Our second half of the term has started off with a bang as we finish the academic year in a style. This week, good news has been shared with the BKIS community of the great achievement of one of our own. As I had mentioned earlier, The T
oyota Dream Car Art completion this year had a category of U8 winners reserved for BKIS!It was a privilege to have the Toyota team led by the MD Mr.Arvinder Reel in our assembly to deliver yet 
another good news to us. The winner of U8 category in Kenya, Dhara Shah has been selected to represent the country in the global round to be held in Japan. In this one week trip, Dhara and one of her parents’ expenses are catered for by Toyata! It is indeed a great achievement and we are all proud of Dhara.
The three winners also had the opportunity to receive their beautiful certificates from Toyota Kenya.
We say a big thank you to the Toyota team for giving BKIS such a great opportunity.
Mater Heart Run
This annual event has become part of BKIS calendar. As responsible citizens, we always extend a helping hand to the needy in our larger community. The use of magic words was excellently applied by the BKIS students in getting sponsors for the run. From the returned forms, we have collected a total of Ksh. 233,800 to Mater Hospital. As if this is not enough, on the 26th May, we had a team of BKIS members (students, staff and parents) take part in the actual run.
Taekwondo Competition
Our emphasis on active participation in the extra-curricular activities motivated three members of the Tae Kwondo club (Kieran, Deven and Christian) to venture into competition outside Kisumu. On the 2nd of June, these three active boys were in Nairobi for the Oshwal Taekwondo tournament. It is very encouraging to report that they did their best and were not intimidated by the huge crowd as well as at times, bigger opponents.
They all won medals and were able to share their experiences to the rest of the students during the assembly. Congratulations to the boys!
World Environmental Day
BKIS joined the world in celebrating this great day under the theme of Beating Plastic Pollution. Each class had exhibition on how to re-use the plastic to avoid pollution as sampled below.
The KS3 students had the opportunity to partner with the County Government in tree planting session on that day. We also had Vanessa present a topic on dangers of plastic pollution during the occasion. All in all, the BKIS presence and participation was well felt.
ABRSM Exams
This annual exam will be held on Monday and Tuesday Next Week. Our candidates have been preparing and we are sure they will do their best. BKIS being an ABRSM centre, we have other candidates from other schools doing their exams from here. Best wishes to the candidates.
EYFS AND Year 1 Fun/Sports Day
The much awaited fun day is finally here with us. Tomorrow BKIS will be having a fun day for 2-6 year olds. There are invited schools to grace the occasion. The event will start at 9am with expected end time to be 12noon.There are many exciting activities.
The well-deserved mid-term break is finally here with us. Our boys and girls have been giving their best in terms of academics and extra-curricular activities. The last two weeks have been packed with exciting activities ranging from educational trips to our Internal Scouts Camp.
KS3 Art and Design Trip to Ilesi Pottery and Training Centre
As part of the Art and Design topics in three-dimensional design which include ceramics, sculpture and product design, a trip was arranged for KS3 students to visit Ilesi Pottery Centre in Ilesi shopping Centre, Kakamega. Students acquired some skills, knowledge and understanding of the processes involved in using clay to make, dry, fire, and decorate the ceramic ware, clay sculptures and products. They also learnt about constructional methods such as slab building, coil, hand making and the application of surface treatments. Here is what some students have to say;
Diya (Year 7); Going to Ilesi Pottery Centre was a very fun experience we learnt a lot of things. During the trip to Ilesi we had a lot of fun. When we got there everybody's mouths were open at the amount of shock. We were amazed of how they made pots. We even learnt a few things like: You need to pound the clay to be able to make a sculpture, it takes a few days for the small ones to dry. The big pots take even months!!! It was a very fun experience and we learnt a lot of things and I hope we go there again!!!!!
Samantha (Year 8); The Art Trip was very insightful. We got to learn and make clay pots. Our instructor made it look easy until you try it. We all took turns in making different designs of pots. Later they told us that it takes about 1 month for a finished pot to be sold. They took us to the store and we saw all the beautiful and creative pots that have been made. We bought a few and overall it was a very enjoyable experience.
Benjamin (Year 9); We went for a trip to Kakamega where we learnt so much and got to experience how pottery items are made and we had so much fun. We also went to see a person who made sculptures for a living and he tried making a face (a portrait). Later on we went to see the finished products. It was a joyful experience.
Year 3 Trip
Scouts Camp
Scouts Camp
The Internal BKIS scouts camp made a return after a long break and it this time involved the youngest group of scouts in the movement. The scouts were taken away from the normal comfort of their everyday life and had to spend the night in their tents. This provided an ultimate test of endurance as well ensuring that they are able to utilize their innate survival skills.
