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BRAEBURN
SCHOOL NEWSLETTER - September 2005
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1
From the Headmaster's Desk:
Dear Parents
and Friends of Braeburn,
A very warm Braeburn Welcome to you all, as we set out on another
academic year.
Lots of new children have started the school and they have been
joined by a number of new teachers. I sincerely hope that you will
be very happy as part of our community.
Whilst the children and the teachers were resting and recovering
during the long break, the school has been a very busy place indeed.
As promised, over the holiday an irrigation
system has been put into effect on the school field. In only a few
weeks, the difference has been amazing. The grass is greener, thicker
and spongier than ever before. In time to come, the "Emerald
Jewel" in our own crown, promises to be magnificent.
The new classroom block and swimming
pool changing rooms have been completed. Go and have a look. They
are excellent!
The entire school has been networked to
our intra-net. This allows internet access from every room in the
school. It also allows communication from room to room via PC. We
have also installed a new state of the art printing system which
covers the whole school.
Excellent progress has been made with
the heating of the pool. We have at the time of writing a 50% heating
coverage of the pool. The work on the remaining 50% is on-going.
However, the benefits are already in evidence. At 50% capacity,
the temperature of the water has been raised from 19ºC to 23ºC.
Not bad, considering that the sunny weather is not even with us
yet.
A large order of educational resources
has arrived from the UK. Check out the new furniture in the Year
2 classroom. They have some excellent inter-active play equipment
now.
Hopefully, you will see this as us continuing to invest in your
children. Your hard earned school fees is well spent and they is
spent on your children.
Looking
ahead…
Another busy term awaits us. As always, sport
plays a major part of our lives at Braeburn. This term is cricket,
rounders, athletics and cross-country season.
Swimming will also continue to take place.
There are literally hundreds of fixtures,
tournaments, and up country tours to look forward to. The inter-school
athletics meeting takes place at Kasarani on Tuesday 31st October.
Braeburn hosts this meeting and it is our major sports event of
the year.
At Braeburn, we eschew an ethos of sports
for all. Every child from U13 to U6 is given the opportunity to
play inter-school sport. At 1st and A Team level, we play to win.
However, we also run 2nd, 3rd, B, C and D teams. Everyone is catered
for, everybody has a chance to play for the school if they want
to.
The only requirement to do this is that they are committed and hardworking.
If you train, you play, if you don't (and it doesn't matter if you
are Freddie Flintoff), you won't.
I look forward to seeing you on the sports field over the next
13 weeks, cheering your children on!
Musically, we have a new department in operation
and exciting times lay ahead. Tea-Time Concert and a Celebration
of Christmas will be the main events of the term.
Friends at Braeburn, (the old PTA) swing into action. We will enjoy
a Family Disco and our very popular Fireworks Evening. Watch this
space for details.
Our Year 6's and 7's will be outward bound and
travelling into the wilds to white water raft, climb and absail.
There will also be a huge range of extra-curricular clubs and activities
for the children to take advantage of.
A few reminders …
Lost Property
Every year, we endure a mountain of lost property. It must cost
you, as parents, a fortune! Please, please, please, ensure that
every piece of your child's clothing, including shoes, have their
names and class on. If they are not labelled and your children loose
them, then you will loose these items for ever!
Uniform
From Reception to Year 8, we have a school uniform. It is not negotiable.
If a uniform is not uniform, then all you have is a mess. Please
support the school by ensuring that your children wear the correct
uniform. This particularly applies to the wearing of training shoes.
Training shoes are only to be worn for P.E. and games lessons. They
are not to be worn in class. Your assistance in this matter is greatly
appreciated.
Late Bus….
At Braeburn, we offer an incredibly comprehensive late bus service.
Late buses leave the school after clubs and activities in two shifts.
Shift one will leave the school at approximately 5pm. Shift two
departs after the last sports team has returned to school. This
is typically at about 6pm. The children, and the number of children
who use the late bus changes every night.
Therefore, it is imposible to give exact times when your children
will be dropped off at home. However, rest assured that I supervise
the late bus personally every night. You can contact the school
if you have a late bus concern on 3872572 and I will then be able
to locate your child.
