IGB International School Newsletter, Issue 26, Week 1, February 2015

IGB International School’s Weekly Newsletter - Issue 26, Week 1, February 2015

The Weekly Newsletter is our online school-wide form of communication to the Parent and Student community. It is sent electronically every week to the e-mail contact you have provided to Admissions. You can either access it through the link sent to your e-mail or through the website at www.igbis.edu.my. Please read the newsletter every week!

News, events, school developments and highlights are shared and parents and students should make sure they read this every week.

Grade 11 students visited the School of Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.

Inside this week’s Newsletter

Upcoming Events 10th February 2015 Coffee Morning - Grade 6 Parents, 8.00am, Lobby Cafe

Message from Head of School Mrs. Anne Fowles, Head of School

11th February 2015 Chinese New Year Assembly, 2.00pm, Theatre Semester One Reports

News from Elementary School Mrs. Claire McLeod, Elementary School Principal

12th February 2015 Coffee Morning - Grade 7 Parents, 8.00am, Lobby Cafe

News from Secondary School Mr. Lennox Meldrum, Secondary School Principal Updates from Student Services Mr. Peter Fowles, Head of Student Services Updates from Academic and Support Services Mr. Peter Syme, Director of Academic and Support Services Updates from Admissions Mrs. Bronwyn Thorburn, Admissions Director

13th February 2015 Coffee Morning - Grade 8 Parents, 8.00am, Lobby Cafe Last Day of School before Holiday 16th – 20th February 2015 School Holiday 19th – 20th February 2015 Public Holiday - Chinese New Year 23rd February 2015 First Day of School after Holiday 24th February 2015 Coffee Morning - Grade 9 Parents, 8.00am, Parent Meeting Cafe

Igniting Minds

Impacting Lives

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Message from Head of School Mrs. Anne Fowles Head of School Dear IGBIS Parents and Community Members, We were very pleased to receive notification that IGBIS has been accepted as a member of the Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS). This membership will allow our staff and students to have more interaction with international school activities across Malaysia.

The calendar for the 2015-16 academic year was approved by the Executive Board this week and is attached for your information so that you may make your holiday plans. The semester and holiday dates are very similar to those of 2014-15.

Another item under discussion by the board has been the wayfinding and expansion works planned to take place over the next few months as we will be requiring more classroom spaces for next school year.

Our Chinese New Year assembly on 11th February will commence at 2.00pm. The students and teachers have a range of performances to share. We are looking forward to seeing you all there dressed in red!

News from Elementary School Mrs. Claire McLeod Elementary School Principal You can feel the air of celebration everywhere in Kuala Lumpur as people start to prepare for Chinese New Year.

Students here at school are rehearsing for their Chinese New Year assembly scheduled for next Wednesday 11th February at 2.00pm in our Theatre. This should be another lovely event, following on from previous Christmas, Deepavali and Hari Raya assemblies. Please remember students should wear something that reflects the Chinese culture; school uniform is not required on that day other than during PE lessons. Parents are most welcome to attend.

Over the last 4 to 5 weeks, Grade 5 students have explored the elements they need to be knowledgeable about when they are preparing and planning for an event. An understanding of organisation and time management skills as well as cooperation and collaboration was required for them to develop their own field trip and present the documentation required for the school to approve. They also were required to develop a PowerPoint presentation to help inform and persuade Mr Millward and myself to approve the three focused trips. Mr Millward and I were impressed with the level of skills the students had developed during this Unit of Inquiry; a task some people may consider for older students.

Mr Millward and I met with the Grade 5 students on Monday morning to provide them with feedback after their group presentations the week before. This was an excellent process and one that students clearly understood the areas where they could have improved. They were, of course, delighted to hear our commendations and that their trips were approved!

