International Preparatory School

2011-2012 | Issue 2 | December 2011
KEY STAGE TWO NEWS
The International Preparatory School newsletter for parents, teachers, children and the community.
Celebrating our Internationalism
International
Preparatory
School
Rua da Lagoa, 171
Bicesse 2645-344 • Alcabideche
Tel: 21 457 01 49
Fax:21 457 35 01
www.ipsschool.org
info@ipsschool.org
Foundation Stage News
2
Key Stage One News
4
Key Stage Two News
5
Specialist Subject News
10
School Council
15
Overview
16
Children’s Work
18
FOUNDATION STAGE NEWS
2
Nursery children
discover that they
are all magically
unique and
special
Nursery E have been working
on the theme ‘Magical Me’
throughout this term.
The children drew themselves
naming the different parts of
the body. They made their own
footprints and shoeprints and
after comparing these as a group,
they discovered that their feet are
different sizes.
Painting the wall in Nursery J
Warning: Don’t try to do this at home !!!
The Nursery children had a great time painting our classroom wall. Using
paint brushes, sponges, hands and feet (yes feet!) we made our classroom
look absolutely FABULOUS! It’s all down to the children’s talent and creativity.
We are sharing with you the fun we had. Enjoy!
FOUNDATION
KEY STAGE TWO
STAGE
NEWS
NEWS
Children in
Reception learn
to express
themselves in
their work.
In Reception we have been
learning all about ourselves and
how magical we are. We have had
great fun making models of the
houses we live in.
We have also been thinking
about times when we feel happy,
sad, worried, angry and grumpy,
and we made some colourful
faces about the way we feel! We
hope you enjoy seeing our work.
3
KEY STAGE ONE NEWS
4
Year 1 pupils
explore their
imagination to
learn about toys
In Year 1 we are learning about
old and contemporary toys. We
read ‘Elizabeti’s Doll’, a story about
a little girl in Zanzibar who did not
have a doll and pretended that
a small, smooth rock was a baby.
We used our imagination while
playing with rocks as toys.
Year 2 Voyage to Belém
Our topic this half term was
‘Voyages’. We have been learning
all about Henry the Navigator and
why he is famous. We explored his
discovery routes, created portraits,
wrote diary entries and even
designed our own caravels.
On 16th November, we visited the
Maritime museum in Belém to learn
all about Portuguese navigation.
Henry wasn’t the only discoverer that
day, as we got to complete a maritime
treasure hunt and construct our own
sailboats!
After lunch, we ventured over
to the magnificent Padrão dos
Descobrimentos where we sketched
our own impression of the grand
monument. We all had a fantastic day
exploring!
KEY STAGE TWO NEWS
Brave Year 3 children
explored gardens
and tunnels in Sintra
Year 3 had an adventurous day exploring
the mysterious gardens of Quinta Regaleira in
Sintra. The children wrote shape poems about
the tunnels they discovered.
Please follow their poetry through the dark,
scary tunnels!
5
6
KEY STAGE TWO NEWS
Year 4 make
a Film about the
Story of Rome
Year 4 made a film about
Romulus and Remus and the
creation of Rome. The children
visited the Odrinhas Museum
in Sintra to learn more about
Roman life and times. The
museum provided a wonderful
backdrop for the film making
and helped the children get in to
character.
Having written their own
playscripts, both Year 4 classes set
about filming the Story of Rome.
Many areas of the museum were
used to film different scenes. With
two classes to film, the children
had to work hard and fast to
complete the filming. Eventually,
the film had to be finished in
school. Nevertheless the finished
film was described as ‘Superb!’ by
Mr Taylor.
This term’s topic has been great
fun. Whilst trying to adapt some
creativity in the curriculum and
maintaining a Roman theme to
all areas, the students have made
great progress overall.
In addition to making the film,
Year 4 experienced constructing
mosaic artwork using small cubes
of coloured stones. Their work can
be seen on display in the school.
