IGB International School’s Weekly Newsletter - Issue 23, Week 2, January 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.
IGBIS hosted the first Regional Network Meeting of IB Schools in Malaysia.
Inside this week’s Newsletter Message from Head of School Mrs. Anne Fowles, Head of School
Upcoming Events January 19th – 23rd January 2015 Grade 11 Semester One Exams
News from Elementary School Mrs. Claire McLeod, Elementary School Principal
News from Secondary School Mr. Lennox Meldrum, Secondary School Principal
Updates from Student Services Mr. Peter Fowles, Head of Student Services
12th January – 20th March 2015 After School Activities (2nd Session) February 3rd February 2015 Public Holiday – Thaipusam 4th February 2015 Parent Coffee Morning, 8.00am, Lobby Cafe 11th February 2015 Chinese New Year Assembly Semester One Reports
Updates from Admissions Mrs. Bronwyn Thorburn, Admissions Director
13 February 2015 Last Day of School 16th – 20th February 2015 School Holiday
Igniting Minds
19th – 20th February 2015
ImpactingPublic Lives Holiday - Chinese New Year
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Message from Head of School Mrs. Anne Fowles Head of School Dear IGBIS Parents and Community Members, In this newsletter you will find articles about the major events that have taken place at IGBIS during the last seven days. I would like to congratulate Cindy Liew and Mr. Mike Hawkes for the highly successful Model United Nations conference that took place at IGBIS over last weekend. Over 200 students attended the event and contributed to the deliberations. Regional Network Meeting of IB Schools in Malaysia On Wednesday IGBIS hosted the first Regional Network Meeting of IB Schools in Malaysia . This was led by the IB Asia Pacific Head of School Services, Regional Manager for MYP and Regional Development Manager (SE Asia
and Pakistan) and was attended by over 100 representatives from the MOE, MOE schools, MARA headquarters, MARA schools and international schools offering the IB across Malaysia. Our school presented very well during the day and we received many compliments for the facilities, the teaching and learning taking place, and our obvious commitment to the IB. In the evening the IB staff provided an information session for parents. We appreciated seeing some of our parents coming along to this event along with parents of other schools. During this period of the year, the principals and I are away at times to attend recruitment fairs to hire teachers for the next school year. We have been very pleased with the calibre of the teachers that we have met thus far, and we are confident that the new staff joining us next August will be as experienced and caring as those already on staff.
News from Elementary School Mrs. Claire McLeod Elementary School Principal We have quite a few new students who started in the last two weeks. It has been very rewarding to see how our students have welcomed their new peers and provided them with support and friendship in the classroom and at recess and lunch. The IB Learner Profile attributes of caring and open mindedness have been evident and the new students are very appreciative. Feedback Varied and continual assessment throughout the year helps teachers build a picture of a student’s achievement, knowledge and understanding. However, these assessments are all within the school day, and they do not reflect what a student may display at home with family and friends. Feedback from parents lets teachers know how students are using their knowledge and understanding in their everyday life. This week received an email from a Grade 4 parent to Mr. Harvey (Gr 4 teacher) who was delighted with her son’s ability to transfer his learning outside the classroom.
his aunty took him out and was greatly impressed by his map reading skills. He was guiding her through the map shown on the WASE android application. It shocked him she did not know the difference between 100 meters and five hundred meters (we were not schooled in the metric system). He told her you are teaching the class about maps in the unit of inquiry. It is great to know active learning is taking place in the classroom. I wish to thank you and Ms Sara for inculcating the thinking process in and out of the walls of the classroom.” Conversations with parents earlier in the year highlighted how Grade 3 students were using their understanding of conservation of energy by having shorter showers at home, turning of the lights when not in the room, and by recycling plastic bags.
“I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when my Reza (upon spotting the fedex envelope) explained to me about “from land to ocean and ocean to land”. I never knew! He said you taught the class about it in last term’s advertising unit. Last Saturday,
When you see or hear your child display a significant change in attitude, or behaviour, an increase in interest, or perhaps make a wonderful connection to something that they have been learning at school, our teachers would really appreciate hearing about this. You may like to drop them a quick email, or maybe even a photo from time to time, I know they will be delighted.
