Dear Parents,
We have had a really productive week in school with the
teachers busy preparing for Monday. We have had many different sessions
led by subject coordinators and school leadership and the teachers have also
had time to prepare their classrooms. We are all looking forward to welcoming
the students on Monday.
Please do not forget to check the information from last week’s newsletter.
Please also note
- The Year 9 Information session for parents will now take place on Friday 6th September from 2 – 3 pm in order to not clash with the welcome barbeque.
- The primary information sessions will take place in one classroom in each year group rather than the Music Auditorium.
- Our year 1 – 3 children will begin their swimming lesson in the second week of term. They will be swimming on Tuesday or Wednesday. The schedule will be sent to parents next week but in the meantime you can ensure your children has everything they need for the sessions.
Have a pleasant weekend,
Paul Baker
First Day of School – Monday
2nd September
The school will be open from 8 am. Please do not arrive before this time as teachers are busy doing essential preparation.
Early Years
Children can arrive from 8.15am until 8.45am. All Early Years families should enter through the main school entrance then turn left down the stairs). Alex Harrison and his team will be ready to meet you and direct you where to go from there. Your child’s place in the cloakroom will be already prepared. You are then welcome to stay within school until your child is settled.
Years 1 - 6
Children should come to main reception as usual and then will be sent directly to their classes. We will have lots of staff at the main reception to help direct families to their classrooms.
Years 7 – 9
Will meet their Form Tutors and Heads of Year in the locations below on Monday morning. Again, staff will be in main reception to help direct students to the correct location.
Year 7 - Large Gym
Year 8 - Small gym
Year 9 - Outside seating area near the large clock
All bus children will be safely escorted to their classrooms.
After you have dropped your children off in their classroom, you are more than welcome to stay for a tea or coffee in the Dining Room to meet other parents.
Kamyk School Administrators
We will have three administrators at Kamyk this year supporting parents, teachers and the children.
The administrators are hugely important members of the school and can be contacted by parents if ever you need support. You can cancel buses, clubs, inform us that your child is sick or will be late through the administrators. It is essential that you inform us of any changes to your child’s normal routines.
Please ensure that you deal with the administrators in your child’s year group only.
Andrea Vermirovska (Pre-Nursery – Year 2)
Office location: At the bottom on the stairs near the Early years and year 1 classrooms.
Phone: 226096225
Email: andrea.vermirovska@pbis.cz
Zdenka Hrebejkova (Year 3 – 5)
Office Location: Next to the staff room.
Phone: 226 096 220
Email: zdenka.hrebejkova@pbis.cz
David Vo Tien (Years 6 – 9)
Office Location: next to the parents’ room.
Phone: 226096230
Email: david.vo@pbis.cz
End of School Day Procedure
Early Years
Children should be collected at the end of the school day from their classroom between 3.00pm and 3.15pm, though we are happy to accommodate earlier collection during the first few days of school as children get used to the length of the school day after the holidays. Children who are beginning the year by attending only the morning sessions (Pre Nursery/Nursery only) can be collected before or after their lunch, please discuss this with your child’s class teacher.
Years 1 – 6
At the end of the day all the children will be taken to their meeting point by their teachers. Different year groups will have different meeting points to prevent congestion at the main reception.
· Year 1 children will meet their parents at the top of the stairs near the year 1 classrooms.
· Year 2 children will wait outside the dining room.
· Year 3 children will be taken outside the new Year 1 - 3 library.
· Year 4, 5 and 6 children should be collected from their classrooms unless they have permission to leave the classroom on their own. This should be in writing to their class teacher.
At the end of the school day, we have many children who want to play in the playground. As a school we are really happy for this to happen - as long as the children are supervised by parents. If supervising your child, please take the time to discuss our playground rules so that you can support us in consistently applying them. Please note that the school is not responsible for children using the playground after school.
If you wish for someone else to collect your child please ensure that you put this in writing in your child’s diary so that the school is aware.
End of School – Change of time
For the upcoming academic year, Primary formal lessons, whether class teacher or specialists, for Primary will end at 3pm. There will then be a 15 minute class period with their class teacher. This time could be used for a story, ensuring children know where they are going after school, feedback on their learning, getting changed for clubs, giving out homework etc..
It will be a nice bookend to the day for class teachers and will avoid a rushed end of the school day.
Also, there is now a registration period each day in Years 7,8 and 9 at 8.30am to 8.50am. Due to this, the day finishes 5 minutes later.
Therefore, the formal end of the school day at Kamyk is 3.20pm for both primary and Senior students.