On Wednesday as part of our Host Nation programme Grades 4 and 5 classes visited the Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur where they had the opportunity to learn about the Malaysian batik patterns from Kelantan and Terengganu. They were excited to learn how to draw and paint batik and on their return to school they proudly showed their beautiful batik designs that they made whilst there. Thank you to Ms Dianti for organising this valuable field trip.

Until next week.

News from Early Years – Grade 2 Physical Education The Grade 2 students have recently completed a unit on health related fitness. They tested various elements of their fitness, speed, agility, flexibility and endurance at the start and at the end of the unit.

A majority of the students managed to improve their endurance running and it gave them the opportunity of using the track.

The Kindergarten to Grade 2 students have been engaging in a unit of invasion games. They have identified that an invasion game is when one team is trying to attack another teams area to score, whilst the opposing team tries to stop them. They made the connection that basketball, football (soccer) Page 2 Igniting Minds and hockey are all examples of invasion games.

The students have played a modified version of basketball called ‘mat ball’ and they are curently engaged in playing hockey. They have been inquiring into how to pass and receive the ball safely using the hockey stick. Sometimes this has resulted in some sore shins and fingers, but students have been caring if accidents have happened.

The key to using the hockey stick is using two hands to control it.

In Early Years 2 the students have been learning some low organisational (warm up) games. These have been ‘doctor tag’ and ‘stuck in the mud’. In these games students have to use their speed and agility to evade the ‘catchers’, play within the rules and participate to the best of their ability. In swimming the students have gained a lot of water confidence and many are experiencing some more ‘formal’ technique work combined with equipment based water confidence activities.

Simon Millward, Elementary Physical Education Teacher

Impacting Lives

News from Secondary School Mr. Lennox Meldrum Secondary School Principal Thank you to the parents who have helped us by completing the language survey. If you haven’t, it will remain open until the end of this weekend at http://goo.gl/9PJpVh. The survey asks about the two levels of language we offer in the Secondary School. One of these is Language and Literature. This subject area focusses on studies of a “wide range of literary and non-literary text types, writing styles and techniques, allowing students to comment on the significance of any possible contexts, audiences, purpose, and the use of linguistic and literary devices.” (ibo.org) It is designed to be taken by students in their mother tongue, or a language in which they are strong and/or have previously studied some level of literature. Currently, we have students in English Language and Literature at MYP and DP, and Chinese Language and Literature in the MYP. In the DP this subject area can also be taken as a Literature only course, however we are not offering this subject yet.

The other language choices we offer are in a subject area called Language Acquisition. As the name suggests, in these courses, the students are studying the subject in their second (or third or fourth and so on) language. This can be a brand new language for the student, and we consider this to be at phase 1 level in MYP and ab initio level in DP. Sometimes student may have studied the language previously or have some working knowledge of the language from family or locations they have lived in the world - in these situations, the students level may range from phase 2 through to the maximum of phase 6 in MYP, or they would be able to study the language in what is called a Language B subject in DP (either at standard level or higher level). In MYP, if a student has demonstrated consistently high abilities at phase 6, they may be recommended to move to the Language and Literature course in that language.

At IGBIS, we have students studying English, Chinese, Spanish, and Bahasa Malaysia in a range of phases and levels across MYP and DP. There are three cases where the language classes can take on additional meaning or requirements. The first case is when we do not offer the mother tongue language for a student; for these students there may be the option at the Diploma Programme level to study the language in a self-taught environment at the Literature level. However, these are designated for special situations and only a small number of students may qualify to be permitted to undertake this option. Consultation with the Diploma Programme Coordinator and College Counsellor is an essential part of the process before beginning a self-taught course of study. The second case is for a student who is able to study two languages at a Literature or Language and Literature level in the DP; in this situation the student may be able to graduate with a bilingual diploma. One of these languages could be done as a self-taught option, however the same process of selection must take place.

