In Science, our topic this term is 'Properties and Change of Materials'. We have been carrying out weekly investigations and experiments, and the two pictures show us separating different materials and also looking at which were soluble or insoluble, to make solutions. The children have also been learning the key vocabulary for this topic, as well as enjoying kahoot quizzes to check their understanding.

In Maths this week, we have been working on long division using the 'chunking method', which has been a new challenge for the children. They have shown resilience and risen to this challenge! We also revised Roman Numerals, converting numbers up to 3000!

In IPC, our topic of 'Moving People' has proved extremely interesting to the children, broadening their ideas about the world and developing empathy for others. Today we debated whether the UK (like many other countries) should except more refugees. 

In Literacy, the children have written empathetic poems, with rhyming sentences, to show their thoughts about their sense of culture and what it would feel like to lose it. We had lots of thoughtful, deep ideas and real empathy for those children that have lost their homes and left their countries due to a number of reasons, in extremely difficult circumstances. All our work this term has linked to our class reader 'Boy Overboard' by Morris Gleitzman.

The end of the term is soon upon us and the students have a busy few weeks ahead. There are the end of year exams including the Cambridge end DELF French exams! The students aslo have to prepare the end of year school show, danse, speeches and much more. With all this in mind, please remember that the school year finishes on Saturday the 16th June at 12.00, not earlier as the students are very busy with a lot to do. We look forward to seeing you all at the end of the year!

Each year the children in Year 3 to Year 9 at La Garenne work towards taking a Cambridge exam. The Cambridge exams are designed and developed to motivate children to learn and improve their English. They cover four language skills - reading, writing, listening and speaking - and bring learning to life.

At the beginning of the academic year our students are assessed and divided into levels - Starters, Movers, Flyers, KET, PET, FCE. The official Cambridge textbooks and materials are used by our teachers, once a week, to prepare the students for their exam at the end of the year. The Cambridge exams are linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) - the international standard to describe language ability. This makes it easy to see the progress each child is making in English, and for employers and educational institutions to recognise their ability when they leave school.

La Garenne School is proud to be an official preparation centre.

Exam Dates at La Garenne:

• Young Learner Exams (Starters, Movers & Flyers) - Wednesday 16th May
• KET & PET (Speaking) - Thursday 31st May
• KET & PET (Reading, Writing & Listening) - Saturday 2nd June
• FCE (Reading & Use of English, Writing & Listening) - Wednesday 30th May
• FCE (Speaking) - Thursday 31st May

Good Luck Everyone!

Information for Parents - taken from the official Cambridge website.

- Which English language skills are needed for the future?

We surveyed 5,300 employers in 38 countries. We found that English is important all over the world. Even in countries where English is not an official language, over two thirds of employers say English is important for their business.

Did you know?

• Roughly 85% of international organisations use English as one of their working languages.
• Over 80% of academic journals are written in English.

‘English is the real global language and is important in education, relations and business. I am the Chairman of one of the largest Italian Bank Foundations and we are dealing with more than 100 countries. Our work language is English.’

Professor Francesco Profumo, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Cambridge English Qualifications and tests are recognised by over 20,000 universities, employers and governments in countries all around the world.

Even in countries where English is not an official language, half of employers say that there are career benefits for people with good English language skills. These benefits include:

• better starting salaries (50% of employers)
• faster progression through job grades (50% of employers)
• higher salary increases (49% of employers).

What do employers say are the most important English skills?

Overall, employers say they want all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening). So it’s important to practise all of them.

Employers say that the most important language skill is reading (in 12 industries) and then speaking (in eight industries).

It will soon be time for Year 9 to move on their new schools. It has been a busy year for us all. Under our guidance, the students have been visiting schools, completing application forms, writing letters of motivation, attending interviews and spending ‘taster days’ at their chosen schools. Meanwhile we have been busy giving advice to the students and their families, completing reference forms and generally facilitating the transition of La Garenne students to their schools of choice.

Everyone’s future is now settled. Eleven students will be staying in Switzerland – ten of these will be attending our partner schools and one returning to her old school. Three will be going to schools in the USA, and one will be heading north to Scotland.

We are pleased to announce that La Garenne has recently concluded a partnership agreement with Aiglon College. We now have partnership arrangements with six leading Swiss schools: Aiglon College, Brillantmont, Champittet, College Beau Soleil, Le Rosey and Leysin American School.

While the partnership arrangements do not guarantee entry for our students, these schools have confidence in the quality of our school reports and other application documents. Therefore, under normal circumstances, our students are not required to take entrance tests. This simplified application process has greatly facilitated the placement of La Garenne students in these prestigious establishments.

The Junior boys participated with their music teacher, in a cooking class making sushi. It was a fantastic experience and we are happy that the boys are able to finally cook and should they be lucky enough to enter university one day, at least they will be able to eat correctly!