Purposeful learning from the Early Years to the High School A message from the Headteacher One of the things I enjoy doing most is visiting the classrooms and seeing all the wonderful work that goes on day by day. This week I had the pleasure of being invited into both the Year 5 classrooms, where students were giving presentations based on what they had been learning about the heart and the circulatory system. The students were, without exception, knowledgeable, communicative and talented. Those listening (including the parents who were watching the presentations online) were open-minded and caring. We often talk about the Learner Profile and what it means. I would suggest simply observing our students and their daily life here at school. I wish you all a restful and safe weekend. Mr Thompson Photo of the week: KG's nature walk to learn about & observe the changing seasons Photo of the week: Y12 Philosophy online lesson with Mr Paparusso IB students 'hold an advantage' in critical thinking, finds study from Oxford University Research from Oxford University suggests that International Baccalaureate (IB) students "appear to hold an advantage" over their non-IB contemporaries in their ability to think critically. Read the study's findings ⇒
Critical thinking is at the heart of an IB education. At RIS we teach our students to think for themselves and to understand the significance of what they are learning in global and local contexts. Dates for your Diary
Monday 16th November NU to Y6 Parent-Teacher conferences begin
Tuesday 1st December Parent Reps Virtual Meeting
Monday 7th December Ponte - School closed
Tuesday 8th December National Holiday - school closed Health Procedures: FAQs
We have created an online reference guide to address the frequently asked questions that we have received from parents to-date, relating to COVID-19 protocols. This guide also summarises the procedure to follow as regards absences for quarantine/self-isolation and non-COVID-19 related illnesses. Reminder: please use the dedicated email contact for all COVID-19 related concerns or enquiries: covidsupport@romeinternationalschool.it. It's all about family in Kindergarten
In Kindergarten we transitioned from "Family" to "Fall" with some nice leaf art. All of the children made their own family with leaves, googly eyes, buttons and feathers. We also made playdough in fall colours. We used cocoa powder to make brown playdough and food colouring for orange and green. Natural materials were also used for improving math skills and creative play. Another activity inspired by fall was coloured rice, which was orange, green and red. Everyone has a role to play in Year 1
Each morning in Ms Chidsay's class, an army of little pandas (this is what we call each other in Year 1) start the day by listening to the assignment of chores. Every week since the beginning of term, we have gradually introduced as many roles to match the number students in class, so that everyone has a task to do during the day. This helps develop a sense of community, helps us to be caring towards one another and makes each student feel useful and important every day in the classroom. Y5 are knowledgeable & effective communicators
Year 5 concluded their Unit on Health/The Body by presenting their research work on a Body System of their choice. Meet Ms Garafalo: RIS' new Eco Council Coodinator
I am pleased to announce that the Elementary Eco Council will be picking up activities again! The eco-council will focus on initiatives to continue making our school and community more sustainable. We will tackle issues such as waste management, water and energy consumption, and educating the school community about sustainability. Students will work as principled global citizens to take action in their own community to make an impact on a global issue. They will also be responsible for engaging the rest of the school community in their activities, so look out for upcoming events and activities! Ms Garofalo
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL follows the Week 2 timetable 16th to 20th November
A message from the Middle & High Principal Dear RIS community,
I am pleased to report that students and staff are settling nicely into our new patterns of learning. These will of course remain in place for the short term. I am very encouraged by the high-quality engagement of our students and staff. Many of course remember too well the frustrations of last academic year. Despite these recent memories, students are attending online classes (mostly punctual) and engaging with teachers in their remote learning as best they can. Please be sure to encourage your child to contact his or her teacher directly (by email) should they need any additional one-to-one sessions with teachers. Staff will of course be sure to find time for this. Meanwhile, our younger students in MHS continue to enjoy having the school to themselves for now.
