The Lion – 9th February 2018
School news
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Secondary
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MESSAGE FROM BRIAN CHRISTIAN – PRINCIPAL Dear Parents, As we arrive at the half-way point in what is a relatively short school term, it is perhaps a good time to empathise with those students who have more reason than most to note the rapid passing of time. Last week, while most secondary school students were enjoying the snow in Hakuba or making new friends in Miyazaki, Year 12 and 13 were sitting their trial examinations and are now eagerly (nervously?) awaiting the publication of their results. The number of A Level students at BST has grown steadily in recent years, a very creditable track record of attainment has been established and we now have alumni studying at a range of top universities in the UK and around the world. I know that if those who have gone before them could give this year’s A Level cohort just one piece of advice, it would be to make the most of the time that is left to them and to be aware of just how fast the clock is ticking. Courses are almost complete, there are very few lessons left and revision time is limited – but, with determination and application, there is still a chance to make a significant difference, to turn a C grade into a B or even an A, to open the door to a first-choice university rather than one of the reserve options. On the theme of alumni and university choices, earlier in the week I was delighted to hear from one of our former students who opted to take a slightly different path: Ryo Koyama is studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London and is clearly making the most of his opportunities there. A wonderfully gifted violinist who took centre stage in the very first of our Advanced Musicians’ Recitals, Ryo is now performing with the Florizel Quartet and already beginning to make his way in the extremely competitive world of professional music. Ryo left BST just two years ago in 2015, but he was astonished to hear how much music at BST has progressed in that short time. He was particularly impressed by the development of the orchestra and the growth in the number of openings for our young musicians to perform in front of an audience. Which gives me this opportunity to remind you about the Primary Instrumentalists’ Concert coming up on Tuesday 27th February in the Green Hall at Showa, and to let you know that this year we have decided to offer you not one but two Advanced Musicians Recitals* in order to accommodate the growing number of accomplished performers in the school. *(13th March & 15th May 2018) Of course it would be remiss of me to talk about BST music without mentioning one of the real highlights of our 2018 Arts calendar: the eagerly anticipated Little Shop of Horrors. (21st & 23rd Feb). After weeks and months of hard work on the part of so many actors, musicians, artists, costume designers and technicians we’re almost there! Do come along and give them the audience they deserve – it promises to be a brilliantly entertaining show and I know you will all enjoy watching that cute little plant growing up. Enjoy the Half Term break! Brian Christian https://twitter.com/BST_Principal Page 2 of 21
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LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
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SECONDARY NEWS Dear Students and Parents, This half term has flown by and I hope everyone has a restful yet productive week ahead. Thank you to the many parents that attended the Academic Enrichment Coffee Morning on Monday. It is clear that we have many opportunities on offer but could perhaps, do a better job of communicating this more effectively. Congratulations to our sports team who last week, despite many obstacles, performed admirably in their respective tournaments. Our senior girls’ hockey team achieved 4th place, our senior boys’ football team achieved 2nd place, our junior girls’ football team achieved 2nd place and our junior boys’ basketball team achieved 1st place. Students and parents of Years 12 and 13 will be receiving mock examination results later today. With only a few months until the 'real thing', it is vital that we celebrate what was achieved but also look at what still requires improvement, so that all students are able to meet and exceed their potential. Good luck to our Robotics Team, who will be competing this weekend, using their VEX robotics kits. I know they have been working incredibly hard at lunchtimes and after school, so we wish them well. On Thursday's Assembly we heard from Mr. Grimshaw and our students about all of the wonderful service work that is done by our community. We were also educated a bit more about what is meaningful and responsible service, leaving us with much to reflect on. We were also treated to a 'trailer' for the upcoming School Production: Little Shop of Horrors. They showcased one number from the production and it was spectacularly good! They have been rehearsing and working relentlessly for months and it would be wonderful to see the Green Hall packed with students, parents and friends. We have two shows; one on Wednesday 21st February and the other on Friday 23rd February. Each performance starts at 6:00 pm and we can promise you a fun filled evening of entertainment. Have a lovely half term break. Brian Platts https://twitter.com/BST_Secondary Page 4 of 21
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SECONDARY EVENTS
Term 2 (2017-2018) Saturday 10th February VEX Robotics Competition Friday 16th February Geography Flood Tunnels Trip Sunday 18th February Secondary School Musical Full Rehearsal in Green Hall Tuesday 20th February Dress and Technical Rehearsal for Secondary School Musical in Green Hall Y12 & Y13 Subject Parents’ Evening Wednesday 21st February First Night of Little Shop of Horrors in Green Hall, Showa – 6pm Thursday 22nd February 15:45 – 16:15 DoE CPD Friday 23rd February Final Night of Little Shop of Horrors in Green Hall, Showa – 6pm Secondary BST SKI Club (3) Y9 Full Reports Released Secondary Lost Property - https://goo.gl/UzKVNJ Page 5 of 21
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ADVANCED MUSICIANS RECITAL
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LIBRARY BOOK CLUB FOR PARENTS AT SHOWA BST Showa Library Team (Y4-13) is offering Showa Parents the opportunity to form book clubs, which would meet regularly in the Secondary Library (2F). The groups would discuss a common book that everyone is reading and exchange opinions on the story, characters and issues that arise. The exact format and schedule of the book clubs has yet to be decided, but would be negotiated among the members. If you are interested in joining a book club, please contact me. Michael Bell Secondary Librarian
[email protected]
SHOWA PRESS READER
Pressreader is an online newspaper and magazine service which gives us access to over 7,000 international periodicals. It is freely available to all students and parents in Showa Secondary via our IP address hotspot. To access Pressreader just download the app on your device and open it up within the BST Showa building, this will give you 10 days unlimited access. If you have any questions, please contact Mr Bell in the Secondary Library. https://www.pressreader.com/
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PUZZLE OF THE WEEK
FANTASY FOOTBALL BST Fantasy Premier League round up: Last weekend saw an unusually low set of scores. Sean Peedle makes an unsurprising return to the top 3, while Mr Norton makes it 6 straight weeks in pole position. Elsewhere, last season’s runner up, Paul Raudkepp, is the ‘in-form’ player and is up to 5th (having sat 25th just a few weeks back). And Mr Pye surely created history, being the first player ever to select 4 defenders who played zero combined minutes between them. That takes some doing! Good luck for this weekend…
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PRIMARY NEWS Dear Primary Parents, It is good to be back in school after returning from recruiting in the UK. It is always interesting to visit the candidates in their schools, meet their classes and experience their teaching. We look forward to some exciting new members of staff joining the Primary team next academic year.
