Cognita Asia News Highlights: Stamford wins BritCham 14th Annual Business Award Sathorn Choir at Bumrungrad Living in Bangkok Fair Australian International School turns 20! Madagui field trip with ISHCMC grade 9 students Mr Simon Leslie appointed Headmaster of International School Ho Chi Minh City
Plus lots more inside...
Keeping parents, pupils and teachers informed Welcome to Cognita Asia News, designed to keep parents, pupils and teachers informed of all our latest news, events, achievements and opinions. The Autumn edition is packed full of articles from around the region, focused on the great work we’ve all done.
Lifelong learning experiences By Andrew Hancock, Academic Dean
Students give the class salute mirroring Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt’s winning pose
Each year, Stamford students are presented with opportunities and venues to investigate, discover and experience far beyond core academics. In keeping with our vision of providing a holistic learning experience for all of our students, Stamford’s school camps provide unparalleled opportunities for students to further develop their understanding and appreciation of diversity along with testing their leadership skills, teamwork and problem solving. There are many interesting and diverse opportunities within the region of Southeast Asia to explore. The challenge a school faces is to decide which experience will be most rewarding for its students and their development. Reaching beyond beautiful natural surroundings teeming with marine, plant and animal life and rich cultural diversity, Stamford focuses on the value that a potential camp will add to a student’s overall experience at school. Through this evaluative process, we have created an international school camp program for our Grade
10 students in Cambodia working with the World Assistance for Cambodia organization as well as PEPY Tours, a social enterprise providing culturallyimmersive, tailor-made learning adventures. Both organizations are non-governmental and have similar philosophies, morals and ideals to Stamford’s vision of learning. Throughout the preparation for and during camp, Grade 10 students will explore and discuss the following questions: • What is a social enterprise and how does it work? • How does Cambodia’s past influence its present? • What is the best method of development? (Investing time in people vs. things; defining development terms, e.g. sustainability, scale, capacity building) • What does “responsible tourism” mean? How can we make sure we travel responsibly?
Curriculum objectives and learning targets are one aspect of camp, but students also develop teamwork, leadership, self-esteem, cooperation and empathy skills that are pertinent for navigating today’s 21st century society. Another aim of Stamford’s camp is to foster a spirit of multiculturalism that will result in a deeper understanding and appreciation of a variety of cultural practices and traditions. The Grade 10 camp in Cambodia is part of a five-year joint plan established through the Stamford students, Stamford’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the World Assistance for Cambodia (WAFC) organization to build a five-room schoolhouse complete with a library and a nursing station for Melom Village in Kampong Chhnang Province. Over the next five years, Stamford students will have the opportunity to visit the school to see the impact that building and staffing a school can have on a village. Stamford will provide professional development for the teachers of the school as well. This is not just any ‘volunteer’ trip but a long-term commitment to enhancing the community of this village and giving students the opportunity to experience firsthand the power that education can have in shaping people’s futures! The contrast we see in this project compared to a “volunteer” trip model, is that we avoid creating projects for the sake of the travelers’ experience rather than the needs of the community, which should always be a priority. Stamford students will have the chance to learn about and interact with social entrepreneurs and local communities, all with different approaches and views of how to improve Cambodia. They will learn about issues affecting Cambodia today and will be able to draw their own conclusions about the difficulties and opportunities in international development. This learning experience will give our students a chance to reflect on themselves as travelers, change-makers and members of the global community, all while creating potentially life-changing impact for the members of the village itself. True learning is a never-ending process that occurs throughout one’s lifespan. By giving students the opportunity to share in these experiences and demonstrate change, it is our goal that they will be able to develop lifelong skills and habits that will serve them well as influential members of our global community.
New Headmaster Announcement: Mr Simon Leslie appointed Headmaster of International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) The ISHCMC Board of Management and Cognita Asia are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Simon Leslie as Headmaster of International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC). Mr Leslie’s appointment follows a rigorous and thorough recruitment process including an extensive global search. Chosen for his vast experience, passion for education and a proven track record of improving academic success, Mr Leslie will continue to build on ISHCMC’s strong academic reputation delivering all three International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. He started his new position this August and will be a great addition to the team in Vietnam. Mr Leslie joins us from New International School of Thailand (NIST), one of the leading schools in Bangkok with over 1500 students from 3 to 18 years. During his 8 years at NIST as Superintendent, Mr Leslie has developed NIST’s reputation as one of the leading IB schools in the world where students consistently earn high scores in the IB Diploma. With over 25 years’ experience in senior positions in schools across Africa, Asia and Australasia, Mr Leslie’s global experience will be fundamental in driving academic standards at ISHCMC. Over the coming year there will be opportunities for parents, students and teachers to meet Mr Leslie, please help us welcome him into the ISHCMC and Cognita Asia community.
