The water tide rises up by 50%. All small “To be better members of this new global things like smartphones, tablets, computer, things begin to sink. Now it’s the island’s society, we must challenge ourselves to TVs, etc. But after we make them, we buy turn. The island sinks down, down, down. fully understand today’s complex world, them and then… we use them.”

All that is left to see… is water”

Serin O, Grade 7:

Kelma J, Grade 10:

“If they are having such a bad situation “Have you ever felt like a backup friend?” right now, how did they bring their phones instead of bringing more money, food or clothes? Then I noticed smartphones are the most important thing to bring when they escape from their countries.”

Desiree W, Grade 10: “So was I defying nature in some way by getting good grades and speaking confidently and loving to write and being black at the same time?”

and to go beyond our comfort zone and our own biases.”

Joyesha S and Inga J, Grade 8: “This is because when you text with someone, you aren’t able to hear the tone of their voice or see the person’s expression.

These misunderstandings can increase because of the amount of time teenagers spend on social media.”

9

Leilani Dela Cruz Apart from teaching, what else did you want to do?

I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I am allergic to most animals.

What fictional character would you/did you once want to be?

None.

What’s the naughtiest thing you did as a child?

Jürgen Isken

Teacher Feature

Apart from teaching, what else did you want to do?

I wanted to become an archaeologist.

What fictional character would you/did you once want to be?

None; I guess I always stayed too much on the realistic side of life.

What’s the naughtiest thing you did as a child?

As a ten year old boy, I built a lamp for my bedroom and caused a short-circuit, shutting down the electricity in the

The naughtiest thing I ever did as a child remains a secret…

whole building. My parents were not amused!

If you had to choose a last meal, what would it be?

If you had to choose a last meal, what would it be?

Mangoes, strawberries, melon, fruit salad.

What three things would you take on a desert island and why?

Book: A sketchbook and drawing supplies.

Other: My husband, so we can build things together.

Home made carrot stew with pork.

What three things would you take on a desert island and why?

Book: History of the 20th Century; it is a book that would last for quite a while, and it is full of interesting facts.

Music: Schubert’s Impromptus; there is always something new to discover.

Which chores do you hate the most?

The chores I hate the most are cleaning the floor and taking

Other: Pencils and paper, so I could start a report on my life on the desert island and document my adventures.

out the garbage.

What are your favorite spare time activities?

I love playing football, swimming, eating delicious food and baking desserts.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

My greatest achievement to date was to start building a family.

Which chores do you hate the most?

Washing plastic dishes, pots and pans.

What are your favorite spare time activities?

Reading, playing the piano, collecting stamps and coins, writing, restoring furniture, gardening, listening to classical music.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

I published a book on family history.

10

Eight questions to get to know our teachers

Cathleen Garcia What three things would you take on a desert island and why?

Book I love Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. I could definitely read that over and over and not get bored.

Music Country music…lots of Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Randy Travis, Big and Rich. Again…it’s a Texas thing.

Other Water…tons of water. I drink more than the average person. And, I’d probably bring a coloring book with lots of different shades of crayons.

Which chores do you hate the most?

Apart from teaching, what else did you want to do?

Ha ha…I really didn’t think I would ever become a teacher to tell you the truth, even after I graduated with my teaching degree!

I came from a family of actors so I never wanted to be an actor.

Um, pretty much all of them. I definitely don’t like ironing…or polishing silver, or cleaning the windows. Not so fond of cooking either. I don’t mind doing laundry.

What are your favorite spare time activities?

I guess, mostly, I just wanted a job where I could help people

My favorite thing to do in my spare time is probably gardening;

somehow.

I love to feel the soil and watch seemingly dead plants come

What fictional character would you/did you once want to be?

back to life. I love including different shades of green and other colors, and adding art in the garden too! After a day in the garden

As a child, we were always playing like we were cowboys and

you can actually see what you have accomplished. That isn’t

cowgirls…it’s a Texas thing.

always the case in teaching. You do accomplish things, lots of

What’s the naughtiest thing you did as a child?

Once, at my aunt’s house, I threw a huge, rubber horseshoe during a game and it crashed right through the picture window

things, they just aren’t always so clear when you’re standing in the middle of the classroom after a long day.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

at her house. I thought briefly about blaming it on my cousin,

I was pretty proud when I received my Masters degree in

who wasn’t old enough to speak yet, but I admitted it. I am a

teaching; science education focus. This was mainly because

horrible liar; everyone knows when I’m telling a lie!

If you had to choose a last meal, what would it be?

I accomplished this while teaching full time, running a household, and having two young children. I also once won a ‘Service Above Self’ award from the Dallas Rotary Club for all of the

Sushi, for sure! I like eel, crab, salmon, shrimp…all of that

extra activities I did with my students in the East Dallas barrio.

wrapped up in rice and seaweed with lots of wasabi and soy

The competition was outstanding; I was very honored to have

sauce. Yum…

been chosen the winner.

11

ONCE UPON A TIME Once upon a time… these four magic words take me straight back

really must get there). At first glance, from the opposite side of

to my childhood, as I am sure they do for many readers. When I

the Rhine, it is a rather small castle ruin, but after the exertion

heard them, I instantly knew that something exciting was about

required in reaching the summit, walkers (or train passengers)

to happen. These few simple words have the power to transport

are rewarded with truly staggering views. I was inspired by the

a person to a magical world within seconds. I wanted to capture

diversity of the colours I saw from the castle wall, floating ethereally

the essence of this magic in the stage production of 7Mountains,

in the dramatic scenery; certainly my intention was that the music

and I feel the BIS performance really did tremendous justice to

reflected this beauty.

the phrase.

Our students gave a brilliant performance, and should be extremely

The English premiere was staged at the Brueckenforum Theatre

proud of themselves and their fellow players. They were amazing

on Wednesday, 9 March this year. An amazing cast of 168 BIS

to work with during long hours in many rehearsals, and it was a

students performed in front of a huge audience of 850 people!

As the name implies, the seven mountains framing the Rhine valley

most rewarding experience for me and I think for many of them, as their comments attest:

near Bonn were a considerable inspiration for me in writing the “I really liked the musical because I loved my role as ‘Lady’ and my musical. If you have visited the Drachenfels, you will appreciate

costume. The rehearsals were really fun and we were serious when

how this might happen (and if you haven’t been to the top, you

needed to be and joked when we were allowed.” Seday P, Grade 4

12

PYP

“I really liked being a grape picker and my favourite line was ‘Oh, “I loved all the props and the costumes that the parents so kindly do you mean the class dues from Grade 4?’. I was also a dancer

made for us. Everyone put so much work into the acting and

and it took a lot of effort practising in class. It was so hilarious

singing. I liked my solo that I sang and I loved my role as a grape

when one of the senior herb fairies came on stage and said: ‘Oh

picker. The whole musical was amazing.” Laura K, Grade 4

my back is hurting so much’.” Benjamin S, Grade 4 “7Mountains was awesome because lots of people were involved.

Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were performing in the musical. I have learned that a musical takes lots of work to make and perform.”

