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TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Table of contents 04 06 08 10 11 12 14 16 18 20 21 22 24 26 28 30 32 33 34 36 38 42 44 46 47 48 49 50 53 54 56 58 60 62 64 66 68 69 70 71
Introduction 1970-1980 The Duke of Edinburgh officially opens BSB in December 1970 A tale of two sisters The Duke of Edinburgh returns A School of Dolphins BSB logos over the decades 1981-1990 The King and I Reflections So, what’s changed? 1991-2000 21st Anniversary The world is our classroom Alumni stories… now and then… 2001-2010 What a drama! A Tender Heart Making music Et si on parlait français à la BSB? 40th Anniversary 2011-2020 Special Olympics Belgium : a unique partnership of 29 years The generation game Integrating family & friends Amnesty highlights Young poets Jacques Rogge Sports Centre official opening Changing technologies Le Procès du Loup 2020 BSB is 50 years old Presidents At BSB we’re all learners! Three decades of Book Week Students as a force for good Employer engagement 2020 and looking to the future Front cover design Credits Tapestry • 3
Introduction Melanie Warnes, Principal It is my privilege and pleasure to contribute to this special 50th anniversary edition of Tapestry, BSB’s biannual publication showcasing a representative sample of the brightest and best of events and achievements of this extraordinary school. This edition is organised by decades and features archive articles from previous editions of Tapestry alongside special memories and memorable moments in our history. Irrespective of whether, like me, you are a recent recruit to BSB, or a student, an alumni or indeed a member of staff or parent from when the school first opened, we all know that BSB is a remarkable school at the heart of a dynamic and supportive community. A recent visitor to BSB commented on the ‘tangible harmony’ evident throughout the whole school. She is not alone in recognising the sense of togetherness; I could feel it when I first visited BSB and parents, children and visitors are drawn to this and in turn contribute to our strong ethos and sense of family. The reasons for BSB’s ongoing success are many, complex and subtle. I believe that one special feature of BSB is our long standing commitment to our founding principles. We have a strong collective memory and an equally strong sense of shared values by which we abide; these have been passed on from generation to generation. I am confident that the continuity of inclusive and liberal values will carry us forward to future success.
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Learning together inspiring success
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
In the first prospectus of the school it says: ‘The school offers education directed towards the formation of well-balanced, self-disciplined, creative and responsible persons with a sense of good citizenship. It unfolds against a background in which rights do not receive a greater emphasis than duties and rests on a basis of respect of individuals one for another. It aims at true balance in education, recognising the importance of the children’s intellectual, creative, emotional, physical and social needs, and that some of those needs will suffer if any one is emphasised at the expense of others.’ BSB is an inclusive international learning community, working together and inspiring success. Our aim is to be an educational force for good by: Developing confident, caring and courageous people who engage actively, ethically and purposefully with the world around us Fostering curious, resilient learners who enjoy life and achieve the best that they can Encouraging respect for self, others and the wider world. These would have been recognised by our pioneers in 1970 and indeed our community in the 80s, 90s and 2000s. They are what underpin our daily lives together, our care for one another and give meaning to our successes and achievements. Each of us will have our own personal recollections of BSB. Collectively these memories have contributed to the remarkable story of BSB – a story into which readers get a glimpse in this special anniversary edition of Tapestry.
Tapestry • 5
1970-1980
Another milestone in our history
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Learning together inspiring success
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Principal Alan Humphries 1970 - 1983
Buildings completed 1970 - Nevejean / Building (#1) Between 1971 – 1973: Tintin / Building (#2) Lafontaine /Building (#3) Horta /Building (#4) Rubens /Building (#5) 1976 : New Gymnasium opened / Building (#6) Numbers on Roll (NOR) 1970 – 213 students 1971 – 470 1972 - 740 Disclaimer: all NOR taken from the 21 Years Book Tapestry • 7
The Duke of Edinburgh officially opens BSB in December 1970 “The official opening of the school in December 1970 was a momentous occasion. I was introduced to Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, and a week or so later discovered a photo of myself, talking to the Duke, had appeared in the Belgian Paris Match!” recalls Hilary Vervaeck, one of the first group of teaching staff at the school. An edited version of the book ‘21 Years of Creating Excellence’ published in 1992 recalls: “After the move to Tervuren (from Rue de la Loi temporary site), the first term was dominated by the official opening of the school on December 9, 1970 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The occasion was planned with great care so that it would be an impressive and enjoyable event. This was an occasion for celebration and a welcome to the future!” The guest list grew to 700 (including all the parents of the then 223 children, Belgian Ministers of Education, the British Ambassador and the Mayor of Tervuren). Building 1 was the only building that existed at that time and clearly wouldn’t be sufficient for all the guests, so a marquee was set up. “It was most impressive in its red, white and blue colours”.
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TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Tapestry • 9
A tale of two sisters! Tracey and Jane were amongst the first BSB students who share with us some of their early memories
Sisters Tracey van Putten (nee Campbell) and Jane Campbell were at BSB from 1970 to 1974. They recount their early memories of the school first opening.
pound currency, which made so much sense to me since I didn’t know anything about the old system of sovereigns and shillings. We had trips to the Museum of Central Africa too, which I remember as being really old and dusty’. Building 1 (now Nevejean) wasn’t ready, so they Both Tracey and Jane recall calling the teachers by started in offices in Rue de la Loi, in Brussels. ‘For their first names which was quite a novelty compared playtime we had to pile into coaches and go to the to the Belgian school system they attended previously. local park. It might have even been Cinquantenaire. We would gather at the end of the day to line up for ‘Drama was important too: ‘Joseph and his mulour respective buses: it was in a big room, which ti-coloured dream coat’, Jane adds. ‘Hilary, my seventh during the day, had some sliders to divide it up for form teacher, would try to get us to write and we could classroom usage,’ remembers Tracey. either invent a story or she would read a story that we would then have to rewrite as homework’. When they moved into the first completed building in Tervuren, the far two ends of it, which were sup- ‘I remember the Maths class’, said Tracey, ‘as well posed to be halls, were also divided up into class- as working with wood, metal and having art classes rooms until the second building (now Tintin) was fin- where we learnt so many techniques including baished. ‘We then had music lessons in there and did tik and lino-engraving. Domestic Studies were in an country dancing, which I loved’, says Tracey. amazing room with small little kitchens. The first thing we learned was how to cut a grapefruit and decorate ‘We used rainbow books to learn to read’ continues it with a glacé cherry, then we moved on to rock buns!’ Jane, ‘I particularly remember the indigo and violet ones. We would go up to the teacher in turn and try Sport was important. Both remember athletics and the to read together in English: and in my case, with a long-jump. They would go to the German school by terrible French accent.’ When Prince Philip came bus for their swimming lessons. Both loved the choices to open the school in December 1970 the children and one was cross country running – running through were all very excited and dressed in their ‘best’ the woods behind the school and coming up into the clothes. park of the Museum of Central Africa next door. 50 years on, this is still happening today! ‘Early on there was a Gym Club - I simply loved it, said Jane. We even travelled to Taunton for a gym ‘I was only twelve said Jane, and yet we were having competition and stayed with families there. Trips discos at each other’s houses, in long dresses!’ Finally, were an important part of school life. I remember a they both remember fondly Alan Humphries the first trip to Normandy and the D-day landing memorials, Headmaster. Omaha beach, the Loire valley and the chateau of Amboise, Mont St Michel, (collecting shells which ‘In short, it wasn’t until years later that we realised how subsequently made my school bag smell badly for privileged we had been to be in this school, with such days)! One trip involved learning the new metric an amazing infrastructure and a modern participatory way of teaching.’ together 10 Learning inspiring success
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
The Duke of Edinburgh returns Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh returns in 1976 to open the gymnasium
The new gymnasium was opened in January 1976. By October this was not only providing a new dimension to PE teaching but was also the basis of the BSB sports centre (according to the book ‘21 Years of Creating Excellence’ published in 1992) … “six tennis courts were eventually built … and were in use by the summer of 1977”.
According to the archives the occasion involved the whole school and a ‘good’ number were able to have personal contact during his morning visit. Some parents, but also a number of other guests from Belgian life as well as the British community attended. Careful and detailed planning over the previous weeks had been necessary.
The completion of the new gymnasium enabled Dick Pantlin to invite HRH The Duke of Edinburgh back for the official opening in December, six years to the day after the official opening in 1970.
