Introductory Handbook for new staff
MISSION
Inspiring Minds Active and engaging learning with high expectations
Shaping Values A culture of respect, tolerance and open-mindedness
Building Futures A World Class Education promoting individual excellence
HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT O F I N T E R N AT I O N A L S C H O O L B R U N E I In 1964, Datin Glass, a government officer’s wife, started a tutorial group for her daughter and one or two friends and taught them by means of a correspondence course sent out and marked by the South Australian Correspondence School. The numbers grew quite rapidly and by 1970 the school moved to a site provided by the Brunei Government at 34 Tapak Kuda and was established as a department of the South Australian Correspondence School, known locally a the Supervision School. The school was a two-storey blue and white painted wooden building, situated on a horse-shoe shaped road. By February 1971 there were 30 kindergarten pupils and 31 primary students. The enrolment continued to grow and by 1974 it had reached 160. In 1976 it was decided that the school should convert to a fully independent private preparatory school, employing trained teachers and then principal, Mrs Bennett, adopted an education based on the UK primary school principles. The International School (B) Bhd was established as a not-for-profit school and a limited company on the 1st December 1976. For the first time the school had a Board of Directors elected from the membership of the company. At that time, the chairman of the board, then Abdul Razak Haji Muhammad, congratulated the school for living up to its name: “ ...by admitting pupils, regardless of race, religion or colour, surely a notable contribution to the cause of international goodwill and understanding...”
The School continued to grow and expand and a new site was considered necessary to provide the facilities and quality education in line with the aspirations of the Board of Directors and the school community.
Currently ISB caters for over 1000 students ranging in age from Pre-Kindy (two years) to IB (Pre University - 18 years). The students represent almost 40 different nationalities and a host of cultures creating a truly multicultural ISB community.
A new site was sourced and acquired in Berakas in 1978. Funding for the new building proved challenging but through a combination of vigorous fund raising, debentures, bank loans and community support the Berakas campus was eventually realised and ISB was able to move to its current location. It was officially opened by HRH Princess Masna on 9th March 1986, eight years after securing the lease.
In 2015, we have relocated to a 22 acre site in Kg Sungai Hanching, with purpose-built buildngs and facilities for a positive learning and teaching experience for students and staff alike. Being true to its ‘green’ philosophy, and by engaging environmental specialists in the design of the new campus, a vision of ISB was to become the first complete educational campus in Brunei to be built according to the BCA Green Mark requirements and we are proud that ISB has achieved this and is now the leading ‘green’ school within our community
Funding for continued development was a perennial problem and had it not been for considerable support from an anonymous donor through the setting up of a trust under the chairmanship of Mrs Meggie Leong, development would have been much slower.
ISB CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY 2014
WHEN Datin Glass started a tutorial group for her daughter and two friends in 1964, little would she have realised that 50 years later the school would have grown to be one of the most reputable international schools in Asia, teaching almost 1,300 students from all around the world. The growth and development of ISB has been a source of pride for its many stakeholders over the years. Over the years, the school has occupied at least three different locations. The first correspondence school address is unknown but by 1970 the school had moved to a site provided by the Brunei Government at Jalan Tapak Kuda. It remained there for 10 years. As number of students grew, it acquired a larger premises at its current site in Berakas in 1986 and two smaller sites in Kuala Belait in 2007. To cater for increased numbers, the school will be moving to a purpose-built site in Sungai Hanching in August 2015.
“In Sungai Hanching, our capacity will increase to 1,400 students, with a boarding for 200, representing at least 40 different nationalities in a truly multi-cultural environment. The site will serve to strengthen the eco-credentials of ISB as it will be one of the few green-mark buildings in Brunei and will also contain a recycling centre and an energy conservation centre. Our curriculum strength is already evident in many areas, not least our world-beating examination results, but we are all excited by the other opportunities that the future will bring,” said Dr Steve Geraghty, the executive principal. As part of the 50th anniversary of establishment, ISB is hosting a Gala Dinner at The Empire Hotel and Country Club on October 19 at 7pm. There will be students’ performances, dinner and an opportunity for all past and present students and parents of the ISB community to come together. All friends of ISB are welcome and tickets can be purchased from ISB’s main office.