Violet B, Grade 4

“I really enjoyed being an actress in the 7Mountains. Mr Unkel put a lot of work in the musical. I loved being a fisher person and think the scenes are very well written.” Indigo E, Grade 4 Mark Unkel (writer and producer), Joanne Walter-Unkel (assistant director) and Janine Lockwood (director and stage manager)

“I learned to act out when people are saying their lines so

thank BIS for supporting this production and every parent and

people think it’s more realistic. I loved the part where the smoke

teacher involved for their time, dedication and enthusiasm. They

comes out, and when the dragon comes it was pretty cool and

especially want to express their gratitude to parents Anna Ramirez,

scary. We should thank the parents who helped and Mr Unkel.” Amanda Rayns, Paula Pontes Rocha, Mac Brown, Carmen Gondela, Lloyd Z, Grade 4

Joana Veasey and Nina Busch.

by Mark Unkel, Teacher

Primary Years Programme

13

Oh no! They are in the construction area, again!

Is Construction Just Play?

Early Learning 3/4

When you walk into our Early Learning 3/4 learning environment, you can be sure to find students busy in the construction area, or b u i l d i n g i n o t h e r a re a s o f t h e room. Construction resources are very popular with children in Early Learning (EL), and we often have parents and visitors ask, ‘How do you manage students who choose to be in the construction area every day?’

In answer to that question, let’s have a closer look at construction.

Construction is a fascinating way to observe and assess children’s progress throughout the year. In the first few weeks of school, you can see students mostly exploring on their own, engaged with inquiry tasks that are based on their personal interests and experiences: How do these magnets work? How many blocks can I fit in a space? How heavy/light are these blocks? How are these wooden blocks different from the other ones? Can I rebuild the Lego model that I made at home? How many blocks can I stack before my tower collapses? Can I balance more blocks on the top? Why does my tower always fall?

What happens if I put a block on an incline?

14

These first weeks provide an opportunity to teach vocabulary such as stacking, construction, structures, incline, etc. which will support inquiry based learning throughout the year. This is also the time we teach the students how to access all the resources indoors and outdoors independently, how to use them safely and how to clean up and put things away.

Safety, responsibility and independence are needed to support the next steps in construction development.

As the year goes on, the students’ progress in the areas of Communication and Language, Social Development and Physical Development leads to changes in the way they approach ‘construction’ play. It becomes more interactive: children want to talk about it; they begin to pool materials and resources, and there is more planning. They start to combine resources to construct all sorts of things, from buildings with a purpose (airports, bridges, train stations, houses, zoos, schools, spaceships, parking lots and more) to creating abstract structures for the pleasure of building.

During this time we also see a transfer of skills between indoor and outdoor environments, for example dens built with tyres, tarps and planks, bridges and roads built in the sandpit, slides and channels

PYP

The children also make connections between their life experiences and the structures they build. In fact, the school expansion has sparked lots of interesting conversations this year, with the tree being cut down and the large machinery and equipment visible to students.

Construction play then moves to another stage. Students organize themselves and incorporate construction play into their imaginative play. In this stage, the play becomes collaborative as students organize themselves by deciding what to build, how and why. They might build an airport because they are acting out a role-play scenario of going on a trip, or they might build a hideout because they are superheroes, and they need to hide from the bad guys.

This type of play involves high level cognitive skills. Children must agree on what to play, which involves discussing and taking into account other people’s points of views, settling disagreements and compromising. They plan what resources they need, share them with other peers who might be using them and they solve problems, such as, someone else using the space they planned to use, or if it is time to clean up and they still want to play. Of course, they are then employing their construction skills, sharing ideas and teaching others new ways of building and combining resources.

SIMPLE MACHINES

built during water play. The building becomes more skillful, and students realize they can construct and build in other parts of the room as well, not just in the construction area.

In their latest Unit of Inquiry, the Grade 2 students have been exploring the benefits and uses of a range of simple machines.

They practiced their scientific skills by investigating inclined planes, screws, wedges, levers, wheels and axles and pulleys.

They carried out a range of scientific experiments and wrote them up as lab reports, working on their hypothesizing, in-depth

procedural writing, result recording, concluding and explaining.

They questioned:

• how different lengths and angles of inclined planes affect the work involved,

• how different sizes of screws require different levels of effort to screw into a block of wood,

• how moving the position of a fulcrum affects the force required to use a lever,

• whether changing the size of a car’s wheels affect how far it would roll, and

• the relationship between the number of pulleys involved and the force required to lift a load.

Gary Wilberforce, Teacher

Wheel and Axle Experiment: Does the size of the wheel affect the work?

During this type of play, you will see a high level of engagement, and students will often naturally incorporate skills that have been learned during direct instruction, such as counting, patterning, vocabulary, reading and writing.

Nilva Marin, Teacher Next time you’re taking a walk down the EL hallway, come in to visit and see if you can spot the learning going on!

Screws: Does the distance between

Levers: Does the placement of the

the threads affect the effort used to

fulcrum affect how much weight is

screw into wood?

needed to lift the load?

Primary Years Programme

15

Investigating Belief Systems For their fourth unit of inquiry, the Grade 5 students explored the

that although belief systems can be very different, they also have

transdisciplinary theme Who We Are. In this unit, they investigated

many similarities. They were challenged to find common ground

how belief systems around the world influence the way we live our

between quite different belief systems using the IB Learner Profile

lives. Members of our diverse BIS community volunteered their

and show how they influenced their followers to live their lives

time to come in and share their personal belief systems with the

in similar ways. Here are some of the student’s interpretations

students. After listening to our guest speakers, the students found

following the presentations.

believe in one God, many forms support each other

Islam

believe in yourself

treat others as you want to be treated

Christianity balanced

scientific proof

Atheism

principled

worship wherever you want

reflective

Anabaptist knowledgeable

open minded

Personal Belief System caring

Hinduism respectful

a way of living your life communicators

everyone has equal rights.

open minded God is like a good friend

16

thinkers

Quakerism find your inner voice/self

PYP

Jeremy Clark, Teacher

‫البطولة الدولية الثالثة ملناظرات املدارس باللغة العربية‬ The Third International Schools Arabic Debating Championships Arabic is an integral Mother Tongue language in BIS’ Secondary School curriculum.

Four of our students recently represented our school at the Third International Schools Arabic Debating Championships in Doha.

With only three months to prepare and little

Championships in Doha. In this debate

won the first debate against Mauritania

experience in this context in their native

there were 50 other participating countries

and afterwards debated against Turkey,

language, these students met out of school

with 53 teams, discussing topics such as

Sudan, Croatia and, for the second time,

hours to broaden their language and life

the privatization of education, the rights

Mauritania. Before the debate we were so

skills. Here is their account:

of refugees to their own image in media,

nervous, but then we started to accept that

“Together with our Arabic teacher and debating trainer, Mr Osama Amin, and Ms Voß, our team of four Arabic native speakers – Sama, Hajar, Khalifa and Abdulrahman – was invited by Qatar Foundation to participate in the Third International Schools Arabic Debating

the elimination of visa requirements

we had to prepare in a very short time in

among Arabian countries, compulsory

order to present in front of a huge audience

membership in sport clubs, the financial

and professional juries. This trip helped

support for countries that accept

us to gain unforgettable experiences and

refugees and many more topics. All teams

showed us how to let go of our fears.

participated in five debates and thereafter

Overall, we had a fantastic time.”

qualified for the final rounds. Our team

Hajar I, Grade 8 & Sama I, Grade 9

MYP

17

General Anzeiger On 19 February 2016, the German native

smallest size is as thick as one A3 sheet of

speakers in Grades 7 and 8 went to the General

paper, the middle one is as thick as one and a

Anzeiger newspaper factory for a field trip.

half A3 sheets and the thickest one is as thick

We learned how the General Anzeiger

as two A3 sheets. The huge paper rolls cost

produces its newspapers and experienced how

about €800 each. All three sizes of paper rolls

newspapers are produced in large quantities

are 20km long. In the printer room there are

at the General Anzeiger.

three big printers, which have space for two

The General Anzeiger is a non biased newspaper producing company, which also

paper rolls. The paper rolls consist of 75% old paper and 25% new paper.

cooperates with other newspaper companies.

