BSB School Magazine - December 2010

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

Issue 2 - December 2010 Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

BSB Students treated to surprise Santa visits On Friday the 3rd of December BSB held its annual Artisan Fair, complete with colourful selection of Christmas art and craft stalls, Gluhwein, class baskets up for raffle, the 2010 Harrods Bear, and this year a special visit from the far north by a jolly chap who needs no introduction, Santa Claus. It was a wonderful afternoon of festive celebration, complete with food and drink, Christmas carols, and of course merry cheer.

BSB Students attend CEESA Tournament

BSB Guy Fawkes Success

EYFS Students get creative with clay

This year BSB sent its first team away to compete in the CEESA (Central Eastern European Schools Association) Middle School Public Speaking and Debating Competition against schools from around Europe, including Russia, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Vienna, Hungary, Poland, Finland, and Croatia. It was not only a chance to compete, but also to meet students from other international schools and make some new friends.

This year a number of schools were invited by the Light in to Europe Charity to make a Guy Fawkes to be burnt at the 5th November celebrations. Put to the task the BSB Student Council set to work to make the best Guy Fawkes possible and in the end came up with an effigy that we were all proud of, winning the competition and a trophy for their efforts.

One of the key focus areas of the BSB curriculum is nurturing and encouraging creativity, from the EYFS right through to the A’ Level programme, and in this issue you will find a number of articles on activities and events which took place this term which drew on our students creative talents, including the Art Exhibitions and Music Recitals. One such event was the EYFS Hand and Wheel Pottery Workshop.

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Editor’s Note

At the end of October BSB had two days of INSET in which the staff worked together on various projects. At different times over this two day session the entire staff came together to focus on areas relating to the whole school and in one of these sessions the task put to the staff was to come up with a short list of words that best define the educational experience here at BSB. In the end after much discussion and weighing of opinion, the 12 words or expressions that carried the day were: excellence in learning, personal achievement, confidence, friendship, creativity,

charity, respect, integrity, diversity, community, teamwork, and fun.

Together these words imbue the BSB ethos and to look for the evidence that this ethos is alive and well on campus we need look no further than this very issue.

Across all of the articles, perhaps the words that shine through most are diversity, community, charity, integrity, and respect. We see in these pages an incredibly diverse range of activities going on in and around the school involving students and parents from over 40 different countries. We see the PTA doing a wonderful job organising various events including Parent workshops and the Artisan Fair, which was busier than ever this year, and in general making a huge difference to the community life both on campus and off. In this regard, a special thank you must go out to Sarah Waterfield and her band of merry helpers for all their hard work in organising the Artisan Fair, and to Kerstin Neuhauser for dreaming up and running the PTA Bakery. Thank you also to the parents and students who contributed to one of the many charity projects this term, including

The BSB Calendar January Monday 3rd Wednesday 5th Monday 10th

School Office opens 9am School starts, Medical checks at gate BSB Clubs Start Primary Poetry Competition launched

Year 11/12 Mock Exams all week Friday 14th University Courses begin

PTA Coffee morning in Parents’ Room

Year 8 Bake Sale Wednesday 19th Parent EYFS Workshop- Numeracy 8.30am start

6B Class Assembly Thursday 20th 2B Class Assembly Friday 21st Year 4 Bake Sale Wednesday 26th 5M Class Assembly /

Secondary Invited Parents Evening Thursday 27th 1S Class Assembly Friday 28th Coffee Morning Gafencu Student Council Bake Sale February Wednesday 2nd 4H Class Assembly Thursday 3rd 2F Class Assembly /

Key Stage 5 Parent Information Evening

Primary/Secondary Music Recital 6.pm start Friday 4th Year 6 Bake Sale Tuesday 8th Year 9 Option Evening, 6pm start th th Wednesday 9 – 11 Year 9 Work Experience Thursday 10th EYFS Parents Evening Friday 11th EYFS Open Morning Year 2 Bake Sale th Monday 14 Friendship Week Wednesday 16th 3M Class Assembly / Yr 11 Parents Evening Tuesday 17th Friendship Assembly – Primary

Year 11 Parents’ Evening th Friday 18 Friendship Day – Primary/Secondary BSB Clubs End Year 10/11 Bake Sale School finishes Monday 21st Mid-term break- No school this week Monday 28th School starts Please note that some of these dates could change

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the Shoe Box Appeal and Second Chance Collection, and in particular, a special thank you to Bethan, Year 11, for her effort raising 2000 RON for the Little People Charity, which helps young people with cancer; you are an inspiration and role model to us all.

We also see ample evidence of excellence in learning, with students growing in confidence and achieving personal goals. A good example of this was the CEESA (Central Eastern European Schools Association) Middle School Competition, which BSB entered for the first time, in which our students performed, spoke publically, and debated in front of large audiences, competing with some of Eastern Europe’s finest and most creative young minds.

We see personal achievement and excellence in learning going on in the Art and Music Departments, with the students offering us a sample of their talents and abilities in the class pages, the University Course pages, or the articles on Drama at BSB and in the articles on the November Music Recital and December Art Exhibition.

Finally, we see across the many

articles ample evidence that teamwork is alive and well on campus and that the students are having fun, as they travel along the road to higher education. We see teamwork and camaraderie not only in the various House Competition events, but also in the classroom where we see the students working together on projects and helping each other. On all the pages we see students smiling, and laughing and having fun and perhaps this in the end is the most important area of all, because a student who loves school and enjoys Monday to Friday more than Saturday or Sunday, is surely one that is going to excel in learning.

As is the custom, I would like to thank the many who contributed to this issue, In particular, thank you to Mada for her work coordinating the inflow of articles, to the management team for all their efforts, to Mugur and Kathrin Weident for their many colourful photos, and to Ana, Year 9, and the many other students who contributed articles to this issue.

Have a wonderful Christmas and a memorable New Year.

Mr Kendall Peet Kendall.peet@britishschool.ro

Bake Sale Dates January 2011 Friday 14th Years 10 & 11 Friday 21st Year 4 Friday 28th Student Council February 2011 Friday 4th Year 6 Friday 11th Year 2 All parents and friends are invited to attend, 3pm by the Parents’ Room.

Coffee Mornings PTA Coffee morning Parents’ Room Friday 14th January

Coffee Morning Gafencu Friday 28th January

Bake Sale

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents & Friends of BSB, Firstly I would like to thank all those parents who responded so positively to our School Calendars this year, we were really pleased to be able to give them as gifts and hopefully it is a tradition we can maintain. The most important aspect was the response to our request for your thoughts about the values BSB promotes, while we are aware of our own Mission & Aims written in 2003, it is always good to hear another perspective.

Part of the reason to review the school’s statement of intent was because we felt that after seven years so much has changed in the world of work, education, and technology, so to ensure we are guaranteeing our students access to a world class curriculum we must regularly review our provision. In the same way a school is not a collection of classrooms, so a curriculum is not simply academic lessons. Every year our teaching staff work to expand the opportunities available for our students; the selection of trips increases giving students the chance to grow through travel, practice their language skills and expand their ideas of what it means to be a global citizen.

New courses are included in the timetable with each academic year allowing all our students the chance to choose a subject that allows them to flourish and display their talents. Extra-curricular activities are a vital part of the school day, they offer a plethora of options to “taste” an interest, and potentially find a hobby that they may pursue out of school or work in the years to come. Cross-curricular days frequently appear on the events calendar, these help our students to apply their knowledge and skills and use their problem solving skills that our curriculum excels in promoting.

We are very proud to be working with the British curriculum, a curriculum that has firm roots in the strengths of its history but always looks forward to be viable for the future. By choosing this school you are ensuring your children are prepared with a strong foundation to continue their learning after BSB. It is wonderful to hear from our students who have now taken their Cambridge University qualifications and progressed into higher education, they are all pursuing courses that will take them into a field of work where they can be a success and enjoy their futures, something we recognise every parent wants for their child. Should you have any questions about our pupils’ ability to continue with their studies after BSB or how our curriculum builds the confident, vibrant student who prizes life-long learning, the articles in this month’s magazine will answer them.

So while every school or institution must have a written statement that drives all it does, capturing the character, determination and vitality of our school and our students in a few words is no easy task.

May I wish you and your families a relaxing holiday, and the very best for the year to come.

Jo Puddy-Wells principal@britishschool.ro

The Front Desk

Pipera Office

Pipera If you need any information or help in regard to your child’s education and support at BSB, please do not hesitate to contact our office team during normal working hours, 8.00am-5.00pm, Monday-Friday.

Email: office@britishschool.ro Tel: 021 267 8919 Fax: 021 267 8969 For specific help relating to school transport and student lunches, please contact: Email: services@britishschool.ro Mob: 0728 133 432/3 Tel: 021 267 8919 Fax: 021 267 8969

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

For admissions please contact Ms Madalina Cioc either by e-mail at: Email: admissions@britishschool.ro Phone: 021 267 8919 Fax: 021 267 8969

Gafencu Mrs. Camelia Stoian Email: camelia.stoian@britishschool.ro Mobile: 0731 300 804

Mrs. Camelia Stoian, Gafencu

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Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Contents Editor’s Note

2

What is a Golden Assembly?

19

CIS College Fair

36

The BSB Calendar

2

Year 1 Bake Sale

19

Bake Sale Dates

2

Key Stage 1 Report

19

Secondary Student Council Term 1 Update

37

Coffee Mornings

2

Principal’s Report

3

KS1 House Captains and Vice Captains

20

The Front Desk

3

Key Stage 1 House Points Race

20

BSB Student Raises 2000 RON for Charity

6

1P 21

PTA Report

6

PTA Christmas Bakery

Key Stage 3 Students Celebrate World Science Day

37

Student Art Exhibition

38

Creative Faculty Cross Curricular Activities

38

1S 21

BSB Middle School Students Attend first CEESA Event

39

2B 22

1M 20

Eco-Committee Up-date

40

Open for Business

6

2S Fall Update

22

ICT and Business Studies

40

The Charity Committee Report

7

2F Learning Makes Us Happy

22

Secondary House Reports

41

The 2010 Annual Shoe Box Appeal

7

41

7

23

Secondary House Point Chart

Translating Children’s Wishes

KS2 Report, Primary Student Council, Harvest Collection

Student spotlight

8

Harvest Collection Assembly

23

Inter House Sports Competitions Term 1

42

Meet the New Teachers Part 2

9

Key Stage 2 Report

23

French A Level Blog

43

Primary Student Council Update

23

A Level Deutsch Blogs

43

Primary House Captain Interviews

24

Besuch im Goethe-Institut Bukarest

43

Primary House Point Chart

24

Remembering

44

The Annual COBIS Conference Madrid October 2010

25

The Second Chance Food Drive

44

Making a Guy Fawkes

26

Paris Trip June 2011

44

University Courses Running at BSB

26

Down under - a tour of New Zealand

27

Where are they Now? Teacher in the Spotlight

9 10

Primary Report and EYFS Reports, Harvest Week

10

Hand and Wheel Pottery

10

EYFS 10 Gafencu Report

10

EYFS Pipera Report

11

Head of Lower School

11

Harvest Week in EYFS

11

Firework Creativity Morning in EYFS

12

46 47

Teaching Assistants College

48

First aid training

48

BSB Teachers Run BSB Marathon

49

28

Club Choices for Spring Term 2.1

50

Year 7 PSCHE

51

29

Music Recital Leaves Lasting Impression

52

27

Fly Away with Books

28

Spotlight on Primary Art

28

Spelling Bee Competition

EYFS Letters and Sounds Workshop

12

Putting on the coffee!

12

Healthy Schools Week & PE Lessons…

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy in EYFS

MFL Primary Blogs

30

12

Year 3M

30

Open Mornings at BSB

13

3T Going Greek…

31

EYFS Healthy Schools Week Review

13

4D and their Dynamic Drama Lessons

31

PE Focus: Early Years Foundation Stage

14

Continuous Provision and Free Flow in the EYFS

15

Midnight Narrowly Escapes Death

15

EYFS Class Pages

16

Preschool E- Transport Tales

16

Preschool C ‘errupt’ with festive glee

16

The sun is still shinning in Crèche

17

Preschool Gafencu

17

Reception B

17

Gafencu Reception

4H Horrible History

31

What’s been going on in 5L?

32

Mathematics and ICT in 5M

32

Slipper Making with 6B

32

6H Takes to the News!

32

Maths Day

33

Secondary Report, Year 7 Bake Sale

34

Secondary School Report

34

Year 7 Bake Sale

34

Drama Department News

35

18

Secondary Students Celebrate Human Rights Awareness Week

Halloween provides opportunity for budding BSB photographer

35

18

KS1 Report, KS1 Bake Sale, KS1 Assembly

Year 10 Students Hold 17 Century Witch Trial

36

19

4

45

Santa attends BSB Artisan Fair Haut-Lac, Here We Come!

University Trip to Horse Rescue Centre

th

Key Stage 5 Students Attend

Year 9 Get Cooking in DT

Able, Gifted and Talented Student Focus

54

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

BSB Student Raises 2000 RON for Charity On Sunday the 17th of October at 9 o’clock I found myself in rather an odd predicament. I was standing outside the People’s Palace, in a swarm of people preparing to do a 4km run.

Ready for Success!!

Why might you ask was I in this situation? Well, for two reasons: First, I was raising money for the ‘Little People’ charity, which helps young people with cancer in Romania, and secondly, it was the final part of my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award.

The Duke of Edinburgh award aims to take young people out of their comfort zones and encourage them to do something different and make a difference. This was certainly the case for me; as the least sporty person I know, running any kind of race was a huge challenge.

So that is how I found myself outside the People’s Palace, on that Sunday morning. I was a huge bundle of nerves, and was feeling quite small in the large group of runners, and the even bigger group of spectators. However, I was really very lucky, moments after I arrived I was introduced to Serghi, Paul and Ioana who were also running for the ‘Little People’ charity. The very first thing you noticed when you saw them was that Serghi was dressed up as a very colourful clown, complete with yellow wig and red nose. They were kind enough to take pity on me in my nervous state and let me run with them, which made me aware of a very important fact - you get a lot more attention when you are running with a clown, it really was quite bizarre.

They were extraordinarily kind and made me feel welcome in their group, the run itself was not as bad as I had expected – made much easier by the constant talking and encouragement of the spectators. Before I knew it we were crossing the finish line and the 4km was over. It was a wonderful feeling crossing the finish line, knowing that my Bronze award was completed, but even more, knowing that I had been able to do something that 4 months ago seemed impossible. More importantly my efforts had a positive result for a very worthwhile cause.

Once my part was over I could relax and join the spectators and cheer on the rest of the runners.

The number of people who completed the whole marathon was amazing and those people have my utmost respect. It was a wonderful day out, even

PTA Report

great night and we enjoyed a bountiful feast of good food in very good company.

Where has the year gone! It seems like only yesterday when we were welcoming everyone to another school year. The last five weeks have passed in a blur of feasting and seasonal activity in eager anticipation of the holidays.

Our culinary feast continued with Kerstin running two Christmas Bakery workshops to prepare biscuits to be sold at the Artisan Fair. We were introduced to a variety of traditional German biscuits and we all had the opportunity to try our hand at some of the different techniques and types of biscuit. Having purchased several bags, I look forward to making some more again next year.

those not running had a really good time – and honestly, I don’t know why I was so worried in the first place.

Bethan, Year 11 presenting her donation to Mr Shajjad Rizvi, President of Asociatia Little People Romania

Finally, I would just like to say a huge thank you to all the teachers, parents and students who sponsored me. I raised 2,000 RON in total for the little people charity, and it will go towards improvements at a children’s hospital outside Bucharest. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole event and recommend you all have a go next year!

Bethan, Year 11

PTA Christmas Bakery Open for Business

To welcome in December we had our second Flower Workshop with Dutch Master Florist Irene, who helped us create seasonal advent crowns. First time attendees were pleasantly surprised at their ability to create such beautiful arrangements under Irene’s guidance.

Having fun in the French Cooking Workshop

The term started with a Second Chance workshop to create your own individual mosaic souvenir from Romania, nearly everyone who visits returns thinking of something else they would like to make.

Then we had our first Cookery Demonstration in November, many thanks to Marie-Hélène for introducing us to some more of her fabulous French recipes. The menu was scallop terrine, followed by Boeuf Bourguignon with potato dauphinoise and a Tarte au Citron for dessert. We all enjoyed learning these French classics but even more so sitting down to eat them! Yet again, I am sure they will be repeated many times over in our homes.

We always welcome your involvement and feedback in our activities, and in response to one parent’s request for a night out we arranged the first of many Mum’s nights out at restaurant Balthazar. It was a

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The final activity we arranged was our charity fundraiser the Artisan Fair. We hope you and your children enjoyed the event and had an opportunity to find some unique gifts from the Artisans. For the children, we were very fortunate to have a visitor from the North Pole reminding the children to be good over the next few weeks.

Lastly, we would like to say a big thank-you to everyone for your support this term, we have welcomed the feedback you have given and urge you to continue. We would specifically like to thank the many parents who volunteered their time to assist with the Artisan Fair, from baking the International biscuits and mince pies, decorating the grotto and gym, to running of stalls and selling raffle tickets, the event could not have been the success it was without you.

We wish you and your families an enjoyable holiday and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you all again in January.

Sarah Waterfield, BSB PTA President

A few of you may have noticed in the weeks leading up to the Artisan Fair, a distinct Christmassy aroma in the air. Well, if you were one of the many who attended the Fair and put 2 + 2 together you would have discovered that it was in fact the PTA’s Christmas Bakery in full production. The smell of baked biscuits, the scent of vanilla, cinnamon, nuts and almonds all mixed together to delight and excite the nasal receptors into action. The PTA sent out word via the Friday Flyers and the response was extremely positive, with many mothers giving up some of their time to head to the DT room to bake biscuits. In the end we filled many more bags than we first imagined with a variety of biscuits which were one of the many enticing treats on offer at the BSB Artisan Fair. All proceeds from the sales will go to charity and will be announced on the PTA notice board. I would like to end by saying thanks to the many hardworking assistants. Without all your hard work, this fundraiser would not have been nearly as successful, which is to say not nearly so many visitors to the Artisan Fair would have gone home with a little bag of biscuits treats.

Mrs Kerstin Neuhäuser, PTA Member and Xmas Bakery coordinator

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

The Charity Committee Report Many of you will have heard of the ‘Second Chance’ charity organisation probably as a result of having bought some of their mosaic products at either the Artisan or Summer Fair. However, you probably are not aware of the extent of the great work they do.

They are a charity and they do indeed run training programmes to teach some unemployed women skills, such mosaic making or sewing. The centre also hosts mosaic workshops for visitors, which is a lovely one-day event where people get to try their hands at making something in mosaic, which they then take home with them. The teachers attended one such workshop on the 20th of November.

Second Chance also build playgrounds, provide toilets and other facilities for schools, centres, for senior citizens to meet and general community centres; they provide medicine to the Berceni Community Medical Centre, and distribute road safety vests to school children, to name but a few of their good works. In addition to these many areas of charity, they also organise clothing and toy drives for people that need them the most, and we are in fact contributing to that with our clothing collection at school. Clothes can be donated in the clothing collection bins next to the Parents’ Room.

Alexander, Maria, Lena, Stefan and Lucy helping students from Yr3M to collect the items donated in the Charity bins

Primary children are currently involved in collecting clothes from these bins and bringing them to the Newlands building where they are then organised for collection and distribution to Second Chance.

We are also going to help Second Chance through a couple of initiatives being run at school. In conjunction with Human rights Awareness Week, the children will be able to purchase ’Stop Hunger’ wristbands if they bring in money and a dry food donation. The food donation will go towards Berceni communities annual Christmas Party Food Bags.

This is a very important occasion in a community where 90 families are unemployed (1000 needy people) and have little or no income to rely on. They live in tiny homes with no heat or running water, and cannot give food or gifts to their own children in the holiday season. The Christmas Party which has been organised for seven years now is the only chance the villagers have to get together and in most cases is the only time they will eat a hot meal and the children will get a gift. Our donations will go towards food bags which are given to the villagers at the party. The official period for collection was Monday 29th November – Monday 6th December, however, food donations received after this date

Second Chance

will be passed on to Second Chance and as a result will end up in the mouths of those in need.

Second Chance has also been chosen as one of the charities that will benefit this year from money raised at the Artisan Fair. This money will go towards their many humanitarian projects for which they are always in need of funds.

As you know we also have an annual Shoe Box Appeal for the Children’s Farm of Aricesti Rahtivani and the Children’s Hospital (Fundatia Inocenti). This has always been a well supported charity event at BSB and the children who benefit from the shoe boxes are made so happy to receive them. We hope this year will prove to be the same.

Many thanks on behalf of the Charity Committee for your support in all the fund raising initiatives and events that we do. You do make a difference to the people we support.