The Duke visited many parts of the school and included, of course, the new gymnasium and a gym display. In the official opening ceremony in the gymnasium, Dick Pantlin summed up the achievements of the previous six years.
Tapestry • 11
A School of Dolphins This is an edited version of the original full-length article appearing in the 2014 issue of Tapestry.
BSB’s Swimming Club, the Dolphins, began in the early 1980s, with Caroline Young as its first chair. Caroline told Tapestry that she still had a box of Dolphins’ memorabilia going back to the time when the group was first established. From her personal archives, Caroline managed to find copies of original Dolphins newsletters, the first Dolphins badge and a photo of her daughter Frances holding the Bailey Plate aloft in victory in 1988! Prior to becoming an official BSB Club, Dolphins was started up by Alison Bailey, the Club’s first Coach, who began teaching children to swim in 1978/1979 at Zaventum pool. Sadly, it was announced that the pool had to close. A dedicated group of parent volunteers, were determined that lessons should continue, and so they did in the nearby Overijse pool. Dolphins as we know it today – a hugely popular BSB Club - had been born. Dolphins grew. Caroline recalls that by 1991 “there was even a team newsletter, club swim caps, t-shirts, swimming costumes and a banner with the club badge. By October 1985, 17% of the school’s student population had joined the Dolphins. Membership cards were created, the club could pay all of its overheads with ease, and life-saving together 12 Learning inspiring success
and coaching training courses were established. Within two years there were 248 swimmers. One of BSB’s most popular and enduring clubs was firmly established. Caroline speaks fondly about these early Dolphins days: “As a parent, I mainly remember the enthusiasm and determination of our children at these swim meets, their support for each other and the sense of achievement as they saw their hard work being rewarded with improving times. Then there came the excitement of being good enough to compete away – first The Hague, then London, and then at the ISST championships in Cairo.” The next logical step was to make recommendations for the building of a pool on site: an idea that was met with interest and enthusiasm. However, the time was not right: there were other priorities, and what a difference in school facilities, compared to 1988!
Caroline remembers the early days of Dolphins and the time at BSB with affection. “I’ve not found better or even equal commitment and absolute reliability and efficiency in anything I’ve been involved with since”. BSB received planning permission to build a new 25m indoor swimming pool together with a new Gymnasium, Sports Hall, Dance Studio and Fitness Suite. Called the Jacques Rogge Sports Centre, it was opened in September 2016 by the previous President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge himself.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Tapestry • 13
BSB logos over the decades BSB has designed and launched three different logos over the five decades of its history.
In 2007 the current BSB logo, fondly referred to as the “swoosh” was created. It was designed by some senior BSB students, together with an external design agency.
The red swoosh depicts a journey or path that each member of the BSB community travels along; a pathway of learning. The first a ‘shield’ which was introduced in the 1970s, and the second logo was introduced during the 1990’s as seen below.
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It doesn’t matter how long or short you stay at BSB, the memories remain with you forever. #BSBforever was introduced in 2019 as part of a new advertising campaign.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
For our special 50th anniversary a simple and classic design is used.
And here are some logos that didn’t make it!
Tapestry • 15
1981-1990
Another milestone in our history
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TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Principal Alan Humphries 1970 - 1983
Principal John Jackson 1983 - 1992
1981 - Brel Building officially opened (#7) 1986 - Sports Barn opened (#9) Numbers on Roll (NOR) 1982 - 1,041 students 1985 - 1,020 1990 - 1,088 All NOR taken from the 21 Years book
Tapestry • 17
The King and I Memories of the visit of His Majesty King Baudouin in 1981 “I remembered the visit well. The visit was organised by Dick Pantlin. In the morning of 8 December 1981, all of the BSB staff were introduced to King Baudouin. There was a gymnastics display, a concert, a production in the theatre and a reception.” Arthur Gamble, Alumnus
“My Year 4 was selected to be a class the King would visit in their classroom in action! I had very bravely (or rashly) decided to follow their usual timetable and have an art and finger/hand painting activity. As the King and his entourage entered the corridor, one of my class turned to me to ask which was the King, as no one was wearing a crown! Then the King approached and spoke to several of the children and myself with wonderful gentleness and interest... fortunately escaping painted hands on his clothing!” Hilary Vervaeck, Alumna
In the book ‘21 Years of Creating Excellence’ book published by BSB in 1992 this was how the King’s visit was remembered: “This was a happy day for several reasons. The auditorium (now Brel Theatre) was a dream come true for the school in general, but in particular for the large number of pupils, staff and parents who were intrinsically interested in drama and music. It was a fully equipped theatre and opened up all sorts of possibilities for the future. The auditorium had been used since September but it was fully working by 8 December, the date suitable for King Baudouin to attend for an official opening. This was to be together 18 Learning inspiring success
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
performed by William Shelton, the MP in the Department of Education and Science in the UK, as the King, by custom never personally opens buildings. He had indicated, however, that he was very pleased to have it recorded that he was present, which was done in a commemorative tablet.” (This can still be found in the Brel Building). Altogether 250 guests were present for the official opening ceremony. They included, in addition to King Baudouin and Mr Shelton, the British Ambassador and his wife, Sir Peter and Lady Wakefield, and a representative from the Belgian Ministry of Education.
Before the opening ceremony the King listened to the last part of a short concert (‘Follow the Plough’ by Keith Cole and Ken Pickering). In his speech of welcome, Dick Pantlin stressed the links between Belgium and the UK and the happy development of BSB on a site originally intended by Leopold II (King Baudouin’s great-grandfather) to be an international college. After the official ceremony the King mixed informally with many parents…visitors were impressed by his obvious sincerity and quiet charm.
The King visited various parts of the school and saw part of a musical play (AA Milne’s ‘The Changing of the Guard’). Members of staff reported back that they were impressed by the genuine interest he showed. He was markedly informal in his approach to people he met, despite the presence of his security men, who meticulously checked all the pupils’ lockers. He also watched part of a gymnastics display. He made a point of talking to staff using English, French or Dutch…’
Tapestry • 19
Reflections Right from the beginning BSB ethos and values were top priority Reflecting on the school’s beginnings took me to what was, for me, the most exhilarating and most formative educational moment of my career: an open workshop called by Alan (Humphries) in February 1970 - I think, certainly well before the school opened. All six newly appointed staff were invited to his home to deliberate freely and openly the nature of BSB, that we were all to work in, when it opened in September, a few months later. Of all the aspects we talked about, ethos was just one. Areas of positive and structured approaches to ensure successful personal and social development at the individual and group levels. The outcome of this discussion was that all involved participants, and all future pupils, staff and parents could use and understand the labyrinth named ‘discipline’. In brief we would all challenge each other’s understanding of the concept of Respect for People, Property and Time and come to an agreed way forward, without facing a whole list of rules and regulations.
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Several years later, Will, in Year 6 I believe, did not see why he should not have bought a duckling while on a school journey. His respect for animals could not be called into question -although this particular adult really enjoys foie gras de canard! The duckling was nestling in a cardboard board box with easy-to-change tissues to keep the temporary environment clean, and a well-thought-through plan for its food and drink, given our return home the next day. What was wrong with what he’d done? Will argued. My first school rule came into force - NO ANIMALS TO BE PURCHASED ON ANY SCHOOL VISIT (and a riveting assembly when back at school on the subject of EU rules concerning the importation of livestock across frontiers, with related issues concerning health and hygiene!) Peter Saunders was Head of Middle School in 1970 and at BSB from 1970 - 2002
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Julie then
Julie now
Olivia then
Olivia now
Tapestry asked a few alumni and ‘lifer’ students what had changed at BSB It was wonderful to be back at BSB and to have an amazing tour. This was no ordinary visit. I was aware of how lucky I was when I attended BSB but the school that it has now become, is just incredible! My children’s eyes were just popping out of their heads. It’s happening more and more that BSB alumni are visiting with their own children to apply for a place. Anika Sherwen, BSB Alumnus
I have been a student at BSB since I was four and during my time at the school I have seen it change and develop in many ways. There have been changes to the facilities, with the development of the Jacques Rogge Sports Centre replacing the old Barn and Gymnasium. As someone who has participated in many sports from a young age, the new facilities have made training much easier and more enjoyable. We are fortunate to have a swimming pool on campus. The structure of sport has developed with the arrival of external coaches in recent years, meaning we can train more regularly and effectively. It is also interesting to see how staff and students come and go throughout the years. Though many leave the school, I still have the opportunity to talk to teachers who taught me in primary, and to reflect on my early years with other ‘lifer’ students. I equally have the opportunity to meet and interact with new people who arrive every year, and the balance of new and old staff and students helps to shape the school as a whole. Over the years I have had the opportunity to take part in many events, such as theatre and music productions as well as school trips and sports events - which still remain part of the school calendar.
