@BSB “Excellent”
Rated by UK Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)
June 2018
Virtual Reality
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Planet BSB
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PLUS HEADMASTER’S WELCOME | PRIMARY SCHOOL REVIEW | SECONDARY SCHOOL REVIEW | FUN & ENTERTAINMENT AND LOTS LOTS MORE!
“Excellent” We are delighted to share with you the results of the latest UK Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) report. The inspectors judged British School of Bucharest to be ‘Excellent’, which is at the top of the scale used. British School of Bucharest is the only British School in Romania rated as ‘Excellent’ for both • “The quality of pupils’ learning and achievements” and • “The quality of pupils’ personal development”. We are very proud of this outstanding result for our school and we would like to thank everyone sincerely for their contributions, the results of which are evident in this exceptional report on the overall quality of education at British School of Bucharest.
@BSB | June 2018
Welcome from the headmaster
We have recently received the report from our latest Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspection. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our staff and thank everyone sincerely for their contributions to what was an outstanding report on the overall quality of education at BSB. It is the best report that this school – or any other school in Romania – has achieved in this respect and describes what is achieved on a daily basis for our students. The key findings of ‘excellent’ in terms of both quality of pupils’ learning and achievements and the quality of pupils’ personal development are at the top of the scale used and cannot be bettered. The inspectors were senior leaders of significant experience from a range of the highest achieving and respected independent schools in England. The main body of their report confirms my confidence in the education that we provide for the children. The wording is glowing and I wanted to use this article to pick out some short extracts that give a flavour of the inspectors’ findings. The careful nurturing of the pupils’ learning, skills and achievements is praised extensively. Comments include: • “All pupils display excellent language and communication skills. They are articulate, confident, both orally and in writing, and display a
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@BSB | June 2018
THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL, PUPILS CONSISTENTLY REFLECT IN THEIR ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOUR THE VALUES ENCAPSULATED IN THE SCHOOL’S AIMS. passion for learning, a direct consequence of the warm relationships between pupils and teachers and of the enthusiasm shown in the teaching.” • “Pupils show excellent understanding and knowledge. They engage confidently in discussion, reflect thoughtfully on their own writing, and show a range of analytical skills….They ask challenging questions and reason well.” • “All pupils develop high levels of competence in numeracy.” • “Through the use of higher-order questioning by teachers, pupils throughout the school learn intellectual curiosity and develop strong powers of concentration in extended tasks.” • “Throughout the school, pupils achieve notable success across a wide range of activities, discovering new interests and developing a wide range of skills which they pursue at a high level, reflecting the ambitious aims of the school.” Desired student behaviour and success is rightly linked to high quality teaching. I was delighted by the recognition of an atmosphere that I witness on a daily basis and of the abilities of our outstanding team of teachers. Comments include:
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@BSB | June 2018
THE QUALITY OF THE PUPILS’ PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IS EXCELLENT. THE QUALITY OF THE PUPILS’ LEARNING AND ACHIEVEMENT IS EXCELLENT.
UK Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Report, February 2018
• “Good behaviour in lessons results from motivating teaching which reflects teachers’ extensive subject knowledge and understanding of the pupils’ needs.” • Teaching is “well planned, effectively delivered” and leads “to effective learning throughout the school” which is supported by “a robust tracking and assessment system enable[ing] more effective monitoring by teachers of pupils’ progress.” • “Because senior leaders and staff have consistently high expectations, pupils respond accordingly, showing genuine delight in their learning and rejoicing in both their own and others’ successes.” Pastoral care and provision which enables the students to develop personally is highlighted as exceptional; a consistent and longstanding strength of BSB of which we are very proud. The section of the report relating to the quality of pupils’ personal development is truly moving as it represents very well the exceptional standard of education and care provided at our school. Comments include: • “Pupils grow as confident, compassionate young people with a respect for others and for the world around them. They are enabled to do so by the individual examples provided by the teaching and
support staff, the meticulous care given to pastoral support throughout the school, and the strategic planning that underpins the development of appropriate pastoral structures and facilities.” • “Throughout the school, pupils consistently reflect in their attitudes and behaviour the values encapsulated in the school’s aims.” • “Pupils rapidly learn the value of selfcontrol in their dealings with others.” • “On arrival, pupils mix immediately and successfully with scores of other nationalities and backgrounds. Pupils are well prepared to move to the next stage of their lives, their self-confidence and resilience having been fostered throughout their time at the school.” • “Pupils make a significant contribution to their school and to the wider community, enhancing the lives of others with generosity of spirit and a ready commitment of their own time, qualities they regularly see modelled in the teaching and support staff.” • “An outstanding feature of pupils’ development at all stages is their understanding and appreciation of the non-material aspects of life…pupils develop
an appreciation of their own background and the values they share with others…. They have a clear understanding of what is right and wrong and show respect for the rules in place in the school through their generally excellent behaviour, courtesy and relaxed self-discipline.” • “There is very little bullying…and should any arise, it is effectively dealt with by the school.” • “Pupils develop excellent social skills in response to the school’s inculcation of these….Pupils grow as confident, compassionate young people with a respect for others and for the world around them.” There are of course recommendations, though these are written “in the context of the excellent outcomes” and indeed are already a part of our ongoing and regularly updated school improvement plan. We will of course endeavour to continually improve the school and our provision, but we are extremely pleased by the assessment of the educational quality published in our ISI report, which is available on the school’s website. I am delighted that the inspection showed that we have a top-ranking school and we can be rightly proud of all that we have achieved and are achieving at BSB. I hope that you all have a fantastic summer holiday. Page 05
@BSB | June 2018
The annual British School of Bucharest Summer Fair was held on our beautiful, green campus. This was the most eagerly anticipated summer event, attended by students, parents, staff, friends and members of the public. We want to use this opportunity to thank our sponsors for the 2018 edition: our main partner AUDI and also Champ du Golf, BTour, Orbit Romania, Algeco, Divertiland, Gre’ Bakery, City Grill, Betty Ice, Daimon Wellness and Dr Anca Vereanu who have all helped to make this event special for all of our guests. Thank you all for your support!
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CHILDREN HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO SATISFY THEIR CURIOSITY ABOUT NEW THINGS, AS WELL AS TO DELVE DEEPER INTO THEIR EXISTING INTERESTS. Page 10
@BSB | June 2018
Primary REVIEW
Residentials – Reap the Rewards The Summer term is always a busy one, as end-of-year assessments and testing begin and children squeeze in the last bit of learning for the academic year. Our school calendar is also brimming with special events, productions and performances, activities to facilitate children’s transition into the next year group and celebrations of students’ achievements. In and among this buzz of activity lies, perhaps, one of the most exciting learning opportunities of all – our residential trips. Children from Year 2 through to Year 6 at BSB have the chance to participate in an extended trip each year, the location and duration of which reflects their age and stage of development. One might ask why, during such a busy term, would teachers and school leaders elect to take children out of the classroom to participate in trips such as these? The answer is simple: to help them exercise a host of skills they are learning at school (and at home) on an entirely different level.
