Waves Winter 2017 - 2018

BONN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MAGAZINE

WAVES Winter 2017-2018

2

+++

CONTENTS 3 News from the Director 4 STAFF NEWS Robert Pagliarello, Leigh Majer Chris Lister, Amy Hanson

ol Bonn International Scho

8 WHOLE SCHOOL Origins of International Education in Bonn Historical Fun Facts A History of BIS

students to achieve th

14 PYP Reading Buddies at BIS Welcome to Early Learning 18 MYP Marginalised Voices Mindfulness in Physical and Health Education 20 DP Preparing for the DP Programme Thoughts from DP Coordinator Peter Owen 23 EC SPORTS / BISSV EC Sports and BISSV-What`s the difference?

Fall Sports Results BISSV Update 28 EC ACTIVITIES Coding BIS Primary Dance Squad 30 UNSUNG HEROES Yearbook Committee 32 STUDENT PERSPECTIVE BIS 20 Years Survey Using Social Media to Study Café Reviews 36 COMMUNITY NEWS Oktoberfest PV News Fundraising BIS Hikers/Tourists Things to do in Cologne/Bonn with kids

news

3

News from the Director | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | Contents

empowers and inspires eir

full individual potential

and

to become responsible

+++

...from the Director

Ivy League universities, recently introduced

What could a learning community of the

a completely new protocol for evaluating

future look like? Some schools are knocking

schools. Their reasoning is:

down classroom walls to allow a whole

ide global citizens. We prov

grade, or even mixed grades, to work in

onallyan innovative, internati thin a recognized education wi

“…., despite many efforts at reforming and

small groups with a team of teachers in

reinventing the place we call ‘school’, edu-

the same space. Research is showing that

cation has made little progress in liberating

numerical grades are less effective than

ural compassionate, multicult

itself from a 19th century factory model

individualized

designed to produce mass literacy – and a

students learn. Looking at the recent

compliant work force. For the most part

work of neuroscientists that has linked

‘school’ continues to be a place where lear-

lack of sleep not only to the ability to

This year has been a heart warming time to

ning is equated with purely academic out-

learn but also to cancer and Alzheimer’s,

hear the recollections of so many involved

comes, content mastery, and uniformity of

some schools are starting and ending the

in the achievements of BIS over the past 20

process and practice. ‘Learning’ remains

day later and abolishing homework.

years. Celebrating 20 years of international

largely de-personalized, is often confused

education is also an opportunity to look

with high stakes test results, and does not

An open plan school, which starts at 9:30

forward and to consider the direction

equip our children with the understandings,

and finishes at 17:00, without homework

education may take over the next 20 years.

aptitudes, dispositions, values, and compe-

or grades, each student with a digital

tencies needed to address the pressing

device and an individualized learning plan,

challenges of our times.” (NEASC, ACE 2017)

taught by a team of teachers? Who knows?

and the digital revolution have had huge

Competent communication skills, both oral

One thing is certain: schools will and must

impacts on the way people live, work and

and written, an understanding of the

change in order to prepare young people

Stephanie Fremerey | PHOTOGRAPHY: Thank you to the many community

think. Yet education is often seen as a field

language of mathematics, knowledge of

for the challenges of a world which is very

members who share their photos, Shutterstock | PRINTING: The Happy Printer, Bonn

which remains largely static. Despite enor-

the laws of the natural and political

different from the 19th century. While our

mous insights into how the brain works

sciences, the ability to appreciate and

first 20 years as a school have been devoted

and how people learn, change in education

involve oneself in artistic expression will

to establishing BIS and firming our

is considered experimental, disruptive and

always be a foundation of education. Age

learning programmes, our next 20 years

too much of a risk. Consider the layout of

appropriate expectations will also probably

will most likely be very different. We will

a classroom of the 21st century. Is it really

remain the norm. However, with the

have to apply the same creativity, risk-

any different from the classroom of the

understanding that one size does not fit

taking and global understanding that we

17th century?

all, schools are likely to become learning

regularly ask of our students to our school

communities in which technology allows

and our future.

community.

BONN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL e.V.

Looking to the Future

Martin-Luther-King Strasse 14, 53175 Bonn magazine@bonn-is.de MAGAZINE VOLUNTEERS: Agnieszka Boud, Kate Carey, Krista Ferguson, Terri

Throughout history, movements such as

Godsell, Cecilia Harries, Meg Holycross, Anuradha Koratkar, Claire McCann, Kristen

the Reformation, the industrial revolution,

Meeker, Natalie Niklas, Rebecca Peake, Sonja Seitamo, Colleen Troia | LAYOUT:

42 ALUMNI BAHS Alumni BIS Alumni Weekend

Change, however, is happening. The way

for more individualized learning, in which

we see the purpose of schooling is changing

critical thinking, learning how to learn,

44 BIS IN PHOTOS

and will change significantly over the next

and entrepreneurship are fostered. “In

20 years. The New England Association of

such a community learning and creating,

Schools and Colleges, an accreditation

thinking, doing and making are valued

organization in the USA which accredits

equally.” (NEASC, ACE 2017)

feedback

PAT BAIER, Director

in

helping

4

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | Staff News

Staff News | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

often we plan a lesson, but the inquisitive nature of a child opens

Teacher

Feature

Robert Pagliarello, Economics, Grades 11 & 12

Individuals and Societies, Grades 7 & 8 ? Where do you consider home? ! Born and raised in Oceanside, New York, USA, (not far from New York City). I’ll say Bonn, even though we just arrived, we plan on staying a while.

?

At how many international schools have you previously

taught?

!

BIS is my fifth international school (Trinidad and Tobago,

India, Cyprus and Hong Kong previously).

?

How does BIS stand out from other schools you have

taught in??

!

?

respectful and honest.

? How does your personal school experience compare to the student experience here at BIS?

!

climate...I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or I was born and grew up in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

Canada will always be ‘home’.

?

At how many international schools have you previously

taught?

joyous... In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.”

!

BIS is my first international school.

? What do you enjoy most about teaching at BIS

?

How does BIS stand out from other schools you have

!

!

I love the emphasis on the whole student. Having the thread

all feeling at BIS.

? How does your personal school experience compare to the student experience here at BIS?

!

I love getting a deeper appreciation for different cultures,

traditions, languages and foods through my students. I love when the kids teach me new phrases and when they giggle at

? What do you enjoy most about teaching at BIS?

? What personal and professional goals do you have?

decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the

de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them

“coming together as a community” that contributes to the over-

So far I’ve enjoyed the willingness of students to be them-

make or break a classroom community and can make or break the “I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the

confidence, curiosity and self esteem. I also love the sense of

selves and have their voices heard.

resourceful and determined. I could go on. Teacher qualities can

? Where do you consider home?

Honesty, fairness, sense of humour, compassion.

!

challenge and inspire students is also essential, as is being organised,

love a child has for school. As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said,

of the Learner Profile and Attitudes is a wonderful way to build

my feeble attempts to master them. All of this makes me a better human being and global citizen.

? What personal and professional goals do you have ? !

Professional: to continue to grow in the areas of psychology

and philosophy (my two university degrees). Personal: to continue traveling to new places, meeting new people and learning new languages. I have always enjoyed learning languages, aber mein

I had a great school experience growing up

Deutsch ist nicht gut! On a silly note, I enjoy traveling to places with

! Professionally I hope to continue being a teacher that stu-

with a tight knit school community, with many

names related to food (I have been to Turkey, Hungary, Chile,

opportunities to play, discover and learn. Canada

Greece, Bologna, Hamburg - feel free to email me with any other

dents like and respect and perhaps teach more History at some

is a cultural melting pot, and so teaching at BIS

destinations!)

point in the future…..Personally, I only wish to remain as happy

feels like coming ‘home’. Growing up, my friends were from

and healthy as I have been my whole life.

Yugoslavia, Poland, and China. It was normal to be exposed to

? Which living person do you most admire?

? Which living person do you most admire?

different cultures, foods, languages and traditions. I taught in Texas for 15 years and always missed the immense diversity of life

! Ooh that is a tough one. “The person” I admire most is / was

!

in the greater Toronto area. Coming to BIS has been a real “full

my mom. That woman is my hero. She endured so much in her

circle moment” in that regard.

life and taught me to hold my head up, be positive and uncon-

I think Barack Obama really returned a level of decency,

class and intelligence to the US presidency, one that had been Students seem really happy and well-adjusted, very

Grade 1

taught in?

