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Dear Colleague,
The sun has come out in London and the temperature is rising… that can only mean one thing – it's COBIS Annual Conference season! I'm so excited to welcome members of the COBIS family and indeed the wider British international schools community to our 37th Annual Conference which takes place in under four weeks here in our capital city. I'm sure you and members of your Senior Leadership Team have already booked your flights, accommodation and, most importantly, your ticket for the Conference, but if not, don't worry…. there's still time. As a global leader of learning, you'll be joined by hundreds of like-minded colleagues from over 70 countries for three exhilarating days of keynote speeches, seminars, workshops, networking and more. And what's more, you'll be warmly welcomed by myself, the COBIS Executive Team, the COBIS Board and venue staff at the Intercontinental London – The O2 hotel which will host our Conference for the third year in a row. We can't wait to meet you there.
This time next month, the Conference will be done and dusted and we'll be heading north to the city of Sheffield for the COBIS Secondary Games. As you'll know, student competitions and events are a pivotal part of what we offer and with the Commonwealth Games currently in full flow, who knows, we may witness the next stars of international athletics, swimming or football on show in Sheffield. I'd like to wish a special COBIS 'safe travels' to all school teams travelling to the UK for the flagship event – we await your greatness!
Of course, it's not just sport that students in COBIS schools can compete in, and in this month's edition in Connect we are delighted to announce the winners of the COBIS Poetry Competition and COBIS Primary Creative Challenge. I was truly blown away by the standard of quality in both competitions. Go see for yourself – we're delighted to link the entries submitted by all of the winners and runners-up below so that the whole network can witness the inspiring talents of the COBIS student family.
For the first time ever this year, we've decided to recognise the great work that COBIS Supporting Members do in supplying high-quality goods, services and solutions to COBIS Member Schools and this month, you'll read about those companies who have been shortlisted for the inaugural COBIS Supporting Member of the Year award. We've assembled an experienced judging panel to decide the winner which will be announced at the upcoming Conference in London. As a Trade Challenge Partner of the UK Department for International Trade, we believe that British international schools working closely with COBIS Supporting Members can be nothing but beneficial for the UK economy and education sector as a whole. As our colleagues at the Department say themselves – Education is GREAT!
That's all from me for now, see you at #COBIS18 in London!
Best wishes,
Colin Bell
CEO
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COBIS NEWS
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1 MONTH TO GO! SECURE YOUR PLACE NOW AT #COBIS18
There's only 1 month remaining until we welcome hundreds of delegates to the essential global gathering for leaders of British international schools in London, UK!
Now is the time to book your place at this unmissable event.
The conference programme, containing high-profile keynote speakers and a choice of insightful seminars and workshops, has now been published and delegates are invited to choose their seminars.
- Please click here to submit your seminar choices
- Please click here to view the seminar summaries
- Please click here to view the conference programme
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COBIS SUPPORTING MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD - SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to all the Supporting Members who have been shortlisted for the COBIS Supporting Member of the Year Award. This new award celebrates the excellent work our Supporting Members do with our schools every day.
Our judging panel now have the unenviable task of choosing the overall winner, who will be announced at the COBIS Annual Conference.
A Tale Unfolds - Luxembourg LitFilmFest
Nominated by St George's International School, Luxembourg
EyeFilm - BST Outdoors Film
Nominated by The British School in Tokyo
Interactive Schools - New School website: www.britishschoolmuscat.com
Nominated by British School Muscat
Interactive Schools - New School website: www.jess.sch.ae
Nominated by JESS, Dubai
Interactive Schools - New School website: www.britishschool.sch.ae
Nominated by The British School Al Khubairat
Learning Ladders - Implementation of Learning Ladders
Nominated by GEMS Royal Dubai School
The Teaching Assistant College - Delivery of the Diploma for International Teaching Assistants (DITA)
Nominated by Prague British International School
the-learning-crowd - The Chatmore School Development Plan
Nominated by The Chatmore British International School
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COBIS PATRON'S ACCREDITATION AND COMPLIANCE UPDATE
We are delighted that many more committed education professionals have recently completed our LIP and Peer Accreditor training, adding to our pool of those ready to lead the 2018/19 visits we already have in the calendar.
We are looking forward to presenting our Patron's Accredited Members with their special framed certificates, exclusively signed by His Royal Highness, The Duke of York KG, at our Annual Conference in London in May.