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News from Secondary School Mr. Lennox Meldrum Secondary School Principal It has been wonderful to be back at IGBIS over the past couple of weeks after a well deserved break by all members of our community. We talk about being a community a lot in everything we do at the school and events of the past two weeks have really demonstrated that we “walk the walk” and not just “talk the talk”. The EoSMUN conference was a fantastic event for our school and was the first intra-school organised Model United Nations in Kuala Lumpur. You can read more about the conference in this newsletter; my emphasis is that we are not only a school for our students but that we wish to enhance and improve education across the city. We don’t see other schools as our “competitors” but as members of educational systems all offering variations from which families can choose the best option for their children. However, we do believe we are at the top of those options for families who want a truly international education from amazing educators within first-class facilities.
This week we hosted the first day of a three day IB Regional Meeting, the first of its type in Malaysia. The multiple IB programmes are still fairly new to Malaysia and it was a great opportunity to bring together educators who are moving towards delivering an education built upon the IB philosophy. With more government and private Malaysian schools interested in becoming IB World Schools, we hope to be further involved with helping improve education for students in the wider community. Our IGBIS community has continued to grow with new students joining us in January and another cohort starting in semester two. It is an exciting time for all of us as we expand our classes at Grade 6 and 9 and hire new teachers to start at the school in August. Have a wonderful weekend.
Hour of Code at IGBIS “In fifteen years we will be teaching programming, just like reading and writing and wondering why we didn’t do it sooner” Mark Zuckerberg The hour of code is a worldwide learning event that reaches tens of millions of students in over 180 countries. Coding or programming a computer is an important literacy just like reading, writing and Mathematics. The majority of new jobs created (and many jobs that don’t yet exist) are all to do with coding on a computer. Fifteen years ago my job never existed (Technology Integrator). In December students at IGBIS participated in the hour of code. This involved students in Elementary and High school spending time learning how to code (program) a computer or iPad. Students used programs like Scratch and Light bot as well as online tutorials to create games, animations solve problems and explored computers and computer language. The students could work at their own pace had lots of fun learning how computers work. It was great to see students creating games rather than just playing them.
Some students (and teachers) even programmed Christmas tree lights that then became part of a real Christmas tree light show at the Whitehouse. It was also impressive to see some teachers exploring how they could use coding in their regular subjects. This type of learning is very learner and inquiry focussed and fits in to the IB philosophy and IGBIS way of doing things. Mr. Geoff Derry Technology Integrator
Updates from Admissions Mrs. Bronwyn Thorburn Admissions Director Elementary Coffee Mornings by Grade Level are scheduled for the following dates. Come along to meet each other and get the contact details of the classes. They will be held at 8.00am in the Lobby Cafe outside the Theatre area. 23rd January - Kindergarten and Grade 1 27th January - Grade 2 and Grade 3 29th January - Grade 4 and Grade 5 30th January - Early Years 1 and Early Years 2 (Starting at 8.15am after drop off) Please also remember that we have a whole school coffee planned for Wednesday, 4th February at 8.00am.