However, do bear in mind that driving in Nairobi at rush hour is
a nightmare. It's called a late bus for a reason.
All of our drivers have mobile phones, rest easy that I can contact
them at any time if I need to.
The car park & traffic congestion
The car park continues to be a congestion nightmare in the afternoon.
We continue to look at ways of improving things. Unfortunately,
attempts to calm traffic on Gitanga Road using speed bumps seem
to have exacerbated the situation. Please remember that you can
access the school through the "back way" . From James
Gichuru Road, turn into Convent Drive, then turn left into Amboseli
Road, then turn right into Amboseli Lane. This brings you out by
the High School and the KS3 block.
After 3.45 p.m. the car park is very quiet - remember that you
can always collect your children after 3.45 p.m. from the school
library. The children will be happy and carefully supervised and
your stress levels and blood pressure will be reduced.
Talking of stress, please remind your drivers
that bad manners, the beeping of horns and the ignoring or abuse
of the car park staff, will not be tolerated. Drivers who cannot
be patient and respectful will be excluded from the compound. Your
support on this matter is very much appreciated.
We do have a number of ideas of further easing the traffict congestion
… watch this space.
So, to conclude, I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible
during the coming weeks. Your children are great and we will continue
to share in their success together.
Happy days!
Warmest regards,
Mr. Nick Magnus,
HEADMASTER.
New Headteacher
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As you are all aware, Mr. Nick Magnus is to take up the position
of Headteacher of Dulwich College in Suzhou, China in January 2007.
Prior to the Summer Holidays shortlisting for Mr. Magnus' replacement
took place and a list of four very strong candidates was drawn up.
Interviews took place during the Summer Holiday in both UK and Kenya
and, after much thought we offered the job to Mr. Scott Webber who
we are happy to announce accepted the position.
Many of you know Mr. Webber from when he held the position of Deputy
Headteacher at Braeburn up until July 2005. He will, on his return,
have gained invaluable experience as Head of the British School
of Porto in Portugal. Prior to his time in Braeburn, he was a Senior
Teacher in Hillcrest Preparatory School.
Mr Webber was highly respected and successful during his tenure
as Deputy at Braeburn and an invaluable support to Mr. Magnus. He
understands Braeburn and Kenya. He is extremely keen to return and
further develop the school. Mr Williams and I were extremely impressed
at interview at the new ideas Mr Webber had for the school and we
are sure he will be able to further the excellent work done by Mr
Magnus over the last five years of progress. The open door policy
and personal treatment you have always received will continue and
I feel sure you will soon get to appreciate Mr Webber in this regard.
As we would expect Mr. Webber is reluctant to leave his present
headship and responsibilities in the middle of the year and at short
notice; he will therefore join us in August 2007. In the interim
period after Mr. Magnus departure, Mr. Williams (our Director of
Education) will assume the role of Headteacher in an acting capacity.
On a personal note Mr Williams and I agonised for months on how
we would replace Mr Magnus, a Head who has done so much for the
school during his tenure. At times we despaired of ever finding
a Head worthy of you and your children. However, in the end we had
four really good applicants, three of whom we would have been happy
to appoint. Mr Webber tipped the scales not only because of his
professional qualities but also because his love and dedication
to the children in his care shone through.
Yours sincerely,
Terry Childs
New Teachers at Braeburn
Hi, I'm Ben James. I am delighted to come
to Kenya and be part of Braeburn. I was born in the Northern Province
of Zambia where my parents taught in a Catholic mission school.
I have visited central and southern Africa many times, but this
is my first time in East Africa.
I have taught for fifteen years in three English Prep. Schools,
starting in York and moving on to be boys' housemaster at Prior
Park Prep. School in North Wiltshire where I was also Head of History
and, at various times, a teacher of English, RE, ICT and Geography.
I was forced to abandon this job in order to care for my mother
during a severe illness. Fortunately, she has made a full recovery
allowing me this new start in life!