SULTAN OFFICIATES OPENING OF ISB’S NEW CAMPUS 2015 AT K G S U N G A I H A N C H I N G IT WAS a historic moment for 52-year-old International School Brunei (ISB) as His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam officiated the opening ceremony of its long-awaited new campus in Sungai Hanching yesterday. His Majesty was welcomed upon arrival by a student playing violin with beating of Hadrah as accompaniment. The monarch then attended a reception held in the school’s 350-seater theatre where the ISB Primary School choir and ISB band played the Brunei national anthem. It was followed by a tour to the theatre and sports complex where His Majesty mingled with the students. The monarch then visited the Eco Garden and the new 180-bed international boarding facility where His Majesty met with the international students residing at the ISB International Residence and offered to take selfies with them. Some of the boarders proudly showed His Majesty their rooms and living areas. His Majesty affirmed the merits of ISB in seeking to attract international boarding students from around Asia, both as a way to attract foreign investment in Brunei and as a means to raise the profile of Brunei as an educational destination internationally. Besides undertaking a tour of the school grounds, His Majesty took time out to watch a drama performance by some Year 10 students and to see the 25m FINA international swimming competition at the multi-purpose sports hall. His Majesty also visited the outdoor social area and posed for a group photo with students at the Piano Steps. His Majesty’s children, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel and Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah as well as His Majesty’s grandson, Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Muda ‘Abdul Muntaqim ibni Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah also attended the photo session.
ISB Kuala Belait
As the ISB satellite school based in Kuala Belait (KB) we mirror the ethos, values and educational excellence of the Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB) campus. We collaborate regularly with each other to share good teaching and learning practices. ISB KB follows the Primary British National Curriculum for all our subjects, enhancing topics to further reflect our international setting and families. For our younger children, Pre-Kindergarten to Reception, we follow the Early Years Framework. Our school is very much an advocate for learning through play, and we believe that this form of schooling both enriches and excites our younger children. At the present time we are in the midst of an exciting design process for our KB new campus, due for completion in 2019. The already existing high level of Primary educational provision will further benefit from the enhancement of more specialist subjects and facilities: PE, swimming, MFL, and Music, not to mention the varied and quality ECA’s that we have on offer by our experienced teachers. KB is geographically located 90 minutes from BSB and has a large international community due to the Shell refinery and British Garrison, offering plenty of opportunities for sports competitions and community events.
Briefing Particulars School Year
The school year runs from August to July and comprises three terms. The basic calendar is printed in November of the next school year. Both present and future calendars can be found on outlook, VLE and school website. www.isb.edu.bn
Punctuality
Teachers are asked to be in school ten minutes before the bell rings and are required to be on the school premises for at least fifteen minutes after school. (If you find it necessary to leave the school grounds during the school day please check with your Line Manager first and then swipe out (and in) with your electronic tag. All teachers are expected to contribute towards extra-curricular and co-curricular activities in addition to these times, at least once weekly.
Assembly
The main Primary Assembly take place on a Friday. Secondary Assembly usually takes place (can be variable) on a Friday morning. The Assembly schedule is in the tutor pack and listed on the Outlook calendar.
School Meetings
Meetings run every Monday as per the school calendar. Agendas, where applicable will be posted in advance. Some responsibility positions may incur extra meetings on other days of the week or after the above-named meeting on Monday.
Staff Briefing
Secondary thethe staffroom during Thursday Lunch Secondary staff staffhave havea abriefing briefingin in staffroom during Thursday Lunch Break, Primary briefing is Monday after school and KB Wednesday for Break and Primary have briefing on Monday after school. PK-R, Thursday for Primary.
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
Each member of the school community will have a log-in. The VLE is a source of the bulk of information needed. First and foremost, it provides student-friendly access to teaching and learning materials and is a means of encouraging independent learning and reinforcement. For parents it provides an insight into school Teaching and Learning and for staff it is the framework for their lesson planning and preparation. For families who arrive later in the school year it is invaluable and students who find concepts difficult to grasp have the opportunity to access lesson materials over and over again.
CPD
CPD and Training sessions will be held throughout the year and are linked to appraisal targets and/or priorities taken from the School Development Plan. Obviously resources are not infinite and a certain amount of flexibility is needed; you may not get all the CPD you may want as we need to prioritise requests.
Staff Notices
Through “In the Loop�, email and briefing. Individual notes about particular students are to be found on SIMs. It is recommended that new staff spend some time reading through the SIMs pages of their class members at the start of the new school year.
Briefing Particulars Mobile Phones
Mobile phones should never be answered in class and should be on ‘SILENT’ mode.
