Headteacher @ ISSL

2nd July 2010

Dear Parents

We are at the end of term and there is a huge amount to do before we can relax. I just want to recap on some of the improvements that have taken place this year:

• a protocol with the University of Coimbra. They have carried out two assessments of the teaching and learning of Portuguese. The reports have been most constructive and there will be significant improvements in this area next year;
• the new catering service is proving to be a huge hit;
• toilets have been refurbished;
• a new all weather sports pitch has been laid (thanks to donors);
• improved extra-curricular activities programme organized by Joanne Mathews (Phil’s DIY proving to be amongst the most popular);
• our Christmas show is regarded as probably the best ever (thanks to Linda Spencer);
• Jo Fletcher and Carla Costa are developing international links;
• the website is significantly improved;
• whole school redecorated;
• gardens and green areas improved;
• new Business Manager;
• improved newsletters (Alison Stovold);
• the PTA has raised huge sums of money and raised the profile of the school through e.g. The Guiness World Record for Domino Matresses, The Spinathon and the Christmas Fayre (thanks to Susan, Meg and friends);
• the distinguished speakers club with Dr Karl Otto Pohl (ex President of the Bundesbank) and Allan Lyall (Vice President European Operations at Amazon);
• new leadership of the Primary phase (Jo Fletcher and Sue McGuire);
• Primary Subject Co-ordinators;
• Primary Guided Reading Programme;
• Primary Child of the Week;
• Primary Subject Co-ordinators and Resource co-ordination;
• Booster lessons for Year 6;
• Assessing Pupil Progress (APP Primary);
• World Cup project for Primary children;
• improved Learning Support Co-ordination (Sue McGuire);
• Primary vegetable gardens (Viv McSwiggan, Fiona Hook-MacDonald and Hallie Robinson);
• The International Award (Linda Wright);
• Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 Pupil Mentoring and Academic Monitoring Day;
• Year 6 – 9 “Opening Minds” programme;
• New Applied Business A Level (Joanne Mathews);
• Sports activities e.g. football and basketball in Lisbon, Cross Country in Loulé and Villamoura, Inter schools Tag Rugby at Loulé, and Primary Football team in local league;
• new academic report format;
• Parent Consultative Groups and parent, pupil and teachers perceptions survey;
• Performance Management and Professional Development programme;
• pottery and ceramics with Mario Mendosa;
• the short film competition
• we have developed links with local Portuguese schools in Loule and Almancil;
• trips and visits (21 for the Primary phase alone and Secondary Sports, Art and History trips to Lisbon, Barcelona and Berlin)

All of these improvements build on those of previous years and we are not stopping there. We are trying to build the most fantastic school here. Our staff is totally committed to this aspiration. We accept that the economic circumstances are creating some difficulties but we are putting blinkers on and pressing forward. So what can you expect next year?

Teaching and Learning:

I am aware that there are still a number of areas where we can improve. In order to ensure that our standards are high I am initiating a stronger monitoring of teacher planning and preparation and the setting and assessment of Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 Homework. Where there have been issues you should see an immediate improvement. You will be asked to play your part in this by ensuring homework diaries are checked and that you create a proper facility for private study at home.

Academic Monitoring and reporting:

We have introduced an academic monitoring procedure with mentors attached to each pupil in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5. This will now be reinforced and better communication with parents (both ways) should result. You will also notice some changes to the format of reports. Primary reports now include pupil’s self-evaluation comments and reference to the ‘next step in learning’; Secondary reports include a Mentor comment and a grid showing performance against a range of ‘the key characteristics of a good learner’. We want the reports to be both informative to teachers, pupils and parents but also a formative and supportive part of the learning process. You should also be aware that we are now much more precise in our assessment against National Curriculum standards. Teachers, pupils and (I hope) parents are becoming more familiar with these standards. Parents who want to know more should go to http://curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/index.aspx or search National Curriculum Online. When there look for Key Stage 1 and 2 Attainment Targets and/or Key Stage 3 Level Descriptors.

Behaviour:

I have had very few reports of bullying this year (unlike during my early days.) I will continue to operate a policy of zero tolerance of bullying. In addition, any persistent bad behavior will be dealt with. I will not tolerate the poor behavior of a few pupils intruding on the right to learn of the others. I expect your full co-operation in this matter.