Madagui field trip with ISHCMC grade 9 students
Overnight field trips are an important part of the development of our students. To be taken outside ones comfort zone and to accomplish what they may have thought to be unachievable, is not only satisfying but also builds self-confidence and self-belief. Many of the IB learner profiles align perfectly with the activities that our students participated in which naturally enhances our students education and experiences. For three nights and four days our ISHCMC secondary students from grades 6 - 11 participated in the school field trips which took place in a variety of locations in Vietnam. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm across the year levels as students were challenged in a broad range of pursuits. Congratulations must go to the ISHCMC staff who guided each grade level through their various activities. The commitment of their time, expertise and energy, ensured that our students obtained the greatest possible benefit from their field trip week.
“The ISHCMC grade 9 students went to Madagui for this year’s field trip. The weather of Madagui was extremely wet. It rained every day consistently! We had lots of fun doing various outdoor activities. On the first day, some of us went rafting down a river for 8 kilometers and some of us went zip lining. It was extremely exhausting. However, for most of us, day two was the most demanding and exhausting. We went on an orienteering race which included biking. The uphill tracks were especially challenging. However, we had a good rest at the end of the day with a campfire and delicious desserts. Day three, we went on a triathlon in the jungle and we had some students competing for first place. It was an extremely exciting and intense race which required teamwork and physical ability. The winners of the triathlon were rewarded with prizes, and we all had a great barbeque dinner. On the last day, we went rafting and zip lining again. As it had been raining consistently every day, the current was quite strong which added to the challenge and excitement! Throughout the trip, all the students tried their best and pushed their limits. It was a very exciting and thrilling trip, though physically challenging. We all look forward to next year’s trip!” Min Je Kim Grade 9 Student.
The Australian International School turns 20! “AIS is all about providing a well rounded Australian-style education. This means focussing on academic excellence while developing the cultural, artistic and sporting prowess of each student.” “While our educational roots may be in Australia, we are very much a part of the Singapore community. Living and studying in Singapore is a life changing experience, and we embrace Singaporean culture through our partnerships with local schools.” From 32 to 2,600 students, AIS is one of Asia’s educational success stories The Australian International School (AIS) celebrated 20 years of proven world class education to Singapore’s international students.
“AIS’s growth in student numbers and reputation, together with its academic track record makes it one of the most successful schools in Asia,” Dr Nick Miller
From its humble beginnings with just 32 students in 1993 when it first opened its doors, the Australian International School has grown to become one of Asia’s most successful schools, boasting more than 2,600 children from 50 countries. The school continues to grow in popularity among Singapore’s expatriate community with enrolments more than doubling since the school moved to its current location in Lorong Chuan in 2003. As Dr Nick Miller, Principal of AIS explains, the school is now able to offer students the choice to pursue almost any interest they have. AIS opened on 1st February 1993 at its first campus on Mount Sophia with 32 students, seven teachers and no airconditioning or uniforms. By 1994 the school had more than 400 students and moved to Emerald Hill. In 1997 AIS moved to Ulu Pandan where it stayed for five years. During this time it secured the land at its current location in Lorong Chuan and commenced construction, finally relocating to its current home in 2003, with 1,100 students enrolled.
In 2007 the school joined the Cognita Group of schools which saw an investment in a new junior school and preschool wing. In 2010, a new senior building was opened to accommodate Year 10, 11 and 12 students. The school currently has 2,600 students and 200 teaching staff. It boasts a dual curriculum that gives students the choice of graduating with the New South Wales Higher School Certificate or the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Prep at Australian International School Layla and Mimi exploring ecosystems in the Junior School Inquiry Centre as part of their current Primary Years Programme unit of inquiry.
self expression innovative learning We’re not looking for the ordinary AIS students are academically in the high ability range and experience superior average growth to the best performing Australian state or territory – the ACT. This means that with self-motivation, hunger to learn and a global outlook, our students are in the best environment to exceed our expectations... and their own. *2007-2012 NAPLAN comparative data shows that AIS students are in the high ability range and experience superior average growth to the best performing Australian state or territory – the ACT.
EXPRESS YOURSELF admissions@ais.com.sg | +65 6517 0247 | www.ais.com.sg Australian International School Pte Ltd is registered by the Council for Private Education. CPE Registration Number 199204405H. Period of Registration 6 July 2011 to 5 July 2015.