All letters going out of school/to parents must be sent by email to the Secondary Secretary or Primary Secretary. They will format all letters and every letter will have a reference number and be printed on the school letterhead. Once completed, the letter will be acknowledged and signed by the Head of Secondary or Head of Primary. The Secondary and Primary office will arrange the letter to be go out through Communicator.
Outgoing Letters
A copy of all letters going out to students and parents will be sent to all staff for reference. Please note that we are trying to eradicate use of paper communication and email links will be sent instead, where practical.
A Primary and Secondary newsletter is sent by email to parents and students. It contains details of events and all rewards given out. Any school trip and/or event is included in the newsletter.
Newsletter
Dress Code
Educational Visits
Modest, professional working attire is required at all times. Please refer forand the for dress code. covered shoulders and knees. For men thistoisAppendix a shirt and1 tie women No visible body marking or piercings.
During the year all year groups plan visits in conjunction with units of work. As a school, we also have visitors into school, eg. theatre groups, musicians, etc. All visits are planned and prepared for carefully. If visits are planned, a pro-forma must be completed with details of cost, transport etc. These are available on the VLE and should be referred through the primary or secondary offices. Also see policy: Field trips and Excursions Section on VLE. Please ensure that the Risk Assessment form is completed fully before submission to the EP. . Parent evenings occur least once each term. In addition a settling in/target setting interview is held near the beginning of Term One for all Primary students and for Year 7 in Secondary.
Parent Meetings
Parents are encouraged to attend the first meeting to find out how their child has settled in and meet the teacher(s). The end of term interviews are held after reports have been sent home (Term 1 & 3) and are optional for parents, although you may request a specific parent to attend. Secondary Parents Evenings are spread through the year and are supported by separate meetings. For new parents of Foundation Stage, meetings are held towards the end of the academic year, in preparation for the following year. Curriculum and options evenings are held during the school year to explain certain aspects of the school’s work to parents. All meetings are listed on the school calendar.
Briefing Particulars Whole School Policies
Please note that detailed policy /process guidance is listed on the VLE in the ‘Guiding Statements’ folder.
Health and Safety
Any issues of concern, please inform the Operations Manager. For minor repairs please email the Helpdesk (search ‘helpdesk’ on Outlook). A whole school “Hazard Identification” takes place twice a year, in November and June. This is dual purpose – to highlight any safety concerns and also any repairs that need to be carried out during the holiday. The school nurse is the first point of contact for all injuries, however small. For full guidance, see the Health and Safety Policy on the VLE.
Confidentiality
Child Protection Policy
Classrooms
All staff sign a confidentiality clause as part of their contractual terms and conditions. School information is not to be discussed with third parties, either internal or external without the consent of the Executive Principal. .
If you have any concerns, please liaise with named CP Officer in each Senior Management team in the first instance. See Child Protection Policy for detailed guidance on VLE.
Students should be strongly encouraged to leave the classrooms tidy, with books and equipment properly put away, so that the cleaners can do their job more efficiently. Chairs should be put on the tables at the end of the day where applicable. Please ensure the area outside your classroom is also kept tidy. When leaving your room at the end of the day please make sure that you have switched off your A.C.'s and lights and locked your doors (where applicable). If you are leaving your room for a reasonable amount of time, switch off your lights, turn down the A/C and ensure your projector is off.
Student Files / Information
When the child joins the school, the student file will be set up by the Admissions Department on SIMs. A new SIMs file will contain all personal details, together with entry documentation (attached to the file in PDF) and all assessment data. As time progresses the data will build to contain: 1) Reports, 2) Letters, 3) IEPs (where necessary) 4) Diagnostics- such as CAT At the beginning of each new school year, it is advisable that teachers read the SIMs information file for each child as this will ensure they have good background knowledge of their new class/ students.
Briefing Particulars Resources
Staff Absence
For any area of learning resource storage or purchase please check with the Resources Department, led by the Resource Manager. The Resources team will be pleased to help you.
Please see Absence policy for full details
Maintenance
Teachers are requested to assist in ensuring that school property is well maintained. Please send any maintenance requests to Primary / Secondary Admin Office or Site and Facilities staff via the Helpdesk.
ExtraCurricular Activities
All teaching staff are expected to offer some form of extra-curricular activity on one afternoon per week. You will be given the choice of what to offer through the ECA Coordinator.
Registers must be taken every morning through SIMs.
