The TBS library is a great resource, which we are sure our community has been missing during recent lockdowns. We are aiming to offer families the opportunity to access library resources in the safest way possible over the next few weeks. The library will only be accessible by prior booking and those visiting must adhere to our safety protocols. Library Booking Link

It is health and wellbeing week next week. Here are 2 posters with key Positive Mental Health reminders and strategies.

Please refer to the poster and watch the video for details!

Use this form to tell us how many kilometers you have walked. Google Form

The F1 students are learning about various emotions, things that make them feel happy, sad, angry, excited. Swimming makes Lucie happy, hiking makes her feel excited and scissoring makes her tired. Chocolates and pizza make Bilashita happy! F2 students are exploring the topic ‘Food’. The students made their own face art using vegetables and fruits inspired by Giuseppe Arcimboldo. Have a look at the fruit art from Josephine and Saharsha.

This week one of the possibilities for Year 1’s IPC topic All Dressed Up was to become a fashion illustrator using their own found objects inspired by the work of Edgar Artis. As you can see we have very creative artists in Year 1 who can think outside the box!

This week Year 2 finished the book they have been working on called Zeraffa Giraffa, a true story about a giraffe that was taken from Africa to Paris as a gift for the king. The children rewrote the story beautifully from Zeraffa’s perspective. Laksh, Aray, Maya and Ayaan worked very hard on theirs!

Year 3 has been learning all about Henri Matisse in World Languages. They have then used their French color knowledge to create Matisse-esque masterpieces!

As part of their topic “How Humans Work”, Year 4 have been researching a part of the body that interests them. After making notes, they then planned and made a model as well as a teaching video to explain how their chosen organ works.

After a term of developing their English writing skills through studying various different techniques, Year 6 have started to put together their own pieces of creative writing. This week the focus was on planning their work, gathering together useful vocabulary and writing an outline of what their story will be about. I can’t wait to see the finished pieces next week! 

It’s been all about multiples in Maths for Year 5 this week. Students have been finding multiples of different numbers, finding common multiples of pairs of numbers and carrying out some excellent journaling tasks where they demonstrated their thinking. 

I would just like to firstly extend a huge congratulations to Key stage three for another amazing week. This past eight weeks has thrown up its fair share of challenges, however, every student has taken that in their stride and shown real resilience to battle past them. The work that has been produced is second to none and the students should be really proud of their achievements going forward. It is clear to see that all of Key stage Three at TBS will not have taken a backwards step in this time, but instead, excelled and moved forward. Please keep supporting the students through these tough times, and I know they will repay you by succeeding in the school environment.

For the last two weeks, the students have been tasked with creating a Graffiti wall for their PSHE project.  A Graffiti wall looks at the key themes that are present within something of their choice. For example, the students may have watched a film such as ‘Finding Nemo’ and worked out that companionship is one of the key themes. They then had to display this in a way that suited them and explain each key theme. Some of the resulting work was absolutely fantastic.

The Key Stage Three students have all been really impressive in Music this last week. They are currently handing in their assignments from what they have been working on over the last eight weeks and it is safe to say that some of the musical pieces created have been fantastic. Some students have chosen to compose their own pieces whilst others are writing in musical notation. Well done to all Key Stage Three students for this assignment.

Following on from last week’s Drama work on Comedia Del Arte, students have started to bring their mask designs to life. The creativity and skill to make their masks was absolutely incredible. More examples will be shown in next week’s newsletter.

Student of the week goes to Eunkyoul in Year 7. Eunkyoul has had his challenges this year whilst we have been in online learning, but in the last two weeks has really started to excel in his work. He has shown real resilience and determination to get himself back on track and doing really well. One area he really excelled in was when he had to create a model plant cell in science. He went the extra mile and made it from plasticine, adding detailed labels to each component of the plant cell. Also, in drama he created a piece using the medium of mime about camping that was fantastic. Amazing work Eunkyoul, keep up the great work!

When asked to give some advice to other students Eunkyoul said:

‘I know that it is very difficult in online learning. But don’t give up. You can do it. If you have tried very hard, you can take a break. If you are very stressed, take some time for yourself. If you are struggling with your homework try your best and speak to your teachers. Don’t give up and don’t think like you can’t do it. You can’.

In the penultimate week to the Dashain holidays, KS4 students have been continuing to work hard.  I am sure everyone is looking forward to a well-earned break.  With one week left, it is important that students do not lose momentum and keep up the good work. 