I first joined BSB seven years ago, in 2012, when I was a young Year 5 student. I remember that coming from a much smaller school, BSB seemed like a huge and daunting place at first glance, however, after my first day, I already felt at home. Something that surprised me then were the facilities, and the diverse activities that came along with them. Sports I didn’t even know existed were offered, art forms I’d never had a chance to explore were available, and the music departments also had much more equipment than what I was used to. Students as well as teachers, were very welcoming and inclusive. Today, there are 1,350 students at BSB and when you join clubs and activities, you’re sure to meet new people all the time. Facilities at BSB have become even more vast and the student body had changed: a great advantage to BSB having so many different cultures and nationalities that we are exposed to. Above all, the school atmosphere is just as nice and peaceful as it was before, which I appreciate very much. Julie Gatineau, BSB student
I was at BSB from January 1977 to June 1985. To be honest, I have so many happy memories that it’s hard to choose. One of the oldest ones is Saturday Cinema in the late 1970’s. It was run by some parents and every couple of weeks they would set up a makeshift cinema in the refectory, on a Saturday morning, complete with film projector & large canisters of film! My sister Nikki and I loved going down to school to watch a film. It always started with cartoons (Woody Woodpecker, Bugs Bunny - all the old classics!), followed by the main film (Lassie, Black Beauty and the like!) There was always plenty of squash on hand and probably a snack or two. Happy days! Looking forward to the 50th Birthday bash in June!
Olivia Walk, BSB student Fiona Nunn (née Billinghame), BSB Alumnus
Tapestry • 21
1991-2000
Another milestone in our history
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TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Principal Jennifer Bray 1992 - 2001 1996 - Vesalius Building (#4b) opened by Sir Dick Pantlin Numbers on Roll (NOR) 1991 - 1,069 students All NOR taken from the 21 Years book
Tapestry • 23
21st Anniversary In 1992 a book was published called ‘Twentyone years of The British School of Brussels 1970 – 1991’, written by Lionel Bishop (Upper School Head) with the support of many members of staff, parents, students and alumni.
Copies of the book remain in the school’s archive and have often been referred to. The foreword in the book, is a copy of a printed letter from the British Ambassador to Belgium (Robin J O’Neill) who quoted: “The history of the British School of Brussels records a remarkable success story over the past twenty-one years, and one which brings together notable Belgian generosity, much enthusiasm and equal generosity on the part of the major international companies with staff in Belgium, and the vision and drive of a small but far-sighted group of British
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residents in Brussels, who saw the need in the 1960s for a school to cater for the increasing number of families who wanted an English-language, British style education for their children.” In just over 200 pages, the book covers a twenty-one-year history of the school’s achievements and successes in remarkable detail.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
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The world is our classroom Trips and Enrichment At BSB we’ve always offered activities and opportunities within and beyond the curriculum to enrich the lives of our students. Our developing campus and superb facilities means that the range has continued to grow over the decades. Be it through sports, music, drama, the arts, global awareness, languages, technology, maths or science; these activities help students find their passions, make new friends, gain confidence and be courageous.
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Trips have also been important to BSB over the decades. A wide variety of trips continue to take place each year as part of the curriculum, and take students around the globe. Our student trips include sports tournaments across Europe, sailing in the South of France, trips with local schools, fieldwork trips and drama festivals.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Tapestry • 27
Alumni stories: now...and then! I am the Executive Producer of ‘Casualty’ and ‘Holby City’, the two most popular medical dramas in the UK, dividing my busy work schedule between the London and Cardiff studios where the two shows are filmed. I have great fondness for my eleven years at BSB from 1978-89, very formative years. It was a hugely privileged and special experience that I probably didn’t quite appreciate until years later – the opportunity to experience different cultures and learn languages and have a truly international education in my beloved Belgium which will always be home.
Simon Harper, now and then.
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I also remember that real sense of a unique community, with pupils, parents and teachers coming together so often for so many extracurricular activities and events, the focus in my case being on theatre in the ‘auditorium’ (as we called the Brel Theatre in those days). I remember the celebrations and the performance we put on when King Baudouin opened it in in 1981, just as I remember the show we put on in the gym (pre-auditorium) for the 10th anniversary in 1980!!! I cannot believe that was 40 years ago and that we are now celebrating our 50th. In retrospect I really see what extraordinary facilities the school had and still has; the opportunity to not only act in, but also write, produce and direct plays in that amazing theatre with incredible equipment, lighting, stage management and costume, operated by those devoted parents and teachers giving up their time and extraordinary talents in our wonderful creative community – there is no doubt in my mind that this set me up to ultimately be able to do what I do today. The nice thing is, when I visit Brussels to see my old teachers, I still feel part of that community, the years falling away as we catch up – and I so treasure that.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Memories: Those were halcyon days at BSB, both for the people I knew there and for our lifestyle as Europeans, a concept that currently feels distant and unreachable. I still have vivid memories about classes and teachers (we were Brenda Despontin’s first pupils after she left teacher training); break time table-tennis; productions with Ken Woollard (pre-theatre, held in the refectory with giant grey Lego blocks as a stage) plus football and especially athletics with Jim Graham. Now: Reaching my ‘big birthday’ recently (at the age of 10 in 1970, I remember being told I was the 13th pupil to join BSB) I’ve slowed my pressured photography work to the point where I no longer tear around the world pursuing stories for magazines and projects for companies, but now photograph more national and local issues in London - adding to my 30-year image archive. My 60+ London travel pass has been very liberating, allowing me to explore parts of the capital I’ve never photographed. The attached picture is from the large People’s Vote Brexit March in London in 2019.
Richard Baker, now and then. Photographs courtesy of Peter Dench.
Tapestry • 29
2001-2010
Another milestone in our history
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TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
(Deputy) Principal Sue Holt-Nahrgang 2002 - 2003
Principal Roland Chant 2003 - 2008
Principal Brenda Despontin 2008 - 2011
2001 - Tintin Building renovated (#2) 2004 - Mercator Building opened (#5b) Numbers on Roll (NOR) 2001 - 1,095 students 2007 - 1,237 2008 - 1,270 2009 - 1,211 2010 - 1,141 NOR taken from Autumn Term statistics and exclude ECC
Tapestry • 31
What a drama! The completion of the BSB Auditorium [now Brel Theatre] in 1981 was the fulfilment of a dream. For me, taking responsibility for the Auditorium was a challenge and a wonderful opportunity. For over twenty-one of my thirty years at the school, it housed all school drama and music performances and annual art exhibitions. Further, it attracted cultural events from the community and internationally. The school also hosted festivals from the International Schools’ Theatre Association (ISTA). Of drama productions I cannot possibly name the countless appearances on stage. In brief, and to choose just three: THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (1985) for its emotional impact, MY FAIR LADY (1990) because of the beautiful set of accurate period costumes and LES MISERABLES (2002) for an absolutely exceptional student cast, a parent team who built the set, made the costumes, and students, with adult guidance, worked on hair and make-up, and the lighting. Similarly, Beryl Barlow, Head of Drama, mounted several productions, including a very ingenious BUGSY MALONE (1998). In all of fourteen musicals, we worked with a fantastic music department under David Iliff and Tim Willetts. At the end of each year each of the Year Eights classes presented a complete production, sometimes a musical, sometimes a straight play, once, incredibly, HAMLET! All students appeared on stage and, if they chose, worked with Dan Mitran, theatre technician, on the lighting and together 32 Learning inspiring success
sound. The principle that no-one should leave the Eights without the confidence to speak or sing to an audience of 240 was absolute. From the early Nineties much of the above, and much more was recorded in a termly newspaper, TRIMESTER, and a yearly magazine, BRITISH SCHOOL, which had a colour section to reproduce the Art Department’s best work. Copies that I still have remind me, and perhaps all staff and students who contributed to the culture and ethos of the school, of all our yesterdays. Ken Woollard was at BSB from 1975 to 2004
In addition to those mentioned above, below are just some of the music productions performed at BSB during Ken’s time. There were many more non-musical productions also, such as Romeo and Juliet, Great Expectations, The Crucible, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Jane Eyre and many more! • Oliver! 1984 • Aladdin 1985 • The Diary of Anne Frank 1985 • Oklahoma 1986 • Kiss Me Kate 1988 • My Fair Lady 1990 • West Side Story 1992 • Fiddler on the Roof 1994 • Godspell c.1996 • Bugsy Malone 1998 • West Side Story 2000 • Annie c.2001 • Les Misérables 2002 • Grease 2003 • Barnum c.2004
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
A Tender Heart Jane Whitehouse remembers a particular performance “The key event that stands out for me, since I have been at BSB, is ‘A Tender Heart’, the 2014 play based on Edith Cavell’s life story. The Principal at the time had asked me to create something especially for BSB for the Commemoration of the start of WW1. I wrote it with an emphasis on tri-lingual moments in the script and a non-partisan retelling of events to embrace our global community. It was also significant in that it formed part of the Gemeente’s wider commemorative events, as both Christi-Ann, Head of Music, and myself had met with their representative from the outset. The evenings’ performances offered an immersive experience for the audience with the cross-curricular striking ‘history and personal stories’ display and songs from WW1. Representatives of the Belgian Edith Cavell Commemoration Group attended, as did Jacques Solvay’s grandmother whose own childhood nannies knew Cavell. A year later in 2015, BSB named one of its buildings used exclusively for parents Cavell House.