We were fascinated by these facts, because it

It prints about 80,000 newspapers per day. It

was very interesting and we learned a lot about

is said that each one of their newspapers is

the production of newspapers. In conclusion,

read by three readers (that’s 240,000 readers).

it is a very challenging process to produce a

The General Anzeiger has many huge paper rolls, which are used to print the newspaper.

newspaper.

By Mike K, Grade 7 and Ron L, Grade 8

There are three different sizes of rolls, the

Prevention is much better than healing – it saves the labour of being sick.«

»

© michaeljung - Fotolia.com

Thomas Adams, 1618

DR. MED. MARIANNE ESSER // BEATE HUBER M.D. (TORONTO) Pediatrics Age 0-18 years Allergology

18

Beethovenallee 56 53173 Bonn-Bad Godesberg www.kinderarzt-esser.de

Easy Parking at Arndtplatz Bus 614 5 minutes to BIS

MYP

Phone 0228 – 36 10 61 Fax 0228 – 35 97 32 info@kinderarzt-esser.de

First World War

Battlefields Trip Of all the places we visited during our Grade 10 trip to Ypres and

part of the Great War and it just really brought home to me the

Waterloo in March, it was the war cemeteries in Ypres that made

fact that the war not only affected Europe, but the whole world.

the greatest impression on me.

Our group also went to the German cemetery. Where the British

We had, of course, learnt in class about the countless casualties

chose individual, white headstones that reached the height

during the First World War. Some were due to the bloody battles,

of my hip, the Germans strived for a much subtler and more

whereas others were because of the many diseases that infested

modest approach. Their cemetery was the opposite end of the

the trenches where the soldiers stayed. One such disease was

colour spectrum and the dominant colour was black not white.

Trench Fever which was caused by the many lice in the trenches

The gravestones were small black slabs scattered in the ground

with the soldiers, along with rats and other vermin. However, even

and every few metres there were huge towering trees. The German

though we knew from class how many soldiers died in the war,

cemetery was also a lot smaller than the British. Our grade soon

actually seeing the cemeteries where the war heroes now lie was

discovered that this was because the Germans only had a limited

still a huge shock.

amount of time to bury their dead and therefore, even though they

We first visited a British cemetery. Even though it was not the biggest in Ypres, it was still horrifying to see the number of

had thousands of dead soldiers, they had to be buried on top of one another in a mass burial.

gravestones in the cemetery. This was because the British made

Our trip ended with a visit to the Menin Gate to hear the Last

sure that each individual soldier found from their armed forces

Post in memory of all those soldiers whose bodies were never

had their own headstone. Even though the overall topic was sad,

recovered and who therefore have no individual graves.

I found it quite touching, especially when I saw that each headstone had the soldier’s name and their country’s emblem. The ones that

Isabelle C, Grade 10

stood out the most for me were those with the Australian emblem, which was the rising sun, and the Canadian emblem, which was the maple leaf.

The next cemetery we visited was the biggest in Ypres. It was beautifully kept and very orderly, with each headstone in neat rows and columns.

Even though it is known as a British cemetery, it was full of the graves of soldiers from Commonwealth countries like Australia, Canada and New Zealand. There were countless rows of fallen soldiers who were all from different countries, but were all

Middle Years Programme

19

Service at BIS

With the refugee crisis on our doorstep, our school community jumped into action in various ways to provide aid, which simultaneously taught lessons in compassion, giving and recognition of our own personal freedoms and privileges. Aside from collecting immediate items of need, many BIS students, families, and staff have volunteered countless hours to support and welcome the refugees in Bonn.

In the past year there has been an escalation in the

Student Reflections What did you learn from your experience at the refugee centre?

even the smallest act makes a huge difference for pe ople in need

“I learned how great it is and how important it is and that even the smallest act makes a huge difference for people in need.

I learned how great it feels to help and how important it is to also spread the awareness. It is always important because the issue will never disappear.”

“They are not violent, they are really nice and grateful.”

What kinds of things do you think the refugees need now?

“They need more attention from the government.”

refugee crisis coming out of Syria, which is now being “The refugees need everything. The cafeteria was merely two seen on a global scale. It is not just Syrians who are long tables and one big pot when I was there. The people were

fleeing their country. Many nationalities are caught

sleeping on tiny beds, under clumps of donated blankets. Children

up in war zones. They are leaving their homes, their

had nothing to play with, and when we were handing out coloring

belongings, their friends and family, and schooling to

pencils and paper, even the teenagers looked interested and took

find safety. Germany has agreed to take nearly one

some. The instructor showed us one man I specifically remember

million refugees, with many of them living temporarily

and still think about. He fled his country with nothing in his hands,

in Bonn.

and only lives from donated charity.”

I first went to the refugee centre near my house as

Would you like to go back and help again?

my mum was donating some of our things. My first impression was that it was not that bad. The refugees

“Yes, they are really nice and they just want the best for them.”

at the centre were dressed well, had their phones and “Well, of course! I think it is very important to, when you see were clean. As I went back for additional visits, I realized something happening, you don’t wait and say, ‘Oh, well, someone some of them were in the same clothes and what they

else will help, I can’t do anything’. That is totally untrue, and it

were wearing was donated. Also, as the centre grew,

all begins with you. Others will also help, but you will make a big

more people had to share rooms.

difference, and that’s how it felt when I helped. I would definitely

At BIS we started to run weekly appeals for donations and I was able to do many of the drop offs to the centre. This is how I started to get to know some of the refugees by name and they would greet me by name

as well. Over the last months we have taken basic foods, and many other items including toothpaste

and toothbrushes, blankets, clothes, bikes and bags.

Donating things that are needed and used immediately is really rewarding. I have met some very friendly and

nice people at the centre. Please keep donating as the refugees need our support, and more continue to arrive.

by Declan N, Grade 7

20

do it again in the future, because it feels great, having the feeling that you can finally help and do something for someone who is desperately in need.”

Our thanks to Lilou L and Sonia P, Grade 7, for their thoughts.

The Service and Action Grade 10-11 Music Group has given free music tutoring and actual lessons to students raging from Grades 1 to 8.

The aim is for the student to practice and learn music with their student teacher without having it feel like an intense lesson. At the end of the year, these musicians will perform a small concert to showcase their progress and talents.

BIS student Hoabinh teaches piano and theory, Romain teaches piano and Anabel teaches alto saxophone.