Building deep and meaningful relationships As stated by Martin Hudson (Benefits Far Outweigh Risk, The Guardian, 2008), “Pupils may feel that they know their classmates and teachers well from day-to-day contact in school, but the experience of living with them in a residential community
can add a completely new dimension.” Not only do residential trips provide our students with increased opportunity to engage in extended activities of a truly social nature with both their peers and staff, but these interactions are largely of their own design, are not necessarily driven by an intended outcome and serve to further augment interpersonal skills while strengthening the foundations of their existing relationships. They begin to experience the need to observe ‘personal space’, to consider the needs of others and to implement compromise to resolve differences for themselves in authentic contexts. Developing resilience and independence Children generally feel most at ease at home and in other familiar environments. But we, as adults, know not only that circumstances sometimes force us out of our comfort zones, but also that when this happens, some of the most valuable learning we experience takes place. While still safely in the care of familiar adults, children gain experience in separating from parents and loved ones for a short period of time, managing themselves and their belongings, seeing to their own needs and prioritising tasks. This can increase self-confidence and help children view themselves as even more capable individuals, as well as help them develop skills that will see them through changes and transitions.
Taking risks and exploring interests All of our residential trips offer a range of adventurous activities including sport, exploration of nature, arts and crafts, games and investigation of culture and history. Children have opportunities to satisfy their curiosity about new things, as well as to delve deeper into their existing interests. Activities are designed such that all children will find themselves challenged at some point, and some may find themselves even confronting their fear or preconceived notions, always being encouraged to push beyond what they have previously perceived to be their own, personal limits. Most importantly, though, our trips are intended to be FUN. Whether it be camping in tents carefully nestled between the trees on BSB’s front lawn or hopping on an aeroplane to England, we hope our students will enjoy and forever remember the challenge and adventure of their year group residential. Well done to all children who participated this year. We are extremely proud of the very positive feedback we have received about your behaviour and hard work!
Victoria Smith
Head of Primary School
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@BSB | June 2018
Pre-Nursery The People Who Help Us By Raina Myson Wow, what a term! The youngest of our BSB learners in Pre-Nursery have had a great time with our topics, especially ‘The people who help us’. The children have expanded their knowledge and understand that it is not just the fire, police and ambulance service that help us. They have discovered that everyone they meet has something to teach them, from teachers, hairdressers, dentists and doctors to veterinarians, shopkeepers and, of course, Mummy and Daddy. The children have thoroughly enjoyed the role play area this term, as it has also taught them to use gross motor skills (those that require whole body movement) in dressing up to be various community helpers. We have also used our fine motor skills (smaller actions involving the wrists,
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hands, fingers, feet and toes) with buttons, tweezers and scissor skills, and no hair style was harmed with our Hairdressing topic! This has also encouraged the children to expand their language and social skills. Social, emotional and communication skills are very important at this early stage of learning, as they are the fundamental tools that are taken through life. We have also covered ‘Life on the farm’, exploring a range of media to make our farm display board. To the huge excitement of the children, we took them to a farm to see the animals up close. They were very brave when feeding them (although a little nervous), but their friends were very encouraging.
@BSB | June 2018
Nursery LIFE UNDER THE SEA By Priscilla Varban This half term in Nursery we have been learning about life under the sea. The children enjoyed making large-scale sea creatures and collaging these for our art exhibition. We also made some extraordinary fish using various painting techniques that you can see on display. We enjoyed reading Hooray for Fish and our absolute favourite this half term was the book Commotion in the Ocean. As part of our investigation activities, the children had to rescue the frozen sea creatures and find at least two ways to melt the ice balloons where the fish were trapped. All in all, a very busy end to the school year!
Talk about the changes ahead
To help support your child’s transition from Pre-Nursery to Nursery class, or any other year group or new school for that matter, there are many things you could do at home, including:
We all know that children love having something new and interesting that belongs to them, and buying a new school bag or lunch box can be a really exciting activity for them. Ask them to choose which one they would like, or perhaps decorate a snack box with exciting stickers!
Encouraging children’s independence At school, children are encouraged to be more independent, especially when it comes to personal hygiene (for example, using and going to the toilet). So, it would be really helpful if you could encourage your children to attend to these needs themselves as much as possible.
Simply talking to your child about the changes will help reassure them that they are going to have a wonderful time at their new school. Talk to them about who they might play with (perhaps a neighbour or family friend is going or goes to the same school?), how they will get to school, what their school uniform looks like, etc. The more preparation children have, the less anxious they will be when they start in September.
Special school things
Keep calm and smile. If you are anxious, your child will pick up on this and they will also be nervous! We wish you a lovely summer and are looking forward to seeing everyone back in September. For those of you moving on from BSB, we wish you lots of luck in your new school!
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@BSB | June 2018
Reception Getting to Know How Things Grow
By Jenna Batson What a busy final term it has been in Reception. The children have been taking advantage of the warming weather and getting busy working on the EYFS vegetable patch. We have been growing beans, sweet peas, cucumber and aubergine from seeds, as well as learning how to transfer plugs of tomatoes into the garden. Children have taken the responsibility of watering their plants seriously and we very much look forward to enjoying the produce next term when Year 1 will harvest the homegrown vegetables and make us all a delicious meal. As well as looking at the life cycle of a broad bean, we have had the opportunity to look after and observe some tadpoles in class, watching them metamorphose into froglets...it was frogtastic! As always in the Summer term, we have given the children many opportunities to become familiar with the routines and the adults within Key Stage 1 to prepare them for this transition. They have thoroughly
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enjoyed joining the older children at playtimes and distinguishing which days their House Team is allowed to play on the climbing frame. They have also been joining in Key Stage 1 celebration assemblies each week and have looked forward to the Star of the Week being announced. This term saw us having many adventures in and outside of school. We had a fabulous day at Mogosoaia, where the children developed their observational skills and got very imaginative about who possibly lived in the palace. Our year ended with a fantastic trip to Edenland which really pushed the children in seeking the challenge, showing a can-do attitude and taking a risk, engaging in new experiences, and learning by trial and error. The year 2017/2018 has been an amazing one for us all, and we look forward to our next adventure in Year 1!
@BSB | June 2018
ENTRANTS WOW THE JUDGES By Jenna Batson
If you thought last year’s competition was amazing; if you thought the skill level from the students was impressive; if you thought nothing could get any better. Then, let me tell you that this year’s ‘So You Think You Can Cook?’ competition took everything to a whole new level! Tasting the creations of this year’s participants was literally like being in a 5* restaurant. From macaroons, homemade mushroom ravioli and spicy Indian delights to steak cooked to perfection, our judges had a variety of flavours and styles to sample and discuss. It was one tough job and they were the perfect trio to do it. Chef Simona Pope had an eye for presentation, and she was mightily impressed by the students’ overall performance. For Chef Liviu Popescu, it was always about flavours and how well the students articulated what they had prepared. Finally, Chef Iustin Truta had his eye out for the level of skill the children were achieving. Combined, these three top chefs were the perfect mix to be able to guide, support and nurture our students to achieve their full potential. After much deliberation, they were able to narrow the pack down to six Primary Finalists and four Secondary Finalists.
The Final Cooking Challenge During the Final, the children were challenged to prepare two versions of a white bean dip, two types of hamburger, and shortbread using only the items available in the ‘So You Think You Can Cook?’ pantry. The children were determined and focused, and after perusing what was available, decided upon a plan of what they wanted to create. With inspiration from her love for Indian food, our Primary winner ‘wowed’ the judges with a spicy take on vegetarian-only dishes, and our Secondary winner gave the judges a delightful meal full of flavour, coupled with amazing presentation. It was a tough competition this year and the judges, as well as staff, were amazed by what every single entrant achieved. As Mr Popescu quite rightly stated: “Every single one of you is a winner!” Well done to all who took part and we look forward to seeing what delights will appear on the table next year. So, start practising now (and be ready to impress) because the competition will be fierce for ‘So You Think You Can Cook 2019’!