The third case is for students who are not studying English at the Language and Literature level but are enrolled in English Language Acquisition. Although the structure of this language acquisition course is the same as other languages we offer, it takes on an additional level of importance as it develops language skills that are necessary in our other subject areas. When a student enters our school at phase 4 or lower, they may be required to take additional English support classes (called ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages) and pay an additional ESOL Support fee. The structure of this support depends on the phase and needs of the student - it may be delivered in place of another class or may include additional support within other subjects. The determination of the type of support delivered is done in consultation between our Student Support Team and the parents based on the recommendations of our ESOL teachers. Students are expected to reach phase 4 by the end of Grade 8 to ensure they are able to move successfully into Grade 9.

I hope this helps your understanding of our language options at IGBIS. We are planning to introduce new languages as we continue to grow and your assistance in completing the survey will provide guidance.

Have a great weekend.

University of Nottingham, Malaysian campus After the semester exams, the Grade 11 class visited the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, as guests of the school of Pharmacy.

The experience was very informative and a real eye opener.

Three professors individually gave us a short lecture on pharmacological topics and showed us how a future connects to the science subjects we are currently studying in school.

We had a sneak peak into the future while taking a tour of the university. Many students are looking forward to graduating and starting university and this day was a wonderful experience. We had a chance to see what a laboratory is like and how research is conducted and had the opportunity to experience a ‘day in the life of a university student’. We hope it becomes a regular event on the IGBIS calendar!

Cheng, Grade 11 Student

Igniting Minds

Impacting Lives

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Reporting on Student Achievement in the Middle Years (Grades 6-10) On Wednesday, 11th February we will be publishing and sharing the Semester 1 Achievement Reports with students and parents via ManageBac. The semester report card for students in the Grades 6 to 10 might look quite different to report cards that you have received from previous schools and may include some terminology that is somewhat unfamiliar. Over the coming months, through this newsletter and a series of parent meetings and workshops, we plan to help you better understand some of the practices and terminology that are used in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).

In a newsletter article earlier this year, I described how assessment in the middle years of Secondary School at IGBIS looks very different to the type of assessment that is familiar to many of our families. In Grades 6-10 we do not measure achievement in terms of percentages or A to F grades, we do not talk about passing and failing grades and we do not compare students with each other to decide who is top or bottom of the class.

Teachers use a range of assessment strategies and tools to build a picture of each student’s progress, achievements, skills, knowledge and understanding. These assessment strategies and tools include rubrics; observations; quizzes, tests or examinations; performance assessments; investigations; checklists; process-focused assessments; essays; anecdotal notes; laboratory reports; continuums; openended tasks and presentations.

Students complete assessment tasks which are evaluated against four criteria in each subject. The four criteria are broadly similar across all subjects, although they vary slightly according to the specific requirements of individual subjects. In general terms, the criteria are used to assess the following areas: • • • •

Criterion A: a student’s knowledge, understanding and ability to analyse ideas in a subject.

Criterion B: a student’s ability to investigate, organise and develop ideas in a subject.

Criterion C: a student’s ability to effectively communicate ideas in a subject.

Criterion D: a student’s ability to use, apply, evaluate and reflect upon ideas in a subject.

Each criterion is divided into eight achievement levels with clear descriptions of what is required in order to achieve at each level. The achievement levels and descriptions are presented in a tabular format (or rubric) so that teachers and students can easily match achievement on a specific task with the appropriate criterion level descriptions.

When you receive your child’s Semester 1 Achievement Report next week, you will see that teachers have awarded semester achievement levels for all four criteria (A, B, C and D). The maximum level of achievement for each criterion is eight (8). During the past semester, teachers regularly evaluated students, both formally and informally, against the four criteria in their subject. In order to determine the final levels of achievement for the semester reports, the teachers have carefully analysed all their assessment data. Teachers do not use single pieces of work to determine semester levels of achievement, nor do they average achievement scores from previous months. Teachers look for patterns in their data, for evidence of improvement, for consistency and for any possible anomalies. Teachers then refer back to the achievement level descriptions to make an informed professional judgement on the end of semester achievement level for every student in each of the four criteria.