Hoabinh R, Grade 10

MYP Service & Action Programme Peter Vaughn, the BIS Service and Action Coordinator, reports on the changes in the program and its relationship

This year students will also participate in one year long service project that is similar to what they have done in years past. Students who wanted to form groups sent me ideas for projects, and then the rest of the MYP

to the International Baccalaureate curriculum.

students chose one to join. These groups included the

When I became the Service and Action Coordinator, one

Music Tutors, Refugee Outreach, TEDx, Student Magazine

of my tasks was to redesign the program to address the

and Sports Coaching. Others supported projects such

need for closer integration of this IB component and the

as Khayalethu Orphanage in South Africa, Endangered

curriculum. In order to accomplish this, I came up with a

Animals, Bonn’s Homeless and Ridding Bonn of Vandalism.

three year plan together with our MYP Coordinator.

BIS Ambassadors, Tech Pilots, Choir, Baking Group,

When I presented this work at the last regional IB

This is the first year that every MYP student will do one

Conference, I told my audience that my primary goals

service learning project that relates directly to what they

for our students are that they are exposed to different

are learning in one of their classes. Teachers have created

service learning possibilities in their community, and that

at least one service learning extension for one unit of

they are given the opportunity to engage in meaningful

study. This will be expanded next year. The goal is to

service. It will take time to realize these goals, but as the

give students choices from all their courses so they can

changes in the program solidify and it becomes stronger,

select one that is most interesting to them, as well as in

I have no doubt that they will be accomplished.

a subject area they are strong in or just enjoy.

Peter Vaughn, Teacher

it was a fun and successful day Our staff worked side by side with some of the refugees, cleaning and painting several rooms. They used supplies purchased with donations from fellow staff members.

Service at BIS

Free Music Lessons

21

Sport, Exercise and Health Science in Bochum In early January the Grade 11 and 12 Diploma Sport, Exercise

Meanwhile, the Grade 12 students were being electrocuted…

and Health Science classes departed for an exciting day at Ruhr

no not really, but were being tested by an IsoMed 2000 machine

University, Bochum. This university provides a range of courses

which tests muscle power. The machine measures how powerful

including the Bachelor of Science which covers prevention and

your quadriceps are. Next was a test for muscular endurance

rehabilitation through sport, sports management and leisure and

that used the same machine, but where the students had to

health training. It also offers a Master of Science including sport

exert pressure and then relax every 20 seconds to see if their

consultancy, education and sport and diagnostics and sport.

power decreased.

This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to apply the

Then the electrical testing began… one of the students volunteered

knowledge that they have been studying in class. Students

to see what this felt like. The student contracted their quadriceps

have lots of opportunity to do field testing at school, such as

muscle and, as they reached their maximal contraction, an

the 12 minute run, beep test and maximum repetition tests,

electrical impulse was sent down the muscle fiber so it contracted

but rarely get the chance to do lab testing of this nature in a

more forcefully. This is used to increase an athlete’s maximal

purpose built environment.

power output. All results were discussed and explained with the

While in Bochum, the Grade 11 classes tested the blood lactate of

students as they assisted in running the tests with the lecturer.

one of our students. She ran on a treadmill as the other students

After lunch, and some interesting discussions about the testing

tested the lactic acid (the chemical that makes you tired when

we had experienced, we headed upstairs to visit the University’s

running fast) and recorded how it felt for her as it increased as

specialist area, which looks at eyesight and sport.

she worked harder. All this happened while the treadmill speed increased every three minutes and she had her blood taken from a pin prick in her ear.

We discussed how vision could affect a player’s performance and the lecturer explained how they test high profile German sports people to see how well suited their eyesight is for their chosen

After this test they saw the results, which showed the lactic acid

sport. They even prescribe specific adaptations to contact lenses if

threshold (when we can’t run anymore). They even compared her

they need it. We also looked at a research project on the durability

results to a professional footballer’s from a major Bundesliga club

of sports glasses. This involved a 10kg shoe being dropped on

who had been in the same lab doing the exact test the week before!

glasses! If you wear glasses, have you ever considered ones

The next test had one of the students don a facemask that

specialised for sport?

measured his oxygen input and carbon dioxide output. This

Lastly, we headed to the strength lab to look at ways of testing

happened while increasing his jogging speed on a 20% incline

maximum strength and how our body develops its strength.

(equivalent to running up the Drachenfels!).

Everyone had a turn on the machines but the highlight of the

22

DP

afternoon was the competition for the highest vertical jump using a

Special thanks go to Dr Ulrich Bartmus and his team for all the

reaction plate (which times how long we are in the air and converts

effort, time and energy they put into making our day so special.

it to centimetres). This provided some fun and enabled a great discussion on who can jump the highest - basketball players or volleyball players.

Sport, Exercise and Health Science continues to grow here at BIS and from next year the DP course will be offered at both standard level and higher level. We look forward to continuing

We are very appreciative of Ruhr University for allowing our

this relationship with the University and strengthening the school’s

students to visit again this year in what was our second visit. It is

sports science program.

a unique opportunity and one that our students really gain from.

Charlotte Box, Teacher

Bonn | Stuttgart | Essen | Hamburg

Bonn | Bornheim | Düren | Hürth | Köln | Troisdorf | Gelsenkirchen | Trier

Troisdorf-Spich | Köln

Diploma Programme

23

Is Geography relevant in the modern world?

Geography has always been, for many people, like marmite. You

Geography is a linking subject, connecting to science, to the arts, to

either love it or hate it. Students unfamiliar with the content of

history and economics. The subject can help to knit the curriculum

Geography have many misconceptions about what the subject

together as well as satisfy students’ curiosity about people and

entails. Geography isn’t just about reciting a list of capital cities

places. Geography offers the opportunity to develop a broader

or mountains and rivers of the world – although it is pretty

and very contemporary skill set. It also helps many students to

impressive if you can! It contributes more than any other subject

keep their options open, rather than narrowing their courses to

to young people’s knowledge of the world, their understanding

either the Sciences or the Arts. Geography encompasses both

of the relationships between people and places, and their ability

using diverse sources and data, and asking challenging and

to think critically and creatively about the ways in which we affect

engaging questions about the change students can see in the

the planet we live on.

world around them.

Now that we have entered a period in which human beings

Geography in the International Baccalaureate is a mix of both

can shape the Earth on a large scale – even destroy all life on

human and physical geography – covering topics such as

it – engaging young people with knowledge about the planet they

population, migration, resource consumption and extreme

occupy has never been more vital. Geography is one of humanity’s

environments. Students are exposed to group work, presentations,

big ideas. It is concerned with producing and communicating

debates and extended writing. All skills gained in the Diploma will

knowledge about ourselves and our role in the world.

go a long way in preparing students for life in university.

Stuart Conway, Teacher

gly increasin n a is y h hrinking “Geograp ject in a s b u s t n a 12 import M, Grade s a m o h world.” T

24

“Due to our international thinking, we can apply these real world examples to our Geography course”.

Jasmin S, Grade 12

DP

“Geography’s diverse range of subtopics helps you to develop a wide range of wo rld knowledge”.

Oliver N, Grade 12

Unsung Heroes Hausmeisters

at BIS is top on his list because he can

Meet Stephan Breuer, Jörg Förderer and Frank Ossendorff.

