COBIS Connect - December 2017

Dear Colleague,

Welcome to the festive edition of our monthly newsletter, Connect. Just before you sign-off for a well-deserved seasonal break, we're delighted to bring you some exciting news from the world of international British schools overseas.

2017 was a milestone year for COBIS. We introduced a school improvement programme for British schools overseas, The Patron's Accreditation and Compliance, and we staged our largest ever Conference back in May. The launch of our accreditation programme has been highly successful with Peer Accreditation teams travelling to all corners of the globe visiting quality schools to witness best practice in our sector. In this month's edition of Connect you'll read about the schools who have achieved Compliance in recent weeks but as we look ahead to 2018, there is so much more yet to come. We can't wait to kick-off the new year by visiting all of the schools who have already booked visits as part of The Patron's Accreditation and Compliance for early 2018. If your school would like to begin its development journey with COBIS next year, contact us now to book your visit.

As I mentioned, the COBIS Annual Conference in 2017 was another landmark for the association but we're already looking on with excitement to the next COBIS Annual Conference in May 2018 as it promises to be an even more remarkable event. We can't reveal the keynote speakers just yet, but do keep an eye on our website and social media channels for some special announcements in January. However, if you want to confirm your attendance at the Conference now, you don't have to wait until January, you can book your place here. We look forward to welcoming you to London!

If you're a Supporting Member, we will see you even sooner than the Conference as we'd be delighted if you could join us for a reception at the Institute of Directors, London in January. You'll read more about that event below, along with the availability of my colleagues at COBIS Head Office to meet you at the BETT extravaganza.

As you'll know, COBIS is COBIS because of the wonderful students and young people in our schools and we work in this sector to make their lives better and enrich their early years. There was no better reminder of that in November, when thousands of COBIS students took part in the COBIS Maths Challenge. Seeing the daily updates on social media from schools around the globe on how their students were doing brought joy to the COBIS Head Office in London and it is these moments that make everything we do worthwhile.

With this in mind, we wish you, your students, parents, staff and families a joyful and safe festive period. I look forward to updating you again in 2018!

Kind regards,

Colin Bell
CEO

COBIS NEWS

THE PATRON'S ACCREDITATION AND COMPLIANCE - MONTHLY UPDATE

We are delighted to have granted COBIS Member status to the following schools after three COBIS Compliance visits in November.

Brighton College Bangkok The New School, Rome Pick Me Academy, Romania

Head of School at the Pick Me Academy Madalina Postelnicu said:

"The whole process was a big step forward. I feel our school gained a lot of confidence in all what we do. This experience gave us a better understanding of the areas that we need to improve. I feel I know now what I need to do in order to take the school forward."

Any schools wishing to participate in the scheme should book their visit by clicking below.

BOOK MY VISIT

ARE YOU ATTENDING BETT 2018?

Representatives from the COBIS Executive Team will be at BETT 2018. If you would like to book an appointment to meet with one of the COBIS team, please contact them directly. We'd love to see you there!

Margaret Garrard - Director of Operations & Deputy CEO operations@cobis.org.uk
Jamie Ralph - Communications Officer
comms@cobis.org.uk
Natalie Williams - Membership Officer
members@cobis.org.uk

MORE INFORMATION

SUPPORTING MEMBER RECEPTION - SAVE THE DATE!

The Annual COBIS Supporting Member Reception will be held on Friday 26 January 2018 at the Institute of Directors in London. All Supporting Members are invited to attend - invitations will be sent out shortly.

The Reception is an opportunity to meet the COBIS Board and Executive Team as well as network with fellow COBIS Supporting Members. We look forward to welcoming you to this event. For more information, please contact Natalie Williams, COBIS Membership Officer.