In addition to communicating semester achievement levels, you will also notice that teachers have awarded a final grade between 1-7 for each subject. The final grade aligns with the 1-7 scale that is published by the IB Middle Years Programme. This final grade is calculated by adding together the criteria achievement levels and converting to a 1-7 scale as prescribed to schools by the IB. We appreciate that the above information is complex and may take some time to fully understand and that semester reports only provide information to parents twice a year. Ultimately, the best way to understand your child’s ongoing progress and achievement is to talk with your child about school work, regularly check progress on ManageBac and remain in contact with your child’s teachers throughout the year. We invite you to meet with your child’s teachers at the Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, 25th February. We will also organise an information session for parents during the conferences to provide further clarification on assessment.

Mr. Phil Clark, Middle Years Curriculum Coordinator

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Igniting Minds

Impacting Lives

Updates from Student Services Mr. Peter Fowles Head of Student Services Dear Parents, Welcome to Semester two and congratulations to all students for their enthusiasm in engaging with the IGBIS motto of ‘Igniting minds and impacting lives’.

With a new Semester, it is timely to remind students of the agreed behavioral expectations that come with being part of a school community. Academic success, health and well-being come from adhering to agreed understandings of behavior and self-discipline.

Within the context of IGBIS as an IB World school the Learner profile attributes of, Caring, Thinker, Communicator, Inquirer, Knowledgeable, Principled, Open minded, Risk taker, Balanced and Reflective, are the bases of our behavioural expectations and how we are to behave towards others.

While appearing to be a low level of concern, keeping to the requirements of the school uniform, maintaining a good record of attendance and not being tardy for classes are agreed expectations. The discipline required in meeting these responsibilities build commitment and facilitate academic success and student wellbeing.

With this understanding we ask that parents support the school when students are reminded of behavioural expectations. Student personal growth and achievement is only assured by a shared partnership between students, parents and the school.

IGBIS Uniform Code Headwear Upper body

Lower Body Shoes Jewellery

• • •

The wearing of a tudung in IGBIS school colors is acceptable; colors should be solid.

Only the IGBIS hat/cap can be worn.

No hats/caps may be worn inside the school building.

• • • • •

All students are required to wear the nominated IGBIS polo or white shirt.

A singlet/t-shirt may be worn under the shirt, but must be hidden.

The white shirt must be buttoned up, with the exception of the top button.

The school tie is optional for Secondary School students; it should be worn correctly.

IGBIS team t-shirts can be worn on nominated days or at specified events.

• • •

Socks should be white.

Girls are required to wear the IGBIS shorts, pants, skirt or culottes.

Boys are required to wear the IGBIS shorts or pants.

• •

Students in Early Years 1 & 2 can wear flat sandals without socks.

Students from KG-Gr 12 must wear black shoes or black trainers/sports shoes.

•

The amount of jewellery worn by a student should not be excessive nor be of great monetary or sentimental value.

Due to safety concerns, students may be requested to remove any jewellery prior to PE, Art, Design and Science lessons.

• PE Uniform

Hair

• • • •

Students must wear the IGBIS PE t-shirt and shorts.

In Secondary School the PE uniform must only be worn during PE lessons.

In Elementary School students may wear their PE uniform all day on their nominated PE days.

IGBIS swimwear must be worn in the school pools.

• • •

Students’ hair style should be neat, clean and in good taste.

Students in Secondary School with long hair may be required on occasions to have it back/up.

Students in Elementary School with long hair must have their hair tied back/up.

Parents are requested to ensure that the dress and grooming of a student respects the values and standards of the people of our host country and reflects well on the School and the international community.