As part of their topic “The
Empire Strikes Back!” Year 4 have
had many exciting learning
experiences. Whether studying
the Roman Army or interviewing
Boudicca, designing shields,
sandals and helmets, Year 4 have
thoroughly enjoyed their learning
this term and are looking forward
to their next topic ‘Bean to the
Bar’.
“The film making was very exciting,” commented Ian.
Gaia quoted, “I have enjoyed acting and dressing up this term.”
“Making mosaics has been fun.” By Michael.
“One of my favourite things this term has been the Roman Soldier study and the assembly,” quoted Nicholas.
KEY STAGE TWO NEWS
7
Year 5A walks the Aqueduct
What a Trip!
I woke up and was very excited for the trip. It was
my first trip in Year 5, going to the aqueduct. I was very
scared of the height of the aqueduct, that bridge was
built in 1732 and before in the olden times it used to
bring the fresh water to Lisbon so that people didn’t
have to walk hundreds of kilometres to get water. Many
people just took baths three times in their life and
the rich people three times a year. We went inside the
aqueduct and we could see everything when we looked
down.
Afterwards we went through some special tunnels
underground. They were called Patracal Reservoir – it
was really cool. The water used to travel through the
tunnels and the aqueduct. We had to walk through the
tiny tunnels. It was a little bit dirty, scary and dark, and
the walls looked very old. The top of the tunnels were
oval shape and there were tubes that the water used to
run through.
Finally we went to Belém to eat lunch then we had
some free time and started to sketch the River Tejo
going out to the sea. I loved my trip because it helped
me with our topic work on Water.
Constança Sá Pinto – Y5A
KEY STAGE TWO NEWS
Working hard and
getting dirty!
The school pond was started so
that we could all learn more about
water habitats, capacity and all
the living things that make their
homes in ponds. The pond also
makes the school an even nicer
place than it already is. The Year 5
students were the first to work on
the pond, because we had been
talking and learning about water
in class. We marked out the shape
of the pond and then dug out a
2m hole. We all worked so hard!
A few days later, two men came to
school from ‘Jardins Sintra’ to make
the pond even better. The pond is
a lovely place and we had a great
time helping build it.
Marta Henriques - Y5F
8
KEY STAGE TWO NEWS
9
Year 6 have been focusing all of this term´s work around the
topic of “Our World at War”.
Interviewing survivors of World War Two.
We made our own Anderson shelters, which were then
put through a series of tests, including actual bombing!
Diary entries written
after an air raid.
10
SPECIALIST SUBJECT NEWS
O Grupo II do Y6 celebrou o São Martinho com
castanhas e provérbios nas aulas de Português.
No dia 16 de Novembro o Y6 contou
com a presença de António Monçada,
neto de Aristides de Sousa Mendes. Ao
longo de 45 minutos, os alunos ouviram
falar da vida e dos feitos de Aristides
de Sousa Mendes. Ainda tiveram a
oportunidade de fazer perguntas e,
deste modo, consolidar e enriquecer os
conhecimentos adquiridos nas aulas de
Português.
Perguntas feitas pelo Y6
1.Por que é que Aristides de Sousa
Mendes quis ser diplomata?
2.Se estivesse no lugar de Aristides teria
tido a mesma atitude?
3. Que memórias tem do seu avô?
4. O que é que aprendeu com o seu avô?
5.É verdade que Aristides de Sousa
Mendes foi enterrado com um hábito
de monge?
6. Tem orgulho em ser neto de Aristides?
7. Que tipo de homem é que ele era?
8.Sente alguma responsabilidade por ser
neto de Aristides de Sousa Mendes?
Link para saber mais sobre o projeto da
família de Aristides de Sousa Mendes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqdZ
S5ShhGs&feature=player_embedded
Alunos do IPS recebem a visita do neto de Aristides de Sousa Mendes
e
ndo o Dia d
Comemora
S. Martinho
Uma vez mais, o Sr. Morais
brindou-nos com a sua presença
e os nossos alunos festejaram o
dia de São Martinho no IPS.
As fotos falam por si, pois foi um
dia de boa disposição para todos.