What qualities do you think are most important in a

teacher?

!

Leigh Majer,

the door for learning to take a different direction. The ability to

lacking at times previously and is certainly lacking now.

?

BIS celebrated 20 years in October. Where were you and

what were you doing 20 years ago?

!

? What qualities do you think are most important in a teacher? !

There are SO many! It is most important for teachers to be

genuinely and intuitively caring toward their students. When students know they are valued and appreciated, it allows them the

ditionally love those around me.

?

BIS celebrated 20 years in October. Where were you and

what were you doing 20 years ago?

!

Working on Carnival Cruise lines as the Youth Director;

! BIS is so much smaller than my high school was. It allows stu-

20 years ago I spent 3 months working on a Norwegian

space and opportunity to blossom and grow. Being invested and

partying it up every day and every night while sailing the Eastern

family farm and then spent the next 2 months in Germany, Poland,

excited and flexible is also important. The kids feed off our energy

and Western Caribbean as well as the Mexican Riviera.

dents a great opportunity to get to know each other quite well.

Netherlands, UK and the Czech Republic…it was a great summer!

and respond in a similar fashion. Being flexible is important as

Those were some fun fun days!!!

5

6

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | Staff News

Staff News | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

?

How does BIS stand out from other schools you have trips which is a bit different from when I went to school. The IB

taught in?

!

curriculum aims to create global minded students, whereas I did The campus is very good. Being next to the Rhine River is

not have that programme in my schools.

beautiful!

?

? How does your personal school experience compare to the student experience here at BIS?

! It is similar, although FIS was very big compared to BIS. ?

What qualities do you think are most important in a

teacher?

Amy Hanson,

Visual Arts, Grades 6 & 11

teacher?

!

As a teacher you need to be patient, open-minded and

positive.

Chris Lister,

Visual Arts, Grades 6 & 8, 12 Media Art, Grades 8 & 10

?

!

Where were you born and where did you grow up?

! I was born near London, and moved to Frankfurt when I was 7 until I graduated from Frankfurt International School (where my parents were both teachers) in 1998. As a third culture adult I don’t really have a home, but as I spent the last 15 years in Asia I consider it my home, especially Singapore. I miss the tropical weather!

At how many international schools have you previously

taught?

! I taught in 5 international schools prior to BIS. I have taught at international schools in Japan, Singapore, Laos DPR and Vietnam.

! I believe a teacher should have patience, kindness, fairness and passion for the subject he or she teaches.

? What do you enjoy most about teaching at BIS? ! Teaching in a room with a view and teaching students who

?

want to learn about the arts.

Where were you born and where did you grow up?

Where do you consider “home?”

!

I was born in Vietnam during the war and left when I was

? What personal and professional goals do you have? !

A personal goal is to continue to travel and study the art

I enjoy the diversity of cultures and nationalities.

around 2 months old to live with an American family, who adop-

and architecture of the world and perhaps have time to make

? What personal and professional goals do you have?

ted me, in the Seattle, Washington area. I grew up in various

enough art for an exhibition. Professionally, I would like to do

places in Western Washington, however I consider Kitsap

the same, continue studying art and learning about new artists

!

County my ‘home’.

and techniques to share with students.

I aim to continue performing and producing music here in

Germany as well as visiting a lot of European countries during

Where do you consider “home?”

?

? What do you enjoy most about teaching at BIS

What qualities do you think are most important in a

my time here.

? Which living person do you most admire? !

Bob Dylan because in my opinion he is the greatest song

taught?

!

BIS is my fourth international school. I have previously

? !

How does BIS stand out from other schools you have

as a Grade 11 student at FIS.

!

This is a difficult one to answer because there are so many

inspiring women speaking up for equality, self respect and social issues. When students were thinking of heroes at a many of us take for granted the luxury of the education we receive, that we are entitled to, whereas there are others who risk their lives for it because it’s not a

BIS has a diverse student body and nice facilities and

campus.

20 years ago I was working on my IBDP Visual Arts portfolio

? Which living person do you most admire?

recent assembly, I immediately thought of Malala Yousafzai. So

taught in?

BIS celebrated 20 years in October. Where were you and

what were you doing 20 years ago?

!

At how many international schools have you previously

taught in Kuwait, Shanghai and Hanoi.

writer ever.

?

?

? How does your personal school experience compare to the student experience here at BIS?

! BIS has a variety of extracurricular activities for students and opportunities to travel with the school in sports, clubs and field

right for them.

? BIS celebrated 20 years in October. Where were you and what were you doing 20 years ago?

!

I was in my second year of teaching Grades 7-12

visual arts in Washington state. Congratulations to BIS on their 20th year!

7

8

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | Whole School

Whole School | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

During his official state visit, President John Fitzgerald Kennedy visited the American Embassy Club in Plittersdorf. The club still stands behind the school and is protected under a Historical Preservation Order. The American Embassy Club’s At BIS we are proud of our diver-

swimming pool used to be where the Crest building now stands.

sity and rejoice in learning about our multiple cultures. This has not President George H.W. Bush visited Bonn.

happened by chance - it is a core value reinforced since the creation

As the merger of the American and British Schools neared, with only moments to spare, the Deputy Head of the British High School, Clive Frank, raced on his bike to register the name Bonn International School before anyone else could lay claim to it. At inception, of BIS. BIS evolved from the joining of three

BIS had no board or director; teachers comprised the first school board and subsequently interviewed

schools – the British High School, the Bonn

and hired their supervisors. By the last week in

American High School and the Bonn American

when the American Schools

Elementary School. The British High school

BIS celebrates its 20th anniversary

In 1963 the British Embassy Preparatory

served mostly students from the commonwealth

during the 2017-2018 academic year, but

School (BEPS, now IBIS) was founded by a

nations, while the Bonn American School

international education in Bonn has a

group of parents and based on the British

students were mostly American or from US allied

much longer history.

system of education. Finally in 1971 the

the school rent free for two years.

Bonn American High School (BAHS)

had moved from Plittersdorfer Strasse to Martin-Luther-King Strasse 14. The former Bonn American High

countries.

closed their doors, the Department of Defense Dependents School (DoDDS) transferred over $2 million of material resources to BIS. The US Embassy stipulated that BIS was allowed to occupy the premises of the former British High School

In 1951 the High Commission for Occupied

opened and served not only the growing

When the schools joined, there had to be a

Germany (HICOG) was the organization

US community but also students from

fusion of the various cultural ideas. The most

responsible for bringing US employees to

Bonn’s diplomatic community. In 1983 two

building at Europastrasse 28 became the new BIS Primary School.

important challenge was choosing which

the Bonn area and chose the “American

teachers from BEPS realized there was

Ms Arpin’s first assigned classroom was the former home economics classroom of Bonn American High School

language to use? To paraphrase Oscar Wilde -

Compound” site as convenient for the

nowhere for eleven year olds to move to

“America and Britain are two nations separated

HICOG headquarters. By the end of

once they completed their British primary

by the same language!”. Was it “homeroom or

November 1951, “there were 560 American

education, and so the Bonn British High

tutor group, year or grade level, pupils or

employees and 618 German employees,

School opened with two full-time plus

students, tardy or late, proctor or invigilate,

with their 918 dependents” living in the

three part-time staff and just 19 students.

sports hall or gym”? Soon events such as school

compound.

After the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and the

School building became BIS Secondary School, and the former Bonn American Elementary School In her first year teaching at BIS,

and it contained five fully functional, fully stocked kitchens.

capital of Germany moved from Bonn to

discos, the community talent show, spirit week, the homecoming dance and the prom brought

HICOG recognized the need to educate the

Berlin in 1997, the American Elementary

students together and helped to blend the cultures.

children of these workers and so the Ame-

and High Schools merged with the British

rican School on the Rhine (later changing

High School to form Bonn International

to Bonn American Elementary School) was

School on the old BAHS campus.

opened on 21 March 1952. Classes (Grade 1-8) took place in an apartment building

the earth and the oldest person to fly in space), Curt Brown, Steve Lindsey, Scott Parazynski and Steve Robinson.

