Cognita Newsletter - June 2014

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Cognita Asia News Highlights:

Keeping parents, pupils and teachers informed

Stamford and Cognita - the power of partnership AIS at the Singapore International Model United Nations St Andrews & Habitat for Humanity Support Local Learning Centre ISSP - The little school with a big heart ISHCMC Art Showcase ISHCMC-American Academy A graduates story

Plus lots more inside...

Welcome to Cognita Asia News, designed to keep parents, pupils and teachers informed of all our latest news, events, achievements and opinions.


Students with a Cause With a goal of instilling enthusiasm for lifelong learning and a sense of global awareness, Stamford American International School provides a world-class school experience. Integral to that experience is an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the world we live in and our role in it. In keeping with our vision of providing a holistic learning experience, Stamford promotes opportunities for students to engage with the local and international community on a variety of service efforts. Some great examples of this service commitment in action include the Community Mural project in Singapore and the Grade 10 project in Cambodia. Stamford’s Community Mural project has been driven by our motivated Art Teachers and ten eager Community Arts Co-Curricular Activity students collaborating with the Kallang Community Club to create a mural for HDB block 6 on Boon Keng Road. The project began as an effort to enhance the school’s local community by adding some beauty and Singapore pride to a nearby HDB. Co-sponsored by Passion Arts and Stamford American International School, the mural spans both the exercise area and children’s playground between two apartment blocks. Using Singapore as the theme of the mural, both the residents and Stamford’s Grade 8 students came up with the initial design. Two successful Community Days helped to engage the residents and the rest of the school community, exciting participants into picking up a brush and lending a hand. Stamford’s second graders will also be taking a field trip to the mural site where they will design and paint their very own section as part of their community action. Though not yet complete, the project has been a great success in giving Stamford students the opportunity to engage in a service project and have a positive impact on the local community. There will be a celebration to mark the completion of the mural at the end of May. Stamford has also created an international school camp program for our Grade 10 students in Cambodia. The Grade 10 camp in Cambodia is part of a joint plan

established through the Stamford students, Stamford 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 also provide professional development for the teachers of the school. This project reflects a long-term commitment to enhancing the community of this village and giving students the opportunity to experience first-hand the power that education can have in shaping people’s futures!

True learning is a never-ending process that occurs throughout one’s lifespan. By giving students the opportunity to share in these service experiences and demonstrate change, they will be able to develop lifelong skills and habits that will serve them well as influential members of our global community.



Stamford and parent operator Cognita showcase the power of partnership Teachers from Singapore’s Stamford American International School (Stamford) have volunteered their time to assist social enterprise East Bali Cashews (EBC) in the launch of an early learning center in the rural village of Desa Ban in Indonesia. The center will prepare preschoolers for entrance into public school and provide them with a strong foundation for educational success, an essential tool in a community where villagers earn an average of US$2 a day. time. AnaKardia Kids’ founders are quick to point out that several of these teachers have only received formal schooling to the age of 10. “We aim to make this sort of lesson plan sustainable for the school and have tried to create lessons using materials that can be found in this part of the world,” noted Amy McClellan, a first grade teacher at Stamford. “We’ve been using bottle tops and reusable materials that can be repeated not just in AnaKardia Kids but can be taken to other village schools. We want to make education accessible and show that learning can be fun.” Four teachers from Stamford traveled to the AnaKardia Kids Early Learning Center in Northeastern Bali during their April holiday, preparing lesson plans and bringing supplies to the children and 10 local teachers, many of whom are new to a classroom setting. Stamford’s teachers planned lessons centered on the ‘learn through play’ methodology and used sustainable, reusable materials that teachers from AnaKardia Kids and surrounding schools can easily replicate. Many additional materials, ranging from crayons to a train set, were donated by the parents of children at Stamford. “Our approach centers on inquiry play-based learning, which generates a real willingness and eagerness to learn,” said Alexandra Cleary, a fourth grade teacher at Stamford. “We’ve found that there has been a real receptiveness to this approach at the early learning center. This is a positive sign given the huge need for educational development in this area.” Two of AnaKardia Kids’ teachers also work at the village public school during the mornings, while the others are learning their way around a classroom for the first

