The British School in Baku
13 Koroglu Rahimov str., Baku, AZ 1072, Azerbaijan
Tel:(+99412) 465 80 86/*8086, 465 60 78
e-mail: [email protected]
www.bsb-edu.org.uk
September 2014
Dear Parents
I would like to wish everyone a very warm welcome to BSB at the start of the new academic year. I hope
that you have had a good summer and are well rested.
At the end of last year we said farewell to Mr David, Miss Irene and Miss Natalia. It is always sad when
people leave but it is an inevitable, and vital, part of an individual’s development as a teacher that they
seek out new experiences and challenges in a range of schools. We are sure their time at BSB will assist
them greatly in their new careers.
The positive side for us is that as people leave, it opens up opportunities to welcome new teachers into
our school team. We are joined this year by five new teachers in Primary: Miss Linda, who takes over as
our Reception Class teacher; Mr James in Year Two; Miss Shaprell in Year Three; Miss Sarah and Miss
Rachel in Year Four. These teachers come from very different backgrounds and the wide range of skills
and experience they bring with them will be of great value as we continue to drive standards ever higher.
At the beginning of the new year, it is important that we make a good start and ensure that routines and
procedures are established quickly. We have been working to review our systems and practices over the
summer and have made a few small, but important, changes, mainly to the timings at the beginning and
end of the school day.
At the start of the school day, we would ask that chidren do not arrive until 8:15 am. Before this time we
do not have staff to adequately supervise them and there is always the potential for accidents. From 8:15
am, there will be duty teachers on the playground.
All class teachers will be out to meet their classes at 8:25 am, and children will be brought into the school
at 8:30 am.
Lessons will begin at 8:40 am and it is very important that children are in class, settled, registered and
ready to begin work by then. Children arriving late disrupt not only their own education, but also that of
their classmates as they interrupt the lesson. We appreciate that there are days when traffic can be bad,
or other unavoidable occurrances happen, but if you aim to get your child to school just after 8:15 am,
even if there is a hold up they should still be able to arrive by 8:40 am. Because of the disruption to
lessons, children arriving after 8:50 am will not be admitted that day.
The end of the school day is officially 3:00 pm. KS2 children (Years 3 to 6) will not be permitted to leave
the school until this time.
To ease congestion at the end of the day, KS1 children (Years R, 1 & 2) will be allowed out at 2:55pm.
They will form up in lines with their class teachers down the side of the building and parents should
collect them from the teachers.
The British School in Baku
13 Koroglu Rahimov str., Baku, AZ 1072, Azerbaijan
Tel:(+99412) 465 80 86/*8086, 465 60 78
e-mail: [email protected]
www.bsb-edu.org.uk
KS2 children will form up in lines with their teachers on the main playground at 3:00pm and, once an
orderly line has formed, parents will be able to collect their child.
Getting so many children out of the building quickly and safely will always be difficult. Please could
parents help us by not trying to come into the building between 2:50pm and 3:10pm. It would also be
helpful if parents wait at the edge of the playground whilst the classes come out and form lines. Those
parents who have collected their children, but would like to stop and talk to each other for a while, can
also assist by moving away from main walkways and doorways so that they do not cause an obstruction.
The safety and comfort of the children is our main concern and I am certain you will want to help in this
matter by allowing us the space to ensure there are no accidents - and that every child is collected by the
correct adult.
At BSB, we work hard to foster a sense of personal responsibility and indepence in our pupils. We expect
children to look after their own belongings, including carrying their own bags into school! Parents and
drivers are not allowed to come into the building at the start of the day and should say goodbye to their
children on the playground. For very young children, staff will give assistance wherever necessary.
We are, of course, aware that there are times when we need to be a little flexible and that rules, however
sensible, cannot cover every possible situation. We will always listen to parents and children and will deal
with exceptional cases as the need arises.
Finally, I would like to say that, although there are times when teachers are busy and cannot speak to you
immediately, we do value parental input greatly and we are always happy to talk to you when mutually
convenient. There are brief moments at the beginning and end of the school day when urgent messages
can be passed on, but teachers cannot enter into long discussions at these times as they have to deal with
the children in their class. If you need to talk in greater length, or in private, please contact the school
office and make an appointment.
Please also remember that I am here to answer any questions you may have, or deal with any difficulties
which arise. I strongly believe in dealing with issues quickly and that talking things through is the best way
to resolve them.
I’m sure that, working together, we will make this a great year for the school and all the children in our
care!
Andrew Haynes
Head of Primary