Ms French-Paris, on behalf of The Charity Committee

Preschool E showing great team work helping each other to carry a bag of donated items

The 2010 Annual Shoe Box Appeal By the time this article goes to print the letters from from the orphaned children will already have gone out go out to BSB students who would like to put together a Shoe Box present for a partner child or teenager from the Children’s Farm, the boxes will have been collected and will be ready to be delivered.

It has been a huge task to translate the numerous letters, but the helpers were very dedicated.

The letters are very endearing and often have a disarming honesty about them. Many times the children promise Santa to be better behaved in the New Year.

In December 2008 some of our students took the Shoe Boxes to the Children’s Farm and met the children, who put on a wonderful performance for us with dances, music and poetry. This year we are invited again to visit the children during the last week of school before the winter break. It will be a wonderful opportunity to meet our friends again after two years. More information about this trip in the next issue.

We were awarded with 5 house points for each letter we translated. You could also get extra house points for helping Ms Draser organise the letters in alphabetical order.

Ana V., Y8

Ms Draser, Charity Committee

Translating Children’s Wishes

Several children with their BSB Shoe Boxes

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

On Friday the 19th of November 2010, during periods 3 & 4 all the students who can speak Romanian were called up by Ms Draser to translate some letters that homeless kids that now live at ‘Ferma Copiilor’ (Children’s Farm) wrote to Santa Claus. In those letters the children wrote the way they behaved this year, their age, their name and most importantly- what they wish for Christmas!

Those children were mostly aged 5-19 and in all we had 128 letters!

BSB students working hard translating letters

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Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Student spotlight

family and playing hockey. Before BSB I was in a Flemish school in Belgium. I speak French, Flemish (Dutch) and English. BSB is very small and nice; I like it. Romania is very special and very different from Belgium.

Lola, Year 9

Alexandra is currently in 6B and this is her first year in Romania. She lived her whole life in Greece and was born in Spain and attended Saint Lawrence before coming to BSB. She has a brother who is called George. George is nearly 15 years old and also speaks two languages. She thinks her special talent is running. When I questioned her about the school she replied her favourite part of it was the teachers. She has made some new friends here at BSB and finds this year fairly challenging, but is looking forward to the rest of her year at BSB. Her favourite food is French Fries and the best book she has ever read is Nimsisland. Her hobby is drawing, and she has a cat called Rio. Her favourite movie is Alice in Wonderland.

Sara, 5M, is a new student to BSB and has enjoyed her time here so far. She enjoys art and especially likes drawing. The thing that she likes most about BSB is making movies for BSB TV. Her favourite books are the Harry Potter series. She has been in Romania for almost three weeks and has two fish as pets. She moved to BSB from Arabia and use to attend the Manarat Alrayad School.

She speaks two languages and she thinks that the music in Romania is different from her home country. She has four siblings and looks forward to the rest of her time at BSB.

By Alexy and David K. 5L

Hello, my name is Robert and I am from Hungary.

I lived in Budapest and went to the Thomas Mann Gymnasium before we moved to Romania. I have one brother and one sister. My favourite colour is blue and my favourite animal is the tortoise. I love comedies with Jean Reno. My hobbies are reading, watching TV and playing on the computer. My favourite sports are chess and skiing.

Robert, Year 9

By Antoine 6H

Hello! I’m Jan and I’m from Poland. I came to BSB from a school in the Polish capital city, Warsaw.

When I first heard that my family and I were moving to Romania, I thought that it would be an adventure, something new, but mostly that it would be something interesting. What about school? I think that BSB is a really good school with everything perfectly organised. There are many subjects so everyone can find something to interest them. My favourite subjects are Maths, Geography, History and DT. Jan, Year 9

Stefanie is in 6B. She was born in Bulgaria and lived there before coming to Romania. She speaks Bulgarian, Romanian and English, fluently. She is also learning to speak Spanish with Ms.Rocio in MFL. Stefanie says that the biggest difference from her old school, are the uniforms. She told us that she doesn’t find Year 6 as big of a challenge as she had thought it would be and proudly declared that she has made a lot of new friends and is looking forward to the rest of this year. She has a smaller brother Calin, who is in Year 1. Her favourite movie is Lord of the Rings, her favourite book, Percy Jackson. Her special talents include singing and dancing. Her favourite dessert is the scrumptilicious, fabulous, amazing, ice cream!! Her hobbies are listening to music and playing football.

She sadly told us that she doesn’t have any pets.

By Emma 6B

8

Hi, my name is Alex and I am in Year 8 at the British School of Bucharest. I’m 13 years old; my birthday was on November, 7th. I’m Romanian, but I was born in Spain and lived there for six years. My favourite sports are football, mountain biking, quadbiking and going out with the longboard. My favourite food is Italian food like pizza, pasta, spaghetti and risotto; and spicy food.

Alex, Year 8

I am Lola, I’m 14 years old and I am from Belgium. I have one brother (Thomas) and one sister (Marina) but they live in Belgium. I like going out with my

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Meet the New Teachers Part 2 In issue 1 we introduced you to a few of the new teachers. Here are the new teachers that started this year at BSB who were not mentioned in the first issue:

Ms Helen Stevens

Ms Brianna Beitz

pleasantly surprised by how quiet and peaceful it is here because he had been told otherwise. The country he would most like to work in that he hasn’t already is India. He doesn’t have any pets but if he could be any animal he would be a sloth as it is a tropical creature that does very little every day.

Emma, year 11

Mr Andrew Morris

Helen Stevens

Brianna Beitz

Hello, my name is Ms Brianna Beitz and I am from Seattle, Washington in the United States. This is my second time teaching overseas, the other country I taught in was New Zealand. I have been teaching for nine years and really enjoy teaching Year 2B. I have a passion for traveling and have visited 24 countries and also every state in America.

Mr Steven Green

My name is Ms Helen Stevens and I am the new teacher in class 1S. I grew up in the south of England but four years ago moved to South Wales.

However, over the past 2 years I have been living and working in New Zealand. I spent seven weeks cycling from the top of New Zealand to the bottom, a distance of about 2700km in total. This was something I loved and I am busy planning my next cycle tour. I have been teaching for over 7 years in the United Kingdom and was really excited to get the opportunity to come and teach here in Romania. I am really enjoying my time here at BSB and think my class is wonderful. Romania is a very interesting country and, as I love to travel, I am looking forward to seeing more outside of Bucharest.

I hope to get to the mountains to experience some snowboarding at the Romanian resorts. This is my favourite sport. I love being in the mountains and snowboarding with my friends. My snowboard jacket is red as it is my favourite colour. If I am not snowboarding I enjoy reading a good book with a cup of green tea. My favourite book is called Howls Moving Castle by Diana Wynn Jones. If you like fantasy and wizards, then this is the book for you.

Andrew Morris

Mr Morris comes from Wales and has worked in many different countries these include China, Indonesia, Ukraine, UAE, Peru and Turkey. He drove to Romania and he thought that the country side was very beautiful and that Bucharest was nowhere near as bad as he was told. In his free time he likes to hangglide. The country that he would most like to work in that he hasn’t already is Australia. He doesn’t have any pets but the animal he would most like to be is one with hair.

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

For my new adventure, I flew to Cairo in August where I was greeted by a heat wave with temperatures up to 40 degrees each day – literally a warm welcome. The other shock was arriving at the beginning of Ramadan.

I thought this just meant fasting during the day, but after sunset a kind of celebration starts and goes all night until 4 am the next morning.

Every day! No-one gets up until about noon, which means only about 6 hours until teatime when the sun goes down. there are no shops open in the morning.

I have now been here 2 months. The people are all very friendly and can’t do enough to help you. I have a lovely apartment on the outskirts of Cairo.

There is plenty to see and do in Cairo.

So far I have done the typical things, such as felucca rides on the Nile, visiting pyramids, and a trip to Sharm el Sheikh for scuba diving in The Red Sea.

This is a picture of me standing in from of one of the more popular tourist attractions in Egypt

Sally Murch

Mr Sykes is from the UK and has worked in the UK and Cairo. He used to be an art teacher but changed because he enjoyed Geography.

When he came to Romania he was

I suspected it was about time I sent news of my travels since departing Romania. For those who remember, I was a Year 1 teacher at BSB.

Emma, year 11

Steven Green

Steven Sykes

This issue we find out what Mr James has been up to since he moved on from BSB.

Ms Sally Murch

Mr Steven Sykes

Mr Steven Green is the new Primary School music teacher. He has worked extensively across the age range including several years recently in higher education. He has taught mainly in London and Brighton and also spent three years in Madrid.

He enjoys teaching music because it connects with so many aspects of the curriculum, as well as making its own unique contribution. His favourite animal is the human being because it’s the only animal that can say what its favourite animal is. He enjoys living in Bucharest as it is full of surprises and is looking forward to exploring other parts of the country.

His favourite colour isn’t green.

Where are they Now?

Ms Murch comes from Birmingham in the UK and this is the first time she has worked abroad. She says that her first impressions of Romania were positive. In her free time she likes to go to concerts and Lipscani. Other places that she would like to work are Holland and Switzerland. She doesn’t have any pets but she would like to get a cat and that is also what she would be if she could be an animal.

Emma, year 11

The new school I am at is unique in that it is probably the only school in the Middle East with a facility for children with physical and mental disabilities: there is a purpose built physiotherapy unit to treat severely disabled pupils, such as those with cerebral palsy and other serious conditions. There are also classes for children with Down’s syndrome who are incorporated into the mainstream school. My class this year is Year 6, who keep me entertained and are a pleasure to teach. I also have a blind student in my class, which has been very humbling for me. He is a wonderful child and is not treated any differently from the rest of the class, joining in all activities.

Well, that’s all from me for the moment. I hope you are all well and enjoying Bucharest.

Best Wishes to you all for the New Year.

James Ward

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Teacher in the Spotlight

A visiting trainee teacher

Over the past week BSB have had a special visitor.

Her name is Ms Pandeli and she is a teacher in training. Ms Pandeli’s teaching subject is History but she can also teach Society Studies, which includes Political Studies, Human Geography, Environmental studies, and European studies.

Presently Ms Pandeli is completing her teaching Masters and has one year left to go. At university in Australia she studied History and Politics for four years. Afterwards, she came to Romania and BSB because she has family living here and also for her first international experience Bucharest has proven to be an amazing place.

Ms Pandeli was born in England and grew up travelling; she has lived in 7 different countries and is currently living in Paris (where she hopes to teach in the future). In her free time she enjoys reading and writing, especially writing poetry. Ms Pandeli also likes sports like surfing and cross country running. On behalf of BSB I truly wish her all the best.

Louisa, Year 11

Primary Report and EYFS Reports, Harvest Week Hand and Wheel Pottery Encourages creativity, builds social skills, and helps develop problem solving skills There is something very magical about children when they are thinking and working creatively.

The EYFS children in both Gafencu and Pipera had the opportunity to enjoy the feel of clay during our Beginner’s Hand and Wheel Pottery Lesson held by Mrs Milou in November. Clay is a wonderful, tactile medium that many kids have never experienced before. Clay modeling has a three dimensional nature which forces them to think about structure, shapes and form.

Once children learn to express and execute their personal visions in clay, they can become empowered in ways that go far beyond the walls of the classroom! We believe that children should not be limited in finding their potential. When they are open to

EYFS Gafencu Report

Ms Priscilla Varban

Every year the half term before our winter holiday is an extremely busy one. Our calendar has been full of events from our Clay Modeling Class to Parent’s Evenings, our Literacy Workshop, Open Morning, Coffee Morning, preparing for our

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new ideas and experiences, they can create ANYTHING in their lives! Clay modeling can be a very fruitful and fun way to learn techniques and instill an appreciation for fine arts in your child. If you are wondering why clay modeling is good for children, then here are some top reasons Creative expression: Using clay to make figurines and objects can help a child find a means of expressing their inner emotions and thoughts. It acts as an outlet of sorts and prevents the build-up of negative emotions and feelings in the child. The result is a child with a healthy mindset.

Social interaction: Children are able to learn skills needed to adjust and socialize with others. This is a crucial element that is needed in the formative years of a child and is very useful even in the future when the child is grown up. Some children are very reserved or shy while during a clay modeling session they will open up and socialize with others thus realizing their own strengths and weaknesses.

winter production “The Elves Save Christmas” and last but not least celebrating Universal Children’s Day on the 19th of November.

During Universal Children’s Day the students were encouraged to think about the differences between themselves and others with the purpose of promoting togetherness and awareness among children.

Some of our activities on this day were reading Poems About Me

by Eloise Greenfield, who is the inspiration for illustrated poems about things we love, making friendship links, and creating our ‘hands around the world craft’.

Our clay modeling class held on the 5th of November helped us remember that nothing is more fun than to get our hands muddy with a bunch of friends. The children learned about the origin of ceramics, how the process works, and then had a chance to hand

Problem solving: Another aspect of your child’s development is the ability to solve problems on his or her own.

This is a vital aspect of human behaviour. Clay modeling entails thinking up a project, planning out the implementation stages and deciding on which colours and textures to use. All of this, though on a smaller scale, encompasses the basic aspects of problem solving.

These skills can be very useful in later years and can play a major role in your child’s career as well

Some of the creations Mrs Milou showed the children

Mrs Priscilla Varban, Gafencu Coordinator Displaying creativity

Using clay is a great opportunity to practice manipulating soft materials

model their piece of clay which we later painted, gift wrapped, and offered to parents as a Christmas present. Most of the children made Christmas tree ornaments and many different types of pots.

As always the children worked very hard on preparing for the winter production “The Elves Save Christmas”. Our little elves, Santa Claus, Mrs Claus and our six reindeer sang away and, as a result of all our hard work, Santa Claus paid us a quick visit after our production bringing presents for everyone.

Most people love the Christmas season, children especially, but we often forget about the true spirit of Christmas, which is all about expressing gratitude, charity and forgiveness, experiencing firsthand the heart-warming feeling of giving to those not as fortunate as ourselves and just being kind to one another. We asked the children

The children modelled the clay very carefully

what Christmas means to each one of them personally. To some it was the warm feeling of being together as a family, to others receiving gifts.

There is no wrong answer, as it is what they truly feel, and it gives us an idea of what to emphasize. We made a list of what they are grateful for, before making the list of what they want for Christmas and had everyone share both lists over hot cocoa with the other class. To wrap up our half term we had our class parties which gave us a chance to really get ready for the winter holidays.

At the close of another year, all of us at BSB Gafencu join in saying THANK YOU to all of the parents for your support and wish you a very happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year. We are looking forward to seeing everyone back in school after the holidays.

Mrs Priscilla Varban, Gafencu Coordinator

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

EYFS Pipera Report What a busy time it is down in EYFS. We have had a jam packed half term with the run up to Christmas and all classes have been working so hard! We began the half term with the excitement of autumn and some fantastic themes going on in all classes full of lots of wonderful learning and enjoyment. You can read about these in the individual class pages and about many of our other busy activities throughout the Newsblast.

Ms Claire Cowlishaw

You can also see more from each class on the class blogs- thank you to all the parents who have been looking at our blogs over the past

weeks. The teachers put as much time as possible into these and every time we log on to look at the blogs with the children, or to update, them we are all really impressed by the number of visitors we are getting, and are happy to hear such positive feedback from parents about the pictures and messages we put on them. The children and staff are always so busy in EYFS and we try to update the blogs as much as possible to show you just how busy the children are. I hope that you will continue to enjoy watching your children’s development and learning through the blogs and invite any parents who have not yet had a chance to access the blog to share in this experience with us and use the blogs to keep informed about your child’s class.

This half term has seen all the EYFS classes working very hard on our festive production ‘Cheer Up Snowman’. As I’m sure you can imagine, a lot of work and practice goes into all productions and it has certainly been a very busy but enjoyable time for everyone in EYFS. I hope that as many of you as possible were able to join us for the production and that you enjoyed it and appreciated all

Head of Lower School I have just read back through the first Newsblast with great interest as it let me see what a wonderful, action-packed half term everyone had enjoyed while I was away. With this in mind, I would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Davidson for covering for me while I was away on maternity leave and for working hard to ensure that the new school year began so smoothly. I would also like to thank everyone for all the kind enquiries about how Leopold is getting on; he is a joy and is growing fast.

EYFS and Frosty the Snowman

the hard work the children put in, along with all the staff. May I also take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful EYFS parents who have supported their children in preparation for the production and of course to those who gave their time so kindly to help create our fantastic costumes. We certainly had a lot of fun and the children have all been fantastic. It is heartwarming to see the children so excited when they spot their family in the audience at productions, and the big smiles everyone gets ready for the holiday celebrations, and this year has been no different. In this issue you can see what a wide variety of activities the children and teachers have all been up to. As always, it is a pleasure to see so much innovation and excitement in teaching and learning.

Ms Naima Hussain

This last half-term is always one of the busiest of the year, as

For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of this first term has been getting to know all our new children and their families. It already seems like the new children have been with us for longer than just a term, as they have all quickly made friends and settled into their new school.

This is a credit to how friendly and

or occasional proud tear from the parents. It is a lovely time of year to work in a school and to be able to celebrate this joy with so many people.

On behalf of the whole EYFS Pipera Team I would like to thank you all for your continued support and wish you all the best for the holidays. We look forward to seeing everyone again in the New Year.

Ms Claire Cowlishaw, EYFS Pipera Coordinator

welcoming all our children are, which is extremely important as there are always families arriving from and departing for other destinations around the globe. Making sure students are able to adjust quickly is important in helping students to settle in to their new life here in Romania.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, enjoying the company of family and friends somewhere around the world, and returns to school feeling refreshed and ready for the challenges ahead.

Ms Naima Hussain, Head of Lower School

Harvest Week in EYFS Tins, dry foods and cooking supplies were piled high in Ringwood for the harvest collection. Some children brought in shopping bags full of items to add to the collection. The donations included store cupboard essentials and a few extra special treats. In each class in EYFS the children were thanked for their generous donations and were taught about the importance of harvest time. They were then told how the food they had all kindly donated would be given to people who need of it.

These discussions then led us into autumn related activities such as fruit and vegetable printing, cooking with harvest vegetables, leaf rubbings and especially collecting leaves to make collages .

Ms Deanna Beggs, Reception class teacher

The Gafencu Harvest Scarecrow

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Hassan, Leo and Sasha paint pictures

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Firework Creativity Morning in EYFS On Friday the 5th of November, all of EYFS came together for a morning of firework related activities.

There was junk modelling rocket making, ‘fireworks in the night sky’ scene painting, creative sparklers and some very tasty “star” toast being made throughout the morning. All of the children enjoyed taking part in the various activities and were able to independently choose when and what they wanted to make. Also, joining all of the classes together, from Crèche through to Reception, provided the perfect opportunity for all the children to interact with each other, as well as the other members of staff, and to make many new friends.

Mrs Claire O’Brien, Crèche Teacher

EYFS Letters and Sounds Workshop

Fireworks in the sky

Putting on the coffee!

BSB EYFS Coffee Mornings Whether you are looking for someone to talk to or perhaps the reverse and you can offer support to one another this morning is for you. Over coffee and treats, share stories, laughter, and sympathy, and maybe even get answers to those burning questions from other parents. Our BSB Coffee mornings have always been a hit, and we enjoy seeing more and more parents coming to our coffee mornings. Socialising with other

Ms Deanna and the rocket making

parents is a good way to spend time. You might find someone you get along with really well, talk about your children, current events, or your life in general. Take time to learn about the other parents and their interests. Socialising with parents is also a good way to find out about other events your child could attend. You never know, you could make a new best friend.

Mrs Priscilla Varban, Gafencu EYFS Coordinator

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy in EYFS Ms Deanna Beggs presenting ‘Letters and Sounds’

I was fortunate enough to attend the valuable Letters and Sounds Workshop carried out by Ms Deanna Beggs, who is the Communication, Language and Literacy (CLL) Coordinator in EYFS.

In EYFS we carried out a Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy Morning. This morning looked like any other with focused activities organised for learning through exploration and play; however, additional activities and learning opportunities for developing skills relating to Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy were set out.

As you will see in the following activities children used their knowledge and skills in this area to solve problems, generate new questions, and make connections across other areas of Learning and Development.

The workshop had an impressing turn out, with many parents attending. At the beginning a slideshow was shown, which captured aspects of CLL around the school in both the indoor and outdoor environment. Deanna then went on to talk about how we deliver Letters and Sounds in the classroom through our focused carpet times and the focused activities planned for the children. Interesting examples were then shown through video clips of typical carpet times focusing on several features of the Letters and Sounds Programme.

Making Biscuits EYFS children participated in a baking activity.

This involved them understanding that they were following a recipe and needed to use various quantities of ingredients. This activity also enhanced their Communication, Language and Literacy as they were learning to follow the simple instructions, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, as they were noticing how the biscuit mixture changes as different ingredients are added; and also Physical Development as they are learning to control their movements when stirring the biscuit mixture and add the next ingredients.