Although the BIS Yearbook staff chose to have a black yearbook to mourn the end of Bonn American High School, they called the yearbook “Fusion”, represented with a gold

Mike Smith, Teacher

on the corner of Europa- and Turmstrasse (later Martin-Luther-King-Strasse). US high

Spaceship DISCOVERY astronauts visited BIS, including John Glenn (the first American to orbit

Source: 1 H.A. Goodman, ‘HICOG Moves to Bonn’, HICOG Information Bulletin, Dec 1951

school students could study an American

triangle to celebrate the merger of the three former schools into BIS.

introduced the dragon sports logo; the original dragon logo was chosen by competition and designed by Grade 10 student Mina Lee. BIS contains two time capsules. One was created in

curriculum only by traveling by coach to

Athletic boosters

concurrent with the

construction of the Waves building. It is comprised of student notes and their hopes for the future and is buried in the foundation

Frankfurt, Wiesbaden or Bitburg, staying in dormitories during the week and

of that building. The second was created in

returning to Bonn on weekends. Clearly

within the school archives room and contains a variety of items, including a newspaper from June 2011 and a USB with

there was a need for an American high

Tech Addiction

school in Bonn.

Gender Equality

Deforestation

photos of the school and students.

in association with the groundbreaking for the Agora. It is kept safely

Climate Change

Animal Rights

9

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | A History of BIS / Timeline

A History of BIS Clive Frank secures the name “Bonn International School”.

June 1997

June 1998 BIS hosts its first prom for students in Grades 11 and 12, a concept and tradition carried over from BAHS.

August 1998 The Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10 is adopted. BIS focuses on growing as a truly INTERNATIONAL school, encompassing the student body as a whole, with no divisions of British, American, or German school systems.

The last class graduates from Bonn American High School (BAHS).

2 September 1997 Bonn International School opens.

The original curriculum of BIS: n a Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3–11 n a Foundation Program for Grades 6–8 n the British International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) for Grades 9-10 n aa High School, the IB Diploma Programme, AP courses and A-levels for Grades 11-12.

Fall 1998 A school-wide vote selects “Bonn Fires” as the school mascot, beating out “Bonn Bulldogs”.

School colors remained red and white as BAHS had recently invested a significant amount in purchasing new school sports uniforms in these colors.

Respect for Self n Respect for Others n Respect for the Environment n Respect for Leadership n Respect for Languages n Respect for Learning n Respect for Other Cultures

Fall 1997 “The Wave” - the first edition of BIS’ monthly student newspaper is published.

The school’s first logo is introduced. It represented the school’s location near the Rhine river.

Memories and Research Credit: BIS Teacher: Marianne Arpia, Marguerite Byrne, Jürgen Isken, Jana Jazic, Joanne Junglas, Mike Smith, Marcia Wrighton

The school’s logo changes. It represents the Rhine with its bridges and the Siebengebirge.

School colors of blue and green are introduced: blue to reflect the Rhine, green to reflect the Kottenforest and the Siebengebirge.

2000

n

1999

The guiding principles for running the school were the “Seven Respects”:

2001

1997

Spring 1997

A History of BIS / Timeline | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

1998

10

BIS is invited to Junior Varsity and Varsity tournaments in the Northern European Council of International Sports Leagues (NECIS).

BIS is invited to join the Varsity Girls Football in the International Schools Sports Tournament (ISST).

Waves Team: Krista Ferguson, Meg Holycross, Annuradha Koratkar, Sonja Seitamo | Student News: Rachel Curran, Serin Oh and Sonia Pawlowska

11

A History of BIS / Timeline | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

BIS withdraws from its sports team affiliation with the American Military Department of Defense Dependents School league.

The first German International Schools Sports Tournament (GISST) is held. BIS is a founding member of this league, a sporting organization exclusively for German International schools. All the Extracurricular sports (EC) teams in the Secondary compete in its events. BIS remained a member of GISST until 2010.

2010

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | A History of BIS / Timeline

13

BIS becomes a full member of NECIS, thus competes with schools with similar student populations. EC sports teams from U12 to Varsity compete in the NECIS league.

The Dragon is introduced as the sports mascot, based on a student vote.

2006

January 2006

Photo credit Jake J, Grade 11

BIS students represent the nations of the world to open the World Congress Center Bonn.

January 2017

2017

2015

June 2015

The Crest building opens for classes.

April 2017 BIS Primary students sing for Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel.

Fall 2017 September 2015

2005

Photo credit Jake J, Grade 11

27 January 2005

The Waves building opens for classes. For the first time in BIS history the Primary and Secondary Schools operate in the same building.

There is a ceremonial stone laying for the Waves building.

The Waves logo becomes the new BIS logo inspired by the new building architecture.

Frank Walter Steinmeier, Germany’s then Foreign Minister, visits the school and holds a podium discussion with senior students.

BIS competes in the very first Bonn “Schülermarathon” and wins 6th place in the Mixed Team category.

BIS celebrates 20 years. A new school logo commemorates the 20th Anniversary.

November 2017 Bonn hosts the UN Climate Conference. BIS students launch the opening ceremony.

BIS becomes an official sports member of ISST. Varsity Teams compete in Football, Basketball and Cross Country.

Winter 2006 The first edition of the Waves magazine is published.

August 2012

2012

2004

2002

12

The Agora opens for classes.

This hosts most Secondary School classes.

14

o

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | PYP

PYP | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

Reading buddies at BIS

Grade 5 Trip to Daun What a way to start the year! A trip to

As a new boy to BIS, I really appreciated

Daun to help us bond as a Grade and

the kindness shown to me by everyone in

become more of a family.

Grade 5. All of the teachers worked so hard to make sure it was a fantastic trip.

During this trip, we got involved with lots

Coming back to school, it feels now like

of different activities eg shelter building,

we are a Grade 5 family making our way

fire making, toasting bread on a fire, map

together to secondary school.

reading, making animal tracks and last

Toby G, Grade 5

but not least, the Talent Show. All of these activities helped us to build and develop

Reading buddies are an interesting activity at BIS. It starts in

also enjoy reading easier books with lots of pictures in them and

Early Learning. Teachers match older kids and younger kids to

sometimes in class we feel peer pressure to always be

develop better reading skills. This year Grade 4 students are

reading chapter books.

matched up with Grade 1 students. We read to our reading

Building the shelters was definitely the highlight for most people because we

buddies once every two weeks. We also prepare a

Reading buddies are also fun for older and younger kids.

needed to quickly build relationships and

reading activity to talk more about the book. In this article we

Here are some of the quotes from reading buddies.

work as a team to create the shelters.

will explain to you the benefits of reading buddies

Reading buddy benefits for younger kids

Some shelters were more successful than

“I like reading buddies because they are always choosing

others. I think the most successful shelters

interesting books and it's fun to get to know people in the

were built by the teams that communicated

younger grades.” By Hazel – Grade 4

well, were resilient and able to quickly

Younger buddies benefit by gaining confidence, motivation and

without any electronics.” Keeran “What I enjoyed most was to see kids play-

ing in the woods- being creative and co-

operative and being outside all day.”

Ms Diana 5DvM

“I liked it when we had our Grade 5 Talent Show and everyone showed us what they could do.” Naïs.

solve problems.

self esteem. Younger kids also benefit because they

“I like reading buddies because it helps them learn their

learn to communicate with children in a different age group.

vocabulary.” By Rubin – Grade 4

They also get a chance to listen to a story that is higher than their reading level.

“It was very nice to experience 3 days

many of our IB learner profile skills.

“I like reading buddies because I like stories and they read books and funny stories to me.” Isaac- Grade 1

Reading buddy benefits for older kids

o

“My favourite part of the trip was when we

went animal tracking in the woods.” Cathy

During the trip we also needed to take

It's not only younger students that benefit from reading buddies,

Language

risks by trying new food and for some,

older kids do too. One of the benefits is that younger buddies

Some younger children can't speak English when they first join our

getting dirty. One thing that I think we all

look up to us as examples so we need to be role models. We

school, but that's fine. Then our teachers try to pair us with the

enjoyed was that we spent the whole

need to show more respect, responsibility and maturity. We

reading buddy who speaks the same language other than English. It

three days in the outdoors and without

helps new students to increase their vocabulary and comprehension.

electronics. It was so nice to be in the

“I liked the hut building because we were able to work with different people, and we

woods and playing games together. What

Learning Celebration

a talented bunch we are too! The Talent

Reading to each other is not the only thing we do during buddy

Show saw some of our classmates take

time. We also share the knowledge we gained from other sub-

some risks to showcase their different

ject areas. For example, the Grade 1 students shared what they

skills to us. There were some great magic

learned about being healthy and the Grade 1 students came to

shows, dance routines and singing acts.

watch the Grade 4 celebration about the human body.

