HuskyHerald A CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PUBLICATION FEBRUARY, 2011
REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY PAGE 9
CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS AT TK PAGE 10
THE WAYFINDERS ROCK SINGAPORE PAGE 13
DRAMA IN ISTANBUL PAGE 30 MICA (P) 205/09/2010
CONTENTS REGULARS 8 16 24 35
Biology at High School Chinese New Year Celebrations at TK Chinese New Year Celebrations at TT School Calendar
FEATURES
The Husky Herald is published bimonthly (5 issues per school year) by the Communications Department. It is distributed to families and staff of the Canadian International School.
3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 14 15 18 19 20 21 22 23 26 30 32 33 34
Middle School Chinese New Year Showcase Activity for Life A Glimpse of Life at Lakeside Developments in the MYP Personal Project Of Cupboards and Sand Trays 33rd C.B. Paul Memorial Science Quiz Reaching Out to the Community Community Service: Reaching in and Reaching Out In the Holiday Mood at TK OSSD or IB? That is the Question! Chinese New Year at Toh Tuck Grade 1 Inquire into Life in the Past U19 Girls Soccer Team Wins Gold! The Athletics Programme is Flourishing at TK Grade 8 Open Minds: A Student’s Perspective WAELP Arrives at TK Lighting Up the Holidays Alumni Feature: Matthew Chisholm CIS Old Fashioned Sports Day and Carnival CIS Old Fashioned Sports Day and Carnival Sponsors Invitation to Carrie Ekey
Communications Department Toh Tuck Campus 5 Toh Tuck Road Singapore 596679 Website: www.cis.edu.sg Email: communications@cis.edu.sg Phone: +65 6467 1732
MICA (P) 205/09/2010
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CIS Husky Herald - February 2011
Editor: Assistant Editor: Photography:
Michelle Sharp Natasha Cruz Rae Hong and CIS teachers
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHINESE NEW YEAR SHOWCASE By Joo San Chong, Middle School Mandarin Teacher
The 3rd Chinese New Year Showcase was successfully held on Wednesday, January 26th and Thursday, January 27th, 2010 at the Canadian International School (Middle School) Jurong East Campus. This year, the Chinese New Year Showcase focused on three areas: Chinese games, cultural aspects and student work. It was a great opportunity for students to share their learning in Mandarin class. Wednesday’s showcase was open to public and our neighboring school, Dazhong Primary School’s Grade 5 students dropped by for a visit. On Thursday, the God of Fortune gave out chocolate coins to students, and the students actively participated in the variety of fun activities offered across three classes. Many parents also came to view the exhibits on Wednesday and Thursday. Students’ comments: Alex Burns (G8-2KO): It was a good way to wrap up half of year of learning Mandarin in a short period of time. Alriva Danusaputro (G8-1GN): I learned that games can educate people and help their Mandarin learning with no sweats. Matthew (G8-3BC): It was fun to wear the Fortune God costume. I learnt a lot of things about Chinese New year such as Chinese instrument-GuZheng and Fu.
Noa Shen (G7-3AL): It was a great time sharing what we have learned in Mandarin class with other people. It was difficult to memorize the script of the Chinese Showcase, and it was challenging to participate in some of the games purely in Mandarin, but “no pain no gain”!
I also like the different zones in Mandarin classes because it is more organized. Kodai Fukunishi (G4-2JA): It was cool to learn Mandarin in a fun way!
Melina (G7-4JH): I have learnt that there are different ways to learn about Chinese culture and I like the fun ways. It went very well and I enjoyed it. Michelle Syed Masood (G63JH): It was the best Mandarin Showcase as we got to do many games and learned new things at the same time. Won Ho (G6-1CW): I learned to be responsible while being an exhibitor and how much fun Chinese games were. Sando (G6-3JH): Chinese history is impressive and the music, food and games are interesting! Samantha Macmillan (G63JH): Being an exhibitor is harder than it looks. It shows that I am a knowledgeable communicator to carry out this work. Sky Park (G5-2LM): I think it’s interesting because we got to know what other grades are learning and we could get excited for the coming years. Anna (G5-4S): I like to be a representative because I am proud to tell people about our projects and what I have learnt.
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aCTIVITY FOR LIFE!