Personal Financial Education (PFE):

We are introducing a programme of Personal Financial Education. This will look different in both Primary and Secondary phases. PFE will be delivered across the Primary curriculum in a thematic way. In Secondary, we will be taking a broader view both of PFE and Financial and Economic awareness. This will be delivered in a discreet way through our PSHE programme and I will be playing a leading role in the process.

“Opening Minds”:

We piloted “Opening Minds” this year for Year 6 – 9. “Opening Minds” aims to help us to provide our pupils with the skills or competencies they need to thrive in the real world. It is a broad framework through which we can deliver the content of the national curriculum in a creative and flexible way so that our pupils are able to thrive in and shape the real world. Our view is that the initial programme was a success but, through evaluation, we think it was possibly too long. However, we believe that there are enormous benefits to be accrued from this creative way of learning and we intend to remodel the process for next year. Parents will be kept fully informed.

Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLEATS) at Key Stage 3:

We really need to teach our children to think and to take control of their learning. PLEATS do just that. The programme develops skills and enables pupils to become Independent Enquirers; Creative Thinkers; Reflective Learners; Team Workers; Self-Managers; and Effective Participators. This will take place through our PSHE programme and we have a team of determined teachers in place to deliver it. Watch this space.

Languages Ladder:

We all need to be assured that our children are making the required progress in terms of language development. We are introducing The Languages Ladder’ which will enable us to inform parents and pupils about what they should be able to do (in terms of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) at the end of each year. So we will be able to assess pupil progress more accurately and do so in the knowledge that if progress happens at a particular rate then proficiency in the language will be very evident. More information will follow.

Music at Key Stage 2 and Extra-Curricular Music:

I am delighted to announce that as from September we will be providing music lessons for Key Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6). Karl and Rosalind Tomlin (who graduated from The Royal College of Music in London before working at the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Manchester; the Metropilitana Orquestra, Lisbon and the Orchestra of Colours, Athens before coming to the Orchestra of The Algarve), are joining us to significantly enhance our provision of music. They will be teaching for a small part of the curriculum and then providing some extra-curricular music after school which will be paid privately. Children who play instruments will be able to put their skills to work and become part of a school based ‘rock and jazz ensemble’. Karl and Ros will also be able to offer individual private tuition on violin, viola, cello, guitar and jazz and pop piano. They are presenting a String Quartet Concert on the 10th September to introduce themselves. This is a massive development and I know it will be a hugely successful addition to the school.

And finally some thanks:

This has been a great year. The PTA has been amazing. The energy and commitment towards the school has been nothing short of inspirational. A massive thanks to everyone who has helped.

Also, a big thank you to John Nichols and his fellow sailors (Tim Robinson, Nick Austin, Peter Crouch and Joe Mountain) who recently took part in the Round the Island race in which 1700 yachts sailed around The Isle of Wight. They sponsored the school and as well as raising our profile in a very different way, they also raised money for us. Well done to you all.

Thank you to the teachers who are leaving us this year: Jenny Holland, Mike Larkins, Lynn Brands, Wendy Carson, Margarida Alexei and Claudia Mendes. Your contribution to this school will always be appreciated and the children will never forget your incredible impact.

Thank you to The Board of Governors who work strenuously and incessantly in the long term best interests of the school. Talk about thankless task!

Thank you to our parents for being so supportive, so understanding and so generous in time and spirit.

Thanks to the children for being so wonderful.

Most of all, thanks to the teachers. They are the backbone of the school, the people without whom the rest of the structure would collapse.

Have a lovely holiday!

Yours sincerely

Terry McGuire
Headteacher

Parents may be aware that children as young as 5 are accessing websites and social networking sites. We must ensure that our children are protected so I am going to start talking to them about the dangers and what they can do to protect themselves. I will start the process with some advice for you as parents:

• Talk to your child about what they are doing online
• Make sure your children understand they should keep online friends online
• If they want to meet someone in the real world, make sure they take you, or another trusted adult, with them
• Encourage your child to only chat to and webcam with people they know in the real world and that they understand why they need to protect personal information.