Clubs will start at 3.20pm for all children at Kamyk, KS1 up to KS3 and primary clubs will still finish at 4pm. After school buses will leave at the same time as last year, which will reduce the waiting time for Primary children.
Traffic at Kamyk
As every year, the traffic situation around the school will definitely be a challenge during the first week of term. Later, as more children start using the bus and signing up for a clubs the situation always improves. With so many new families at Kamyk this year we would like to ask for your patience and understanding when driving in the neighbourhood around the school.
Please follow the suggested routes below when driving TO and FROM Kamyk Campus
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR PRINT FRIENDLY VERSIONS
In the mornings you can either
- use the KISS&RIDE spaces at the rear of the school. Please note that children should only get out of the car at the designated spaces. You are only allowed to briefly stop on these spaces while your child gets out of the car. Parking here is not permitted.
- Park in the front car park or in the streets around the school (please don’t obstruct the single space that is reserved for a bus on K Lesu street)
In the afternoon you should park in the front car park or in the streets around the school
Czech Programme/Český program
The Czech programme for Primary school students will start on Tuesday 3rd of September at 8:15am, Senior school students in Y7 - Y10 classes will follow their timetables. A letter from Mrs O’Leary with all the details can be found here.
Year Group Information and Coffee Afternoon
At the start of the term we have arranged year group information sessions.
These sessions have two purposes.
The first is for the teachers to be able to give you all the important information about life in their year group and meet the teachers, assistants and specialist teachers your child will be taught by. The second is to give you the opportunity to get to know the other parents in your year group.
The dates are as follows:
Tuesday 3rd Sept
Pre Nursery (1 – 2 pm)
Nursery (1 – 2 pm)
Reception (2 – 3 pm)
Wednesday 4th Sept
Year 1 (2 – 3 pm)
Year 7 (3 – 4 pm)
Thursday 5th Sept
Year 2 (2 – 3 pm)
Year 8 (3 – 4 pm)
Friday 6th Sept
Year 3 (2 – 3 pm)
Year 9 (2 – 3 pm)
Monday 9th Sept
Year 4 (2 – 3 pm)
Tuesday 10th September
Year 5 (2 – 3 pm)
Wednesday 11th September
Year 6 (2 – 3 pm)
Transport Information for the AY 2019/20
Please note that Bus safety rules have been updated and can be found here. School buses are now monitored by external and internal cameras to ensure safety of your children.
Shuttle bus service for Kamýk and Libuš will remain the same. Vinohrady shuttle bus stop will be back at original bus stop at Francouzská. Please see the Vinohrady map here.
Please be aware that After Club bus service for Kamýk and Libuš will start on Monday 9th September. Parents will receive information for club and after club bus registration at the end of first week of school.
Parents of children, who have completed bus application form should have received confirmation yesterday or today. Please contact Soňa Nováková if you have not received it.
Welcome Back BBQ Friday 6th September 3.00 – 5.00pm
On Friday 6th September the playground will be open for all families to get together, catch up after the summer and meet some new friends. Lion Catering will be providing a BBQ and light refreshments between 3 – 5pm. All families welcome.
Kamyk and Libuš Friends Association
The Kamyk and Libus Friends Association is a body made up of parents and school staff.
Committee
- Chairperson
- Student Event Team
- Parent Event Team
- Charity Link Team
- Treasurer
- Coffee morning and cake sale team
- PBIS Staff Representatives Head of Campus and Deputy Heads.
The Friends are responsible for many events scheduled throughout the year for children and parents and hold formal meetings each month. If you would like to get involved contact anthony.peachment@pbis.cz
Facebook groups for parents
Kamyk and Libus FriendsSummer Reading Challenge
I hope many of the children have been participating in the Summer Reading Challenge. They do not have long to go now! Children who have managed to complete the challenge should hand completed entry forms into the school administrators, or your child’s class teacher, before Friday 27th September.
School Uniform & Sports Kit Reminder
All children need to be dressed in full school uniform on Monday 2nd September. For purchasing information and school uniform guidelines follow this link. : https://pbis.fireflycloud.net/joining-pbis/pbis-school-uniform. All children will have sports lesson in the first week of school and should have the correct sports kit.
Kit List
A detailed list of the items that the Early Years children will need can be found at the link below.https://pbis.fireflycloud.net/kamyk/equipment-list-for-early-years
Year 1 – 6 equipment list
● a reading folder for homework and reading books to be stored in.
