Head of School message



 

 

Dear Parents,

 

I would like to begin by wishing all those returning students and parents a very warm welcome back after what I trust was a relaxing and enjoyable summer break. I would also like to extend a warm welcome to those new students and parents joining the school. We look forward to seeing all parents, both returning and new, at the first IBSB Parent Social Event for the year, the Parent-Teacher BBQ and information afternoon scheduled to take place on campus on Saturday September 24th, starting at 11.00am.


There will also be plenty of further opportunities for Parents and teachers to meet with a number of other events planned in the first half of Term 1, including both a Primary and Secondary Open Day, offering you the opportunity to come in and see the students in class with lessons in progress, the Parents’ Evening, where you will have a chance to speak with the class teacher and subject teacher about the course curriculum and student progress, and of course the UN Day celebrations, scheduled to take place this year on Friday October the 21st. Letters of invitation with information about these up and coming events will be sent out in the weeks ahead.


The year has started very positively with the grades from the summer CIE examination session in and the passing C-A grade for IGCSE again close to 90%, with 37 A-A* grades achieved across the various subjects, and over 50% of students in all achieving an A-A* average, which is an incredible result for any school. The A Level results also show improvement on last year’s results and so all indications are that the IBSB focus on academic excellence is leading to students achieving high result in national exams.


Those returning will notice that the campus has had a facelift over the summer break and is now sporting a red brick facade and a new school cafeteria. There has also been continued investment in resources with all class rooms now having computers and electronic whiteboards to enable teachers to adopt a multimedia approach to teaching. Again, we expect this to lead to improved teaching, more highly motivated students and better exam results.


This is an important year for IBSB as we are now just one academic year out from out next COBIS inspection, due to take place in 2013. Both the Primary and Secondary School have completed their SEF Reports, and Action Plans have been set in place for the year ahead to ensure that all targets sets by COBIS receive a good to exceptional rating. In particular, the school has invested in extra staff and resources for SEN (Special Educational Needs), GNT (Gifted and Talented), and EALS (English as an Additional Language Support) , to support those students who need extra support and to extend those students who are more able. This is particularly important in an international school where students often arrive with a low level of English and with gaps in their learning as they move from country to country, from one school and one educational system to another. We hope that student adjustment and transition to life here at IBSB will now be smoother and faster than ever.


The focus this year will be on individual tracking to ensure that each and every student has the opportunity to succeed in their studies and progress toward achieving their dreams, whatever they may be. Both form tutors and subject teachers will take the time to speak personally to students at regular intervals to explain their current level and to set achievable targets to motivate students to progress on to the next level with confidence.


I am especially looking forward to working closely with the PTF in the year ahead to ensure that this year is success on every level. I will be looking to work side by side with the PTF to select charities, for which we will work to raise money, and to organise a full calendar of social events to keep the parents busy as we move toward the summer of 2012. The Bucharest Marathon is quickly approaching and already IBSB have several teacher teams organised and so we hope to see the PTF rally the parent troops and match our efforts with at least a couple of parent teams, with a post event lunch somewhere, yet to be chosen, after we have cooled off- supporters would be appreciated.


http://bucharest-marathon.com/en
Start time: Sunday, October 9th 2011, 9:30 am


Finally, I would like to remind you that IBSB maintains an open door policy, and so we look forward to receiving a visit from you at some stage during the course of the academic year. Should you require help in any regard to the education of your children. Please contact the school office at your earliest convenience.


Best regards,


Kendall Peet
Head of IBSB