Tapestry • 33
Making music Christi-Ann Nancarrow shares some highlights of music at BSB There is so much to say about Music at BSB, it is impossible to recount everything! Some highlights I think worth mentioning include the senior choir and our flute ensemble ‘Flautissimo’ performing for the Edith Cavell memorial event in the Senate in 2014, which was attended by Belgian Royalty as well as Princess Anne. This was quite an honour and Princess Anne came and spoke to the students at the end of the performance. In school we have our annual Music Festival and Summer Concerts, bi-annual Christmas Concert in the Church and bi-annual school musical productions. These are just some of the amazing musicals performed at BSB: • Oh What a Lovely War - 2006 • Guys and Dolls - 2009 • My Fair Lady - 2011 • Jesus Christ Superstar - 2013 • Chicago - 2015 • Little Shop of Horrors - 2017 • Hairspray 2019 together 34 Learning inspiring success
Other highlights outside school include several visits to the Ambassador’s Residence, singing to Veterans at Remembrance Day events, and taking music concerts to Ganspoel (the home for the visually impaired) and the Carina Residence (a home for people with Alzheimers) with the CAS Music Group. Other successful events include jazz nights and rock shows over the last ten years, where students form their own ensembles and perform music of their choice. We have also celebrated success with an enormous number of ABRSM and Rock School performance examinations over the years (we are an examination centre for both of these prestigious examination boards). It’s hard to mention everything; music is just so important to BSB.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Tapestry • 35
Et si on parlait français à la BSB? Looking back on our French/English Bilingual introduction almost ten years on… In 2009/2010 the school made the decision to launch a bilingual programme and in 2011, BSB introduced its French/English bilingual programme. The then Head of Primary School was interviewed for Tapestry. This article is based upon her original text. The learning of modern languages has been a highly valued part of the curriculum at BSB since the establishment of the school. In most international schools, the learning of the host language is what helps to define its internationalmindedness and its acknowledgement of and respect for the local community. French was the most obvious modern language to introduce as BSB began as a school for British expatriates who would be returning to the UK, where French was the main (if not only) foreign language taught in schools. As French was one of the languages of our host country it was easy to resource materials locally and together 36 Learning inspiring success
opportunities for the children to practise the language in context were plentiful. Dutch (as the language of the local commune and one of the host country languages) was later introduced to BSB for children in Year 7 who were beginners to the language. As the language of the local commune and one of the host country languages. Today the two main languages of Belgium have become increasingly important as a medium of instruction in further and higher education. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Bilingual Diploma in Dutch and French soon became available. This proved to be a great advantage to those students who wished to remain in Europe to pursue their studies. From September 2011 Dutch became a compulsory subject from Year 3 onwards.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
BSB opened three French/English bilingual classes in the Primary School in September 2011 – in Reception, Year 1 and Year 3. These were staffed by BSB teachers who had been working in the school for some time. Each class had a French mother tongue teacher and an English mother tongue teacher who shared the week equally between them, enabling the children to be taught all subjects of the curriculum in both languages. In September 2012, a bilingual tutor group was established in Year 7 so that children entering the Secondary School could access this option, consisting of +/- 30% of the timetable being offered in French. Today our bilingual offering is available up to Year 9. We continue to expand our offerings in French such as the production of a play in French, visits to museums, various excursions and our very own enrichment activities in French.
Many of our families are multilingual and really understand the importance of having access to more than one language. We continue to be determined that all students leaving BSB will be able to access more than one language successfully. BSB is providing a world of language learning opportunities for all ages and abilities of learners. Today, we have over 180 students in the bilingual stream and 10 bilingual classes in all year groups from Reception to Year 9. Our bilingual programme is popular with many different nationalities and not just French or Canadian. As Marie-Sophie, Teacher of French and Bilingual Coordinator points out, “Bilingual classes are as diverse as other classes. For example, in one bilingual class of 20 students, there are 16 different nationalities.”
Tapestry • 37
40 Anniversary th
Birthday parties are usually great fun! This one was no exception and lasted an entire year… The school began celebrations of its 40th Anniversary with a Memorabilia Exhibition “Life Begins at 40”, welcoming close to 150 guests to an evening reception in January. Dr Brenda Despontin, the School’s Principal at the time, officially opened the event and HE Dr Rachel Aron, the then British Ambassador to Belgium, congratulated BSB on its remarkable achievements over the past four decades. Representatives from supporting companies, embassies, NATO, local community businesses, school staff and parents joined in the evening’s celebrations. Mr Peter Pantlin, son of the late founder, Sir Dick Pantlin CBE, reminisced about the distant days of the late 1960s when he helped his father by sticking stamps on the envelopes of the all-important questionnaire, asking: “Is a British School of relevance and importance in Brussels?” together 38 Learning inspiring success
Hilary Vervaeck, longstanding teacher and friend of the school for over 30 years and one of the first teachers appointed in 1970, spoke of her experiences as a novice teacher and recalled her visits to the BSB building site in 1970. Hilary recalled “...driving a few metres down the muddy entrance, getting stuck and having to push the car back on to the road, parking, and then walking in gingerly to be confronted by the most enormous hole in the ground with diggers and bulldozers weaving their way around it like matchbox toys!” The Memorabilia Exhibition ‘Life Begins at 40’, displayed vividly the school’s history since the inaugural meeting in December 1969, and the official opening in 1970 by the HRH Duke of Edinburgh, with photographs of previous BSB Principals teachers and students, BSB sports kit, publications and video footage of school drama performances
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
through the years - not forgetting the amazing timeline put together over months of research covering by decade BSB key events over the forty years compared to local and global events. In March 2010 the School organised an Open Day. Over 650 visitors including the Mayor of Tervuren, were able to tour the school. Perhaps one of the highlights of the year was an Alumni Reunion and FoBSB Ball organised in a wonderfully decorated marquee on the school grounds. Over 250 alumni and guests from 16 countries joined us. In October 2010, HE Mr J. Brenton, then British Ambassador to Belgium welcomed over 150 representatives from multinational corporations, embassies and government institutions to a cocktail reception held at the British Ambassador’s official residence.
Finally in December 2010 the school staff enjoyed an entertaining evening at the Museum of Central Africa. Reflecting back on the year a tremendous amount of teamwork took place. “I will always remember a conversation with Brenda where we privately wondered if we hadn’t taken on too much in our eagerness both being new to the School.” said Kim Burgess, Marketing & Communications Director. Brenda reflected, “you know there was a moment at the beginning of our planning that we could easily have said no to some of the ideas, I’m so glad we embraced the ambitious agenda, at times very challenging, but always such fun with fabulous memories I hold very dear.” Here’s to looking forward to 2020 and the 50th Anniversary with optimism and anticipation! The original version of this article appeared in Tapestry 2011.