The excitement was palpable throughout the camp despite the unforgiving weather conditions. The scouts displayed courage and character in the face of adversity. The scouts learnt a great deal about Lord Baden Powell who founded the scout’s movement. Additionally, both the Chipukizi as well as the Sungura scouts worked together in various team work activities which not only helped them improve teamwork skills, but assisted in the reinforcement of BKIS values of patience, honesty and unity.
Finally the scouts as well as their leaders would like to thank all those who made the event successful.
Toyota Dream Car Competition
The U8 category winners for the annual Toyota Dream Car Art Competition all came from Braeburn Kisumu International School! Today in our assembly, we had the privilege of hosting a team from Toyota Kenya Kisumu branch led by their Manager Mr Jackson on behalf of the MD to present the prizes. A big congratulations to the BKIS team led by Dhara (Gold), Bashar (Silver) and Malaika F. (Bronze).
Mater Heart Run
Community support has always been part and parcel of BKIS. We are all ready to take part in this worthy course once again. The event will be started off at the sports ground by 8:30am. All BKIS members are requested to assemble at the sports ground in good time (By 8.15am) for the group photo before the event as we have always done. Our school van will be around with our nurse on board just in case first aid may be required. A big thank you to those who have brought back the sponsorship forms. We urge those who have not returned to do so as we need to send the forms back.
High School Camping Trip
The High School students will be going to visit Malewa Bush Venture for a camping trip over half term. The students will leave on Monday 28th May 2018 and return on Wednesday 30th May 2018. School transport will leave the BKIS at 9.00 am and we expect to leave Malewa at 9.00 am on Wednesday, hoping to be at school by 2.00 pm. It will be a great opportunity to cover many aspects on social skills. We wish them a safe journey.
World Environmental Day
This great day will be on the 5th June this year. BKIS has organized different activities to mark this day. For the first time, we are aiming at partnering with the county government of Kisumu in environmental activities.
KS2 SATS
Braeburn group of schools will have the KS2 SATs held immediately after we come back from half term; to be precise from 5th June. The Year Six Class are adequately prepared to sit for these tests which are basically to assess the mastery of concepts learnt so fare wish them well even as they do their final touches. A time table of the same is attached in peek at the week.
Parents Meeting on 12th June 2018
A special parents meeting has been arranged to take place on the said date. The main agenda will be to officially introduce the incoming MD, Mr. Andy Hills to the BKIS community. The specific timings will be officially communicated once we are back from the half term.
Another successful week has come to an end with the BKIS scouts gearing up for their camp out in the school compound. Scouting has become a very popular club with members as young as seven years actively participating in the activities on offer. 
According to the club’s patron Mr. Yamo, the Camp will give the children the opportunity to build friendships through participating in group activities, equip the scouts with basic knowledge of scouting, survival skills as well as participating in games and activities to foster critical thinking.
Our boys and girls are excited and ready for the experience and we hope the weather will also be favorable to us. According to the plan the scouts will end their camp tomorrow by 12:30pm after undergoing First Aid Training.
Toyota Dream Car Awards
Our boys and girls participated in the National Toyota Dream Car Art Contest this year. For the first time, we registered many participants in various categories. As I had mentioned earlier, for the U8 category, all the top three positions were taken by BKIS students; Dhara, Bashar and Malaika Fillinger. Because of this, the Toyota Kenya led by their MD Mr. Arvinder Reel will be in BKIS on 25th May 2018 during our assembly to present the awards to our three winners. Once again, we are proud of the hard working students who have ensured that BKIS has once again demonstrated that the learners enjoy success.
Mater Heart Run
There is no better way to show how internationally minded we are as BKIS community than participate in this Year’s Mater Heart Run through the display of the value of CARING. We have always extended a helping hand to the needy in the society.
We appeal to you to come out in larger numbers and support this noble cause. Your participation will go a long way in saving hundreds of children with heart ailments from economically disadvantaged background.
‘‘Touch a Child’s Heart’’
The deadline for submission of the Sponsorship form is next week Thursday 24th May. We have always emerged as top contributors in the region and I am hopeful we are still going to remain at the top as TEAM BKIS. Already T-shirts , caps and wrist bands are on sale at the school office.
Primary Disco
The much awaited disco for the Primary children will be held next week Friday as a climax of the first half of the term. The children seem excited about it. It will run from 6pm to 8pm.The programme of the event will be sent out next week.
The value of internationalism was well captured in our today’s assembly when the discussion was on characteristics of internationally minded individuals. It was great to hear from the students’ body listing the desirable characteristics of thinkers, communicators, risk takers, reflective, balanced, knowledgeable, inquirers, principled and open minded. When all these are displayed, then the Braeburn Circles of Responsible Citizens, Learners Enjoying Success and Confident Individuals are automatically realised. It is our hope that the BKIS products will always be broad minded individuals with sole aim of making a positive impact in the society.
