English International School

Newsletter of the 5th February 2016

Dear Parents,

The month of February brings delightful festivals which we enjoy honouring in school. Chinese New Year begins on Monday, 8th February and Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, the 9th. We will celebrate St. Valentine’s Day at school on Thursday, 11th February. Please make note of the St. Valentine’s Day party times:

11:00 – 12:00 Playschool and Nursery

12:30 – 14:45 Lower and Middle Schools

12:30 – 14:45 Upper School

The children will not need to bring lunch on that day.

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses. We have decided to honour the International Year of Pulses by holding a tasting day at school on 23rd February. There will also be focus in certain classes regarding how pulses can contribute to the future of food security, as well as reduce the environmental footprint of food production. More information will be forthcoming from teachers about our tasting event.

We welcome Reading Volunteer, Flora Triantafyllou, who is in the Lower School on Tuesdays and Thursdays to listen to children read.          

Institut Français

Lower School had an enjoyable visit this week from the Pataclowns (pair of clowns), which included a storytelling session and an introduction to the Institut Français’ programmes on offer for children. There will be special shows this weekend at the Institut which will be of particular interest to children. Fliers have been posted on the notice boards to announce this and a full programme of offerings for January, February and March is on the Cotonou Culture board behind the secretary’s office.

A Scrabble workshop for Middle School students is planned for next week, with the participation of the Féderation Beninoise de Scrabble (Beninese Scrabble Federation).

School Fair

The time is here to request raffle (tombola) prizes from local restaurants, boutiques, vendors, etc. and plan the delicious dishes which will be brought out on the day. Last year’s fair was a big success, and we look forward to more of the same and more for this year. Kindly fill in the sheets which state the areas in which you would like to help, and return them to school. Please mark the date in your agendas: Saturday, 19th March 2016, 15:00 – 19:00.

Half-term holiday

The half-term holiday will begin on Friday, 12th February. Classes will resume on Tuesday, 16th February.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Khelseau-Carsky

Head teacher