Tapestry • 39
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together 40 Learning inspiring success
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together 42 Learning inspiring success
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Principal Sue Woodroofe 2011 - 2016
Principal Melanie Warnes 2016 - current
2015 - Cavell House officially opened by British Ambassador Alison Rose 2016 - Jacques Rogge Sports Centre officially opened by Mr Jacques Rogge 2018 - Brel Theatre refurbishment Numbers on Roll (NOR) 2011 - 1,158 students 2012 - 1,189 2016 - 1,313 2019 - 1,352 Percentage of British students 2012 - 41% 2016 - 36% 2019 - 30% All NOR taken from Autumn Term statistics excludes ECC
Tapestry • 43
Special Olympics Belgium: a unique partnership of 29 years In 2015 Tapestry interviewed Eddy Beckers, National Games Director of Special Olympics Belgium (SOB). This is an edited and updated version of that interview. Talking to Eddy Beckers you are immediately struck by his passion and ambition for his athletes, their families and some 3,500 volunteers. “SOB exists because of our volunteers,” he recounts, “They really bring SOB to life.” Reflecting further he adds, “This is exactly what I also discover at BSB when the students organise that great yearly inclusive and unified Swim Gala.”
and their parents from international schools. When they all get together to support an event, something very special happens. They are unified, they integrate, they believe in the same values as we do; that of fair play and respect. I’m very touched by that.”
29 years of collaboration
BSB signed a charter with the SOB to promote these shared values. “A highlight for me was watching the BSB and SOB gymnasts perform together and participating in the BSB Charity Ball. To see the engagement of the whole school was very precious.”
Over these 29 years it has become clear that both organisations have similar values – social integration, awareness and respect. “BSB students are actively involved in SOB and gain awareness of people in society. Everyone has a strength and it’s important for young people to learn this; our athletes are not so different despite their disability.” Eddy says. “Playing ‘Unified Sports’ (people with and without intellectual disability (ID) playing sports together), we can learn from each other and grow as humans who believe and care for each other.” “We are all different and we all have different strengths and abilities.” he says, “The mix of our volunteers is diverse, including sport coaches, CEOs, the families of the athletes, students
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Everyone engaged, everyone a winner
In 2014, BSB sponsored 21 athletes in the European Games. The Belgian delegation won 90 Gold medals, 88 Silver and 102 bronze. But, Eddy is quick to add, “everyone is a winner as our rules differ to other sports where athletes don’t have a disadvantage.” In the Special Olympics’ rules there are different levels of participating (and winning) based on age, gender, and the level of skill acquired, so that it’s equal and fair. “It’s not about winning, it’s about bringing people together, disadvantaged or not, and friendship.”
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
“We have to bring the Special Olympics to the people, not the other way around.” Through different media campaigns we have reached out to regular sports clubs, organisations and companies to open their doors for people with ID. As a result, during the last years, the number of Special Olympics athletes has increased significantly. The objective to reach 20,000 athletes in 2020 is becoming real thanks to the ‘Play Unified’ Campaign. From 2017 the BSB and Special Olympics bond became stronger with the Play Unified partnership. BSB made a curriculum commitment and for three years now, BSB CAS students organise a Play Unified Swim Gala. This is a very special feature of the school.
Starting from 2020 Special Olympics will run the campaign ‘Open the Society’. Special Olympics wants to be an agent of change so that people with ID and their families will have better lives. Play Unified, the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes programme and education through schools will be important foci. We are so proud that BSB is a long-term partner sharing these important values with us.
Tapestry • 45
The generation game In June 2019, BSB welcomed back alumna Larissa Wiegele and her sons, Ben and Sebastian, for the first time since they departed Belgium, Singapore-bound, in 2011. While their new home may be 10,000km and a fifteen-hour flight away, the Wiegele family will always remain deeply rooted here at Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1; they are one of BSB’s multi-generational alumni families, with three generations and over 30 years of history embedded in our community. Larissa’s parents taught at BSB from 19772007. Larissa herself attended from 19771989, as did her brothers Nick and Alastair. As a girl performing onstage in the Brel Theatre, she could not have imagined that she would return to BSB three decades later to enrol her own young children, Ben, Sebastian and their sister, Nathalie.
Excited exclamations of “I remember this!” floated across Tintin and Rubens as early memories resurfaced throughout their tour. Ben vaguely recalled the image of a somehow-important red line, later confirmed to be the painted border that marks the boundaries of the Primary playground! Sebastian, who was only six years old when the Wiegele family left BSB, could still sense that certain spaces were familiar, his memory activated by the smells of building hallways and classroom craft supplies. A stroll along the timeline of archival images surrounding BSB’s Swoosh Lounge allowed Larissa to fill in the gaps of their family’s history at BSB as she reminisced about the major figures and milestones that influenced her own student career.
Much has changed at BSB over the last eight years and although glad to experience the campus additions first-hand, the Wiegele family were delighted to see that the Primary School areas, where Ben, Sebastian and Nathalie had spent most of their days, remained largely recognisable.
Reflecting on her overall remembrance of BSB, Larissa fondly described the school as “nurturing; a safe, supportive environment in which each generation of her family could learn and grow.”
together 46 Learning inspiring success
All alumni are welcome back. Just email alumni@britishschool.be to schedule a trip down memory lane!
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Integrating families and friends I see the role of FoBSB (Families of BSB) in several facets, says Maurits Wesseling, Chair of FoBSB, with the ultimate aim of continuing to give BSB families the very best experience during their time at BSB. This of course happens hand in hand with the school. We provide support to parents as a community of parents and volunteers, helping make families feel at home through the organisation of a broad range of activities. These activities range from providing a ‘home from
home’ with our Cavell House and café where we come together to organise language classes (currently we have 11 language conversation groups: 1 Japanese class, 4 French, 3 English, 2 Spanish and 1 Italian), cooking lessons, book clubs, guiding tours, walking clubs, babysitting lists and much more! And we notoriously have the best coffee on campus! We also have several larger events throughout the year for the entire family including a Families Day, a Christmas Market, a Charity Quiz Night, a Charity Summer Ball and an end-of-year Picnic
on the Pitch. We partner closely with the school on supporting families on matters linked to child development. Having dialogue with other parents has proved enormously helpful. It provides that extra level of reassurance, especially given the international population. Our highlights and achievements are lengthy. Today we showcase our overall success over the decades: our incredibly inclusive and diverse group of parent volunteers active in many areas and especially Cavell House. There is probably no other school in the world that offers such a versatile facility on campus to their parent association. In addition, each year we donate around €20-30,000 to a broad range of charitable organisations and we are very proud of our 29-year partnership with the Special Olympics Belgium. Finally, we are very proud of our close partnership with the school. We continue to strive to extend our support. For example, we want to reach out more to dual-career couples/working parents, as well as more cultures from across the globe, as the mix of nationalities at BSB continues to evolve. We all individually have our unique skills, access to resources and can help; and often that what we can offer makes a big, positive difference for others. So, we are making a difference across a broad front, building on the legacy of our former FoBSB Committee members and volunteers over our 50year history. We look forward to welcoming you! Tapestry • 47
Amnesty highlights It is Wednesday afternoon in a Nevejean classroom and the Amnesty CAS group has just started its weekly meeting. “There’s the demonstrations in Hong Kong to cover, the Forgotten War in Yemen to update, the flight from Bolivia to Mexico of Ivo Morales and the release of President Lula in Brazil and we have not talked up the situation in Syria for weeks.” Someone suggests: “Maybe we should just cancel the round-up of human rights issues this week and focus on the current campaigns looking forward to working with refugees at Christmas, the Amnesty Write for Rights campaign and raising money by the sale of ribbons for World Aids Day on 1st December to help the children, as in the past seven years, in the orphanage in Mohau in Pretoria in South Africa.” Phew! Amnesty International has always had a fulfilling role in the lives of students and staff alike for the last thirty years in BSB. Its activities during the year enable our students to connect with our guidelines of ‘respect for the wider community’ through the sheer variety of campaigns during the year. The calendar can be unchanging: International Women’s Day in March; Anti-Discrimination concert in late March; attendance at the annual UK Amnesty AGM in April; Anti-Homophobia Day in May; World Refugee Day in June. The events and the campaigns have a seasonal flow and a deep influence in the life and culture of the Secondary School but it is what our students think of Amnesty which is so important.