“This trip helped me to work as a team, understand how to survive in the forest and

Shared writing by Ben, Eli, Pradyut, Skye and William, Grade 4 Students

how to use maps. I had a lot of fun with my

grade members and I know others better because of this trip!”Alexandra

could be as creative as we liked. There we-

ren’t really any restrictions apart from

c

safety and that is what made it enjoyable.”

Danny

15

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | PYP

17

PYP | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

Welcome to Early Learning. Freedom to inquire!

Small World Building replicas of something they have observed or imagined. Recreating an animal park or even creating your own ‘laptop’ by asking to copy your teachers. All resources are accessible, giving children creative freedom and control.

Role Play

In Early Learning (EL) we believe that

around them as part of these interactions. At the end of each day our

Continuous Provision (play based lear-

children go home having demonstrated many of the PYP Learner Profile traits

ning) is important because it allows

such as being communicators, thinkers, risk takers and caring for others.

children to explore their interests, develop friendships and constantly build

Here you’ll find a mind map showing some examples of children mimicking

vocabulary. The Primary Years Programme

what they’ve observed in real life such as going to restaurants, the beach,

(PYP) is focused around inquiry based lear-

hotels, travel, caring for animals and much more. As family and carers you

ning. In EL the children always have the

provide these real life opportunities that allow the children to share their

opportunity to inquire, solve problems and

experiences in a play based setting and for us to use that to help develop their

make predictions. Through discussions with others they develop themes and stories for their imaginative play and use the resources

thinking and motor skills. Thank you for helping to support and develop their

It’s a hotel. Understanding the world through role play and acting out adult roles they have observed.

Shows cooperation. Stacking bricks exercises gross motor skills.

understanding of the world they live in through these enriching experiences.

The Early Learning Team

Early Learning – Being Imaginative

Communication and language.

Planning the activity together gathering resources.

Activities that are child led and designed with teachers challenging their thinking

Opportunities for meaningful mark making. Security guard – drawing the ‘bad guys’. Chef – creating a menu. Architect – designing and building a hotel.

Separate group created a ‘competitive restaurant’ as the hotel restaurant was not ready yet and they were hungry.

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

»

Problem

Allows for developing fine motor skills by manipulating small objects.

Opportunity for investigating, creating and problem solving. Let’s create using materials available. Using large trucks to move rocks to create roads outside.

Solving

Thomas Adams, 1618

© michaeljung - Fotolia.com

16

DR. MED. MARIANNE ESSER // DR. MED. BEATRIX MIDDENDORF Pediatrics Age 0-18 years Allergology

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

Easy Parking at Arndtplatz Bus 614 5 minutes to BIS

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

18

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | MYP

e Parkinsoknso’mes waSteyr,nbudtrI cooulmdn’t

“I decided to drin s splashing ly, some water wa er op pr p cu e th hold g harder cup. It was gett in e th of e sid e th from some food d again to pick up and harder, I trie the of r ife on the floo and dropped my kn d and un so ud de a pretty lo restaurant, it ma ppened. ha at wh nd to see ou ar ed rn tu ne yo ever ne.” the color of my wi My chee ks beca me

MYP | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

Marginalised

Voices Allanah,

Mindfulness from Grade 6 Physical and Health Education

Grade 9

ADHD

“He gave me one of those squishy balls that you can hold in your hand and they always calm me down. We had a good conver sat ion, and he even agreed not to call my par ents. Then he gave me some tip s for not losing my pat ience and focusing more in class. The rest of the school day was ok, and I was even a little mot ivated to start trying harder in school.”

sometimes hampered by his Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism with which he lives. Next, students were asked to select and research a condition that they felt could give them insight into what it feels like to have a marginalised voice and then from that perspective construct a

What does it mean to have a ‘marginalised

piece of creative writing. Honing their

voice’ in our society? More importantly,

research skills, students sought to under-

how does it FEEL to be different in some

stand the characteristics and challenges

specific way? These questions were

of the disability they selected. They crea-

explored by Ms Virginia Reade’s Grade 9

ted a “works consulted” bibliography to

English Language and Literature students.

document their research. A few of the

Mindfulness in Physical and Health

Education

marginalised voices that students explored

Close your eyes. Be still. Breathe. It doesn’t have to

Marginalised voices are groups of people

were: autism, Parkinson’s disease, disabled

be for a long time, but stop and free yourself of

who have fewer opportunities to have

veterans, Down’s syndrome, Obsessive

everything that is going on around you.

their voices heard. These groups might

Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic

vary across cultures and societies. For

Stress Disorder (PTSD), Attention Deficit

Take a moment to connect to how you are feeling.

example, they are often groups who are

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), women,

Happy? Stressed? Worried? Excited?

less represented in the media, the

young/old people, immigrants and refu-

government or in positions of power.

gees, and LGBTQ people. The best writing

Within our busy and fast paced society it is all too

by the students really demonstrated a

easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressures and chal-

assignment

maturity and empathy for what it would

lenges of day to day life. Within Physical and Health

was three pronged:

feel like to experience life as a person

Education (PHE), students have been exploring how

reading a novel,

who struggles to fit in and who feels that

to use mindfulness to deal with issues such as stress,

researching

a

their voice is not heard or understood. Ms

empathy, individuality, bullying and self confidence.

specific condition,

Reade was very pleased with the work the

Tips on how to be more mindful from Grade 6 Physical and Health Education students:

and finally, com-

students produced and was impressed

Yoga, meditation, positive thinking, growth mindset

n I use the app Smilingmind (smilingmind.com.au) at home before

pleting a piece of

with the way that they captured in their

approaches and gratitude journals have interwoven

creative writing.

writing the many societal, familial and

elements that touch all components of our students’

Down’s Syndrome

The students first read the engaging

financial implications of living with a dis-

physical and health experience.

coming of age tale, ‘The Curious Incident

ability or profound difference. In reading

“That is why I hate myself most of the time, with addition of my family not having the financial possibilities to afford me, I was expensive. All the fees for treatment, cures and the special dedicated school for children like me were very high.”

of the Dog in the Nighttime’ by British

these creative excerpts of the students’

So, if you have been thinking about applying mind-

author Mark Haddon. In this mystery

finished pieces, it is clear that their papers

fulness to your life, see what our Grade 6 students

novel, the main character, a 15-year old

were well researched, and that they had

have to say about being mindful.

boy named Christopher, sets out to

developed a real appreciation for the

determine who killed his neighbor’s dog.

unique difficulties and vulnerabilities that

His investigation is sometimes aided and

come with being different.

Enno,

Grade 9

OCD

check again. in my ba g? Let me “Did I put my keys ve slipped Wa it, they might ha They’re in. Perfect. n. No, ai ag d, I should check out when I checke Ta ke out . go Out the door we st ill there. Good.

2 spins to . me the door behind my keys again. Lock the ck lo I ce. Let’s go. Did forthe right. Click. Ni ve ha t t me check. I migh wi ll I door correctly? Le . ht lig f the bathroom gotten to switch of , they were off. Ba ck out. eck. No go ba ck in and ch t. Click. Locked.”

2 times to the righ

Antoine,

Grade 9

Florian,

Grade 9

The

bed to relax

n Go outside and forget about all the things that you are stressing about n Be with the people you love

n Spend time with your family and friends n I listen to calming music

n I like to lay on my bed and decide what problems I have. Then I figure out a solution, even though I have a problem knowing the solution makes me feel better

Ms Daniela Klinge, Physical and Health Education Subject Leader.

n Stop doing things and practice deep breathing

19

20

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | DP

DP | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

The orientation trip to Austria is a week long trip where Grade 11 students participate in a number of activities. The following are observations by the teachers who accompanied the students.

Preparing for the Diploma Programme

After the Theory of Knowledge presenta-

during the activity and not only shared

Throughout the week, students demons-

tion/game at the base camp, I observed

good advice with each other, but found

trated learning beyond classroom sub-

several students questioning the point of

resources in fellow students whom they

jects. I witnessed students learning to self-

the game. They then launched into a

will be able to call upon for advice and

motivate and push through obstacles,

discussion on perspective and under-

assistance throughout the rest of their

difficulties and fears. I saw them learning

standing with references to historical

Diploma Programme experience.

to accept frustrations and limitations with

examples. Their thinking had not been

calm and grace. Logistically I saw them

stimulated in this way before and sud-

The orientation trip is a wonderful expe-

learning to self manage, from their diet

denly they were looking at the world in a

rience, rich with learning not possible in

and sleep cycles, to their equipment, sup-

new light after processing what they had

the classroom. Throughout the week, I

plies and attire. Through the ATL activity

just experienced in the game.

saw students testing and creating new

I witnessed some students learning to

boundaries, socially and personally. They

think of themselves as experts, while

In the collaborative sciences project,

learned to rely on each other and to

learning of the hidden expertise of their

students were forced to work in small

demonstrate care and flexibility in situa-

peers.

groups under time pressure with represen-

tions that were new to many of them.

tatives from different science disciplines.