I am passionate about sport, especially rugby and cricket. I try
hard at cricket, but don't often get far: however, I love and know
the game very well. I was once an okay rugby player but now confine
my enjoyment to refereeing and coaching. I am a huge supporter of
Leicester Tigers and England. My other love is drama, whether playing,
watching or directing. I have even tried my hand at writing!
I am really looking forward to my time in Kenya, to teaching your
children and to meeting you.
Calvin Omondi
Being in Braeburn as a teacher has always been my dream, the kids
here are so lovely, not forgetting the staff who always put a smiling
face and determined to give the best to our lovely children.
I have been in Information Technology department for the last 11
years and have worked for Braeburn for the last three years, and
now I am glad to be an ICT teacher.
My primal aim is to give the best in terms of IT and make sure
that we have the best computer experts for tomorrow. Long live Braeburn
I am Caroline Odhiambo, the new Head
of the Music Department. Moving from Cavina, a much smaller school,
I am looking forward to the challenge of learning all the new names!
I am also hoping to help expand the music department in every direction!
Christine Harvey
I have just moved to Nairobi from Arusha, Tanzania where I was teaching
English in the secondary school. Prior to that, I have taught in
the Middle East, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and France. Outside
of school, I enjoy reading, going to the theatre and the cinema
My name is David Alagna. I completed
my tertiary studies in Education at the University of Sydney, Australia.
On completion of my degree, I worked for a year in Sydney before
teaching for 2 years at a Prep school in London. While in the UK,
I made numerous holiday trips to Africa and fell in love with the
continent. I have spent a year as a volunteer teacher in Ghana and
I am very excited about returning to teach in Africa. Whilst here,
I hope to travel the country and sample plenty of Ugali. I look
forward to teaching at Braeburn and getting to know the students.
My name is Dawn Dickinson and I am originally
from the U.K. After completing a Bachelor of Education degree in
Plymouth, I moved to Nairobi. I have been working at the Aga Khan
Junior Academy for the past six years. I have two children, a son
who is three years and a one and a half years daughter. I look forward
to getting to know the students and parents and becoming an active
part of the vibrant Braeburn community
Miss Nadia Nazir Noordin (Year 2K Class
Teacher)
Although my family originates from Afghanistan and Yemen, we have
resided in Kenya for three generations now. I am the only member
of my family who was not born in Kenya. I was born in Toronto, which
I suppose makes me Canadian by nationality!
My experience of education in Kenya has been in the private schooling
system. I completed my primary education at Tigoni Academy for Girls
(TAG), a British, all girls, weekly boarding school in Limuru. I
then went on to complete my high school education at Rosslyn Academy,
an American international school and proceeded to Richmond University,
the American International University in London, from where I graduated
with a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Minor in English Literature.
I later went on to obtain my Postgraduate Certificate of Education
at the University of Nottingham, through their School Centred Initial
Teacher Training Course ((SCITT). During my year of training, I
was teaching full time at two of the UK's National Outstanding Primary
Schools.
My keen interest in working at Braeburn stems from my own education
at international establishments. My first hand experience of education
with a culturally rich and positive ethos has been extremely rewarding.
Furthermore, the experience gained by living and studying in Canada,
Kenya, South Africa and England has given me an invaluable insight
into the different and varying needs of international students.
I have discovered that the secret to enhance learning is to recognize
and focus on students' strengths, raising their confidence to allow
them to participate actively in the learning process. Additionally,
my ability to speak five different languages will be an asset when
teaching in such a culturally diverse environment.
I am extremely excited and enthusiastic about being back in Kenya
and look forward to working with Year 2 this year!
Miss Nancy Muriuki has joined us as
a class teacher in Year 3 after three successful years of teaching
at Imani.
She is very happy to be here and looks forward to becoming an integral
part of the Braeburn community.
I am Miss Nazneem Dada. I have just
joined Braeburn at the Early Years Unit and am very excited about
all that awaits me. I have a Diploma in Pre-School Practice and
a certificate in Special Needs. I am very artistic, creative and
fun loving to be with. I particularly like swimming, badminton and
of course, reading books.