If your school would like to be one of those being honoured for their achievement next year, please do get in touch (quality@cobis.org.uk) or book a visit quickly and securely here - slots are disappearing fast….
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CELEBRATE THE COMMONWEALTH WITH A BIG LUNCH
The Eden Project is celebrating communities across the Commonwealth all this week. You too can get involved, with a range of fun activities to do with people from your local community.
There are some great recipes from around the globe, or if you need more inspiration, check out these fantastic films from COBIS Students from the 2015 Primary Creative Challenge – "Come Dine With Us!"
However you celebrate, have fun and share your celebrations on Twitter @COBISorg.
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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:
- Report: Leading an international school in China - Read
China is the fastest growing large international schools market with nearly 600 schools but what's it like to lead a school in China? Barry Speirs spoke to 20 school leaders to find out. - Talk-Less Teaching: Moving from Takeaway to Masterchef - Read
Isabella Wallace explains how Talk-less teaching can improve outcomes for learners from nursery to university. - A day in the life of an international teacher - Read
Gill Budgell offers some tips on entering the digital world when it comes to supporting the teaching of reading skills.
- Fume Cupboards for Science: Re - circulatory versus extracted to atmosphere - Read
Mike Serridge discusses the pros and cons of different styles of fume cupboards for the Secondary School science lab.
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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, we spoke to Jonny Massey, Headteacher at New School Rome.
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1. Which living person do you most admire?
Anyone working with the vulnerable whether it is in refugee camps or someone recently diagnosed with a terminal illness.
2. Which talent would you most like to have?
To play the piano.
3. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My children.
4. Where would you most like to live?
It changes with my mood: New York City, Stockholm, Vermont or Milan.
5. What is your favourite book?
Elizabeth Strout's Anything is Possible and Donna Tart's The Goldfinch.
6. What is your favourite £5 treat?
Pasta e Fagioli.
7. When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
An X-wing fighter pilot.
8. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Read, garden, walk.
9. What is on your bucket list?
I am hypochondriac so I cannot go anywhere near bucket lists.
10. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I read the news on the Radio 1 Breakfast show.
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Each month we will be showcasing alumni from any of our 270 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 we spoke to Bhagyata Kinger who graduated from the British School of Bahrain in 2013. Today, Bhagyata works as a Quantitative Investment Strategies Analyst at Morgan Stanley.
Click below to read more about how the British School of Bahrain prepared Bhagyata for her time at university and beyond, as well as her memories of favourite teachers, and her advice for school leavers in British international schools today.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and EVENTS NEWS
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COBIS SEMINAR FOR NEW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL TEACHERS
To support schools with the induction of new teachers who are embarking on their first overseas job, COBIS will be running a half-day seminar in London on Saturday 9 June 2018. This event is being delivered in partnership with eTeach.
This seminar is designed to support your own school induction programme, and will cover topics such as:
- Cultural immersion and dealing with cultural change
- Financial planning and logistics
- Safeguarding and child protection in an international context
- Transitions between the UK and international sectors
- Resources, support and expert tips for international school staff
- And more
In addition to providing training and information, this seminar will also give teachers the chance to develop their network of international school professionals and learn about support services and resources available to those working in the international school sector.
Date: Saturday 9 June 2018
Delegate fee: £60 plus VAT for COBIS Members / £75 plus VAT for non-Members.
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BOOKING NOW OPEN FOR CPML AND CPAH IN 2018/19
Booking is now open for the 2018/19 COBIS Programme for Middle Leaders (CPML) and COBIS Programme for Aspiring Heads (CPAH).
CPML cohorts will run in Muscat, Dubai, Tokyo, Blantyre, Madrid, Mexico and Bucharest.
CPAH cohorts will run in Kuala Lumpur, Madrid and Muscat.
More details and booking forms can be found here: www.cobis.org.uk/cpml and www.cobis.org.uk/cpah.
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INCOME GENERATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN SCHOOLS - IDPE CONFERENCE
Independent Schools are under increasing pressure from the threat of potential tax increases, and the need to raise more funds to widen access through increased bursary provision. IDPE's (Institute of Development Professionals in Education) Annual Conference shares the latest trends and innovation schools are applying to diversify income streams through development.
IDPE's 2018 Annual Conference, which takes place on 11 and 12 June 2018 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, provides schools with the facts that underpin best practice in development and the processes that deliver optimum return on investment.