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Year 1 Buds and Bees By Rachel Eglinton and Emma Sauer
After the snow and cold of winter, we were happy when spring began. We have a tree in the BSB Science Garden that we visit every month to observe differences throughout the seasons. We noticed that not all the trees lose their leaves and we learnt to identify evergreen and deciduous trees. We have planted various seeds in the BSB gardens and eagerly watch as they grow. Our enquiry question has explored why water is important. In groups, we carried out a fair test looking at the impact of no water, some water and lots of water on seeds. One child recognised that heavy rain was good for the trees, but not for our seedlings. Furthermore, we have completed work describing the life cycle of a seed and observed this through growing bean seeds
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on cotton wool. We have shared stories about growing food and discussed our fruit and vegetable preferences, as well as the various parts of plants that we eat. It was surprising to learn that the flowers on a birthday cake could be eaten! We have made a fruit salad and a fruit milkshake, along with writing a recipe. Now, we are keenly awaiting harvesting fruit from the trees and our vegetables, so that we can do some yummy baking. The Bee Musical has been our focus this term. It was a challenging script, yet the value of the message made it worth the effort. The narrators were tasked with learning many lines, which they did with expression and confidence. The guard bees earnestly protected the bee hive from
unwanted visitors, such as pesky blackbirds and a hungry little mouse. Throughout, the worker bees, who were always attentive and delivered their lines smoothly, buzzed and rushed around the hive making honey and darting out to collect nectar from the beautiful flowers. Meanwhile, the drones were vying for attention from the queen bee. However, one breakfast time, the Waxworths were upset that there was no cereal, no orange juice or no jam. The newsreader announced, with clarity, that bee colonies were collapsing. The plight of bees in the world today and how important they are to the food chain will certainly be remembered – along with the waggle dance – whenever we see a bee. We are proud of you all.
@BSB | June 2018
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Year 2 Camping Under the Stars By Adam Pegrum and Ann-Marie Isaac For the first time ever, Year 2 were given the fantastic opportunity of sleeping out under the stars on the BSB front lawn this term. For many, this was the first time that they had stayed away from home and it was fantastic that they had the chance to do this while surrounded by so many of their friends. By 3pm on the day of the camp, the excitement levels had reached fever pitch! The children headed to the front lawn to discover their accommodation for the evening. A circular campsite of tents had been erected to ensure the children felt safe and secure. The children arranged their sleeping bags and the teachers were impressed with how organised they were.
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Decked out in their swimming costumes, they headed to the paddling pools to cool off and soak each other. Having towelled off, the children headed to dinner. A bountiful feast was laid out in front of them and huge smiles could be seen between mouthfuls of pizza. Activities followed, including sports and crafts. As the light faded, some headed to the treehouse for story time while others opted for the comfort of the hammocks. Dressed in their pyjamas, it was time for a film to calm everyone down. Popcorn was munched and a variety of different snacks were consumed that the children had
brought from home. There was still time for a fabulous light show with some fluorescent glow sticks. The teachers had been concerned about how well the children would sleep, but their fears were quickly quashed as, one by one, weary heads hit the pillow and a good night’s sleep followed. At the crack of dawn, the children awoke and the camp was as lively as ever. The tents were packed up and it was then time to head for breakfast. After all the excitement of the previous night, we had some hungry bellies that needed filling. There was just enough time for a little play before everybody was collected.
@BSB | June 2018
An enjoyable time was had by both students and teachers. The children impressed the teachers with their mature and sensible approach to their first residential and a few expressed their thoughts: “My favourite thing was the movie night because we ate popcorn and stayed up late.” “My favourite part was playing cricket with my friends.” “I liked splashing each other in the paddling pools.” It has been a wonderfully successful and fulfilling experience in Year 2 this year. We have watched the children grow in confidence and enjoy numerous successes, whether it has been in the classroom, at sports day, in the production or with the work showcase. Well done to you all and keep up the good work.
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@BSB | June 2018
Having a Splash in Sinaia
Year 3
By Natalie Pitchley and Alex Baines
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@BSB | June 2018
Here in Year 3 we have had a busy Summer term. It started when we launched our new topic: Prehistoric Times. Here we dived into the past, learning about dinosaurs, all the way through to the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages. We made mini books depicting what life was like in the Stone Age, created our own fossils and experimented with making our own cave paintings. We spent time researching and learning about the scientist Mary Anning and discussed in detail which fossils she uncovered on the coast of England. In English, we spent time writing stories, reading and composing poems and also looking at different information texts. Here
the children were able to consolidate everything that they had learned throu out the year and produced some extraordinary pieces of writing. Our focus in Maths was applying our knowledge of the four operations to solve a range of word problems. This included a data-handling mystery where the children had to figure out which teacher found which mysterious object in which location! This was great fun and tested our knowledge of tally and bar charts. Throughout the year, the Year 3 children had been excitedly waiting for the Sinaia trip – and it certainly lived up to all their expectations. While roaming the mountains of Sinaia, we discussed the different rocks
that we found, making a fantastic start to our own rock collection. We had a ‘splash’ playing in the pool with swimming races, splash fights and inflatables. After that it was party time, where the children enjoyed playing a range of party games and dancing along to their favourite tunes. On the last day of the trip, we headed to the majestic Peles Castle where we listened intently to our guide explaining the history of the castle and its former occupants. Our time in Year 3 is now coming to a close, and it has been a wonderful year learning from each other and growing in confidence and maturity. We will miss working with all the children in Year 3 and wish them every success as some move on to Year 4 while others move on to new schools.
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@BSB | June 2018
Creativity and Activity
Year 4
By Nicola Pinson & Louisa Ramsden
The highlight of Year 4’s term was their residential trip to Busteni. Our three days were packed with activities such as tobogganing, treasure hunting and roasting marshmallows around the campfire. We really enjoyed learning to work together as a team by playing games which needed cooperation and listening skills. On our second day, we had a special day out walking high up on the Bucegi Plateau and visiting the Ialomicioara Caves. In our Art lessons, we explored how we can create batik style patterns in a range of mediums. After testing out wax crayons, glue and flour paste, children were able to use hot wax to create their final design onto a t-shirt. We delved into the rainforest in Geography. After learning about the structure and the animals living in each level, we starting to think about the people who live there and how all living things are being affected by deforestation. We continued the rainforest theme in English by creating travel brochures to persuade people to go there on holiday. We wrote catchy titles using alliteration, included rhetorical questions and used imperative verbs to tempt our readers. In Science, we looked at how we can classify different animals into groups. By researching the features of each group, we were able to gather enough facts to create our own branching diagram. Our challenge was to make sure we asked the necessary questions and that other children could follow our key. Year 4 have been a pleasure to work with this year. They have impressed us with their maturity, resilience and creativity.
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Visits, Visitors and Wonderful Experiences!