● a snack to eat during morning break every day. I would like to remind parents of our healthy eating policy and not to include any fizzy drinks, sweets or chocolate. Something small and light, a muesli bar or piece of fruit, is ideal. Drinking water is always available in school but a full water bottle, which can be kept in the classroom, should be sent to school every day. NO NUTS
The school will provide children with pens and pencils, however, it is not a problem if your child would like to bring in their own pencil case.
Year 7 – 9 equipment list
•Pens (black, red , blue), Pencil, Rubber (eraser)
- A lock with a key for their locker. A spare key can be left with their form tutor (the hole is the width of a pencil).
•Highlighter pen
•Ruler, Protractor
•PE kit (available from school shop)
•Pencil case
•Set of coloured pencils (minimum 4)
•Compass
•Calculator
•Dictionary (Paper copy) Mother tongue – English
•Dictionary (Paper copy) French, Spanish or German into English (related to
their MFL choice)
Important - Absence, late arrival or early leaving
We take school attendance very seriously. Should your child be off school for medical reasons or will be late, please inform the school administrator.
The administrators will inform the teacher. Should you wish to take your child out of school for any other reason, please contact me directly: paul.baker@pbis.cz
All children in Years 1 – 6 should be in school ready to start their lessons by 8.30 am. In order to begin their first lesson, or be in the assembly at 8.30 am, they will need to arrive at school at around 8.20am. Children who are not in their classroom, or in the Music Auditorium, by 8.30am will be marked as late and this will appear on their school report. Children who arrive after 8.30 MUST sign into school in the main reception.
Children in the Early Years must be in their classrooms by 8.45 am.
Please inform us if you are going to be absent.
Mobiles, iPads and Electronic Games
Many of the children now have mobile telephones. Children may bring their mobile phone to school if their parents think it is needed. However, mobile phones should be switched off and placed in their school bag as soon as the children enter the building and should not be used before school begins. No calls are allowed during school hours. If children are seen with their mobile phone before school or during the school day they will be taken by the class teacher and returned at the end of the school day.
Parents should call the school if they need to contact their child before the end of the day. May we also take this opportunity to remind you about e-Safety and ensure that apps/programmes/downloads your children are using are appropriate.
Children should not bring iPads’ or other electronic items / games into school.
Please note that the school accepts no responsibility for the loss of mobile phones or any other expensive electronic items brought into school.
Assemblies in the First Week
On the first day of school we will have a Key Stage 3 assembly at 8.45 a.m. and a primary assembly in the Bubble at 9.30 am. As always, parents are more than welcome to join us for this. 14:00 to 15:00
KS3 (Year 7 – 9 ) Expeditions
This year all of the Key Stage 3 children will be attending expeditions. It is a unique opportunity for the students to get to know their peers and teachers outside of the classroom.
There is no payment required however all parents need to sign their children up using the following link. https://pbis.fireflycloud.net/school-trips-2/secondary-school-trips/secondary-school-trips-201920/ks3andks4-school-expedition
If students do not attend the trips there will be no lessons in school. We do hope that ALL students will attend.
KS3 expeditions trips
Year 7 : 9th – 11th September
Year 8 : 11th – 13th September
Year 9 : 16th – 19th September
Also, if you have not visited the doctor yet, you still have a few days. You will not be able to go on any trip if your doctor has not filled in the medical form.
KS3 Instrumental lessons
In KS3 we have a team of visiting instrumental teachers who have worked with us for many years, giving indidivual lessons during the school day. The system works on a rotational basis and the lessons are 30 minutes long and cost 350 CZK.
If your child is in year 7,8,or 9 and would like to have lessons on piano, guitar, flute, saxophone or clarinet, please e mail ailsa.frazer@pbis.cz to reserve a place in the system or to ask any questions that you might have!
Whole School Maximum Music Weekend!
On Saturday October 11th 2019, we will be holding the first ever PBIS music event involving students from all three sites: Libus, Kamyk and Vlastina. All students who belong to choir, band or string group will be rehearsing the same music and coming together on Saturday 11th for a day of joint rehearsals, culminating in a concert for parents from 1700-1800. This is a great opportunity for our young musicians to meet and work together; staff and parents who sing or play an instrument are also welcome to join us! Please put the date in your diary and ensure that your child signs up for choir, orchestra or concert band clubs if they would like to participate. We look forward to a weekend of maximum music making!
Extracurricular Activities 2019/20
All clubs and extracurricular activities will begin in the second week of term on Monday 9th September. The MyPBIS club enrolment portal will open to parents at 5pm on Friday 6th September and remain open to parents until Monday 23rd September. Full sign up instructions and a preview of the club options will be sent to all parents during the first week of term.