These three men keep BIS humming along, maintaining everything in working order from light bulbs to major contracts for cleaning and repair services. They field requests from teachers, staff, students and parents and with each request comes the willingness to help solve a problem or work to make things just right for our big school functions, such as International Day. As with everyone though, there is an entire side that we do not often see.

Frank has been at BIS in the Haustechnik

sample food from around the world.

group for twelve years. He comes with a background in carpentry. When not working at BIS, Frank can be found pursuing athletic hobbies such as jogging and sports training. If he won the lottery, a new house would be on his list of things to purchase. In addition he would travel, making Miami, Florida one of the first places he would love to visit. (You can’t

Stephan has been at BIS for four years

place he would love to visit. The perfect

as the Facility Manager. One of his

day for Stephan would involve sleeping

Ausbildung qualifications is as a mechanic.

in, enjoying a long, relaxing breakfast and

One of his major responsibilities is to

following it all up with walking or sports.

arrange the service contracts for the school (such as cleaning and annual maintenance). Outside of the school, Stephan can be found jogging along the Rhine, playing billiards, pursuing his photography hobby or listening to music, especially Indie Pop. He would like to continue to improve his English language skills (ah, if my German were as good as his English...) and typing to make faster work of all those emails. Pasta ranks as his favorite food, and New York City is a

go wrong with sun and beaches).

All three men love that every day brings a new adventure at BIS due to the diversity of what we, as a school, do and the many

Jörg grew up very close to BIS in

cultures and the interactions with the ever

Lannesdorf where his grandfather was

changing community. There is no getting

the postman. He is trained as a plumber

bored, and that is a good thing. Their

and was one of the first Hausmeisters at

various training backgrounds bring a

BIS, joining the school 15 years ago. Life

wealth of skills to the running of our school.

outside of BIS is active and busy for Jörg.

He enjoys walking his dogs with his wife, golfing and fishing. He is an R&B music lover who would like to take a return vacation to Mexico or to Cuba. As for favorite things to eat, International Day

From the perspective of a parent who has asked for help and guidance many times from these integral members of the BIS team, they definitely are Masters of the House and are always a pleasure to work with.

Krista Ferguson, Parent

If you know of an unsung BIS hero or heroine who deserves to be sung about in future editions of Waves magazine, please contact magazine@bonn-is.de

25

MOVIE REVIEWS The Big Short The Big Short is a comedy-drama that was

The musical score perfectly conveys how the

released this January in Germany. The storyline

protagonists feel: it is upbeat in moments of

follows characters that became aware of the

elation and dramatic when the protagonists

imminent burst of the US housing bubble that

realize that they are essentially betting against

led to the 2007 – 2008 economic crisis. These

the US economy and if (or when) their prediction

people short (bet against) the housing market,

comes true, millions of people will lose their

creating and buying credit default swaps that will

jobs. The Big Short is a must-see, because

earn them enormous profits if the market fails.

while economics may seem to be a dry topic

The film explains the technical terms used by banks and investors in a way that can be easily understood by the general public. It also reveals

for some, what happens in the world of finance affects us all.

By Elisabeth H, Grade 12

the inner workings of the financial markets.

The Martian The Martian (based on Andy Weir’s book of the

greatly impacted the story, such as when the

same name), stars Matt Damon in the role of

Mars rover Pathfinder is accidentally rendered

astronaut Mark Watney, who takes part in the

inoperable by Watney. Nevertheless, I enjoyed

Ares III manned mission to Mars. The movie

the movie and was excited to see this great book

follows Watney’s survival effort on the planet

made into a film. I would recommend the movie

after his crewmates, who believe him to be

to anybody who enjoys adventure/survival films,

dead, are forced to hastily leave Mars due to a

because the film follows the standard stranded,

dust storm. While the movie does a decent job

problem solving, rescue plot line

translating the story from a book to a movie, some key scenes were left out which would have

By Anonymous, Grade 12

The Danish Girl The first word that came to my mind when

presence and brilliance. You could not

asked to describe this movie was: fascinating! I

distinguish between the actor and the character.

watched The Danish Girl with a group of friends

The same can be said about newcomer and

and afterwards we could not stop talking about

supporting actress Alicia Vikander. The skillful

how captivated we were by the film. At first I

acting on the part of both actors conveyed this

was skeptical about how the director would

topic in an excellent and perceptive way. I will

approach the topic of transsexuality, but the

not reveal too much, but I loved the ending best,

story immediately drew me in and I was deeply

even if it was very sad and moving. It is a highly

moved by it. The Danish Girl is the story of

recommended movie!

an unusual woman: Eddie Redmayne plays a Danish artist who was one of the first people to undergo a sex reassignment in the 1930s.

Redmayne filled the character with unbelievable 26

By Anonymous, Grade 12

MY FAVORITE BOOK Looking for a good book to read? You may find some inspiration here. Several BIS students were interviewed to find out what their favorite book is and why. Give these books a try and they might make it onto your favorites list too!

Wonder and If I Stay

The Idiot

Grade 7’s Kimberley says that Wonder by

Number one on Grade 12 student Philipp’s list is

Raquel J. Palacio is her favorite book. She finds

The Idiot, a psychological novel by Dostoyevsky.

Wonder interesting, unusual and appealing for

According to Philipp, The Idiot is interesting

a wide audience. For Bethen, also in Grade 7,

because it delves into the main character’s

If I Stay by Gayle Forman is the best. Bethan

inner self. The book examines the attributes of

asserts that If I Stay is emotional, but also a

a person others would not be able to imagine

cliffhanger, as the reader never knows what is

from looking only at the outside. Philipp says

going to happen next.

that Dostoyevsky’s protagonist wears a mask

Les Petites Filles Modèles

do this to an extent too.

to conceal his inner character and maybe we

is Les Petites Filles Modèles by Countess of

Three

Segur. Mariama likes this book because she

Three by author Jay Posey is Grade 12 student

can empathize well with the main character. The

Dayton’s favorite book, because it is an

Mariama in Grade 12 says that her favorite book

protagonist’s childhood and experiences parallel

interesting mix of science fiction and dystopia.

those of Mariama in several aspects. Originally in

Dayton says that in Three, robots and zombies

French, Les Petites Filles Modèles also comes

control the night and everybody’s brain is

in many translations.

connected to the Internet. But Dayton ensures that Three is not all bleak – it also contains humor.

The Great Gatsby

Most people will agree that reading is a fantastic

Krupha, also in Grade 12, likes F. Scott

pastime. So if you are looking for a great new

Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby the most. She

book, consider some of these recommended

says that it is a classic story and she admires

by your fellow readers! And you might find them

Fitzgerald’s rich character development. The

just as interesting, funny, and poignant as your

background of The Great Gatsby is 1920s New

classmates did.

York City, a foreign and fascinating setting.

by Rachel F, Grade 12

Ranger’s Apprentice Cas in Grade 8 likes author John Flanagan’s Ranger’s Apprentice series for its intricate storyline. This series is about the heroic conquests of an orphan named Will. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure.

