Beyond the Classroom

Performing Arts

Music and the Dramatic Arts are clearly evident in BISA life. As a school, we present four major productions each year, the largest and most extravagant being our Secondary School performance in Term 2. This is structured to provide a real vocational experience. The cast experiences a heavy rehearsal schedule that culminates in a tour, performing in theatres in Nairobi, Dar-es-Salaam and Arusha.

In addition to these performances, regular music recitals, dance performances, visiting acts and class assemblies feature throughout the year.

Key Stage 4 and 5 music, drama, performing arts and media (IGCSE and BTEC) are responsible for producing a long-term program of entertainment within the school calendar, supported in their efforts through advertising and marketing by our BTEC marketing and management students.

LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) is offered as an extra-curricular activity to both Primary and Secondary students and is an area of excellence within the school. We have enjoyed a 100% pass rate in the past 3 years, many students attaining the highest level of distinction.

Peripatetic teachers instruct in different musical instruments, including drums, string, woodwind and voice, with many students participating in the annual ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) examinations. A number of these teachers are also involved in our Music Keys program.

Sport

Sports coaching sessions within Flexible Learning are available for all students from Year 3 upwards throughout the week. The majority of these sessions are scheduled after school, although some sessions take place before the working day and at the weekends.

Local and international fixtures are scheduled throughout the school calendar and with strong links with our sister schools in Kenya, we are able to take advantage of world-class facilities on a regular basis. Visiting coaches and sports teams also offer focused workshops for different age groups to enjoy.

Highly qualified coaches, alongside committed members of the staff/parent body, allow our students to excel in a number of sporting endeavours; recent successes within East and South Africa showcase the talents that we have.

In recent years, international sports excursions have visited the UK, the United States and Dubai.

Braeburn Group Sporting Etiquette.pdf

Leadership

The East African Model United Nations (EAMUN) stands at the forefront of our leadership program. In preparation for the week long conference hosted on the UN campus in Nairobi, students from Key Stage 4 and 5 attend an extra-curricular club and work with a range of staff to polish their skills as the leaders of the future. Popular with students who are interested in a career in international law, politics or development, it also appeals to many of our history students and is often identified as a talking point in university applications.

There are many in-house opportunities for our leaders of the future too: Prefects in the Secondary School and House Captains in the Primary School are supported by their respective Student Councils. The understanding, practice and procedure of campaigning and democratic voting has grown in recent years and is now the backbone of BISA elections.

The International Award, also highly regarded by employers, universities and colleges, is open to Secondary students, Year 10 and above. With challenges in the areas of community, skills, physical and expedition, leadership qualities are both nurtured and put to the test. BISA’s own ‘Junior Dragon Award Scheme’, is built on these 4 areas and for our Primary students is no less rigorous.