Dear Parent/Guardian,

We have come to the end of the first half of term three as indicated in the previously shared calendar of events. As such, I would like to inform you that we are breaking for the scheduled midterm break as from Monday, 27^th May 2019 to Friday, 31^st May 2019. 

IGCSE/GCE AS & A - Level Examinations

The IGCSE, AS & GCE A-level examination is going on well and we are continuously wishing our candidates the very best. I would therefore  like to appeal to parents whose children are through with examination in one subject or the other to start facilitating the return of the text books to the school library as soon as possible and minimize chances of losing or misplacing the books. 

We would also like request those students who are looking forward to continue with their next level of education (AS/A-level or BTEC Extended Diploma) at Braeside School to formally express their interest by filling the booking form. 

End of Year Examination

Year 7, 8 and 9 students are scheduled for a comprehensive end of year examination as from 17^th June 2019 while Year 10 students will be starting their examinations on 12^th June 2019. We have issued every student with the end of year examination timetable to enable proper planning and revision.

I would highly encourage parents to monitor closely the academic progress of their children using data on page 79, 111, and 139 of students’ diary, besides using the same information in setting achievable targets for end of year examination. As per the earlier communication, end of year examination will cover every concept/topics that were taught in the entire academic year. This requires early preparation and proper planning.

Entrepreneurship Day

On Wednesday, 22^nd May 2019 we had the annual Braeside entrepreneurship day where students exhibited great business ideas and were able to work individually or as a group of registered companies that shared business ideas leading to massive sale of products and provision of services. 

Work Experience

Year 12 students’ work experience is scheduled for 17^th June 2019 to 21^st June 2019 while year 10 students will go for their work experience as from 24^th June 2019 to 28^th June 2019.  During this time, students will not attend school, but will instead be at their pre-arranged place of work. 

The process of providing and allocating placements to the students is a long one. We encourage parents/students to seek their own work experience placements in the first instance for full satisfaction. 

Wishing you a happy weekend and a restful midterm break! 

Regards,

Mr. Henry Oboo

Deputy Headteacher - Academics

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As we come to the end of week 4, I would like to take this chance to thank you for your continued support.

IGCSE and GCE Examinations

The June 2019 examination series is getting to the halfway mark, with students having completed at least one component in every entry at both IGCSE and GCE  levels.  Candidates are encouraged to remain focused and dedicated towards the  examination processes. They should continue being on time for examinations and desisting from any irregular conduct during and after the examinations.

Half Term Week

There are both GCE and IGCSE papers timetabled to run during the half term week (27^th to 31^st May). Parents and Guardians are advised to assist in ensuring that the candidates attend school on these days. Candidates should come to school in time as directed by the headteacher during the pre-exam briefing. They should be in full school uniform at all times whenever they report for examinations. Candidates taking GCE AS & A Level 9239/03 Global Perspectives & Research Team Project should   attend school during their examination session on Friday the 31^st May. They will need to sign the register and other documents relevant to their course work. Candidates will be released after the key times as directed by the examination board.

Mental Health Week

Mental health awareness week starts every year on the second Monday in May. In 2019, it was from 13^th to tomorrow, 19^th May. In a world that is increasingly opening up to and  understanding those with mental health issues, it’s no surprise that Mental Health Awareness Week is now a firmer fixture on calendars around the world. It focuses on a major issue each year. The theme this year is Body Image – how we think and feel about our bodies.  As a school, Braeside focuses on the total wellbeing of our students and this week was marked with lots of activities aimed at raising awareness on mental health issues. The week climaxed with talks from experts on mental health: University of Nairobi medical students, Mental 360 among others. I wish to thank all our guests for taking their time to talk to our students. Together we can end the stigma on mental health. 

BTEC Trip to Tetra Pak

On May 16^th 2018 the year 12 BTEC students had a chance to visit a packaging company, Tetra Pak, in Nairobi’s Industrial area. Tetra Pak have been able to develop a range of packages to protect both the  nutritional value and the ​taste of the products. This is what one of the students had to say:

‘‘As the BTEC students had a great time visiting the factory and we enjoyed ourselves. The experience was informative. We learnt new quite a lot about the company, which included a brief history and how the business has been impacted by technology. We had a tour of the factory and were informed on how they source their raw materials,  produce and  distribute their products. The most memorable part of this experience was when we were given bluetooth communication devices that we used when in the noisy factory. The business is concerned about safety and we were given protective gear to use. Tetra Pak has great hospitality and we were able to learn new things through their informative presentations and a very vibrant Q&A session. I was very glad to be part of the trip and I speak on behalf of everyone saying thank you to Tetra Pak for the great experience.’’  Calvin O. Year 12Y

From the Sports Desk

On 11^th of May, Braeside participated in the Hillcrest U15 Rugby and U14 Girls Netball. The girls displayed a good   performance throughout their pool games qualifying for the second round where they eventually lost to Hillcrest and Braeburn Garden Estate. The boys performance was excellent. They won all their matches in their pool but lost in the semis. They eventually finished 3^rd in the tournament. In the Nanyuki Cross county, Braeside athletes displayed their dominance in the U13 Boys and Girls category.

Tuesday, 14^th May 2019

Braeside U15 Boys A Rugby vs Hillcrest Tie  17-17

Braeside U15 Girls B Netball vs Hillcrest Lost 7-6 

Wednesday, 15^th May 2019

Braeside U13 Boys A Rugby vs Nairobi Academy Won 42-17

Braeside U13 Girls A Netball vs Nairobi Academy  Won 17-6

Braeside U13 Girls B Netball vs Nairobi Academy  Won 14-4 

Braeburn Nanyuki cross country results;

Boys

Geetee T. 1^st Position

Andrew M. 2^nd Position

Randall G. 3^rd Position

Lincoln K. 7^th Position 

Girls

Nadia Ndibo 1^st Position

Braeside emerged 3^rd overall.