Combining pressure, parameters and group dynamics, facilitated authentic collaboration with groups producing unique research proposals and methodologies relating to the theme of “food�.

During the canyoning activity, many students demonstrated the skills of grit and determination to overcome challenges while abseiling down the many cliffs and waterfalls and over bridges. The experience of overcoming adverse situations and facing fears transfers into many elements of students’ lives, from experiencing IB examinations to daily responsibilities.

In the ATL skills activity, students reflected on the subjects in which they are strongest and weakest. They then networked with their fellow students, finding others who were strong in the subjects where they felt weak, and gave each other tips on how to study for and succeed in those subjects. Students were highly engaged

21

22

Peter

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | DP

Owen

Thoughts from the Diploma Programme Coordinator ?

You came to BIS in 2007 and this year you became the Diploma Programme coordinator. What positively surprised you about BIS students when you came as a new teacher and what has positively surprised you since you became Diploma Programme (DP) Coordinator?

e then I became more focused on the MYP Mathematics and DP Economics. Sinc When I first came to BIS in 2007, I taught with the maturity of the students omics. In my first year at BIS, I was surprised Econ and ge wled Kno of ry Theo ing teach DP, impressed with the ability of Today, I am still consistently surprised and e. ramm prog the of mity enor the with in dealing demanding enough, much a rigourous programme. One DP course is such in e ever pers to ty abili their and 15-18 year olds less six courses with the core elements!

!

?

?

!

?

I am passionate about the DP because of what it offers and encourages. Students discover how to learn, picking up tools and skills that they will take with them to be successful with whatever they choose to do next. Students really grow and mature mentally throughout the two years and I enjoy facilitating this process and making it as positive for them as possible. In simple terms, I am passionate about helping people achieve their goals.

We have heard you say that Theory of Knowledge is the best subject

? !

EC Sport and BISSV...

What is the difference?

EC sports teams are our school teams which compete against other international schools throughout Europe. They are open to BIS students from Grades 5 to 12. Bonn International School Sportverein e. V. (BISSV) is a club providing both recreational and competitive activities to both BIS students starting in Early Learning and external members, including adults.

?

Why are you passionate about the Diploma Programme?

!

EC Sports | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

in the Diploma Programme. Please explain why.

Theory of Knowledge is the “best” subject because it fosters in students the important skill of critica l thinking. They are encouraged to think about what they know and how they know it. I love seeing them work through their frustrations when they discuss and argue with each other or when they are told that the knowledge they have can change or be wrong and why that happens.

Who can join?

?

How do I join?

EC sports teams are only for BIS students from Grades 5 to 12.

EC sports start with try outs and although everyone can be

BISSV activities are aimed more at Primary students from EL4 to

involved in their chosen sport, only a selected number of

Grade 5, although badminton is for Grades 5 to 12. The activi-

students can play competitively and travel with the team. BISSV

ties are open to both BIS students and external members and

activities are for everyone. Simply join the club and come along.

there are also recreational activities for adults.

?

How long do activities last?

?

Do I have to pay?

Different EC sports run during the three sports seasons – Fall,

Yes – there are additional fees for all EC sports travelling teams

Winter and Spring. BISSV activities run all year long.

and BISSV activities.

Where do you see the Diploma Programme in five years?

! ?

In five years, I see the Diploma Programme at BIS continuing to promote excellent learning and teaching, setting ourselves up as role models for ourselves and others. As a community of learners, we will work to grow. Teachers and staff will set high expectations for their students and guide them holistically towards success. I see students reaching their potential with support from their peers, teachers and families.

?

Who do I compete against?

?

Any other differences?

EC sports teams have regular friendly games against other

As well as sports activities, BISSV also offers camps during

international schools with end of season tournaments in either

holidays and after school childcare through the Kidz Klub.

the ISST (International Schools Sports Tournament) or NECIS (North What do you see is your role as Diploma Programme Coordinator?

!

students are in the correct courses, ifaceted. Primarily, my role is to ensure that I think the role of a DP Coordinator is mult for their next stage in life, whether that to achieve their potential; readying them and taking on a load that will allow them ents and teachers with their courp, or working. I do this by supporting stud nshi inter an ng pleti com ies, stud er furth is with to inspire growth of the oth as possible. In that regard, BIS aims smo as eed proc e ramm prog ous rigor this ses to make students holistically.

West European Council of International Schools) leagues. BISSV running and football teams compete in local races and leagues.

Find out more about BISSV at https://www.bonn-is.de/bissv/activity-overview and about EC Sports at https://www.bonn-is.de/ec-traveling-sports-teams

23

24

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | EC Sports

EC Sports | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

Fall SportS Results ISST Division II

Team placing (from 9 teams)

Overall team

3rd

Varsity Boys

4th

Hugo P (Grade 10) 6th Callum D (Grade 11) 10th

Paris and a NECIS tournament in The Hague. Coach Klinge said:

Varsity Girls

8th

Bente K (Grade 12) 7th

“This season provided our BIS runners with the opportunity to

JV Boys

6th

Mathis P (Grade 7) 2nd

JV Girls

2nd

Yerin O (Grade 7) 7th Eve M (Grade 7) 10th

Cross Country

During the fall season, BIS sports teams participated in cross country, volleyball and football.

The season ended with NECIS and ISST tournaments in November.

The BIS cross country team, comprising runners from Grades 6 to 12, had a busy end to the season, with an ISST tournament in

demonstrate their incredible passion, grit and commitment to running. While the team finished up the season with an impressive third place for both ISST and NECIS team competitions, they also walked away from the season with a huge amount of personal growth and pride. From achieving personal

bests,

breaking

course records, demonstrating school spirit, to supporting the team and other competitors, the BIS cross country team

Football

experienced the value of being part of a community.

U14 Boys ended their season on a high with third place at

Varsity Boys

NECIS

8th

Varsity Girls

ISST Division II

8th

JV Boys

NECIS

10th

U14 Boys

NECIS

3rd

U12 Boys

NECIS

6th

their NECIS tournament in Luxembourg. U12 Boys came sixth after a long bus ride to Copenhagen. JV Boys were tenth in Amsterdam and Varsity Boys eighth in Düsseldorf. Varsity

thank you to our Grade 12

Girls travelled to London for their ISST Division II tournament, coming eighth. Congratulations to Abby C (Grade 12) who was selected for the All Tournament Team, an honorary

Lastly, we would like to say runners, Bente K and Gabriel R, for being amazing role models for our team, and for

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

constantly providing kindness, encouragement and support for the BIS runners.”

Volleyball Our younger volleyball teams had an extremely successful end

last season’s results. Although this year results haven’t gone our

to the season with the U14 Girls winning silver at their NECIS in

way, the games are getting closer and closer. A highlight this

Luxembourg and the U12 Girls coming fourth in Copenhagen

year has been taking a set from the International School of

and being awarded Most Sporting Team. Coach Krebs said of the

Düsseldorf. As a coach, I couldn’t be prouder of the way the girls

U12 girls: “This year’s team has great cohesion, excellent sports-

play hard and give everything on the court. Go Dragons!”

manship, great effort and improvement and, most importantly, all of the girls are having fun.” JV Girls came in ninth in Amsterdam while the Varsity Girls finished eighth in Düsseldorf.

Coach Moore said of the latter: “This season, the Varsity Girls team has shown grit, determination and passion to improve on

Varsity Girls

NECIS

8th

JV Girls

NECIS

9th

U14 Girls

NECIS

2nd

U12 Girls

NECIS

4th and Most Sporting Team

Select individual results

25

26

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | BISSV

BISSV | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

BISSV

E T A UPD The Club offers football, running, badminton and non-competitive swimming for students.

BISSV Camps 2018

Football This is the third year teams have competed in the local league (Kreisliga) with some great results from regular weekend games during the season. We now have a squad

BISSV will again offer camps in the Carneval, Spring

of around 100 members aged

and Summer holidays. All details can be found at

between four and 11. The

http://www.bonn-is.de/bissv/camps-2018

youngest team (Bambini) is not part of a league but

Anyone wishing to participate in or help out with

participates

any BISSV activities should contact Club Coordinator

in

various

tournaments.