At the end of the session parents took away handouts containing practical and helpful ideas about how to support children at home. If you were unable to attend the workshop, please find the links to the information provided on your child’s class blog.

As an early years practitioner I found this to be a valuable experience both for my professional and personal development.

Ms Kayleigh Evans, Preschool E Class teacher

Giving the Beebot directions was a great problem solving activity.

These skills are categorised into three areas: Numbers as Labels for Counting, which relates to how children gradually know and use numbers and counting in play, and eventually recognise and use numbers reliably to develop mathematical ideas and to solve problems; Calculating, which is about how children develop an awareness of the relationship between numbers and amounts and

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know that numbers can be ‘added together’ and can be separated by ‘taking away’ and that two or more amounts can be compared; and Shape, Space and Measures, that reflects how through talking about shapes and quantities, and developing appropriate vocabulary, children use their knowledge to develop ideas and solve mathematical problems.

Making a Clock To gain an awareness of time and the ways in which we measure time, children were encouraged to make their own clocks. In order to do this they needed to identify numbers and attach the clock hands appropriately. They then looked at an example of a daily routine and considered the timings of their day.

Number Games During the day children embarked on many number related activities. These included making number hats where children randomly chose a number card from a pile and needed to identify it and count that amount of objects, they then decorated a hat with the number on it and the corresponding items.

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Giving Directions Children participated in a game where they needed to direct a Bee-Bot around a map to reach certain points. In order to do this they needed to use appropriate vocabulary to identify backwards, forwards, and to sideways.

Shape and Number Searches In our stimulating outside environment, many numbers and shapes were hidden. Children then needed to listen to clues about the numbers and shapes they needed to find. These were very enjoyable activities for the children.

Investigating Water There were many opportunities for children to play with water which involved them investigating various sizes of bottles and containers and noticing the ones that held the most and least water.

Junk Modelling Whilst making junk models children were able to identify some of the features of shapes, which also extended into 2D and 3D shapes. This activity not only made the children more aware of several shapes they see regularly but also touched on their creative side as they were able to use their imaginations with their models.

Working together to make various patterns.

Preschool C children finding hidden numbers and then counting the dinosaurs.

Brilliant patterns made from different shapes.

Using number knowledge to play dominos, encouraging mental maths.

In the afternoon we joined with Key Stage 1, where children were able to access various activities set out, and also interact with their older peers both sharing and gaining new skills and ideas.

Ms Kayleigh Evans, EYFS PSRN Coordinator

Open Mornings at BSB Open Mornings at BSB are designed to give you a flavour of what the school is really like, as well as to offer parents an opportunity to go into their child’s classroom and observe the teaching and learning

that goes on in the school. BSB is a lively community which needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. During our Open Mornings, parents have a chance to talk to various members of staff. Prospective parents looking

for the right school for their child often find it useful to see firsthand what our school has to offer.

Open Mornings provide a valuable opportunity for parents to tour facilities, meet teachers and learn

about the curriculum of our school.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our next Open Morning.

Mrs Priscilla Varban, Gafencu EYFS Coordinator

EYFS Healthy Schools Week Review During Healthy Schools Week, the EYFS classes were very busy thinking about how we can keep fit and healthy. Throughout the week classes identified healthy and unhealthy foods in some of our favourite stories and discussed ways we can keep fit, doing fun exercises and dancing in class.

The week coincided with Harvest Week so this was also a fantastic opportunity for the children to think about different foods that were healthy and where they came from.

To celebrate Healthy Schools Week in EYFS we held an ‘EYFS Together Morning’ on the Friday which saw Crèche, Preschool and Reception classes all coming together to share in a morning of fun activities. This involved making healthy sandwiches, healthy soup, exercising and dancing outside, and playing lots of fun and active parachute games. The children worked up a sweat keeping busy playing with the parachute outside and were excited to make themselves a healthy sandwich to regain their energy. The soup was enjoyed in the afternoon after it cooled and the children were very proud of their combined cooking skills.

The week also provided classes with a good opportunity to talk about keeping our bodies fit and healthy, and learning more about the body itself and different body parts. We also thought about how dirt and germs can affect out health and the school nurse visited each class giving a session

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on the importance of washing hands and keeping clean, and played some lovely games with the children to promote this.

During the week we also thought about the importance of keeping active. Physical development is a big part of the EYFS and the children are very active and physical every day. However we took advantage of the lovely prolonged summer/autumn weather and the healthy schools theme to do some extra physical activities outside, including running races, team games, and balancing.

Ms Claire Cowlishaw, EYFS Pipera Coordinator and Healthy Schools Committee Member Playing with the parachute outside

Leo, Anais and Isabelle from Preschool C running races to keep fit

Vegetable and lentil soup with Miss Kayleigh

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PE Focus: Early Years Foundation Stage During PE this term the EYFS students have been busy bees working on ‘Games’ and ‘Creative Movement’.

For our ‘Games’ unit this term we have been working on throwing, catching and rolling. We do this in a variety of fun and exciting ways; throwing beanbags into a crocodile’s mouth (really just a coloured shape mat on the floor) or pretending the ball is hot and we cannot hold it for too long.

The children love these types of games and gain valuable hand-eye coordination skills.

The children always love the ‘Creative Movement’ unit. It gives them a chance to listen to many different types of music and express their feelings

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about the music through movement and dance.

We also use ribbons, feathers and silks to help encourage the children to be more expressive and creative as well as acting as a great visual aid. We also sing and perform many action songs especially with the younger learners. These songs help the children with their counting and English skills as well as their gross and fine motor skills. The most important thing is that the children have a lot of fun and enjoyment whilst learning these very important lifelong skills.

Mr Clayton Burt, PE Department It’s fun to run Preschool C

Jumping on the bed with Preschool C

Preschool C... 5 green bottles in action

Playing catch in Creche

Monkeys from Preschool E jumping on the bed

Reception B... Who knew a shape on a mat could be a crocodile’s mouth?

Creche and following the ball in PE

Preschool C like making trains

Who’s in the tunnel... Creche PE

Following the leader Pre School C

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Continuous Provision and Free Flow in the EYFS To meet the commitments of the EYFS Framework, and to put principles supporting children’s development and learning into practice, it is important that EYFS settings provide quality ‘continuous provision’ - that is, the provision that is available daily to children, indoors and out.

Effective ‘continuous provision’ offers children a constant environment that is safe but challenging; allows them freedom, independence and choice; recognises their need to be active learners; and, supports their learning and development across the six areas of the curriculum.

At BSB our continuous provision is a well-planned and organised part of the EYFS curriculum and is of great value to the children’s learning and development. The importance of continuous provision lies in its capacity to enrich and support a child’s ‘learning journey’ and the environment available to them should support them on this journey.For children to further their learning in a meaningful way they need to be able to return to their explorations and ideas on a daily basis and they need time to become involved in deep learning experiences. They should be able to build on what they did yesterday, or the day before, or even a few weeks before, and to know that provision will be constant enough for them to do this.

and these are carefully planned by staff into the continuous provision. Practice and repetition strengthen the children’s connections and links within the brain.

Further to the continuous provision, enhancements are made by staff dependent on observations and assessments of the children’s learning. In effect, this means that whilst ‘continuous provision’ describes the regular daily experiences always on offer in the setting, the ‘enhancements’ are the ‘additions/extras or specials’, that are provided in response to the observation of children’s particular interests or initiations.

Throughout the year EYFS staff observe the children in continuous provision as well as during carpet times, activities and all other session times, and collate observations in each child’s individual development file. This will give you insights into the wonderful world of continuous provision and free flow and the great depth of learning and development your child is experiencing through these precious child led moments, along with the more structured activities, teaching and learning that come together to make the EYFS what it is, a fun, enjoyable learning environment for all the children.

Within continuous provision, children are able to make choices within the environment and initiate their own play and learning, gravitating towards the activities and experiences they need to develop physically and cognitively.For their learning to become embedded, children need to practise skills and explore concepts in a range of contexts,

At BSB we recognise our pupils’ needs for routine and structure whilst also valuing the importance of free-flow provision. Alongside carpet sessions and individual class times, and within our continuous environment, we also adapt a free flow approach, whereby throughout the day EYFS classes will have the opportunity to flow between different classes, and all classes have classrooms leading on to outdoor areas and can access the outdoors throughout the day. The outdoor environment is valued as equal to the rest of the classroom and so is incorporated into continuous provision with all areas of learning being provided for and planned for both inside and out all year round. However, free flow is a lot more than just choosing whether to play inside or out. It involves children developing social and interaction skills; being imaginative, original and innovative, creating alternative worlds for themselves; exploring ideas, feelings and relationships; incorporating and reflecting on their previous experiences, and much more!

EYFS children working together to create a ‘water way’ during free flow.

Creche exploring in sand

Reception children in their listening area

Investigating measure through water play in EYFS

Ms Claire Cowlishaw, EYFS Pipera Coordinator

Midnight Narrowly Escapes Death My dog Midnight is a very funny dog she loves to play fetch and walk in the park, being pet and having fun. Here are the very funny, true things she does: bad things to the plants and good things to the plants. The first bad thing is that she crunches the pots in my mum’s garden, second bad thing is she nibbles the plants especially the ones my mum just planted! Though there is one thing that she does good to the plants, that is fertilities them!

Here’s a sad story about Midnight, when we were in the park near the lake Midnight was with me and she was near the lake and she fell in. She couldn’t get out for anything because there was very high concrete around. Luckily my mum pulled her out.

Now she is learning to swim!

After all she is just a puppy. She is only 9 months old! We still need to teach her a few things.

Veronika, 4D

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

BSB is proud to support the guide dogs for the blind

Veronika with Midnight

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EYFS Class Pages Preschool E- Transport Tales In Preschool E, we have been extremely interested in transport and love playing in our role-play area which is currently a Bus. We have really enjoyed playing in our bus, and have shown how well we can share and take turns being the driver and working in the ticket office. David and Stefan have enjoyed being the drivers, making sure all the passengers are seated with their seat belts on. As a part of this activity we have gained an increased awareness of money and now know that we must purchase a bus ticket before getting on the bus. On the bus we travelled to many exciting destinations including, Disneyland, a Farm, a Castle, a Shopping Centre, and even Austria. After talking about the various destinations we then painted our own flags, which encouraged communication about different colours and patterns. Julia has painted her own flag with carefully drawn stripes of yellow, blue, red and black.

Each day the children have been adding new features to their class bus, and have been making their own type of tickets, including single and return fares. They have made their own steering wheel and thought carefully about what shape it needed to be. The children then decided they wanted to make their own buses, so this led us onto junk modeling and thinking carefully about the different parts we needed to make. The children then began to identify initial sounds when labeling the different parts of the bus, including the windows, doors, seats, driver, passengers, wheels, steering wheels, and stairs.

We have also been looking at large scale maps of streets and the world on our interactive whiteboard, and have discussed the most appropriate modes of transport in various situations. Lucy really enjoys looking at the globe and drew her own large world.

We had fun looking at the globe and identifying the areas of land, desert and sea, and discussing this in relation to transport. We then decided we wanted to draw our own streets outside on the tarmac with chalk and mapped our own streets and roads. We then made our own road signs and different signals to let the buses and cars go through. This was very enjoyable as our twinned class 3M joined us for the morning when we showed them our ‘road’ and how to cross the street safely.

mud volcano outside in the Ringwood garden and put a test tube through the middle, filling it with different substances and food colouring to create the appearance of lava errupting from a volcano. He talked to the children about the different subsances he was using and the children discussed their previous learning about volcanos, erruptions and the colours of lava before watching the test tube recreation. They were fascinated by the outcome which was extremely effective and really enjoyed Mr Nichols visit. A big thank you again to Mr Nichols, from all of Preschool C!

All in all, we are still very much enjoying all the learning and opportunities arising from our transport theme, with airplanes and helicopters being our favourites.

Ms Kayleigh Evans, Class teacher

Preschool C ‘errupt’ with festive glee

Preschool C explorers searching for dinosaurs!

Mr Justin Nichols , a science teacher, creating a volcanic eruption for Preschool C students

Aleksandra, Alexandra, Maria, Damian, and Timothee working hard to build a train track for the people who are living in our small word house

Faaiz, Lena, Maria and Max practicing demonstrating their knowledge of stopping and starting at traffic lights with 3M

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This half term Preschool C adventured to ‘Dinosaur Land’! In a theme that saw the classroom changed to a dinosaur paradise complete with a jungle, log cabin and even a volcano, the children became exciting explorers searching the world for hidden bones and dinosaur eggs, following dinosaur footprints and experimenting with volcanos! This theme stemmed from the children’s huge interest in dinosaurs and followed with lots of stories and research into how, when, where and why dinosaurs lived. The children thoroughly enjoyed this topic, measuring themselves by counting how many dinosaur footprints there were and comparing this to the length of real dinosaurs; learning the names and features of different dinosaurs, talking about plant eaters and meat eaters and how to tell the difference; painting and collaging dinosaur land scenes, making dinosaur skeletons and much, much more. The children were also able to act as explorers digging and discovering dinosaur bones and investigating dinosaur land itself, finding out more about where dinosaurs would have lived and what their environment would be like. This led us to the fantastic topic of volcanos, which the children were particularly interested in. We watched video clips of volcanic eruptions, talked about how they happen, learnt some volcanic terminology, and kept very busy making, drawing and using the computers to create our very own volcanos.

We were also extremely lucky to have one of the Secondary Science teachers, Mr Justin Nichols, very kindly agreed to come and help us create our own volcanic experiment. Mr Nichols built a small

With Christmas nearing, our dinosaur theme led to an ice age winter wonderland and the children have been very busy learning winter words and all about the winter weather. We have found out lots of interesting facts about animals at winter, which animals live in cold countries and how the animals find food in the snow and ice. The children have also been very curious about the freezing and melting processes and have been investigating and exploring ice with great interest. If this was not keeping us all busy enough, we also had a very busy few weeks preparing for our Christmas Production Cheer Up Snowman. The children worked very hard learning their songs and dance and have all been very brave using the stage in the large hall infront of so many people.

We certainly think all the children deserve a well-earned rest and wish you all the happiest of holidays. We look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year!

Ms Claire Cowlishaw, Ms Cristina Melintescu, and Ms Gabriela Coifu

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The sun is still shinning in Crèche Crèche have been making the most of the warm sunny days recently and have spent the majority of our time exploring outside. We went on an autumn walk around the school and found many colourful leaves. The children enjoyed talking about the different colours they could see and how big some

Story time outside

of the trees were. Because of this, we decided to make a forest inside our classroom and used the leaves collected to decorate it.

We have also been making the most of our garden while the weather has been good. Art projects

Problem solving in action

have taken place outside, stories have been read on the “outside carpet”, and many new imaginative games have been discovered using the cars and outside play equipment.

Mrs Claire O’Brien, Crèche teacher

Making a forest

Preschool Gafencu This half term we have been learning about the weather, the seasons and suitable clothing; although we were somewhat surprised to be still wearing our summer clothing in November!

We’ve had fun singing songs about the weather and have enjoyed our outdoor play and exercises. We’ve had a great time playing with the autumn leaves. Playing with the ‘parachute’ has also been hot work!

My autumn outfit by Jemima

Philip kindly brought in some ‘pastry call men’ for us to eat, which were very nice. They are made to celebrate St Martin, the patron saint of the poor, in Germany. The children made paper lanterns and walked round the garden singing songs, enacting the tradition. We have also learnt something about the Hajj, the pilgrimage Muslims make to Mecca.

himself. We have also enjoyed a pottery demonstration and a trip to a chocolate factory. We have been practising for our Christmas production, which has reminded us that despite the warm weather, we are getting near to Christmas, one of our favourite times of the year.

Mrs Chris Stowe, Preschool teacher

For Guy Fawkes’ Day we made paper rockets and learnt a little about the story of Guy Fawkes

The Call Man Celebration

Fairies, Please!

Reception B We have been learning about forests this half-term and have started learning more specifically about the animals that live in the forest. We found out why owls have such big eyes and why squirrels collect acorns. We have also been learning about how animals prepare for the winter; in our role play forest we have created a cave and there is a bear sleeping there for the winter. We made him some food so that when he wakes up he won’t eat us!

Pyjama Party in Reception

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of fun, as the children really enjoyed wearing their pajamas to school for the day, making bear shaped toast and making dens to hide in.

We are now working very hard to prepare for the Production and look forward to seeing you all there.

Ms Deanna, Reception teacher

With this wonderful weather we have been trying to take advantage of the outdoors as much as possible. We have been shape hunting, bear hunting, worm hunting and bug hunting. We got out the wellies the other day and did some digging and mixing in the garden. Our Hibernation Party was lots

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Gafencu Reception Yes, it’s true the Gafencu Reception classroom has turned into a farm! Our learning journey began when the children started building enclosures for their animals. Next we turned our role play area into a farm. The children took turns feeding the animals, cleaning out their pens, carrying straw by using the wheelbarrow, raking the straw and so on. We continued our learning journey by talking about what animals eat and some of the things they provide us with, such as eggs, milk, and wool.

We learned that we use milk to make sour cream, cheese, and yoghurt, and that most of our clothes are made of wool. We took several raw eggs and placed them in different liquids, such as vinegar, water, and cola, and then in a couple of days looked at the different effect the substances had on the eggs.

We showed children how plants drink water by putting celery with leaves into a glass with water and added food colouring. The celery turned the colour of the food colouring in a couple of days.

Next we talked about vegetables and learned about the food pyramid. We each named our favourite fruits and learned about where they grow. We brought in different types of fruit and made a yummy fruit salad.

The children also enjoyed painting funny faces on coconuts, planting corn, and playing interactive games on www.nutritionexploration.org.

Mrs Priscilla Varban, Reception teacher

Down on the farm

Old MacDonald had a farm

Alex developing his gross motor skills

Secondary Students Celebrate Human Rights Awareness Week Human Rights Day is celebrated annually across the world on the 10th of December. At BSB we have an annual week which is dedicated to bringing awareness of Human Rights and related issues.

During the week coloured bands are sold to show solidarity and support for the rights others have fought. Students in Year 10 choose a ‘Human Right” to research and explore and they deliver their presentations at breaks and lunch-times in the form of drop in sessions. This Human Rights week has been particularly heightened by the visit of Mike Carroll to the Secondary school to share and talk to us about the creation of Romanian Children’s Relief or Fundatia Inocenti, the registered charity which our shoe boxes go to, supporting children in Bistrita. He also spoke about the emotionally powerful documentary “Hand Held” which was made through his own photography, archive footage and commentary of the tragic legacy of Communistimposed hardships and pain enforced on the children in Romania up until the revolution of 1989.

Mr Caroll showing a depiction of rural Romania

Human Rights issues were brought home to BSB students

Mr Mike Carroll showing a selection of photos

Human Rights Awareness Week Assembly

Ms Jen Kemp, Assistant Head of Secondary

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KS1 Report, KS1 Bake Sale, KS1 Assembly What is a Golden Assembly?

In Ks1 we have 2 assemblies each week. One is a Class Assembly and the other one is our Golden Assembly. The Golden Assembly is a celebration of achievement. We can achieve in many ways: this could be academic achievement or social achievement.

During Golden Assemblies we announce the House Points for each team. We all try to earn as many House Points as we can for our teams and we look forward to finding out who has won each week. The winning House Captains and Vice Captains come to the front to be congratulated by everyone.

We also announce the lunch table of the week. We sit in our House Teams at lunchtime and the best behaved table each day receives some points. This really encourages the children to remember their manners and eat sensibly. The winning table gets our Golden Trophy on their table for a whole week.

Star of the Week is always an eagerly awaited part

of Golden Assembly. Each week two children are chosen who have demonstrated they have made an extra effort in class; this could be by showing improvement socially or academically, by displaying good manners or amazing their teacher.

Key Stage 1 Report

Our Playground Monitors for the week are introduced. Being a Playground Monitor is an important job. These children have to check we have all tidied up at the end of playtime. They also wheel the big baskets of toys into our storage area.

Every Golden Assembly ends with the announcement of anyone who had a birthday in the previous week. We sing Happy Birthday. We are also going to be learning this song in British Sign Language and even in other languages later in the year.

Golden Assembly is a wonderful time to celebrate together as Key Stage 1 Ms Tiffany Moorcroft, KS1 Coordinator

Ms Tiffany Moorcroft

The unseasonably good weather throughout October and November has been particularly enjoyed by all in KS1. This is not to say that we are not looking forward to the snow, however it has been great to be able to play outside in the sunshine- sometimes we haven’t even needed a coat.