Particular highlights this week have been Year 10 students working on their music compositions.  A link is  included to Lhakyi’s composition of ‘Visit Nepal’.  Let’s hope her composition sets the tone for visitors returning to Nepal! Here is the link.  Yang has also been busy this week composing. His sheet music for ‘Visit Nepal’ sees a trio of cello, harp and piano.  

Following on from last week’s DT planter designs, students have been busy making these this week.  Here is a link to Em explaining how they made their planter.  We’re loving the abstract green and black design! 

In Drama, Year 11 students have been working in the style of “The Paper Birds” Theatre company exploring how to approach and devise theatre using verbatim and physicality.  Meanwhile, Year 10 students have begun exploring monologues.  They have looked at past practical examples and a variety of script extracts, and are now embarking upon the task of choosing which one they would like to perform for their coursework. 

Continuing with the coursework theme, in Geography, Year 11 students have been busy continuing to work on their coursework.  This week students have been writing their introductions, which have included some geographical background as to how they would expect the River Lele’s characteristics to change as it moves downstream.  For this, students have been studying the Bradshaw model.  They have also been writing about their aims and hypotheses, for which data will then be used to decide if their hypotheses can be accepted or rejected.  Of particular importance is why the River Lele is chosen for their coursework, which students have had to explain. A variety of data is collected along three sites of the River Lele, with data then being compared to the Bradshaw Model and students deciding whether their hypotheses can be accepted or rejected. 

Some particular highlights from students this week have included Thilini in Year 11 who despite being in a different time zone and having to wake up at crazy times, is always the first to arrive to lessons, even period 1. Erin and Anton in Year 10 who have given excellent application of agreement of adjectives to describe celebrities accurately. Shivanshi, Abayaa, Thilini and Manawi in Year 11 who have made excellent recordings of Olivia’s speech from Twelfth Night. Memorised and performed like the true professionals they are. Watch out for the links to these performances next week!

This week’s student of the week is Manawi Shah in Year 11.  Manawi’s teachers have been impressed by not only her work ethic, but also the work she has been producing.  Keep up the good work, Manawi.

Here is what Manawi has to say:

I have been enjoying basically everything.  Sometimes I am not going to lie, online lessons aren’t as fun as being in school, and I am sure lots of students feel the same way.  I have loved doing monologues in Drama, writing my own pop songs, and learning complicated calculations in Chemistry.  I may not be the ‘best’ with studies, but I still manage to get the most out of it, and try my best, and that is what a lot of KS4 students should do.  I feel like, during this time, people should just stay away from the screen too, balance out your studies, talk to your friends and family, and try doing your hobbies.  For my hobbies, I am creative: painting random things and playing the piano and singing.

I want to congratulate all students on their work ethic and resilience. A levels are always challenging and time consuming and with the added challenge on distance learning, our students have had a fantastic start to their AS and A2 studies.  We are in challenging circumstances and spread across the world but it is so lovely to speak to you and hear how you are supporting each other through your lessons – there may be no library or common room revision sessions but you are helping each other through.  In Maths, both Paridhi and Brandon have been praised for making sure the whole class understands difficult topics and in Psychology Mr. Piaf has commented on his classes’ sense of humor and kindness they have shown each other. 

Please remember that if you are having any troubles with your studies or are feeling at all overwhelmed then let your teachers and your mentor know so that we can support you. We recognise that there are more barriers to your learning in this medium (no one can control power cuts! Or lagging internet!) and want you to achieve your best. 

University news  

Year 13 students applying to Oxbridge need to send their applications before next Thursday. Remember to book an appointment with Ms. Hemelik to send your application. 

Those applying to the UK through UCAS our TBS deadline is looming (15th November) please remember to share your personal statement with your mentor during your 1:1s and organise a meet with Ms. Hemelik if you are having any trouble. 

University fairs are being shared frequently on your Google Classroom, please let me know if you need further clarification. 

Finally – A big well done from Ms. Hemelik! She is so impressed with your work this term. Remember to give yourself some time away from your screens to relax this weekend.

Student of the Week

Conor Lockwood is our student of the week. 

Has been voted student of the week by his teachers. He has had consistent positive feedback showing his motivation towards his subjects and has been engaged in class discussions. 

‘He has been among the most consistent students in the class, is invariably the first one to arrive and is polite, respectful and helpful every time, and he has a great sense of humour. His work is always done to a good standard and he has performed fantastically in the latest assessment.‘

Conor’s advice to other students:

“Being organised and setting up a schedule is a great way to stay on top of your work!”