27

Restaurant and Cafe Reviews

Mongo’s

Mongo’s is a chain of restaurants named after

front of you. I also enjoyed the atmosphere, as

the Mongolian BBQ that is their trademark.

the interior decor gave off a warm, but also very

Inspired by the exotic variety of Asian cuisine, the

sophisticated feeling. The waiters were great at

restaurant offers options for everyone. They have

explaining the concept and exactly how orders

a variety of meats to try, such as zebra, crocodile,

worked and they spoke fluent English if one was

emu, and ostrich, or turkey, chicken, and veal for

unsure about the German. As it is a very popular

the less adventurous. They also have vegetarian

dining spot, you will need a reservation and can

and allergen-free dishes. After choosing one of

request a table on their website www.mongos.de.

many sauces, you can mix and match your dish

By Elisabeth H, Grade 12

at the buffet and then see it prepared right in

First Flush Tea Room

(now known as VarieTee)

Calling all lovers of tea, cake and quirky

of various teas to go with your meal, but it is

hangouts: this newly discovered cafe and

not only the food that will draw you here. The

lounge First Flush Tea Room is the trendiest

unique way they serve their tea is especially

haunt to visit in Bonn right now. From the food

creative. No two teapots are the same and you’ll

to the decor, everything is totally cool and

find something new to look at every time you

unlike anywhere else in the city. The menu is

visit. Think: Granny’s living room meets Downton

populated with a selection of delicious dishes

Abbey and that should give you a rough idea!

ranging from soups, to salads and pastas, as

You’ll find it at Markt 6 next to the Alt Rathaus.

well as an incredible selection of cakes. Being a

By Krupha V, Grade 12

tearoom, First Flush has an excellent selection

Italia Trattoria and Pizzeria If you are looking for a great restaurant at decent

Drinks: Eleven non-alcoholic drinks and beers

prices, consider Italia Trattoria & Pizzeria on

are offered, three red wines, two white wines,

Mainzer Straße 151 in Mehlem. Italia is family

and one rosé.

owned and offers all the traditional Italian specialties. Here is a sample of the menu: Starters: Italia offers twelve starters including a tomato and mozzarella and calamari plate.

Salads: Nine different types of salad are offered

Italia has a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and occasional live guitar music. In addition, it is located in a quiet and pleasant setting, only three blocks from the river.

and can include tomatoes, mushrooms, feta,

Take away pizzas can be ordered by walk-ins but

olives, eggs chicken and many other ingredients.

it is recommended that you do this before 19:00

Pizzas: 15 types including margherita, vegetarian,

as evenings get quite busy. If you are interested

and four cheeses

in making a reservation at Italia, call or visit

Pastas: 16 options, including spaghetti, tortellini,

www.trattoria-italia.net. Italia is open Tuesdays

ravioli, fettuccine, gnocchi, lasagna and penne

through Sundays from 12:00 to 14:30 and

Fish and meat: 15 options, such as sauced

18:00 to 22:30.

salmon, pikeperch, gilthead bream, sole, scampi, rump steak, and beef.

Desserts: Six options, including sorbet, tartufo, and tiramisù.

28

By Rachel F, Grade 12

Mr Frank Retires

after 30 Years at BIS Mr Frank is a Geography teacher at BIS. His memories of our school date back to 1986. He recalls stories about how he came to this career path, his start at BIS, and he reveals his retirement plans during our interview.

Why did you first want to become

How have BIS and the students at BIS

a teacher?

developed over the years?

I never planned on becoming a teacher.

When I first started teaching here, I started

I wanted to join the Navy, and at 18 I

at the British High School. As you know,

experience?

was told that my eyesight was not good

the American and British High Schools

Most of my students I can’t even remember!

enough. My second choice was studying

joined together later to make BIS. I arrived

How would you describe your teaching

Not only do I have a really bad memory, but

architecture, but that did not work out as

in 1986. I still remember going out to buy a

I have also taught thousands of students

planned either. Teaching was my third

congratulations card for the headmistress

in my career. I have taught for a total of

choice. I can’t say I had the goal of inspiring

back then because we had reached

40 years, of which 30 years I spent at BIS.

students or influencing them when I first

our 100th student: that is how small our

If I roughly estimate 160 students a year,

started on this career path. However,

community was. Even though it was small,

and they are constantly changing, I must

looking back I think and hope I have made

we still had a lot of diversity since Bonn

have taught around 6000 students over

an impact on the students I taught.

my career.

Now that your career at BIS is coming to

was the capital of Germany. The children of different ambassadors would go to school here and that increased the diversity. It was

As my career in teaching progressed,

an end, how would you say that you have

I noticed something funny: when you start

influenced many students?

being a teacher, you respect all the teachers

For me, one of the most important things

with more experience. When I became the

when teaching was not introducing the

What are your plans now you are retiring?

more experienced teacher, I found that

subject, but rather ‘life lessons’ that make

I love physical geography. That is why I am

I did not just respect the ways of those

an impact on the student. During my

planning on visiting famous geographical

a very interesting transition and experience for me to see our community grow so big.

more experienced, but those who had

teaching there were many cases where my

locations, like Machu Picchu and the

just started teaching because they teach

aim was not to bombard the student with

Maldives islands. I plan on completing my

differently. Sometimes this made me forget

Geography facts, but rather to build and

biking tour around Great Britain as well.

that I was working with teachers who were

develop a relationship with those students

Krupha V, Grade 12

younger than my children.

and see them develop as individuals.

Orthodontist

Dr. MED. Dent. ASTRID WELLER-BERGMANN

29

Marabu Theatre Photos: Meike Lindek Kate: Violet and Sarah, which theatre did you perform at?

Violet: We performed at the Marabu Theatre.

Students go from the BIS extracurricula German Drama Club to the professional Marabu theatre in Beuel After gaining lots of experience acting in

Kate: What was the performance about?

Violet: It was about being courageous and brave and it was called ‘MutPROBEN’.

German as members of the BIS EC German

Kate: How long did you rehearse for

Drama Club, Sarah R and Violet B (both

the play?

students in Grade 4) had the wonderful

Violet: We started rehearsing in October

chance to perform with the Marabu theatre children’s cast on their professional stage.

2015 and finished in February 2016. We

of you. Nobody would have managed that.”

Kate: Did you enjoy being part of the play?

Violet: I enjoyed it a lot because it was exciting and we all had our own parts to play.

practised almost every Tuesday and

Sarah: I enjoyed meeting new wonderful

In October 2015, the Marabu theatre

sometimes at the weekends.

people, setting up a play, performing in front

recruited eleven children between the ages

Kate: What did you learn most?

of nine and 13 for their youth production,

of an audience and being interviewed by the local newspaper. It was really fun because

'MutPROBEN'. The children rehearsed

Sarah: I learned a lot of new warm-up

we gained a completely new experience by

regularly and performed under the direction

strategies, ways to respect each other and

playing at a new place.

of Ms Birgit Günster.

rely on new people. We built up teamwork.

The performance, which had its premiere

Kate: What does being brave mean

on 27 February 2016, was a play about

to you?

children demonstrating when they felt

Sarah: On the one side being brave and

courageous and brave, and when they did not. The young actors transformed the stage in to a place of courage and fear.

The Theater Marabu GbR, was founded by Ms Tina Jücker and Mr Claus Overkamp in 1993. Ms Christiane Müller-Rosen is

courageous means trying out new things and not being scared. On the other side it means speaking up for yourself and expressing your opinion.