By Anna Sinclair, Darrin Harrold and David Moore, TT PE Team Physical Education is a vital part of a child’s education. Physical Education goes beyond sports and allows students to participate in games and activities that encourage the development of motor, social and interpersonal skills. We believe that Physical Education should be fun and enjoyable, so that students develop a positive attitude towards being active. Our goal is also to equip students with the skills and knowledge to enjoy physical activity and to maintain a healthy lifestyle; essential in a well rounded person. Each student enjoys two periods of Physical Education each week. In each lesson, we use a variety of activities and teaching methods so that all students can develop motor skills at their own pace. In the Exploratory years (ages 3-5), the focus is on body control and spatial awareness where children explore movement with a variety of small apparatus. They move around and in-between equipment collaboratively to develop their skills. Music is also integrated to inspire movement responses to sound. The students are also exposed to games and activities which focus on balance, coordination and spatial awareness while at the same time developing their fitness and confidence.
expand in the Independence and Challenge years (ages 6-8). Participation in activities encourages students to develop and refine their basic skills in the three dimensions of athletics: jumping, throwing and running. Games, athletics, body control and spatial awareness, gymnastics and health-related activities develop students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes. Along with the development of students’ motor skills, we aim to enhance the interpersonal skills which are vital to a child’s self-esteem and the ability to work collaboratively. The goal is for students to be confident and successful learners in a safe, encouraging and nurturing environment. The Physical Education Team at Toh Tuck is always looking for new and exciting ways to help students achieve their potential in Physical Education. In today’s modern world, developing a love for physical activity is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. We aim to equip each student with the knowledge, skills, attitude and enthusiasm which will allow them to embrace a lifelong love for physical activity. We welcome you to drop by for a visit if you have any questions, or to see your child in action!
The Physical Education programme continues to
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A Glimpse of life at lakeside
By Michelle Sharp, Head of Communications
Artist’s impression of the Lakeside Gymnasium. It was with great anticipation that I visited the Lakeside campus recently. Walking around the various sections of the school, it was hard not to be excited about what lies ahead for a large portion of our school community. An Exploratory Years classroom had been fitted out in time for our visit and the warm neutral colours made the room inviting, even with no furniture in it. Another lovely feature of the room was the large window that looked out into the pod area (a large number of classrooms will have this internal facing window). Looking into the learning pod, it was easy to understand how these spaces would serve a multitude of purposes and really will be the hub of student communities. The hallways throughout the various school
sections were larger than I had anticipated and I could visualise happy groups of children, arm in arm, strolling to class. The double storey library was an enormous space that is light filled and has obviously been thoughtfully planned. A sunken reading area for younger students, I am sure, will be a favourite. The layout of the library and curved walls in various sections beckon you to explore what is around the next bend. Climbing the stairs to the next floor above, I was surprised to come to an open air terrace that was surrounded by music and art rooms. This outdoor area was totally unexpected and I am sure it will be peaceful respite for students (and teachers) after an
inspiring music or art class. My team and I will be visiting Lakeside again over the coming 6 weeks to create a video tour of the campus to showcase the current stage of construction. Once complete, the video will be posted to the school website. This process will be repeated every 6 weeks until we move in. I want our community to be able to have a similar experience and to share the excitement I felt as I wandered the halls that will very soon house our students. Please remember to check the Lakeside construction progress updates on the school website.
Lakeside construction updates are available on the school website www.cis.edu.sg
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Developments in the MYP personal project By Mark Patton, MYP Coordinator This school year has been a year of many new developments in the MYP Personal Project. The Personal Project, or P2, is the culminating activity of the IB Middle Years Programme and is completed by all students in their Grade 10 year. The P2 is similar to the PYP Exhibition, except that it is individual instead of group oriented. It is also a bridge to the rigorous Extended Essay in the Diploma Programme or the Independent Study Projects in OSSD. In order to be successful in the Personal Project, students must be self disciplined and self motivated. The goal of the Personal Project is for a student to choose and develop a topic of their choice over the course of a school year. In doing this, they should be reflecting on their understanding of the Areas of Interaction and the Approaches to Learning skills. This year, the Grade 10 students began their Personal Project journey in August. For the first time, the students were invited to visit the Personal Project showcase of another international school in Singapore. In visiting students at the Australian International School, students learned a lot about the project and are now looking forward to a reciprocal sharing of their own work with these same students in April.
and Kampong Bahru campuses has brought our entire MYP programme together at last in one location, meaning teachers from grades 7-10 are now able to participate. I have seen and heard of some unique and ambitious projects over the course of the year. I look forward to reading the reflective essays in March, when teachers will get together to assess student work. Students have spent the year identifying goals, making plans, doing research, creating and testing products and are now in the final stages of reflection and essay writing. Projects will be submitted in late February, and our Personal Project showcase will be held at JE on April 14th and 15th. We hope to see the whole school community come to celebrate the MYP Personal Project showcase this year.
For the first time this year, all Middle School teachers have also been able to take the role of supervisors. The coming together of the communities from our former Bukit Tinggi
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OF CLIPBOARDS AND SANDTRAYS By Helene Boiron, TK SK Teacher
Young children’s inquisitive mindsets are being driven by the necessity to make meaning of the world that we live in. In doing so, they use different strategies where play takes centre stage.
and allow for movement. A large strip of butchers paper taped to the floor provides a welcome break from the traditional sitting position which can prove challenging to young children.