Sorry to have missed the Sign-2-Sing event on Tuesday at Showa. From the pictures the children seem to have really enjoyed the experience. I hope it inspires them in the future to further explore the power of communication through signing.
Many of our families may be aware of Orbi Yokohama, an interactive educational space full of high-tech ways to learn about animals, nature, and landscapes. Our Year 4 classes visited Orbi today to enrich their lesson unit and thoroughly enjoyed being able to interact with the topics they’ve been learning about. If you are looking for an educational excursion with your families during half term, the Year 4 students highly recommend it.
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PRIMARY CONT’D This week we had the pleasure of welcoming student teachers from Showa Women’s University to our Shibuya campus as part of their training course. The student teachers observed our classes to gain insight into an international school setting and teaching style. They sent a warm thank you to all of our staff and students for allowing them the opportunity to come in. I’m sure you will join me in wishing them well on their journey to the British School on their Showa Campus in Boston in the spring for further training.
As you know, next week is the half term break and the children are looking forward to the holiday. They have all worked extremely hard so far this term. They deserve some rest, but remind them also to read and exercise during their time away from classes. We look forward to welcoming back a well-rested Primary for the remainder of Term 2 on Monday 19th February. Enjoy the break. Hopefully the temperatures will have inched up a bit by the time we return!
Kirsten O’Connor https://twitter.com/BST_Primary
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PRIMARY MUSIC
BST Music Department Newsletter – January 2018 - https://goo.gl/gXgukh. Page 11 of 21
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PRIMARY NEWSLETTERS Nursery Newsletter http://www.bst.ac.jp/nursery-news-friday-9th-february-2018/ Reception Newsletter http://www.bst.ac.jp/reception-news-friday-9th-february-2018/ Year 1 Newsletter http://www.bst.ac.jp/year-1-news-friday-9th-february-2018/ Year 2 Newsletter http://www.bst.ac.jp/year-2-news-friday-9th-february-2018/ Year 3 Newsletter http://www.bst.ac.jp/year-3-news-friday-9th-february-2018/ Year 4 Newsletter http://www.bst.ac.jp/year-4-news-friday-9th-february-2018/ Year 5 Newsletter http://www.bst.ac.jp/year-5-news-friday-9th-february-2018/ Year 6 Newsletter http://www.bst.ac.jp/year-6-news-friday-9th-february-2018/
RE & PHILOSOPHY What religious celebrations take place this week? 14th February - 29th March: Lent Season of preparation before Easter, in which Christians often surrender a particular vice, such as chocolate or smoking. The sacrifice represents Jesus’s deprivation in the wilderness. 13th February: Maha Shivaratri Devotion and thanks are shown to Lord Shiva, who danced his cosmic dance this night. Many Hindus fast. 15th February: Parinirvana The Buddha’s death, celebrated because he attained total Enlightenment, or Nirvana. Time for a new philosophical question...
If you could have any 3 wishes granted, what would they be? Why? Page 12 of 21
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PTA
BST PTA is sponsored by Azabu Gardens, a Pembroke property. https://www.azabugardens.com/
BRITISH SWEET DONATIONS NEEDED
Email
[email protected]
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INVITATION TO VENDORS
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SPRING FAIR DONATIONS
Email
[email protected]
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
SPRING FAIR DONATIONS
Email
[email protected] Page 16 of 21
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CALLING ALL BAKERS
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JUNIOR BRITISH BAKE OFF
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SHOWA COFFEE MORNINGS
BST PTA is sponsored by Azabu Gardens, a Pembroke property. https://www.azabugardens.com/
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PTA TOURS
Upcoming 2018 Tours March 13 Tuesday – Mount Takao – Hiking Tour Please email
[email protected] if you are intested in joining
BST PTA is sponsored by Azabu Gardens, a Pembroke property. Page 20 of 21
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
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