Pelo meio, os alunos do Y5 ainda
cantaram uma canção de outono:
Castanhas, castanhas
Assadinhas com sal
Quentinhas, quentinhas
Que não te façam mal
Saltitam, crepitam
Toma lá e dá cá
São Martinho sem vinho
E castanhas não há!
SPECIALIST SUBJECT NEWS
Este ano propusemos aos alunos de Português criar uma
receita de outono. Os alunos inspiraram-se nos eventos
que são celebrados na escola, como o piquenique de
outono e a vinda do Sr. das Castanhas.
A ideia foi bem acolhida por todos e resultado está à
vista com a eleição das três melhores receitas de outono:
• O 1ºlugar foi para o David (Y4V) com a receita de
Bolo de Frutos Silvestres
• O 2ºlugar foi para o Théo (Y4V) com a receita de
Salada de Abóbora
• O 3ºlugar foi para Veronika (Y4V) com a receita de
Delícia de Outono e para a Clara (Y4S) com a receita de
Morango à Bombom
Théo (Y4V)
Clara (Y4S)
Veronika (Y4V)
David (Y4V)
iveram
Os alunos do Y2 est
O Vestuário.
a trabalhar o tema
renderam
, colaram e também ap
Fizeram jogos, pintaram
o trabalho,
fizeram este magnífic
al,
fin
No
.
ão
nç
ca
a
um
conto de fadas.
um digno armário de
meninas!
Parabéns meninos e
11
SPECIALIST SUBJECT NEWS
Year 3 learn how to paint in
the traditional “Azulejos”
On Monday 21st November,
the Art Department had a special
guest, Amélia Ramos, to teach the
Year 3 children how to make real
Portuguese tiles “Azulejos”.
Amelia Ramos studied painting
in the school “António Arroio” and
more recently followed another
course in drawing and painting in
the “Sociedade Nacional de Belas
Artes” (SNBA).
She has worked as a showcase decorator and as an Art
teacher (EVT).
Amélia is a member of the Association “Paço de Artes”
and has participated in a few collective Art exhibitions.
Actually, she has a little studio where she teaches
decorative arts, specializing in tiles and plastic arts.
The Year 3 children were very excited. They could
choose to fill up the entire tile space or simply paint one
part of the tile. They drew their initial design onto the
tile using a pencil.
They painted their tile with ceramic tile paint. The
children enjoyed all the different steps and after being
“baked” in a kiln each child will receive their own tile.
It was a fantastic experience for everyone.
Merry Christmas!
For the second year running, IPS has participated in a
Fundraising Christmas Project in the UK to raise money
to buy a ping pong table and a soccer table for wet
playtimes. Every child has designed and coloured one
Christmas card. Here are some examples to wish you all
a wonderful Christmas!
12
SPECIALIST SUBJECT NEWS
13
Sinterklaas 2011
Je me présente…
Ook dit jaar
zal Sinterklaas
weer in Portugal
zijn om met de
Nederlandse
en Vlaamse
kinderen zijn
naamdag te
vieren. Op
zondag 4 december a.s. komt
Sinterklaas op zijn paard naar de
manage van Quinta da Beloura bij
Sintra.
Onze kinderen zingen 2 liedjes,
namelijk: “De pepernoten samba”
en een Sinterklaas rap door Olivier
van Zanten en Maarten Green.
We hopen op zonnig weer en
veel vrolijke kinderen!
Year 6 students were very excited to start learning French this year.
After only a few lessons, they were able to introduce themselves in French.
They also learned a short Halloween song as well as some vocabulary about
Halloween and school objects. They will be singing their first French Christmas
song in their show in December. C’est merveilleux,n’est-ce pas?
Sinterklaas (or more formally
Sint Nicolaas or Sint Nikolaas; Saint
Nicolas in French; Sankt Nikolaus
in German) is a traditional Winter
holiday figure still celebrated
today in the Low Countries,
including the Netherlands and
Belgium, as well as French Flanders
(Lille), Artois (Arras) and Northern
Germany. He is also well known
in territories of the former Dutch
Empire, including South Africa,
Aruba, Suriname, Curaçao, Bonaire,
and Indonesia. He is one of the
sources of the holiday figure of
Santa Claus in North America.