Rene Glinkowski at bissv@bonn-is.de.

Adult recreational sports

Badminton A group of nearly 30 participants aged between 11 and 18

BISSV offers recreational football, bad-

practices each Tuesday. They have also participated in local

minton, volleyball and basketball.

tournaments.

Anyone is welcome to join. There is an annual BISSV membership fee of â‚Ź 100 for adults but for this you can join as many of the adult activities as you

Swimming Running Three different levels of training are offered to more than 40

wish.

Volleyball is new this year and more

children: Seahorse, Silver and Gold. Children must be able to

This year we have more than 50 members aged

participants are needed so if you are

swim to join these groups. Lessons are also offered in English for

between four and 11, with two coaches and two

interested, please come along on Wed-

non-swimmers with a maximum of ten

assistants. Runners attend monthly races around

nesdays at 19:00 for a taster session.

children per class.

Bonn and regularly place well in their age groups.

27

28

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | EC Activities

EC Activities | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

Coding

29

BIS Primary Dance Squad Moves and Grooves We are all dancers! Whether you are a

Rock artists and songs that students know

foot tapper, a hip shaker, or head bobber,

from the radio and movies.

the dancing bug is somewhere inside all of us.

The Dance Squad is honoured to have performed during a few Primary Assem-

In an increasing digital world, more than 65% of jobs are tightly interlinked with technology. It is essential to prepare students to

“

blies as well as the Creative Waves Festival.

dents from EL5 to Grade 5 come to move

These opportunities have helped to build

and groove with the BIS Dance Squad.

confidence in our dancers. During these performances, Dance Squad has had the

The learning model in the coding club encourages Dance Squad is an extracurricular activity

our ‘FREESTYLE’ moments, we are creative

pleasure of having both a teacher and a

that was created to provide a fun and

and use our bodies to express emotion

parent ‘Flash Mob’ join in the dancing.

inviting atmosphere where students of all

and our own personal styles. At the same

We continue to find that dancing can

levels and abilities can learn basic dance

time, we are always in control of our

inspire all of us, even our teachers and

Programming itself is not the goal. Computer programs

steps, build routines and express their

bodies and find safe places to dance.

parents, to get up and have fun!

collaborative learning and develops teamwork. Students are acquiring the most sought after skills employers demand.

think in a rational and sequenced way to solve problems.

On Wednesday afternoons, Primary stu-

Mrs van der Steege

“

are tools to reach a higher level goal which contains intel-

creativity through dance. It all began last

code or by writing a computer program. A code or a computer

lectuality and improves life and societies. Programming is an

winter with a group of about 15 students.

Each practice we begin with a warm up to

program is a means of communicating with the computer, via a

outstanding way to learn how to think logically, systematically

Now the number of dancers has grown to

stretch our muscles. We keep the beat to

over 30! The Dance Squad has even

songs we know, using basic steps like ‘step

This computational approach can be developed by learning to

specific language, so that it can complete a task. Analytical thin-

and algorithmically which helps future generations make better and wiser decisions in other areas of life

king and problem solving are specially developed skills when

Mr Kasra Manshaei

“learning to code”.

“

The thing that I enjoy the most about this class is that

At BIS there are a number of initiatives that encourage students to learn programming skills, which makes them creators rather than users of technology.

n In Grade 7 students learn the fundamentals of coding via the

every session I get to learn something new from someone or

attracted Secondary students who come to help teach using their dance skills and

“You can express yourself… and dance whatever you want.” - Dancer, Grade 3

have a blast with our creative dancers.

“Dance Squad is about learning different moves and having fun.” - Dancer, Grade 1

the other. This makes me feel like I am constantly growing

“Dance Squad is about being free while you dance.” - Dancer, Grade 3

and increasing my knowledge about Python, which is helping

First and foremost, Dance Squad is a

me achieve my goal.

team. We work together to learn new

Supratim K (student)

moves, discuss different ideas for our rou-

together’ and ‘grapevine’. We practice

tines and celebrate how we inspire each

these steps as they appear in many diffe-

Lego Mindstorms NXT program.

n In Grade 9 students learn a programming language to create a mini-game.

n In the Robotics Club students participate in an international

other with dance. It is all about having

rent routines and can be altered and

The Coding Club is BIS’ newest extracurricular initiative to support

fun with movement to music as well as

changed to be more complex. We practice

competition where the topic is “how to use robots to solve a

students in developing and mastering computer programming.

being creative with our bodies. During

routines using songs from various Pop and

problem”. The “problem” changes each year.

Advanced students mentor younger students under the guidance

n In the Coding Club students learn the logic of programming in a computer language.

Lizee Mueller, Teacher

of Mrs van der Steege and Mr Koch. The advanced students are then tutored by Mr Kasra Manshaei who helps develop their programming and mathematical skills. Mr Manshaei has a Masters in Computer Sciences from Bonn University and works in the artificial intelligence field.

Coding goes beyond Lego robots and the programmes that operate them. Every time you use your smart phone, iPad, Siri or Alexa, someone has analyzed how you will use the tool and written a computer program to ease your interaction. Our use of technology happens every day at various levels. Learning to code allows people to use computers at the highest level to solve complex and/or everyday problems.

Jackie van der Steege, Teacher Anuradha Koratkar, Parent

30

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | Unsung Heroes

Unsung Heroes | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

I still have my yearbooks from high school. When I was in

Lots of creativity goes into this publication

and technology. We appreciate that they

We are looking forward to another “best

middle school, we didn’t have yearbooks. We had autograph

– students create pages for the sports

work as a team, meeting the deadlines so

seller” this year; a yearbook that records,

teams, create pages for the grade levels,

students can have their personal BIS time

highlights, and commemorates the 2017-

books that we brought to school on the last day and had our

create pages for the clubs, create pages

capsule. We are grateful for the teachers

2018 year at BIS. Maybe we will pull it off

friends and teachers sign. Anyone else remember those?

for the concerts, create pages for school

that give of their time to mentor these

the shelf in 20 years, giggle at the hair

trips – thank goodness for their abun-

students, while also giving them the free-

styles and remember fondly our years at

dance of ideas and new ways of putting it

dom to make decisions (thanks to Kate

BIS, before heading to our school reunion.

Paterson and Jackie van der Steege).

My husband had a high school reunion in

year comes into being? It results from the

all together. After the creating and

November and the first thing he did after

dedication, skill, planning and a lot of

designing is complete, it is time for editing.

confirming he would attend, was to pull

“blood, sweat and tears” from the BIS

It may not be the most glamorous job but

Why do students join Yearbook Com-

out his old yearbooks to start remembe-

Yearbook Committee.

it is important. Who wants to have a year-

mittee? Many see this as an opportunity

book with their name spelled incorrectly?

to flex their creativity muscles, while

ring everyone from his class. Granted, they will all look different in some way

The BIS Yearbook Committee has a mix of

Or the wrong name assigned to their

being part of the BIS school community.

because it has been a number of years

new and seasoned publishing gurus.

picture? This is where attention to detail

Some were asked by a teacher to help

since graduation.

More than half of the students working

is a highly sought after skill. Is the gram-

and loved it so much they kept coming

on the yearbook are new to the committee

What should the 2017-2018 Yearbook

mar error-free? Are pictures where they

back. Others are looking to learn some

look like?

were designed to be? Are any pages

new design and technology skills.

missing? The list goes on and thankfully

Regardless of the reason, we have a great team ready to deliver again this year.

The great thing about

this year. Although they will have to learn

yearbooks is that they

how things are done, they also bring a

are time capsules in a

fresh voice and thoughts to the planning.

each student in the committee. Photos

so do the students. They even maintain

book. They capture the

One of the first decisions the team has to

and more photos need to be snapped.

their sense of humor amidst all the stress

31

Krista Ferguson, Parent

styles of the time and the

agree on is the theme and look of the

After all, what is a yearbook without pho-

and work. Did you know that in one of

Although these students give much of

memories of our school

book - flashy cover, thick pages, glittery

tos? The first thing I always did when I

the previous yearbooks, the committee

their time to making the annual year-

days, the friends we had,

paper, sleek lines, number of pages, color

got my yearbook was to flip through all

hid images of ninjas and bananas? Did

book, they still have a mix of interests out-

the teams we were part

versus black and white? Whatever the

the pages to see how many times my

you ever notice them? Don’t you want to

side of school and a much appreciated

of and the fun we had. They are a keep-

choices, it all has to meet the budget while

picture made it into print and when it did,

go look for them right now?

sense of humor. Included on the list of

Claire K, Divya B, Roisin B, Sama I,

sake for graduates.

creating something students want. As one

was it flattering? Did you know there are

“what do you do when you are not at

Pauline B, In hiding: Mickey M, Torsten S

student indicated, this is one time where

some schools that use computer programs

Thank goodness the BIS Yearbook Com-

school?” are being with friends, writing

(can be seen slightly in the back row).