To reflect on their different hypotheses and further elaborate, children experience the need of visually representing their ideas, as this conversation illustrates. An idea is…
In addition to this welcome respite, the strategically placed paper fosters collaboration. Writing the date each morning becomes a social act of positively contributing to the classroom routine.
Dylan: “If you think of something.”
In this context, developing an understanding of letter sound relationship and mastering the forms and conventions of print become a meaningful experience for the students, even a necessity that they have identified for themselves.
Keah: “It means you have nothing to do, you have an idea to build something, a car or a house with wooden blocks.” Isabella: “How you think a house looks like, then you draw, and then you build it.” Keah: “like a map.” Olivia: “When you want to think about the jungle, you draw it and you go in it.” Ms Helene: “How does an idea look like?” Cameron: “You cannot touch it because it is in your mind!” Our classrooms and garden are carefully set up by teachers and Eeducational assistants to offer varied and rich opportunities for the students to engage in symbolic representation and literacy.
Children become insightful observers and welcome teaching moments where we focus on a particular skill. Sand trays are perfect media to teach letter formation and directionality because of their sensorial and non permanent dimension, our garden Plexiglas panels offer a great outdoor variation. A movable alphabet provides children with the possibility to focus exclusively on letter sound relationships. Add to this an overhead projector, and here comes the magic of the Exploratory years at CIS TK.
Strategically located clip boards act as an invitation to enrich role play in the home corner
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BIOLOGY at high school
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biology at high school
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33rd C.b. paul memorial science quiz
ByPiyanka Dilawari, Science Learning Leader and IB-DP Chemistry Teacher On January 26th, 2011, the Canadian International School participated in the 33rd C.B. Paul Memorial Science Quiz which took place at the Anglo Chinese Junior College campus in Singapore. The quiz covered all streams of Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and Information Technology and Math. Over 30 schools were represented on the day and a total of 500 students from all over Singapore participated in the quiz. CIS was well represented by students from grade 8 to 10, with Yong Chan Kwon, Augustin Wai and Sophia Kakarala from Grade 8, Cindy Halim, Karen Halim and Akansha Bhatia from Grade 9 and Samiha Akhand from Grade 10. All the students were awarded with Certificate of Participation. It gives me great pleasure to announce that two CIS students, Yong Chan Kwon and Akansha Bhatia, were given the Certificate of Merit for their excellent performance and achieving above the 75th percentile in the overall competition. Well done! We wish these students all the best and hope they will continue to work hard and achieve success in their future endeavours. The Science department looks forward to growing CIS’ participation in such competitions and increasing our students’ success through them!
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REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY By Katy Morrison, TT Vice Principal
It has been a tradition in recent years for CIS to join the Canadian High Commission and Canadian Chamber of Commerce in sponsoring a Christmas Teddy Bear Drive. The bears went to children warded at KK Hospital during the holidays. This year it was time for a change. Our school’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Alana Grainsky, and teacher volunteers from our three campuses looked for a new focus for the annual Christmas fundraising. The two community charities in serious need of resources that were identified were Food from the Heart and Kids’ Cove. Rather than stuffed teddy bears, the Community Outreach Team asked families to help create a circle of paper teddies at Toh Tuck and Tanjong Katong. Each paper bear represented a donation of two dollars. Children decorated and posted their bears outside their classrooms. Eventually, a thousand paper bears were strung up for display on the two campuses and $4504.78 was raised for Kids’ Cove. Boxes overflowing with toys were donated to Food from the Heart. Classroom discussions were important to help children understand the purpose of the fundraising and the significance of their gifts to others. “We wanted to make this real for the children,” explained Laurel Sherwood, our Toh Tuck volunteer for CIS Community Outreach initiatives.
“We wanted it to be more than a financial exchange.” The Teddy Bear Drive is only one of the projects which the Community Outreach Committee coordinates for the school each year. Tabitha house building, the Terry Fox Run for cancer research, and Earth Day celebrations are also part of this group’s work. As an International Baccalaureate school, CIS focuses on the social action which we can all undertake to make a difference in the world. Each paper Teddy bear, house built, and step run carries us forward. Earth Day is not too far away. Believing that children need opportunities to connect with and appreciate the earth before they can care for it, Laurel Sherwood, wants to remind us that Earth Day celebrates the outdoors and isn’t just about recycling. “In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” - Baba Dioum Community Outreach volunteers will give us chance to experience that on this coming Earth Day.