As I walk around the Ringwood building I am constantly amazed by the wonderful activities going on, the lovely manners of the children and the constant buzz of excitement. The KS1 staff are forever striving to make the learning as enjoyable and engaging as possible for their children and the results are fantastic. We are currently rehearsing hard for our production.

This is always one of my highlights of the school year. All the children are practicing the songs, learning lines and making props. We hope you enjoyed the final result.

Some ‘Stars of the Week’

Year 1 Bake Sale The Year 1 Bake Sale in October was a great success with lots of lovely cakes and yummy biscuits on offer. With the money raised we decided to make our reading corner the best in Bucharest. Calin’s mum kindly sent us some catalogues and we used them to help with our designs.

We use a system of positive behaviour management in KS1 and you can read about how this then relates to our weekly ‘Golden Assembly’ elsewhere in Newsblast. We also have a weekly 20 minute Golden Time session.

All children start the week with 20 minutes of Golden Time and choose a fun activity they would like to do in that time. If the children keep our Golden Rules, they keep all their time ands get a well deserved Golden Time session. If the rules are broken, the children receive a warning and then lose Golden Time in increments of 2 minutes. We find this system really encourages children to keep to the rules and rewards the children who do. Well done to the children who are managing to keep their Golden Time every week.

All the Key Stage 1 staff would like to wish all our parents, staff and children a wonderful holiday and a Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates this time of the year.

Thank you to everyone who supported the bake sale as we now enjoy reading even more!

Ms Tiffany Moorcroft, KS1 Coordinator

Here is the finished reading corner in 1M

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KS1 House Captains and Vice Captains Arges Mures Captain: Paul 2S

Captain: Letitia 2F

Vice Captain: David S, 2S

Vice Captain: Victor 2S

Key Stage 1 House Points Race Here are our House points so far this year. As you can see it is very close with Mures just in the lead. Well

1M The exciting learning opportunities in 1M never seem to stop. At the end of our topic in ‘Ourselves’ we visited a local clinic. We learnt how to take blood pressure, use a stethoscope, and we were even shown the inside of Miki, Lisa, and Campbell’s tummies using the ultrasound machine.

Danube

Olt

Captain: Martin: 2S

Captain: Thomas 2F

done everyone for collecting so many points.

Keep it up

find out that frogs and ladybirds hibernate. We thought our school tortoise, Happy had started her long winter sleep as she had dug herself a burrow but the children were amazed to see her still walking around enjoying the sunshine. This event prompted a great discussion about why she is still awake and how the weather is not so good for animals like Happy.

Recently, we have enjoyed Maths Day and Year 1 had an Art morning where we visited the other Year 1 classes for some fantastic seasonal art activities. Our work from this is now proudly displayed outside our classroom.

Lennie reading the class a story

Vice Captain: Gregory 2F

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Vice Captain: Eva 2B

Our new theme is ‘Winter Wonderland’. We have started off by focusing on seasons and how our environment changes as we move from summer to autumn and then winter. The school grounds have provided us with wonderful opportunities for observations. We have photographed, drawn, and written about the changes. Another focus has been the weather. We have discussed the unseasonal weather and what we would usually expect at this time of the year.

We have kept a log of the weather and have even been compiling our own weather reports using our knowledge of symbols and the information needed for a weather report. We are now hoping for some snow as we will be learning about the Polar Regions next. We even have an igloo in our classroom.

We have also been learning about hibernation and were surprised to

Marcela and Paris prepare their weather report

We are currently working hard on our production and really hope that you all enjoy it.

Ms Tiffany Moorcoft, Class teacher

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1P

The children have also recently started learning about hibernation and migration, they think it is very funny that animals eat and eat until they are fat enough to survive the winter and that they do not wake up for months and months.

of fun was had by all.

Enjoying an autumn walk

Enjoying Maths outside

Year 1P have enjoying their new topic ‘Winter Wonderland’ very much indeed. It has meant that an igloo and sparkling, twinkling lights now live fulltime in the classroom and who wouldn’t like playing with those on a daily basis? In support of this topic, Year 1P have looked closely at the weather changes and differences in the seasons.

This has involved taking walks around the grounds, making observations, collecting materials and making weather logs. Year 1P have also been busy releasing their creativity through some spectacular art work such as leaf painting and printing, making snowflakes and tissue paper snowmen, leaf rubbing and making harvest pictures. It seems that 1P are quite a talented group of artists!

Finally, the best event of all for the children was their recent assembly which many mums and dads came to watch. It was lovely for the children to be able to show off their talents... they sung songs about each of the four seasons, displayed their art work, and pretended to be weather forecasters. We all enjoyed the show very much. Now Year 1P are just keeping their fingers crossed that the snow comes to Bucharest to add the finishing touch to their winter wonderland topic.

1S The children in 1S returned full of energy from their half term break. We have had a great start to the second half of this term and the children have been working really hard. Our topic is ‘Winter Wonderland’ and we are really enjoying it. Ms Andreea, our super Teaching Assistant, surprised us with a wonderful winter role play corner. In it we have an igloo, the sparkling night time stars and lots of winter animals to play with. The children have really enjoyed taking off their shoes and getting warm in the igloo. They have showed they can share and take turns to read books in it.

Martina ‘Wolf’ role-playing in the igloo

Some other great things also happened this term for the children in Year 1P. First of all, they got to go on an amazing trip to the local Euro clinic. They were treated to a great variety of activities and got to test stethoscopes and see ultra sound machines in action. They even got to keep individual photos of themselves dressed in Doctors outfits.

Ms Tiffanie French Paris, Class teacher

Another great event for Year 1P was Maths Day. The children in 1P are maths mad… they love making patterns, counting and doing maths games so lots

in the mountains. Omar and Thea thought they would prefer to be an animal that hibernated in the forests. We have been looking at the symbols used to tell the weather. Remi has been collecting data everyday and telling us the temperature in his house. We have seen how the temperature changes depending on the weather. In our number work we have carried on counting to 20 and above.

Everyone is getting better at counting in 2’s and 5’s. This week we started looking at shapes and the children have been busy spotting shapes all around our school grounds.

see Zsuzsanna’s heart beating too. It was amazing.

Oskar. H and Efe were very brave and helped the nurses with lots of their demonstrations. We had to take the school bus to the clinic and this was an exciting experience for some children, especially Stephanie and Anya who got to sit at the back.

Finally, we got to dress up as doctors. Natalie and Arina looked superb and used the stethoscope to listen to their hearts.

Our wonderful class

Efe helping out with the demonstrations.

Over the past weeks we have been learning about the weather and the seasons. We are also learning about what happens to animals during the winter time. Filomena knew lots about hibernating and migrating animals. Emile, Moritz and Arish all decided they would like to be bears and hibernate

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Some super shape work.

We were very lucky recently to visit the local medical centre. Our class were very keen to learn all about our bodies. Oskar A said, “I put the machine on my tummy,” and he did. We all got to

Class 1S has continued to work really hard over this half term and are enjoying their weekly ‘Golden Time’. Everyday I see 1S remembering our Golden Rules and being kind to each other. It makes me feel very proud to be their teacher, so a big well done to you all!

Ms Helen Stevens, Year 1 Class Teacher

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2B We have been learning many things in the last few weeks; highlights include Art lessons which the student love, Literacy – learning about Instructions and we will be starting Poetry soon and History – and learning about Remembrance Day. For this term’s Art topic we have been learning to look at objects and other people through a viewfinder.

We have also learnt to consider what is outside a photo, or in other words what you don’t see. We have also been lighting things up in Science class using electricity, creating our own working circuits and switches. The students have had a reading challenge in the classroom and everyone is doing really well. They enjoy reading and the book corner has become a favourite spot for them.

It is amazing to us all that it is nearly Christmas and we can’t wait for the Production Day to get here! Of course, there are many other interesting things lined up for the rest of the term - Artisan Fair, Christmas tree decorating and parties.

2S Fall Update This term in 2S we have been making lots of connections. In History we have been connecting the past to the present through our study of Remembrance Day. We all did an excellent job teaching KS1 and our parents about this special day through speech, song, and art. November 11th is now a day that we will never forget.

In Science we have been connecting wires, motors, bulbs, buzzers and batteries in our experiments with electricity. Several of us have independently discovered how to make electrical circuits and we are very proud of our scientific breakthroughs. All in all, it’s been a busy term and we’re all looking forward to enjoying Christmas with friends and family.

Ms Swanson, Class Teacher Paul and David from 2S making an electrical circuit

2F Learning Makes Us Happy ‘Learning is fun.’

This is one of the quotes that 2F suggested when we talked about learning. We have enjoyed our learning this half-term, listening and asking questions, investigating and problem solving. Tom and Letitia have been particularly involved in our History topic of Remembrance Day and have been discussing why it is so important to remember people and events from the past.

Honzik have been making shadow puppets and investigating what happens when you move the torch closer and further away.

Reading is a life long learning skill

Ms Sara and Ms Paloma

Rares has also been sharing his past and present, bringing in toys from home and talking about why he likes them. He has shared the toys and played with them in a loving and caring way.

2F have worked very hard at their Literacy nonfiction topic on Instructions. They know what a listener needs to do and what the person giving instructions must remember. Genre was a new word that was learned and they can also talk about imperatives and language that helps to order events.

At Golden Time, Sophie has made some impressive clay modeling and it is clear that she has an eye for artistic detail, as she proved when she made an observational drawing in the classroom. The children were able to talk about shape, line, and shadow, and to consider angle when they were recreating an area of the classroom.

Isabella, Sara and Paloma have taken Ms Feeney’s job as they have become teachers themselves this term. They can be seen sitting at the whiteboard, pen in hand, waiting for their imaginary class to pay attention…Shhh, the teacher is waiting. To the side of them, Nicolas is waiting with the eraser, helpful as ever.

Gregory, Tudor and Daniel have chosen to investigate making electrical circuits at every opportunity, using batteries, wires, buzzers, switches and bulbs to make the light go on and off. They can explain why a circuit does not work and can predict and record their findings. Mete has been fascinated by the torches we have in our classroom for the electricity topic; he and

Kristian and Thomas have made “infinity” money and been learning about the different coins and notes of the British currency and Ms Daniela has been finding stashes of treasure around the classroom at tidy up time.

Experimenting with circuits ignites a love for science

Reading Time! Students enjoying the class libary.

We all think these activities make for a fun end of term!

Ms Brianna Beitz, Class Teacher

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Ms Feeney, Year 2 Class Teacher

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KS2 Report, Primary Student Council, Harvest Collection Harvest Collection Assembly During our Harvest Collection Week we had 3 special guests in our assembly. Two of them were from the charity called ‘St.Stelian’. Their names were Dora and Adie. They work with Romanian children who live a less fortunate life than us. They explained that they sometimes only have 1 meal a day. They talked about what they will do with all the food that we donate and also said what their charity is about.

After they finished a man called Reverend Steve Hughes, who was involved in setting up BSB, spoke to us about the meaning of Harvest. He taught us what the word ‘harvest’ means and what words you could make out of harvest and why they are important. For example, using the letters from the word harvest you can make the words, starve, share and vest.

After they were all finished we gave them a round of applause. Thank you for taking the time to come to speak with us.

Joanna, 5M

Key Stage 2 Report

Harvest Festival donations

Primary Student Council Update Here is a little information about what is going on in the Primary Student Council. As Gaya mentioned in her interview with Chi Bin, the Year 6 student councillors created a ‘Guy’ for a competition at the bonfire night at the Crown Plaza hotel. They did such a good job that they won the competition!

Gaya also mentions ‘Craze of the Week’ that was started with 6H’s craze. Every class will have their opportunity at some stage this year to introduce a ‘craze’ to the school, so get thinking about some ideas.

Right now the student council is in the middle of deciding on the organisation of a secret Santa between classes within Key Stage 2. There will be more information to follow soon.

Mr Iain Davidson

The Primary Student Council also have their own blog set up that will be used as communication between the council and all the students. There is not much on there now but in the future there will be some useful information. The address is bsbsc. edublogs.org, so check it out in the weeks to come.

Kicking off my report I would like to say how hard the pupils & staff have been working.

Eco-committee initiatives, Maths Day and Harvest festival activities have taken place.

You will be able to read more about these events in this edition of Newsblast.

Several other exciting activities have taken place.

The auditions for our winter production were well attended, took place in November.

And at the time of writing the rehearsals for the KS2 show are in full swing.

Great excitement and concentration were also required for individual class assemblies Events which have also taken place are our parent/ teacher meetings and also out of school trips To everyone involved with KS2 and all our parents and friends, Whatever you do once our winter holidays begin, I hope you have a wonderful time and Of course I look forward to seeing you all again in January.

Mr Iain Davidson, Key Stage 2 Coordinator.

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Did you enjoy the project? “Yes a lot!”

Do you know what the end results were?

“Yes we won the competition!”

What is it like? “It’s perfect!”

Do you have ideas for a fun day, like Crazy Hair Day? “Not yet but soon, we hope. Any suggestions from students would be very welcome.”

Do you enjoy working with Mr Hamacher and Mr Madsen? “Yes, they are fun and creative!”

How do you feel and think of Alina being the Student Council President?

“She has great ideas and she is a good leader!”

Are you enjoying your time being a Student Council representative? “Yes, very much!”

How is the Craze of the Month going? “Good” What is the Craze this month? “Line ball from 6H” Who has the Craze next month? “5M” Are there any special plans for Christmas from the Student Council? “A Secret Santa. That’s our latest idea. Think it will go well.”

Remember to talk to the student council if you have any problems or ideas. Thank you for reading, this is your favourite reporter, Gaya, 6H!

Student Councillor Interview Hello everybody, my name is Gaya and you are reading my report about the Student Council! I asked Chi Bin (also known as Andrew) several questions.

What are you doing in Student Council committee?

“We just started but our Guy Fawkes activity was great!”

What did you do for Guy Fawkes? “We made a man out of clothes, paper, and other special materials” Who were you working with? “Year 6 Student Council members”

Andrew

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Primary House Captain Interviews Olt House Captain Interview Hello, my name is Rebecca and I wanted to write an article for the News Blast about our newest commander of Olt, Patrick from 6H.

Ana Maria: Why did you want to be a House Captain?

Matteo: It was simple at first, I wanted to help Arges win, but I have found that this job is about a lot more than winning.

Do you earn lots of House Points for your house?

Yes I try to get lots of house points for my House Team. I am working very hard for them, but I also have to help others learn how to earn points

A: How are your team mates on Arges working for their House Points? Do you think they are trying their best?

M: Some students in Arges have been working very hard to earn House Points, but some are finding it difficult. I would like to help them learn how to earn more points for our team.

Do you work hard for your team?

I work very hard indeed to win and we are working hard to get to the top and win lots of inter-house competitions and other activities. GO MURES!!!

A: Have you been working hard for Arges?

M: Yes, I’m trying to get more House Points every week and trying to be a good role model.

Patrick - Olt

Rebecca: What motivated you to run for House Captain?

Patrick: At first I was shy but my friends encouraged me and then I gave it a go.

R: Why do you think you were chosen as House Captain?

P: I think they believed in me as a good leader.

R: Were you scared when the votes were counted?

P: Yes, I was very nervous.

R: What makes Olt unique?

P: Olt is special and can improve by having confidence in themselves” R: Why did you want to become House Captain?

P: I wanted to be House Captain because I knew that I could be a good leader and I wanted to help Olt to achieve better results as we have not done so well in previous years.

My name is Hyun Jung and as a loyal member of the Danube House Team, I interviewed our Captain, Alex.

H: What do you like most about most House Captain?

A: What I like most about being a House Captain is helping children to win competitions (sports and games etc.), and to be respectful toward people who are from Danube.

H: Do you think being a House Captain is hard?

A: No, because I only have to try to get House Points and to help people from Danube.

H: Why do you think you were chosen for the House Captain?

A: Because I am always respectful and nice toward people my team members.

A: Is it hard for you to be a House Captain?

M: Depends. Sometimes, I guess.

A: Thank you for your time and sharing.

M: No problem, anytime.

H: Are you enjoying being a house captain?

A: I started to like being a House Captain since I was voted by people who were from Danube and the reason why I tried to be a House Captain is because I wanted to be a leader and I thought being a House Captain would be fun and nice!”

H: What kind of House Captain would you like to be?

A: Well… I would like to be a House Captain who is really kind, nice, respectful and helpful.

A: Do you think Arges will win this year?

M: If we try more, maybe we will.

However, it will have to be a major team effort

H: Thanks for sharing.

A: Go Danube!

Alexandros - Danube

By Ana Maria 6H

Mures House Captain Interview Gaya is in 6H and comes from Israel.

Arges House Captain Interview My name is Ana Maria and I am a member of the respected team Arges.

I wanted to find out more about our goals and objectives, so I decided to interview our House Captain Matteo.

Here’s how it went:

Gaya - Mures

Are you happy with your house team?

Yes I am very proud of them. They work very hard and I enjoy that.

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Danube House Captain Interview

A: Do you like being a House Captain?

M: Yes, Kayla (the Vice Captain) and I are enjoying our roles as the leaders of Arges. We especially enjoy helping the students to be the best that they can be.

By Rebecca 6H

Matteo - Arges

By Alina, 6H

Hyun Jung: Hi Alex, where are you from?

Alex: Greece

Is it hard being House Captain?

No I consider that it to be pretty easy, but I think I have some big challenges ahead.

Do you enjoy it?

Very much. It is fun to help and to try to win.

Primary House Point Chart

By, Hyun Jung 6H

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The Annual COBIS Conference - Madrid October 2010 This October Ms French –Paris and Mr Burt attended the COBIS Conference.

Here Ms French-Paris talks about some ideas she gained for poetry writing.

Brian Moses was a special lecturer at the annual COBIS conference in Madrid in October. For those of you not familiar with his work, he is a well known poet and author. His workshops and lectures in Madrid were on ‘Using Poetry to improve Literacy’. Poetry is not always everyone’s favourite subject, but when working with Brian you begin to see what a wonderful and creative form of expression it is. Brian himself often retells his poems with musical instruments such as tambourines or thunder drums. This helps to establish a rhythm which is very important and key to writing poetry.

That doesn’t mean it has to rhyme, just that there is some kind of rhythm.

I am the Eiffel tower looking down on you all from my great height…

There were so many good ideas that Brian gave us that it would be impossible to discuss them all now, so please do visit his website www.brianmoses.co.uk for more information and ideas. There are also several of his books, such as ‘The Works’, in school for children to borrow.

Finally for children in Years 5 and older, Brian recommends the following as inspirational stories to read: The Brothers LionHeart, by Astrid Linga Midnight Fox, by Betsy Briars Ms French-Paris, Literacy Coordinator Brian Moses with a selection of his books

Brian gave us lots of tips and good ideas. Here are some of them: Talk is very important when writing poetry. It helps to internalise the patterns of poetry, offering us images and a bank of ideas inside our head.

A good way to get started would be to draw on your own experiences or memories. For example, you could draw on your experience of something that frightened you when you were very small and the template for your poem could go something like this: ‘I am frightened of ……. like a…………… is afraid of ………’.

Here’s my group’s example as we worked through it: ‘I am frightened of the dark like a mouse is scared of a killer cat, Like a dragon is frightened of fire extinguishers, Like a stone is terrified of being dropped down a well, Like a sofa is petrified of fire’.

Notice how the repetition of the word ’like’ establishes a rhythm. Notice also how we didn’t use the same word for ‘frightened’ all the time, we used other words like ’terrified/ petrified’ as this stopped the piece from getting boring.

If you are lacking in inspiration, try a few warm up activities to get your creativity flowing. Writing funny lists is a really good way to begin. Here are some examples you could try at home: Write a list of: five things that you would like to do but are frightened to do; five things that go away but come back again; five places with strange names; five things you would find in a queen’s bag.

You could also boast about being a place: I am lake Victoria wrapped in royal blue robes…

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Making a Guy Fawkes The Student Council and Dress Making team together made a Guy Fawkes effigy which was used for

‘Stuffing the Guy’

the Bonfire night on Friday 5th November. We tied knots in the end of the clothes. Then Student Council, (and Rebecca from Year 6), stuffed the arms with straw. We put the Guy on a frame to hold him together then we tied the trousers to a shirt and

gave him some boots ‘borrowed’

by Ms Kemp, which belonged to Ms Wells. Then we gave him a face made out of papier maché and a hat out of paper. The Guy also wore a tie. There was a competition between other schools but in the end BSB won!

That’s why our Guy Fawkes got burnt on the night during the celebrations organised by Light into Europe Charity. BSB also won a trophy, which was presented to Calista, 6B.

Secondary girls give a helping hand

We Love Straw!!!!!

The finished result

Jakob 6B and Calista 6B

University Courses Running at BSB emotions and situations in a calm way. We have become very good at it. Why not stop by sometime if you would like to relax and unwind

The children made dreamcatchers. Here they are at various stages of completion.