Globally focused, distinctly Australian AIS is part of the Cognita Group of Schools www.cognitaschools.com
St. Andrews Students help create beautiful new smiles in “The Land of Smiles.” By Kerry-Ann Randall - Community, Action and Service co-ordinator, St. Andrews International School
On Thursday 12th September six Year 13 students and two teachers began a journey that was to change their lives and the lives of over 80 children with cleft lips, cleft palates and serious burns in Ubon Rachithani. St. Andrews International School has joined Operation Smile, a charity which has the support of very generous and talented surgeons who perform the necessary operations to return the smile to countless children’s faces, and their families. Operation Smile Thailand has reached out to the farthest corners of the Kingdom, with medical missions to Tak, Ubon Ratchathani, Pitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Saraburi, Chiang Mai, Nan, Nakhon Phanom, Chonburi, Yasothorn, Amnat Chareon, Sisaket, Nakhon Srithammarat, Songkla, Yala, Samutsakorn, Kanchanaburi, Nonthaburi and Surin as well as medical missions to neighbouring countries, Laos and Myanmar.
Did you know that…? • In as little as 60 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child’s life forever. • Approximately one in every 500 babies in Thailand is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate. • Children with facial deformities who do not receive reconstructive surgery often have difficulty breathing, drinking, eating and speaking. As a result, many suffer from malnutrition, medical and psychological problems.
The St. Andrews students assisted in supporting the children and families. Some families had travelled huge distances just to find out if their child was eligible for surgery. As the families arrived for assessment by the pediatric doctors, anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons, the girls worked tirelessly to help relieve the stress of the process.
St. Andrews students arrive with boxes of goodies for the children
The following day the surgeries began. The students spent time with the children awaiting surgery and trying to alleviate the fear and provide support for the parents when the children emerged from their operations.
Sathorn Choir at Bumrungrad Living in Bangkok Fair
Students helping to entertain children before their surgery.
St. Andrews International School participated at this year’s Living in Bangkok Fair at Bumrungrad Hospital. The school sponsored the event together with various other companies that provide service for expats and locals living in Bangkok.
It was an honour and a privilege to be asked to be involved in such a worthy cause; helping, in a minute way, to create a beautiful new smile in The Land of Smiles. Christina Krause - Executive Director of Operation Smile commented on how helpful and supportive the students were on this mission. “I don’t think the students realised how much they helped playing with each patient both bringing laughter to the child and at the same time relieving the stress and anxiety for the parents. The girls proved that compassion knows no borders and a smile truly is a universal sign. Thank you!”
The St. Andrews Sathorn choir performed in their first performance for this year at this event. They sang a selection of lively songs about the joys of music, friendship and good character. They did a wonderful job and didn’t show any signs of being nervous even with a big audience.
Students coming out of surgery.
St. Andrews Professional Development Day
Camp Asia Update We really have had a truly exciting summer with Camp Asia with eight weeks of action packed activities at the Australian International School and Stamford American International School. The last four weeks at Stamford saw a wide range of entertaining activities continue as well as golf lessons which saw the children use the putting green, simulator and driving range.
On Friday 27th September St. Andrews Sukhumvit 107 campus proudly hosted a professional development day for all St. Andrews teachers from Sukhumvit 107, Sathorn and Green Valley campuses. Accompanied by teaching assistants, special needs support and EAL staff, there were approximately 300 staff in attendance. The focus of the day was very much on learning from each other and putting in place the means by which we can continue to share information and best practices. The days sessions were plentiful and included information on the Diploma Programme, IT in the classroom, excellence in teaching, and general brain storming on ways by which we can do what we do ‘better’. The day was led by the Head of Bangkok Schools , Mr Peter McMurray, who ensured that after a solid day of working, there was time for all the staff to relax and to get to know each other better through friendly games of netball and soccer. An impromptu karaoke session finished off the day with a few stars-in-the-making showing us their performance skills!
We also introduced our newest camp Tech Savvy which gave children the opportunity to brush up and learn some more IT skills through Video Production and Digital Publishing. Digital Publishing allowed the students to be taught how to design and create animations and learn about Photoshop, Mag+ and more and also through their iPhones and iPads. In the video production camp, they had fun making their own movies and storyboards through iMovies and parents were sent sneak peeks of their children’s work on YouTube. There were some very imaginative story lines and it was great fun to watch! We would like to thank you all for participating in Camp Asia, what a fantastic summer and we look forward to seeing you all next holidays! Make sure you join our mailing list or Facebook page to keep up to date with CAMP ASIA.