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COMMUNITY AND SERVICE: REACHING IN AND REACHING OUT By Bruce Caverly, JE MS
As part of CIS’ continued commitment and involvement in our community, all Grade 8 students spend time at the Christalite Home in Woodlands. This is a home for the elderly who have been abandoned and Christalite provides a residence and medical care for these individuals, who come from different cultural backgrounds. The students are welcomed and encouraged to interact with the residents in a variety of ways. They assist with physical therapy routines, play games, read and perform music or skits for the residents. For many of the CIS students, this is their first introduction to such a home. Any reluctance first encountered by the students to interact with the residents is quickly overcome by the response the students receive from the residents who are most appreciative of the time and compassion our students demonstrate. The students participate in an environment at Christalite that calls for the real life enactment of the principles of caring, communicating, reflecting and for some risk taking. After completing their Community and Service experience they have a greater and very personal understanding of the needs in our community. Furthermore, the students gaine and experience a deep understanding as to how their volunteer work and time enriched the lives of the residents and in return enriched their own lives. Below is a reflection written by
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Amanda Heimvik which details her experience at Christalite. Community Service Reflection By: Amanda Heimvik On my first day at Christalite I was nervous and asked myself, “Why am I here? This is not important.” Then later on, I realized that it was actually a very interesting experience and something that everyone should try. I learned to appreciate my belongings, people around me and my family. When I see things at the store, I see them differently. I ask myself, “Do I really need this now and is it really important.” I also learned a lot from the older people who tell me about the past and how things have changed throughout the years.
them. They have no money for rent or food and cannot take care of themselves. The people who work at the centre are dedicated to the residents and try to make their lives safe and happy. The experience that Amanda writes about is one CIS wants each of our students to participate in during Grade 8 WAELP Community and Service.
One day, I talked about the war with a resident to get his perspective on the situation. He said it was a very bad time for everyone and he hoped that it would never happen again. It was hard for me to ask these questions as I did not know how he would react. Then I thought about myself and wondered what I would do in a war. He in turn asked me about my school and family life. Then he told me about the items that he could buy that were cheap when he was a child. He taught me some Malay words and I really enjoyed the communication between us. I learned that some older people feel abandoned and sad because no one cares for
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IN THE HOLIDAY MOOD AT TK
By Christa Craats, TK Open Minds Coordinator On December 17th, students, parents and teachers were treated to a spectacular Holiday Concert that featured the talents and creativity of our students and staff.
of ECE students dressed up in the Christmas spirit? Students in ECE melted hearts as they performed a poem and sang and danced to, “Up On A House Top”.
The JK French class charmed the audience as they sang a French song to the tune of “Jingle Bells”, accompanied on the guitar by Mr. Hobbs. Their colorful clothing and costumes made the presentation even more special and it was a great way to start the concert.
We were treated with another French song, this time sang by the students in Grade 2. The song was titled, “L’as Tu Vu” which loosely translates to mean Santa coming down the chimney.
The students of Grade 5-1 performed the French Cancan dance under the supervision of their teacher and one of the room parents. The students had learned about the Can Can dance and French culture during UN Week and were excited to learn this dance and share it with the school. Students and adults were mesmerized by the next performance put on by the students in the Korean Fan Dance ECA. Their beautiful and colorful costumes were accentuated by the carefully choreographed dance. It was very evident that they had put a lot of hard work and concentration into not only their performance, but into their ECA as well. The Choir ECA was next up to perform. They pleased the crowd with two songs, and their beautiful voices had the crowd clapping and humming along.
The students of Grade 7-1 electrified the stage with their song, “Firework”. Ms. Franka Insinger was able to add to the performance by playing her saxophone, which definitely got the crowd on their feet. Last but not least, the Filipino ECA group closed the show with a masterful dance called Tinikling, which is the national dance of the Philippines. Students danced gracefully in and out of the moving bamboo sticks, all the while keeping beat to the music. I think everybody would agree that the 2010 Holiday Concert at TK was a success and a wonderful way to start the Christmas holiday. Thank you to all the students, staff and parents who were able to attend and share of their many talents.
And what couldn’t be cuter and more entertaining than a group
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oSSD OR IBDP? THAT IS THE QUESTION! By Ted Cowan, JE High School Principal
We are at that time of year again when our grade 10 students deliberate over which graduation program they wish to complete at CIS. Will it be the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Program or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP)? Both programs earn our students placements into prestigious universities and colleges worldwide. Often, both programs are instructed by the same teachers and both programs take two years to complete. However, the two programs have some differences as well, and this is where parents and students in consultation with the school will need to select the program that is best suited for them.