Source: Ceop

Also you might like to look  at this:

See the BBC news item

9th Dec 2009

Dear Parents

We are quickly approaching the end of term so some final, but very important, bits of information:

Protocol with University of Coimbra

We are proud to announce the creation of a protocol with University of Coimbra. The university is one of the most prestigious in Portugal and one of the oldest established universities in Europe. The Faculty of Letters will assist us in ensuring that our teaching of the Portuguese language is of the highest standard. The Faculty will visit us a number of times throughout the year to evaluate our teaching of Portuguese and will support the ongoing professional development of our language teachers. This development should reassure parents that this school will continue to improve the quality of the standard of teaching and learning and that we place particular emphasis on first class teaching of the Portuguese language.

Guiness Book of World Records

I am delighted to announce that our domino mattress world record attempt was successful. We have received notification from the organization that it is now an official world record. I would like to express my gratitude, and that of the whole school, to Simon and Tracey Wragg, Susan Irvine and the many people who gave their time and effort so selflessly. The event has been seen all over the world and has really placed us on the map. Again, a massive thank you to everyone involved. Copies of the certificate will be given to all 244 participants and all helpers.

Primary School Leadership

Antonia Ryan-Brown is leaving the school at the end of this term. I will be paying a tribute to her at a Primary assembly but I want to take this opportunity to thank her for the enormous amount of work she has done since taking the position. I am sure that all staff and parents will join me in congratulating Antonia on her fantastic achievements. All Primary staff were invited to apply for the positions created by Antonia’s departure and I am pleased to announce that Jo Fletcher has been appointed as Assistant Head Primary and will be responsible Teaching and Learning and Communication. Sue McGuire has been appointed as Assistant Head Primary and will be responsible for Professional Development and Performance Management.

Inspection

The International Schools Inspectorate, an extension of OFSTED, will be invited to conduct an inspection of our school in the academic year 2010-2011. This will be an opportunity for us to be evaluated in a most rigorous way. The standards that we will be judged by are very demanding and extensive. I am putting a steering group together to move us towards greater compliance with the standards. The process will, in itself, ensure a continuous improvement in everything we do. I will keep parents informed throughout the year.

Prefects

I am pleased to announce that we are appointing 8 of our Sixth Form students as prefects. We want to acknowledge their maturity and responsibility. We also want them to act more intensively as role models for children lower down the school. The prefects will be active from January 2010.

Toilets

We are pleased to announce that the toilet block will be completely refurbished during the holiday. This is a long overdue but most welcome development.

School catering

Our school lunches will be provided by Tania and Faheem Zakria. We are confident that we will all see a substantial improvement in the quality of the food our children eat daily. Another very welcome development!

Fees

Can I please remind parents that fees for the next term were due to be paid by the 4^th December. I know that things are difficult for many but, in order to operate effectively, we need a smooth cash flow. It is very important that payments are prompt so please help Alison by paying fees before the end of term.

This has been a very productive, active and hectic term. There have been lots of trips and visits and most, if not all, pupils have benefitted. There have been visits to Berlin, Barcelona, Lisbon, Loule, Faro, Huelva in Spain and other places. We have extended our links to include schools in Portugal and Huelva and are extending them further. All the Primary school children have planted vegetable seeds in their new garden under the careful guidance of Fiona Hook-Macdonald and Vivienne McSwiggan. They will be consuming the product of their labour very soon. All classrooms now have interactive whiteboards and many rooms have benefitted from more frequent and effective maintenance work. The Parents Consultative Groups have met and have made numerous constructive contributions and suggestions. The PTA has been absolutely amazing, having organized events almost weekly. I am sure the money raised from their efforts will be used to further the interests of all pupils. Massive thanks to the PTA and all helpers. I know we need to do a lot more to improve the environment of the school so I will be asking for parents (mostly dads) to volunteer some time in the new year to spruce the place up a bit.

This is a great school. It is made great by the excellent contribution of parents, governors, support staff and pupils. However, the teachers at this school are its greatest strength. Their commitment to the pupils is inspiring. They are a most dedicated and hardworking group of people. They give their time freely and are determined to ensure the highest possible standards through a rigorous programme of professional development and performance management. I know we are unique by Algarve standards but I also know we are challenging the standards of the best international schools in Portugal. For this we have to acknowledge the performance of the teachers.

All that remains is for me to wish you all a very happy Christmas and New Year. Feliz Natal!