Registers
Primary - Any child arriving after 7.25am will have to go through the Main Office and sign in. Please remember to check your register the next day, for the “L”. Please write number of children present on whiteboard in case of any emergency. Secondary - Late Secondary students (arriving after 7.15am) should report to Heads of Year Office. Please remember to check the next day and ensure ‘L’ is listed. Codes for SIMs absence should be strictly adhered to and are listed on the register page.
Photocopying and Printing
You are encouraged to use the Reprographics room in Resource Centre as it is much cheaper for your department. The technician there will process with a minimum 24 hour notice. All copies are totalled and debited from the specified accounts. Passwords are available from the Primary Office or Secondary Office if you forget yours. STRONG advice on printing is: DO NOT print colour unless absolutely essential as it is 10x more expensive than black and white. If you are printing a booklet and require one colour front page for example, ensure you switch back to B and W after the front page. DO NOT try mass prints; print off one copy and photocopy the remainder DO NOT give your codes to students
Briefing Particulars Petty Cash
The Resource department has small amounts of cash for incidentals that you feel are vital to your school life. Please check that we do not already have this essential equipment already.
Primary – As assigned by Head of Primary. See duty list.
Duties
Library Books
Secondary - Secondary duties are prioritized according to teaching loads. Where a colleague is under-load, they will be the first to be assigned a duty. Thereafter duties will be allocated equally. See duty list.
Library books may be borrowed by the children, or by you to use as a classroom resource. Any damage or loss is repayable by the named borrower.
2019/2020 SCHOOL TERM DATES * Subject to change
New staff start date Tuesday 13 August 2019
TERM ONE 2019 (75) * Hari Raya AidilAdha
*12 August 2019
* Monday
All staff start date
14 August 2019
Wednesday
1st Day of Term for Students
19 August 2019
Monday
1st Day of Islamic New Year
02 September 2019
Monday (in lieu of Sunday 01 Sept 2019)
* Teachers’ Day celebration
*23 September 2019
*Monday
Mid Term Break
14 October to 18 October 2019
1st Day of Mid Term
21 October 2019
Monday to Friday Monday
Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
11 November 2019
Monday
Last Day of Term 1
04 December 2019
Wednesday
*Staff INSET
*05 December & 06 December 2019
*Thursday & Friday
TERM TWO 2020 (50) 1st Day of Term for Students
06 January 2020
Chinese New Year
27 January 2020
National Day
24 February 2020
Last Day of Term 2
13 March 2020
Monday Monday (in lieu of Saturday 25 Jan 2020) Monday (in lieu of Sunday 23 Feb 2020)
Friday
TERM THREE 2020 (60) 1st
30 March 2020
Monday
*1st Day of Ramadan
*24 April 2020
* Friday
* Nuzul Al Quran
* 11 May 2020
* Monday
Mid Term Break
25 May to 01 June 2020
Monday to Monday
* Hari Raya Aidilfitri
* 25 May to 27 May 2020
RBAF
*01 June 2020
* Monday to Wednesday Monday (in lieu of Sunday 31 May 2020)
1st Day of Mid Term
02 June 2020
Tuesday
Last Day of Term 3
03 July 2020
Friday
Day of Term for Students
Updated: 04 December 2018
SCHOOL DAY Primary Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten Monday to Friday Registration Snack Break End of School Day
7.25am 9.00am – 9.30am 11.30am
Reception to Year 6 Registration Period 1 Period 2 Snack Break BREAK Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 LUNCH Period 6
Monday to Thursday 7.25am 7.30am 7.30am 8.20am 8.20am 9.10am 9.10am 9.30am 9.30am 9.40am 10.30am 11.20am 12.10pm 12.55pm
