Prospectus 2016-17.Pdf
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2016/17 20 2 0 1 7 Our students come from diplomatic families stationed in Serbia, families who are here on contracts within international companies, Serbian families returning from living overseas and local families who realise the benefits their children will gain from an English language education. This eclectic mix offers our students true internationalization within their academic and pastoral education. Over the years our students have come from a wide range of countries: Algeria, Angola, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ghana, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Montenegro, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zimbabwe. How to contact BIS? Smetanina 12, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia Tel: +381 11 3066096 Fax: +381 11 3674851 e-mail: [email protected] www.british-int-school.org.uk www.bis.edu.rs How to find BIS? © All text and pictures copyright (c) BIS 2016 FOUNDED IN 1997 BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BIS Prospectus Welcome to the British International School, Belgrade (BIS). BIS is at the centre of a thriving and supportive community - a happy, challenging and forward-looking school. Enriched by our cultural diversity and proud of our curriculum and ethos, we are committed to the highest standards in all that we do. Whatever your enquiry - as an individual, a company or an organisation - we are always here to help and we look forward to welcoming you to our school. This package provides detailed information about the programmes we offer, the activities we provide and our examinations systems. However, the following points summarise the main aspects that we feel are important and should help you to decide if BIS is the right choice for your family: ü A tradition of individual education to the highest standards ü A quality, accredited curriculum with an international dimension ü Well-qualified and dedicated teachers ü Superb sporting facilities ü Internationally recognised qualifications issued by the world famous University of Cambridge and University of Nebraska ü Accreditated by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development of the Republic of Serbia ü Full Member of the Council of British International Schools and European Council of International Schools ü A safe and caring environment ü An emphasis upon courtesy, self-discipline and mutual respect ü Professional support for students entering from other educational systems ü Skilful tuition in English and encouragement of other languages, including French, German and Spanish ü Professional help for children with special educational needs ü Wide range of extra curricular activities ü Welcome assistance for families arriving and leaving Serbia We look forward to welcoming you to BIS and providing a quality education for your children. Aleksandra Keserovic Neil Howie Principal Deputy Principal Government of the Republic of Serbia Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development 2 Contents ABOUT BIS History . 4 Educational Ethos. 6 Management . 8 Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTF) . 9 BIS Annual Charity Event . 9 SECONDARY SCHOOL Overview . 12 Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) . 14 Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) . 15 Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13) . 16 Computer Suites . 17 Pastoral activities . 17 School Prefects/Student Council . 18 Clubs. 18 The Duke of Edinburgh International Young People's Award . 19 Students helping Charityes . 19 Sports . 20 Assessment and Reporting . 21 Homework . 21 Parent Conference Evenings. 21 Examinations . 21 Secondary School Day . 22 Individual Learning Programme & Special Educational Needs . 22 Study Tours . 23 Life beyond BIS. 24 PRIMARY SCHOOL Caring for our Children . 26 Curriculum and Learning Programme . 27 Reception . 28 Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2). 28 Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) . 30 Homework . 30 English as a Second Language (ESL). 31 Assessment. 31 Primary School Day . 32 Mathletics and SuperMathlete . 32 Library . 33 Computers . 33 Trips . 34 APPLYING FOR ADMISSION Admission Conference. 35 Fees . 35 3 BIS Prospectus About BIS BIS is a caring, vibrant and forward thinking international community. Our staff have a shared sense of purpose with high pastoral and academic expectations. At BIS, we aim to develop independent, confident individuals able to contribute positively to future society. We hope that you will find answers to any questions you may have about BIS on these pages. We look forward to welcoming you to our school so that our students can show you the outstanding educational experience on offer at BIS. Please contact us if you need to know anything else. History BIS began as the International High School Belgrade, which was co-founded in 1997 by Aleksandra Keserovic, a local teacher and professional vocalist who received a Masters Degree in Musicology from the University of Belgrade, and the late Dr Jonathan Rider from California. Being the first international secondary school in Serbia based on the English language BIS was in the position to accommodate children of diplomatic corps, foreign business families, as well as local children interested in schooling in the English language and wanting to attend universities worldwide. Throughout Serbia's recent political history, IHSB successfully continued to operate and this led to increased growth as the economic and political climates developed. As a result the school moved to a new site in 2003, opened a Primary School and renamed itself as the British International School to reflect the emphasis and quality of the education we provide. In 2006 the Primary School moved into new larger premises next to the then current school, thus enabling us to open a Reception Class. As such BIS became able to accept students from 4 to 19 years old. This expansion enabled us to also facilitate the expansion of the Secondary school, as they Initial school site 1997-2003 occupied the old Primary school classrooms. BIS 2003-2008 BIS Primary 2006 4 About BIS In the BIS Secondary students will develop in line with the School's Mission Statement. This beautiful building offers a range of practical rooms to suit all our class sizes, and allows for a large Resource Centre, as well as two large computer rooms, and a smaller computer room. The BIS Primary campus is exceptionally suitable for the students, given its closed off environment with a large outdoor space. The size of the playground allows for a number of outdoor activities such as football, basketball, climbing BIS Upper Secondary Campus and Administration frame, swings, seesaws and two pergolas for rest and/or group activities. Students can enjoy on-site swimming lessons with a professional swimming instructor. Both swimmers and non-swimmers improve quickly, as they receive full individual attention from the instructor. There are only 6-7 students in the pool per lesson. With the school continuing to increase the student body in September 2015 BIS opened its third school campus in Palackova St. very close to our now upper Secondary Campus. This is used by our Key Stage 3 students: those in Years 7, 8 and 9. BIS is accredited by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Development of the Republic of Serbia (No. 022-05-00021/2012-03), and a Full Member of both the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) and the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). BIS was the first school in Serbia to receive approval by the BIS Primary Campus British Department for Education (formerly DfES) to teach the British National Curriculum (DfE No.6352). BIS has formal recognition from the University of Cambridge for the delivery of their International Examinations syllabi (www.cie.org.uk) and is a registered Cambridge International Examinations Centre (EA011), as well as a Cambridge Primary Programme Centre. BIS is the sole Balkans operator for the International Award for Young People initiated by HRH Duke of Edinburgh. BIS Lower Secondary School Campus 5 BIS Prospectus Educational Ethos BIS students are set and expected to meet, high achievement goals in both personal and academic development within a supportive environment. Each student is encouraged to strive for academic excellence through the development of essential skills in critical thinking, acquiring and applying knowledge, working independently and collaboratively, and effective communication. Overall, our purpose is to assist students to develop their commitment to life-long learning in preparation for further study pathways and roles as citizens and leaders in their homes, at work and in their communities. ü BIS provides a happy, nurturing, caring and secure environment where each student is helped to feel equally important and is encouraged to achieve his or her maximum potential in all aspects of school life. The personal and social development of our students underpins all teaching and learning activities at BIS where we: ü encourage tolerance, respect and sensitivity towards others; ü create opportunities for development of student leadership, and student participation in school and community activities; ü provide guidance to help students make informed decisions, live healthy lives and deal with the moral, social and cultural issues they will face as they approach adulthood; ü and promote an understanding of the global society in which we live. When you visit our school, you will see our ethos in evidence. We are proud of our students' abilities to work hard, create positive relationships and develop new skills and knowledge with enthusiasm. We believe that children learn best when they are actively involved and interested. We also believe a child's school experiences should promote a natural curiosity and interest in the world around them where learning is exciting, challenging and fun! 2015 Secondary Christmas Production 2015 Primary Christmas Production: Lion King 6 About BIS We recognise the importance of the home/school partnership for successful education.