Stamford’s parent operator, Cognita donated playground equipment for the school. Teachers from Cognita’s schools across Southeast Asia will continue to update lessons and train AnaKardia Kids’ teachers twice per year, with teachers’ next trip scheduled for the fall. Cognita will further its support of AnaKardia Kids by collecting supplies and donations from parents and schoolchildren, and promote site visits by the families of students at Stamford and other partner schools. Brian Rogove, CEO of Cognita Asia said, “Cognita is pleased to partner with the East Bali Cashew Early Learning Center, fulfilling our vision of high quality education built around teachers who are foremost enthusiasts and experts, and who challenge children to achieve more than they believe they can.” AnaKardia Kids Early Learning Center will accommodate a total of 60 students primarily aged between 2 and 6 years old. Opened in April 2014, the name for the center comes from a combination of the words Anacardia, which is the genus name in Latin for cashew tree, and Anak, which means child in Bahasa Indonesia.


Mark Zuckerberg changed the way we see and use technology. With Stamford’s enhanced, state-of-theart Secondary School facilities, I will have the best possible start to my future career as an entrepreneur, business leader or social media tycoon! Stamford is a world-class school with students from 2 years old through High School, offering daily Mandarin and Spanish, integrated 1-to-1 technology and the rigorous IB Program enhanced by American standards.

Register to Visit Stamford 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


Singapore International Model United Nations: 10th Annual

Conference

Model United Nations’ (MUN) is a cocurricular activity where students actively take part in a simulation of the parliamentary proceedings of the United Nations. Students are allocated a United Nations’ member state (in this conference Australia, Fiji and Norway) and they research their country’s respective position and diplomatic standpoint towards contemporary global topics in order to take part in General Assembly and various Committee debates. The Australian International School (AIS) has been attending the Singapore International Model United Nations (SIMUN) for a number of years, and once again, in SIMUN’s tenth year, 19 students from Years 11 and 12 participated in the annual conference representing the three nations aforementioned. As well, some students worked with the conference’s Press Corps by covering the event and producing a daily communiqué of each day’s proceedings. Examples of topics covered this year included: • Measures to combat the poaching of endangered species (Environment Committee) • Measures to guarantee the right to peaceful protest (Human Rights Committee) • The use of drones, and other incursions which violate the sovereignty of member states, in counter terrorist operations (Political Committee) • Measures to combat international tax avoidance by individuals and corporations (ECOSOC Committee) • The situation in Syria (Security Council)

In each committee, four to five similarly contemporary and vexing global issues were discussed via the use of resolutions, which are formal United Nations parliamentary-produced documents that are generated by several nations working together to create a ‘recommendation’ for future action on the global topics listed previously. So, each student has to negotiate and cooperate with other nations’ delegates to produce a consensual resolution that is then submitted to each Committee for debate and ultimately, voted upon. It is the strength of the resolutions wording and articulation of debate that influences which resolutions are accepted or rejected by each Committee. As expected, students who partake in MUN develop a sense of global citizenship, begin to appreciate the sublime art of compromise and diplomacy, and gain a greater understanding of the world within which we live and of the problems we must overcome to ensure future peace and stability. A special mentioned must go to Benjamin Jamieson, the current 2014 Academic Captain, who co-chaired the vital Security Council with his usual diligence and flair, and who is the driving force within AIS MUN.


Your child’s Potential, Nurtured Exciting learning programs, gifted teachers and exceptional facilities.The perfect start to learning and discovery for your child’s enquiring mind.

See for yourself! At the Australian International School Preschool, we bring together your child’s natural learning and development processes with the latest Preschool teaching methodologies and structured play in a safe, caring and happy environment. The result: the best possible foundation for your child’s education.