Kate: Who did you perform in the play?

responsible for press and media. The

Violet and Sarah: We performed ourselves

theatre is especially famous for its creativity

by imagining what we would have done in

and staging well-received productions for

certain situations.

children and young adults. They have been

Kate: Violet, there is a great photo of you.

awarded several theatre prizes.

Kate B, Grade 4 interviewed Sarah and Violet about their experiences:

What are you saying in this photo?

Violet: I say “Hey Leute, das ist gemein.

Keiner würde das schaffen?” which is translated, “Hey folks, that is very mean

30

Kate: Are you happy it is over or do you wish it was still going?

Violet: I wish it was still going.

Sarah: I would love to play at the Marabu again. It was an amazing experience for me.

Kate: Would you recommend to someone to audition for the youth cast at the Marabu Theatre?

Sarah: For sure, I would. And all the people at the Marabu Theatre were very friendly.

They all supported us to give our best at the performance.

Kate: Thanks for your answers.

Zoe Grigoriadou, Teacher

Hay bales, daisy pots, cowboy hats and boots. A genuine Mustang parked out front. The wafting scent of ol’ fashioned, boot scootin’ good times, not to mention enticing aperitifs. Anticipation was running high on our arrival to the BIS Saloon on a dark and chilly Saturday night. The school’s major fundraising event of the year was here and not a minute too soon for these new parents who needed to let their hair down after a big move from Down Under and make some buddies in town. Well hello there! Stage shows (plural), casino, singing and dancing, electrifying band, A-Grade DJ, fantastic food and a well-run and stocked bar. Dang, it was the bee’s knees of nights out!

The Agora foyer and sports hall were styled in such detail we really did feel the vibe of the Saloon days of yore. This mum sang along, out of tune I’m sure, in the choir (Rustin’ Creek, I’ll visit one day). She ate her fill of corn bread and other North American specialties, bid on a few things at auction and danced the night away. Thanks so much to the organizing team. You outdid yourselves leaving big shoes to fill next year. You gave us a night to remember in our first weeks in Bonn. Yeehaw!

Sam Winnall, Parent

31

New Building

New Opportunities IB students are to have their own study and common room.

As our IB students do not really have a quiet place to study or

The study room will be on the top floor of the new extension and

somewhere to get together during free periods, the idea came up

will be a place for silent study. It will be furnished so that students

to find two rooms for them in the newly extended Waves building.

can study privately. The common room will be on the first floor and

Simon Vanderkelen supported the initiative and presented the idea to the Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees. Both have agreed to and approved the plan for a study and common room for IB students to improve their learning and social environment.

Translations

will be for socializing and for group work. Kate Carey and I have worked with the student council and we are planning to furnish this room with sofas, bean bags, a table and a coffee machine. If you would like to support the idea, we would appreciate donations for bean bags. Also, senior art students are welcome to donate

Secondary school Din A4 lined notebooks (thin)

Din A4 Hefte liniert

When you’re new to Germany, or still getting to know the language,

Din A4 squared page notebooks (thin)

Din A4 Hefte kariert

the task of purchasing supplies for the new school year may seem

Din A4 ring binders

Din A4 Ringhefter

a little daunting. We translated the typical items found on that list,

Din A4 lined paper (with left margin) for ring binders Din A4 squared paper (with left margin) for ring binders

Din A4 liniertes Papier mit Rand links für Ringhefter Din A4 kariertes Papier mit Rand links für Ringhefter

Please always refer to the list supplied at the beginning of each

Plastic Portfolio, A4

Schnellhefter Din A4

year for the things you will need for your child’s grade level.

Plastic envelopes

Schutzhülle

Primary school

Vocabulary book

Vokabelheft

to make your shopping experience a little easier, especially if you are buying online.

Wechselkleidung

File dividers

Register

Box of tissues

Taschentücher

Black and blue pens, HB pencils

Schwarze und blaue Stifte, HB Bleistifte

Indoor shoes

Hausschuhe

Coloured pencils

Buntstifte

Indoor PE shoes

Hallenturnschuhe

Glue stick

Klebestift

Rain pants

Regenhose

Eraser

Radiergummi

Rain boots

Gummistiefel

Pencil sharpener

Bleistiftspitzer

Rain jacket

Regenjacke

Protractor

Geodreieck

Water bottle

Wasserflasche

300mm ruler

30 cm Lineal

Pencil case containing:

Federmäppchen mit:

Highlighters

Highlighters

Pencils

Bleistiften

Scissors

Schere

Erasers

Radiergummi

Compass

Zirkel

Pencil sharpener

Bleistiftspitzer

Colored pencils

Buntstifte

A scientific calculator with natural textbook display

Ein naturwissenschaftlicher Taschenrechner Ein graphischer Taschenrechner

Change of clothes

A graphic calculator A combination lock

32

Ein Zahlenschloss

Ă„UDE

pieces to their peers to decorate the walls of the common room.

With privilege comes responsibility and therefore there will be rules for using the rooms, which will be monitored by the students themselves. This creates the opportunity to earn CAS (Creativity Activity Service) hours for ensuring the rooms are kept clean and the rules are complied with.

We hope our IB students will make the best of the new rooms and wish them well for the upcoming exams.

Claudia Appel and Kate Carey, Parents

Waves in the afternoon can be hectic and dangerous: double rows

CONFES SIONS OF A CRO S SING GUARD

of illegally parked cars, cars parked in the cross walk, crowds of people rushing across the street to catch a bus, get to practice or to a waiting car. It adds up to 20 minutes of total chaos. The crossing guard has to keep an eye on sneaky adults and students who wait for the guard’s attention to be diverted so they can sneak across the street or use the ice cream truck to hide their illegal flight (note to offenders: I see you!) Cyclists enter the street from

If you have volunteered your time on crossing guard duty, you will undoubtedly relate to this account. The 20 minutes spent

all directions and seem bound by neither car nor pedestrian rules.

I confess that I strangely enjoy crossing guard duty and both

helping ensure the safety of our children every day brings a flurry

morning and afternoon, even if I don’t always like what I witness.

of activity and sometimes fear to those donning the yellow vest.

I like being there to see everyone walk up in the morning, hopeful

I have served as a crossing guard a number of times, both at morning drop off and afternoon pick up at both crossing points, and consider myself somewhat of a crossing guard insider.

and put together. I love seeing parents pick up their children in the afternoon and observing students sharing their school day, still fresh and vivid, with each other and their friends.

The Agora post is easy in the morning and still okay in the

I confess that I wish more

afternoon when I spend most of my time waving at cars as they

people volunteered for

drive in and occasionally stopping a car or two so a pedestrian

this duty: it is an easy,

can cross. The excitement comes when a bus accidentally enters

quick way to support

Martin-Luther-King Strasse without knowing how difficult it will

our students, and it is

be to get out.

amazing to see how

Duty in front of the Waves building is another beast. Most mornings are mild, with students and parents using the cross walk. However, I have witnessed a number of unnecessarily dangerous and comic maneuvers by drivers trying to avoid using the circle turn at the

we as adults set both good and not so good examples for others at BIS.

end of the street (for example, three point turns in the cross walk).

It is somewhat satisfying that most of these drivers spend more time waiting for other cars to pass or misjudging their turn radius, than they would have done by using the circle.