Have a good weekend.

Regards,

Mr. Bernard Wandabwa

Assessment Coordinator

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I wish to commend our students and the teaching staff individually and collectively for the commitment to raising standards in teaching and learning. The standards in the classroom and beyond have improved considerably as illustrated by the many and varied achievements of our students.

Celebrating Mothers

This week, Braestars took time to celebrate their mothers and mother figures in different ways. They wrote poetry, made cards and posted notes on display boards to show their appreciation.

Thank you                                                                                                               

for every hug and every kiss

to send me on my way,

For always putting me to bed

to prepare for another day.

Thank you

For never letting go

of the hope you hold for my life,

for keeping it so close to your heart

all this time.

Thank you

For yelling at me when I am out of place,

For telling me the truth,

For forgiving me for what I say

because I know it hurts sometimes.

So now I say what I feel

at this time and day,

that mum I love you all the time

So Happy Mothers Day By Ashley K. Year 9C

Candidates exiting School at the End of an Exam

Students are allowed to go home after their exams as long as the key times have passed. We would wish to advise that Parents/Guardians give a note in the morning to be dropped off at the reception authorising such exits. This will reduce the need to make repeated phone calls seeking for such authorisation.

From the Sports Desk

Our school teams have embarked on a rigorous training ready for this term’s sporting activities. A few matches have been played this week including Rugby and Netball.

U13 Boys football A team vs Premier (Draw 3-3)

U13 Boys football B team vs Premier (Won 1-0)

U13 Girls netball A vs Premier (Won 14-4)

U13 Girls netball B team vs Premier (Won 16-3)

U15 Girls netball A vs Premier (Won 11-9)

U15 Boys Rugby vs Peponi School (Lost 12-19)

Have a good weekend.

Regards,

Mr. Joel Ndung’u

Deputy Headteacher - Pastoral

Dinky Charge

This year’s exciting fundraiser themed as a mini Rhino Charge was held on Friday, 3^rd May 2019 to raise money in support of Rhino Ark. Bravo to the forty Braestars who participated.

Why support the Rhino Ark Charity?

To engage Braestars to raise funds in a participated and entertaining way while drawing their attention to the work of the Kenyan-based conservation charity – Rhino Ark. Rhino Ark erects electrified fences around vital mountain ranges in Kenya to protect the crops and local communities from wildlife damage while providing much needed protection to some of Africa’s iconic and threatened species.

Why A Dinky Charge?

The challenge is modelled on this year’s annual four-wheel-drive Rhino Charge in Kenya, but in our Dinky Charge, the children instead race modified dinky cars around a number of laid out courses, while trying to avoid time-penalties and within the rules set out.

Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) Inspection

This week we will host eight international school inspectors in school for four days starting today. They will be coming from three different continents and all under the banner of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). The purpose of the visit is to ensure that what we do is internationally acceptable and that we are amongst the very top international schools around the globe.

It ensures that we receive the required investment to upgrade our school facilities and that we maintain the very highest level of pupil safety and supervision. It will scrutinise all of our staff both teachers and administrative section and report on the quality of education that we deliver. The final report will be made public and so everyone will see the current independent consensus on how well we are developing and of course any area where we could improve further. I hope very much that the whole process will be a positive one that furthers development at Braeside and gives us all confidence in what we are doing. There will be absolute minimum disruption to the normal teaching and learning programme.

Mr. I. Stamp Executive Head

Wishing you a great week ahead.

Gladys Wahinya    

Head teacher Braeside Primary

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We have successfully come to the end of week two of this term. A week where the Year 11, 12 and 13 students commenced their study leave as they sit for their final IGCSE, AS and A Level exams respectively. Please join me in wishing them success in their examinations.

ISI Inspection

Next week we will have eight international school inspectors in school for four days starting on Monday. They will be coming from three different continents and all under the banner of the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). The purpose of the visit is to ensure that what we do is internationally acceptable and that we are amongst the very top international schools around the globe. It ensures that we  receive the required investment to upgrade our school facilities and that we maintain the very highest level of pupil safety and supervision. It will scrutinise all of our staff both teachers and administrative section and report on the quality of education that we derive. The final report will be made public and so everyone will see the current independent consensus on how well we are developing and of course any area where we could improve further. I hope very much that whole process will be a positive one that furthers development at Braeside and gives us all confidence in what we are doing. There will be absolute minimum disruption to the normal teaching and learning programme.

Year 9 Start of Key Stage 4

This week marked the start of Key Stage 4 for our Year 9 students. We held a transition and options meeting last week on Friday. They are excited to start their IGCSE options and are settling down well to the new expectations. Congratulations to all our Year 9 students for successfully completing KS3 and welcome to KS4.

Term’s Focus

This term we are laying great emphasis on Academic progress for each  student and our focus will be on reviewing targets that were set at the start of the Year thus determining the level of progress made in the course of the three terms. This will lay the basis for discussions during Parents meetings after the half-term break. We shall also look at recognizing and rewarding students not only in Academics but in other facets of their school life at the end of the academic year. 

Uniform/Diaries

Parents/guardians please ensure that your child has proper school uniform and carries his/her diary to school everyday. We will appreciate if the diary is checked and signed weekly.

Wishing you a good weekend.

Regards,

Mr. Wallen Nyamota

Headteacher