Year 5
By Karen Cojocaru and Rebecca Doganay
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@BSB | June 2018
Year 5 have made some cool connections in all areas of their learning this term. All of our English work has been linked authentically to our experiences and learning across the curriculum. This has included fiction and non-fiction writing to entertain, inform, explain, discuss and persuade, and what a fantastic number of experiences we have had to write about! We used our scientific working skills to plan and carry out investigations into the effects of growing older on our bodies through challenging the teachers in our own mini-Sports Day event. We also conducted some real-life investigations into the differences between good and bad bacteria. Collecting and growing bacteria from around our environment allowed us the opportunity to discuss how variables can affect our results, and after tasting the yogurt we made, some of us weren’t so sure that it really is that good for us‌ Visits to Lacul Tei and the River Danube in our Geography lessons provided first-hand experience of how rivers change landscapes and how people have adapted their lifestyles accordingly. We also learned how people have changed the environment by building and expanding communities alongside rivers. In History, we enquired into the impact the Ancient Greeks had on the modern world through making connections with visitors from the Greek School and the Cypriot Embassy, who provided us with some insightful information. We also visited an authentic Greek restaurant to plan our end-of-year Greek party, linking to our Maths, Computing and Food Technology lessons. The children used spreadsheets to budget for the meal, bought their own ingredients and created their own tasty, authentic Greek food for their invited guests. Year 5 finished off a fantastic year with the eagerly awaited residential trip to Bran, which included a specially organised English tea at Bran Castle. Thanks to one of our mums for arranging this! We have had many amazing experiences in Year 5 this year and, as they move onwards and upwards to Year 6, our children can be proud of all they have achieved and contributed. We know we certainly are!
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@BSB | June 2018
All in a Term’s Work
Year 6 By Sonia and Caroline, Year 6B
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The Summer term has been an extremely busy time for Year 6. We began by studying Shakespeare – something that most students find really tricky! We had a brilliant time, acting out scenes and exploring the relationship between characters. We even tried using some old English language. It was really exciting to study an action-packed supernatural thriller from over 400 years ago! We also learned more about natural disasters. Each child conducted a case study on a volcanic eruption or earthquake from around the world, which they then presented to the rest of the class. The pupils were incredibly mature and displayed many of the attributes expected as they become more experienced students. The teachers were blown away! However, the most exciting part of this final term in Primary was the residential trip to PGL Liddington in England… From 14th to 18th May, Year 6 went on an exciting trip to PGL Liddington. PGL is an activity centre in the English countryside. Even though we only stayed five days, we had a pretty busy week. The first day there was archery and zip wire. Archery was full of surprises, including a prize for Most Arrows on the Floor! Zip wire seemed complicated and scary; however, when we were up there, we realised it was neither as complicated, nor as scary, as it seemed. In the evening, we had a game of Capture the Flag. Even though we were tired, we still had a good game with even wins! The next morning, after breakfast, we did some abseiling – another thing which seemed complicated and scary from the ground. Luckily, that was not true and abseiling turned out to be one of our favourites. Next we did the sensory trail, guiding each other through obstacles, while blindfolded! After lunch, there was canoeing, a great way to get us calm for the thrills to follow. There were fun games and, luckily, no falling into lakes! Then came Jacob’s Ladder, to continue the trend of things seeming scary from the ground. There were some creative ways to get up to the top, including being a human flagpole and using ropes instead of a partner (good job, Danny!) That night brought a campfire with snacks, stories, magic tricks and classic songs including ‘I’m Being Eaten by a Boa Constrictor’ and ‘Have You Ever Seen a Penguin Come to Tea?’. On Wednesday, we had a city tour of Bath and enjoyed teamwork games. Thursday was our last day of activities. In the morning, we had problem-solving and trapeze. Problem-solving really boosted our teamwork skills and nearly everyone caught the trapeze! We had a wonderful afternoon with climbing and Aeroball. On Friday, we went home with fond memories of PGL. We would recommend going to this trip (just bring your own snacks!). ‘An Inspector calls’ and our Year 6 students were on stage, too! We enjoyed this excellent show together with teachers, friends and parents. It has been a busy term, but an exciting and fun one, too! Page 29
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Virtual reality VOLCANOES AND SPACE BEFORE THEIR EYES When learning about the wonders of the earth and beyond, it can be challenging to arrange field trips to deepen understanding and bring learning to life. This is where virtual reality is an incredible tool and opportunity for students and teachers alike. Year 6 have been learning about tectonic plates, volcanoes and earthquakes. We can teach the theory in an interactive way but until you have actually seen a volcano erupting, it is difficult to comprehend the scale and impact of these tiny movements in the earth’s crust. Year 6 worked with Simon at VR Voyagers to ‘visit’ several volcanic sites which brought wonder to their faces. They were able to immerse themselves in lifelike images of the theory they had been studying, and the sounds of oohs and aahs resonated through the classroom. Videos in 3D also helped the students to understand the scale and they enjoyed visiting lesser-known volcanoes in Russia as well as the more classic examples. In comparison, Year 5 went on two virtual reality trips to space (as it was quite clear when we started this unit that a real-life trip to space was impossible), one exploring the solar system and one on the Apollo 11 moon landing where the children had a taste of what it was like for Neil Armstrong. There were many gasps, especially when going up in the lift to the top of the rocket and many wows when looking at some of the biggest stars in space. Simon and Veronica at VR Voyagers follow the words from Benjamin Franklin: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” This is certainly true for both year groups as their virtual reality trips definitely involved each child who took part in an experience we are sure they will never forget. Page 30
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BSBUniversity By Dan Batson
Courses for Everyone
In this final term of the year, the BSB University programme continues to offer a broad range of exciting and challenging learning opportunities that stretch our students beyond the normal National Curriculum expectations. Children from Year 1 to Year 6 selected their final course of the year, with each enrichment opportunity falling under one of the three key categories: Self-Development and Personal Challenge, Arts and Creative Development, and School Service and Community Enrichment. Many of the courses have run throughout the year, allowing us to ensure that as many students as possible have the
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opportunity to experience them. These have included BSB Bistro, SchoolTube, Cake-o-vation, Art Masterclass, Junior STEM and Gymfinity. We have also added a few new courses to the programme that have already got the children very excited.
Another new University course is Wicked Woodwork. Aimed at our Year 1 to Year 3 children, this course teaches students to use woodwork tools safely and effectively with the ultimate aim of building their own birdhouses.
One of these is The Incredible World of Botany, which has been led by one of our parents who has a PHD in this particular science. In the first session, students were required to draw upon their Design Technology skills and make their own flower press. They have since learnt to classify their findings accurately and have even been off-site collecting samples.
Finally, Gaelic Football has been very popular with the older students who have enjoyed the physical nature of this demanding Irish sport.
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Girl guiding Fun and Friendship By Rachel Eglinton How we celebrated the end of the year! The same way in which we have held our weekly meetings over the course of the year: with fun and friends. Rainbows, Brownies and Guides enjoyed an outdoor party at school. We swam and played in the pool, enjoyed team games, climbed to the top of the wall, flew through the air on the zipline, and enjoyed a delicious barbecue cooked by Takanaka. “It was brilliant!” and “What a great afternoon!” were comments from the girls. And what a year it has been. A Guide unit opened with enthusiastic girls, we made an impact in the community on World Thinking Day and we had a visit from our County Commissioner for Girlguiding Europe, Barbara Ferris. It was not only the leaders who received training. Brownies and Guides learnt some valuable lessons around peer education. When asked what they like about their unit, many girls say “everything”. I think it is the variety of the girl-led activities that keeps all involved happy. There is also a tangible sense of community emerging from attending weekly
meetings, supporting each other and growing together. For some girls, that commitment has been over the last five terms. Girls say they like getting to know friends from different year groups and some enjoy time with their sisters. Being in Girlguiding means doing your best, helping others and developing yourself. Making the Girlguiding Promise links us to girls around the world. Inevitably, we will be saying goodbye to a number of girls who are moving abroad, to Lima, Warsaw, Baku, Beaconsfield and Milan. Thank you to the leaders who have volunteered their time, and especially to Lucy, who not only helped out at Rainbows but also maintained a professional eye on our accounts. Hopefully, the girls will find a new unit, but even when there is not one, they remain supported by Girlguiding, if they wish. Wherever we may be, all of us will have special memories of this year.
