Important Notices School News Headlines Whole School News

5th November 2014
Important Notices
School News Headlines
Today is Stress Awareness
Day!
The GCSE & A level Private View at the ‘Cour des Comptes
Europeenne’
3rd- 7th November
St George’s Halloween dress-up day!
Year 7 Trip to Euro
Space Centre, Belgium
Monday 10th November
St George’s Weekly Recipe: Key Lime Pie
Puppet Man visiting the school
Whole School News
Tuesday 11th November
Letter from the Principal
Year 4 IPC Showcase
Dear Parents,
Friday 14th November
Sixth Form Students at
LuxExpo
Monday 17 November
th
Anti-bullying week
Useful Links:
School Lunch Menu
Calendar
Parent Portal login
Welcome back to School after the half-term break. I hope that everyone has
had a good start to the week.
I was very pleased indeed to be able to read the almost 400 completed
surveys on the School we received from parents before the half-term. This
was a fantastic response and thank you to everyone who took the time to offer
their suggestions and opinions. There were a great deal of positive comments
regarding the School and also a good number of constructive points on how
we can improve further. We will now carefully analyse the responses and
discuss them together with the Board of Governors at the next Board meeting
later this month. I will then provide an overview of the survey results to parents.
We obviously want to further improve the communication between School
and parents and we will continue to work on ways to make this process easier.
The Annual Report for 2013-2014 on the School has now been completed and
is being sent by mail to all parents this week. It is a detailed document which
hopefully will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the School as a
whole during the last School year. It includes our public examination results
for 2013 and 2014 and also allows an insight into the many activities taking
place at School – whether in the classroom, the laboratory, the gym or on
one of our many field trips and visits. It is a clear, concise and informative
publication and I hope you enjoy reading it.
Whole School
News
The issue of English education in Luxembourg is currently high on the agenda of both expatriate
organisations and the Luxembourg authorities. I was privileged to represent the School in a recent
round-table discussion facilitated by the American Chamber of Commerce and the level of interest
in the availability of English education remains high. We very much appreciate the support of the
Luxembourg government and the City of Luxembourg in this regard and continue to work with them on
our building programme, further details of which you will find in the Annual Report.
Armistice Day is commemorated every November and 2014 of course marks the 100th anniversary of
the outbreak of the First World War. We are very pleased again this year to support the Royal British
Legion’s Poppy appeal and you will find poppies available at the School Reception if you would like to
wear one during this time.
With my very best Regards,
Dr Barkei
Community News
Fancy Doing Some Scientific Experiments?
On Saturday 8th November, researchers will take over the Carré Rotondes in LuxembourgHollerich. From 10:00am to 6:00pm, discover the fascinating world of science and research through
free workshops and discussions. For more information, visit www.researchersdays.lu.
Top Kids - LuxExpo
On Saturday 8th November and Sunday 9th November, ‘Top Kids’ will take place at the LuxExpo.
The event includes fashion shows, musical entertainment, show cooking and photo shoots from
10:00am to 6:00pm. For more information please visit: www.topkids.lu
The Role of CEDIES in Luxembourg
On Tuesday 11th November the Chamber of Commerce (ILCC) together with AmCham invites
you to attend a presentation on ‘Le Centre de Documentation et d’Information sur l’Enseignement
Supérieur’. (CEDIES grants financial assistance for studying in higher education).
Mr Jerry Lenert, who is responsible for CEDIES, will speak on its roles, particularly in the light of the
recent restructuring of the financial support it provides. So if you or one of your children is in, or about
to enter tertiary education in Luxembourg or abroad, then come along and learn about CEDIES and
how it can assist and support you.
The event will take place at BGL BNP Paribas – Agence Monterey (Entrance on Rue Notre Dame) at
6:00pm. Fees: ILCC Members free of charge; Non-members €20.