33

Winter Formal

BIS in Pictures

GRADE

6F8 DANCE 34

CLASS OF

2016

CREATIVE WAVES

ARTS WEEK

CELEBRATE!

Groundbreaking Ceremony

Student, Parents and Teachers

run the Bonn Marathon

35

Maureen on the Amalfi Coast One of the things I like most about living in Germany is that it’s a great starting point for visiting many places throughout Europe. We have affordable

Istanbul, Turkey, is the only city that spans two continents, Europe and Asia, with the Bosphorus strait in the middle. Being on the Bosphorus is like being swept away in a magical novel. The sights are a feast to the eyes, with the Marmara Sea and Sultanahmet (old town) on one end and the Black Sea to the north. The water glistens.

Palaces, majestic houses and ruins from the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman times line the route and take your breath away. Little villages and towns entice you

Istanbul

E IT R O V FTRA AVEL DESTINATIONS

IN EUROPE

buses, trains and planes and can even drive to favorite spots.

Through travel, our children can relive history, experience diverse cultures, enjoy delicious food, and interact with local people.

I thought I would write about my favorite European city and ask some other BIS moms to do the same. I decided that I didn’t have a favorite city but a favorite country: Italy! I love Venice, for its narrow passageways and small bridges with the unknown around every corner. Rome’s history is amazing.

Standing in the middle of the Forum in the Colosseum takes my breath away.

On the Island of Ischia, I love to sit with locals in the volcanic hot springs while the cool ocean water washes over me.

Naples has the best pizza in the world, with its mozzarella di buffala. I enjoy walking the streets of Pompeii, a once lively city with its treasures which were buried under volcanic ash for 1700 years! I enjoy relaxing and drinking limoncello in Sorrento, experiencing the breathtaking views and small cliffside villages along the Amalfi Coast and sitting on a mountain in Cortina having a picnic with locals. The Italian people love their country and are so happy to share it. They are wonderful people with a pulse like no other!

Maureen Adams, Parent

36

to stop and enjoy a snack or shop and indulge in scenes from everyday life.

Everywhere you look there are reminders of the city’s rich history.

Sonja Seitamo, Parent

Budapest, Hungary, is truly a beautiful historical city. It is located on the Danube River, Buda being on one side of the river, Pest on the other. The river and its Buda Castle are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

My husband, Mike, son Adam, and I explored by visiting the Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Parliament Building, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Dohány Street Synagogue, Heroes Square, Shoes on the Danube, Liberty Statue, Great Market Hall, and a Danube River boat cruise.

Bologna and Monique’s girls climbing the Garisenda Tower.

Bologna is well known for many reasons.

In Italian, it is often referred to as La Dotta, La Rossa, or La Ghiotta. La Rossa means the red one, due not only to its unique city roofs and the color of the old buildings, which are all different tones of red but also because the city historically always had a left wing mayor, so red as in communist! La Dotta means the educated one. The first university in the world (I know many say their own is, but trust me, this is the real thing!) was founded in Bologna in 1088. Finally, the nickname that makes it my favorite city in the world: la Ghiotta (one who enjoys eating) because no where else can you eat like you eat in Bologna!!

We visited during the Christmas season and enjoyed the sights, sounds and scents of the local Christmas markets.

We shopped for beautiful hand crafted Hungarian gifts and sampled delicious Hungarian food and drinks.

Mike surprised me with a private lesson with a chef who taught me how to prepare several traditional Hungarian dishes including ‘Chicken Paprikash’ and Hungarian Goulash. The chef also took us on a private tour of the Great Market Hall to purchase the fresh ingredients that were used to prepare our meal. Budapest is a city that offers so much to see and do!

Darlene Trapp, Parent

Monique Nardi, Parent

Darlene in Budapest

Alumni Many of us wonder what becomes of our students after graduation. In January, I was lucky enough to discover some of their stories first hand at the BIS Alumni event in London.

Over 20 BIS Alumni students and teachers, from 1998 to 2015 met up in London for an insightful, inspirational and entertaining evening. Not only was it a great excuse for friends to meet, it was a perfect networking and mingling opportunity and a chance for me to talk to some of the outstanding students who have attended BIS over the years.

I also made some quirky discoveries: for example, did you know Nick’s Grade 10 project is now housed at the University of Brighton? It was wonderful to discover their IB schooling enabled our graduates thrive at university. It seems lessons learned at BIS carry on long after graduation.

See you at the next Alumni reunion. Don’t forget! June 2017 we will be celebrating 20 Years of BIS at International Day. Ag Boud, Alumni Coordinator

Miriam Benarey-Meisel, Class of 2010 I am proud to say I am a BIS Alumna, graduating class 2010.

The more obvious reasons for my endorsement are my utter gratitude for the education and personal development that BIS equipped me with and for the warm feeling of homecoming every time I set foot on the campus. At the heart of its premise is the honour to learn and grow with students who call the globe their home and have ventured out to do great things in its different corners. The group of friends I made in BIS halls are only ever a phone call away.

Beyond this heartfelt gratitude, I recall one particular memory from 2010: the event featured guest speaker Peter Murphy. On that stage the former Principal called on us ‘to go and make a difference’, advice which oh-so often dodges off students like a gym ball off the wall. Yet right then and there it stuck with me. While I did not study to become a doctor, a psychologist or teacher – professionals who make a difference to people’s lives on a daily basis – I studied business. Throughout my internships and first work experiences I looked for a field within business, which would allow for impact beyond the realm of mere commercial interests. Fortunately, I was granted the opportunity to write a Master’s thesis on Corporate Sustainability and there it was, my way to contribute. I too can do my part in creating a better world!

What Peter Murphy and the BIS experience really gave me was a purpose. A purpose that has shaped my path and will continue to do so. Thank you.

Nick Brackenbury, Class of 2006 Earlier this year I met up with a few other Alumni in London for a reunion event, and among all the reminiscing, up came the almighty Personal Project, that mammoth undertaking we all completed sometime around Grade 10. This was back in the school year 2003-2004 for me, and bizarrely enough my project is still being used today… (more of this story will be published in the Autumn 2016 edition).

Nick studied at BIS from 2000–2004, attending Grades 7–10. He went on to study Media Practice and Theory at the University of Sussex before going on to a career first in advertising at Ogilvy.

He is now running his own technology startup called NearSt. You can find out more about what they’re doing at www.near.st Nick’s Grade 10 Project

Michaela Manca, Class of 2011 I moved to Bonn in 2009 and after two amazing years at BIS, I graduated in May 2011. I went on to study Law at the University of Newcastle in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. Graduating from Newcastle Law School in the summer of 2014, I received a First Class Honours Degree. Thereafter, I set off on my legal career and worked in an international law firm in Munich as a paralegal. I am now back in the UK, living in London and doing the Legal Practice Course in order to qualify as a UK lawyer. My course ends this summer and, upon qualification, I plan to start working here in London as a trainee solicitor. My fantastic little sister, Miriam, is still at BIS in Grade 11.

My mom, Rosy, works at the BIS library and has been imposing silence everyday with an iron fist. She nevertheless continues to be the coolest librarian at BIS! I look forward to coming back this summer, hopefully for the International Day weekend.

37

www.bonn-is.de Martin-Luther-King-Strasse 14, 53175 Bonn