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@BSB | June 2018
Secondary School Review After three years of lessons, effort and much pain, I have to admit that I still have not quite got the hang of skiing. Whenever I go skiing in the Romanian mountains, I am frequently put to shame on the slopes; groups of Primary-school-age children seem to glide past me effortlessly in snake formation and my own children chicane around me at controlled speed, while I creep along, trying to remember whether I should be leaning or pizza-slicing and avoid a collision with that fugitive snowboarder wearing a shark helmet! But, despite this immense learning curve, I do enjoy skiing tremendously. I realised this fully in January as I was skiing down a red slope for the first time and felt the exhilaration of my achievement. But there was more to it than that: it was being surrounded by friends and family, being among fellow skiers on the slopes and in the cabanas united by a common purpose, and being in a stunning mountain environment with crystal-clear blue skies and diamond-white snow. The Romanian mountains have become a special place for me, not just for these reasons, but, as I now understand, more ‘thanks to’, rather than ‘despite’, the learning curve of skiing. I know that my learning journey will be a long one, but I can’t wait to get back to tackle the red slope again and perhaps even outrun that snowboarder. As with my experiences of the mountains, so many students at BSB talk about their school in a similar way, most of all when they have left and reminisce about their time with us. BSB is a special place for us, not least because of the wonderful grounds and buildings, and the people who make up the special community, but because of the learning and life experiences which are created day-to-day within our school. The school beats to the rhythm of what we value and it is visible in what we do and what we have achieved since my last @BSB Secondary Review. We have celebrated success in sports fixtures and tournaments, the amazing Peter Pan production,
SPECIAL PLACES
many House competitions, musical concerts and an advanced recital with a concert piano. We had a visit from the Romanian Police, the So You Think You Can Cook? event, the UK Maths Challenge, Sports Day, the trip to support the work of Fundatia Inocenti in Bistrita for orphaned and disabled children, Expedition Week trips all over Romania, including the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, and a celebration of achievements at the Leavers Dinner and Assembly and the Secondary Awards Ceremony. And, of course, at the end of this academic year, it is with real sadness that we say goodbye to members of our community, whether they be teachers who have given so much to the excellence of our school, our Year 13 students or those from the younger years. But we also say goodbye with a sense of optimism for their future – and our leavers know that although they have left BSB, the door has not closed. We do wish all our leavers every future success in whatever shape or form that may take for them, and we know that they will move on in their lives, taking a piece of that special BSB community with them for always.
Jason Porter Head of Secondary
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YEAR 13
Graduates Our Senior students celebrated the end of their Secondary School career during a fabulous party and awards ceremony. We wish them good luck in their final exams and as they move on to study in higher education at some of the most respected and top-ranked universities, both in the UK and worldwide. Congratulations to all for being part of British School of Bucharest and for making us very proud.
Good Luck to all you ! Graduates
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STUDENT
LIKELY UNIVERSITY DESTINATION
COURSE
Alina
Warwick, UK
Law
Octavia
LSE, London
Government and Politics
Anastasios
Imperial College London
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Luca G.
Queen Mary, London
Economics
Yeiji
King’s College, London
Neuroscience
Menat
King’s College, London
French and Management
Cristian
Architectural Association London
Architecture
Laura
University of the Arts London
Fashion Marketing
Jiajun (Jason)
King’s College, London
Maths with management and finance
Zixin (Mary)
University of the Arts London
Art
Rebecca
Falmouth
Film
Luca T.
Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne
Hotel Management
Luca E.
Istituto Marangoni, London.
Fashion Design
Ana
Not yet known
Ana will continue her passion for and excellence in music by studying musical performance following a gap year
Angela
Anglo American University (Prague)
Journalism and Communications
Jiaonan (Johnny)
Switzerland
Hotel Management
Mohan
Romanian Musical Conservatoire
Music
@BSB | June 2018
Transition ESPECIALLY FOR THE YEAR 6S What I wish someone had told me about Secondary School! Before we welcomed the Year 6s into Secondary for Transition Day, the current Year 7s had wanted to share their list of dos and don’ts for the first year in Secondary School. 1. Do your homework: it’s not as bad as you think but being organised and using Showmyhomework properly really helps. 2. Do make a lot of friends: you will meet new people and that’s a good thing. You will change as you are growing up and the more friends you have the better.
3. Do ask for help: if you get lost or aren’t sure about something, you can ask a teacher and they will probably help you out. 4. Do be confident: you have got a lot to offer – show it! 5. Don’t be afraid: Secondary is actually much less scary than you think! 6. Don’t ignore the new kids: they are probably really nice and it’s good to meet new people, even if you already have lots of friends.
8. Do make sure you have the right equipment: life is easier if you have a bag and pencil case with everything you might need in it. 9. Do be kind. 10. Don’t forget to have fun! Secondary just as good as Primary and you will have a great year! We have a really exciting day planned for Year 6 and we are really looking forward to meeting them all.
7. Don’t be late: you should get a watch to help you make sure you are on time to lessons.
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Creative
LEARNING IN SO MANY WAYS...
By Mark Williams
Creative subjects are being squeezed in England with fewer specialist teachers and four in ten schools spending less money on facilities. Against this negative trend, BSB is making a firm and positive commitment to raising the standard and value of Art and Design education. We are, therefore, excited to share the news that the Art spaces will be doubling in size this year and that the Design and Technology classroom has already been joined onto the Innovation Hub to allow greater integration and sharing of resources and ideas. Whilst the Creative Faculty continues its commitment to transmit fundamental skills, such as drawing proficiency in Art and workshop experience in Design and Technology, it is equally dedicated to the provision of abstract skills, such as collaboration, idea generation and communication. With the evolution of the new rooms, the Creative Faculty will be looking towards implementing a Makerspace model of learning. A traditional approach to education has been to tell students what they should know. Success in school is often thought of as being graded on whether you are right or wrong. Getting it completely right the first time is viewed as the pinnacle of success, but this is not the way the real world works. The new rooms will provide an opportunity to rethink the generic classroom set-up. We will work to construct an atelier – an artist’s
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workshop or studio – that is fitting for 21st Century skill building. The Makerspace model provides students with hands-on creative projects that encourage them to design, experiment, repurpose and innovate in environments that value process alongside outcomes. Students will have spaces to activate and ignite creative thinking. Opportunities for inquiry and discovery will allow them to learn from and build on failure. In Art, our projects will focus on some specific areas, namely mural work, t-shirt design, publishing, curation and interior design. We will provide students with real-world objectives; for example, developing fashion products for sale, designing aspects of the atelier interior and creating artworks for exhibition. This constructivist approach will permit greater autonomy with an aim to provide a sense of satisfaction and success in persisting with a task.