Boys’ Singing Band

Children in meditation University Course

We have finished our first University courses for this academic year and are looking forward to the new courses starting in January. Here is a summary of some of the new courses on offer.

craft highlights are Native American headbands, teepees, rain sticks and dream catchers

Native American Indian University is a fun opportunity for students to learn about another culture. In this University students explore the lives of Native Americans.

The class discovers where tribes are located in North America, the different myths and legends that the Native Americans pass down through stories, and why some Native American tribes create totem poles and live in teepees. At the end of the course the class looks at the different outfits and food that certain tribes have and their celebrations, which are called powwows. Students create fun crafts while learning about Native Americans too! After looking at totem poles the students make their own to take home. Also after learning about Native American food the students have a chance to sample and try the different items themselves. Other

As the name suggests, in this university we meditate. However that is not as easy as you might think. It takes skill and practise to be good at this. We start by making sure we are absolutely comfortable in a sitting or lying position. Then Ms French-Paris tells us a meditation (a little like a short story) based on Fairy Tales.

We also practice breathing in and out deeply as this helps the brain to be calm. The idea in the meditation story is that we imagine ourselves in different places and we learn positive things about ourselves through this.

In the beginning it is hard to keep still and to focus your brain but in time you get better at all of this. We are all now able to relax ourselves, do visualisations, breathe deeply and calmly and meditate with great focus. This is a skill that you can use at home or to help you deal with

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Ms Brianna Beitz

Meditation University

Philosophy and Thinking Skills This university course was designed to appeal to the curious and openminded! I wanted the children involved to have the opportunity to explore their thoughts and ideas and express their opinions in a context where there are no ‘right or wrong’ answers. We have learnt a little about some of the great philosophers such as Plato, Socrates and Descartes and had some really interesting discussions about their main theories. Using collaborative mind-mapping techniques the children have been able to explore and compare their opinions. We’ve played games which allowed them to examine their principles and morals and consider the big questions in life. Congratulations to all the philosophers on the course!

Ms Thomas

In the Boys’ Singing Band University we have been learning different vocal warm up activities and rehearsing some funky tunes. The boys have worked hard to learn lyrics and know the parts they need to sing. They have also developed their skills of dance and movement in keeping with the feel and words of the songs. We are hoping to become the world’s greatest school boy band - so watch out Bucharest - here we come!

Mr Stuart Harrison

We are proud of the boys who chose singing

We had a great variety of courses in action but are always looking for eager volunteers to add to our courses. If you would like to run a University course please do not hesitate to contact me Thank you.

Ms Tiffany Moorcroft University coordinator

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Down under - a tour of New Zealand Having just spent the last two years living in New Zealand and experiencing all the amazing things this country has to offer I felt my university course should reflect this.

So the “New Zealand tour Down Under” university choice was born.

Every Friday afternoon Jan, Anasia, Benedict, Ade, Arish, Thea and Andrei all leave Bucharest and go to New Zealand. The first week saw them filling in their BSB passports and getting ready to board the BSB plane. It was a long flight but when we arrived the sun was shining in Auckland. We travelled up to Cape Reinga, at the top of the North Island, and learnt about its importance to

the Maori people. Our journey then continued onto Roturua where there are pools of boiling mud and water.

We all decided to relax in one of the hot pools. Next we travelled down to windy Wellington and crossed over to The Abel Tasmin National Park.

Here we learnt about the famous Kiwi bird. David knows that “Kiwi’s have little wings and are so funny”. Arish remembered that “Kiwi birds have got big, long beaks”. Jan noticed that if Kiwi birds went to school they would not be able to put their wings up because they are so small but they could put their long noses up instead.

We have also learnt lots about the

Boom. The volcano has exploded.

traditions of the Maori population including how they greet each other.

Maori myth states that the North Island was pulled from the sea by a giant fish hook and the South Island was the fisherman’s boat. The children made some great fish hook necklaces. According to Maori legend, the fish hook will protect you if you travel overseas. The children have also been learning to count in Maori.

By the end of our University we hope to know all the numbers to ten and use these in a famous New Zealand Christmas song.

because Mount Rhupahau erupted.

New Zealand has many dormant and active volcanoes. We enjoyed making our own volcanoes and showing each other how they would erupt.

It has been a really enjoyable university course, not only because of the group, but also as a chance for me to remember all the wonderful things New Zealand has to offer.

Hopefully my group will remember this and visit it someday.

Ms Helen Stevens, University Courses Coordinator

We were very lucky to not be in the Tongariro National Park this week

An experiment forming early science and geography skills.

University Trip to Horse Rescue Centre Some pupils from KS2 have been learning about horse rescue and care during their university course this term. They have explored many issues surrounding horse rescue, from the reasons horses have to be rescued, to planning their rehabilitation and care programme. The reality of animal abuse and abandonment was really hard to deal with at times, but the students have really enjoyed and committed themselves to learning how we can contribute to helping these beautiful animals rebuild their broken lives.

and her miracle foal Speranta. It was wondeful to see them fit and healthy again. We also made great friends with a shetland pony, Johnny. Johnny is the yard pet and loves children.

Unfortunately he is still recovering from a leg break, but it certainly doesn’t affect his appetite! Patiently, he allowed the students to practise their carrot feeding skills on him.

Thanks Johnny!

Volunteers from the rescue centre talk to us about one of their newest arrivals

We covered a range of practical skills in class including approaching a horse, leading a horse, tying a quick release knot, and feeding and grooming a horse. The pupils were then given the chance to put their skills into practice using some of the horses at the rescue centre in Pipera. We got to meet some of the horses that we had studied in class, including trailer crash victim Doinita

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

Unfortunately we were unable to work with a few of the horses at the centre because they have been so badly abused or neglected that they are still too sick or frightened. Hopefully over time, these animals will learn to trust people again, and they’ll be able to enjoy the rest of their lives in the peace and safety of the sanctuary. Our students will visit the centre again on Friday when they will demonstrate leading and grooming the horses.

The horse rescue centre is run completely by volunteers and donations. If you are able to help in any way please visit their website, http://adapostcaluti.wordpress. com/ or ask Ms Milligan for more information.

Ms Milligan, Horse Rescue University Course

Learning about animals

The students learn to respect our friends at the centre

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Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Fly Away with Books

for as the head librarian at BSB, this has made me feel really happy that the library remodeling has been a great success.

AAs everyone found out, the Library received a face lift while students were away on their half term break.

The new double-sided shelves have made a big difference allowing for more books to be stored and so as a result a large order of new books arrived and are now available for everyone to enjoy. Since the revamp many students have mentioned how easy it is now to find their way around and locate the titles you are looking

Whether you are fascinated with technology and would like to know all about planes, helicopters, jets and hot air balloons or you love nature and birds, butterflies and bats, it is your time now to fly away with a good book.

If flying is something you mastered already, come and try your hands at some clay modeling. We have displayed in the Library the

masterpieces of some in year 5 work, together with books that teach you how to be the best artist around.

Born in November? So was Mark Twain, Louise May Alcott and Bram Stocker. Come to the Library to see who else was significant enough to have been born in the same month as you as there is a list up every month with the who’s who of that month.

And if November’s not your Month, then come again throughout the year because you’re bound to see your favourite author’s birthday, as well as the names and titles of authors born the same month as you.

3T during Library time

The two book orders we have placed so far were very successful, so thank you to those that have ordered and as such contributed to the new stock for the school library. The next Scholastic book order will be in February.

Enjoyed reading this article? Don’t stop, carry on reading, come to the Library and together we will find something else you will also enjoy reading.

Ms Ana-Maria Marin, Head Librarian

Enjoying a good book is one of life’s pleasures

Spotlight on Primary Art

Spelling Bee Competition

There have been a wide variety of art projects taking place across KS1 and KS2 this term.

The themes, materials, and techniques used demonstrate how diverse self-expression can be. In 1P, the students have been focusing on the theme ‘Winter Wonderland’, making colourful collages of snowmen. In 3M the students combined Drama and Art in their investigation of movement, creating pieces in the style of Matisse. In 5L, the students put great effort into researching a variety of containers, eventually designing and evaluating their own creations. I’d like to thank the staff and students for making our school a more beautiful place this term.

Ms Kristen Swanson, Art Coordinator 3M Caroline’s Movement Study

The Spelling Bee final played out on Wednesday the 20th of October in the Key Stage 2 assembly.

As usual it was a tough battle and the competition was fiercely fought with increasing mistakes in the later rounds as the pressure mounted; most knew straight away that they had made a mistake, but it was too late, it was all over for them. In the end Aniela, 4H, emerged as the Year 3 and 4 winner on the day, but the Years 5 and 6 were still battling it out, until eventually Philopos, 5M, emerged as the winner. Then the two finalists battled it out between themselves.

Sadly, there can only be one overall winner, however, respect must go to both for doing so well. Our winner for this year is….. Aniela.

Aniela 4H Spelling Bee winner

Well done to all those who took part, the standard was remarkably high this year.

1P Anda’s Snowman Collage

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5L Astrid’s Container

Ms Tiffanie French-Paris, Primary Literacy Coordinator

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Healthy Schools Week & PE Lessons…

The theme for Healthy Schools Week this year was ‘EYES’. A number of different activities relating to the use of eyes were organised, including a visit from an Optiblu optometrist to check the eyesight of the BSB students.

Roh Chi holding his eye test certificate

Experiencing the unknown

Regular health checks are important

The visiting optomotrist checking eyes

Helping friends Calin holding his eye test certificate

Ana and Aishwarya holding their eye test certificates with the school nurse Ms Camelia Ion

Marcel holding his eye test certificate

Matteo and Rebecca holding their certificates

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The theme of ‘EYES’ also fitted into our lower Primary PE lessons well. Each class in KS1 did a guided walk around the school. Some of us put blindfolds on and were exploring what it is like to walk around without seeing with our eyes. We all had a partner who guided us on our walk and had to give us very specific instructions on where to go.

We found it really difficult at first because we just walked along like we usually do when we can see and took it for granted that our partner could not see because their eyes were covered. A lot of the time we would forget to tell them that they needed to step up from the path over the curb and onto the grass or turn slightly to the left or the right to avoid an object or another person. We kept saying ‘turn this way’, or ‘come over here’ and would point but because our partner was blindfolded they did not see where we were pointing or what we meant.

We kept stopping to make sure everyone was okay and reminded each other what specific instructions were then we carried on. It was challenging but also fun going up and down the stairs in the yellow villa. As well as the guided walk we had turns at being blindfolded and walking along ropes and long pieces of velcro to see if we could ‘feel’ our way along the objects. We tried to balance bean bags on our head while being blindfolded and even had a turn at going down the red slide with a blindfold on. We had a lot of fun in PE during Healthy Schools Week.

Maia assisting Duncan 2S

Vlad & John 1P

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Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

MFL Primary Blogs

Hi, my name is Arina and I am in Year 5M. I have been learning German at BSB since Year 3. I like the German blog because it has many games and some information. My favourite game is a puzzle game about a farm, but also about other topics.

The MFL Department want to take the opportunity to encourage students across KS2 to visit the MFL blog available for the three languages. Here is the link to access the general blog http://mflbsb.edublogs.org

Arina, Year 5M

The MFL Blog is the best blog I know. It has fun games and it also has useful information. The game I liked the most is colouring the clothes because it is fun and educational. I visit the blog sometimes two times a week. I recommend this blog for all in Key Stage 2. I hope you al enjoy the MFL blog!

You will find the most recent information of what is going on in our department, general information about National Curriculum levels, the way we assess our students, and of course all the activities we have been organising throughout the year.

Ioana, Year 5M

Within this general link, you will find specific links to the Spanish, French and German blog. Ms Vollaire, Ms Draser and myself will keep posting fun activities for you to enjoy practicing your languages.

We will be waiting for your comments.

Enjoy the blogs.

MFL team, Ms Rocío (Spanish teacher)

Raluca (Year 5) trying her best in the second round ‘Translate in Spanish: I have a headache’.

She got it right!

Here’s what some of the students have to say about the MFL Blogs

Year 5 listening to the instructions to start the game ‘Rags to riches’ in the topic ‘Health’.

You beat the teacher!

Hello! My name is Dora and I am in the German class this year. The German blog is one of the nicest blogs I have been into. In that blog there is everything we learn and the things that we will learn later on in the year. It is a very nice blog because there are many sections (Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, and Year 6), where children can go and play the things that they learned without getting mixed up. I go to the blog four times a week to play or see the games that have been added to it. It is very helpful to have a blog because if you don’t know something for your homework, you go to it and play and remember.

Dora, Year 5M

Arina, Ioana, Dora

Year 3M Our first term has been a very quick one due to the hard work and variety of activities that have taken place in our class and across the school! The children in 3M have made great efforts in many subjects, especially science.

In science we are learning about healthy eating and teeth. We have explored the main food groups and why it is important to have a ‘balanced diet.’

To help us understand this we had to complete a diary for a week, writing down important lifestyle information: what we had to eat every day, how many hours sleep we had each night, how many hours we spent watching the TV or playing our computers, how much time we spent playing outside or being active. We also investigated how much time we spent with our families and doing homework. After a week, we analysed all this information and thought about our healthy choices and our unhealthy choices. It was very interesting when we shared our information with each other and, based on our findings, we have set ourselves a health target. Next time you speak to us, ask us if we have achieved our target!

Working together to create ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ rules

We are looking forward to carrying out experiments to see the effect of drinks on our teeth. What drink do you think causes the most damage to our teeth – milk, fruit juice, cola or water? Watch this space to find out soon!

Ms Milligan, Class teacher

Sorting a variety of food into their different food groups

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Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

3T Going Greek…

3T have been studying myths and legends in literacy lessons. We’ve punctuated Pandora’s paragraphs, discussed Daedalus’ dialogues and illustrated Icarus ignoring his Dad’s advice. Some of the interview questions we came up with for the mythological characters included: ‘Daedalus, where did you find the wax?’: Marilia ‘Daedalus, do you like killing?’: Anastasia ‘Daedalus, do you treat your children with respect?’:Cristina ‘Daedalus, how did you make the wings fly?’: Matthias ‘How tall are you Thalos?’:Boris ‘Icarus, why did you not listen to your Dad’s advice?’

To round it all off, 3T showed off their fine acting skills in a play about Pandora’s Box, which was enjoyed by all. To quote Hope, we hope you will endeavour to ‘always look on the bright side of life’!

Ms Emily Thomas, Class teacher

The art of performing in public

4D and their Dynamic Drama Lessons In our Drama lessons we played a game called ‘Zoom/Eek, it was a lot of fun and very exciting.

We even studied Freeze Frames. We had to choose something that we did in school during the week and make a freeze frame all about it. Meanwhile the other children had to guess what we were acting out. Some people acted and did a freeze frame about the Maths Day assembly, while others acted out shapes and playing volleyball in P.E. lessons. We had lots of fun doing these activities. We also played an observational game.

It was the best, but our assembly was even better.

Our assembly was all about remembering and poppies. We told everyone how important it is to remember people who have died fighting for their country, for their loved ones back home and for the future generations. We wear poppies to help us remember. So remembering these people is very important.

Salaar, 4D

Drama lessons develop real confidence

4H Horrible History 4H have been on a fascinating journey back to 1485; the beginning of Tudor England. We have reenacted scenes from the War of the Roses, siding with either the House of York or the House of Lancaster. We have experienced bloodshed, arranged marriage and a change in national leadership all in a very short space of time, to the point that it was a relief to settle down to a more usual pace of life and enjoy some of the culinary delights available, such as salmon and fig fish pie. After so much eating, we had put on weight and needed to modernise our wardrobe, spending hours deliberating over the latest fashions and selecting a range of costumes for each likely occasion. I must say the boys were not so keen of the new fangled tights that seem to have risen in popularity recently: sometimes being fashionable comes at a price more than money.

Although we have had a blast on our historical journey, most of us are glad to have arrived home again in the 21st Century to enjoy the comfort of jeans and the luxuries of central heating and computers. What a welcome relief!

Mr Harrison, Year 4 Class Teacher

4H Pupils reenacting the war of the roses

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Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

What’s been going on in 5L? In year 5L we have been learning loads of new and exciting things.

We have enjoyed all subjects, especially Maths, Literacy, and History. In History we have been learning about the Ancient Greeks, and we also had a huge help from our Greek expert Ilias. In Literacy we have been studying how to use punctuation, sequential connectives and pre-fixes. We have also focused on story writing. In Maths we have been learning how to order numbers, long addition and subtraction as well as informative charts. We also have been studying length, area,

and perimeters. ICT lessons have been spent learning how to use Excel software by making spreadsheets using sum and formula. At the beginning of half term we had tests in Science, Geography and Maths to see how much we had achieved over the weeks. Before leaving for our winter holiday, KS2 is preparing for our Winter Production named the Peace Child.

I’m already looking forward to getting back to school after the winter holiday.

David Diaconu 5L

Mathematics and ICT in 5M.

6H Takes to the News!

Over the past few weeks 5M have been focusing on measurement during maths lessons. They have been calculating the perimeters and area of squares, rectangles and triangles. Using these skills, they have also calculated the area of composite shapes.

During ICT 5M have started to use Microsoft Excel and learn how it can be a useful tool in organising data. The students can create formula within tables that do calculations quickly and automatically for them. For example, during a maths lesson, the students measured the length and width of different items in the ICT room and then input that data into an Excel document. The formula that they had already written calculated the area of those items for them.

Also using Excel the students created a formula to calculate the cost of a party they were planning.

Using the ‘Sainsbury’ website to get the cost of food items, the students selected products, quantities and prices and added that data into their document. The formula they had written told them if the price of their party was still under the allocated amount of money. This was a fun activity as some students priced in pizzas, clowns and even magicians into their parties!

Mr Dan Madsen, Class teacher

Writing an Ancient Greek monologue

Anisia measuring the dimensions of the light switch

This half term 6H has been studying about Journalistic writing in Literacy and have been roaming throughout the school interviewing students and taking care to pay close attention to all of the finer details at BSB. We learned about biases and had an opportunity to pick a controversial topic, and investigate both sides of the story. Then, we used ‘Monkey survey’ in ICT to create a survey by which we could ask students around school about their point of view on our chosen topics. When the survey was complete we had to include our findings in a newspaper article that included the 5 W’s (who, what, where, when and why) and our bias. In the end we put everything together as the front page story of a newspaper that we got to invent. We also had to include all of the important features of a newspaper including advertising, cover price, bylines, pictures, and captions.

Lastly, in addition to our cool literacy topic we have been studying about ‘Britain since 1948’ in History, making slippers in Design and Technology, and focusing on division in Numeracy.

As always, 6H is busy, busy and enjoying every minute!

Hannah and Hyun-Ji creating formula in their excel documents

Alex, Francois and Antoine 6H

Slipper Making with 6B Y6 have been making slippers in DT this term.

So far we have researched different styles of slippers. We have found toe cover slippers, strap slippers, ballerina pump slippers, and boot and sock slippers. While we where researching some people found slippers with unusual materials, such as slippers made form fish!

We have learnt that slippers have many parts: the sole made out of rubber of plastic, whose job is to make it hard wearing; the sole padding, which is made out of foam, whose job is to make your feet comfortable; the insole made out from fabric, which is made of fabric and also made for comfort; and lastl, the heal, that is also made for comfort.

We have surveyed each other and found out what styles of slippers people lik- most like toe covers.

At this point we we have finished designing them and are now starting to make them. Hopefully they will look great!!!!!!

Zain & Julia, 6B

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Developing DT skills

Angela the journalist interviewing 6H’s Eco-reps, Hyun Jung and Rebecca

Concentration in action

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Maths Day Maths Day this year focused on problem solving and all the children enjoyed participating in a wide range of fun and interesting maths activities.

From EYFS to Year 6 the focus of the day was on active maths. The pupils had to solve a variety of mathematical problems involving shape, measure, number, pattern, colour and time. They learned how to utilise several problem solving strategies such as: • trying a simpler case • looking for a pattern • acting out the situation • drawing a picture or a diagram or making a model • producing an organised list or table • guessing, checking and improving a solution • working backwards • reasoning logically Some of our enthusiastic parents even joined in the maths mania by participating in the activities!

EYFS focus on early maths skills

Logic problems with year 4

Everybody joining in with Beat the Teacher on Maths Day

Outdoor maths in KS1

Beat the Teacher Assembly KS2 Maths Day

Problem solving in Year 2

The Modern Language Department provided a session of multi-language bingo, which involved the pupils working together in mixed age and language groups. We also had help from the PE teachers to provide KS1 with an exciting and active mix of physical exercise and maths.

Towards the end of the day, pupils took part in whole class interactive maths games in their classes. Everyone had a really fun experience and in KS2 the end of the day ‘Beat the Teacher’ game was a particular highlight. We are happy to announce that the pupils did, in fact, beat the teachers!