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Why do they choose Amnesty? For many of our students there is the recognition that we live in a complicated world. BSB students realise that we are all globally connected: young people protesting in Hong Kong; the students here in Belgium marching on Fridays for a Future against the climate crisis; the distressing scenes from Syria which have been playing out for the last eight years. Students have been inspired by the courage of Greta Thunberg and see that they too can be a force for change in the world. But time and time again they realise they are connected and wish to fight on behalf of those who do not have their rights. Amnesty in the past thirty years has too many people to thank but just a few to mention: Janet Akers, who helped to set up the Amnesty tuck shop that has raised over €100,000 for disaster zones and good causes throughout the world; to those many, many students who have been stalwart performers in our annual concerts; to the late Sir Natan Ramet, who visited us to tell of his experiences of Auschwitz and show his prison number branded into his wrist; to Abdulrahman and many other refugees who have shared their traumas and their lives with many BSB audiences; and, finally, to those who felt compelled to write a letter to a prisoner of conscience at Christmas, we salute you.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Zachary
Young poets
Jessica
In recent years at BSB we have enjoyed extraordinary success in the annual COBIS (Council of British International Schools) Poetry Competition This prestigious competition is open to students from any COBIS school and each year sees hundreds of entries from all over the world. Under the guidance and mentorship of English teacher, polymath and poet in residence, Alison Clarke, our students have really distinguished themselves. In 2017, when the theme was My Country: How I See It, we had two winners: Zachary in the 11-14 age group category, and Jessica in the 15-19 senior section. Last year, Francesco Muci’s poem in response to the theme The Last Page, once again won the 15-19 category for BSB. Such a sustained level of success in this competition is unprecedented for any school and highlights the talent, imagination and flair of so many of our students. This year’s theme is Today’s Actions Shape Tomorrow’s World. As usual, the English Department have launched a preliminary internal competition to help us select the top six poems to be our 2020 COBIS entries. The student response, as ever, has been inspired and inspiring. Fingers crossed for more poetic successes in 2020! Tapestry • 49
Jacques Rogge Sports Centre official opening In 2013 the plans for the current development including the visionary Sports Centre were approved by the BSB Board and all the authorities involved. The end result ensured that the different materials used connected with the outside: the wooden roof beams over the swimming pool for example, continue into the wall with the same thickness, which is very unusual. This provides a certain rhythm and movement to the room giving speed and energy that we hope helps to inspire the students. Most sports centres of this kind use cement and need columns, breaking up that rhythm. Explained Jos in an earlier interview in Tapestry in 2016. Called Project 3-2-1 denoting 3 key ‘elements’ of the building (sports hall, gym and swimming pool) 2 years to build, and our new address (despite the fact that we did not physically move!) being N°1. Paperwork signed, documents and planning agreed, new logo, lots of hard work and excitement and fun – 2016 the long-awaited Jacques Rogge Sports Centre (JRSC) was officially opened by Mr Jacques Rogge himself in September – on time and on budget! Along the way there was a ‘laying of the first stone’ event, a ‘topping together 50 Learning inspiring success
out ceremony’, a ‘handling over of the keys’ ceremony and a ‘burying of the time capsule’. Achieving the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) award at the ‘excellent’ level required consideration and commitment of reusable and sustainable materials to be a priority throughout the entire project – and that meant even if the building might be demolished well into the future!
Hundreds of guests attended the official opening and some familiar faces from the years of working together reconnected.
Sports journey since the opening We spoke to Tristian Cook, Head of Sport and Enrichment Faculty, about how sport has evolved in the BSB setting since JRSC officially opened its doors. “Much has changed”, Tristian says, “We have implanted a strong Sport Strategy that was geared for 2020. This involved our three tier sport model of academy, competitive and recreational. We have appointed full time heads of academy sport whilst establishing prestigious partnerships with West Ham United and Swim Swift Elite.” “We have the largest sports programme of any European International School, with over 140 sports clubs a week. We have a faculty team of 45, with national level coaches in gymnastics, swimming, football, basketball and rugby. Of 1350 students 1080 are involved in the programme and we are the only British International School to be part of ISST (International School Sports Tournaments) and SCIS (Sports Council of International Schools). We will also be hosting the COBIS Secondary Games (Council of British International Schools) in March 2020”.
“We now provide specialist PE in the Primary School and created a Physical Literacy post so we can keep abreast of evolving practice. In addition we have introduced initial Teacher training in PE.” “I am so proud of the team and where we are now but still have goals and ambitions and I am excited to see where the journey takes us.” We reminded Tristian of his 2016 goal – are we a beacon for sport? “‘I will always be honest in my judgements– absolutely YES!” Students agree with Tristian, one added “I moved here in 2019 and have been blown away by the sport provision. It is so professionally run and the coaches have been outstanding. Student’s are encouraged to support each other and the opportunities we receive for trips is great’
Tapestry • 51
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TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
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Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Nullam quis risus eget. www.britishschool.be
Tapestry • 53
Le Procès du Loup Sébastien Delahaye Gamucci, Bilingual teacher writes for Tapestry In 2019, for the very first time at BSB, bilingual classes 6BL and 5BL produced a French play, ‘Le Procès du Loup’. The Big Bad Wolf has been sent to court for the murder of Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandmother. The ‘Wolf Trial’ ... what an idea! There are, however, a judge, lawyers, victims, witnesses ... a trial worthy of the name. A lawsuit where humans have to judge the most famous villain ... Guilty? Not guilty? .... The verdict may be very different from the one we expected! Thanks to the testimony of the three little pigs, Pierre and his friends… and the unicorn, all ends well except for the teachers who are sacked from BSB… A great result and a wonderful success for this premiere! Well done to all of our budding actors!
Pour la toute première fois à la BSB, les classes bilingues 6BL et 5BL ont produit une pièce en français, “Le Procès du Loup”. Le grand méchant loup a été condamné du meurtre du Petit Chaperon Rouge et de sa grand-mère. Le ‘Procès du Loup’ ... quelle idée! Il y a cependant un juge, des avocats, des victimes, des témoins… un procès digne de ce nom. Un procès où les humains doivent juger le méchant le plus célèbre ... Coupable? Non coupable? .... Le verdict peut être très différent de celui auquel s’on attends! Grâce au témoignage des trois petits cochons, Pierre et ses amis ... et de la licorne, tout se termine bien sauf pour les enseignants renvoyés de BSB ... Une belle réussite et un beau succès pour cette première! Bravo à tous nos acteurs en herbe!
together 54 Learning inspiring success
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Tapestry • 55
2020
together 56 Learning inspiring success
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Principal Melanie Warnes Current 2020 - Planned renewal of outdoor sports pitches 2020 - Creation of Wild Play Area Numbers on Roll (NOR) 2020 - January - 1,392 (including ECC) Percentage of British students 2020 - 30%
Tapestry • 57
BSB is 50 years old On the first day back at school there was a Whole School Assembly with a giant birthday cake and a special BSB song! The song is an adaptation of a traditional Australian song ‘We are Australian’ so the chorus and the melody were already prepared, but the verses were all written by Upper Primary children. They called the song ‘We are One’ and it’s very catchy indeed!
Chorus: We are one, But we are many, And from all the lands on earth we come. We share a dream, And sing with one voice, I am, you are BSB as one, I am, you are BSB as one. Verse We’re Curious and confident, resilient every day, We care for one another and respect each other’s ways, Courageously we take our path With all our hearts and minds, At BSB we’re happy and we’re very proud to say. Verse From all the world’s wide continents, we try our best to learn, Our school is full of hopes and dreams we share and take our turn, Some travel from so far away and some from just next door, We stand together all as one so who could ask for more. Verse We’re celebrating 50 years, and we’re still moving on, Our predecessors all look in to see what’s going on, Our learning and our friendships they will last for ever more, At BSB we’re stronger than we’ve ever been before.
together 58 Learning inspiring success
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
BSB turned 50 in 2020. The build-up started long before that. The 50th Anniversary Committee starting planning a year earlier. Celebrations started in the last part of 2019. We posted on social media old black and white photographs from the 1970’s, and snippets of news from eras gone by, like the changes in logos or buildings being completed. The response to our birthday received from alumni around the world was rather inspiring… “Happy birthday BSB, a fantastic school 71-75 Happy Birthday fantastic School!” “Happy birthday BSB. Very happy memories of my time there 1974-1978” “Happy Birthday BSB my two children attended between 2013-2017! Lovely school with very dedicated staff! “ “Happy Birthday BSB Of all the schools I attended during my childhood you gave me the best memories and I thank you.” “How lucky I was to go a school like BSB. Congratulations to all who made BSB what it is was and is. And thank you.” “Happy Birthday...great memories of a great school when I was there in the early 70s!” “Happy birthday BSB! My children loved going to school there and I enjoyed working there. Have fun celebrating”
Tapestry is sent to press in February so celebratory photos of our 50th birthday will be posted online throughout the year, including an event in February at the Museum of Central Africa to thank all our wonderful staff who make BSB so successful, a Memorabilia Exhibition including a classroom of the 1970’s in March open to everyone, a 1970’s dress-up day, a themed COBIS games for our students, and a music festival. In June there are more parties and something for everyone – the FoBSB Summer Ball in May, the Alumni Reunion in June and of course a very special Music Concert and Awards evening. Later in the year we will hold a 50th celebratory event at the Ambassador’s Residence and and a very special ‘Book Week extraordinaire’, centered around epic journeys!