Hi, my name is Sam Peyton. I'm the
new Science Teacher. I've been teaching in London for the last three
years. Prior to this, I taught at a high school in Japan for a year.
I am a keen sportsman, especially athletics and have run in several
events in the last few years. I'm very excited about the opportunity
given to me at Braeburn and look forward to meeting many of you
over the year
Paula Durbin is originally from UK and
has spent the past two years as a Year 2 class teacher at the Aga
Khan Junior Academy in Nairobi. She trained as a primary teacher
at the University of London and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Sociology.
Paula is looking forward to joining Braeburn community.
Mrs. Sheelagh Hopkins will be teaching
5K. She has been living in Nairobi with her family for the past
two and a half years, teaching at West Nairobi School in Karen.
Her husband is the Development Director there and an adviser to
several small projects.
They have four daughters ranging in age from twenty one to thirteen.
One is in N. Ireland at university whilst the other three are at
different local schools.
Mrs. Hopkins is an honours graduate in English and Law and subsequently
achieved TEFAL and PGCSE qualifications.
Sonia Louw
I was born in Cape Town at the foot of beautiful Table Mountain.
I left home after completing my A levels. I studied for seven years.
(Rather enjoyed student life). Found something like The Garden of
Eden, Mossel Bay, taught for 10 wonderful years. Then adventure
struck and I left to teach in Botswana for four years at a private
international school, fantastic time! We were following the England
Education system and it prompted me to see what it looked like.
Off I was to England where I taught in all levels and a variety
of subjects. All through my career, teaching P.E, Swimming, Games
and Sport was my first love. I love teaching, nature, big wood fires
and meat!
My name is Miss Rosalind Mbaire.
I just joined Braeburn School as an Early Years practitioner, and
I am very excited and proud to be associated with the school.
Apart from teaching, I enjoy singing and engaging in games.
My name is Tom McNeil. This is my first
year in Kenya as well as Africa. I am looking forward to teaching
swimming, games, as well as clubs while here at Braeburn. Previously
back in England, I have had the opportunity to teach both state
primary as well as private education around the Northampton and
Milton Keynes area.
During my days off I like to play sport and rest. While at college,
I had the pleasure of representing my university First XV, while
playing semi-professionally for Liverpool St. Helens. As well as
this, I played for the Rugby League college team, playing in the
BUSA National Rugby League Cup semi-final.
New At Braeburn
Girls Football
Girls football is one of the fastest growing
sports in the world,and in some places becoming more popular than
boys football. In my short time here I have seen an amazing willingness
and passion for football by many young girls, but they don't have
an outlet. For many they will play during school, which is only
a short time and only once a year. I would like to try and change
this and offer a development school for girls, and am asking for
your help to kick start this project.
The school will be for girls Age 9-11 and 12-14, ideally between
11-3 on a Sunday afternoon, term time.
The venue is to be decided, but probably the Impala Fields or
Ligi Ndogo (Ngong Rd). If anyone has other suggestions, I would
be grateful. Cost: At the moment I am looking at 500bob/session,
however this price depends on the cost if any of the pitches used.
Purpose: The idea of the soccer school is to develop girls' football
skills. It is futile them playing just a term and then for the lucky
ones maybe joining a team at a later age. They need to be developed
constantly, it's a way to have fun, socialise and it will give girls
and parents something to do on a Sunday afternoon!! I would like
eventually to look at a development team that would tour during
the holidays. Eventually, the girls will feed from the development
school into local teams, and perhaps even could form the foundation
of a girls local league, Ligi Ndogo style. Why should it be only
the boys?
In order to achieve this I will also be looking at a future sponsorship
to eventually provide girls with kit, balls etc. If anyone has ideas,
I would again be grateful of your suggestions.
Any girls interested please see Miss Crutch by the end of week
two. Any parents offering help or suggestions please send a note
through your children and I will contact you.
Thanking you in advance for your help.
Catherine.
Week TWO
September Rounders U13 2nd Girls v Nbi. Academy (a)
Cricket U13 2nd Boys v Nbi. Academy (a)
4.00 pm
2.00 pm
Thursday 14th Inter-House Cross Country 1.30 pm
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