THE BULLETINBPS NEWSLETTER

Issue 3

The Bulletin BPS Newsletter

2 nd September 2016

TRY AND FAIL, BUT NEVER FAIL TO TRY ~ JARED LETO

REMINDERS

Providing Direction The role of the Section Council • • •

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The primary purpose of the Section Council is to ensure that the school delivers a top quality education. The members of the Council are all parents who have been elected for a period of up to two years. Council members may stand for re-election, providing their children are attending BPS. The Council works with the Headteacher and senior staff, who are responsible for day-today management, in setting the school’s aims and policies. As a part of TES, the Section Council follows the guidance of the TES Board. The Chair of the BPS Section Council also sits on the TES Board. Some of the key roles of the Section Council are:

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by Mr. Peter Sloan

To ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction; To set the annual budget for the Section; To work with the Headteacher and senior staff to ensure that educational performance of the school is of a high standard; To work with the Headteacher and senior staff to ensure that effective policies for pupil welfare are in place; To oversee the financial performance of the school; To participate in the recruitment of the Headteacher – when required.

The Section Council holds an annual meeting in May when there is a presentation to parents outlining the work of the Council for the year. The Chair of the Council for this year is Jill Lu, who is in her second year in the post. The Chair is elected or re-elected annually. As Head of BPS, I would like to thank all our Section Council members, past and present, for their commitment and hard work. Their advice, concern and support is invaluable, as are their, often challenging, always thoughtful questions.

Year 4 Camp Taiwan Information Session to Parents

Monday day 5th September 1:40pm, Junior Amphitheatre

Parent Parent-Teacher Meeting ~ to meet your Class and EAL Teachers

Wednesday 7th September

THE BULLETINBPS NEWSLETTER

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Welcome to Spider Class

by Mr. Peter Sloan

Spider Class in Year 2 has given a warm welcome to their new teacher, Mike Norris, this week. Mr. Norris, who has worked at TES previously, is now back in Taiwan after ter two years teaching in Wellington International School in Tianjin. Mr. Norris is delighted to be back at BPS and to be teaching in Spider Class.

EPC Library by Miss M Emma Crofts

The EPC Library is a great place for kids and parents to find new adventures within the pages of a good book. If you’ve been at the school for a while or have only just arrived, come and check out what we have to offer. If you don’t have a family amily library account yet, please bring your parent smart card to the library so that we can help you set one up. Reading is fundamental to the development of a child’s imagination as well as their language development and un understanding derstanding of the world around them. Just 20 minutes a day reading with your child can make a difference. So make sure you stop by! Who knows what wonders await you.

A Warm PTA Welcome by Mr. Peter Sloan

This Monday, our PTA Committee held a ‘Welcome Breakfast’ for new parents to BPS. As well as a very tasty breakfast, the session included an introduction to the work of the PTA and suggestions for ways in which parents can get involved in school. Many thanks to Anna Skov Reunert and Joanna Chen Chen, to our PTA Committee members and to Catherine Lai, our PTA Chair.

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THE BULLETINBPS NEWSLETTER

Issue 3

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High School, High Achievement!

by Ms. s. Chrysta Garnett

iGCE and IB Results Headlines 2016

In the British Secondary and High School, the summer of 2016 saw our H2 and H4 students achieve fantastic success. Last year’s H2 students, who have now moved onto the challenges of the IB Diploma, managed to achieve our best ever IGCSE A*-C pass rate of 96%. Not only did they manage to accumulate more IGCSE grades than ever before, they did so by achieving the highest number of top grades that we have seen in the last three years. An impressive 55% of all grades received were in the upper grade range of A*/A. /A. Nine students in total achieved straight A*/A grades which represents a phenomenal achievement. We are very proud of our H2s and their levels of academic attainment. The knowledge that they have acquired and the skills that they have honed will stand them hem in great stead for the challenges ahead in the next two years. The IB Diploma years, saw the highest number of students achieve the full IB Diploma, more than in any previous year. The IB Diploma is a world recognized accreditation that prepares students perfectly pe for the rigours rs of undergraduate study and we were thrilled to see so many students graduate with the full Diploma this year. Of the 67 full Diplomas, 37% of them were Bilingual Diplomas which is testament to the incredible linguistic talents of our students. Those also included 7 students who achieved the accolade of securing 40+ total points.