MORE INFORMATION

COBIS BLOG - MONTHLY UPDATE

A new article is posted each week on the COBIS Blog, covering topics of interest to teachers, support staff parents, and students in the international community. Here are our latest blogs:

How are your children using social media? The facts! - Read
Do your students have a social media presence? Of course they do. Simon Noakes provides us with some useful tips on the safe use of social when it comes to children.
Unqualified Teachers - Does it Matter? - Read
Dr Craig Kissock outlines why it's important that teachers in international schools have a recognised teaching qualification.
Global Goals – How schools can transform the world - Read
Amy Mander explains how the Global Goals can teach young people that they have the power to change the world.
Finding hidden talents in STEM - Read
Sarah Haythornthwaite writes about the importance of improving student perceptions of STEM subjects in international schools.
Are you sure you know exactly what you want for your new school building? - Read
How would you like your new school building to look? Did it turn our as you envisaged? Gareth Long shares his experiences of working with international schools on new builds.
Student Diary: My week of work experience with COBIS - Read
Harry, a talented Year 11 student at a school in Liverpool, recently completed a week of work experience with COBIS. Here's how he got on...

READ MORE BLOGS

10 Questions gives you the chance to get to know members of the COBIS network a little bit better by asking them ten questions about their achievements, wishes and hidden talents! This month, our Work Experience student Harry sat down with Margaret Garrard, our new Director of Operations & Deputy CEO, to find out a bit more about her!

1. Which living person do you most admire?
I can't say I admire only one person; I actually admire a number of different people who I know. I admire my friends and family and how they have overcome small challenges in everyday life and have met their set goals.

2. Which talent would you most like to have?
If superpowers are allowed I would like to be able to teleport because then I could easily visit friends and family all around the world.

3. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I am very proud of my completion of the Trailwalker which is a 100km walk across the South Downs. It was an intense physical and mental challenge.

4. Where would you most like to live?
As a duel national and a citizen of the world I couldn't choose so I would like to have a house on each and every continent please.

5. What is your favourite book?
I have favourite books for every phase of my life. I have always been a big Margaret Atwood fan, so anything by her - her early work in particular.

6. What is your favourite £5 treat?
My favourite £5 treat would be a nice glass of white wine if I can get that for £5 - if not I would probably choose nice dark chocolate.

7. When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an actress specifically in the theatre.

8. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to go trekking and hiking especially in the South Downs.

9. What is on your bucket list?
I have already jumped out of a plane so I can't say that! So I am going to say I would like to speak French well enough to pass as not being English.

10. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I was a vegetarian for 20 years and I ended this by eating the meat of a bear which I would say is quite surprising.

Each month we will be showcasing alumni from any of our 292 schools around the world. COBIS students are doing amazing things and we want to showcase the talent of past students from our schools, in order to celebrate what they have achieved and to inspire the next generation of students.

This month Hannah from COBIS and Harry, our COBIS Work Experience student, spoke to Maryam Hussain, graduate of Doha College. Today Maryam teaches in a number of universities across Paris and has recently launched her own tutoring business.

Click below to read more about what Maryam believes are the greatest benefits of going to an international school, as well as her advice for current students on how to make the most of their time at school.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: MARYAM HUSSAIN

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and EVENTS NEWS

CPD FOR NON-ACADEMIC STAFF

Dubai College and British School of Bucharest will be hosting COBIS Conferences this term for Bursars, Business Managers and HR Staff (Dubai, 1-2 February) and Marketing, Development and Admissions Staff (Bucharest, 15-16 March). Booking for both of these events is currently open on the COBIS website.

MORE INFORMATION

COBIS CPD HOSTS THIS TERM - THANK YOU

COBIS would like to thank the schools that have hosted COBIS CPD events this term!

Thank you to Braeburn School, Kenya; International Preparatory School, Portugal; British International School of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Edron Academy, Mexico; King's College Madrid, Spain; Brighton College Abu Dhabi, UAE; British School Muscat, Oman; Saint Andrew's International Primary School, Malawi; British School of Bucharest, Romania; Cayman Prep and High School, Cayman Islands; Aloha College, Spain.

If your school is interested in hosting a CPD event in 2018/19, please contact cpd@cobis.org.uk.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHING ASSISTANTS

The COBIS Diploma for International Teaching Assistants (DITA), offered in partnership with Supporting Members The TA College, provides international teaching assistants with the knowledge, skills and understanding to work effectively alongside teachers and maximise learning opportunities for children.

