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Press Releases
There were a number of raised eyebrows from staff members when Faith Academy announced an Unconference! as part of its teacher in-service day on November 1. Follow up emails shed more light on the event by describing it as “a learning experience created and led by participants.” Everyone on staff—both teachers and support personnel— were asked to propose a topic which would examine a question or concern or else suggest a session where they would be the expert. The concept of an unconference came from the corporate world and has been more recently used with teachers in the Edcamp format.
Faith Academy used a modified version of an unconference in order to keep things simple for its first try at this type of professional development. For example, an opening brainstorming session was kept to just 30 minutes, and only two sessions were scheduled instead of the suggested four. To get things started, staff members wrote suggested topics on sticky notes and put them on a whiteboard. Two administrators then read and organized the topics by category. These were then posted on a master board that had two hour-long sessions with eight slots in each. Topics included things directly related to classroom practice such as discussion techniques, feedback strategies and technology in teaching. Other topics went further afield with options like stretching exercises and using a lathe. A few sessions were led by a self-designated “expert,” but most were an informal discussion of peers. Participants were invited to “vote with their feet” and leave any session that didn’t meet their need or interest.
To help keep the learning going, the session schedule was posted in a Google Doc, and each topic title in the doc was linked to a notes sheet created during the session. The administration was pleased that there were more viable topics than time would allow, and these have been saved as discussion items for future staff meetings. A follow up survey of the staff indicated that most felt the unconference was helpful. Comments showed that people appreciated the freedom to choose and the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues. The school plans to do an unconference again with the goal of collaborating with the Edcamp organization. This would involve inviting other schools and using a larger format with more sessions and time slots.
By Brian Foutz, Curriculum Director, Faith Academy Manila
Press Release >> SSIS is Designated Prestig- ious Apple Distinguished School Award
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: We are pleased that Saigon South International School is the first school in Vietnam to be recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for our innovation, leadership, and educational excellence. This is a two-year award, renewable for continued leadership in educational design thinking.
In 2014, we committed ourselves to a new path and a new understanding of technology. Building on the foundational work of colleagues before us, we began with an expanded definition of “literacy” which envisions students who are fluent in the traditional areas of reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also as creators in the emerging areas of communication such as video, audio, software programming, design, and language. As part of the application process, SSIS created an engaging multi-touch book (SSIS - Leading the Way in Innovation) documenting our commitment to the five best practices of an Apple Distinguished School: visionary leadership, innovative learning and teaching, ongoing professional learning, compelling evidence of success, and a flexible learning environment.
Being named an Apple Distinguished School will provide our teachers with enhanced opportunities for professional development and we can expect an increase of visitors from other schools to come see all the exciting things we are doing at SSIS.
For more information on Apple Distinguished Schools and how SSIS achieved this honor please visit https://www.ssis.edu.vn/about/appledistinguished-school
About SSIS: Saigon South International School is a college preparatory school committed to the intellectual and personal development of each student in preparation for a purposeful life as a global citizen.
Press Release >> NIST International School Reaches Major Milestone with 25th Anniversary
Reading the daily news, it’s easy to believe that conflict defines us, that race and culture divide us, and that equity and equality escape us. As NIST International School celebrated its 25th anniversary last 25 August, it defied those assumptions. The morning began with a ceremony that included tributes to the host country of Thailand, an
integral part of the school’s culture. Students and staff representing nearly 60 nationalities then gathered on the sports field to mark the occasion, united by the belief in the power of a a diverse, caring community focused on lifelong growth.
When NIST opened in August of 1992, the education landscape of Thailand looked radically different than today. The first parents who worked alongside the United Nations in Bangkok to lobby the Thai government to open a new international school lived in a time in which only six such schools existed. NIST was unique. The first school in Thailand built upon the values of the United Nations and the first to fully embrace all three programmes within the International Baccalaureate, it was founded on the principles of internationalism, free from any single nation or system.
The NIST of today has carried on that legacy and built upon it, while supporting the strong culture of sustainability initiated by the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
As Head of School Brett Penny opened the morning with an address to students, he reinforced that NIST “was founded by a community that came together around the belief that diversity is a point of strength rather than something to be afraid of”, and “these founding values still drive our community”. From its expansive World Languages Programme to the strong focus on service, the school has strived to inspire and enrich students by introducing them to multiple perspectives and experiences. Throughout the day—with music, dance and food—that rich diversity was on full display as students, parents and staff joined together to celebrate the first 25 years.
If the success and impact of NIST in that time is any indication, the next 25 will be even brighter.
