News & Updates

July 23, 2020

Dear Brent Families,

Our prayers are with you and your families wherever you currently find yourselves. With a month left before the start of classes on August 24, a General Community Quarantine remains in effect for both Laguna and Metro Manila. When and how these will change remains uncertain and may impact the ability of families to commute and Brent buses to operate. A travel ban and limited flights have delayed the return to Manila of many members of our international community.

Brent International School Manila has therefore decided to start the school year online. We believe that, given the ongoing uncertainties looking forward, it will be both safest and least disruptive to students’ education if we start online. Families face a wide array of circumstances, and we want to give everyone time to plan now without waiting until mid August. Online instruction will likely continue through the first quarter, but we are prepared to transition to in-person instruction quickly should circumstances significantly improve.

Class assignments, access to materials and other questions will be answered by school levels and assigned teachers just before the August 24 start date. Our teachers have access to online delivery resources including Zoom, Google Classroom and the whole suite of Google applications such as Google Meet. A variety of other online resources are available depending on the particular subject and grade level. With our experience online last quarter, we will continue to refine our skills in providing a distance education. Minimizing screen time while maximizing educational growth is a challenge that varies by student age and subject area, but we are up to the challenge, and we look forward to working with our students this school year.

Answers to some Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.

I hope this provides the ability to begin making some plans during these challenging times. We will continue to update you and remain nimble going forward. Thank you for your support and patience.

Sincerely,
Jason Atkins
Headmaster

July 9, 2020

Dear Brent families,

We are now halfway between the last day of school and the first day of the next school year. I hope you are all safe and well during these extraordinary times. At Brent we continue to plan on August 24 for the first day of school. In August we will assess government regulations and adjust our plans accordingly. The most current information on COVID-19 guidelines and foreign travel restrictions will inform our decision whether to conduct classes in person or online. Regardless what is ultimately decided, we are prepared to safely provide a comprehensive education. In the meantime, may the Lord bless and keep you and your loved ones. We will provide updates as August 24 draws closer.

Sincerely,
Jason Atkins
Headmaster

June 10, 2020

Greetings Brent Families,

Clearance
I want to take a moment to thank those who came to Brent this week to clear accounts, return library materials, and collect official school records. This was possible in large part due to your cooperation in helping to avoid the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Thank you!

If you were not able to clear your accounts, collect your child’s personal belongings, or collect school records, you may still do so in the coming weeks. Offices handling clearances will remain open throughout the summer in preparation for next school year.

Next Semester:
I want to again assure you that there will be no tuition increase for the 2020-2021 school year. This will be our third year without an increase even though we anticipate a ten to fifteen percent decline in enrollment. This is a challenging time for many families and institutions. We appreciate everyone’s patience and perseverance.

We are continuing to process enrollment for next school year. Thank you to everyone who has already completed the re-enrollment process or withdrawn. To withdraw, either visit the Registrar’s Office or email registrar@brent.edu.ph

The Reservation and Re-enrollment Form is posted on our website. Our school cashier is also now available on campus to assist you in processing payments. You may settle the reservation fee for the 2020-2021 at the school cashier’s office or through a bank deposit or bank transfer.

Here is a list of Brent Manila’s dollar and peso bank account details for your reference. If you choose to make a bank transfer payment for reserving a slot for the next year, please email a scanned copy or photo of the Reservation and Re-enrolment Form together with the proof of payment (via direct deposit or online payment) to billingsection@brent.edu.ph. Our Accounting Office will then issue an official receipt.

The first day of classes will be Monday August 24. This will be the start date whether we meet face-to-face or are required to start online. The newest revision of the 2020-2021 school calendar is posted on our website. If we need to start online before moving to face-to-face, teachers will be prepared to deliver the first week of instruction without the need for students to pick up any materials.

Faculty will arrive by August 9 to provide sufficient time for class preparation and to allow for potential travel restrictions or quarantine requirements. Similarly, we request families to plan on being in the Philippines by August 9 in case there is a need to self isolate or other restrictions in place that may interfere with instruction.

With two and a half months before the start of school a lot can change, and we pray it is for the better. Rest assured our students will continue receiving a high quality education this coming fall.

Thank you once again for being such an amazing community. I look forward to a time in the future when I can thank you in person.

Have a safe and healthy summer break!