Ms Tracy Milligan, Mathematics Coordinator

Conquering challenges

Highlighting the core subjects of maths

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Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Secondary Report, Year 7 Bake Sale Secondary School Report

It’s hard to know where to begin since Issue 1.

Firstly, we welcomed a new student Joe to Year 10 , who joins us from the Netherlands and we also welcomed a past student who rejoined their classes for a few days to catch up with old friends: Andreea joined Year 9 and even brought her PE kit just in case there was a PE lesson with Mr O’Brien.

I think that is true BSB commitment for you.

Towards the end of the first half term the Secondary team joined together for a couple of in service training days, otherwise referred to as INSET. Mrs Patrica Lovelock and Ms Claire Sugdon shared practise on assessment in English and Science respectively and we reviewed the first term within faculties. I led a feedback session on the important role our Form Tutor’s play in our students’ personal development and we were trained by the ICT support team on imputing information into PASS which is the whole school database.

Year 7 Bake Sale Friday November 12th saw 7C and 7S joining forces to host the Year 7 Bake Sale. However, work had already started earlier in the week with our entrepreneurial students designing eye-catching posters to publicise the

The term has also been inundated with school events. Sports fixtures were prominent mid October with a victory over the ISB for the Year 9 Girls Basketball team , which was consolidated with Secondary House Matches late October.

Students also took the opportunity to have their eyes tested during Healthy Schools Week and the Secondary assembly during the week was based on perspectives and taking time to assess situations before taking action. A wonderful and heart warming music recital followed with some outstanding performances from our Secondary students, namely Seo Yearn, Year 7, for her piano performance, May and Emma, Year 11, for their vocal performances, Mihnea, Year 11, for his entertaining guitar solo accompanied by the entire Period Table as lyrics, and finally a very special mention to Saher, also Year 11, who literally bowled the audience over with his floorless piano performance. We are very proud of you all for your continuing commitment and blossoming talent.

The Secondary School Student Council Halloween Party was a huge success, as students really dressed up for the occasion; this was followed by a History of Halloween assembly by Mr McGowan, and the Year 6 Student Council members; and

sale and planning their recipes for the big day. Many thanks must go to all of the students and parents who took the time and effort to provide us with plenty of mouth-watering goodies to sell on the stall. The effort is very much appreciated.

Students initially spent time setting

Customer relations being developed

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Sharing practise has also been a key feature of our staff meetings of late with staff spotlighting ‘Assessment For Learning’ strategies they are adopting within the classroom and disseminating this information to the staff body. The overall aim is to create fluid dialogue between students and teachers so the students are aware of where they are at and what steps they need to take to improve. Students have been surveyed informally about what they notice in classes, rainbow levelling, use of traffic lighting, peer or self assessment, and responded well with comments such as “I know what level I am working at and I can see the levels in classrooms and I know what I have to do to improve”.

the Secondary School Dress Making and Sewing Club joining forces to make the biggest and best Guy Fawkes Bucharest has ever seen. The Bonfire Night kindly put on by the Light into Europe Charity included a wonderful fireworks display in which BSB received a cup of congratulations for all their efforts! Well done to all!

Science Day was also a triumph with Design Technology and Music working together to present the concept of making sound by designing and playing vegetable instruments! In addition to this faculty collaboration the Creative Faculty joined forces creating body art inspired by different genres of music.

It has also been a fantastic half term for our debating teams who have performed in assemblies, travelled to other schools and competed against international schools. It is wonderful to hear the maturity and intent in our students when they speak. It was noted by Mrs and Mr Wells, who conducted mock interviews for our Year 11 students, just how confident our students are and how well they presented themselves and talked about their experiences.

We have also had a very successful Year 11 Work Experience with students working at Petrom, with local photographers, at a vet’s, at a film studio, and in a science laboratory in Norway! We have also just celebrated the Human Rights Awareness Week, which saw guest speakers invited to school, the selling of Human Awareness bands and money raised for Amnesty International, and if that wasn’t enough our Year 10 and 11 geographers when on an over night trip to Bran!! On behalf of Mr O’Brien and I, we wish all staff, students, and parents a restful break and look forward to welcoming the new year with even more student progress and successful Secondary School events.

Ms Jen Kemp, Assistant Head of Secondary

up their stall with Mr Sykes and pricing their cakes. Year 7 then proved themselves to be wonderful sales people, with Sam drumming up business and Aaron offering bargain discounts towards the end of the sale. All in all, the Bake Sale was an excellent team effort. The sale

managed to raise the fantastic sum of 415 RON. All proceeds from the Bake Sale will go towards the Secondary fund for student council events. Well done, Year 7.

Ms Claire Sugdon, 7C Form Tutor

Starting early with Business Studies

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Drama Department News Improvisation Workshop In the first term wee were lucky to have had a visit from a Romanian Actor and German teacher, Ms Mihaela Sarbu. She runs acting workshops in Bucharest and we were fortunate to have her working with our Year 11 exam group as well as our Year 8 and 9 students. Mr Kelly and Ms Drasser were put through their paces too and in some of the elimination games they were the first to go!

The main theme of the workshop was spontaneous improvisation and students were expected to work together in order to identify with some of the exercises actors use to prepare for character. What seems quite simple and straightforward can involve precision and rhythm which can only be developed by working closely as a team. The students will be able to use the skills in Drama classes in future and some of them may even choose to join an improvisation class outside of the school. Details of these classes are available from Mr Kelly.

Trip to Geneva, January 27th to 30th The Drama Department is running a trip to Geneva from January 27th to 30th , to take part in the International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA). The main theme of the workshops at the convention is puppetry, with the students being given the opportunity to design, make, perform with, and work with professional puppeteers in Switzerland, which a land famous for marionettes.

This is a first for the British School and already we have been asked to host a festival in 2012, so we will be looking for a theme relevant to Bucharest and Romania in order to share our experiences of internationalism with the rest of the community, which includes schools from China to New York and Australia to Argentina. More information and photos to follow, look out for the article in the next issue of Newsblast

Displaying clear confidence

CEESA-Duologue Acting I would like to say a personal Congratulations to Chira and Amy from Year 7 who entered the CEESA Duet Acting Competition at the American School and represented us very well. They will be more experienced for the next event and will soon I am confident be ‘in the medals’!

The English and Drama Department will be working with their friends in Music and Art to provide you with an hour of theatre and song. We hope that you were all able to join us for the evening to celebrate the end of the year. Again, you will find a full review of the evenings’ events in the next issue of newsblast.

Evening of entertainment 9th December in the foyer of Secondary

Mr Kevin Kelly, English and Drama Coordinator

Halloween provides opportunity for budding BSB photographer On the 20th of October, the Secondary School came up with the idea of celebrating the end of school by setting an unofficial start to Hallow’s End with a Halloween Party. A costumed Halloween Party!

I thought that with all the beautiful costumes that were going to be worn on that day it would be a waste not to capture pictures of them. Said and done.

On the 20th day of the 10th month, I brought in to school photography equipment (including a tripod for my only strobe) and set it up in the Crawford foyer. While some students were happily dancing and singing and feasting on the wondrous food that was on offer in the Newlands disco room buffet, I was taking pictures of the other students in the Crawford foyer. People with the strangest costumes gathered in front of my camera that day – from Tiger Lily to a sniper straight out of the Special Forces to a simple mother… played by a male with a gun!

the party and all of the students that did make it, enjoyed having their photographs taken. The pictures that you can see in this issue of Newsblast are just a few from the total selection.

All in all, I found it to be a delightful experience, which not only gave me a chance to practice the art of Photography, but it also a chance to glimpse the inner self portrayed via the selection of costume.

In spite of my photography studio not being placed in which building the party was happening, a steady stream of costumed Secondary students did manage to make their way up to the Crawford foyer during

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

Mihnea, Year 11

Eda

Tudor

Tom & Charles

Johann

Saher and Jasmina

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Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Year 10 Students Hold 17th Century Witch Trial Seasons Greetings my fellow historians and boo! Despite the arrival of the Festive season, there is definitely a spooky feel to this article.

The focus of this issue’s article is Year 10 and ME!

committing crimes in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries? Their jaws stayed on the floor as they learned that it wasn’t till 1906 that Britain passed a law saying that people under 16 couldn’t be hanged!

Following on fro the Roman Period, Year 10 has been studying ‘Crime and Punishment’. One of my students, Marina, said that it was a crime that there were only three History lessons a week! However, another student countered that they felt that having to listen to me teach was a punishment.

Thanks a lot Robert!

As if things were not exciting enough, the class had the privilege of being taught by a visiting student teacher, Ms Natasha Pandeli. We had just started a topic on witchcraft and so Natasha decided to have the students conduct a witch trial. Noa was our witch and wow, what a witch! She really got into character, wearing a black hat and all. I think she might have taken things a little too far by perfecting her witch’s cackle and doing it every 30 seconds! In addition, I was a little concerned when she brought in a broom and black cat and starting boiling something in a cauldron… actually it was a teapot, but you get the point.

Anyway, the lesson was a great

Anyway, they have been studying crime and punishment throughout History. We have looked at the role of the police throughout history. Did you know that the Fingerprinting Department was first set up in 1901

by Scotland Yard? The students jaws literally dropped when they found out that up to 160,000 people were ‘transported’ to Australia for

success, but in the end we decided against testing if Noa floated in water to see if she really was a witch!

I would also like to point out that I recently did an assembly (‘the assembly to end all assemblies’ as it has been recently called by a certain member of staff – me actually) on the History of Halloween. Students were simultaneously educated and frightened by my attempts to tell Halloween jokes! For example, ‘What did one ghost say to the other ghost?’

He said ‘Do you believe in people?’

Hilarious! Do you get it? Anyway, now you know how the students felt!

That’s all for this issue. I think I have just enough space remaining to wish you all a Happy Christmas and to remind you that the best thing to put in your Christmas dinner is your teeth.

All the best for the New Year.

Mr McGowan, Head of Humanities

Noa the Witch, with her lawyer, Joe, at a Year 10 witch trial

Joe, auditioning to be a witch in our witch trial

Trainee teacher Vanessa in action

Key Stage 5 Students Attend CIS College Fair On Tuesday, November 16th, four Year 12 students visited the American International School of Bucharest for the CIS 2010 Eastern European US College Tour. Twenty-one universities from the USA and Europe were represented and their admissions representatives were very friendly and helpful in answering students’ queries.

today but they are not Formula 1 tickets or tickets for the Royal Wedding. They are tickets for your future…”

Learning about Higher Education KS5 waiting in the AISB theatre

The day began in the theatre with a presentation about CIS (Council of International Schools) by the Tour leader. The rest of the representatives then introduced themselves and spoke about the universities they represent. The representative from the University of Monaco reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two tickets to an almost imperceptible gasp of anticipation from his audience, saying, “I have brought along two tickets

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There followed a choice of workshops for students to take part in. Andreea, Senia, Alexandra and Soo Min collectively chose to attend “How students are selected” and “Writing your college essay”, both of which they all said were interesting and useful in providing them with information and helping them to organise their own thoughts about the processes involved in selecting courses and universities.

They especially liked one piece of advice from the representative who ran the second workshop: “When writing your personal statement, tell the

university something about you they don’t already know. Remember all the information you have already included in your application form and don’t repeat it; add to it.”

Visiting the University Fair

The students then had time to attend the fair itself in the school foyer to find out more information on courses they are interested in and to ask representatives questions about entry requirements, course combinations and so on.

Andreea and Alexandra both said that they had filled out some information request cards so that they can receive more information from those universities and keep in touch with them as they progress through Key Stage 5.

Ms Pat Lovelock, Career Guidance Councilor

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Secondary Student Council Term 1 Update This term we started off by discussing several key topics: Halloween Party, Lockers, School lunches, and the School Yearbook. To start off, I would like to tell you about the Halloween Party. It was a great Success, with a capital S. It was on the last day of school before the half term break, which was Wednesday the 20th of October. It was held in the Disco Room for the last 2 periods of the school day.

All the students were dressed in different costumes.

Each form contributed in some way to the party: Year 7 - Food and Drinks Year 8 - Decoration Year 9 - Advertisement Year 10 - Activities Years 11&12 - Music Denis was the DJ for the Halloween Party and did an amazing job! Thanks Denis!

Over the half term all the issues relating to the use of school lockers were resolved as far a we know, so if there are still any issues relating to your lockers please report them to Ms Diana.

Regarding school lunches, a survey was carried out to learn the opinions of the students, and as a result a revamp of the school menu is in progress.

Lastly, the school has agreed to publish a BSB Secondary yearbook this year. The people that will be helping out in making the yearbook are: • Emma • May • Noor • Eda • Max • Csenge • Fivos • Jarod

Noor, Student Council

But of course people in every form are welcome and in fact encouraged to provide pictures for the yearbook; all they need to do is give those pictures to their class representatives. Meetings will be held during break times for the people involved with the yearbook.

problems or suggestions, please feel free to speak with your SC Representative so that your idea or problem is presented in a forthcoming Student Council meeting. You will be informed about whatever happens as a result.

Noor, Year 10, Student Council Secretary

Well this was the summary of what has been happening in the Student Council over the past term. I would like to ask if any of you have any

Key Stage 3 Students Celebrate World Science Day The 10th November 2010 saw the Science, Music and Design & Technology departments join forces to enable KS3 students to celebrate World Science Day. This UNESCO-run initiative is designed to encourage people to look at the role of science as a force for good within modern society, through its ability to foster ‘mutual understanding and knowledge’. In this sense, a novel approach towards developing curriculum links was chosen. That is, KS3 students had the opportunity to design and make instruments out of vegetables in order to further understand the links between Science, Music and Design & Technology. Students spent time learning about the nature of sound with Ms Sugdon.

In particular, amplitude and frequency were discussed and very ably demonstrated by our 6th form musicians and Ms Murch. Leading on from this, Ms Kemp introduced the design phase of the project and finally the making of instruments.

Although we are not quite up to the standards of the Vienna Vegetable Orchestra (yes, it exists), many students were able to produce impressive percussion instruments. Special mention should go to Max Van Der Velden, who was able to fashion a flute-like instrument from a carrot. As a new teacher to the school, Science Day showed me that we have some fantastically creative students at BSB. I congratulate them all in their enthusiastic participation on World Science Day.

Composing a tune

Making music

The design process

The instrument design process

Ms Claire Sugdon, Science Teacher

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

37

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Student Art Exhibition On Monday December 6th, Crawford House will be holding an Art Exhibition based on the work completed by students and adults in 2010. I am really looking forward to the event as it is an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful individual achievements of each artist involved.

A variety of media, styles and themes will be included in this exhibition, including oil paintings, watercolour, mixed media and mod roc. Students from Year 7-12 and parents from my Summer Term Adult Art class have explored a range of subjects including life drawing, landscapes, and still life as well as more sculptural forms.

Collaborations with the Creative Faculty departments PE and Music will be displayed also, as well as

Eda Ozkan’s perspective drawing

cross curricular production links with the Drama Department.

My Year 12 students will have a major role in the organisation and presentation of the exhibition.

“This exhibition is going to have an interesting atmosphere with its artists’ catalogues, piano playing and flower arrangements” Senia, Year 12, commented. “I am really excited to be a part of this” says Andreea “as it will give me the opportunity to present my work to the public in an attractive way”. ‘A’ Level Art has been an exciting leap for them. They have gained experience and confidence in their artistic abilities during their GCSE years and are now able to explore their artwork on a more independent level with wonderful results.

I hope that you can all be a part of this celebration!

A visual feast

Ms Martina Greaney, Head of Art

Exploring the style of great artists

Work of excellence

Life drawing skills

Creative Faculty Cross Curricular Activities We have had a fun, eventful term within the Creative Faculty, as PE, Music and Art have joined forces to complete collaborative lessons within Key Stage 3.

For Healthy Schools Week, Year 7 participated in a Hands and Feet painting activity. Students rolled a dice to indicate the hand and foot movement of their peers on the blank white canvas. Their steps traced and imprinted by the bright coloured paint that coated their hands and feet. A diverse selection of music set the tone for the event. The lesson started with hesitant movements by the first students brave enough to begin and ended with students lining up to do cartwheels and handstands.

Amy makes expressive moves with flourescent pink

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Art and Music collaborated this term also to work with Year 9’s on developing students’ understanding of Art and Music therapy. Students were given background information regarding both forms of therapy and then given examples of how sessions could be conducted and analysed.

They were assigned to specific groups of four, where they were given client profiles and then worked together to try to understand the emotions of the client before working on possible effective strategies. The Year 9’s comprehension of the task and maturity displayed during each lesson was astounding, and their very individual and creative approach to each case has definitely inspired us to plan for future related lessons.

Ana, Eda and Nikita explore Music Therapy

It has been wonderful to have had the opportunity to be involved in such exciting collaborative lessons this term. Both the Music and the PE Department displayed innovation and creativity in their planning and approach to each lesson. A special

Roberto takes the first brave step

thanks to all within the Faculty, but in particular to Mr Burt and Ms Murch for all their hard work and commitment.

Watch this space for more upcoming events within the Creative Faculty next term!

Ms Greaney, Creative Faculty Coordinator

Adam entertains the crowd with his energetic moves

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

BSB Middle School Students attend first CEESA Event For the first time in BSB history, the school took part in the CEESA (Central Eastern European Schools Association) Middle School Speech and Debate Competition, which was held at the American International School of Bucharest this year. For those who are perhaps not aware, Middle School includes year 7, 8, and 9, with students ranging in age from 11 to 13 years old. A total of 100 students took part in the competition including the International School of Prague (ISP), the American International School of Budapest, (AISB), the Anglo the American School of Moscow (AAS), the Anglo American School of St Petersburg (AASP), the International School of Belgrade (ISB), the International School of Helsinki (ISH), the American International School of Vienna (AISV), the American International School of Zagreb (AISZ), the International School of Krakow, and the American School of Warsaw (ASW).

round, which consisted of Amy (Year 7) and Chira (Year 7). After their great performance, we went to support Dilara (Year 7) and Jarod (Year 7) for their Original Oratory. Both did a great job, and had another chance to say their speeches on Saturday.

Chira and Amy in the middle of their Duet Acting performance

Silvia speaking for AISB

Muhammed, Filippo, Basil, Emma, Ana Louisa and MIhnea visiting AISB for an interschool debate

The competition included five categories in total: • Original Oratory, which was a 6 minute speech on a serious topic • Impromptu Oratory, in which you were given a topic with 1 minute to prepare before speaking for 2 minutes on the topic • Duet Acting, which required to students to act out a play or a part of play no longer than 8 minutes without props • Original Interpretation, in which you had to read a text and bring it to life • Debating, which was down in teams of two requiring each team to debate both sides of the motion twice, with the four best teams going on to the semi finals The motion for the debate was: ‘The house believes that intelligent life exists on planets other than earth.’

BSB taking a few moments out to relax before the debate

As this was our first CEESA competition, BSB sent a team to compete in just the Original Oratory, Duet Acting and Debating.

On Friday the 12th of November we stood together as a team united at the Opening Ceremony, which took place at 8 am. Then at 9 am, we all went off to watch our Duet Acting team compete in their first

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

We then had a one hour lunch break, in which we enjoyed a wonderful lunch put on by AISB before taking some time out to relax before the first round of debating got under way. Basil (Year 8), Filippo (Year 8), Mohammed (Year 8) and I were all entered for the Debating section of the competition and in all had a total of three debates between 1:30 to 5 pm. We were all extremely excited and a bit nervous as we went off to separate rooms for our first debates. Naturally, we were all very pleased when we later found out that we had each won 2 out of 3 debates that day, losing 1 debate by a very close margin.

The BSB CEESA Team: Dilara, Amy, Chira, Jarod, Ana, Filippo, Mohammed, and Basil

On Saturday 13th, we were requested to be at the school by 8:30; our Duet Acting team did not make it into the finals, so there were only 6 of us competing that day. Dilara and Jarod amazed us yet again with their public speaking skills, and although neither of them got into the finals, both were extremely happy to have made it this far. As for the rest of us, our last debate was coming up and the three boys and I were starting to get a little anxious as were new we had to win to have any chance of going through to the semi final round after lunch. It was D Day. In the end we each really enjoyed the final debate and met for an hour-long lunch break to discuss our debates and got to know several other students.

We had to wait another agonizing hour before the semi-final results were finally posted. To our delight, Basil and I made it through to the semi-finals in which we were scheduled to debate the team from Zagreb, who had not lost a debate all tournament: we knew it was going to be a difficult debate, made more difficult by drawing the negative side of the motion and after a thrilling debate, it was anyone’s guess as to who won. In the end it was Zagreb who went through to contest the final, leaving us to debate third/fourth place against the International School of Prague.