Happy Camping!
St. Andrews International School Sathorn • Sukhumvit 107 • Green Valley
International Focus. Community Feel. St. Andrews International School, preparing students for the future – wherever it may take them!
Our diverse student body benefits from the warmth and support of the school community, mixed with student-centred learning, driving students to reach the heights of their abilities. British International Curriculum
Caring, experienced teachers
Over 50 nationalities
Small classes and low student to teacher ratio
Accepting applications now! www.standrews-schools.com
admissions@standrews-schools.com
One of my favorite places at Stamford is the Learning Resource and Media Center where I can browse the shelves and read books for fun. When I have research to do, I also have access to over 10,000 eBooks that I can read from my iPad! Stamford is a world class school with a brand new campus featuring state-of-the-art academic and athletic resources. Stamford offers daily Mandarin and Spanish and the rigorous IB Program enhanced by American standards.
Register for our Open House at www.sais.edu.sg.
+65 6602 7247
www.sais.edu.sg
Stamford American International School CPE Registration Number: 200823594D Period of Registration: August 10, 2010 to August 9, 2014
Stamford wins BritCham award for education & training excellence
Stamford American International School (Stamford) has won the award for Education and Training Excellence at the 14th Annual Business Awards organised by the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore (BritCham).
“With so many well established players within the education sector in Singapore, it is very pleasing for Stamford to win this award after just four years of operations.”
According to BritCham, the award recognises outstanding achievement across the various sectors where British, Singaporean and other international businesses are active within the Singapore business community.
“Stamford has consistently set new benchmarks for education since the school opened. Our new $300 million campus at Upper Serangoon Road is the most advanced K-12 learning environment ever built.”
This year’s Education and Training Excellence Award was judged by one of the world’s leading experts on education, Professor Arnaud De Meyer, the President of Singapore Management University and the former Director of Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge. Mr Malcolm Kay, Superintendent of Stamford said the award recognises the impact Stamford has had on the international education scene in Singapore.
“We have also announced the world’s first Innovation Centre in a high school for 2014 - a place where students and business leaders come together to solve problems, generate ideas and create intellectual property.” “This award is a great encouragement to the team at Stamford and confirms we are on the right track.” Mr Kay
Chương trình Nhà trẻ, Mẫu giáo và Tiểu học do Sở Giáo dục Bang New York cung cấp và phê chuẩn Chương trình ngoại khóa phong phú, được xây dựng bởi các chuyên gia về giáo dục trẻ em, nhằm phát huy tiềm năng của từng trẻ Học sinh đến từ hơn 20 quốc gia trên khắp thế giới Thư viện với trên 10 ngàn đầu sách được nhập trực tiếp từ Hoa Kỳ Cách Trung tâm quận Nhất 5 phút đi xe máy, ISSP là ngôi trường Quốc tế được xây mới hoàn toàn chuyên biệt theo tiêu chuẩn giám định của WASC – Hoa Kỳ Hãy tham gia ngày hội thông tin tại 92 Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, P. 22, Quận Bình Thạnh
Hồ bơi, sân bóng và các khu vui chơi riêng biệt cho từng cấp lớp
Lúc 9g30 sáng Thứ 7 ngày 21/07/2012
Chương trình ứng dụng máy tính bảng iPad sẽ áp dụng vào tháng 8/2012 Cơ Sở Tiểu Học International School Saigon Pearl 92 Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, phường 22, quận Bình Thạnh, TP. Hồ Chí Minh ĐT: (84-8) 2222 7788/99 Email: admissions@issp.edu.vn
www.issp.edu.vn
Cơ Sở Trung Học ISHCMC - American Academy 16 Võ Trường Toản, phường An Phú, quận 2, TP. Hồ Chí Minh ĐT: (84-8) 3898 9098 Email: admissions@aavn.edu.vn
www.aavn.edu.vn
Trường trực thuộc hệ thống tập đoàn giáo dục Cognita với hơn 60 trường phổ thông tại 5 quốc gia.
Become what you want to be More than 80 percent of students offered university scholarships
The International School Ho Chi Minh City – American Academy offers a rigorous, accredited American curriculum. Our students graduate with an Advanced Placement International Diploma and we are the only school in Vietnam to offer Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA). The SUPA program allows American Academy students to take Syracuse University courses while still in high school, earning university credit which helps students save time and money when completing their degree at university.
Tour American Academy Now! Tel: (848) 3898 9100
Email: admissions@aavn.edu.vn An International School for students aged 11 -18