Although he is usually referred
to as Sinterklaas, he is also known
as De Goedheiligman (The Good
Holy Man),
He is celebrated annually on
Saint Nicholas’ eve (5 December)
or on the morning of 6 December
in Belgium and Northern France.
Originally, the feast celebrates
the name day of Saint Nicholas
— patron saint of children, sailors,
and the city of Amsterdam, among
others. Sint Nicholas being a
bishop and this geographical
spread make clear that the feast
in this form has a Roman-Catholic
background.
SPECIALIST SUBJECT NEWS
14
Basketball Boys
clinch big title
We had several practices that
were held on the newly built
basketball court that included many
exercises like shooting the ball in
the basket, dribbling and strategies.
On the first day of practice lots of
people came but as the practices
went on, less and less came,
although that happened, there was
still a big group. As the dates of the
Friendly Matches approached we
trained even harder.
The first one was against CAISL
(Carlucci American International
School of Lisbon) and we won 2902. We also won the second one
against St. Julian’s which was a very
powerful team last year.
Finally we were prepared for the
big tournament. We had to play
against 6 basketball teams from
different international schools.
On Thursday we played against
two schools, DSL and St. Dominic’s,
and we were very successful. We
became very confident but still had
a lot to fight for. Our opponent was
St Julian’s on the last match and a
big crowd came to cheer us on. We
were all extremely excited to play
and win because if we did so, we
would come in 1st place and win
the trophy.
Due to our effort we did so and at
the award ceremony we were given
a gold medal each and a trophy for
our school.
Thanks to Mr Van Dyjk and
Claudia Costa e Sousa we were able
to participate in these inter-schools
tournaments.
Filipe Cruz - 6B
Football Girls claim third place in disputed tournament
15
SPECIALIST SUBJECT NEWS
ECIS Choir Group
When the news of IPS children singing as part of
the ECIS Choir spread around our school, we were all
really excited about it. However, as time passed and
because of other events that were happening at the
same time, the choir was only a very small group of ten
children so we thought we couldn´t make it. Thanks
to Ms. McKenzie, we made it because she helped us
with the 1st and 2nd voices, with the pitch and tempo
and everything else that we needed to include in our
singing. We also thank Ms. Almeida for helping us a lot
with the Portuguese song, “Ó Rama da Oliveira”.
First we had small practises with all the IPS Choir
Group, Ms. McKenzie and Ms. Almeida every Friday.
Then weeks later we had our first practice with all
the other schools that were participating in the ECIS
Choir, which took place at CAISL (Carlucci American
International School of Lisbon) with Desiree Clarence as
our conductor. We also met a lot of friends from our old
schools we had been in before.
But as you know we were all practising for the big
event which was performing in front of all our parents
and many teachers from international schools across
the world at the ECIS conference held in FIL, Lisboa.
With the help of all the choir teachers from the other
International Schools we impressed all the people who
were listening to us.
By Matthias and Filipe 6B
STUDENT COUNCIL NEWS
Hallowe’en Day a success
Hallowe´en was a fun and exciting day for us in
Key Stage 2. The Student Council worked very hard
to achieve this day full of games and surprises. At
9:30 we had the Hallowe´en Parade and just before
playtime the Student Council had to put up all the
tables and prepare the games. Due to the rain, the
games had to be held in the atrium. But I think that
really was fun, because screams could be heard
all over the place. The screams were coming from
of one of the games called The Best Scream, which
was the most popular and that added to the spooky
atmosphere! There were lots of prizes. One of them
was ‘Guess the Name of the Monster,’ that was given
to Lourenço Costa Freire in Y6E. The prize for ‘Guess
the Hallow Mallows’ went to Fredrick Barba in Y6B.
A big thankyou from the Student Council to every
child that helped us gather enough money to plan
the next special day.
Filipe Cruz - 6B
16
OVERVIEW
A busy term…
It’s Christmas
time again, already!
It has been an
action packed
term, with lots
of learning and
fun activities
happening in and
out of all the classrooms!