The Innovation Hub This year, the Hub has benefited from two expansions. One at the start of the year, and one in which we joined with the Design and Technology class. This has allowed a large variety of new projects to occur. Starting with the 3D visualiser, a device capable of sculpting a car chassis mid-air with minimal pre-planning or mental visualisation, continuing on to large-scale model making, flexible
sculptable plastic sheets, electroplating and more. We are very pleased to have assisted the Art Department in the manufacture of an amazing A level project involving the largest bronze casting we’ve produced to date. Students this year have also experienced the new batch of components in the manufacture of their cars during the Innovation Hub CCA. One group have a particularly interesting design. Finally, this winter we engineered a snow cannon to help us with our orchestra hall. Unfortunately, it did not snow sufficiently; however, we did manage to successfully produce a four-metre-tall arch towering in the middle of the school yard. Stay tuned for next winter – we wish to accommodate a hundred guests!
Design Technology The Year 7s have had a really successful Summer term finishing their phone stands. They have learned a range of workshop techniques and overcome a few fears in the process, including the use of hammers and chisels to cut out the main phone section. For Year 8s, the challenge involved making Sweet Dispensers and, in doing so, to learn about jigs and how to set up and use some of the electric machines, such as the pillar drill. Their favourite tool has been the electric hand sander, though numb hands were achieved from just five minutes of use!
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Trips
Supporting Fundatia Inocenti’s Great Work By Emilie and Tamina, Year 9 Between 9th and 11th May, 15 students from Years 8, 9 and 10 were accompanied by Miss Sneath and Miss Mattingley to volunteer at a charity event in the Romanian town of Bistrita in Transylvania. The annual ‘Olimpiada Inocentilor’ event, hosted by Fundatia Inocenti, aims to provide a day of sporting and creative activities for ‘the innocents’ – the disabled, orphaned and low-income children they work with in the area. Emilie and Tamina describe their experiences of the trip. This year, we were new students to BSB, and when the Fundatia Inocenti trip was suggested, we were recommended to go on it. And so we did, expecting it to be like any other trip. However, the Bistrita trip went above and beyond our expectations and we had three days of amazing new experiences that we won’t ever forget.
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On the first day, we bought a variety of donations with the money that was raised by our team here at BSB through bake sales and selling Martisor bracelets. The donations included lots of toys, toiletries, nappies, stationery, and arts and craft equipment for all the children, and this was combined with the supplies already donated by the generous BSB community. We visited the orphanage the next morning and took all our donations with us. The staff were extremely thankful for them and then showed us around the building. There were many interesting rooms for all the children, especially the ones with disabilities. Our personal favourite room was the one filled with different unique lights and colours – the Sensory Therapy Room. We got to see children and teenagers with different needs and it was warming to see how caring the staff were with them. Later that day was the big event, and we helped set up the festival and all the stalls. Our school was in charge
of the face-painting, basketball, glitter tattoos and hair-chalk; it was really touching to see all the children leaving the activities with big smiles on their faces. Even though it was busy and there was always something to do, it was incredibly fun and we all loved the eye-opening experience. At the end of the day, the staff in charge of the organisation invited us to a restaurant and thanked us again for all our help. They also mentioned how, for some children, it was the highlight of their year. On the final day, we packed up and flew back to Bucharest. It was sad to leave Bistrita behind as it was beautiful, and the time we had there was really enjoyable. Overall, we had a wonderful time and not only did we help the children, but we also grew closer as friends. We know that we speak on everyone’s behalf in saying that we would be honoured to go back next year and recommend it for anyone.
@BSB | June 2018
House Report By Thomas Smith
In 2017, eight new House Captains were introduced. These Captains were selected as they had shown excellent traits of leadership, organisation, commitment and enthusiasm, all of which are essential to being a great leader. The term started strongly with a huge number of students attending the paper towel competition, football and basketball tournaments. Throughout the year, points were awarded for other events including Mastermind, music, chess, House Shout and Sports Day. These points have tallied up to decide the overall winner. We had a focus this year of mass participation with all events seeing big turnouts. From the start, Arges took the lead but were always closely followed by the other three Houses. Danube won the football competition, Olt came first in the history quiz, Mures dominated the chess event and Arges won the Mastermind. After an eventful and exciting year, congratulations go to Arges with a convincing overall victory!
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Sports Day By Laura, Year 10
Friday, 27th April 2018 marked another BSB Sports Day. More than 400 students from both Primary and Secondary spent an entire school day not in the usual classroom, but at the Izvorani Athletics Stadium. Students across all year groups participated in individual track and field events and relays. The events consisted of 100, 400 and 800 metres, as well as shot-put, long jump and high jump. Green, blue, yellow and red coloured t-shirts filled the stadium, with ‘colour-
New Records and Success All Round!
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coded’ teachers walking around the field, encouraging and supporting contestants in their Houses. It was fantastic to see the many people signed up for all the different events. Multiple new school records were made and many medals awarded.
Mr Allsop was the presenter, delivering engaging commentary, and Takanaka provided delicious food stands. The parents were a fantastic audience, creating an environment that fostered encouragement for their children.
As I stepped up to replace the Olt House Captain for the day, I was able to help the teachers run everything smoothly; I strongly believe they did a wonderful job. Every teacher was glad to see the many enthusiastic faces throughout the day and they hope to see even more at similar future events!
Many students got excellent results and brought a huge number of points to their Houses. Mures finished first overall in the Secondary competition; Olt received second place, Arges third place and Danube finished in fourth place. Thank you to all of those that participated and supported us, and a special thank you to the many teachers and House Captains that made it possible.
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BSB’S GOT
Talent The 2018 BSB’s Got Talent competition gathered a vast array of talent on stage performing in front of the whole school. It is a special event that celebrates talent, friendship and community. Congratulations to all participants on a superb show and thank you to everyone, especially to our Student Council, for making it possible.
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Music ACHIEVEMENTS Advanced Performers’ Recital By Sally Clark
The concert featured a beautiful Yamaha grand piano, which looked stunning in the Secondary Library. The students who played really did it justice with their high-quality playing. For his GCSE exam, Cillian played an original composition. Emma and Lisa-Marie played Beethoven and Chopin respectively. As is now customary, Codrut showed his continued progress on the piano as both a soloist and in duet with Mr Pering. It was a great pleasure to hear Tudor Niculescu, the school’s guitar teacher, playing a solo, and another special guest
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was Tudor Atanasiu, who really used the full range of the grand piano’s capabilities. Laura and Lena, although not GCSE music students, are always most welcome to play in Music Department concerts. Lena’s vocal performance and Laura playing Bohemian Rhapsody gave us some 20th and 21st century influence in the programme and were a pleasure to listen to. Celine is only in Year 7 but is already very confident to play in such a formal setting and played a movement from a Mozart sonata on the flute.
The focus of the concert was Ana Maria, who used the chance to perform her recital for the A level Music exam with accompaniment on the grand piano. She sang Bach, Mozart and Faure. We wish her all the best after BSB with pursuing a career as an opera singer. After seeing her perform, none of the audience had any doubt that she will succeed. Well done again to all performers and we hope to repeat the event next year, again with a grand piano.
@BSB | June 2018
COBIS MUSIC FESTIVAL Well done Miss Clark and her team at the COBIS Music Festival at King’s Madrid. The ensemble (Stephanie, Francois, Alan, Paul, Celine) wins the best Ensemble category and Celine takes 2nd out of 27 performers as soloist. We are all very proud of you!