Students look forward to the day year-

“this book will be judged by its cover”.

for yearbooks to check that each student

mittee has budding journalists and photo-

song lyrics, playing video games, movies

Not Pictured: Alice G, Doncho A, Mari-

books come out. Did you ever wonder how

There are schedules and deadlines to be

has their picture in the final product at

graphers in their midst. We are blessed

and TV and of course “sleeping because it

onaa N, Marianna M, Sue J, Supratim K,

the yearbook you get at the end of the

met. Pages and subjects are assigned to

least three times?

that they are creative with designs, ideas

does not exist in the IB”.

Sawa T, Julia G

Skills and interests the students bring to Yearbook Committee Keepsake and Time Capsule in a book

Back Row (left to right): Jackie van der Steege (Teacher), Kate Paterson (Teacher), Nora N, Simonas B, Amir G, Simon S, Kolja H, Jake J. Front Row (left to right):

32

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | Student Perspective

Student Perspective | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

BIS 20 Years Survey

Using Social Media to Study

We asked several students throughout the school questions about what they predict their From a young age, students are told that

and video chat apps such as Snapchat,

studying in groups helps with retaining

Skype, FaceTime, and Houseparty. Video

information taught in class. However, as

calls, in my opinion, are the most effective

students grow older and their schedules

because seeing peers study is motivation

become more cramped, meeting with

for me to work hard as well. Of course,

other classmates in person can become a

students do not need to use apps such as

struggle. An easy way for students to

these to study; it’s important they find the

shows that students from Grade 6 are most enthusiastic about

become more easily connected with each

study method that best works for them-

predicting their future lives. The results also revealed that the

other is via social media.

selves. If a student does choose to use

life is going to be like 20 years from now. We received many interesting responses.

Students from Grade 6 through Grade 12 responded.

Here is a summary: Most student responses (about half) are from Grade 6. This

What is your grade?

most preferred professions were in the fields of designing and

social media to study, it should be their

engineering. Most people wish to settle down in North America.

When first hearing it, “using social media

responsibility to use it effectively and get

Other preferred places include East Asia and Northern Europe.

to study” sounds like a bad excuse to just

work completed.

chat with friends. However, platforms such The main benefit of using social media to

their children are using social media while

allow video chat, are incredibly useful

study is that it allows students to com-

studying, unless it becomes a real dis-

because they provide a meeting space

municate when it is most convenient to

traction. It’s one of the most efficient

without forcing students to leave home or

them. If a friend asks a question about an

ways to communicate with a group but

spend extra time travelling to a designated

assignment, one can reply whenever they

still stay in an environment that’s

study area. Snapchat and messaging apps

have time. They can also choose not to

comfortable. The ways of learning and

allow students to ask each other short

reply at all if social media is too

communicating are evolving, so our

questions and get a quick response. There’s

distracting. Since young people are

approaches to learning should too.

little difference between Skyping people

online for the majority of their day, it’s

Finding a balance between using social

and talking to them in real life, so the tech-

highly likely whatever questions one may

media for enjoyment and to study may

nology aspect has little interference with

have will be answered relatively soon.

be difficult at first, but it’s definitely

It was amusing to see how some people were so sure about

getting work done (if it’s used effectively).

So, communication online is the most

attainable.

their future life, and some people had so many ideas. We also

Some apps students often use are

convenient way to study with, and get

got several very interesting quotes:

messenger platforms such as WhatsApp,

assistance from others.

Where do you think you will be living 20 years from now?

6

20 years from now, which job sector do you think you will be doing a job in?

Parents shouldn’t be too concerned when

as Snapchat and Skype, and others which

7

8

9

10

12

“I will be living with my best friend…”

“I think that I will be married.”

“I will be independent…”

“I will own a pug.”

“I believe my work will save the world…”

“I will be a billionaire…

Supratim K & Rachel C, Grade 9

Claire K, Grade 11

33

34

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | Student Perspective

Student Perspective | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

Café Reviews

by Anna

- Rebecca C R, Grade 9

Einfach Himmlisch,

Klufterstrasse 40, 53175 Bonn einfachhimmlisch.com | 0176 72608317 Open Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00.

Einfach Himmlisch is a perfect place to spend a Saturday talking and laughing away with friends. This small but splendid café offers a different approach to sugar, making lactose free and gluten free delights which will turn any bad day into a pleasurable one. It is wonderfully clean and hygienic with a lovely and kind owner named Monika who provides fine service.

Bäckerei Konditorei Voigt

Kennedyallee 102, 53175 Bonn | baeckerei-voigt.de | 0228 55009974 Open Monday to Friday from 6:30 to 19.00, on Saturday 7:00 to 18:00 and Sunday 7:30 to 17:00 The Bäckerei Konditorei Voigt is a cute bakery and just a nine minute walk from Bonn International School. It is the perfect place for any season, with seating outside or inside.

The bakery offers warm and cold drinks with a wide variety of delightful eats. The service at this bakery is very kind and welcoming. Definitely a great place to have a relaxed and fun afternoon.

Eiscafé Bianchi

Annaberger Str. 159A, 53175 Bonn | 0228 310220 Open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 19:00 and 11:30 to 19:00 on Sundays Eiscafé Bianchi is the ice cream shop of my childhood where joy and happiness would appear each time I walked through the doors of this amazing and blooming café. It is a place where good memories can be made. Their ice cream is not only delicious but satisfying. This is an ideal place for the whole family or a wonderful café to meet up with friends and have a blast. Their service is fantastic and positive. The café is found in Friesdorf, a small and wonderful area of town.

Student News Team

Mr Mike Smith, Anna-Rebecca, Serin, Sonia, Rachel, Supratim, Jake. Absent: Claire

35

36

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | Community News

Community News | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

PROST! Hundreds of BIS parents, staff and alumni gathered for the BIS Oktoberfest. They raised a glass to celebrate our amazing school community and to raise funds for the Secondary Science Program. What a fantastic event to kick off the 20th Anniversary Year at BIS!

everyone to practice their milking technique and they were polite enough to keep their mooing to a minimum so as not to overshadow the live music played by the brass band.

In between dining and dancing, guests were able to peruse the fabulous array of silent auction items, participate in the live auction, or show their support by buying raffle tickets or making a donation for a Lebkuchen heart.

The event raised more than â‚Ź20,000, which will be used to purchase data loggers that will benefit all four Science Departments. The new state of the art equipment will allow students to design better experiments and to collect better data.

A fun evening out and money raised for a worthy cause, I would rate the BIS Oktoberfest Celebration a tremendous success!

Colleen Troia, Parent Excitement had been building for weeks, with helpful hints on how best to wear a Dirndl and traditional German dance lessons helping to get party goers ready for the big night.

Guests arrived in a rainbow of Dirndls and Lederhosen and were swept right into the fun with a rousing performance of traditional German songs by the International Voices Choir, which included plenty of audience participation!

The party then moved to the Sports Hall, which had been skillfully transformed into a Bavarian Beer Tent. Scarves draped the ceiling, authentic Bavarian food scented the air, there were cows for

37

38

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | Community News

Community News | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

BIS Hikers/Tourists With the Siebengebirge and the Ahrtal on our doorstep, it seemed like a good idea to

Parent Volunteer News

start a hiking group for BIS parents. Every

What are we raising funds for this year?

(and a rest) along the route, and we some-

The BIS Parent Volunteers (PV) organise a range of

times cap off our hike with lunch. The

fundraising activities throughout the school year,

meeting point is the Agora parking lot at

week we go on a new hike, ranging between 5 km and 9 km.

