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Halloween has gradually built in resonance in Australia until now it has become part of our yearly schedule; it is new part of the landscape of childhood. The tricky part of this new celebration is that it can form some pretty deep fears in children at an early age. In the days of old, when belief controlled our lives, these …
Recently our local Western Suburbs community has been in the news with a story of how our State education system responds to student non-compliance, raising a question about the relevance of detention and “time-out” as way to change behaviour in children. Detention has a long history around the world, as a means to both remove a disruptive influence and allow …
It may seem simplistic to say that the problem with the concept of homework is that it comes directly from the notion of learning as ‘work’; but this is a notion that we believe our lifelong learners of today simply don’t need. At BIS we are about loving learning, whether at school or at home, and recently it seems other …
BIS has a rich history of scholarships for students with two Indigenous Scholarships and Self Directed Scholarships. We are currently accepting applications for a Self-Directed Learning scholarship to offer to an applicant, who is in year 4 starting in 2019. A Self-Directed Scholarship is awarded to students who can demonstrate a field in which they have proven intrinsic motivation and dedication. …
One of our current BIS families unexpectedly lost a dear loved one last month, who was also a very special part of the history of the school. Carole Corness was mother to Jonathan, who attended BIS in the 80s and was a teacher aide at the school in the 90s, Mother-in Law to Selena and Grandmother to current BIS kids Aidan …
Self-Awareness and Self-Management are just a couple of the skills students learn and develop at BIS as they explore their emotional and social capabilities. One of the ways they do this is through the practice of yoga. Increasingly awareness has been growing about the benefits of yoga, breath awareness and mindfulness activities for our overall wellbeing, but particularly so within …
Call me Jen. Why we use first names at BIS. First names for teachers and staff have been a constant at BIS for 50 years. Lately there is discussion in schooling sectors as to whether first names in the classroom provides better outcomes for students. At BIS we have a strong focus on three core values, Courageous Learning balanced by Freedom and …
In late 2017 BIS was awarded a capital grant from the Education Department to commence major works at the school. We caught up with current Board Chair, Jodie Jetann to find out more about the process and the projected works. Hi Jodie, could you explain what the Capital Grant is? The Australian and State Government (ASG) Capital Grant Program provides …
by Principal Jennifer Haynes I write this with the hope and belief that today heralds the beginning of a new era in Australian Education. The latest Gonski report “Through Growth to Achievement” demands a radical overhaul to improve the education system in our country; echoing a call we have been making at BIS for 50 years. “Australian education has failed …
By Principal Jennifer Haynes I was listening to an interesting discussion on “The Minefield” on Radio National today, discussing the purpose of education in our country and it made me think about our obsession with finding an answer to this question, outside of Australia. I am waiting with trepidation for the day the Australian government decides to implement the Finnish system …
It’s wonderful to be back amongst our BIS community for another year. We are excited to give a warm welcome to our new families and reconnect with existing parents and students. We would also like to welcome two new members of staff Meg Foley and Juliette Edwards. Meg joins us in a project management role. As a teacher of ten …
We are so pleased to welcome the gentle and dynamic teaching presence of Julia Gallois as the Penguin’s Teacher for 2017. Julia is starting out her Primary career at BIS and we are honoured to be the educational model that she will have closest to her heart. The Rule Oriented Teaching Team of Sally and Tim will be working closely …
Over the past 5 years BIS has been going through some amazing growth. There is an obvious need in the community for a school that both encourages intellectual excitement as well as allowing the social and emotional needs of the child to flourish through an exploratory learning framework. Growing into our Expedition Our five year plan has been to …
At BIS we know that a child’s love of both their body and mind is what keeps them active in the world. You would think this was a simple goal but school sports often tell kids that failure to be the best means that their physical self is not okay. They lose confidence to be physically active in the group …
We are very excited to welcome a new staff member to BIS. Sally is going to be the new Penguins’ teacher as Richelle moves into the lead teacher role for our new Otters group. Sally has already thrown herself into the philosophy, helping out with our new Literacy direction. Sally graduated from the Queensland University of Technology in 2005 with …
Event Description: This is a great lecture and discussion for Parents, Educators and anyone who wants to learn about how Staged Development works. Principal Jennifer Haynes takes you on the journey of Kohlberg’s Moral Development framework and how it applies in everyday interactions at home and in the classroom. You will come away feeling much more confident about how your …
With concerned parents seeing a drop in their young children’s enthusiasm for schooling and a spike in anxiety, the internet is abuzz with the question, “Is formal schooling stressing out our Prep children?” This concern has led to a study by the Queensland Government investigating the age appropriateness of the curriculum and pedagogy that mainstream schools are using. The inappropriateness …
Event Description Join BIS Principal Jen on Wednesday for a tour of the grounds and in the classrooms whilst they’re in session. Then enjoy tea, coffee and cake whilst she takes you through our philosophy and curriculum. To book your place email office@bis.qld.edu.au Event Date Wednesday, September 7, 2016. Please RSVP so we know if to wait for you to …
Every year BIS, as an Incorporated Association, has an AGM. It is always a great opportunity to celebrate our growth and elect Life Members, awarded to people who have gone far beyond the normal “Call of Duty”. This AGM had both the celebration of electing Chairperson Maelle Farquhar as a life member and the sadness of having her resign as …
On 23 August 2015, six Brisbane Independent School (BIS) students competed in a team challenge at the annual Brisbane West Opti-MINDS challenge along with more than 20 other schools at St Peter’s Lutheran College and were awarded the “Spirit of Opti-MINDS” award. The Opti-MINDS Creative Sustainability Challenge is an inclusive team challenge which EMPOWERS participants to THINK, CREATE & COMMUNICATE. …
