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Stop Press
24th February 2009
Dear Parent/Gardian,
Regular homework is vital as it helps develop individual study skills, improve personal organisation and reinforce skills learnt in the classroom. All homework should be recorded by the students in their planners with the due date clearly shown. In addition, we hope that students will do as much private reading as possible as this leads to improved literacy across all subjects.
Attached is the homework table for your child. If you have any questions please do not hesitate in contacting your child’s form tutor.
Personal Planners
A student’s Personal Planner is a very important organisational tool. It must be brought to school each day. It should remain graffiti free and in good condition.
At the end of each week, when you are satisfied that you have read all the comments from staff and that the homework has been completed, you should sign your child’s Planner. Please do not sign it in advance since you may miss important messages.
How should my child use their planner?
Your child should use it to record their homework. They should state the subject, the task and when it is due. They can write in any reminders they are given, appointment times, even the date their Library books are due.
May I use the planner?
Yes. You may find it useful:Do teaching staff use the Planner?
- to communicate with your child’s tutor or a subject teacher or to ask that they contact you
- to comment on your child’s achievements or difficulties with class or homework
- to indicate when they have medical appointments
- to explain any temporary problems with uniform
Yes. Staff will record rewards and sanctions. They may use it to express matters of concern for you to read or to make positive comments when progress has been made. Staff may also use it to respond to your queries or to ask you to make contact.Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Daniel Centeno
Key Stage 3 Co-ordinator
9th December 2007
Dear Parents,
You will by now, have had an opportunity to read Dr. Saadeh’s letter in last week’s newsletter.
I would like to pass on my most heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Saadeh for his services and vision which helped to create BISAK. The community now has a bedrock of clear educational philosophy, which after 30 years of reinforcement and the empowerment of hundreds, possibly thousands of youngsters, will, I am sure, have a positive impact on our future leaders. Internationally, these seeds have begun to germinate and are starting to make a difference. An Alumni may be a way of providing evidence for this. I would be keen to hear from anyone in the community who can contribute to this.
His passion, leadership and intensity of commitment have been clearly an overriding factor to the success which BISAK is enjoying now, endorsed by EDEXCEL, an international educational provider and hopefully in the near future by CIS.
I would like to think that we can continuously gain benefit from Dr. Saadeh’s immersed passion and philosophy in educating youngsters and that we will all still have the opportunity to be inspired by him.
May I also welcome the opportunity to work with Mr. Ziad Najjar, the newly appointed Board Chairman. Ziad, has been with BISAK for 12 years and indeed has worked very closely with Dr. Saadeh as Deputy Chairman. Ziad’s experience, sound acumen and vision, will I am sure provide the leadership required to take the school to the next phase of its development, yet continue to build on the solid foundations which we now have.
Meanwhile, I would like to thank all parents, students and staff members for their continued support this term and look forward to working with you in the New Year.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Tassos Anastasiades
Principal
5th December, 2007
Dear Parents, Members of the Staff, Students and Friends
My involvement with the school as a founder 30 years ago started first out of necessity, afterwards by choice. My commitment to education subsequently became a passion for which I committed a lot of my time and energy towards the education of the younger generation. I had a strong conviction that the rewards of investing in the education of our children would last for eternity. This journey of service has been a great privilege and a rewarding experience. There have been numerous challenges along the way, but perseverance and commitment saw the school evolving from its small and humble beginnings to a premium institution of learning as you know BISAK today.
For example, the introduction of computers into the school was initially received with scepticism, and the Arabic programme was also met with many obstacles. Yet, with tenacious perseverance, both programmes ultimately succeeded and flourished. My strong belief to develop these students personality and develop their leadership potential led to the introduction of such activities as the Public Speaking Competition and the Poetry Recital Contest. The idea of the yearbook materialized after several persuasion efforts. My vision for the school becoming a center for community activities materialized with the establishment of the ICC that thrives and provides nourishment for the soul to the members of the community. Yes, needless to say there have been many obstacles to overcome along the way and many frustrating moments. But with the combined efforts of many dedicated individuals we were able to move forward and prosper, always with the aim to build in the school the right ethos and culture where the students can grow and learn and the teacher can teach.
I would like at this moment to thank all the people, who, each in his or her own way, have in the past contributed towards the school development and success. We should all be pleased with our progress and excited by the prospects of the future.
My decision to relinquish my position as Chairman of the Board has not been an easy one, as the school has been part of my life for 30 years. I have contributed my share in the service of the community and am pleased that I was able to share in the education of our young generation.
Many challenges remain, foremost among which is the implementation of the Key Stage 4 programme and building the necessary physical premises. The idea of a debate society is still a dream of mine waiting to be implemented.
As I always say, schools are living institutions, ever changing and constantly evolving. With the right attitude, vision and dedication of all concerned, more can be accomplished. The school’s daily operation is in the hands of our new and able Principal Dr. Tassos Anastasiades and with the support of the senior management team and the dedicated staff. The Board of Governors , with Mr.Ziad Najjar as the new Chairman and Mrs. Shadia Dajani as Acting Deputy Chairperson, will continue to provide guidance and direction. Our strength and success in the past has been in building a partnership and coherent school community that reach out and touches everyone; students, teachers, staff, governors, parents and community through a shared vision and purpose. I am certain that you can all collectively meet any challenge, persist in the pursuit of excellence in education and look forward to the future with great confidence.
