Some of us, as parents, like planning for the new academic year before departing on our well-deserved vacations.
As you know, we are the first international school in Brussels to get the Eco School Green Label; one small step toward adopting the "eco-school" attitude is to begin with school supplies! Practising zero waste for school supplies benefits the environment whilst also teaching crucial lessons in sustainability and creative thinking.
Here's how you start the school year with a green footprint;
Before “BACK-TO-SCHOOL Shopping”, at home:
✅ I check the materials available: pencils to sharpen, pencil case to clean,
binder to redecorate, papers to reuse as drafts...
✅ I go around to family and friends to collect supplies that are no longer useful to them: gym shoes, sports bag, dictionary, textbooks…
✅ I identify or add to the list what allows me to reduce waste: a water bottle, boxes of toast, biscuits or fruit, cloth handkerchiefs
Before “BACK-TO-SCHOOL Shopping”, at the shop:
✅ I check what I can find in a second-hand store: books, clothes, sports equipment, computers…
✅ I favour non-toxic products: perfume-free and solvent-free, water-based, vegetable colouring, varnish-free, etc.
✅ I choose supplies that respect the environment: recycled paper, cardboard, wood and plastic…
✅ I buy solid so that the material lasts longer.
✅ For snacks and picnics, I try homemade or buy in bulk.
Don’t forget to Educate and Advocate
Spread the word about zero waste practices. Share tips with classmates and teachers, and encourage your school to adopt more sustainable policies. Small changes can lead to a larger impact when the whole community gets involved.
Remember, at the start of the school year, everything is done To make you want to buy new stuff, this is a good opportunity to learn to differentiate between what you need and what you want!
Adopting zero-waste practices is a realistic and effective strategy to enhance sustainability. By reusing, recycling, and selecting eco-friendly solutions, we can lessen our environmental impact and set a good example for others. Let us make next school year not only successful but also sustainable!
What are your favourite zero-waste school-supply tips?
A book fair, collective snack, clothing or equipment donation, zero-waste parties... With your support, the school can organize a host of Zero Waste projects.
Share your thoughts and encourage others to join the cause!
These suggestions were shared with us by Bruxelles Environnement ZD03 « Le pense-pas-bête du Zéro Déchet»
June 6, 2024
Gloria Harrison
At Bogaerts, we believe that artistic expression is a vital part of a well-rounded education. Our students engage in enriching experiences across both visual and performing arts, allowing them to explore creativity, develop technical skills, and share their unique perspectives with the school community and beyond. Moreover, exposure to diverse artistic traditions from around the world helps students connect with different cultures, broadening their perspective and promoting global awareness.
Music and performing hold a special place in our school culture, encouraging collaboration, self-expression, and confidence. From the Early Years all the way to the end of MYP, students have the opportunity to participate in musical and theatrical performances, through units such as Jazz Music, Romeo & Juliet, and Film Music. We were honoured to welcome renowned composer Yves Gourmeur, who shared his expertise and creative process with students in an interactive workshop. Our all-girls school band continues to thrive, performing at school events and inspiring younger musicians. Seasonal performances, such as our Christmas Concert, bring the community together in celebration, while the highly anticipated school musical that happens yearly allows students to showcase their vocal, theatrical, and production talents in a spectacular show. Previous musicals include Oceans Odyssey (2022), Oliver! (2023), and Mamma Mia!: The Musical (2024). Through these diverse artistic opportunities, students at Bogaerts not only refine their creative abilities but also develop essential skills such as problem solving, collaboration, and cultural appreciation. Whether through visual art, music, or theatre, we encourage each student to explore their artistic potential and share their vision.
Our Visual Arts program nurtures creative thinking and technical expertise, providing students with opportunities to showcase their talents in various mediums. Units such as Pop Art, Impressionism, Still Life, allow students to discover different artistic movements and create works that are innovative and inspired. Students proudly present their works at the annual Visual Art Exhibition where they exhibit their artistic growth and conceptual ideas. Additionally, our students make the most of our location in the capital of Europe by embarking on trips to educational and inspiring exhibitions and museums. Students have previously ventured to the Banksy Museum, gaining insight into street art, political messaging, and modern visual storytelling.
Other Visual Arts students have also had the exclusive opportunity to visit Tim Burton’s Labyrinth, an immersive exhibition that delves into the fantastical world of one of the most visionary filmmakers and artists of our time.In MYP4 and MYP 5 the programme is strongly connected to the DP Visual Arts course. Students learn how to make a digital Art portfolio and how to use subject specific terminology to talk about their own artistic practice. They learn to experiment with materials and techniques that serve their artistic purpose(s) to convey meaningful concepts to an audience. Students will discover how to connect famous art pieces from different cultural and historical contexts and analyse them by using the formal elements of Art and composition.
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