Year 2 have now started going to
the Key Stage 2 playground at lunch
times and they are fully enjoying
the big open space. In the Key Stage
One and Foundation playground we
have a new wooden house, which
the children really enjoy!
With the end of term at our
door step, we had the pleasure of
performing and enjoying amazing
Christmas shows.
On Tuesday morning, 13th
December at 9:30, the Foundation
Stage presented their Christmas
show,“We Hear Good News” , a
wonderful version of the Christmas
story.
Years 1 and 2 presented a
beautiful Christmas concert
on Wednesday morning, 14th
December at 9:30, singing a variety
of beautiful, fun Christmas songs.
I would like to wish everyone a
very happy holiday.
Be safe, happy and healthy! :)
Louise Hultén
Foundation Stage and Key Stage
One Coordinator
A “funtastic” term
People say that
time flies when
you are having
fun! Well, this has
certainly been
the case in Key
Stage 2 this term.
Already a term
in and it seems
like only yesterday that we were all
welcoming the children back from
their summer break.
It is Fun with a capital ‘F’ that we
have been having throughout Key
Stage 2 this term, with our new
creative curriculum in full swing.
I have been amazed at all the
wonderful teaching and learning that
has been going on around the school.
From learning all about the
fisherman and the city of Cascais in
Year 3 and singing along with Jack
Johnson about Recycling, Re using
and Reducing within their wonderful
assembly on their topic ‘Where the
Mountains meet the Sea’. To watching
the Celts and the Roman Legion
do battle in the hall and creating
an amazing Roman movie through
drama and film in Year 4 within their
topic ‘The Empire Strikes Back’.
Year 5 have been doing their
own bit for the school and the
planet in their topic ‘Water World’
creating wonderful ways in which
we can save water, getting to visit
a working aqueduct and even kick
starting what is now the new IPS
pond. As for poor Year 6, within their
Topic ‘Our World at War!’ they have
been evacuated, bombed and even
survived air-raids! They learned
about the D-day invasions on the
beaches of Normandy as well as
interviewing ‘Living Historians’ and
are now officially experts in the
art of Propaganda and Persuasion,
probably not the best skill to have
learnt just before Christmas!
I know that a lot of effort and
planning has gone into the new
way in which we teach the children
all about the World around us, and
I would like to thank all the staff
for their enthusiasm and fantastic
creativity, and the children for being
such great wholehearted learners.
I certainly cannot wait for the next
term to start, rumour has it that some
children will be voyaging off to exotic
lands as far a field as Ghana and the
Amazon Rainforest!
I wish all the children a safe and
enjoyable Festive Holiday. Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Andy Bond
Key Stage Two Coordinator
ECIS Conference
in Lisbon
Many of our
teachers were
able to attend
the conference
for international
teachers, this year
held for the first
time in Lisbon.
I was lucky to
meet the astronaut Steven Smith,
who is a veteran of 4 space flights
covering 16 million miles and seven
space walks totaling 59 hours and
25 minutes. He is currently serving
as the NASA International Space
Station Program Liaison to the
European Space Agency.
Steven Smith was one of three
inspirational keynote speakers at
the ECIS conference in Lisbon.
Hans Grosling spoke about his
Gapminder Foundation.
Live Arnesen, a former high
school teacher, enthralled us with
her experiences as a former class
teacher and her expeditions to the
North and South Poles. She was
the first woman to ski to the South
Pole.
Ms. Terry de Almeida
Deputy Headteacher
17
OVERVIEW
Let’s multiply !
Let’s do our times tables!
As teachers and Maths learners
we know that if you know the
times tables you will be a better
equipped for life.
Knowing how to multiply means
that you may also know the reverse,
how to divide and how to do
fraction work.
Here are some obvious examples
of this:
A. 2 x 3 = 6, thus 6 : 3 = 2 and 6 : 2 = 3
B.123 x 5 = 615, thus 615 divided
by 5 = 123 and 615 divided by
123 = 5
C. ½ of 6 = 3
D. 2/4 of 8 = 4
E. 1/5 of 20 =
The crucial questions about the
times tables are when and how to
learn them.
