VVIS Primary Circular Week 4 Sep 2008

VVIS Secondary Circular Sep 2008

VVIS Newsletter June 2008

June 2008 - Celebrating opening of new Arts Centre

“JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT”

Vale Verde International School recently staged performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the school theatre of their newly built Arts centre. Under the expert direction of Roger Foreman, the Head of VVIS, some excellent musical items were augmented by an original script written by Mr Foreman. In this adapted play an English family, whilst packing to emigrate to Portugal, notice the family Bible and become intrigued by the story of Joseph. The characters from olden times come to life, following which the story is recalled in drama, music and dance. The final discovery is that Joseph’s family lived in Luz, Canaan whilst the modern family are going to live in Luz, Algarve!

The production was performed by a cast of nearly sixty students ranging from eight to fifteen years of age. In addition to powerful chorus numbers, there were highly effective dance sequences, including the portrayal of a storm of locusts. The solo singing was also very strong with the lead part being played by 13 year old Joseph Gurnett, whose clear treble voice and fine acting enchanted his audiences.

April 2008 - BILINGUAL PRIMARY SCHOOL for ALGARVE
Vale Verde International School has pioneered an educational project, becoming the first international school in the Algarve to offer bilingual education where subjects are being taught in both English and Portuguese.

The term ‘bilingual’ in this context does not merely imply the teaching of a foreign language such as Portuguese as an individual subject within the curriculum, but an equal division of dual-language teaching.

Options for bilingual education in international schools in Portugal remain marginal, perhaps due to the ever evolving nature of international student bodies. VVIS has however recognised that this phenomenon should not deter international schools to train teachers to become more linguistically and culturally aware in second language learning.

Recognition of the Portuguese culture and traditions will form an integral part of VVIS’ daily activities. This is done by introducing Portuguese history and fine arts into the curriculum. Maths, the sciences and technology will be taught in English.

As far as the daily routine is concerned, lessons are divided between English and Portuguese in order to have a balance between the two languages. For the purpose of clarification, teachers will explain concepts in the mother tongue where the subject is being taught in the second language of the student. Mainstream teachers will either be English speaking with knowledge of Portuguese or Portuguese speakers who are competent in English. To cater for Portuguese students, mainstream teachers will be assisted by Portuguese teaching aides to explain lessons conducted in English. The bilingual school at VVIS will provide education from Year 1 through to Year 6. Pupils will be taught listening, speaking and reading with emphasis on receptive skills in English and Portuguese in years one and two. Productive skills such as writing are gradually introduced and all children should be able to understand both languages by the end of year two. It is the objective of VVIS to ensure that students have a good degree of functional fluency in both languages after four years, achieving conversational proficiency in both languages by the end of their primary school career. At the end of year 6, students will transfer to VVIS’ Secondary School where the British (Cambridge) curriculum is taught and where they will continue to develop their literary skills.

The long-term benefits of bilingual teaching have been proven by researchers worldwide. It enriches the learning process and creates awareness of the way languages work. Research shows that bilingual children have linguistic advantages that lead to improved intellectual development and academically outperform those students in monolingual programmes. The learning in two languages creates greater mental flexibility, superiority in concept formation and a more diversified set of mental abilities.

In order for children to learn a second language the natural way, it is important for them to be immersed into the foreign language from an early age. In addition, this programme encourages cross-cultural awareness and tolerance – an issue which has been much neglected in the educational field.

As far as Portugal is concerned, the recent Eurobarometer survey revealed that 64% of Portuguese indicated that they could only master their mother tongue. However, for those parents who want their children to become bilingual, VVIS is now offering bilingual education. VVIS recognises that in order to achieve this goal, careful planning of the method of instruction, choice of model and typology (criteria used to distinguish how languages are introduced) will be necessary.

26.10.2007 - ROTARY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Vice-President of Almancil Rotary Club, Mr Peter Hinze and his wife Janet visited Vale Verde International School on Friday, 26 October.

This visit coincided with an award made by the Rotary Club to recognise international school students’ academic achievements. Harrison Lechley, a Year 11 student at Vale Verde International School was selected for his outstanding academic achievement, good citizenship and his skills/leadership qualities in sport.

After an introductory welcome by Roger Foreman, the Headmaster of VVIS, Peter Hinze gave the assembled students a brief history of Rotary International and its mission. He then proceeded to explain the circumstances under which the presentation of a certificate and gifts had been made.

Following the receipt of the award in the presence of Harrison’s mother, Mrs Marianne Lechley, and a vote of thanks by a Year 7 student, Ben Salt, Mr and Mrs Hinze were given a conducted tour of the school before leaving to enjoy the sights of the Western Algarve.

A set of calculators was donated and a further gift of money was made for the purchase of Library books for the school. The Rotary Club is planning to revisit the school in January to organise a careers symposium for senior students.

23.04.2007 Vale Verde students receive impromptu easter entertainment at lagos children’s home.

For some, Easter is perhaps the most important religious occasion in the year, with a lot less commercialisation than exists at Christmas. As an occasion of giving and receiving, students from Vale Verde International School as well as some of their friends out from England, parents and the Headmaster called on the residents of Lagos Children’s Home on the afternoon of Easter Sunday where they were given a big welcome and treated to Folar, a special Easter bread. In return,VVIS who had raised funds as part of “Red Nose” Day, supplied chocolate rabbits, sweets and Easter eggs which were consumed with gusto.