Filippo and Mohammed debating ISH

At 5:30, we all trooped into the theatre for the Closing Prize Giving Ceremony. We were absolutely ecstatic when we heard our names called out for third place in the debating category, knowing that many the other schools had had a long tradition of competing in this competition! We felt it was a real achievement as some of the teams had been preparing hard since August both during school time and on the weekends. One team even had 150 cue cards prepared for every possible argument and retort, and so we were honoured to find ourselves on stage receiving our 3rd place trophy, which can now be found in the school’s trophy cabinet. We all received T-shirts to remind us of our first ever CEESA event and Basil and I also received individual 3rd Place Medallions. We then had a Pizza Party to allow all the contestants to relax and socialize with the other students before saying our final farewells.

The BSB Team receiving their T-shirts for participating

After the huge interest in the CEESA event, we have already started talking about next year! Of course, we have to thank our brilliant coach, Mr Peet for remaining so enthusiastic and helpful during the competition, and for arranging for us to be there in the first place! Thank you, Mr Peet, it was an amazing experience!

Ana, Year 9

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Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Eco-Committee Up-date Eco Points: Eco points have proven to be a very effective means of encouraging the principles of Planet BSB, and the students are very enthused by and involved in the programme. Every class in Key Stage 2 has collected plastic bottle tops, which are being used as ‘eco points’. These are awarded by eco reps and teachers whenever they see good environmental practice in action: switching lights off, reusing paper and so on. Points are awarded according to the principles of Planet BSB, but are not restricted to them. Key Stage 2 eco points are collected in what were previously 5 litre plastic water bottles, which have been decorated in the house colours.

The house with the most eco points at the end of the year will receive a prize.

Planet BSB logo designing competition: Following a school-wide competition, students from all Key Stages designed excellent logos for Planet BSB, including some designs made with recycled materials. The winning design will be printed out on badges and posters which will promote the ideals of Planet BSB throughout the school. The finalists for the logo competition are shown here. Please decide which logo you think best represents the ethos of the eco-committee and register your vote with the eco-reps.

Eco Christmas tree competition December will see classes throughout the school select one of the numerous trees around the school, and decorate it with recycled materials. Extra points

ICT and Business Studies The Secondary ICT Department has seen a number of changes in the last few months. As the department’s success has grown, so have the classes and class sizes. Due to the increased number of students, another member of staff has joined the department and we now have a new ICT laboratory equipped with new laptops, an Interactive Whiteboard and a new suite of software. This will allow the department to continue to grow and implement the successful DiDA Award or Diploma in Digital Applications Award which gives our Year 9 students the opportunity to gain a GCSE two years early, and

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will be awarded for using materials that are biodegradable. Watch out for photos of the entries in the next issue Meet The Eco-Reps: All phases of the school have now elected eco-reps.

Our eco-reps are expected to uphold the ethos of Planet BSB, which is quite a responsibility. Here are the thoughts of some of our eco-reps.

‘I am keen to become more involved in the school community’ Charles, 8M

‘It is fun to be able eco-rep. Also, it will help make the school more environmentally-friendly’.

Mariam, 8V

‘I have some ideas to help the school. For example, we should make sure electrical equipment is turned off when it is not being used. I have also heard about a special ink-saving print’.

Aaron, 7C

‘I think it is important to take care of nature and recycle as much as we can. I will try to encourage the school to recycle as much as possible and have more ‘green’ events.

Ilinca, 7S

‘I wanted to be an eco-rep because I can tell people how to do good things for the World.’

Andrei, 3T

With such commitment from our eco-reps, we are looking forward to a year of progression in terms of making the school more ecologically friendly.

Ms Claire Sugdon, Eco-Rep Committee Member

the IGCSE course in Information Communication Technology.

This new classroom is also used to teach GCSE, IGCSE and AS level Business Studies providing our students with full use of the Network and Internet to access a number of business resources. A new GCSE Business Studies course has also been implemented this year and will involve a number of small businesses around Bucharest being invited to the school to speak to our students about a number of business related issues.

Mr Bohdan Pantella, Head of ICT

Year 9 enjoy working outside the IT lab!

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Secondary House Reports Arges

you have any ideas about how to make the house even better or any questions, ask Mohammed or me and we will do our best to make the house better using your ideas. Please keep getting house points, (e.g. get the register) so we know we are doing everything we can, even if we don’t win the House Point Competitions every week. GO DANUBE!!!!

Olt

Secondary House Points Update

Csenge, 8M, Vice Captain

Mures

May, 11D

Louisa, 11D

These past few months have been a massive success for Arges so I will start by thanking everyone for all their efforts this term. Eda and I are greatly appreciative of all your efforts. Apart from the weekly house points, which Arges have excelled at, the Interhouse Competition was one of the greatest achievements Arges have had since the Water sports Competition last year. Arges won both the girls and the boy’s basketball events earning our house 100 house points! All in All, guys, awesome job. Also, Mr Nichols thanks for the support, you’ve really helped motive Arges to achieve the result we have. I hope we can keep this league up so that Arges may win by the end of the year. Keep doing your best to get house points!

Denis, 12L

Louisa, Arges House Vice Captain

Danube

Hi everyone. I would like ot start by saying that I am very proud to call Olt my house as for the past ten years I have supported Olt and always believed in its ability, which is why it is an honour to be the House Captain this year. Moreover, I am delighted to say that Olt has been progressing very well lately. In the Inter-house Basketball Tournament we came in second, very close behind Arges. I would like to thank Sophie and Basil as Sports Captains for their excellent leadership and sports knowledge.

I would also like to thank you all for participating and for your huge effort. This has made a very positive contribution towards our overall score; we are now at 770 points and just behind Arges and Mures, and I really think we can win the title this year! It has been so great to see how many students are putting an exceptional effort into getting House Points for Olt this year. Keep it up guys and I If there are any questions, problems or requests, Bethan and I would be more than happy if you come and speak to us. After all, we are a team, a working octopus with arms that reach out for success!

Welcome back House Point fans.

Since my last article we have had our first Inter-House competition in which Arges ran rings around the competition in a Basketball bonanza and earned valuable points. I can also report that Arges’ 100% achievement record has been dashed by Danube and Olt, however with over 75% of the weekly competition won; they are still in a formidable position.

With the House Competition and amazing student contributions to their houses, here are the results as they stand at the moment.

Arges retains the overall lead with 1429, followed by Mures with 1341, Olt in third with 1240 leaving Danube in last place with 1071 points. Who will be in the lead at Christmas? Find out in the next issue of Newsblast.

Mr Bodhan Pantela, House Competition Committee

May, Olt Captain Alex, 12L

Csenge, 8M

Hi I’m Csenge, the Vice Captain of Danube and I would like to firstly thank you all for electing me. At the Interhouse Competition the boys came 4thin basketball, just like the girls, but I know that we did the best we could. As you know Mohammed from 8V is the House Captain. We are currently in last place in the House Competition with 512 house points, but I know that we are all doing our best to lead the house to victory! If

Secondary House Point Chart

After a disappointing loss in the Interhouse Basketball Tournament, Mures has been doing a rather deplorable job at catching up to the other teams. We still however have hope that Mures can, and will catch up and dominate the other teams just as we have done in the past couple of years. Also I’d like to praise all Mures members that participated in the translation of the letters regarding the Shoebox Appeal. We would like to also mention that hating, fearing and keeping grudges against other houses is – not the solution to our problem, but rather a way to motivate us to strive to victory. We strongly believe, for a myriad of reasons, that Mures still has the ability to triumph and maintain our status as the number one house in the BritishSchool of Bucharest.

This article has been written, and formulated by the honorable, aspiring and esteemed Dukes of Mures,

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

Denis Zisman, House Captain, and Alex Furnica, Vice House Captain

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Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Inter House Sports Competitions Term 1 The consensus amongst the PE Department is without doubt, this term has seen the best series of Inter House matches since they began in October 2008! From Years 3 – 12 the standards of play have risen remarkably and they have been extremely exciting and entertaining to watch from the sidelines. The passion and enjoyment is evident for all to see and the sportsmanship and fair play is a pleasure to witness.

In Years 3 and 4 Olt ran away with

the Boy’s competition winning all 3 matches. Whilst in the Girls competition we saw a three way draw for first place. In such a scenario the team who scored the most goals overall is declared the winner.

In Years 5 and 6 Danube’s Boys came out on top in a keenly fought over series of matches despite spirited displays from Olt and Arges. It was a close call in the Girls Competition, however, Mures in the end proved too strong.

Key Stage 2 Hand Ball House Competition

In the Secondary School there was a double celebration for Arges.

Alexandra Popa’s last basket sealed the win the Girl’s Competition for them despite strong opposition from Olt. Again the Arges Boy’s held the trophy up at the end of their competition, however, Mures gave them a run for their money.

Credit goes to Danube in both of the Secondary competitions for never giving up. They did not have an easy afternoon but we were encourage by

their battling spirit and never say die attitude A big well done to everyone who took part and represented their houses.

PE Department

Primary Inter House Competition Term 1 2010 (3 points for a Win: 2 points for a draw: 1 point for losing.

Applies to all competitions)

Years 5 and 6 Boys Rugby End Ball

Years 3 and 4 Girls Rugby End Ball

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Total

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Total

Danube

2

3

3

8

Arges

3

3

1

7

Arges

2

3

1

6

Mures

3

1

3

7

Olt

2

1

3

6

Olt

1

3

3

7

Mures

2

1

1

4

Danube

1

1

1

3

Secondary Basketball House Competition

Years 3 and 4 Boys Rugby End Ball

Boys Basketball

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Total

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Total

Olt

3

3

3

9

Arges

3

3

2

8

Arges

3

1

3

7

Mures

3

2

1

6

Danube

1

3

1

5

Olt

1

2

3

6

Mures

1

1

1

3

Danube

1

1

2

4

Years 5 and 6 Girls Rugby End Ball

Girls Basketball

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Total

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Total

Mures

2

3

2

7

Arges

3

2

3

8

Arges

1

2

3

6

Olt

3

2

1

6

Danube

3

2

1

6

Mures

1

2

3

6

Olt

2

1

2

5

Danube

1

2

1

4

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Agres do the double

Great catch Olt

Yr 5 & 6 Boys Danube vs Mures

House matches bring out our competitive side!

Seconday Girls Arges

Yr 5 & 6 students ready to begin!

Desperate defense from Olt vs Mures

Hard-Eye co-ordination in action

Yr 5 & 6 Girls Danube vs Mures

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

French A Level Blog En classe de français, pour ma première année d’A-levels, j’ai créé un blog sur toutes les choses que j’apprends pendant la leçon. Le blog a été créé parce que c’est une bonne façon de voir ce que j’ai fait, et aussi ça m’aide à améliorer mon écriture parce que je peux écrire pour un public, plutôt que d’écrire pour moi-même. L’année prochaine, le blog m’aidera à réviser car je pourrai retrouver tout ce que j’ai fait en première année.

Un autre but de mon blog, c’est d’aider les élèves qui étudieront le français en A-level dans les années à venir.

Il y a neuf pages sur le blog.Tout d’abord, il y a quatre pages qui correspondent aux quatre sujets généraux que je dois étudier pour mes examens: les Jeunes, la Vie, l’Education et le Travail, et le Monde; ainsi que d’autres pages sur la musique, le cinéma et la littérature. De plus, j’ai une page de grammaire qui a beaucoup de liens vers des execrcices de grammaire sur le web.

Venez visiter mon blog d’A-level French à cette adresse: http://bsbalevelfrench.edublogs.org/ Alexandra, Year 12 Alexandra, Y12

A Level Deutsch Blogs Da wir jetzt unsere A levels begonnen haben und viel weniger Fächer begelen müssen, haben wir doch ein bischen Zeit, um etwas Spaß zu haben. Die Schule hat uns aus diesem Grund ein Blog für jede von uns zur Verfügung gestellt, um uns mit unserem Deutsch zu helfen.

Es ist da, um unsere Deutschkenntnisse zu verbessern und um uns für die Prüfugen vorzubereiten. Der Blog hat ein einfaches Layout und ist sehr leicht zu verwenden.Wir haben es in vier Themengebiete (Topic Areas) gegliedert: Youth Culture and Concerns, Livestyle, The World around Us und Education and

Employment. Zu diesen Themen haben wir begonnen, Informationen zu sammeln, wie zum Beispiel Artikel, Texte und Bücherreferate, die wir dann kommentiern und auf unseren Blog hochladen. Es hilft uns, unser schrifliches Deutsch zu verbessern und der Vorteil, dass wir über das schreiben können, was uns interessiert, macht alles noch besser.

Besucht unsere Blogs und hinterlasst Komentare, wenn ihr wollt. Wir würden uns darüber freuen.

Andreea, Year 12 http://germanalevelandreea.edublogs.org/ http://germanalevelsenia.edublogs.org/

Besuch im Goethe-Institut Bukarest

Andreea, Y12

Senia, Year 12

viel Spaß gemacht hat. Lies weiter, um die Gründe herauszufinden.

IGCSE and A level students of German visited the Goethe Institute and explored the library. It was a great experience of immersion into the German language.

Am Mitwoch 17/11/2010 haben wir das Goethe Institut besucht. Dort waren Schüler und Schülerinnen von Year 10, 11 und 12. Außerdem waren Frau Draser und Frau Alice Grasser mit dabei.

Wir sind dort ungefähr um 10 Uhr angekommen.

Dann sind wir in die Bibliothek gegangen. Dort mussten wir ein Blatt ausfüllen. Um das zu machen, musste man Bücher, Zeitschriften oder Wörterbücher benutzen. Der schwierigste Teil war die Suche nach den richtigen Büchern, denn es gab sehr viele.

Im Goethe Institut kann man nicht nur lesen, sondern auch Deutschkurse haben. Es gibt Kurse für alle Niveaus (A, B und C). Diese Niveaus entsprechen dem Gemeinsamen Europäischen Referenzrahmen für Sprachen (GER). Sie haben gesagt, dass Qualität am wichstigsten ist. Man kann Prüfungen ablegen, um ein Zertifikat zu bekommen.

Akis Gkousis, Year 10

Das Goethe Institut ist ein gemeinnütziger Verein, der die Aufgabe hat, die Kenntnise der deutschen Sprache im Ausland zu fördern. Der Name des Instituts kommt von Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, einem der berühmtesten deutschen Dichter der Welt. Es gibt 149 Goethe Institute und 11 Verbindungsbüros in 92 Ländern.

Am 17. November haben wir – die IGCSE und A-Level Schüler – die Filiale von Bukarest besucht. Es war ein arbeitsreicher Tag, voller Deutsch, der sehr

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

Andreea, Iulia and Senia enquire about the library

Ms Draser at the Goethe Institute

Um 10 Uhr sind wir im Institut angekommen und usere erste Aktivität war eine Bibliotheks-Rallye. Wir wurden im vier Gruppen geteilt, um verschiedene Aufgaben zu erfüllen. Das gab uns die Gelegenheit, die Bibliothek zu erkunden. Nachher durften wir auf eigene Faust herumstöbern, und heraussuchen, was uns interessierte.

Group picture

Im Anschluss daran hat uns Frau Diane Schmidz über die Deutschkurse und Prüfungen informiert.

Am Ende haben wir ein paar Fragen gestellt.

Die Besuch hat sehr viel Spaß gemacht und wir haben viel gelernt; ich habe auch zwei Bücher ausgeliehen. Wenn ihr euch für die deutsche Sprache und Literatur interessiert, dann lohnt sich ein Besuch im Goethe Institut bestimmt.

Die Adresse und die Öffnungszeiten findet ihr auf der Goethe Webseite: http://www.goethe.de/ins/ro/buk/deindex.htm.

Von Senia, Year 12

Maria, Y11, Marina Y10 exploring the library

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Remembering To mark Remembrance Day, Year 9 who have been studying the First World War as part of their History curriculum, were given the opportunity to watch Joyeux NoĂŤl, a film in English, German and French by director Christian Carion. This film, which is set during the First World War, offers a moving account of the Christmas Truce during which soldiers from both camps put down their weapons and enjoyed a friendly game of football. The film looks at the events through the eyes of German, Scottish and French officers; and while some of the events depicted in the film are purely fictitious, the film brings to life the experience of soldiers in the trenches in a vivid manner and raises important questions about War. After having watched the film, German and French students looked at the history of French-German relationships since the First World War and created a beautiful display highlighting important dates, such as the creation the Franco-German TV channel Arte and of a common History course book.

Ms Vollaire, French Teacher

The Second Chance Food Drive BSB students made donations of non-perishable food for some of the poorest families from Berceni, a village close to Bucharest. Second Chance supports these families by giving them a food bag to take home that helps them through the long and cold winter months.

Secondary students collected the donations of food by house teams and house captains and vice

Developing the important skill of research

Hyo Min and Nikita working on their display

Year 9 watching Joyeux Noel

captains were mainly responsible for encouraging their team to donate. Mures did particularly well, thanks to their House Captain, Denis, Y12. Ryan, Y10, was the first student to bring in donations and was particularly dedicated to this charitable task.

Many thanks for all your generosity!

You have made a big difference for some families’ lives. Special thanks to Mrs Gwen Berry for being the driving force behind this initiative.

Ms Draser, on behalf of the Charity Comiittee Eda, May, Louisa, Bethan, Denis

Loading the bus

Paris Trip June 2011

House Captains with the Food Drive boxes

We are happy to announce that this year students from Year 8 to 12 will be given the opportunity to go to Paris where they will discover the beautiful architecture and fascinating culture and history, the capital of France has to offer. The trip has a special focus on art and French culture and consequently some of the highlights include: the Eiffel Tower, Seine River Cruise, the Louvres Museum and The Parc Asterix. As foreign trips offer a wealth of learning opportunities and fun memories, we hope many of our students will be able to join us.

Ms Vollaire, French Teacher and Ms Greaney Creative Faculty Co-ordinator

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The Eiffel Tower

The bus is full

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Year 9 Get Cooking in DT Year 9 is currently investigating different bread products and our most recent topic has been batchmaking. This basically means making more than one thing that looks, tastes, and smells the same.

We’ve made a lot of bread-based products since the beginning of the term! We followed instructions to make our own bread, expanded them using our own ideas, and made mini-pizzas - the list goes on!

We are now trying to design and make our own BSB bread snack using the skills we have so far learned.

Before we do that, though, we are extremely excited about Mrs Neuhauser coming in to school to show us about batch baking biscuits from Germany! We will then apply what we have found out to make our own batch of bread. We all have many ideassome of us are going for a sweet based approach,

whereas others are designing vegetarian savoury snacks, including bagels or baguettes, breadsticks or mini-pizzas. We’re sure to be selling our delicious dough-based delights around school so watch out for them!

Learning to cook is a life skill

Learning the importance of presentation

Perfect mini pizza

Eda and Ana preparing the dough

Miriam very proud of the final product just before baking

Ready for the oven

Evaluating products

End justifies the means!

Practising the skill of preparation

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Ana, Year 9

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Santa attends BSB Artisan Fair Well that is it, it confirmed that the BSB Artisan Fair is now indeed the biggest event leading up to the ‘Season of Jolly’, as even Santa with his busy schedule decided to take time out to attend the event, do a little shopping, and wish a large proportion of the BSB student community a very Merry Christmas.

In total there were 30 stalls spread around the Primary Gymnasium and Drama Auditorium, with the most popular stands this year being the International Stand, organised by Kerstin Neuhauser, selling biscuits and mince pies made by the PTA and parents, and the ever popular Gluhwein, (mulled wine for those of you from down under) to warm the spirits, and the Cheese Stall, selling a wide variety of popular cheeses.

Also present were a number of art and craft stalls, including the Second Chance Charity stall, selling a variety of mosaics and other home made goods.

The Fair ran from 1.30pm-4.30pm and finished with the naming of the 2010 Harrods Bear, this year named Dylan by draw winner Aaron Russell, 7C, and the drawing of this years Winter Baskets. In total 28 baskets were prepared by 28 classes, with the teachers picking up 8 baskets, with the man of the moment being Mr Stuart Harrison, who was lucky enough to win 3 baskets in total. Well done Mr Harrison ( makes up for the last couple of years).

Well done also to Mr Burt, Ms Tiffany French-Paris, Mr Lesse, Ms Lovelock, and the many students and parents who were lucky enough to win a Class basket. We hope everyone who attended had a great time and look forward to next year’s Artisan Fair.

A variety of homemade products

Generous donations for our raffle

Ceramics from Second Chance

The cheese stand was one of the most popular stalls again this year

BSB stall

Jewelleries

Moldovan Ceramics stall

Photo stall

A big thank you also to Santa, on behalf of all the students, parents and teachers, for taking time out of his busy schedule to pay us a short visit. We hope to see you next year also.

Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas to you all!

Aaron

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Haut-Lac, Here We Come!

The 5th annual BSB Ski Trip is on again! Students’ places are reserved, the tickets to Zurich have been booked and several lucky skiers are dreaming of swishing down the white slopes amidst breathtaking scenery.