Sincerely,
Jason Atkins
Headmaster

May 29, 2020

Dear Brent Families,

We are now preparing to transition from Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to General Community Quarantine (GCQ). Several school employees will be on campus to assist with student clearances starting Thursday, June 4. Please see the chart below for the day to visit Brent, according to the surname of your student. Please also check for any government announcements that may affect your schedule.

One (1) representative of your family should come prepared to return books and other materials, pay tuition and reservation fees, pick up students’ personal belongings and complete other year-end procedures. Please take special note, students will still not be permitted on campus as they are classified as youth and not permitted by the governing authorities to leave their household for non-essential reasons under GCQ guidelines.

In allowing individuals to come to school during this time we have developed strict guidelines to help deter the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

1. No mask, No entry. Wear face masks at all times. When wearing a facemask, make sure to wear, use, and discard it properly.
2. Temperature checks. Temperature = / > 37.5 will be isolated and rechecked after 5 minutes. Individuals with a high temperature will not be permitted on campus.
3. Practice social distancing. When in line, and whenever in the presence of others, keep at a distance no less than 1 meter from front, side, and back, at all times;
4. Disinfectant. Step on the provided doormat with disinfectant before entering the school premises. Sanitize your hands.
5. Observe proper respiratory etiquette;

• • Coughing and sneezing into a tissue or into shirt sleeve if a tissue is not available.
  • Disposing of used tissues properly
  • Disinfecting hands immediately by properly washing with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer immediately after a cough or sneeze.

Designated Days
To aid social distancing, we have scheduled a 4-day period for each family representative to visit Brent for the completion of clearances. This will be the time to return school materials, pick up personal belongings, settle balances, and to reserve for next school year. The schedule is organized alphabetically beginning Thursday, June 4 and is subject to change pending government announcements. Please take note of your day and time to visit the school in the chart below.

From Wednesday, June 10 onward families may send a representative to Brent for clearance issues as they are able. Office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm, closed for lunch, and adjusted as needed.

Return of School Materials (Books, etc.)
We will be utilizing the school cafeteria for the returning of school materials such as library books, musical instruments, student IDs, and art supplies. Personal effects from lockers will also be available for pickup. Please follow all guidelines for entrances exits and queuing.

Personal Belongings (Lockers and Desks)
We have cleared out student lockers and desks. All school materials were checked back into the school, and students’ personal belongings are clearly labeled with the student’s name and are available for pickup in the cafeteria on the day of your scheduled visit.

Payment of Balances
The school cashier will be open on your day for settling outstanding POS, tuition balances, and paying the reservation for next school year.

Withdraw
Visit the Registrar’s Office to officially withdraw from Brent if your child/ren will not return for the 2020-2021 school year.

Report Cards/Transcripts 
Report cards and transcripts will only be provided once the clearance has been processed.

Ganzas and Awards
The quarantine delayed the printing of our Ganza, but the printer has now started the process. We expect they will be available for pick up in late June. Students’ academic awards, sports awards, and diplomas will likewise be printed, framed, and prepared once we return to campus. School level offices will notify you when they are ready.

Sincerely,
Jason Atkins
Headmaster

May 14, 2020

Dear Brent Families,

Due to the extended quarantine for the National Capital Region and Laguna, collecting materials for clearance will be delayed until at least June 1. Detailed procedures for dropping off materials will be sent later.

In the meantime, please collect all the items on the outstanding materials list sent out by each school level, and prepare for any remaining charges to students’ accounts. It is possible drivers or parents will have to return materials since those under the age of 20 are not allowed out during a general quarantine. Please be sure to collect student ID’s and locker combinations as well.

Sincerely,
Jason Atkins
Headmaster

May 6, 2020

Dear Brent Families,

We have revised next year’s calendar a second time. The first day of classes will be August 24. This will be the start date whether we meet face-to-face or are required to start online. To adjust for this later start, we have replaced several holidays with instructional days during the semester. The ability to continue with distance learning during typhoon days and the likely cancelation of some activities will also help curriculum coverage during the first semester.

The newest revision of the 2020-2021 school calendar is posted on our website. If we need to start online before moving to face-to-face, teachers will be prepared to deliver the first week of instruction without the need for students to pick up any materials.

Faculty will arrive by August 9 to provide sufficient time for class preparation and to allow for potential travel restrictions or quarantine requirements. Similarly, we request families to plan on being in the Philippines by August 9 in case there is a need to self isolate or other restrictions in place that may interfere with instruction.

Sincerely,
Jason Atkins
Headmaster