9.40am 10.30am 11.20am 12.10pm 12.55pm 1.45pm
Friday 7.25am 7.30am 8.20am 9.10am
7.30am 8.20am 9.10am 9.30am
9.30am 9.40am 10.30am 11.20am
9.40am 10.30am 11.20am 11.45am
Subject to change
Secondary Monday to Thursday
Friday
Registration Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Break
7.15am 7.25am 8.15am 9.05am 9.55am
7.25am 8.15am 9.05am 9.55am 10.10am
7.15am 7.25am 8.15am 9.05am 9.55am
7.25am 8.15am 9.05am 9.55am 10.10am
Period 4
10.10am
11.00am
10.10am
11.00am
Period 5 Lunch Period 6 Period 7
11.00am 11.50am 12.30pm 1.20pm
11.50am 12.30pm 1.20pm 2.10pm
11.00am
11.45am
* Subject to change
Toilet
Languages M2-8
Languages M2-7
MFL Balcony M2-8b
English M2-4
Toilet
Storage
English M2-3 Main Stairs
Emergency Stairs
Languages M2-6
M2-9
Languages M2-5
M2-10
English M2-2
Mathematics B2-4
Toilet
Toilet
Humanities B2-7
Humanities Balcony B2-8b
Pre- U Area
Humanities B2-8 Main Stairs
Main Stairs Maths Balcony B2-1b
Mathematics B2-1
English M2-1
English Balcony M2-1b
Mathematics B2-3
Mathematics B2-2
B2-9
Humanities B2-5
EAL B2-10
Humanities B2-6
Emergency Stairs
BELIAN - 2nd Floor Toilets Pantry
Toilet
Toilet Staff Toilet
Year 5 M1-7
Year 5 M1-8
Year 6 M1-3
Year 6 M1-4
Toilet
Emergency Stairs
Year 5 M1-6
M1-10
M1-9
Year 5 M1-5
Year 6 M1-2
Year 3 M0-7
Seondary Offices
Toilet
Year 3 M0-6
EAL M0-9
Year 3 M0-5
M0-10
Prep
Toilet
Staff Room
Lab B1-2
Support Sanctuary
Main Stairs
Emergency Stairs
HR, Operations, & HR,Finance Finance, Marketing Operations and Marketing
Counsellor
Pantry
BELIAN - 1st Floor
Exec Principal Exec Principal PA
Board Meeting Room
Fitness Room
ICT Office
Toilet Staff Toilet
Design Technology B0-4
Design Technology B0-5
Main Stairs
Staff Toilet
Library and Resources Area
Main Stairs
Year 4 M0-3
Year 4 M0-2
Science storage
BELIAN - 1st Floor
Main Stairs Emergency Stairs
Lab B1-6
Lab B1-1
Year 6 M1-1
Year 4 M0-4
Lab B1-5
Main Stairs
MERANTI - 1st Floor Year 3 M0-8
Lab B1-4
Lab B1-3
Main Stairs Main Stairs
Jalan Utama Salambigar Kg Sg Hanching, Berakas B, BC2115, Negara Brunei Darussalam
Office
BELIAN - 2nd Floor
MERANTI - 2nd Floor
Pre-U Offices
Art B0-1 Food Lab
Art B0-2
Art Studio
B0-3
Film & Media Window Lab Mac Lab B0-8 B0-6 B0-6 Mac Lab B0-7
Main Stairs
Emergency Stairs
Practice Practice Room Room
Practice Room
Practice Room
ICT Check-out
BELIAN - Ground Floor
Year 4 M0-1
Practice Room
Practice Room
BELIAN - Ground Floor
Music K1-1
MERANTI - Ground Floor
Music K1-2
Music K1-3
KAPUR - First Floor Meeting Room
Emergency Stairs
Work Room
Furniture Storage ICT Room
Resources Room
Toilets
HSE/Property Manager
Pantry
Charging Area
Reprographic
Toilet
Auditorium
Drama K1-4
WorkerÃs Room HSE/Property Manager
Pool Equipment
Toilet Guru Besar Office
Support Dept /Ugama G1-1
Year 2 G1-7
Main Stairs Sports Hall
Ugama G1-2 Ugama G1-3
Toilet
Prayer Room
Prayer Room
Year 2 G1-4
Year 2 G1-5
Year 2 G1-6
Dinning Area
Swimming Pool
GAHARU - First Floor
PE Office
Toilet
Toilet
Kindy Learning Area N-5
Toilet
Reception G0-2 Reception G0-3
Reception G0-4
Year 1 G0-5
GAHARU - Ground Floor
Toilet
Office Primary Offices
PE Classroom
Office Office
PK Learning Area N-2
Main Stairs
Office Canteen 1
Year 1 G0-8
Reception G0-1
Toilet
Primary Principal Office
Changing Room
Project Area N-4
Project Area N-1
Caterpillar Club N-3
Meeting Room 1
NERAM
Year 1 G0-7 Year 1 G0-6
Pool Changing Room
Toilet
Meeting Room 2
Canteen 2 Finance
Admissions
Main Reception (Public)
Prayer Room
Loading and Unloading area
Dinning Area Canteen 3
Nurse Room
Toilet
Floor Plan
Security
Changing Room
Shop
KAPUR - Ground Floor updated as of 19 May 2017 (RL)