In Year 3 children learn the 2,3,4,5
and 10 x tables.
By the end of Year 4 pupils try
to know all the tables till the 12x
tables.
Parents sometimes ask why we
teach the 11 and 12 x tables.
It helps with square root numbers,
the analogue clock and fractions.
Children should first make the
connection between the numbers.
For example; that repetitive
addition is the same as multiplication,
3 + 3 + 3 = 9 or 3 x 3 = 9.
Children also need to know that
3 x 4 = 12 or 4 x 3 = 12.
In actual fact if you are learning the
times tables between 2 and 12, you
only need to know
half of the times tables because of
the above associative rule.
Finally, we need to remember that
practice makes perfect. Many parents
have come to me and said that they
have forgotten their times tables
because that have not used them.
Our children need to use the times
tables and practise them regularly.
So here is my challenge to you: can
you do a 144 times tables test in less
than 3 minutes?
Keep learning!
Ms. Terry de Almeida
Deputy Headteacher
Creative Curriculum Topics for Term 2
Here is a list of the topic titles for the coming term. You might know of some
interesting places to visit or of people we could invite into school to enrich the
curriculum further around these themes, so please feel welcome to offer any
support and/or ideas you might have.
First half term
Second half term
Nursery & Reception
Let’s Eat!
Pets
Year 1
My Home is My Castle
Green Fingers
Year 2
Nightlife
Heroes
Year 3
That’s Show Business!
Year 4
From Bean to Bar
(a study of Ghana and chocolate)
Year 5
Voyages of Discovery
(Portuguese discoverers / Tudor explorers /
space exploration)
Year 6
Amazonia
Celebrating our
Internationalism!
School became
an even more
colourful place
on the last day
of November.
Children and
staff came
dressed in colours
representing their county’s flag
and some interesting questions
were raised about dual nationality,
place of birth, etc. We were able
to celebrate together in a whole
school gathering under blue skies
and sunshine, as we identified
continent by continent and country
by country those nationalities
currently attending IPS. Hopefully
these photos will give you an
idea of this. It certainly gave us all
reason to feel proud of where we
come from and of how well we live
together side by side.
Robert Taylor
Headteacher
CHILDREN’S WORK - MR. TAYLOR’S CHOICE
18
Displays of children’s work around the school are
always excellent, both in classrooms and in the shared
areas. I thank all teachers for their hard work in helping to
celebrate the superb work that the children produce in
all areas of the curriculum.
The displays in the Hall are perhaps the least seen by
visitors and parents, as they are a little “hidden”. Please
take the time to come and have a look next time you are
here!
Currently in the Hall are displays of work by Year 3 and
Year 5, beautifully put together by Annick. Here are some
photos of the children’s work for you to enjoy.
for
Dates ary:
i
your D
y
anuar
4th J
esday rm
n
d
e
W
te
ay of
First d
y
bruar
3rd Fe try
y
a
d
i
Fr
un
oss Co
t
IPS Cr
y Even
ruary ss Countr
b
e
F
o
th
ols Cr
day 1
Satur tional Scho
a
Intern
ruary
th Feb 9:15 am
7
1
y
Frida l Parade,
va
Carni
ary
Febru
h
t
4
2
o
20th t l Holidays
va
i
n
r
a
C
IPS Christmas Trees
We wish you all
a wonderful Holiday season.
It’s the season to be jolly! Again
this year, we chose our tree from
Quinta do Alto, Pé de Serra, Sintra
– a sustainable site which always
replants trees in place of those
cut down throughout the year.
Our thanks go to Mrs Dantas, who
helped us to choose the tree this
year. A selection of pupils at school
helped to decorate the tree in time
for the Christmas shows…
Once again, IPS is participating
in the Cascais Câmara’s Eco Tree
competition. Children and staff
have helped to collect recyclable /
re-usable items, make decorations
and “dress” the tree. You will be
able to see the IPS Eco Tree, along
with those of other participating
schools, in the Cascais Villa
shopping centre in the week
leading up to Christmas.