Academic scholarship scheme at Berlin British School

Workshop Indian Classical Music at the Philharmonie

For the last few years the latter has been Indian Classical Music. While we use many recorded examples as well as videos to illustrate this foreign form of music I was delighted when I received an invitation to a workshop on Indian Music from the Philharmonie. On Sunday, 14 May, Mrs Schutz and I took some of our IGCSE Music students to the workshop given by three musicians trained in Indian Music. Not only were the students given a visual and aural demonstration of Indian instruments and the art of singing, but also the opportunity to join in parts of the music making. The workshop covered all aspects relevant to the IGCSE exam - which was particularly useful for one of the students present, as he is about to take the written exam. 

Claudia Neuse

BBS participates Inter Schools Swimming Gala in Frankfurt

Early Years Community Day 28 April 2012

I am sometimes asked by prospective parents what makes BBS different from other schools. It is a fair question, and I answer it as best I can: I refer to, among other qualities, the rigorous academic curriculum, our distinctive method of teaching, the excellent standard of pastoral support and the wide range of extracurricular activities. 

But each of and all of these responses overlook perhaps the school’s greatest strength of them all: the spirit which permeates our community. That spirit was on display on Saturday 28 April when parents, students and staff – from all sections of the school – met at Early Years to give the site a face lift. Armed with paint brushes, rollers, brooms and gardening tools, members of the community came together as a team to re-decorate and improve parts of the EY buildings that are already in use for teaching and learning as well as those which had, until recently, been part of the hausmeister’s flat and which will now be devoted to extending educational provision. 

The weather could not have been better. But nor could the sense of common purpose, the recognition that team work and cooperation can secure objectives that individual endeavour on its own cannot. Apart from the fact that we left the Early Years site in much improved physical condition and appearance, these are the clear memories I have of a day that achieved so much in a spiritual as well as a material sense. 

Despite the fact that this was above all a community effort, inevitably there are various individuals who should be singled out for particular thanks, but whose modesty prevents me from mentioning them in name here. They worked long and hard not only on the day itself but in the days and weeks running up to it so that everyone was well prepared and equipped (not least with an excellent barbecue lunch) on the day itself. 

My sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone. 

Appointment of new Head Teacher of the Berlin British School: Mr Simon Walker

He succeeds Graham Lacey who is leaving to take up a new and challenging post as head of a well-known international school in London. 

For the last four years Simon Walker has been Principal of the Middle School at the Bavarian International School in Munich. He was previously head of secondary at the British School in Tokyo. Among his many accomplishments he is a Fellow of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. 

Simon Walker's experience and academic record will I am sure prove an enormous asset to our school community. We look forward greatly to working with him and wish him every success in his new appointment. 

Two reports by BBS student players at the Berlin International Music Project (BIMP) 18 March 2012

Before the concert several exciting rehearsals took place in which the pieces were practised and refined. The atmosphere was very pleasant and light; a lot of fun was had. They provided an excellent opportunity to get to know students from the other schools and make new friends. Those of us who had taken part in previous years were able to renew old friendships. Another bonus was the refreshments that were provided at the rehearsals of Senior Orchestra; these provided an energy boost, and thus maximised our efforts.

On the day before the concert all ensembles met at BBIS for a day filled with rehearsals. The choreography of the concert was practised and each group was given the opportunity to become accustomed to the acoustics in the performance (sports) hall. During break-time we were once again able to enjoy delicious food provided by BBS and BBIS parents, and to get to know members of the other ensembles.

On the day of the concert, Mr Leang, conductor of the Senior Orchestra, asked us to arrive shortly before the start, as he feared that the two pieces we were going to play (Beethoven and Dvorak) would have been over-rehearsed if we had had another rehearsal in the afternoon.

In the concert itself entertaining and compelling speeches alternated with well-prepared musical performances. All ensembles played tremendously well.

What amazed me most about this project was that all choirs, orchestras and the jazz ensemble made hardly any mistakes, despite the short time we had to prepare for the concert.

It was once again a wonderful experience to be involved in this project.

Jonathan Jacobs, Year 11

Jazz Ensemble

To begin with, I would like to say that participating in the jazz ensemble was a real pleasure for both for me and my fellow participants.

The rehearsals went very well, especially the first in which we got the basic rhythms flowing, as well as all the notes and parts. Overall, the rehearsals had a relaxed atmosphere about them, and we were all confident. Our supervisors took everything with utmost ease and quickly corrected all of our mistakes.

I personally found the choice of pieces great, as they were all fun to play, as well as having a great variation of rhythms. I especially enjoyed Oye Como Va. I found it a great musical experience that suited all tastes and am looking forward to BIMP 2013 already!

Myron Schulz, Year 8

GISST Under 14 Boys Basketball Tournament

They were fortunate to be drawn in the slightly weaker of the two pool groups. They came third in the group, beating the Franconian School and losing narrowly to Hannover and Neuss. By coming third in the group the boys moved onto the knockout stages of the tournament.

They lost to a superb Bavarian team, but beat Neuss in a thrilling 5/6 playoff. The Neuss team towered over our relatively young team that may have been lacking a little in height - but not tenacity. The Neuss team was leading throughout the game until the last two minutes, when some great play and important baskets saw us run out winners.

Results

BBS 20 Hannover 35

BBS 30 Franconian 24

BBS 27 Neuss 33

BBS 10 Bavaria 47

BBS 25 Neuss 22

Team

Robby, Paul, Jan, Noah, Kai, Hlomla, James, Ilya, Tahir, Max

Berlin British School's Varsity Boys finish in fourth place at this year's GISST Basketball Tournament

This year they worked with a new coach, Goran Diminski, who instilled a new level of focus and belief in the team.  In the first game of the tournament they beat Dresden by a comfortable margin and then met Frankfurt who went on to win the tournament.  BBS played incredibly well, but lost by ten points.  The final and determining game of the pool play was against Stuttgart.  The boys trailled ISS by a few points throughout the game but led by 2 points in the final 30 seconds to secure a place in the semi-final.  Never have time-outs and tactical decision been so critical in securing such a close BBS victory.  The boys and Goran were ecstatic with their win - it truly was a game to remember. 

The boys started Saturday with a very tough game against BerIS; we knew that we were going to be up against it.  They played well and defended excellently in parts but had difficulty scoring points under pressure. Eventually BerIS pulled ahead and then went out of sight.  The second game of the day was a surprise one against a very good BIS team (Bavaria). The game was great to watch and the boys played very well for the third place trophy. It was painfully close throughout, with the lead swapping continually, but in the last quarter Bavaria put up some really strong plays, and on the final buzzer they were 6 points ahead.

The tournament as a whole was very successful. The boys did extremely well to come away in fourth place, so close to bringing home their first trophy.  Well done!

Article on Berlin British School

Please follow the link:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/expateducation/9123201/Expat-guide-to-Germany-schools.html

Fasching at Berlin British School

All the children made a huge effort with their costumes and Mrs Jackson made a brilliant DJ. Thank you to the friends of BBS for providing the refreshments of pizza and crisps and for helping to tidy up at the end of the night.

Many thanks to everybody who came to the disco. We hope you had a great time and that you weren’t too tired for school the next day.

Sara 5G