Please contact one of the staff members below if you have further questions. Mr. Rick Butler (rbutler@cis.edu.sg), OSSD Coordinator Mrs. Metty Antony (mantony@cis.edu.sg), IBDP Coordinator For course options in either program please contact: Mrs. Ann Green (agreen@cis.edu.sg), Guidance Counsellor
In the IBDP, students take six courses over the two year program. In the OSSD, 14 courses are taken, three or four at a time in a semester. Students taking OSSD classes meet daily while IBDP students’ classes are three times per week. The IBDP bases 50-80% of the final grade, depending on the course, on exams at the end of the program. The remainder is on internal assessments. Whereas, OSSD bases 70% of the final grade on work throughout the term and 30% on the final assessments which can be exams or Independent Study Projects (ISPs). So, OSSD or IBDP? That is the question.
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CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS AT TK
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CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS AT TK
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Chinese New Year Celebrations at Toh Tuck By Katy Morrison, TT Vice Principal Our Mandarin Team had exciting experiences planned for our celebration of Chinese New Year on February 11th. Preparations began several weeks before the event as parent volunteers met with our Mandarin teachers, Louisa Yew, Chen Yi Chi and Kristin Lee. Help was needed to prepare materials for crafts, and to organise the food station and games. In their Mandarin classes, children investigated some of the history behind the traditions of the Lunar New Year and the Chinese Zodiac. There was also time for folk stories and to practice a version of the Dragon Dance. Every child created a traditional craft to decorate our hallways and gym. On February 11th each class had an opportunity to explore the crafts, food and games stations. There were options of different crafts for different ages from paper dragons to good luck scrolls. The food station offered a selection of Chinese treats including pancakes, love letters (which are thin, crispy pastries), chocolate coins, and mandarin oranges. Games challenged the children’s knowledge of Mandarin vocabulary as they fished for Chinese greetings, named traditional items from the Lunar New Year celebrations, and identified the animals of the zodiac. Parent volunteers and teachers kept the activities going throughout the day. “Our goal is that children will be
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truly celebrating - and will be engaged and happy,” explained the Mandarin Team’s lead teacher, Louisa Yew. Celebrations for the Year of the Rabbit concluded with a professional performance of the Lion and Dragon Dance for the whole school on February 15th. Gong Xi Fa Cai! It was a joyous welcome to the new year!
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grade one inquire into life in the past By Nathan Calvert, Grade 1 Learning Lead
To draw the Grade One children into their new Unit Of Inquiry, the Grade One teachers recently ran a series of activities that would exemplify a day in the life of a child 100 years ago. With lots of help from many staff members, areas for authentic learning experiences were set up. From farming to storytelling, from games to crafts, the Grade One children had a small taste of what life was like in the past. The children later reflected on the day, and thought about how it connected to the central idea of our unit, “Our lives have similarities and differences to those of people from the past.” These are a few of their reflections:
When I got in the class I was embarrassed when I saw everyone dressed up in strange, old clothes. I learned that in the past they didn’t have a washing machine. They had to wash clothes themselves. I could never be happy like that! Then I went with Mr. Herb to dig some potatoes and I also saw some earthworms. It was an amazing day. By Sofia
It was a burning hot day on Thursday. I liked it when Miss Morrison told us a story. She didn’t read it like people do today. I liked it in Miss Popma’s house too. I learned how they used to carry water. I traded things from the market and washed clothes. It was great. By Daisy There were all of these different activities. I went to one that was called the potato farm. After we picked all of the potatoes and mushrooms we went to the homestead and we washed the potatoes. That was fun because I’d never done it before. I learned that they still do those things on potato farms today. By Finn It was a brilliant day and a hot day. I was so excited.
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U-19 Girls’ Soccer Team Wins Gold
By Shauna Cottrell, Grade 4 Learning Lead, and Amanda Ottewell , JE PE Learning Lead
For the first time in CIS history, the U19 girls’ soccer team recently brought home the Division 2 gold medal.
even joined the JE cross-country team to improve their stamina. This resulted in a season of 5-01 (5 wins, 0 losses, 1 tie).
Throughout the season the girls put forth a valiant effort, and as their coaches we could not be more pleased. We watched them grow and develop as a team and saw impressive improvements in their skills.
Throughout the season, games were held once a week and practices were twice weekly. This schedule required a high level of dedication from each team member and the girls were always dressed and ready to go.
They were committed to their weekly training sessions and
Although the team is registered as an U19 girls’ soccer team,
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most of the girls in the team are primarily 14 and 15 years old, so CIS has much to be proud of. The U12 girls’ team is extremely fortunate as our U19 team leader Laura Sevingy has volunteered to help coach, mentor and develop the younger players of CIS. Congratulations girls on a successful season!