Mr Mongare, Principal Middle and High School
Meet Ms Bell: RIS' new Head of Curriculum & Assessment, Middle & High School Dear All,
Since the 1st of November, I have been working (alongside my English teaching) in a newly created role here at RIS. The role of Head of Curriculum and Assessment was created in order to support the excellent work being done by the heads of Key Stage 3, IGCSE and IBDP in developing and supporting the delivery of a top quality curriculum across RIS' Middle and High Schools.
As a school, we want to celebrate the incredible learning and teaching that is happening in our classrooms on a daily basis and part of my role is to highlight this by working with subject leaders on curricula in subjects across the school.
Assessment is key to all that we do as educators as it is the tool by which we help pupils to continue to challenge and push themselves to achieve more. Therefore, as a school, we have already started looking at how assessment can help us support our students and we will continue to look into the 'whys, whats and hows' of assessment of the coming weeks. Our aim is then to be able to share with pupils and parents the details of why we assess, what we assess and how we assess here at RIS (in Term 2) so that we are all working together towards a shared goal.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Dear RIS Community,
We are aware that all parents and students are concerned about this year's IGCSE examinations especially since our students last year spent 4 months in lockdown. The examination board is also fully aware of the situation and is constantly looking at ways it can support schools in preparing students well for the May-June exams. Here is an extract of the latest newsletter we received from Cambridge:
Schools in different countries face different challenges. Some have reopened and are now teaching full timetables with no disruption. Others are open but face the disruption of new restrictions and possibly reduced teaching and learning. Other schools have been closed for some time and will remain closed for some time to come, with significant loss of teaching and learning. We have already published a range of adaptations for March and June 2021 exams to support schools and students. We are looking urgently at what more support we can give schools who have lost valuable teaching time as a result of the pandemic, and we will provide more information in early December."
Our teachers have been informed about possible adaptations in certain subjects and the related procedures.
Cambridge has already published the examination timetable for the May 2021 series and is planning to go ahead with the exams – at this stage.
In Art and Design we are considering possible steps and information about this will be released shortly. We would also like to emphasise the importance of students in Year 11 taking this period of time seriously and making the most of the lessons and work assigned for them. It is their hard work that will contribute to their success after all.
The moment Cambridge releases further updates we will immediately inform our RIS community. Stay safe,
Ms Hetzer, Vice-Principal Middle and High; IGCSE Coordinator Update from the IB Coordinator I am happy to see that students have adapted to the remote learning mode and are trying to make the best out of it. Thanks to their devoted teachers, many individual meetings have been scheduled to support students and to give them a sense of personal care. My advice has been to turn the situation into a positive one, make use of the extra time you have in avoiding the transportation to and from school, make use of the comfort of your home and perceive it as a gift to get on top of your tasks! Change your perspective - Take control - Take action! Ms El Sheikh
Y12 English Language & Literature impress with their reflections on
This term, Ms Bell's Year 12 IB English A Language and Literature class started studying the Street Art of Banksy found in Palestine. The aim was to have an understanding of several concepts, including: - the importance of context of creation; -the importance of context of reception; - technical terminology for analysing visual texts; - an introduction to detailed analysis. Students' final task was to create an artistic reflection on what they had learnt. Ms Bell has created a website featuring their work and it really is impressive! Well done Year 12!
Photo 1 by Luisa Photo 2 by Francesca and Olga Photo 3 by Alessandro P.
Year 12 Philosophy with Mr Paparusso During the mid-term break Year 12 Philosophy students studied Nietzsche's concept of perspectivism, by which the German philosopher criticizes rationalism and discovers the vital, irrational origin of philosophy. More precisely, I asked students to identify the weaknesses of this notion in order to then develop, a critique of Nietzsche's thinking. Last Wednesday, I asked the students to present their criticism of Nietzsche's perspectivism. So the lesson developed as a compelling debate to which each pupil made a significant and original contribution. Personally, I am truly satisfied with the ability of these young philosophy students to think critically and autonomously about such a complex topic like Nietzschean thought. I am proud to teach a group like the current Year 12, who are endowed with the cognitive and intellectual potential that the IB aims to foster.
Mr Paparusso |