Press Release >> Learning2 celebrate its10th Anniversary
Learning2 celebrated their ten-year anniversary with another stellar conference, this time hosted by SAS China in Shanghai. The threeday conference took educators on a tour of new ways of thinking and learning collaboratively under the theme of “Illuminate the Next Decade.” Extended Sessions (three hour long workshops) ranged from a focus on the parent community being empowered to understand technology’s power to galvanize learners to building a culture of care to thinking more critically about being ‘data-driven,’ to so much more.
A staple of the Learning2 experience is the student-as-leader model, and the event hosted student workshops as well as remarkable student keynotes (do take the time to watch them all on our youtube channel Learning 2.0 and share it with your community). In November 2018, Learning2 will move to The American School in Japan, so do follow us on twitter @learning2 to make sure your school takes advantage of the early bird offer to be.
Press Release >> UNIS Hanoi’s Year of Triple Celebrations
HANOI, VIETNAM - The 2017-2018 academic year will certainly be a year to remember for the United Nations International School Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi) as it celebrates three significant milestones!
This year marks the School’s 30th year in operation, 20 years as the first IB school in Asia and the Head of School’s 10th year at the helm of UNIS Hanoi.
To commemorate, the School has organised a series of events throughout the year, starting with an all-school birthday celebration which took place on Tuesday 19 September.
The calendar of activities will also include a special UN Day event as well as the launch of UNIS Hanoi’s very first official school anthem which will be composed by Middle and High School students and performed at a special occasion by young musicians of all ages. In addition, alumni from 73 countries plan to converge on the campus for a mega Hanoi Homecoming event, culminating in a memorable Day of Service and a wonderful community cocktail celebration.
Remarking on the landmark year, UNIS Hanoi’s Head of School, Dr Chip Barder said, “It’s wonderful to get the opportunity to reflect and celebrate the cumulative achievements of this School, especially during my tenth and final year here. UNIS Hanoi began in borrowed classrooms with just 13 students and a handful of teachers; three decades later we’ve mushroomed to a School that boasts more than 1,100 students and 315 faculty and staff members from as many as 64 different nations, all learning together on one sprawling purposebuilt campus. And as part of our mission to encourage students to be independent, lifelong learners, we are also passionate about Service to our host nation and her people.”
Established in 1988, UNIS Hanoi is one of only two United Nations (UN) International Schools in the world. The School, founded on UN ideals and principles and 20 years ago, became the very first school in Asia to offer the full IB programme - PYP, MYP and IB Diploma.
Press Release >> New Year, New Struc- ture at UNIS Hanoi
HANOI, VIETNAM - Middle School and High School students at the United Nations International School Hanoi (UNIS Hanoi) are benefitting from a personalized and holistic student experience this year, following a split of divisions.
The historic reorganisation comes after the School undertook a year of institutional research that comprised a review of pedagogy, resources and school culture which subsequently highlighted a stark need for the separation. Explaining the move, Middle School Principal, Marc Vermiere said, “Creating this new structure gives us the ability to cater to very different groups of young people. It has also given us the ability to focus staff, leadership and resources so that we can better serve our students.
44 EARCOS Triannual Journal “Educationally, middle school children are starting to think differently and in more abstract and independent ways. Socially and emotionally, they are developing a greater sense of their own agency, identities, and their relationships with others. This is an important transitional time between childhood and adulthood and in recognition of this, UNIS Hanoi created a distinct programme to meet the needs of students in Grades 6-8.” In addition to specialised pedagogy being practiced, middle schoolers will also benefit from a brand new approach to social and emotional learning. Introduced for the first time this year, Middle School teachers have become ‘mentors’ committed to developing strong relationships with each child and advocating for them in a holistic manner. This initiative is continued in High School with the focus shifting to the unique needs of students in their mid to late teens.
At the helm of the brand new High School is Principal, Scott Schaffner. New to UNIS Hanoi this year, Scott expressed excitement at joining the team at such a pivotal time in its thirty year history. A former Principal at the Dubai American Academy, Scott remarked, “Introducing separate divisions helps to create a culture for the teachers so that they can create a culture for the students which in turn encourages school spirit. Having said that, what we’re finding is that the two divisions are still working together on a daily basis and we’re further unified because we have a Deputy Middle School and High School Principal still in post.”
Now more than a month on, both Principals report an overwhelmingly positive response - from faculty members, students and parents alike.
“The transition has been very smooth and made all the more easier because of Scott’s arrival to UNIS Hanoi which has helped create our new school identities” said Marc.