Igniting Minds

Impacting Lives

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Igniting Minds

Impacting Lives

Mix-It Up@IGBIS! On Friday 30th January our secondary students took part in a ‘mix-itup@ lunch’ event to promote positive school climate, and help create an environment at IGBIS where “anyone is welcome at anybody’s table” (Wade, Grade 11 student). The initiative asked students to take a lucky-dip stick from a bag and sit on the corresponding coloured table, where conversation starters were provided and they were asked to find commonalities amongst everyone in the group. Many students volunteered to participate, thoroughly enjoyed the event and asked for it to happen again in March. Members of the elementary student council were also invited and plan to host an event of a similar nature in the Elementary School. We hope it will become a regular event that encourages students to take positive risks and help them cross social boundaries. http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/what-is-mix Pauline Davidson, School Counsellor

Igniting Minds

Impacting Lives

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Updates from Academic and Support Services Mr. Peter Syme Director of Academic and Support Services Pets at School IGBIS is not a place where you can bring your pets for daily or weekly walks as we would like to maintain health standards and keep the campus clean.

Lunch Top Ups This notice is particularly for Elementary School families but may affect others too. If you are unable to get to school to top up your child’s bracelet, or indeed your children catch van transport to school, we are able to assist in the following way. Please send your child to school with the desired monthly amount as advertised in newsletters. It is very important that the younger students come with this money in a clearly labelled envelope stating their name, grade and the amount of money.

The children can then come to the Finance Payment Counter where a Finance staff member will assist them to top up. It is important for them to have their bracelet with them. Your child’s teacher can also help as can the teaching assistants. Sometimes younger children forget that you have sent the money in so another good way to make sure that the top-ups are being activated is to email the class teacher letting them know that you will be sending an envelope. Please do not send loose money as it can be very distressing for the children if they lose the money in transit.

PETER SYME GRADE 2 RM 180

Updates from Admissions Mrs. Bronwyn Thorburn Admissions Director Secondary School Coffee Mornings Parent coffee mornings for Secondary School will be at the following times and locations: All sessions will be held at 8.00am.

Grade 6 - 10th February in the Lobby Cafe Grade 7 - 12th February in the Lobby Cafe Grade 8 - 13th February in the Lobby Cafe Grade 9 - 24th February in the Parent Meeting Room (next to the Lobby Cafe) Grade 10 - 26th February in the Parent Meeting Room (next to the Lobby Cafe) Grade 11 - 27th February in the Parent Meeting Room (next to the Lobby Cafe) Thank you to those parents who made the All School Coffee Morning on Wednesday.

Open Day, March 28th We will be hosting another Open Day. The date for this event will be Saturday, 28th March. Further information to follow soon.

New Students In the next month, we have another 23 students starting in the school. Welcome to all the new students and parents.We look forward to seeing you are the Parent Coffee Morning next week!

Lobby Cafe We are planning to open the Lobby Cafe on Monday, 23rd February (after the February Chinese New Year break) with a small supply of coffee, tea and pastries on Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning from 7.30am to 10.30am, and then Monday and Wednesday from 2.00pm to 4:30pm. More information on this will follow soon!

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Igniting Minds

Impacting Lives

IGB InternaAonal School 2015-­‐2016 Academic Calendar

7 14 21 28

T

4 11 18 25

T 1 8 15 22 29

T

6 13 20 27

T

3 10 17 24

T 1 8 15 22 29

6 13 29 27

M

3 10 17 24 31

M

7 14 21 28

M

5 12 19 26

M

2 9 16 23 30

M

7 14 21 28

T

M

T 3 10 17 24 31

Dec-­‐15

5 12 19 26

T

Nov-­‐15

T 1 8 15 22 29

Oct-­‐15

T 3 10 17 24

Sept-­‐15

6 13 20 27

T

Aug-­‐15

T 2 9 16 23 30

July-­‐15

F 4 11 18 25

6 13 20 27

F

F 2 9 16 23 30

F 4 11 18 25

7 14 21 28

F

F 3 10 17 24 31

S 5 12 19 26

7 14 21 28

S

S 3 10 17 24 31

S 5 12 19 26

S 1 8 15 22 29

S 4 11 18 25

S 6 13 20 27

S 1 8 15 22 29

S 4 11 18 25

S 6 13 20 27

S 2 9 16 23 30

S 5 12 19 26

Last Day of school before holidays Sultan Selangor Birthday December school holidays Prophet Muhammad B'day Christmas Day