“Happy Birthday! Wonderful school! I was so happy there xx”
Tapestry • 59
Presidents The role of Student President has been longstanding at BSB. This prestigious position has evolved over the years but essentially encompasses ambassadorial, leadership and change-making responsibilities. Traditionally there were two Student Presidents selected from Year 12/13 but in 2017 we increased this to three both in recognition of the quality of candidates but also to emphasise that this is essentially a team role requiring the ability to lead and collaborate in equal measure. We also introduced the role of Primary School Presidents and we annually select three students from Year 6 for this role. The Primary Presidents work with their secondary counterparts but also have duties and responsibilities in their own right.
We asked our current Presidents for some reflections on their experiences of the role. Here’s what our secondary presidents, Aaryan Mehta, Anusha Ahuja, Lucas Maley said
Applying to be a Student President at BSB is not for the faint hearted; it requires courage and determination and plenty of resilience. Students have to write a letter of application, address their peers in special assemblies and be interviewed by staff and students, including the Principal and Vice-Principals. If successful they have to balance their studies and hobbies with a range of duties and projects. Our presidents are super!
From working alongside the Primary Presidents to regularly chairing the student council, we’ve been able to impact the school on all fronts. We led the development of projects already in the works, most notably with the new house point system. For us, the most important part of being presidents was bringing our own individuality to the position including terrible
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Why Become a President? Having a collective 20 years of experience at BSB, we felt a natural instinct to give back to the community which had given us so much academically, socially and emotionally. It was an incredible opportunity to develop our leadership qualities and public speaking skills, while taking part in an experience that we truly enjoy, helping the community.
Our Impact on BSB
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
attempts at humour! Despite being three completely different personalities each of us with our own unique BSB experience, we were able to collaborate effectively to contribute to the BSB community
The Presidential Experience Our presidency was a truly enriching experience. By acting as the bridge between the student body and the leadership team, we were directly involved in the development of the school whilst representing the greater student body. Here’s what our Primary Presidents, Francesca Bird, Nina Kearton, Emily Braggs said:
Why Become a President? We believe that students need to have a voice within their school and who better to help form these decisions than the students whose education it affects. We love representing our primary school and especially writing and reading speeches for a wide range of
audiences. We want to have a chance to make a difference to BSB!
Our Impact on BSB As part of the student council, we have a say in decisions to improve BSB and we get to share our ideas and those of the other students to continue to make our school a happy and fun place to learn. We enjoy welcoming the new families when they join and giving them an insight into our wonderful school life here at BSB.
The Presidential Experience It has been a pleasure representing our school at the memorial service in Brussels and when speaking to the Board of Governors. Being a President is very interesting, as you get to work with many different people, including the Student Council and Secondary Presidents. We feel very proud and lucky to have been given this opportunity and are really enjoying every minute of it. Thank you for this opportunity!
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At BSB we’re all learners! Connecting, collaborating, creating... The school’s Professional Learning Community (PLC) is now into its third year and so far we have demonstrated that our invitational model for professional learning is firmly rooted in trust. This creates powerful professional capacity, with intrinsically motivated high-expectations for one’s own learning, that of others and the organisation as a whole. Our journey as a PLC has been well documented and includes: • the involvement of all staff in agreeing together on our Guiding Statements; • developing a school culture that supports the growth of all members of the school community (students, staff and parents); • building relationships beyond the walls of BSB, in order to support and advise staff as they develop their thinking and practice about professional learning; • developing ways of working underpinned by the following principles: collaboration; careful listening and meaningful questioning; critical feedback and professional learning sustained over time. We have recognised that “Within BSB we have the knowledge, skills and understanding to create the best solutions; practice that should transform the work of others and
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which we must therefore share; the optimism, positivity and trust to participate, co-operate and collaborate, the curiosity to ask questions and be open to hearing new answers.” said one of our Professional Learning Partners. We know that professional learning comes in many different forms – from whole school, staff led, collaborative learning days; obligatory tool-kit and compliance training; teams working together on joint projects; attending external conferences, through to individuals pursuing self-study. Regardless of what the learning focus may be, our broader values and ideas remain the same.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Students make keynote address about learning to Symposium delegates What is key is the involvement of students in the learning of staff. Students are involved and present sessions at our Professional Learning Days, and here are just a few examples of studentled initiatives as part of our Professional Learning days:
“Empower”
Lea’s session looked at the potential of Mutuality in Education. “How do we motivate? How do we build the courage and ambition to turn possibilities into opportunities into lifechanging experiences?
‘Economics of Mutuality’ is a model used to redefine corporate profits to include far more than financial indicators by enabling all stakeholders to cooperate and contribute to shared success. Lea explained how this model can be applied to foster value at all levels of the BSB learning community and empower our learners to redefine success”.
“OneNote”
Alan led a session to highlight the benefits to teachers of using One Note. “You will be taught how you can collaborate and share work with your students, as well as how to mark work in the programme. The overall aim is that you leave the session feeling confident enough to set up and start using this programme”.
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Three decades of Book Week BSB will be fifty years old in 2020 and, likewise, BSB’s Book Week will be celebrating thirty years in its regular third week of October slot. Arguably one of the biggest school book weeks anywhere in the world, it takes two years to prepare this biennial celebration of books and reading. In Secondary School, we have welcomed no less than four Children’s Laureates in Michael Rosen, Anne Fine, Michael Morpurgo, and Chris Riddell. Top UK poets including Benjamin Zephaniah, Lemn Sissay, Ian McMillan, Harry Baker, and John Hegley have all captivated students and parents alike in lesson time and performance evenings. Throw in international authors, such as Anne Provost, Chika Unigwe, and Alex Wheatle, then we have clearly had through three decades a ‘bookfest’ and not just a book week! The list of great adult and children’s author is endless and we have not even mentioned the likes of Marcus Sedgwick, Anthony Horowitz, Patrick Gale. Geraldine McCraughean, Alan Gibbons, and Chris Bradford. together 64 Learning inspiring success
In Primary School, it has always been about the experience as much as who the author is. Our children have been inspired to write, to illustrate and to perform over the years. To have Alex Brychta, the original illustrator of all the Oxford Reading Tree books (amongst his many other accomplishments) bring our own staff to the page on large posters; Liz Million teaching the children the wonders of using pencil lines to create illustrations; and Adam Bushnell working alongside them in writing stories with that ‘wow’ factor: we have been exceptionally privileged. Tony Ross, Neil Griffiths, Kaye Umansky, Ian Bland and Mairi Hedderwick are just a few of the many extraordinary and talented visitors we have had. Highlights have been the launch assemblies, with children and teachers alike dressed up on a variety of themes, the bookshops set up on campus for the week, the evenings held in Brel theatre where we have gained insight in to the lives and the work of our guests and of course the smiles, laughter and inspiration.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
Most memorable performer? A lways Adisa, the Pied Piper of Book Week, with Year 12 and 13 on period 4 on a Wednesday and, of course, those legendary sessions before school in which he declaimed his verse from on high in the cherry picker; most memorable performance, the late and the great Adrian Mitchell in 1994 who bared his soul with forthright tenderness. Who to thank? Many, many colleagues and students but, particularly those students who have performed in the Poetry Slam in the last two decades – thank you from all your audiences! Most of all, our book week secretaries, Sue, Kate, Amanda and Michelle, who have organised us over three decades to celebrate the joys of reading in the BSB community. But
above all, the vision of the founding principal of BSB, Alan Humphries, who set reading at the heart of the school and the pioneering work of the indefatigable Hilary Vervaeck in those early days of the hub of book week, on our much-cherished committee. In our golden year, our 50th anniversary, as you would expect, we have an extra special Book Week planned in October 2020. Echoing the history of the school, we have taken the theme of ‘Epic Journeys’. We have authors and illustrators that will share stories of adventure, travel, exploration and overcoming adversity. It promises to be a wonderful voyage through the week!