Right now in Switzerland Reg and Paul (two of our expert instructors) are getting our equipment ready, waxing our skis, shining our helmets, and adjusting the handles on our poles so that we can be equipped the moment we arrive from Zurich. What’s more is that the friendly Haut-Lac staff are not the only ones preparing our journey.

As you read this, Mother Nature is sprinkling fluffy white snow all over the majestic Swiss Alps!

imagining how it feels to be at one with the mountain and seemingly hover down her luxurious slopes.

We are dreaming of the encouraging smiles of our peers as we all conquer our ‘hee-bee-jee-bies’ by making it down the always daunting first run. We will also be laughing and smiling as we imagine the surprise of our first tumble and the excitement associated with it.

The annual ski trip includes 6 days of skiing in the Gstaad super ski region, with daily lessons by qualified, experienced instructors. The trip runs during school time from March 6th-13th. Although the flights have already been booked there is still a handful of places available for students Year 4 and up.

For more information, please contact Mr Murchison or Mr Hamacher.

With an ample snow base we will be dreaming of that first exhilarating run down ‘fresh powder.’ We are

For more information, please contact Mr Murchison or Mr Hamacher.

Enjoying the perfect snow conditions

Surrounded by beauty

Every day is an oportunity to practice a new skill

Taking your skiing to the next level

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Teaching Assistants College This summer I completed an e –learning course for teaching asssistants. The course was offered

by The Teaching Assistants College, which is an international distance, e-learning college created to help make becoming a qualified Teaching Assistant more flexible and accessible. They are currently training TAs throughout the UK and in British schools abroad in countries including Luxembourg, Norway, Romania ,Belgium, France, Spain, Germany, Cyprus, Dubai, Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Kenya.

The qualification you get is accredited by the awarding body CACHE ( Council for Awards in Children’s Care and Education) and is suitable for all Teaching Assistants working in British and International schools around the world.

The course that I took is called ”CACHE LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE FOR TEACHING ASSISTANTS” and I achieved the accredited qualification at the grade of DISTINCTION. The CACHE Level 2 Certificate for Teaching Assistants is a nationally recognised qualification for assistants working with pupils in nursery up to Key Stage 4.

The course is divided in two units, with each unit having different sections:

First aid training As we all know, our health is the most important thing we have. As a part of staff CPD, each staff member at BSB received a number of First Aid Training sessions taught on campus by our school nurse Ms Camelia Ion, covering a variety of subjects relating to maintaining student health.

Recently our primary focus was

Ms Ramona Parascan with Year 3

Unit 1: Supporting the Curriculum - Supporting Literacy - Supporting Numeracy - Supporting ICT - The planning process - Supporting pupil’s learning - How to scaffold learning on task Unit 2 : Working within the school - The role of the Teaching Assistant in school - Policies and procedures - Relationships with pupils - Encouraging positive behaviour

on dealing with trauma. Staff were informed about the types of traumas that could occur in a school situation: nose bleeds, cuts, sprains and fractures.

Other types of injuries that were discussed in this session included cuts, bruises, insect bites, and last but not least, burns, the most common being sunburn.

The immediate treatment for a sprain can be remembered using

Ms Ion the school nurse explaining a slide on wounds

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Having finished the course, I can definitely say it was a motivating and interesting course which offered a wide variety teaching and learning activities. I really enjoyed the course and would recommend it to any other TA looking to extend themselves in teaching.

If anyone has any questions about the CACHE Level 2 Certificate for Teaching, please pop by and see me in class.

the acronym RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate). Although any joint can experience a sprain, some of the more common include ankle, wrist, and finger.

In circumstances were there is a more severe accident, such as a fracture, staff are instructed to leave the student still and to administer first aid on the spot. Above all, staff are instructed to remain calm at all times, to provide reassurance, and

Ms Ramona Parascan, Year 3 TA

to keep the student comfortable and out of the way of further danger until an ambulance arrives.

As a growing school, we believe in continuous development of knowledge and the importance of education in all fields and provide a variety of training throughout the year.

Ms Camelia Ion, School Nurse,on campus from 8am-4pm

A group of BSB staff listening attentively and taking notes

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BSB Teachers Run BSB Marathon www.bucharestcitymarathon.com/ In October the 3rd Bucharest City Marathon took place under cool blue skies. This year BSB entered 2 teams in the marathon relay: Team Canada versus Team New Zealand. The gauntlet had been thrown and the race was now on. National pride was on the line. Grueling training schedules were in place with BSB staff out pounding the pavements of Bucharest night after night- well, most of them anyway- in preparation for the great day.

On the day the weather did not disappoint as runners awoke to be greeted by clear skies- in stark contrast to last year’s wet, cold affair.

Conditions were perfect for running, the air electric with nerves as everywhere the runners could be seen warming up, making their way toward the starter’s line. The atmosphere was tense with nervous excitement. The starter raised his gun, time stopped momentarily, and then BANG!, the runners surged forth on the first leg of a 42 km test of stamina.

Our first runners off were Ms Swanson and Mr Madsen. The race starts by going down Boulevard Uniri, round the roundabout then back up towards the People’s Palace. During the race all the traffic

is stopped and so it is a truly wonderful running experience, running on empty roads towards the biggest building in Europe.

Each runner in a team runs just over 10km then hands on to the next member of the team. After a great start for both teams Ms Swanson and Mr Madsen handed their arm bands on to Ms Beggs and Ms Jones. “The hand-over area was quite crowed, but it is uplifting to hear the cheers as you run towards your team mate and it is a great start for the next runner as they are cheered on their way.”

Ms Beggs and Ms Jones ran well then handed on to Mr Peet and Mr Hamacher. Both runners said they had really enjoyed the experience, once they had got their breath back. The crowd had built by now so there were even more supporters to cheer on our runners- A big thank you to all the teachers and parents who came to add their vocal support.

Mr Peet and Mr Hamacher both had strong runs and after about an hour handed onto the final runners – Ms Stevens and Mr Leese. Helen head off a few minutes before Mr Leese and, but it wasn’t long before Mr Leese, putting in a good

BSB Team Canada Ms Kristen Swansom 1:08:06 Ms Deanna Beggs 1:01:41 Mr Brad Hamacher 0:52:51 Mr Sonny Leese 0:54:48 Total team time 3:57:26

Mr Hamacher proves to be a great role model

time, was hot on her tail. They had had a long wait for their turn and were raring to go. Both runners said they ran better than they expected, although Mr Leese said he tripped on a water bottle and lost a little time, but still managed to finish the race with a smile. On the finish line both teams were excitedly waiting for their final runner to turn the corner and in the end it was Mr Leese, running for Team Canada, who turned the corner first.

With both teams home in very respectable times, the teams took a moment to congratulate each other on a job well-done before heading off for some well-earned food and liquid refreshment.

It was a great day overall with 1000’s of runners competing in the Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon relay and fun run, and just as many spectators there to cheer them all on. Well done to the many BSB parents and students we saw on the day, I hope you enjoyed the experience and will be back for more next year. And for those of you eager and ready for your next race, the Eco Marathon in May is not far off – so you had better get training!!

Tiffany Moorcroft Team Coach

BSB Team New Zealand Mr Dan Madsen 0:48:36 Ms Billie Jones 1:05:06 Mr Kendall Peet 1:01:52 Ms Helen Stevens 1:06:41 Total team time 4.02.15

Mr Madsen just after his sub 50 min 10k

Team BSB celebrating their run

Ms Jones and Ms Beggs offering some team support

Team BSB Celebrating their run

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

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Club Choices for Spring Term 2.1 10.01.11 - 18.02.11 (6 weeks) Except Karate Club which will run from 05.01.11 – 18.02.11 An important part of the BSB Curriculum is the extracurricular activities on offer through the various clubs. We encourage Key Day

Reception and Key stage 1 to take up to 3 clubs a week and students in Key Stages 2-5 to take a minimum of 3 clubs a week and to try news

Reception/Key Stage 1 Age Group

Monday Painting Club Spanish for Beginners Ballet Karate Beginners (Mon + Wed)

Reception/KS1 KS1 Reception/KS1 Closed

Simple Sewing Climbing Club How to be a TV presenter Fencing Beginners Tuesday Computer Club Romanian for Native Speakers Gymnastics Card Games Climbing Club Karate Advanced (Tue + Thur) Painting and Creativity Wednesday Clay Moulding

KS1 Reception/KS1 KS1 Reception/KS1 KS1 KS1 Reception/KS1 KS1 Reception/KS1 Closed KS1 KS1

Drama Fencing Advanced Dance Beginners Art – Drawing Karate Beginners (Mon + Wed) Thursday Art and Craft Papier Machie Astronomy Karate Advanced (Tue + Thur) Friday Photography Dance Advanced Monday Alto Recorder Backgammon

KS1 Advanced Reception/KS1 KS1 Closed KS1 KS1 Closed

Key Stage 2

KS1 KS1 Year 6 KS2

Art and Crafts Club

KS2

Cricket

KS2

Sign Language

KS2

How to be a TV presenter Playground games Ballet Fencing Beginners Karate Beginners (Mon + Wed) Tuesday Computer Club Rowing Club German for Native Speakers

KS2 KS2 Y3 KS2 Closed KS2 KS2 KS2

French for Native Speakers

KS2

Guitar for Beginners

KS2

Badminton Karate Advanced (Tue + Thur) Painting and Creativity Gymnastics Wednesday

Year 5 & Year 6 Closed KS2 Y3

Romanian for Native Speakers

KS2

Climbing Club Clay Moulding Fencing Advanced Origami Club BSB Pals Homework Club Dance Beginners Karate Beginners (Mon + Wed)

Year 3 & Year 4 KS2 Advanced KS2 KS2 KS2 KS 2 Closed

Teacher Ms Kayleigh Evans Ms Dalila Danu Ms Mariana Mois Ms Marta Stuparu Ms Claire Cowlishaw Mr Vlad Popa Ms Karina Nagy Mr Stefan Burche

clubs each term in order to get the most out of the club system. Clubs are a great way to met students from other classes and year groups and to Thursday Creative writing club

make new friends. Here is the club list for Term 2.1.

Year 5 & Year 6

Maze of Bones - Solve the Mistery

KS2

Art and Craft - Papier Machie Year 3 & Year 4 Climbing Club Year 3 & Year 4 Card Games Year 4, 5 & 6 Gymnastics Year 4, 5 & 6 Karate Advanced (Tue + Thur) KS2 Astronomy KS2 Friday Climbing Club Year 5 & Year 6 Photography KS2 Ms Deanna Beggs Dance Advanced KS 2 Ms Dalila Danu Private Fencing Club- Advanced Aged 7 – 12 Ms Mariana Mois Key Stages 3-5 Monday Ms Lidia Ivanc Debating Club KS3 – KS5 Mr Vlad Popa KS3 – KS5 Ms Marta Stuparu Alto Recorder Karate Beginners (Mon + Wed) Closed Ms Maria N Fencing Beginners KS3 – KS5 Tuesday Ms Maria P Homework club KS3 – KS5 Ms Kellyanne Feeney French for Native Speakers KS 3 & 4 Mr Stefan Burche Table Tennis KS3 – KS5 Ms Mariana Mois Dance Fit Year 8, 9 and 10 Ms Brianna Beitz German for Native Speakers KS 3 Ms Marta Stuparu Badminton KS3 – KS5 Ms Helen Stevens Karate Advanced (Tue + Thur) Closed Wednesday Mr Adrian S KS3 – KS5 Ms Marta Stuparu Football Mr Serban Ms Mariana Mois

Art Club

KS3 – KS5

Chess club Glee Club – Show Choir Homework club Mr Steve Green Science Club Mr Harrison Fencing Advanced Ms Kristen Karate Beginners (Mon + Wed) Swanson Thursday Mr Keith Dawkins Creative writing club Ms Tiffany Battle Royal Dodgeball Moorcroft Ms Karina Nagy Homework club Ms Tracy Milligan Science Club Ms Mariana Mois Gymnastics Mr Stefan Burche Karate Advanced (Tue + Thur) Ms Marta Stuparu Friday Dance Advanced Ms Catalina Maxim Private Fencing Club- Advanced Mr Clayton Burt Ms Dorothea Draser Ms Manon Vollaire Mr Jonathan Moore Crispin Ms Billie Jones Mrs Marta Stuparu Ms Maria N Ms Mariana Mois Ms Ana Maria Marin Mr Vlad Popa Ms Maria P Mr Stefan Burche Ms Vanessa Broadbent Ms Emily Thomas Mr Iain Davidson Ms Mariana Mois Ms Marta Stuparu

KS3 – KS5 KS3 – KS5 KS3 – KS5 KS4 KS3 – KS5 Closed KS3 – KS5

Mr Kevin Kelly Ms Tiffanie FrenchParis Ms Helen Stevens Mr Vlad Popa TBC Ms Mariana Mois Ms Marta Stuparu Mr Adrian S Mr Vlad Popa Ms Serban Ms Mariana Mois Mr Stefan Burche Mr Kendall Peet Mr Steve Green Ms Marta Stuparu Mr Stefan Burche Ms Jen Kemp Ms Manon Vollaire Mr Steven Sykes Ms Claire O’Brien Ms Dorothea Draser Ms Billie Jones Ms Marta Stuparu Mr Anthony O’Brien Ms Martina Greaney Mr Andrew Morris Ms Sally Murch Ms Jen Kemp Mr Justin Nichols Mr Lucian Burche Ms Marta Stuparu

KS3 – KS5 Year 9 KS3 – KS5 Closed

Mr Kevin Kelly Mr Steven Murchison Ms Rocio Marti Ms Claire Sugdon Ms Mariana Mois Ms Marta Stuparu

KS 3 & 4 Aged 7 – 12

Ms Mariana Mois Mr Stefan Burche

KS3 – KS5

Beginner’s Karate Club

Visit the BSB website at www.britishschool.ro

Sun: I chose to be the Sun because I believe I lighten up people’s lives with my energy.

My energy is always enough for everyone around. I am very kind, but sometimes I can be too much.

Venus: Venus is my Mother.

She is bigger than my Dad because she is stronger and she is the one who brought me into this world and showed me real life. We may have bad days together sometimes but still, she is my Mother.

Jupiter & Saturn: Jupiter is my Grandpa and Saturn is my Grandma. They are very sweet and clever. They are not as close as my family is, but they are the biggest and most important ones. If they had not existed none of my family members, including me, would have been living at this moment.

Mercury: Mercury is my Dad because he is always there whenever I need him. He never shouts at me and I know that he is always happy when I am near him.

The Stars: Each star represents a very good friend of mine. Some are there on Earth, but I don’t know where. Some, like Maria, are always there whenever I need them.

Friends are always needed throughout life.

Mars: I chose Mars as my Uncle who died. He passed away before I was born and I haven’t seen him at all.

He has always remained in my heart. I always think about him.

Earth: The Earth represents my sister. She is always happy and colourful like the Earth is.

She can get sad and angry easily, causing problems.

She is very close to me.

Uranus: Uranus represents my Aunts. They are very funny and energetic. I have 3 Aunts and 2 of them are very far away. The one in Romania is very kind and generous. I LOVE THEM!

The Rocket: The Rocket represents my Mother’s Uncle who has cancer.

The doctor’s say he is going to die soon, so I know someday he is going to disappear and never come back. He is going to fly away up in the sky.

Neptune: Neptune represents my cousins. I have 8 cousins and just 2 of them are by me whenever I need help.

They are tremendously nice and kind. I am lucky I have so many cousins because I feel good when someone supports me.

Pluto: My puppy Happy is Pluto. He was a very cute and cuddly puppy.

Unfortunately, he passed away recently. I will never forget him. He was the cutest and most intelligent dog I have ever had.

The Falling Star: My Grandma passed away when my Mother was 12. Everyone says she was an excellent woman. I believe I will see her one day; who knows where. She is going upwards somewhere where no one has been to before. Somewhere special where she is going to be happy.

Solar System Relationships

Year 7 PSCHE

In term one this year we have been studying about relationships in PSHCE. We were assigned to do a project about our relationship to the Solar System. This meant we had to design and make a solar system with each planet or star representing someone special and close to us.

I have been naming people who have had an important place in my heart. By making this project I have discovered lots of things about myself and others and my point of view towards others has changed a lot. NEVER forget that having someone near you that you love and care for is everything you need in life!

Dilara, 7C

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

The Club with a difference. With so many health clubs in town deciding which one is right for you and your family is a challenge. Le Club will take the difficulty out of that decision. We guarantee our support for you to live the harmonious healthy life style we all crave.

Starting this Summer you have the chance to become a member of our community, and a state of the art facility awaits you.

If you have decided that this is the year you unveil a new year, then come along and let us talk about how we can help you accomplish your dreams.

A new future awaits you.

Contact: 0314329002; office@le-club.ro

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Music Recital Leaves Lasting Impression On the 6th of November parents and staff were treated to a wonderful evening which celebrated the musical talents of some of BSB’s musicians from both Primary and Secondary. The evening got off to a fantastic start with Tudor’s, lively rendition of I Don’t Like Mondays. May, Emma, and Rhys, delighted the audience with their wonderful voices, each offering a solo performance. Mihnea, had the audience in hysterics with his comic performance of the Periodic Table in which he not only sang, but also played the guitar. It was also a treat to hear Saher’s debut piano performance as he gave a heartfelt performance of a piece from the film Amelie. The music recital was also a great way to introduce Seo Yearn, 7S, to the school as she played an inspired solo piano piece. Lastly the night ended with Smoke on the Water played by Finn and Jarod in year 7 on the drums and guitar. Altogether a terrific evening and I can’t wait for the next. Below is a list of students who performed on the night: Ms Sally Murch, Music Teacher

The performers taking a final bow

Lena playing Perpetual Motion

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Title

Composer

Artist

I Don’t Like Mondays

Boomtown Rats

Tudor (piano)

Little Indian Brave

J. Bastien

Pol (piano)

Ode to Joy

Beethoven

Claudia (piano)

Electric Bass

J. Bastien

Natalie (piano)

What I did for Love

Marvin Hamlisch

May (vocals)

Bagpipes

L. Mozart

Pavel (piano)

Dance of the dolls

M. Cernovadeanu

Irini (piano)

Electric hose man

E. Aron

Enzo (drum)

When you were young

The Killers

Rhys (vocals)

Twinkle twinkle little star

W. A. Mozart

Leonie (violin)

In the forest

Folk Song

Daria (piano)

Perpetual motion

(unknown)

Lena (violin)

Danse Guerriere Indienne

Henri Tomasi

Alexandra (piano)

The Elements Song

Tom Leher

Mihnea (guitar/ vocals)

Arabesque

Burgmüller

Viktorija (piano)

Yan Tierson

Comptine D'Un Autre Ete L'Apres Midi

Saher (piano)

Norwegian Wood

The Beatles

Dora (piano)

Petit Pinocchio

Danielle Vidal

You (piano)

Say My Name

Destiny’s Child

Giulia (vocals)

Hungarian dance (No.5)

Brahms

Joanna (piano)

The Swing

Duke Ellington Band

Veronika (piano)

Sonata in 2 Parts

L. Beethnoven

Seo Yearn (piano)

Jazzmatazz

Compilation

Thanos (recorder)

Etude in F minor

Chopin

Stefan (piano)

Allegretto

J.B. Duvernoy

Ana Maria (piano)

Smile

Nat King Cole

Emma (vocals)

Valse op.69, No.1 in F minor (“L’adieu”)

Chopin

Alessandro (piano)

Smoke on the Water

Deep Purple

Finn and Jarod (drums/ guitar)

Leonie playing Mozart

Joanna proved ‘practice makes perfect’

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Alessandro playing Voise op.60 No.1 in F

Thanos playing ‘Jazzmatazz’

Saher, an example of self-taught piano playing!

Ana Maria plying Allegreto by Duvernoy

Dora playing Norwegian Wood

Emma brought emotions to the fore with ‘Smile’

Seo Yearn playing Ludvig Van Beethoven

You playing Petit Pinocchio by Vidal

Jarod and Finn practising the skill of playing in a duet

The British School of Bucharest Magazine

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A young photographer displaying real talent

Able, Gifted and Talented Student Focus One of the focus areas within BSB is Able, Gifted and Talented. This part of the BSB curriculum acknowledges that some students have special

abilities, gifts or talents and seeks to provide students with an opportunity to extend themselves in this area.

The focus in this is on Mihnea,

Year 11, who is a budding young photographer. He was responsible this year for taking the Halloween party photos and also did his Year 11

Work Experience Placement with a professional photographer. Here is a small selection of some of Mihnea’s work.

An emphasis on autumn colour

Mihnea uses light effectively in his leaf study

Shapes and patterns captured on camera

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Shadows cleverly caught on camera

A talent in the making

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