These weeks, BIS has been alive with energy and discovery! Our youngest learners have been exploring the world around them, Year 2 Tigers have been experimenting, creating, and learning across subjects, Year 12/13 students have been sharpening their writing skills, and our young musicians have been making music, discovering new voices and harmonies. Every classroom is a place of curiosity, collaboration, and growth, where students take the lead in their own learning.

Reception Explorers: Discovering the World Around Us

Written by Mr. Dillan, September 2025

In Reception, our young learners have been busy exploring the unit “The World Around us”. This theme has encouraged the children to look closely at nature, animals, and the environment, sparking many carious questions along the way.

Through hands-on activities, stories, and outdoor exploration, the children are noticing patterns and connections in the world. They have shown great interest in observing plants, talking about animals, and thinking about how people live in various places, these experiences are helping them develop both scientific thinking and social awareness.

One highlight of the unit has been the children’s enthusiasm for asking questions and sharing their own ideas. Whether drawing what they see, building with natural materials, or working together in small groups, the Reception classes have demonstrated creativity, cooperation, and growing confidence.

As we continue with “The World Around Us”, we look forward to more discoveries, conversations, and learning moments that build a strong foundation for curiosity and lifelong learning.

Year 2 Tigers in Action: Exploring, Creating, and Learning Across Subjects

Written by Mr. Russell, September 2025

In Science, students rolled up their sleeves to build clay models of human teeth, using their knowledge to represent incisors, canines, and molars. They also worked together to design a poster board campaign, spreading awareness about healthy choices in diet, hygiene, and exercise.

In English, the focus has been on reading, writing, and expressing emotions. Students have explored feelings through stories and role play, learning how to communicate their emotions clearly and confidently. This practice helps them grow not only as readers and writers but also as empathetic classmates.

In Mathematics, the classroom transformed into a lively marketplace! Students took on the role of shopkeepers, selling products to one another. To complete a transaction, they needed to use the correct English vocabulary and calculate the right amount bringing numbers and language together in a fun, real-world challenge.

Across subjects, our Tigers are showing curiosity, creativity, and confidence developing the skills to think, communicate, and solve problems in ways that truly put them at the center of their learning.

A Recent Activity with Year 12/13: Information Gap

Written by Mr. Dan, September 2025

The aim was to revise the structure of an argument (persuasive essay) and some of its features.

In preparation, I wrote some examples of aspects of a well-structured essay, such as ‘thesis statement’, ‘concession’ and ‘counterargument’. I then assigned them random letters A-H and cut them into strips, one strip per student.

We revised the meanings of the terms we would focus on, and then I distributed the strips among students. Their task was to: read the text, analyse which aspect of an argument it exemplifies (and why, referring to its formulaic features), then circulate and find out which components of an argument their classmates held, and why that represented that: for example, how did they know the ‘conclusion’ was a conclusion?

Students interacted with each other quite productively, sharing insight. Finally, I checked student’s answers, asking them to justify their new insight.

This was a good demonstration of the adage ‘When one teaches, two learn.

In the future, students will draw on this knowledge of form features and incorporate it into their own written work.

Discover music together

Written by Mr. Dika, September 2025

With the start of this semester, the music classes have been buzzing with excitement this term as students discovered new ways to use their voices and explore music.

In the Early Years, children had lots of fun learning about the four kinds of voices—talking, singing, shouting, and whispering. Through playful songs and games, they practiced switching between voices and learned how each one can be used to express different feelings and ideas.

Primary students took things a step further by exploring ostinatos—catchy, repeated patterns that make music lively and fun! They also discovered the four singing voices—soprano, alto, tenor, and bass—and learned how these fit together like puzzle pieces to make beautiful harmonies.

To top it all off, the classes practiced the seven musical alphabets—A, B, C, D, E, F, and G—the building blocks of every tune we hear.

It’s been a joyful journey of singing, clapping, and learning, and we’re so proud of how our young musicians are growing in confidence and creativity!