The visit proceeded with some spectacular displays of dancing and leapfrog enacted by the host students within the confines of their living room. They were also very keen to practice their English on their Vale Verde guests.

After some prolonged goodbyes, the students agreed to meet up again in the near future for some more activities.

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31.08.2006: A new Headmaster at Vale Verde International School

Source:VVIS Newsdesk

After the tragic death of their Head, Mr Nicholas Martin last year, VVIS International School Algarve was most fortunate to find a temporary replacement in Margaret Murray who took over at short notice. The school has now obtained the services of Roger Foreman who has had considerable experience of living and working in Portugal and has held headships in British curriculum schools in Jordan and Kuwait.

Mr Foreman was born in Esher, Surrey and later educated at King’s School Gloucester where he was a member of the Cathedral choir. He gained his first degree (BA in English, Music and Economics) and teaching qualifications in London where he taught for several years before driving out to the Middle East where he continued his career in Kuwait and later Jordan.

Having returned to England to refresh his qualifications in the mid 90’s, he was invited out on holiday by friends from his Middle East days who had settled in the Algarve. This week-long break in 1998 turned by chance into a new career move to Escola Internacional São Lourenço in Almancil, an association that lasted for many years.

One of his passions is teaching Music – especially instrumental and singing lessons. He is looking forward to starting a school band at VVIS. Mr Foreman also holds the qualification of Master’s in Business Administration.

In terms of relaxation, he enjoys travel, reading and current affairs. He has coached school cricket and used to umpire club matches in Kuwait.

Roger Foreman first visited VVIS International School in April and is excited at the prospect of contributing to the school’s next stage of development.

18.08.2006 VVIS Receives backing for new Primary School

Both the Ministry of Education and the CIS have backed VVIS’s plans to develop a primary school to be conjoined to its current secondary school buildings. The development is set to be completed by September 2007 with plans already drawn up. The primary school will be Portugal’s first bi-lingual school and will be a focal point on how bi-lingual schools can be effective and desirable to the local and international community.

More

06.05.2006 Parque da Floresta hosts school fundraiser

(The Portugal News)

On Saturday 29th April, golf, tennis and five-a-side football teams as well as an art exhibition, brought parents, pupils from the Vale Verde International School and visitors together at a gala day held at Parque da Floresta, culminating in a dinner dance with live music from Vitor Talhadas.

The events were arranged by the Parents’ Association of the school, with great input from the Chairman, John Cooke, and his group of enthusiastic helpers led by Gary Warton, all making their valuable contributions.
The sporting events ran alongside the art exhibition, organised by the school’s art teacher, Annie Daenens, which featured works from eleven local artists.

Works of pupils were also on display, with prizes being awarded to junior artists Kate McFadden, Ben Davis and Chloe Warton from Vale Verde School, with winners Moisés Marreiros, Sonía Jacinto and Bruno Pinto from Nucleo de Educação das Crianças Inadaptada (NECI) receiving vouchers for their artistic works.

The golf competition was highlighted by the ‘Hole in One’ achieved by Paul Hobbs, which helped his team to scoop the first prize.
Paul’s day was made more memorable when, during the evening’s dinner, which attracted 115 parents, pupils and friends of the school, his 300-plus bid for a signed Chelsea Football was successful.

The second highest bid went to a painting by Vale Verde’s Kate McFadden, which was hotly contested by three determined bidders.
Money raised from the day’s tombola, raffle and auction is being donated by the Parents’ Association to the school for the purchase of additional science and art equipment.

NECI will also benefit to the tune of an 800-euro donation.

13.5.2006 Local student receives European award

(The Portugal News)

A year eleven pupil of the Vale Verde International School, Aimee Salt, was recently presented with the European Council for International Schools Award for International Understanding.

The presentation was done at an end-of-term prize giving, where Aimee received a shield and pin and a letter of congratulations from the ECIS. The citation read out at the time of the presentation is quoted below: “Awarded to a student who is a good representative of her own country, with a positive attitude toward the life and culture of others, able to converse in at least two languages, is a contributing force in the life of the school with the ability to bring differing people together into a sense of community, thus furthering the cause of international understanding.”

Aimee has fulfilled all these requirements and being an outstanding ambassador with a positive outlook in life, was nominated and granted the award.

04.05.2006 Children paint the world around us

(The Resident)

GOLF, TENNIS, football and an art exhibition by local artists, followed by a dinner and dance and a grand raffle and auction, was the full day’s programme of the Gala Day organised by the Vale Verde International School’s Parents Association, which took place at Parque da Floresta recently.

Annie M.A. Daenens is an art teacher at the Vale Verde school, who, together with the Parents Association, organised an art competition for children with the theme ‘The World Around Us’.

There were many entries from the Núcleo de Educação da Criança Inadaptada (NECI), a school for children with learning difficulties, as well as a big response from the children of Vale Verde International School. Art materials were awarded to the best three submitted pictures by the children of each school.