I am trusting that you will all keep the vision of excellence alive and sustain the aim for an even better future. I will undoubtedly remain committed as much as I can and will follow the future of the school with great interest.
Always keep in mind the words of F D Roosevelt “We cannot always build the future of our youth, but we can build our youth for the future”.
Yours Sincerely
Dr. George Saadeh MD OBE
Founder and Chairman
25th November, 2007
To the parents of students in Years 3 to 9
Dear Parents,
As I hope you are aware, earlier this year the Board of Governors made the decision to take the school forward by the introduction of a Key Stage 4 programme, with the first Year 10 classes starting in August 2008.
This process is now actively underway with, for example, discussions with the engineers and architects with regard to additional buildings making good progress. Additionally, Dr. Tassos and myself have looked closely at the staffing implications and the Board have approved the recruitment of additional teaching staff. Extensive work has also been done on the proposed curriculum and I would invite you to visit the school’s website and follow the link entitled KS4-IGCSE.
As you will see from this link, we are planning to work closely with Edexcel for the provision of our Key Stage 4 courses and examinations. In making this choice we have been mindful of their existing strong presence in the Kingdom as well the excellent range of resources already in place to support the learning and teaching. One of their particular strengths is the availability of a vast range of support materials on-line and their website at www.edexcel-international.org/quals/igcse is an address which I would commend to you for further information.
As a part of the process, Edexcel’s Regional Development Manager for the Middle East, Andrew Piesse, will be joining us for a presentation to parents, students and staff in the school on Wednesday 5th December at 1830 and I would very much like to extend an invitation to you to attend this meeting. If you would like to attend please complete the attached slip so that the necessary arrangements can be put in place. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to call the Principal for further details or myself on extension 248.
Best wishes,
Mr. A. Astington
Head of the UpperSchool
Policy on the use of photography and video images of children
Dear Parents
During your child’s life at BISAK, we may wish to take photographs of activities that involve your child. The photographs will be for school use only and will include displays, school publications, the school website, prospectus and year book.
The following guidelines on the School’s use of photographs and video images will be followed:
Images will only be used with the consent of parents
Images will only be used in their intended context
Individual children will not be identified or their names matched to their photograph or position in class photographs without consent from parents
Any images going beyond the School, other than those in the publications mentioned above, will require separate consent from parents
All images will depict children appropriately dressed
Images will reflect the learning or activity context
Photographs or video images will be appropriately and securely stored and disposed of correctly
Parental Responsibilities
There will be occasions during the school year where you will wish to take photographs or video recordings of your child or children taking part in a school activity. Permission will be given under the following conditions:
That any images (photographic or video) will not be used inappropriately
The photography/video will only be taken in designated areas
Please understand that there may be times when the School will ask you not to take photographs or video images. Parents are responsible for monitoring their child’s/children’s use of cameras, the subsequent use of the images involved and that the images will not be used inappropriately. This will apply to images taken on the school premises or during offsite visits and activities. Supervising staff will ensure that clear guidelines are given to pupils on the use of photographs and video images. Pupils are not allowed to use mobile phones with a photographic facility whilst in school.
Yours sincerely
Dr. Tassos Anastasiades
Principal
Oct 3, 2007
G C S E - YEARS 10 & 11
From September 2008, Year 10 students will begin a two-year course that culminates in the sitting of examinations for the International General Certificate in Secondary Education (IGCSE). The integrity and caliber of these exams is recognized throughout the world and they are universally accepted as qualification for entry into further education and ultimately university.
Subjects taught during this time are divided into two groups. All students will be required to study English, Mathematics, Science and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). In addition, students will select other subjects from an extensive list that could include Art, Business Studies, Design Technology, Drama, English Literature, French, Geography and History; Arabic as a First Language would be an additional option and taught after school. The precise details of which subjects will be offered in the optional group will depend upon both the availability of specialist staff as well as the demand for places.
For further details please speak to the Principal, Dr Tassos Anastasiades or Mr Andrew Astington, Head of Upper School.
June 24, 2007
Dear Parents
The mission of BISAK since it was founded has been to provide the best education possible for students in an atmosphere conducive to learning. For several years now, the Board has been considering the addition of a Key Stage 4 unit, the plans for which were halted due to security concerns in 2004.
With continued demand by parents and members of the community, the Board of Governors has recently taken the decision to begin implementing this programme effective September 2008. The programme leads to qualifications of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or the International General Certificate of Education (IGCE). The existing premises would be adequate to implement the programme in its first year of operation. The decision to build upon existing facilities will depend on many factors and variables currently under consideration.
The Board is keen to provide stability for the students’ learning experience. We certainly hope that this decision will meet with your approval and expect your support and encouragement.
May I take this opportunity to extend to all our students, their families and members of the staff a pleasant, restful and rewarding summer vacation.
Yours sincerely
Dr George B Saadeh MD, OBE.
Founder and Chairman of the Board