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Students as a force for good Neil Ringrose and John Knight reflect on the difference BSB students make As we look back over 50 years, the values on which the school was founded are as important today as they ever were. We have kept key elements from the school’s beginning, such as the use of first names for all and not having a school uniform. However, where we really see the heart of BSB is in the less tangible aspects of relationships built on respect and care for each other, as well as the manifestation of these values in our Guiding Statements. All members of our community know that we are all confident, caring, courageous, curious, resilient and respectful to all. In both the Primary and Secondary Schools this can be seen in the welcome that is given to new students and families. This year we had a record number of new students and families join in September and immediately they were made to feel a part of the amazing community that is BSB. In the Secondary School we quickly saw students involved in sports clubs, the orchestra, the school production of Hairspray as well as being welcomed into the day to day life of the school by buddies. In Primary School all children were welcomed, made friends quickly and knew for certain, through the actions and words of others, that they are cared for. Care of others permeates the school and it is fostered by the thousands of interactions that happen on a daily between adults and children and children to children. We also make it an explicit priority through, for example in the primary school, the random acts of kindness initiative, the force for good club and peer mentors, to name but a few. In the Secondary School there are numerous charity fund raisers, a buddy system
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and the very active Amnesty group. The CAS (creativity, Action and Service) curriculum for Years 12 and 13 engenders some very powerful and moving examples of care and ethical engagement with the world around us. Examples range from supporting refugees, working in residential care facilities through to organising the annual Play Unified swim gala in partnership with Special Olympics, Belgium.
Our students are remarkable and we encourage the development of leadership at all levels. For many students stepping up to lead requires courage and so it is wonderful to see students’ growth in confidence and their development of really important skills in life through such activities. Leadership happens every day by the way students interact with one another as role
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
models and helping one another. For example, anyone who has had the pleasure of experiencing a Primary Year Group production cannot fail to be struck by how the students support and lead one another – no one student takes center stage but they encourage others and always step in to lend a helping nudge if a peer stumbles. That takes a lot of courage.
Alongside the implicit leadership there are formal positions of leadership that students can apply for. Students put themselves forward, for example, for the roles of Digital Ambassadors, School Council representatives, Subject Captains, House Captains and of course Student Presidents. Not only is there a rigorous selection process but students then work really hard to carry out their role in order to make a positive difference to BSB – and they do! For example, They lead whole school assemblies, act as ambassadors, prepare presentations for Governors on issues that matter to students and make an input into the curriculum. As if this wasn’t enough students also mobilise other students and staff to make a difference to the world within and beyond BSB. Such activity is often related to social justice and human rights issues – we are proud to have a
longstanding Amnesty group and a commitment to environmental sustainability. The latter is driven by our active GIN (Global Initiatives Group). These groups engage with staff to create campaigns, change school practice or contribute to international debate. One very powerful example is the campaign the GIN Group is running to reduce single use plastic at BSB. They met with the Principal, the Director of Finance and our school caterers, Sodexo and these students are determinedly changing our practice. Their work has not only changed BSB practice but has changed what the catering company do with their other clients beyond BSB. Students here are active and always making the most of the fabulous learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom. Students are agents of change and work tirelessly to embody our values:
While the school has seen dramatic changes in the buildings and technology available for students to use in their learning, the heart of the school is as important and strong as ever. BSB is a wonderful place to be; each day made special by the wonderful students with whom we have the pleasure of living and learning together and inspiring success.. Tapestry • 67
Employer engagement Helping students to develop the skills and qualities they need to succeed and thrive BSB students excel in so many areas; academically, in sport and the arts. Channelling this talent and helping students discover what types of careers and opportunities are out there was at the heart of BSB’s new programme of Employer Engagement. The programme was launched in 2018 with a firm belief that education and the professional world needs to work hand in hand so students can make more informed choices about their futures. The objectives then and now, are to increase students’ understanding of the workplace, gain confidence, discover business platforms such as LinkedIn and have the opportunities to network and make new contacts.
Career roundtables
These have been very successful and students from Year 9 to Year 13 have met with a host of different employers from a variety of sectors. Some students have discovered careers they knew nothing about, others were offered work shadowing. With over 50 speakers from engineering, medicine, music, the arts, politics, diplomacy, business and many more, there has been something for everyone.
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Company visits
Nothing makes an impact on students quite like a company visit. Primary Year 5 have visited Toyota’s training centre, which links closely to what they are studying in class, and a Year 10 trip to Solvay is in its second year. Students work with Solvay staff to discover the different careers that exist in a big company and consider responses to disaster scenarios that Solvay prepare. The visit ends with presentations , the quality of our students have consistently astounded Solvay staff. We have also had visits from the wonderful XperiLAB, Solvay’s mobile science lab. Year 5 have been able to carry out experiments and see how a scientist works and be real scientists.
Expert Panel
Held in February 2019 and organised in partnership with The British and American Chambers of Commerce, our Expert Panel event saw the highly topical subject of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the future workplace debated. BSB students and local schools were able to network with guests and receive guidance about skills that will be most valued and the jobs which will be most abundant. As the programme grows, and more opportunities arise, we intend to expand the offering to students that will help them in their career choices and skills acquisition.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
2020 and looking to the future Part of the reason why BSB continues to be successful is that we are always looking forward – asking ourselves questions such as what will our students need in the future? How will they learn? What will our school look like? What are the challenges and opportunities and how can we make our dreams reality for the next generations of BSB learners?
learn that even at this early stage the BSB community is clear that we want to maximise our green spaces and encourage outdoor learning, we want spaces that encourage people of all ages to come together to learn and socialise and we want an inclusive and welcoming environment that fosters the values we talk about in our Guiding Statements.
We know that the environment within which we live and learn is really important. We have a wonderful campus in a beautiful environment but we know that we must continue to invest in the development of learning spaces of the highest quality in order to ensure that current and future students enjoy a great education. With this in mind we are working on creating the learning spaces of tomorrow and beyond.
2020 will be the year we engage with stakeholders and our preferred architects to turn our ideas into a masterplan for the development of the campus, building what will probably be there for the next 25 years! We therefore need plans that are flexible enough to respond to unexpected opportunities in the future. How exciting!
We have embarked upon an extensive and detailed master planning exercise for the development of the BSB campus. We have spent several months building an accurate picture of the strengths and weaknesses of our current estate and we have developed a top-level educational vision, with some clear ‘must haves’. You won’t be surprised to
On top of this, in celebration of BSB’s 50th Anniversary we will be planting 50 indigenous species of trees across our campus. A joy now and an investment for future staff, students and families of BSB. Melanie Warnes, Principal
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Front Cover Design
Sunflowers by Simran Savani, BSB student, Year 13 Sunflowers have been considered a symbol of joy and life, but also a symbol of loyalty and longevity. The flower radiates passion and positive energy, and turns its flowers and petals to the sun every day. The yellow shades of the sunflower, tie to happiness and a long life. The idea of the sunflower came from celebrating 50 years of BSB. The materials I used to make this piece were watercolour paints, thread and gold leaf. The background layer of the sunflower was done with watercolour paints. It was then drawn over the top with a sewing machine. And finally, I added gold leaf accents.
TAPESTRY Magazine n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition
n°8 • 2020 • 50th anniversary edition Publisher
Melanie Warnes
Editor
Kim Burgess
Assistant Editor
Carrie Stacchini
Contributors
Emma Adams, Eddy Beckers, Melanie Chambers, Alison Clarke, Tristian Cook, Sébastien Delahaye Gamucci, Arthur Gamble, Lily Gamble, Julie Gatineau, David Hindley, Simon Jones, John Knight, Christi-Ann Nancarrow, Amanda Nocera, Fiona Nunn, Neil Ringrose, Peter Saunders, Simran Savani, Barry Sayer, Anika Sherwen, Hilary Vervaeck, Olivia Walk, Karen Ward, Maurits Wesseling, Jane Whitehouse, Ken Woollard.
The British School of Brussels (BSB)
Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1 3080 TERVUREN www.britishschool.be
Printed on FSC certified paper with solvent-free ink