Sessions that Heads, Bursars and Governors cannot afford to miss include:
- Creating and sustaining a successful bursary programme - how knowing your school's beneficiaries can make all the difference.
- Critically important elements a headteacher needs to bring to a successful development operation
- The role of governing bodies in development and how to develop outstanding fundraising
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IPSEF ASIA TAKES PLACE THIS MONTH
IPSEF Asia in Shanghai is a unique opportunity for schools and suppliers worldwide to explore and learn about the emerging Chinese market in detail through our high level presentations on topics including; the partnerships and legislation of developing a school in China; effective leadership of a Chinese International school; International architects speaking about the design of Chinese bilingual schools; Developing excellence in International early years; the challenges of teacher recruitment and retention in a growing new market; a school leaders story; and many more topics.
Have a look at the conference programme here.
In addition there are Educational Workshops from the participating companies.
As part of our relationship with COBIS, IPSEF is delighted to offer you a 15% reduction off the delegate fee for the forthcoming IPSEF Asia Conference. Just REGISTER HERE NOW and enter the code COBIS15 to get the discount.
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STUDENT ENGAGEMENT NEWS
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COBIS POETRY COMPETITION - WINNERS ANNOUNCED!
For 2018, the theme for the COBIS Poetry Competition was "Through a Looking Glass". With nearly 400 entries received, the judges were so impressed with the quality of the poems written. Well done to all who participated and thank you to the teachers who supported their students with this project.
The winning entries can be read below:
Category A: 10 years and under
Winner: Arysha Haya Kanda, The British School of Kuala Lumpur
Runner Up: Olivia Sell, GEMS Jumeirah Primary School
Category B: 11-14 years
Winner: Tamara Almoayed, The British School of Bahrain
Runner Up: Oresti Bakali, Campion School
Category C: 15-19 years
Winner: Lamees Abu Saad, International Community School, Amman
Runner Up: Sara Urso, The British School Alexandria
To see some of the comments the judges made on the excellent entries, please click here (www.cobis.org.uk/poetry).
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COBIS PRIMARY CREATIVE CHALLENGE
In 2018, COBIS and Oddizzi challenged Key Stage 1 and 2 students to create a travel segment on where their school is based. We received 24 wonderful films showing us the unique places COBIS students live and what makes them special; landmarks, buildings, wildlife, food and more!
To watch all the films that were submitted, click here.
Well done to all the students who took part and thank you to all the staff and parents who helped them.
Key Stage One
- Outstanding Film Winner – British School of Yangon
- Outstanding Film Runner up - British School of Nanjing
- Best Production Winner - Oxford International School Bishkek
- Best Production Runner Up - The British School in The Netherlands
Key Stage Two
- Outstanding Film Winner – JESS Dubai
- Outstanding Film Runner up - Aloha College
- Best Production Winner - International School of Moscow
- Best Production Runner Up - The British School Al Khubairat
Thank you to Oddizzi for partnering with COBIS to run the competition and for providing the prizes of a free year-long subscription to Oddizzi.com.
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#COBISGAMESUK - GOOD LUCK!
Good Luck to all teams training for the COBIS Games, taking place for in Sheffield, UK this May. We can't wait to see you in just a few weeks' time!
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NEWS FROM COBIS SCHOOLS
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KING'S COLLEGE FRANKFURT TO OPEN ITS DOORS IN AUGUST 2018
King's Group, one of the most prestigious educational institutions internationally, will open a school in Frankfurt in August 2018. King's College Frankfurt will be the first school to offer the English National Curriculum in the city and will cater to approximately 600 pupils, from the age of 3 (Nursery) to 18 years old (Year 13).
Nicholas Fry, King's Group Vice Chairman added "We are very proud to announce the opening of King's College Frankfurt in August 2018. It has long been an objective of our Group to establish a quality British school in Germany and we cannot think of a better place to begin than Frankfurt."
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COBIS SUPPORTING MEMBERS NEWS
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ACTION REQUIRED - COBIS SUPPORTING MEMBER SURVEY 2018
The COBIS Supporting Member Survey 2018 is now open and we encourage all members to let us know their views about the services available to Supporting Members.
The survey will only take 5 minutes to complete but will help us to develop our services and ensure we are offering value for money to our members.