Wonderful Tea-Time Concert This concert featured students from across the age and ability range. A student from form RED, aged 4, took to the stage with his beginner pieces and was supported by older students from Years 2 through to 9. Some pieces were less than a minute, but one student (S.), in Year 6, is playing Grade 7 ABRSM level pieces to a very high standard. It was very inspiring. At the start, the audience was treated to four songs from the Primary Choir. They have been learning about the cartoon characters called ‘The Wombles’ that were popular in the 1970s and sang songs about picking up litter and the environment. Also, the story of Puff the Magic Dragon was sung and a set of lively gospel songs had the audience clapping along.
ALL ABOUT MUSIC CONCERT An amazing concert showcased “All About Brass”, “All About Strings” and other BSB music groups. They played together with enthusiasm, talent and confidence. Their hard work and dedication received much deserved recognition from the audience.
It was a lovely informal event and wonderful to see so many supportive parents there.
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Developing the Leaders of tomorrow through the Sports Leaders courses We have been running the Sports Leaders Awards at BSB since September 2014 and have been delighted with the work and involvement by so many students. Through sports leadership students develop self-confidence, organizational and leadership skills both individually and in groups. We believe that our students possess the qualities to become excellent leaders; these courses bring out such qualities. The programme provides recognised qualifications that equip young people with the skills and motivation to create and run sporting activities in the community. Our community directly benefits from the skills that the students acquire. The courses help develop essential life skills such as organisation, motivation, communication and working with others all of which enable sports leaders to inspire others to live more active and healthy lifestyles. The qualification is held in high regard by universities, colleges and employers and is currently offered to all our Year 11 and Year 12 students. Next Academic Year the structure will change with even more students given the chance to complete the award and develop their leadership skills. The aim is to give Page 56 03
students the opportunity to develop leadership skills throughout their time at BSB creating the global leaders of the future. In Primary the Year 5 and 6 students can take a big step towards developing their leadership skills by selecting the PlayMaker Award which is part of the Universities program. The PlayMaker Award is a great introduction into leadership for pupils or students aged nine and over. The award is designed for use in a variety of education settings as a 6 hour course and focuses on developing learners leadership skills. Level 1 Sports Leaders will be undertaken by our Year 10 students during Physical Education lessons. The course provides time for the students to work closely with Primary School children and many of them have used newly acquired skills to assist in running Co-Curricular Activities after school and other sporting events. Level 2 Sports Leaders will be undertaken by our Year 12 students forming part of a wider enrichment programme. The students are required to lead 10 hours of Physical Education in the local community. We have formed strong links with a local Romanian
school and our students run an after school activities programme for their pupils. This volunteering in our local community is a great opportunity for our students as they enhance their skills and develop personally. This programme is set to expand further next year with the introduction of Level 3 Sports Leaders Award. The level 3 program requires an extended commitment of 30 hours leadership and has the added bonus of being worth UCAS points on its successful completion. Students are required to keep logbooks throughout the course, where they record leadership experience and reflect on various sections in the course. The course is mainly practical however written work and logbooks are submitted for assessment. Sessions are largely practical allowing students to develop a variety of skills including communication, behaviour management, health and fitness, allocating roles and responsibilities and learning how to plan and structure sporting sessions. For more information visit the Sports Leaders UK webpage: www.sportsleaders.org
Mark Hooper
Deputy Head of Secondary (Enrichment)
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Planet BSB In Biology classes, a significant part of the discussion shifts towards ecology, the study of ecosystems and the ways in which we can protect the remaining wild spaces on earth. While learning about these topics is exciting in itself, it is much more interesting to experiment with ways to conserve the environment and mapping the living organisms around us. At BSB, a rewilding zone was created on the school grounds as well as two smaller areas by the dining hall and outside the music classroom. Here, native species of animals and plants can grow and develop without outside interference. This not only is an essential place where students can go to understand the principles of taxonomy, ecology and biodiversity research and conservation, but also provides an ideal habitat to many species of vertebrates and invertebrates which can proliferate, thus ensuring that we as a community help maintain nature instead of just exploiting it for our own benefit. Nature Club CCA has conducted several biological surveys of these areas and we are eager to say that we have found a significant increase in biodiversity here compared to within the rest of the school grounds. From different species of ladybirds (ten-spot ladybird, pine ladybird and the famous seven-spot ladybird) to more obscure soil invertebrates, a group which frequently serves as an indicator to the health of an ecosystem as more diverse soil fauna can support a more diverse plant life, Nature Club is working on conducting a census of the invertebrate fauna of the school. This data can be used for monitoring trends of urban biodiversity and the impact of variance in environmental conditions on the local flora and fauna.
One taxonomic family which appears to exhibit the highest diversity in species on the school grounds, centipedes (Chilopoda), has greatly benefited from the creation of the main rewilding zone as within it we have found species ranging from the common Lithobius forficatus to the rare and poorly known soil centipedes Pachymerium atticum and Henia illyrica. Comparing these findings with data collected on this family from other areas in the school grounds we have observed that the rewilding zone not only shows a greater overall biodiversity but also greater population sizes. This could be related to the increased disturbances outside the zone, which can include sound pollution or maintenance of the school grounds, that reduces the number of appropriate microhabitats for this enigmatic group of animals that can serve as indicators of the overall health of an ecosystem as they require specific conditions to flourish.
Preserving Nature By George (Year 9)
Conducting this survey has taught us the importance of creating wild areas in order to preserve biodiversity. It has also taught us key skills in the collection, systematisation and processing of acquired data, and has provided us with faunistic and ecological insights on the lives of creatures that would have remained otherwise hidden from our sight. It is said that the only fear that exists is the fear of what is unknown to us. As the decline in wild areas is currently too steep for conservation funds alone to stop, it is our utmost responsibility to ensure that we can take steps to provide future generations with a diverse and wildly beautiful biosphere. And these can include everything from the passing of government policy to just leaving some wildflowers to grow in peace in our gardens. Page 57
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Even More Planet BSB News... By Mr Christopher Baker Our Planet BSB recycling programme continues to grow and improve, with the addition of more collection bags around campus and bins in the car park. Please make sure that you are using these receptacles correctly by placing the right
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kind of waste in each bin. Please also make sure that all packaging is completely empty of food and drink otherwise the bins get very smelly! Stay tuned for details of a litter pick in Băneasa Forest at the beginning of the next academic year.
I am pleased with the levels of biodiversity found in our new rewilding patches, soon to be appropriately renamed ‘Biodiversity Experimental Areas’.