Class of 2016 University Destinations (Jack Shull, University and Careers Counsellor) The Class of 2016 applied to 187 different universities in 13 different countries. This included 81 different universities in the USA, 41 different universities in the UK, 7 universities in Canada, 5 universities in Hong Kong alongside several universities in Australia, Austria, China, Japan, Germany, Italy, Singapore, and Switzerland. The University of California universities (UC Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego, Davis, Irvine) were the most popular universities applied to in the USA this year, with the University of California San Diego having 23 students apply with 10 accepted and 4 who will attend. In Canada, University of British Columbia was the most popular Canadian university with 11 students applying and 8 attending this coming September. In Hong Kong both the University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology were popular destinations with 4 students attending. More members of the Class of 2016 had excellent offers from Russell Group UK Universities than ever before, with 11 students receiving offers from King’s College London with 2 students accepting the

offers. In addition there were 9 offers from UCL, 8 from Birmingham, 7 from the University of Edinburgh, 3 from Imperial, 2 from Warwick, 2 from Nottingham, 2 from Kent, and 1 from London School of Economics. We wish our graduates the very best of luck in their future endeavours…meanwhile, it’s time for the TES University and Careers Counsellors (UCC) to start the process all over again with the Class of 2017!

Looking to the Future by Mr. Peter Sloan

BPS are very pleased to invite parents to an event organized in partnership with the British Secondary and High School. Next th Thursday, September 8 , TES will play host to Daniel Grayson, a University Consultant specialising specia in university admissions. Mr. Grayson was the Associate Director of International Admissions at Tufts University, a highly selective university, for eight years, and now advises international schools and students on the university admissions process. proces A varied programme will be on offer with key sessions for students, parents and teachers. As part of this programme, all parents of Primary School students are invited to a Morning Presentation (08:00 to 09:00am) in the EPC Amphitheatre. Amphitheatre Mr. Grayson will be presenting on ‘The Changing Landscape of US University Admissions.’ Mr. Grayson will deliver his presentation and then answer questions during this informal session. University may seem a long way off, however, this is a super opportunity to look towards owards the future.

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REMINDER

Picnic in school last week Year 3 and Year 4

by Ms. Jeni Wong

What a lovely end to the first fortnight back at the school, a picnic! Year 3 and 4 had a lovely getting to know you time last Friday. The children and teachers brought in snacks and mats to share some fun in the sun whilst getting to know each other. Here are some of the great moments to share.

Early Morning Procedure Central Playground not open in the morning

Please be kindly reminded that children should not arrive in school before 07:30 in the morning. At this time, the Central Playground area is not open to students. They should make their way to either the Infant or Junior main playgrounds when they arrive at school or to their classrooms from 07:40 onward. We thank you for your you continued support and cooperation in making TES a safe and fun environment for our community.

Year 6 SEESAW by Mrs. Katrina Millward

THE BULLETINBPS NEWSLETTER

Issue 3

(Mon) 05 Sep

- Year 4 Camp Taiwan Information to Parents 1:40pm to 3:00pm - BP PTA Class Reps Meeting 8:30am in Parent Cafe

(Wed) 07 Sep

- BPS Parent Meetings 3:30pm to7:30pm

(Thu) 08 Sep

- UCC Meeting with parents at 8:00am to 9:00am in the Amphitheatre

(Fri) 09 Sep

- Year 4 Trip to Green World - Christmas Bazaar Kick Off Meeting 8:30am in the Parent Cafe

(Mon) 12 Sep

- Year 6 Seesaw Evening 6:00pm

(Tue) 13 Sep

- EPC Roald Dahl Day

(Thu) 14 Sep

- BP PTA Bake Sale – Year 4

(Thu) 15 Sep

Mid-Autumn Festival Holiday: No school

(Fri) 16 Sep

No school

For more details of the school academic calendar, please click the link below: http://www.taipeieuropeanschool.com/calendarM.php

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