The deadline for entries is Friday 27 April. The findings from the survey will be shared with Supporting Members at the Development Forum at the COBIS Annual Conference.
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ONE TEAM LOGIC: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF SAFEGUARDING IN EDUCATION
One Team Logic in collaboration with Northamptonshire schools, are proud to announce the inaugural 'Leadership in Safeguarding' conference, an event that has been organised for safeguarding leads across the education sector.
Join us in May 2018 for a unique event catering exclusively to safeguarding leads. We have a great line-up of high profile speakers who are all leading practitioners in their field and will be presenting on a range of thought-provoking topics which have a critical impact on the role of the safeguarding lead.
The event is an opportunity for safeguarding leads across all educational settings to hear about and debate the latest issues affecting their role including:
- The current and future national safeguarding landscape and the impact that has on their role as a senior leader and/or safeguarding lead
- The challenge of working in a multi-agency environment and the implications for leaders
- Managing the consequences when a critical incident occurs and understanding what that means for you and your role as a leader
- The impact that serious child safeguarding incidents can have on victims, witnesses and their families
- The personal experiences of safeguarding leads in their role and the lessons that can be learned
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SCI EMPLOYEE BENEFITS JOIN FORCES WITH LOCKTON
SCI EB, one of Asia's leading medical insurance brokers, is delighted to announce that it will be joining forces with global heavyweight Lockton, as part of its employee benefits division.
SCI EB CEO, Gavin Snook, comments: "We are hugely excited to join Lockton. It's a perfect synergy for both companies and allows us to maintain and grow the business for the benefit of our existing and future clients."
Andrew Merrilees, APAC Regional Head of Lockton's Employee Benefits operations, added:
"SCI EB is a fantastic cultural fit for us. Its success is based on a high degree of client focus and independence that rings true with our own Lockton values.
Headquartered in Singapore with offices in London and Bangkok, SCI-EB has significant, high profile schools already on its books. The business prides itself on a personal approach as, unlike other brokers, it provides a dedicated Healthcare Consultant to answer client queries and concerns within a 24-hour timeframe.
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April 2018
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COBIS CPD AND EVENTS 2017/18
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Summer Term
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37th COBIS Annual Conference
London
12-14 May 2018
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Advanced Training for Designated Safeguarding Leads
Hong Kong
29 May 2018
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STUDENT EVENTS CALENDAR 2017/18
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Summer Term
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COBIS Student Achievement Awards
Online
Closes 18 April 2018
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COBIS Secondary Games
Sheffield
18-22 May 2018
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COBIS Senior School Music Festival
Madrid
June 2018
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COBIS SERVICES FOR SCHOOLS
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COBIS Disclosure and Barring Service
Helping your school to recruit safely
Contact dbs@cobis.org.uk for more information
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COBIS Consultancy Service
Offering support to schools, commercial organisations and private investors globally.
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COBIS Diplomas for International Teaching Assistants
Giving International Teaching Assistants the knowledge, skills and understanding to work effectively alongside teachers whilst maximising learning opportunities for children.
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Online Safeguarding Training for International Schools
Child Protection for International Schools and Safer Recruitment for International Schools have been designed by leading child protection experts with input from safeguarding leads in international schools.
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NEW SUPPORTING MEMBERS
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St George's English International School Cologne
Member (Compliance)
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St George's English International School Duisburg-Dusseldorf
Member (Compliance)
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PRIMA International School Belgrade
Member (Compliance)
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NEW SUPPORTING MEMBERS
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Jestico + Whiles + Associates Ltd
Architects
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Axle Education
ICT
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CENTURY Tech
Student Development
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Connexcel
Consultancy and Professional Development
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Early Years Resources
Curriculum Resources and Publishers
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Academy for International Science and Research
Universities
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SUBMISSIONS
We welcome submissions from both schools and supporting members for the COBIS newsletter, Connect.
Please read our editorial guidelines before making your submission.
All submissions for the June Connect should be sent to: events@cobis.org.uk
by 1 June 2018.
There will be no Connect in May due to the COBIS Annual Conference.
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CONTACT US
If you have any comments or requests, please contact us. We'd love to hear from you.
By Telephone: +44 20 3826 7190
COBIS Head Office, 55-56 Russell Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1B 4HP, UK
Compiled and produced by Hannah Porritt, Communications and Events Executive
Edited by Jamie Ralph, Communications Officer
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