At Braeburn Nanyuki we have been obsessed with Poetry for a few weeks. On Friday 18^th January we held the finals of our poetry recital competition for the children in Years 1-3. The children in Years 4-8 followed in assembly the week after on Friday 25^th January. Then on Saturday 26^th January three superstar performers took part in the annual, Nairobi Academy Verse Speaking competition in Karen. 

Mrs MacKay and Mrs Gould were delighted with how enthusiastic the children across the school were about auditioning for the competitions. 

The auditions for the Nairobi competition were held before Christmas and resulted in Hayley (Y2B) representing the school in the Under 8 category, Chloe (Y3) representing the school in the Under 10 category and Fynn (Y5) representing the school in the Under 12 category. All three children are very keen performers and excel in theatre and public speaking. They took part with absolute dedication and were well-prepared after practising thoroughly. Mrs MacKay was overwhelmed by how well all three children performed and they should feel very proud of themselves. We are proud of all of them and are thrilled that Hayley placed 2^nd in the Under 8 category – the highest placing child in all the Braeburn schools!!!

The in-house finals were also of a high standard and judges were under pressure to choose between the entrants. Children all selected, practised and performed a poem of their choice. There were funny poems, classics, home-written verses and poems that held strong messages. Both finals were extremely enjoyable and there were lots of proud parents in the audiences. Thank you to everyone for coming to support and well done to all the competitors and winners!

Winners in the in-house competition:

On Thursday 24th January BNIS held the first of three swimming galas. The children in Years 1-3 gathered together with much excitement to show off their swimming skills to their parents. For some this was their first time taking part in a swimming gala and for others, they have swum many lengths!

To open the show, eight girls from Years 5-8 treated the crowd to a magnificent demonstration of sychronised swimming. Despite having only had a single rehearsal, the group looked professional, elegant and composed. It certainly brought a smile to all the watching children and adults faces - thank you girls, and thank you to Mrs Bebbington for expertly training them in such a short space of time!

The children in Year 1-3 then took to the pool to show off their skills. They flutter kicked, froggy swam and free styled their way down the pool with, and without aids.  It was amazing to see how well children had progressed year on year, and also how determined those who are not yet free swimming were. Children who had never swum a full length achieved their goal on the day and parents were delighted with what they saw. 

Mr Masafu and Mr Franco organised an event that ran without hitch and showcased almost every child's ability - thank you to them both.

The gala ended with a parent race, three mums took to the pool and were fantastic role models for their kids.  The tumble turns were absolutely professional!  This unnerved the men slightly but we still had four dads step up to the mark.  It was a strong start from all but sadly one got delayed after looping his arm into the lane tape!  Thanks to all parents who attended and particularly to those brave enough to compete in the parent race!  

The scouts had a great time last weekend during the Mega Scout’s Camp was held at Batian’s View in Naromoru. The three day camp was packed with loads of challenging but exciting activities including: tree climbing; tent pitching; shelter improvisation; knot tying and cooking food in the woods. Working in age group patrols, the scouts demonstrated how exceptional they were as self managers, effective participators, resourceful thinkers, reflective learners, independent enquirers and team workers.

Friday night was movie night and what a beautiful night it was. The sky was clear and the moon and stars were on full show. Families arrived and quickly settled into their spots to watch the sun go down. There was even a 'small' pizza delivery for a few of the families who had clubbed together - thank goodness he didn't drop them!

Coco was a very enjoyable film which, drawing on Mexican folklore, follows the journey of a young boy who wants to be a musician. Kids and adults enjoyed the film but especially spending time together as families.

The children in Early Years have been exploring space through their topic 'The World Beyond'. The movie night presented the perfect opportunity to use the telescope that had been loaned to the children by a kindly family.  It was set up in the quadrant alongside the audience, allowing lots of viewers to get 'up-close' to the moon.  Mr Gould even managed to capture a remarkable photo, using his phone, through the telescope.

Friday 7^th December was our last day at school before Christmas and what an amazing day it was! The children arrived first thing to find that our wooden reindeer had been stolen!!! They then spent the morning gathering clues around the BNIS ‘mansion’ meeting possible suspects in order to work out who the thief actually was. 

The morning, based loosely on the board game Cluedo, saw children ‘earning’ clues by completing various challenges in different ‘rooms’ around the school hosted by the suspects, including Mrs Black, Professor Plum and Reverend Green! There was a lego challenge, a noise quiz, an obstacle course, a dance-off, riddle solving and a number of other activities. When children had completed all the activities everyone gathered in the quad to solve the clues. It turned out that Mrs MacKay (AKA Miss Scarlet) was the criminal!!!! After being ‘arrested’ she apologised profusely and returned the reindeer safely back to where they belonged!

Parents joined their children halfway through the morning and set up picnic spots all over the quad. There was a relaxed sing-a-long of 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' and 'Jingle Bells'. The singing was obviously loud and clear as it prompted the sound of a helicopter overhead that was carrying FATHER CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

With much excitement, everyone ran to the school field to watch the helicopter land. Santa, surrounded by around twelve helpful elves, then made his way over to the school to watch carefully chosen gifts being distributed. Books, pencils and other bits and bobs were received by delighted children. Each of them got to thank him personally when he visited every class group for a photo and a quick chat. Unfortunately, he said he was rather busy at that time, so he then jetted back off in his helicopter to deliver more presents to happy children. What an absolute delight to see him in person!

Families then continued with their relaxed picnic in the sun (which thankfully showed its face after a week of heavy rain!!), snacking on their own food, or that purchased from Carol’s Cafe who set up shop in the school hall. After adults and children joined in for ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’, everyone made their way home to enjoy some well earned rest and family time for a few weeks.