New World Theatre Club - Oh What a Lovely War
This New World Theatre Club Production of the original play by Joan Littlewood will take
place at Mierscher Kulturhaus, 53, rue G.-D. Charlotte, L-7520 Mersch on 14th, 15th,
19th, 21st and 22nd November at 8:00pm, Sunday 16th at 5:00pm and Thursday
20th at 2:00pm. Tickets are EUR 19 - EUR 17 for members and EUR 8 for students.
Reservations: tel (+352) 35 63 39 or [email protected].
If you would like to share your community events, please email [email protected]
before 10:00am every Tuesday. Please note that these events are not organised by the School and
we provide this listing as a consideration towards our community.
2
Primary
News
Upcoming events
& Important dates
7th - 18th November
5H Good Work Board
7th - 18th November
3Ma Good Work Board
Monday 10th November
Puppet Man visiting the
School
Tuesday 11th November
Year 4 IPC Showcase
Thursday 20th November
5H IPC Showcase
Primary School News
House Spelling Bee Challenge for
Key Stage 2!
A Spelling Bee motivates students to
improve upon their spelling, it fosters
healthy competition, and it recognises
excellence in learning. The competition
operates in a well-established structure
with clear rules.
The Primary school is hosting Spelling Bee competitions
for Years 3 to 6 next month during lunchtime. The
competition is open to all students, there will be points
given for each House that wins in each year group, and
there will be individual prizes for the winners and runners
up.
The points awarded for each House are as follows:
1st place – 100 house points
2nd place – 80 house points
3rd place – 70 house points
4th place – 60 house points
Monday 1st December
However, if anyone calls out or disrupts the proceedings
of the Spelling Bee, they will lose a house point for their
House.
Monday 15th December
The final competitions will be held during House Day on
Friday 19th December. The parents of the finalists will
be invited to attend.
Tuesday 16th December
If your child is interested in entering or knowing more
about the competition they can check the spelling level
expected on the Parent Portal under ‘Primary Resources’.
Even if your child decides not to enter, it will still be of
interest to you to see the level of spelling expected.
Please note that we will accept either American or
English spellings of words as some of our students
come from international schools based on the American
system. However, students may be asked if they know the
alternative spelling of the word.
Spelling Bee Competition
Begins
St George’s Annual
Christmas Fayre
EYES Rec D EYY seasonal
performance
Wednesday 17th December
EYFS Rec T EYR seasonal
performance
Thursday 18th December
EYFS Rec H EYB seasonal
performance
Friday 19th December
Final Spelling Bee
Competition
Old Shoeboxes Needed
Year 4 are looking for old shoeboxes for their next topic.
If you have any please leave them at Reception. Many
thanks - The Year 4 Teachers
3
Primary
News
Gift Donations for the Christmas Fayre
St George’s Annual Christmas Fayre will be hosted by the Year 6 students on
Monday 15th December. The chosen charity is Kriibskrank Kanner, Luxembourg.
We are looking for gifts to sell at the Fayre, so if you can donate anything for this
great cause we would very much appreciate it as we rely on your generosity. Please
place the donations in the designated box at Reception.
Suggested donations can include:
- freebies from hotel bathrooms
- paperback books
- toys, puzzles, colouring pencils
- small ornaments, soft toys
- free items from McDonalds
- dad’s old ties, belts, scarves
- sweets and chocolates
No alcohol or fragile breakables please! Items can be second hand as long as they are in good condition.
Please be aware you run the risk of finding your donated gift back under the Christmas tree!
The students will be able to buy these gifts for their family members. All gifts are 1 euro each and students
can purchase up to 2 gifts each if they wish. Many thanks, the Year 6 team.
The Puppet Man is Visiting St George’s next week!
The Primary School is very excited to welcome a very special guest next
week. The Puppet Man (aka Gary) is coming to the School on Monday 10th
November to run workshops with students. Gary will also be providing an afterschool session for staff. For more information visit www.puppetrynews.com.
Check out the beautiful deep blue sea in the Primary corridors! Primary students have been
busy decorating colourful fish using innovative painting techniques.