The ATHLETICS PROGRAMME IS FLOURISHING AT TK By Jamie Yorke, PE Learning Lead, TK Campus
When walking around the CIS TK campus it becomes abundantly clear that there is a lot of excitement surrounding athletics at TK! Over the course of a day it would not be unusual to see an early morning basketball practice, netball at lunch, and after school soccer. Netball, basketball, and soccer are the three sports that TK focuses on for interschool competition. Our teams participate in ACSIS (Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools) leagues throughout the school year. In season 1 of ACSIS competition our girl’s netball team played admirably and continued to learn the fundamentals of a game that’s
becoming increasingly popular at TK. We are currently in the late stages of season 2 and we have both 14-U boys basketball and 12-U boys soccer teams participating. Our boy’s teams are working hard during practice sessions and it’s showing as they’ve played excellent in their games to date. Practices will begin for season three teams in the coming weeks. We are expecting to have two girls teams entering the fray joining 14-U girls soccer and 12-U girls basketball. It’s nice to see that our girls are excited to enter basketball competition for the first time while continuing to enjoy netball and soccer!
Our sport ECA’s have been an excellent way to gauge interest in future interschool competitions. On the topic of afterschool sport ECA’s, we have offered a wider variety and greater number of sport ECA’s than any other year to date. In semester 1, we offered games club, soccer, basketball, softball, kickball, netball, and floor hockey, and this semester we are continuing to offer softball and floor hockey, while also adding cricket, and badminton. Some of our students are also playing golf, learning to ride horses during our equestrian program, and joining various dance clubs. Thank you for continuing to support your childs love of sport!
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GRADE 8 OPEN MINDS - A STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE By Ana Sanchez-Moreno, Grade 8 (JE)
During the Grade 8 Open Minds Week, we visited the Battle Box, Changi Museum, the Old Ford Factory, Labrador Park and Reflections at Bukit Chandu in order to study the Battle of Singapore during World War II from a range of perspectives. Our visit to the Battle Box focused on the British perspective and their decision to surrender to the Japanese. The Changi Museum helped us understand what life was like for the Prisoners of War, known as P.O.Ws and life for civilians after the Battle of Singapore. At the Old Ford Factory we studied the Japanese perspective of the Battle of Singapore and World War 2 and the tactics they used in order to succeed. While in Labrador Park we learned general facts of the Battle of Singapore, and finally, we studied the Singapore-Malayan and Chinese perspectives of the war, as well as their role in the Battle of Singapore at Reflections at Bukit Chandu. As a grade we were divided into three large teams, and then divided into smaller
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groups of 3-4 in which we worked together during the afternoons to create a radio broadcast from a British, Japanese, SingaporeMalayan or Singapore-Chinese perspective. During this week we learned not only the facts of the battle but also its importance during World War II, and how it interacted with other occurrences or battles of note. Equally important we learned about how it was viewed by and affected the Singaporean communities. We also learned the importance of Singapore as an effective location for a maritime trading centre. I found Open Minds very interesting as it helped me better understand World War II and the specifics about Singapore’s role and the following battles. Open Minds also enabled me to reflect upon my opinions about the Japanese and take into consideration the fact that during this or any war, everyone involved is deeply affected.
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WAELP ARRIVES AT TK
By Angela Henderson, TK Vice Principal The TK Wednesday Afternoon Experiential Learning Programme (WAELP) is a unique field-based programme that Grades 4-9 students experience. The programme is an extension of students’ everyday class based learning and demonstrates CIS’s commitment to the fundamental belief that students learn best through experiential learning. Students were given an opportunity to participate in a six-week activity outside the scope of the traditional classroom. Some of the stimulating choices offered to students included the dramatic and musical arts, technology projects, sports, and cultural crafts. As well as the opportunity to explore new areas, it also offers the possibility of discovering new passions.