Igniting Minds
Impacting Lives
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Updates from Student Services Mr. Peter Fowles Head of Student Services Dear Parents, Students and the IGBIS School Community, We welcome Sunarize sports company to IGBIS as our outside provider of activities for students. Both Sunarize and the school welcome any feed back that you have regarding their services and the Activities programme as a whole. We are already discussing Session Three which will commence after 20th March, 2015. We thank the Finance Department for their support in taking fees. For those taking Karate, there is a reminder that the uniform and association fee is to be paid directly to the instructor. Below are the confirmed activities and times for Session Two. With the growth of IGBIS, we are better able to offer a wider range of activities that are more age specific. Activities Session 2: 12th January to 20th March 2015
Monday Gymnastics (User pays) Kindergarten to Grade 9 Open to boys and girls, for beginners and advanced students, try an olympic sport or enjoy developing balance and agility. Train with a Malaysian National gymnast. Cost: Mondays only RM350 for 10 sessions. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Hip Hop Creative Dance Grade 8 to 11 ( 5 sessions) Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
Secondary Instrumental Group Grades 6 to 11 Improve child’s instrumental skills in groups. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Ultimate Frisbee Grades 7 to 11 Practice throwing and cutting skills and play games. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Ceramics Grades 6 to 11 Hand building with some opportunity to work on the wheel. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
Basketball Skills Grades 9 to 11 Basketball (Outside supervisor) Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Swimming (User pays) Kindergarten to Grade 11 Train with Mr. Daniel Bego (Olympian) and his team for stroke & stamina development, preparing you for for the next level. Cost: Mondays RM420 for 10 sessions, Wednesdays RM420 for 10 sessions Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Athletics (User pays) Kindergarten to Grade 11 Open to all children who enjoy the skills of running, jumping and throwing! Experience great coaching from two Malaysian Olympic athletes. Cost: Mondays RM300 for 10 sessions. Thursdays RM300 for 10 sessions 3.05pm to 4.05pm Soccer (User pays) Grades 3 to10 Sunarize Sports Company. AFC ‘A’ class coaching. Cost: RM380 for 10 sessions 3.05pm to 4.05pm
Football/Soccer Grades 6 to 11 A continuation of session 1’s football activity. Preparation, in the view, to play against other schools in KL. Mainly games play with some skill drills. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm IGBIS Instrumental Music Ensemble Grades 6 to 11 This activity provides an opportunity for students to play music together in a large ensemble or smaller groups. New members are most welcome. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Homework Help Grades 6 to 11 Drop-in to the Secondary Library if you have homework to complete - work alone or with a group of friends. Time: 3.05 to 4.05pm
Tuesday
Maker Club (including Robotics) Grades 4 to 11 Lets get together each week to make stuff. We will be playing with lots of tools (both computer and non computer) for you to make things. Let your imagination run wild and get making. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
Tennis (Elementary) Grades 1 to 5 Come and learn the basics of tennis in a fun and friendly environment. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
Badminton Grades 6 to 11 It is for MYP and DP students to practice the badminton skills. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
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Swim squad Grades 3 to 11 Must be a competent swimmer apply to the coach. Tuesdays and Thursdays Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Adventure & Camping (Duke of Edinburgh Award Club) Grades 9 to 11 An internationally recognized leadership award. CAS hours can be cross credited or earned. Camping and adventure planning for an excursion in May 2015. Time: 12.50pm to 1.30pm Global Issues Network Grades 6 to 11 Discussions and action plans on global issues. Time: 12:55pm to 1:35pm
Wednesday Swimming (User pays) Grade: K to 11 Train with Mr Daniel Bego (Olympian) and his team for stroke & stamina development, preparing you for for the next level . Cost: Mondays RM420 for 10 sessions. Wednesdays RM420 for 10 sessions. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Basketball (Middle school) Grades 6 to 8 Basketball drills and fundamentals withs some scrimmage games. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
Thursday Karate (User pays) Kindergarten to Grade 11 Full body exercise with an emphasis on correct karate self defence techniques and discipline, keep physically and mentally healthy a popular martial art for self-defence but also to inculcate discipline, respect, confidence, perseverance and self-esteem. Costs: Mondays RM380 for 10 sessions. Thursdays RM380 for 10 sessions. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Girls Volleyball Grades 6 to 11 This is a volleyball club. We practice the skills of volleyball and have a lot of fun doing drills and playing games. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Badminton (Elementary) Grades 2 to 5 Have fun playing Badminton. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Model United Nations (MUN) Grades 6 to 11 Model United Nations is an activity that simulates the processes of the United Nations. Students explore important local and global issues and present solutions from the perspective of an assigned country. Students have the chance to attend MUN conferences at IGBIS or at other International schools in KL. Time: 1.10pm to 1.35pm