Extra Time
For those that need to collect their children from school later than the regular school day finish time at 3 p.m., we offer our Extra Time service. Extra Time is open to all primary children from Reception - Year 6 and runs every school day from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Starting Monday 2nd September.)
The service is managed by dedicated PBIS staff and offers peace of mind that children will be well looked after and entertained in an environment they know well. All children that attend Extra Time receive a complimentary snack, prepared by Lion Catering, and have the option to complete homework, read, participate in a range of fun structured activities, play games and sports or simply relax.
If you would like to find out more about Extra Time or make a booking for your child please click here.
New Breakfast Club
New for 2019/20 we are introducing an early morning breakfast club from 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. which will allow parents to drop off primary school children at school earlier than the 8:30 a.m. start time.
The Breakfast Club will be based in the Kamyk dining room and will be supervised by a member of staff each morning. Children will be able to eat their breakfast from home, or parents can purchase a breakfast from Lion Catering for their child, or children can simply relax before the start of the school day. All breakfast items purchased at school will be deducted directly from the student's account.
No advance registration is required to use this service. If you ever would like your child to attend the Breakfast Club, simply bring your child directly to the dining room in the morning and sign them in with the member of staff on duty.
There will be a 50 Kč charge for using the service that will be automatically deducted from your child's account each time.
Mother Tongue Lessons Programme in the new academic year 2019/2020
Dear Parents of children whose home language is neither English nor Czech,
We would like to offer your children an excellent opportunity to improve their mother tongue as well as to learn important facts about their home country. Mother Tongue Lessons are lessons which are taught in the child’s home language. The lessons focus on the development of speaking & listening, reading and writing, as well as developing the child’s knowledge of his or her country, focusing on themes relevant to the child’s homeland.
When families are away from their home country for an extended period of time, MT languages are easily lost. Children who have a solid foundation in their MT develop stronger literacy abilities in the school language. The research is also very clear about the importance of bilingual children's MT for their overall personal and educational development.
These lessons are intended for students in Year 1 to Year 13 whose home language is neither English nor Czech.
We will soon accomplish the tenth successful year of Mother Tongue Lesson Programme at the Prague British (International) School. In the following academic year 2019/2020, we will be offering the programme again.
The actual language groups offered will depend on the level of interest but it should be a minimum of 4 pupils in each class. Students will be grouped according to their age and language ability.
In the 1st term of the new academic year 2019/2020, the courses will start again in the 2nd week of school, i.e. from Monday 9th to Friday 13th Sep 2019 in Kamyk, Vlastina, as well as in Libuš.
Principally, we would like to encourage all PBIS parents to apply for their children into these popular MTL courses. Thus we would like to encourage children of Russian, Slovak, Spanish and German origin to join the existing groups, and the children of other nationalities to form new groups.
You will find more information about MTL programme at https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/schools/prague/british-international/learning/primary/mother-tongue-lessons.
If you are interested, you will find detailed info and an Application Form for these courses on our VLE (https://pbis.fireflycloud.net/language-lessons/mother-tongue-lessons-programme-).Please complete this form and send it to Dan Škoda (dan.skoda@pbis.cz) or just contact him (tel. 226 096 173 or 603 891 750) by Wednesday 4th Sep 2019 at the latest, so that we can prepare the language programme.
The lessons will start on Monday 9th to Friday 13th Sep 2019
The Parents language lessons in the new academic year will start on Monday 9th to Friday 13th Sep 2019 in Kamyk, Vlastina, as well as in Libuš.
Principally, we would like to encourage all the PBIS parents to take part in these convenient language courses. We expect the Parents language lessons to be again very popular as they were this year.
If you are interested, you will find an Application Form for these courses on our VLE (https://pbis.fireflycloud.net/language-lessons) or just contact Dan Škoda (dan.skoda@pbis.czor tel. 603 891 750). Please complete this form and send it to Dan (dan.skoda@pbis.cz) soon, by Wednesday 4th Sep 2019 at the latest.
The lessons will hopefully be again a convenient way for parents to fit language lessons into the day, either to improve English or Czech skills, or perhaps to learn or just brush up on any other languages.
Dr. Dan Škoda
Head of the International Language Centre
Thank you.
Michael Bardsley
Principal
Paul
Baker
Head
of Kamýk Campus
Prague
British International School
Address K Lesu 558/2 | 142 00 Prague 4 | Czech Republic
Tel: + 420 226 096 200 | Mob: +420 725 738 690
paul.baker@pbis.cz
www.pbis.cz