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CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS AT TT
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CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS AT TT
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LIGHTING UP THE HOLIDAYS
By Anca Toma, JE Holiday Concert Chairperson & JE Languages Learning Leader The Holiday Season is a time for friends, family and, of course, music. A full house at the Jurong East Campus reveled in great performances at the Middle School Holiday Concert held in the JE Gym on Thursday, December 9th, 2010. As you made your way to the gym,
you could not miss the warm and welcoming tunes played by Lachlan Guthrie, Grade 8, on his alto saxophone, or even the cheerfulness of the students preparing for their part. Once inside, you were greeted by smiling Girl Scouts encouraging you to take a
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peek at and buy the yummy cookies and intriguing recycling art pieces neatly arranged on the side tables. Once the four student hosts, Sixtine Aymen de Lageard, Bas Otto, Shaun Palmer and Val Alexeeva came on stage and promised all a great show, there was not much
and Mr. Ahern. The Girl Scouts followed and sang their songs passionately while delivering a good message with “Make New Friends.” Various bands, Grades 4-8 ECA Band, Grade 7 and Grade 8 Band, played with enthusiasm traditional pieces under the direction of Ms. Caroline Singh. The small yet confident grade 4 Reader’s
to do but sit back, listen to and enjoy the true spirit of the Middle School students. The WAELP Choir along with the High School Glee Singers opened the show with “Light the Candles” and “Winter Wonderland” under the direction of Ms. Krochak
Theatre Group made their debut on stage, and not long after all the grade 4 classes sang their heart out under the direction of Mr. Ahern. French students in Grades 4 and 5 provided the audience with their unique interpretation of “Qu’est-ce que c’est?” and “Les
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saisons.” Continuing along the holiday theme, Mr. Bland slowed the pace with the reading of the well-known story, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Of course, the teachers would never miss a chance to show their teamwork and adventurous side while they performed “Feed the
World” and “Jingle Bell Rock” accompanied by Mr. Patton and Mr. Black. All the festive numbers were set against the eye-catching Singaporethemed backdrop made by none other than our special mother volunteers. Special thanks also go to the performers, teachers, administration and support
staff as well as to the Holiday Concert Committee members. As promised, the concert delivered on its commitment to provide the audience an opportunity to enjoy some of the Middle School’s best acts while also contributing to our community by collecting food donations for Food from the
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UNITING NATIONS AT MIDDLE SCHOOL
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UNITING NATIONS AT MIDDLE SCHOOL
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Alumni Feature: Matthew Chisholm By Natasha Cruz, Communications Natasha Cruz, a member of the CIS Communications Department had the opportunity to catch up with Matt Chisholm, a CIS graduate from the class of 2003 who currently works for the film industry in Canada. Matt candidly speaks about his recent stint on a Discovery
Scotia Canada. I currently live in Halifax, Nova Scotia and I graduated CIS in 2003. I was in CIS from grade 6 onward. I attended Dalhousie University and recently completed film school here in Halifax (Centre for Arts & Technology) and graduated at the top of my
Channel HD series, his fondest memories at CIS and how he would trade his cats for a curry puff and can of 100 Plus.
class, with top honors and I also won the Esprit de Corps award.
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I am currently self-employed and working in the film industry here in Canada. I have worked on a variety of television shows and
My name is Matt Chisholm. I am 27 years old, born in Nova
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What are you currently doing?
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feature films as well as short films, music videos and commercials. My most recent accomplishment was serving as Production Coordinator on a Discovery Channel HD series titled ‘M5 – Weapons of War’. We got to blow lots of stuff up real good!
What do you enjoy most about the film industry? What I enjoy most is the constant change. Every day at work is drastically different than the day that preceded it. It’s an alternative lifestyle for sure, going from job to job, but it’s always fresh, always
new and usually fun. Plus you get to meet famous people! What sort of challenges do you face? The challenges I face in my profession are the same things that I enjoy about it. Sure, the constant change can be daunting at times but it keeps me on my toes. Going from job to job with the frequency of a cheap ham radio ensures I meet lots of people and have many unique experiences. For instance: sharing a sandwich with Rutger Hauer? Check. Is this what you envisaged yourself doing upon leaving CIS? I had always hoped to work in the film industry. My whole life I have been obsessed with movies and television. I am the guy that people call when they need to settle a bet over, “Was that Bill Paxton, or Bill Pullman?”. I’ve always had an encyclopedic knowledge of the business so short answer is yes, this is where I had envisioned myself working. I don’t think anywhere else would have me! In what way has CIS helped in getting where you are now? CIS helped me in many ways. Having a global outlook on a variety of issues has really helped me put the troubles I face into perspective. Additionally, although I only spent my high school years in
CIS, I lived in Singapore since the age of four. Growing up in a multi-cultural port such as Singapore definitely had its advantages. CIS was a great high school experience and I emerged with a kind attitude and a solid education under my belt. What are your fondest memories of your time at CIS? The fondest memories I have of CIS are mostly on stage. Starring in plays put on by the incomparable Mr. Butler was, and is still, one of the highlights of my life. That, and Fun Day. Not sure if you cats still do Fun Day but back in my time that day was infamous. So many laughs and so many injuries. Good times. Oh and the food. Yeah, the food. I would trade my cats for a curry puff and a can of 100 Plus right now. No joke. Are you still in contact with any of your friends/teachers from CIS? I keep in touch with a lot of people I went to school with actually. Now that I’m answering these questions it has me thinking. I went to school in a social hand grenade. Meaning that as soon as we graduated, BOOM, we exploded all over the world.
It’s funny because I know a lot of people here that don’t keep in touch with high school friends that live just down the road. So for us to be as close as we are still is a testament to something. To what, I’m not sure, but it must be a testament to something, right? Do you have any advice or last words to dispense to current students? Never take anything for granted. It’s funny how things slip away as soon as you start to ignore them. The places you see, the people that surround you and the experiences you face: cherish them all and keep them in your heart. For those who want to keep track of Matt, check out his partial IMDB rap sheet at http://www.imdb.com/name/ nm3295033/
I have close friends in Switzerland, Singapore, India, Australia, Indonesia as well as all over the US and Canada.