4
Secondary
News
Upcoming events
& Important dates
3rd- 7th November
Year 7 Trip to Euro
Space Centre, Belgium
Monday 10th November
World Science Day for
Peace and Development
Thursday 13th November
Sixth Form Students at
LuxExpo
Thursday 11th December
St George’s Grimm Tales
6:30pm (Barthel Hall)
the Word
Argute
Adjective: To show a keen
interest in everything you do.
Secondary School News
Sixth Form Careers Lunches
Starting on the 6th November, Sixth Form students will be hosting
lunchtime career presentations with guest speakers to help them
make informed decisions about their future career paths. The
lunches will be held from 12:20pm-1:00pm every second Thursday.
During this time students will have the opportunity to hear about
different careers and personal stories from members of the
Luxembourg working community. If you wish to become involved
or if you know someone who would be interested, please contact
Isabella, The Sixth Form Careers Ambassador via or Mr Edwards
via [email protected].
Senior Mathematics Challenge
Year 13 mathematics students will soon get the chance to put their
skills to the test. The Senior Mathematical Challenge is aimed at
all 16-19 year olds studying mathematics in the UK or abroad. The
challenge involves answering 25 multiple choice questions in 90
minutes and is sat in school under normal exam conditions. The
questions provide a global challenge and students compete against
each other all over the world. The top 60% of students receive
a gold, silver or bronze certificate in the ratio of 1:2:3 and each
institution receives a ‘Best in School certificate’. Top performing
students are then invited to take part in the next round and the
very best ultimately represent their country in the International
Mathematical Olympiad.
The initial challenge takes place on Thursday 6th November. We
wish the students luck and look forward to hearing of their success.
Exam Certificates
Students who took (I)GCSE, AS and A level exams in the summer
are receiving their certificates this week and will be bringing them
home. Please retain them and keep them safe, as these are the
only formal evidence of achievement accepted by universities and
future employers. Replacement certificates are expensive and
difficult to obtain.
St George’s Grimm Tales, Thursday 11th December
Year 10 and 11 Drama students will
present their GCSE assessment piece
for public performance on Thursday
11th December at 6:30pm in the Barthel
Hall.
This is a showcase performance of
Hansel & Gretel and Ashenputtle from
Carol-Ann Duffy’s dramatic adaptation
of Grimm’s Tales.
All parents and students are welcome!
5
Secondary
News
European Honour Boys Choir perform in
Rome
Last month, five boys from Years 7 and 8 travelled
to Rome to take part in the European Honour Boys
Choir organised by AMIS (Association for Music in
International Schools). The students spent every
lunchtime for half a term rehearsing a variety of
songs in preparation.
On Saturday 8th October the boys flew out to sunny Rome, arriving at the Ambrit School
eager to meet their host families. Throughout their stay, the boys were taken around Rome
by their host families and treated extremely well. For 3 days they rehearsed the songs
along with 60 boys from other schools around the world, including Lebanon, Turkey, Norway
and Germany. The boys were guided by a guest conductor during their rehearsals and
performance.
The students performed their concert in the centre of Rome in a beautiful church, and they
received a well-deserved standing ovation.
The boys had a once in a life-time experience and a brilliant time, enjoying the sights of
Rome, forming strong friendships with students whilst they had the opportunity to sing and
share the joy of making music together.
The 2014 European Middle School Honor Boys’ Choir Concert
Video can now be viewed and downloaded by clicking the
button below. (The password for access is case sensitive and
is: AMIS).
Artwork of the Month
Mykola, Year 10
6
This Newsletter is Copyright St
George’s International School
Luxembourg A.S.B.L.
All rights reserved - please
refer to our Terms of Use.
Data Protection Statement: In
order to fulfil our educational,
administrative and pastoral
obligations, St George’s
International School
Luxembourg A.S.B.L. holds and
processes personal data about
students and their families. This
data may be communicated
to local authorities or other
schools/universities. All
information is kept confidential.
Students and families have the
right to access to and rectify
the data concerning them.