During most hikes, we stop for a coffee

including a film night and discos and culminating in

8:30 every Wednesday, and we always

the ever popular International Day in June. We use

return before the end of the school day. If you are interested in joining our

the profit from these activities to fund various

group, you can find us on Facebook (BIS Hikers/Tourists) and request to join,

projects to improve the school environment for

or send an email for further information to annebetvanweerelt@gmail.com.

our students. Last year, we financed the extremely

All hiking abilities are welcome!

in the new Crest building. This room offers our

It is a wonderful way to meet other parents from the BIS community,

senior students a wonderful space to relax, chat

discover the region, find nice restaurants and get some exercise. We welcome

over a coffee, eat lunch or catch up on work, and

you on our Wednesday hikes!

This year, the PV has decided to put funds towards purchasing covered parking for 20 to 40 bicycles, so students and staff who cycle to school have somewhere secure and dry to store their bikes.

The bike racks within the school grounds were removed to make way for the new Crest extension and the plan is to put the new bike stands at the rear of the Agora car park, near the American Club. We hope the new stands will be in place by the spring.

Jump House, Cologne

Great fun for the whole family, and definitely appealing for older kids, is Glowing Rooms in Cologne. Check out their website for details, and Trip Advisor for reviews in English. www.glowingrooms.com

The biggest trampoline park in North-RhineWestphalia with around 120 trampolines. Open every day, including Sunday. For details, check out their website. www.jumphouse.de/koeln

Things to do in the Bonn/Cologne area with kids Karen Camidge, Parent

Wildpark Venusberg/ Waldau

popular Grade 11 and 12 Student lounge, situated

has proved a huge success.

Glowing Room

Annebet van Weerelt, Parent

Situated just ten km from BIS, a 20-minute drive but also accessible by a regular bus, the 602, this is a great place to visit, especially on a Sunday and on public holidays when nowhere else is open. Parking and entrance is free. There is a fantastic playground (the best one in Bonn, my kids would vouch for that) and a small café which sells Bratwurst and Pommes, cakes, hot and cold drinks and ice cream in the summer.

You can also take your own food. Toilet facilities are a bit lacking; there is just one portable one, (so go before you go!) but it’s better than nothing.

There are lots of very well-maintained walking trails through the woods, which are also suitable for pushchairs and many people ride bikes to explore more.

The other highlight is the animals, which you can get very close to and feed. There are two machines from which you can purchase feed for 1 €. Often, you will see baby animals, which are so sweet and much cuter than the adults!

Waldau is a great place to spend an hour or so walking through the woods and watching the deer and boar in autumn or winter. On warmer spring days and in the summer, it is easy to spend many hours there, especially with the fabulous play area.

Looking for some fun and interesting places to visit during your time in Bonn? Then this article is for you. Sharing our experience of a few of the places we have visited, and a mention of others we have heard about, I hope to give you some useful

information and inspiration.

Kloster Heisterbach On the other side of the Rhine, 4 km from where the Bad Godesberg ferry docks in Niederdollendorf, is Kloster Heisterbach. The monastery was built in 1189 but all that now remains is the imposing remnants of the choir of the old church. The grounds are nice to walk around, with hidden paths and ponds, which kids will enjoy exploring. There is a restaurant serving hot and cold food, cakes and drinks, which has a large terrace overlooking the grand courtyard and is very pleasant on a warm summer’s day.

To get to the monastery from where the ferry docks in Niederdollendorf, it is a picturesque uphill hike along a quaint street (Mühlental) and then through the woods.

Follow the signs from there across the fields to the monastery. Alternatively, there is a large car park directly next to the monastery grounds, and from which you can hike across to the Petersberg, if you wish.

39

40

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | Community News

Community News | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

COP 23

From the 6 to 17 of November 2017, 25,000 delegates from around the world came together in Bonn to discuss climate change. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) started in 1994 and has 197 members (parties), who meet annually at a Conference of the Parties (COP).

The goal is to “stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic (human induced) interference with the climate system." (UNFCCC website). COP 23 was held in Bonn this year even though Fiji was the host nation. Given that the host Fiji cannot accommodate so many attendees on its islands, the German government and the town of Bonn provided the space for COP23. As the first island state to host a COP meeting, Fiji hoped to bring urgency to the issue of climate change, as evidenced in their slogan for COP23, “Further, Faster, Together”. All parties need to increase their efforts to avoid extreme effects of an increase in world temperature.

This year’s conference started with the opening ceremony including an appearance by some of our students, as well as a traditional Fijian ceremony with dancing and chanting. After that, countries got to work discussing and negotiating the rules for implementing the Paris Agreement which was signed at COP21 in 2015. In this agreement, parties pledged to keep global warming to less than 2°C over pre-industrial levels, with the stretch goal of 1.5°C. If the world continues on its current trajectory of greenhouse gas emissions, the Paris Agreement goal will not be reached.

Civil society sent a clear message to the delegates before the conference began by holding a peaceful march to demand a move away from fossil fuels and more investment in clean energy. 25,000 people marched through the streets of Bonn for this. Hopefully the message was heard and the parties will commit to stronger climate action.

Aside from the Party delegates, a certain number of observers were allowed to participate in the Climate Conference. I was able to attend the conferences as a representative of an NGO with observer status to the UN. The observers were able to follow the negotiations, as well as make suggestions on improvements to the mechanisms for implementing the Paris Agreement. It was an exciting two weeks, meeting people from all over the world who bring their individual stories and experience to the discussion. Although the stories were varied, as Prime Minister of Fiji Frank Bainimarana said in his opening comments at COP23, “We are all in the same canoe.” Indeed. We all can make a change in our daily lives to help conserve our collective resources and steer towards sustainability.

Stacey Kimmig, Parent

41

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | Alumni

BAHS ALUMNI

celebrate 20 years since their last reunion

Alumni | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

raising ceremonies.

BIS Alumni Weekend at

Many had travelled from lands afar: USA, Canada, Thailand

and 12 British High School (BHS) alumni plus

A 30 strong crowd of Bonn American High School (BAHS) alumni gathered in the Waves Foyer. They stood to attention as they remembered this as the place of their morning flag

and Israel to name a few. They were touched and inspired by what had become of ‘their’ school; the bowling alley now the Agora, the tennis wall where Michael Jordan hit a few balls, still there. Although many had graduated decades ago

International Day

31 Bonn International School (BIS) alumni

four former and a few current, long-term teachers. A strong cohort of alumni from

DPDHL following their studies in various fields, some are in film production, beginning higher education studies or newly graduated, some do economics or data analysis

they shared memories of friendships, inspirational teachers

near and far met for the BIS alumni 20 years

and a love of Bonn and its environs. Quite by coincidence

celebrations at International Day in June.

returned to teach at BIS.

Who would not want to visit school when

Many a story about school days involved teachers, who

they can sample food and drinks from all

remain fondly in everyone’s memories. Each alumni had

they too chose Oktoberfest as the theme for one of their celebrations!

Our thanks to Hans Hahne and his brothers , as well as

for corporate and federal institutions, and one has

their favourites. Our BHS alumni also enjoyed having Mr

Jürgen Knees for connecting our founding alumni with BIS.

over the world in a jolly, relaxed, marketplace

Thanks to Hans for supporting our BIS Oktoberfest with a

setting? Not to mention the sunny weather

generous donation!

and the Rhine background!

Smith, Mr Best, Mr Frank and Ms Byrne as teachers!

Best memories: HL Economics with Mr Owen | Friends, friends, friends

“

International Day | Sports tournaments across Europe, Grade 11 | Orientation trip | BIS Band, Club Heinrichs.

Our alumni enjoyed meeting at school, where they also toured our campus, had a dinner out and a jovial evening in a beer garden.

The group that met came by origin from 14 countries and have lived in 33 countries so far! Most had lived in at least four. The BIS alumni represented graduating classes from 2002 through to 2017, though not all actually graduated from BIS. Our BHS Alumni graduated in the 90s.

What would our alumni expect to see and experience at BIS 20 years from now?

“

42

The same great vibe, love of cultures | The officers

club finally redone | Creative learning spaces | Still see Mr

Smith teaching maths! | Having the same nice reunion

evenings like today.

Special mention to Alexandra, who was at BIS in Grades 1 and 2. She looked on her time at BIS so fondly that

What are they all doing now? Some are studying or

after graduating High School this year, she decided to

finishing Masters degrees, a few secured internships with

come back and visit!

43

44

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | BIS in Photos

BIS in Photos

BIS in Photos | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

COP 23

Oktoberfest

45

46

WAVES Winter 2017-2018 | BIS in Photos

BIS in Photos | Winter 2017-2018 WAVES

47

WAVES BONN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Martin-Luther-King-Strasse 14 53175 Bonn www.bonn-is.de

We inspire excellence.