Head of Primary Message Week 7

Michael Everett
Oct 4, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Oct 9, 2024

Education research and innovation are crucial for a school because they drive continuous improvement in teaching and learning, ensuring that students receive the best possible education. Research provides evidence-based strategies that help improve student engagement, achievement, and wellbeing. At ISB we adopt methods that are proven to work, helping all students succeed.

Innovation allows us to respond to evolving societal and technological trends. As the world changes, so do the skills students need to thrive. Innovative approaches ensure that education remains relevant and prepares students for the future. True innovation drives excellence by reimagining what is possible while maintaining the rigour that ensures lasting impact. Read more using the link below.

ISB Primary Research & Innovation

Weekly Spotlight 🔦

This week, I would like to highlight the work Ms Tracey (Assistant Headteacher), Mr Alex (Yr5), Ms Gemma (Yr4), Ms Vikki (Kindy) and Ms Honey (Learning Assistant). Together they form our Education Research and Innovation Lead team for this academic year.

Tracey Woodcock plays a pivotal role in shaping the learning experience for every student. With responsibility for curriculum development, Ms Tracey leads a team to ensure that our curriculum is dynamic, forward-thinking, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students. Her leadership guarantees that learning isn't just about meeting standards, but about fostering curiosity and a love for learning in every subject area.

In addition to curriculum oversight, Ms Tracey also has a focus on continued professional development (CPD) and ensures that our staff remain at the forefront of educational best practices. Through carefully designed CPD programmes, our staff are continuously equipped with new skills, strategies, and knowledge, enhancing their teaching and driving student achievement.

Alex Poad is an integral part of our school's commitment to excellence, and has spearheaded the development of our curriculum in Science, History, and Geography. Mr Alex has brought innovation and structure to these vital areas, ensuring that every student has access to a rich and balanced educational experience. Through a well-planned, inclusive curriculum, we continue to ensure that topics are not only engaging but also interconnected, fostering critical thinking and curiosity in students.

Pg H Dara Naqiah PPN Pg Hj Omar (Dk Honey) is dedicated to ensuring ISB has taken a significant step forward in embracing the rich history and vibrant culture of Brunei. Thanks to Ms Honey's vision and expertise, we now have a comprehensive curriculum that immerses every student in the stories, traditions, and heritage of their home or host country. The result is a generation of learners who are not only academically enriched but also culturally aware, equipped to be thoughtful, informed global citizens.

Vikki Tshai is working to ensure that all staff have a deep conceptual understanding of Early Years practice and pedagogy. This emphasises a commitment to high-quality education from the ground up. This role is critical in sharing why a coherent, well-rounded foundation for all learners is so important.

Gemma Smith leads with a focus on metacognition and self-regulation which is vital because these skills are key to empowering students as independent learners. Metacognition (the ability to think about one's own thinking), and self-regulation (managing emotions, behaviours, and learning processes) enable students to better understand their strengths and weaknesses, set goals, and devise strategies to achieve them.

Curriculum Matters 🧩

A truly exceptional curriculum, like the one we have developed at ISB, is characterised by its coherence, progression, and relevance. It builds on students' prior knowledge and experiences, encourages active learning, and is designed to meet the diverse needs of all learners. By emphasising these principles, we enable our students make significant academic strides, with outcomes demonstrating higher engagement, deeper understanding, and improved results in both foundational knowledge and cross-curricular skills. Read more using the link below.

Curriculum Overview

Student Leadership 🙋‍♀️ 🙋 🙋🏽‍♂️

🗣️Student Council members represent the students in their Year Group. They attend important meetings each week and provide feedback to staff on how to improve school life. They organise charitable events, and are available to help new students. Student Council members wear a specially designed blue shirt one day per week. There is a small budget for Student Council members to spend. Open to all students in Yr3 to Yr6. New and returning members welcome.

🤠 Lunchtime Rangers help to organise playground and lunchtime activities for students of all ages. This is a high-energy role and each ranger wears a specially designed cap to ensure they are easily identified. There is a small budget for Lunchtime Rangers to spend on games and activities throughout the year. Open to all students in Yr3 to Yr6. New and returning members welcome.

Student in Year 3 to Year 6 can apply for student leadership roles by checking their individual messages within Seesaw for the application process.

It's been a busy week 🤩

This week we have celebrated the 54th Anniversary of the renaming of Bandar Brunei to Bandar Seri Begawan, Pre Kindy have been talking about their family trees, Kindy have been enjoying fruits with friends, Reception have been painting on easels, Year 1 have been writing their curious quests, Year 2 have been building the Sahara desert, Year 3 have been demonstrating how light travels, Year 4 have been identifying plants, Year 5 have been learning all about their upcoming jungle experience and Year 6 have been writing formal letters.

Parent Teacher Consultations 👥

A reminder that next week we will be hosting Parent Teacher Consultations (PTC) for all year groups. As of the time of writing more than 90% of parents have an appointment to discuss their child's attainment, progress and achievement. We look forward to hosting parents for these important discussions. Look out for the coffee voucher in Seesaw (always popular) and a copy of the discussion notes.

There are four key elements when we report to parents and this first PTC of the school year is a great opportunity for us to further enhance effective home-school partnerships. Your child's teacher will discuss the following:

Attainment: how they are doing compared to others the same age.

Progress: how they are improving over time.

Achievement: how they are doing compared to individualised expectations.

Wellbeing: how happy they are in school and how well they get on with others.

If you have any questions about any aspect of school life, please do not hesitate to message in Seesaw.

Mr Michael Everett | Head of Primary