Girls Basketball Grades 8 to 11 Practice skills, learn strategies, and play some friendly games with other schools. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
Swimming for beginners (Elementary) Grades 1 to 5 Have fun learning to swim. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
Boys Basketball Grades 9 to 11 A focus on basic basketball skills with game time and friendly matches against other schools. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
Chess Club Grades: 6 to 11 For players and those who wish to learn. Time: 12.50pm to 1.30pm
Theatre Productions Grades 6 to 11 Preparing a production to be performed. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Musical (Elementary School) Grades 2 to 5 Be part of an Elementary musical production. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
Swim Squad Grades 3 to 11 Must be a competent swimmer apply to the coach. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
Friday No Activities
Creative Writing Grades 6 to 11 Students will take part in a series of mini-workshops on writing short fiction. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm Story Cartooning (Elementary) Grades 1 to 5 Students have a chance to explore their interest to create their cartoon stories through individual creativity. This class will teach them the fundamentals and basic elements of the subject. Time: 3.05 to 4.05pm Touch Rugby Grades 6 to 11 Non contact rugby for girls and boys. Time: 3.05pm to 4.05pm
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Eos Model United Nations Conference Last weekend on the 9th to 11th of January 2015, IGBIS hosted over 250 students from international schools all over Malaysia for our very first Model United Nations conference, a mock simulation of the United Nations. Our talented IGBIS student delegates contributed to the conference in a variety of positions, including: a delegation representing a nation, a member of the administrative team (Admins), a member of the press team as a journalist, photographer or videographer, and a member of the Secretariat. The weekend turned out fruitful, with delegates passing resolutions attempting to solve a multitude of critical world issues, including conflicts in the Middle East, climate change, and nuclear non-proliferation in the Asia Pacific, which was debated in the Security Council.
This whole school collaborative effort made the EosMUN conference a great success as well as a wonderful learning opportunity. The esteemed guest speaker Tan Sri Razali Ismail, former President of the UN Security Council, spoke at our opening ceremony about how we should persevere in the face of conflict and adversity, despite the inability of the UN to resolve all of the issues the world faces today. His speech reflected our theme “Breaking Boundaries” clearly; not allowing boundaries to encumber peace-forming and conflictresolving. Due to the fact that the Secretariat of EosMUN consists of members from ten schools including Nexus, MKIS, KLASS, GIS, ISKL, and Taylor’s, the intra-school organisation of this conference embodies perfectly the international-mindedness aspect of the IB, and the intended collaborative nature of the United Nations. Ms Cindy Leow Co-Secretary General of the EosMUN hosted at IGBIS
The Learner Profile Part 1 At IGBIS not only are we interested in helping our students to succeed academically but one of the great elements of IB programmes is the learner profile. These are the traits that we want our students to be demonstrating in their lives in and outside of school to help to make the world a more peaceful and better place. Here are five traits, more will follow in part 2. Balanced: This is one of the more difficult traits to understand. It can mean balancing work and play or academic work and the arts or sport. It also means achieving the balance between work and rest, getting enough sleep, enjoying what life has to offer, smiling and laughing as well as doing outside classes of a more academic nature. Communicator: Many conflicts in and out of school and the world over can be reduced if the people involved communicated effectively. Talking through problems and issues are a valuable part of learning to get on with others. Communicating is not just about talking, it is about truly listening too and responding appropriately. Caring: Considering others and helping where appropriate. At IGBIS we are trying to create a community that cares for and helps each other both near and far. Together we achieve more. A prime example is the flood relief drive we are having at school. Have you sent anything to school to support those in need? It would be fantastic if you could.
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Open Minded: Whilst not everyone shares the same beliefs or ideas, taking time to understand them and accept that even though we are different we can live with these differences is important. Being open minded also means being open to new ideas and maybe trying something which we may not have considered doing before. For example, devising a dance in PE. Principled: In the world we are surrounded by examples of people who may not be acting in a principled way. Unfortunately, with the popularity of football (soccer), examples abound of players trying to fool the referee to win a penalty or gain an unfair advantage. Wouldn’t it be refreshing if these professional players modelled principled behaviour and admitted if they had fallen over or handled the ball? We encourage honesty at IGBIS, admitting if a mistake has been made and acting with integrity. I wonder how many people check the bill at a restaurant and point out to the restaurant staff if they have forgotten to charge you for an item. As a community we work in partnership with you. As IB educators we try to live and model the learner profile in and out of school. We hope you can help us by doing the same, not only at home but at work too. Mr. Simon Millward Primary Years Curriculum Coordinator
Impacting Lives