Thursday, 17 July 9:30am Thursday, 14 August 9:30am Thursday, 11 September 9:30am To register your place, visit www.ais.com.sg

Our specialist subject teachers in Maths and Mandarin ensure an excellent grounding and understanding in areas we know are prerequisite to your child’s effective ongoing learning journey… through school and beyond. Outstanding, dedicated facilities include a Preschool Inquiry Centre and library – where topic-based learning is brought to life by teaching staff and subject experts, as well as access to excellent resources for IT and Physical Education. Join us for an Open Day and see for yourself.

Globally focused, distinctly Australian Contact: +65 6517 0247 | www.ais.com.sg AIS is part of the Cognita Group of Schools www.cognitaschools.com 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


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


St. Andrews International School & Habitat for Humanity Support Local Community Learning Centre young generation turned their backs to the traditional skills and values of the community’s ways. We have found recently that the older generation stays home, raises their grandchildren, while the working generation works in the factories. This has caused a lack of connection within families and the community. The Administrative Office of Sumnakthorn Sub-district has been trying hard to develop the efficiency of the local youth by seeking cooperation from 6 local schools to participate in the “Rice Cultural Centre”. This is designed to be a centre which teaches youth about the importance of rice farming and the traditional methods of farming.

As part of the IB, Community Action Service (CAS) plays an integral role in involving our St. Andrews students in community based projects. The CAS students have been working hard raising funds to support many worthy causes during the past 10 months. We have donated 60,000 baht to Habitat for Humanities ‘Rebuild the Philippines’ Appeal following cyclone Haiyan and 120,000 baht to Operation Smile, Thailand. We endeavour, when we can, to have a hands-on role in helping others and encourage students to get involved such as the Habitat builds or Operation Smile Medical Missions. One of our on-going partnerships has been with Habitat for Humanity, Thailand. Last year we built a new home for one of our local residents who was struggling to maintain a home, suitable for her family. This year we had a really exciting request from Habitat to assist in establishing a Community Learning Centre in Ban Chang. The build took place on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th April in a small village, near St. Andrews. The following is an excerpt from our mission: Sumnakthorn sub-district is one of the 3 sub-districts in Ban Chang District where originally the majority of the population were agriculturists. This area gradually became a well-known Industrial estate where most of the

At the moment, the community owns a piece of land which happens to have one of the last rice fields in Ban Chang district and they would like to develop it for the benefit of all generations for learning about community culture. At the moment they have to use temporary shelter or tents to accommodate students while they do the learning activities. Students in the community could have a proper venue for learning and the community leaders could use this facility to teach the young generation about how to grow rice and the original ways of farming, but there are also no toilets or bathrooms. Therefore, Habitat for Humanity Thailand and St. Andrews International School are co-operating with the local community in order to raise funds and allocate volunteers to help build a Learning Centre building and the toilet/ bathroom facilities. The students toiled in the searing heat for two days to dig an enormous pit that measured approximately 5m long by 2m wide and 2m deep – that’s a whopping 20m3 of dirt that was dug! After two days of digging, mixing cement, bricklaying, building sewerage tanks and lots and lots of sweat, we were finished and the Sumnakthorn Community Centre finally has a building where they can teach the invaluable agricultural skills that have been neglected for so long.


International School Saigon Pearl is the little school with a big heart This was demonstrated by second grade students in Alisha Holdbrook’s class who read about youths living in Ho Chi Minh City who were no longer able to reside with their family. Saddened by the idea, the student challenged the class to use the TET holiday spirit to raise money and donations of food to support a local orphanage. The SOS Children’s village, which provides a loving home for children without family support, was the recipient of the class’s efforts. SOS Children’s Village has been serving children in Ho Chi Minh City since 1969 and has endeavoured to build a nurturing environment that mirrors a family structure, with each child in the village being cared for by an SOS mother. At the SOS Nursery, young children from the neighbourhood receive quality day care until they are old enough for primary school. Older children attend the SOS school, which caters to children at both the primary and secondary level. By receiving a quality education from trained teachers, these children have hope for a better future. For young people taking their first steps towards independence, there is also an SOS youth program. Here the SOS students are supported to attend further education or start a vocational training course.