The British International School, Cairo were delighted to be able to offer 3 TAs the chance to complete the DITA course this year. Debbie Jones, Deputy Head says "The 3 participants are thoroughly enjoying the learning and can regularly be found meeting with their teacher, Head of Year and Key Stage Coordinator for help, advice and to ask for chances to try out the things they have learned. They are also sharing their new knowledge and skills with our other TAs.

Being able to offer the course to our TAs is just one small way of showing them how much we value their work. However, the benefits can be seen beyond the three studying; it has also helped inspire a large number of our TAs to take ownership of their own professional development and want to learn more."

MORE INFORMATION

IPSEF ASIA - SHANGHAI, CHINA - APRIL 2018

IPSEF Asia is moving to China in April 2018 and will expand to four days, comprising of two days of school visits and two days of conference and exhibition.

The event will be a unique opportunity for schools and suppliers worldwide to explore and learn about the emerging Chinese market in detail through high level presentations and school visits to both Chinese and international schools.

COBIS is a proud supporter of IPSEF events, and are delighted to offer our members an early bird discount of £200 off the standard delegate price when booked before 31 December 2017.

MORE INFORMATION

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT NEWS

MARVELLOUS MATHEMATICIANS SCORE MAJOR MARKS IN THE COBIS/MANGAHIGH MATHS CHALLENGE

The COBIS/Mangahigh Maths Challenge took place from 20 November – 3 December, with 3265 students from 63 COBIS schools taking part. Well done to all who participated; especially the 914 students who all achieved more than 150 points individually – your medals are on their way to you!

The top 10 schools won between USD250 and USD500 Amazon vouchers with International School of Moscow also winning an engraved trophy for their huge effort in amassing 41,221 points to come first.

MORE INFORMATION

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

All COBIS schools may nominate up to three students to win a COBIS Student Achievement Award. The nomination period for this year is open and will remain so until 18 April 2018.

Last year 121 students from 48 schools received the Award for a range of exceptional reasons including; having books published, achieving world-class academic results, overcoming extraordinary medical and personal challenges, competing in sporting endeavours on the world stage and setting up and running charity initiatives.

MORE INFORMATION

COBIS ART COMPETITION

MOTHER NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Last year's Art Competition attracted entries from more than 300 students worldwide. For 2018, the theme is "Mother Nature and the Environment". We want to see students take on this topic from their unique geographical and generational perspectives.

Students can create a piece of art - photography, paint, sketch, sculpture etc. on the theme of Mother Nature and the Environment. There are five categories - four for different ages and one group category:

Early Years and Foundations Stage
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 2
Key Stage 3
Group Entries

Schools may enter from now until 28 March 2018, good luck!

MORE INFORMATION

NEWS FROM COBIS SCHOOLS

BYRON COLLEGE WORLD PHILOSOPHY DAY ENDORSED BY UNESCO

World Philosophy day is celebrated on the third Thursday of November every year. This year, Byron College, a COBIS Accredited Member School, celebrated theday by facilitating pupil discussions on philosophical questions and paradoxes under the olive trees of Pynx Hill, Philopapou, at the very site where democracy came to fruition.

Byron College were even awarded the great honour of being recognized for their work by UNESCO, with the event being listed on its website as an official UNESCO World Philosophy day event!

Philosophy is a discipline that underlies all other academic disciplines. Children have the capacity to enquire philosophically from an early age and Byron College sets its pupils on the path of philosophical enquiry early in life with Philosophy for Children (P4C) being introduced as an official subject from Year 3.

MORE INFORMATION

COBIS SUPPORTING MEMBERS NEWS

MEET EXPERTS FROM ISC RESEARCH AT

ONE-DAY CONFERENCE

ISC Research is hosting a one-day UK conference on 11th January. It's a rare chance to meet and learn from all of the ISC Research regional experts who meet with many international school leaders in their regions.

Learn what's influencing the world's international schools market this academic year, developments soon to happen, and new opportunities. There will be time to network, and ISC Research clients can also schedule free one-to-one sessions with the experts.

The conference is relevant for international school senior leaders, education suppliers, and organisations working or wishing to work within the sector.

MORE INFORMATION

December 2017

COBIS CPD AND EVENTS 2017/18

Spring Term

COBIS Personalised Learning Conference
Amsterdam
4-5 January 2018