Dec 24 Dec 25

School closed Substitute for Deepavali Holiday Deepavali Public Holiday/PD Day

Dec 10 Dec 11 Dec 12-­‐Jan3

Nov 9 & 10 Nov 9 Nov 10

Secondary School Mid-­‐Semestor Report School Holidays Awal Muharram First Day of school after holidays Parent-­‐Teacher conference

Malaysia Day Hari Raya Haji Camps

Sept 16 Sept 24 Sept 28 -­‐ Oct 2

Oct 9 Oct 10-­‐18 Oct 14 Oct 19 Oct 21-­‐22

Meet the teacher evening

Sept 2

Merdeka Day

First Day Of School

Aug 17

Aug 31

Student reg and orientation

Nuzul Quran Hari Raya Puasa

Aug 14

July 4 July 17 & 18

Holiday -­‐ no school for students Professional Development Day -­‐ no school for students School Camps Parent-­‐Teacher Conference / Students Led Conference Assembly First day of school after holidays Parent Information Sessions Last day of school before holidays Student registration and orientation Public Holiday, school office closed International Day

W 2 9 16 23 30

4 11 18 25

W

7 14 21 28

W

W 2 9 16 23 30

5 12 19 26

W

W 1 8 15 22 29

6 13 20 27

M

2 9 16 23 30

M

4 11 18 25

M

7 14 21 28

M

M 1 8 15 22 29

4 11 18 25

M

7 14 21 28

T

W 1 8 15 22 29

4 11 18 25

3

10 17 24 31

W

6 13 20 27

W

W 2 9 16 23 30

W 3 10 17 24

6 13 20 27

W

T

5 12 19 26

T

T 1 8 15 22 29

T 2 9 16 23

5 12 19 26

T

T 2 9 16 23 30

June-­‐16

5 12 19 26

T

May-­‐16

7 14 21 28

T

Apr-­‐16

T 3 10 17 24 31

Mar-­‐16

T 4 11 18 25

Feb-­‐16

7 14 21 28

T

Jan-­‐16

F 3 10 17 24

6 13 20 27

F

F 1 8 15 22 29

F 4 11 18 25

F 5 12 19 26

F 1 8 15 22 29

S 4 11 18 25

7 14 21 28

S

S 2 9 16 23 30

S 5 12 19 26

S 6 13 20 27

S 2 9 16 23 30

S 5 12 19 26

S 1 8 15 22 29

S 3 10 17 24

S 6 13 20 27

S 7 14 21 28

S 3 10 17 24 31

International Day

June 4 June 14 June 16

May 21 May 27

May 14

May 3

May 1 / 2

King's Birthday End Year Report Last Day of school

Issued by HoS office Dated: February 6, 2015

Labour Day & replacement holiday First Day of school after holidays StudentsLed conferences (a school day for staff & students) Wesak day Graduation

Apr 23 -­‐ May 2 School Holidays

Apr 9

Mar 24 PD Day, no school for students Mar 25 School closed (Good Friday) Mar 28 -­‐ Apr 1 Grade 12 Mock exam week

Feb 17-­‐18

School Holidays Chinese New Year First Day of school after holidays Parent-­‐Teacher conference

End of Semester One

Semester One Reports

Thaipusam & replacement holiday

Jan 24 / 25

Feb 4 Feb 5 Feb 6 -­‐Feb 14 Feb 8 & 9 Feb 15

New Year First Day of school after holidays

Jan 1 Jan 4