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CIS Old-Fashioned Sports Day and Carnival By Natasha Cruz, Communications The Canadian International School Old Fashioned Sports Day and Carnival held at the Jurong East campus on Saturday, January 15th was an astounding success. Over 1,200 people walked through the gate during the four-hour event. The CIS middle school and high school students organized the annual event this year, in order to raise funds for the high school students’ house building excursion. Each year during excursion week, Grade 11 and 12 students journey to Cambodia to build houses (through the Tabitha foundation) for needy families. Middle school students and staff hosted an old-fashioned sports day, which saw a lineup of activities that included grade-specific relay races, sack races, and potato and spoon races. High school students organized fun activities such as splash the teacher, face painting, tarot reading, ring toss, and many others.
magnificent items, which were sponsored by businesses in the CIS community and the 2 CIS directors at the live auction. Items included: professionally printed student artwork created by gifted Toh Tuck students, magazine subscriptions from Asian Geographic, a 6-month membership donated by the Hollandse Club, a stunning piece of artwork donated by The Shophouse, a cap signed by several professional golfers, hand-made ceramics created by a talented CIS parent, and a half day of sailing. Although the final amount raised has not yet been finalized, it is anticipated that the CIS community contributed over $10,000, all of which will go towards building houses for the needy in Cambodia. On behalf of everyone involved with this wonderful event, we would like to thank the CIS community for their generosity and supporting such a magnificent cause.
Bouncy Castles and prizes sponsored by Santa Fe Relocation Services were a hit. Tasty food on offer throughout the day included hamburgers and hotdogs sponsored by AAM Advisory, drinks donated by Far East Organization, popcorn and cotton candy, and a bake sale (sponsored by parents and staff) offering an array of scrumptious treats. Parents and staff had the opportunity to bid on some
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The Canadian International School would like to thank the following Old-Fashioned Sports Day and Carnival sponsors
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school CALENDAR - march to may SCHOOL WIDE:
JURONG EAST (MIDDLE SCHOOL) CAMPUS:
March 1
Deadline for Notice of Withdrawal for any students leaving on or after April 1, 2011 or not returning for the 2011/2012 school year.
March 2 24
PYP Meeting - Language Arts Talent Show
April 4-8 22
April Break Good Friday
May 2 16 17
April 20 21 25-29
Student-Led Conferences (3:30- 8pm) Stidemt-Led Conferences (9am- 2pm) - No classes scheduled CASA Week
Public Holiday for Labour Day PD Day - No classes scheduled Vesak Day
May 25
Earth Day Celebration
TANJONG KATONG CAMPUS: April 14 20 21
TK’s Got Talent (6:30-8pm) Student-Led Conferences (4-7pm) Stidemt-Led Conferences (9am- 2pm) - No classes scheduled
May 3-6
Excursion Week
TOH TUCK CAMPUS: March 25
SK Concert
April 1 20 21 29
Mass Workout (9am) Student-Led Conferences (4-7pm) Stidemt-Led Conferences (9am- 2pm) - No classes scheduled ECAs end
May 12
Celebration Assembly
JURONG EAST (HIGH SCHOOL) CAMPUS: March 7 - 11 14 - 25 22 25 31
Grade 10 Excursion Week Mock Exams - DP Year 2 Extended Essay Topic/Subject Area Due - DP Year 1 Beatfreaked MYP (Gr 9/10) Student Led Conferences OSSD, DP Parent Teacher Conferences (9am-2pm) - No classes scheduled
April 1 12 19 20 21 25-29 25-29
OSSLT - OSSD - No classes scheduled OSSD Midterm, DP Predicted Grades Year 2 Reports issued Full Disclosure Drama Production Drama Production Grade 12 Excursion Week Grade 12 DP Study Week
May 3-23 25 25 26
Final Exams - DP Year 2 EE Process Methodology Statement Due - DP Year 1 Grade 9/10 Drama Night Grade 9/10 Music Night
* Information is correct at the time of printing but is subject to change. Please check the Week at a Glance e-bulletin weekly for important announcements and dates to remember.
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CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SINGAPORE www.cis.edu.sg
Toh Tuck Campus • 5 Toh Tuck Road, Singapore 596679 • Phone: +65 6467 1732 Jurong East Campus • 561 Jurong East Street 24, Singapore 609561 • Phone: +65 6875 1519 or 6323 0208 Tanjong Katong Campus • 371 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437128 • Phone: +65 6345 1573 Email: communications@cis.edu.sg