@BSB | June 2018
MUN
What it Means to the World and Me By Alexia, Year 10
I’m the type of person who is very communicative, open minded, curious and always wonders about the world’s improvement in the future. I’ve always been involved in social, political, economic and artistic projects, such as the school’s Debate Club, Student Council, drama productions (inside and outside of school, taking part in dancing and singing competitions from an early age), going to summer camps at UCLA, UC Berkeley and Columbia University, where people study Politics, International Relations, Speech and Debate, but also Psychology, Script Writing and Acting. This is me, Alexia, from Year 10, who immediately found the FWW (Future We Want) MUN Conference held at the United Nations Headquarters on mymun, a platform provided by BSB, a great opportunity for developing my knowledge about politics, as well as my social skills. The UN Agenda isn’t a singular action that I had in this respect because I’m highly interested in political events and activities and I read reports and specialised magazines that focus on the world’s issues. Being one of the first 1,000 applicants given a full scholarship at the conference, which
included accommodation and registration fee, made me prepare my speech and ideas carefully so I could have an impact on the resolution, but also on each representative, who were mostly university students. I feel extremely proud to be part of an international political activity that can project tomorrow’s world. All the steps I’ve taken and all the activities I’ve attended, as well as the books I’ve read, the people I’ve met and the research I’ve done, are very beneficial to help me in achieving my goal: attending a top American University and following a career in diplomacy. Young people are the ones who decide the future of the world and must never wait until the moment they have the courage or the power to make changes. They should always prepare for it and engage in specific activities and projects along with adults and responsible organisations in this area of interest. The world is ours all the time, even when we are kids, teenagers or adults. We must not wait for a proper moment. We must create that moment! This event gave me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world with whom I’ve exchanged different ideas, not
only during the conference but, amazingly, after the conference too. I was invited to their country and they were also invited to mine to find more about our culture and traditions, and to taste the different types of food. Even if we live thousands of miles away, I strongly believe that our friendships will last forever and we will always continue to help each other virtually in different situations through social media. My closest friends are from America, China and India, which means friendships have no borders and limits. These experiences definitely made me a better person, a much friendlier and nicer one. BSB has helped me from the start, especially in the MUN world, as it gave me the opportunity to attend the after-school club where I learnt the structure of the conference, but also the structures of the speech, resolution and position paper. Thank you, BSB! At future conferences, as I’ve only attended three, I hope I can come back proudly with an award, such as ‘The Best Delegate’, because I’ve started to learn from my mistakes and focus on future improvements. Page 59
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My Journey By Anisia
TO MEDICAL SCHOOL
My name is Anisia and I graduated from BSB in 2017. This year, my biggest dream became a reality: I received an offer to study Medicine at Exeter, one of the top Medical Schools in the UK. Getting this offer was definitely one of the hardest challenges in my life. People tend to underestimate the crazy competition for Medicine in the UK, which is rooted in a complicated admission process where everything must be perfect. For five years, I spent all my holidays doing work experience in hospitals, attending medical summer schools and interview courses, preparing for medical admission exams (UKCAT and BMAT) and doing a wide range of extra-curricular activities. My academic record was always exemplary, and this was only as a result of spending 16 hours a day sat at my desk for months before exams even started and using one pen a day just on past papers. An obsession? Possibly. But my passion for medicine was just too strong. I simply do not see myself doing anything other than medicine. Even with all of this, I did not get into Medical School the first time. I was obviously devastated – no one was expecting it. I only had one offer, which was Biomedicine at the University of Bath. I did not let those rejections define my future: I worked harder than ever and I learned from mistakes. I did not want to study in another country either, because I never settle for something just because it’s easier to obtain. I got A*A*AA in my A levels and went on to study Biomedicine at Bath (I did not want to take a gap year). I didn’t quite like the ‘bio’ prefix in the name of my course, so I reapplied to Medical Schools while studying Biomedicine. After three interviews (each one was seven mini-interviews), I got the result of years of hard work: an offer from Exeter! After shedding litres of tears of joy, I dropped out of the Biomedicine course and I am now enjoying my first holiday in years. I obviously have many people to thank for this offer, especially Mr Walters and Miss Bousie, who helped me so much with both applications. Looking back after a year, I do not see my rejections as failures. I merely see them as life lessons on overcoming disappointment, working harder and never giving up when trying to achieve something I am truly passionate about. Possibly maturity was the last ingredient to an ideal application and interview.
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Photography
Through the Lenses of Expat Women By Rachel Eglinton, member of Expat Lenses
This term, BSB hosted the ninth charity photography exhibition, ‘Celebrating Romania – Through the Lenses of Expat Women’. This is the second year prints of our photographs have been on display in the Crawford House Library. An auction of prints has taken place, and our photo book has been launched. There are 30 women involved in the group and every participant initially submits five photos. In collaboration with Mihai Constantineanu, a founder of the project, two photographs are selected for the book. Our primary goal is to raise funds for local charities, and another aim of the project is to promote the positive image of Romania. Titled ‘Celebrating Romania’, we wanted to acknowledge the 100 years since The Great Unification of Romania, when different counties inhabited by Romanians became one country. The rich diversity of landscape, architecture and culture that is evident today is testament to that history. Moreover, the climate here can be extreme, and each season is special and beautiful. Amateur photographers, with an expat experience, are deeply inspired by Romania. Each member of the project is encouraged to nominate a charity that they have a link with and present this to the group. Listening to some of the presentations can be quite emotional. This year, the charities that we have chosen to support are Casa Ioana, Ana si Copiii, Asociatia pentru Servicii Sociale SCUT and The Open Door Foundation. With the help of sponsors, we hope to make a difference to those less fortunate than us.
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my daughter made me a
Writer By Cristina Andone, BSB Parent
June is a great time for the publishing business and for the ones who love cherries. It is also the month when I left my glamourous job in advertising, 14 years ago, and decided to be a full-time mother. Thea, my daughter, was at the core of my decision. Every time I see a party on 1st June, I imagine it is for the two of us, Thea and me, just to say cheers to the path I took without knowing where it was going to take us. I went through panic, boredom, happiness, loneliness and pride while I was all alone with my first born. Then Thea went to school (to BSB), I became a writer and she became my illustrator. Happy ending. What was the story? The story begins with a baby that could not fall asleep easily. And a young, inexperienced mother who would lose her voice singing restlessly all the repertoire she could remember, from nursery rhymes to carols, from national anthems to war songs, from ABBA hits to the evergreen I Will Survive. At some points, the young mother would put on some classical music and the child would stop crying. It was Vivaldi, then Mozart, then Bach. Every night, the child would listen to a concert and fall asleep, while the mother would save her voice for better times. When the child turned two, she would recognise, without effort, a phrase by Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Chopin,
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@BSB | June 2018
Tchaikovsky – unlike her bewildered father. Around three, she asked her mom a wrong question from the point of view of musical theory: what does this piece of music tell us? Actually, in Romanian, her question sounded more childish but nevertheless unorthodox. The music is what it is, the theory tells us. However, the mother felt that the child might have sensed something right. After all, we say that music has character. Great music has a recognisable character, for sure. Therefore, the mother started to study musical theory and to write stories that would enlighten the unique style of a certain composer. She called her method MBA, Musical Brand Audit – a mix of advertising planning and musical theory. In a few years, she published eight books with stories that would make classical music friendly and comprehensible to children. So far in Romania, 125,000 copies have been sold. When the child turned 11, she became the illustrator with more than 25 drawings for the new Enescu and the hora of sunrays. Thus, she became the youngest artist for one of the leading publishing houses in Romania, Nemira. When the story was translated in Swedish, both mother and daughter went to GÜteborg Book Fair, gave interviews and delivered workshops. In June this year, a contract with Nemira stipulated that 10 more titles were to be published by the end of 2019 with the mother and daughter as writer and illustrator. I was that mother. And Thea was that restless child. She is still extremely inquisitive as a Year 8 pupil. And yes, it is not easy for her to fall asleep. She made me discover a new method of teaching classical music. She made me write stories for children. She is an amazing illustrator, with a great attention to detail. However, her dream is to become a scientist and maybe illustrate her works to make them more appealing and elegant. I think our steps will take us different ways in a few years. I will remain a writer and tell stories about the stars while Thea will actually know those stars and design spaceships to get us there.
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