It was also an occasion to remember how Time, Opportunity and Spoken Words never come back when gone. As team, we agreed to always make good use of our time in school, grab this golden opportunity to maximise on the positive experiences offered at BKIS and thoughtfully consider the words that come out of us.
FAMILY PICNIC
The annual target of TEAMWORK, led to a successful event last Saturday. It was encouraging to see student led activities which accommodated every BKIS member. A big thank you to all for the support.
Inter Braeburn Swimming Gala
Two weeks ago, our boys and girls had the opportunity to represent BKIS in the annual Inter Braeburn Swimming Gala. Our team of 25 swimmers comprised did their best despite the cold weather of Nairobi. In our assembly today, we acknowledged the contributions of each and every swimmer and presented the medals to Jesse, Aiden, Don, Pete and Kieran for their exemplary performance.
Mathletics
This is a free fun online competition powered by World Maths Day which is annually held in the month of March. Our students took part in it and were awarded beautiful certificate which were presented during the assembly. The competition measures speed in arithmetic and numeracy skills on the live Mathletics platform. Congratulations to the winners.
Scouts Camp
The BKIS Internal Scouts Camp will be held next week Friday. Our boys and girls are excited about it and are looking forward to the great experience. The letters on the same have been sent home. Should you have any questions, kindly get in touch with the club’s patron Mr. Yamo.
Mater Heart Run
As one of the characteristics of internationally minded community, BKIS has always displayed the value of Caring. This, we have annually done through community services such Mater Heart Run. This year, the event will be held on the 26th May. Already the sponsorship forms have been sent home through the students. Being our tradition, let’s give back to the community through this noble course. For the last many years, BKIS has always emerged among the top contributors in this region and I am sure this time round we are even going to be better.
The week two has come to a pleasant end with the great news to BKIS community of Loice Jobando achievement of securing scholarship to join the African Leadership Academy in September! African Leadership Academy (ALA) seeks to enrol the most outstanding young leaders from across Africa and around the world. ALA is not only looking for young people who are smart and excel in the academic environment, they are looking for young people with the potential to lead and impact the world around them through their courage, initiative and innovation. It is indeed a great achievement for Loice (Our Deputy President to the Students Council) for being the first student from BKIS to get this admission. ALA’s selection process is extremely competitive and for her to make it, we are all proud of her.
Toyota Dream Car Art Competition
BKIS has done it again! The Under 8 Category in this competition had many participants from all over Kenya expressing the wishes to Toyota for their dream cars. From the results, it was like a reserved category for Braeburn Kisumu International School. Dhara S., Bashar Y. and Malaika F. won Gold, Silver and Bronze respectively. Congratulations to our students. The Toyota Kenya representatives will be organizing to present the awards to our winners in the course of the term.
Scouts Patrol Leaders Camp at Braeburn Imani International School Report.
The scouts departed BKIS at exactly 8:30am for Nairobi. The journey to Nairobi was excellent as the weather was quite favourable. We made one stop at West Side Mall in Nakuru for a short break where the scouts were able to get their lunch from KFC before embarking on the journey to Nairobi and arrived at around 5:30 pm. We unfortunately missed out on the opening ceremony which was set to kick off at around 4pm. The scouts indulged themselves with refreshments provided by the host and later on managed to put up their tents in time for supper as well as the evening activities.
There was a heavy down pour almost every evening that forced us to abandon our tents for the classrooms throughout our stay at camp. The BKIS scouts lived up to the values and expectations and no disciplinary cases were reported. The scouts received training on various subject areas including but not limited to First Aid and Badge System. Medical and dietary considerations were well factored and considered during our stay at camp.
We would like to appreciate the team spirit and courage exhibited by the scouts even in the face of adversity.
YEAR 9 IGCSE Subject Options
After a successful week of tests to mark the end of KS3 work, our year 9s are now ready to start the CIE syllabus. The subject options have been arrived at after consultation with the students. These option blocks will be shared with their parents to help in the final choices as we draw a new time table for them. We wish them well in their preparation for IGCSE
Inter Braeburn Swimming Gala
BKIS has sent a team of 25 swimmers to take part in this annual event tomorrow at BGR. For most of them, it is a first time experience. Mr.Azenga and Ms. Irene have worked with them to build their confidence and we are hopeful that as usual, they will do their best. A big thank you to the parents who have offered to accompany and cheer them up during the Gala.
Family Picnic
As calendared, this event will be held on the 5th May 2018 from 1 pm. Yesterday, we had a successful ROBS meeting to plan for this and exciting activities are lined up .Thank you all for those who managed to attend the meeting and we are certain that with the great TEAMWORK, this coming picnic will simply be the best. The minutes of the meeting will be shared out early next week detailing the specific activities of the day.
Braeburn Kisumu International School