Upper School Update

Our IGCSE, IB and A-Level students have made an excellent start to the year! For students entering Years 10 and 12, adapting to new ways of learning and higher expectations can take time. However, supported by some wonderful teachers, our students have already risen impressively to these challenges. They are an engaged, interesting, and wonderful group of young people to be around. We welcome some new members of staff, including Mr. John Wright as Head of Upper School and Ms. Caroline Tighe as University Counsellor. Dr Richard Foster has taken on the role of Deputy Head while continuing to lead our IB programme. More than ever, our focus remains firmly on academic excellence and personal growth. We aim to equip them to secure places at universities that are right for them around the world. There is also, of course, plenty of opportunity for fun along the way. Students have enjoyed paintballing, while IB English Literature students brought The Handmaid’s Tale to life through an unscripted courtroom trial, using the text as evidence to put the unfortunate Abigail Williams to death for witchcraft (don't worry - we found her innocent!). Thanks to Ms. Beckwith for bringing history and literature to life in these inspiring ways. Sport continues to be a great strength at TBSW, and we have enjoyed a couple of victories during friendly fixtures within our Hurricanes sports programme, including U19 Boys and Girls Volleyball, as well as U14 and U19 Boys and Girls Football. Well-done to all our sportsmen and women! New, regular assemblies on alternate Wednesday mornings will strengthen our community and provide opportunities to celebrate students’ achievements, enjoy musical and dramatic performances, and build confidence in public speaking. On Wednesday 28 October, from 15.00 to 16.00, we will host the first in a regular series of online seminars for parents. Mr. Wright will provide an overview of the Upper School, share his perspective on how school and parents can work together to support students through their IGCSE years, and explain our A-Level offering. Dr Foster will outline how IGCSE provides an excellent foundation for the IB Diploma. He will tell us how students can optimise their chances of achieving results that open doors to leading universities worldwide. Ms. Tighe will explain how we support students in applying to universities, and in planning rewarding careers in an ever-changing professional landscape. Parents are most welcome to this first seminar. There are plenty of other ways in which parents can get involved in our community. You are very welcome to contact our Parent Reps, or make a private appointment with John Wright by emailing dagmara.tacher-olech@thebritishschool.pl