Saigon Pearl second graders were able to visit the SOS Children’s Village and came away with the understanding that families take many forms, but are connected by a commitment to care for and support each other. Ms. Holdbrook’s class made the connection to their own hopes and dreams and those shared by the SOS students - the dream to get a good education and a plan for a bright future. The students also learned the value of building new friendships and the strength that a community has to respond to those in need. The International School Saigon Pearl children were motivated to inspire the entire school to join their efforts to support their new friends at the SOS Children’s Village, and the school support was heart-warming. Though International School Saigon Pearl has only 220 pupils, students, parents, teachers, cafeteria workers, and cleaners, all worked together to fill two busses with non-perishable food items for the SOS Children’s Village. Making new friends and forging a commitment to our community is at the heart of what makes International School Saigon Pearl a special place where a love of learning and caring grows!


BECOME WHAT YOU WANT TO BE!

Admissions now open!

iPad interactive educational program starting this August! • Teachers with Flair & Understanding • World-Class Facilities • Rigorous American Curriculum • A Truly Global Community • From Early Years to Graduation

Tour International School Saigon Pearl Now! 92 Nguyen Huu Canh St., Ward 22, Binh Thanh Dist., HCMC Tel: (84-8) 2222 7788/99

Email: admissions@issp.edu.vn | www.issp.edu.vn

An International School for students aged 2-11


ISHCMC Art Showcase thoughtful members of the community. Grade 12 students took on a key role as exhibition curators in preparation for their own IB Diploma Art Show and impressed staff and students alike with their hard work and dedication.

Every day at International School Ho Chi Minh City (ISHCMC) there are unique, wonderful experiences shared within our school community. As adults, we watch our students extend themselves through their learning and everything they are engaged in both inside and outside the classroom. This year, ISHCMC held our Annual Whole School Art Exhibition. All our students from Early Explorers to Grade 11 showcased at least one artwork. Parents and members of the wider community were invited to attend the opening night of the exhibition to view in excess of 940 art pieces on display. Our ISHCMC students produced work of an excellent standard.

The IB Diploma Programme Art Show was held earlier this year, and showcased two years of Grade 12 art works. There was a wide range of media and topics. The Grade 12 students were proud to show their work and talk about it with members of the community, teachers, friends and family. ISHCMC offers specialised instruction from qualified teaching staff from Early Explorers to Grade 12. This offers great value in providing our students with the opportunity to explore their creative and artistic pursuits which in turn, enriches their education. Through participation in art classes, and exhibitions of this sort our students gain pride in their accomplishments which enables them to aspire to excel in their individual pursuits.

This year the student’s work was displayed not by grade level, but under the IB Learner Profiles allowing us to celebrate student’s individual interests and achievements. It was wonderful to see work by students at different stages in the IB programme exhibited alongside each other and take the opportunity to reflect on ISHCMC student’s valuable journey towards being balanced, principled,

Congratulations to all of our ISHCMC students and teachers involved! We are all looking forward to next year’s ISHCMC Art Showcase.


Why we love

mistakes

Because at ISHCMC we understand that mistakes are stepping stones to genuine learning. Today’s students need to do more than memorise information in traditional classrooms. They need a more evolved approach to education that allows them the freedom to pursue their passions fearlessly. In addition to a strong academic foundation, they need opportunities to be creative, innovative and analytical, all of which lie at the heart of the ISHCMC philosophy.

Come and see the difference we can make in your child’s life.

The only school in HCMC fully accredited to offer all 3 International Baccalaureate programmes for students aged 2 - 18 years. 28 Vo Truong Toan, District 2 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Tel: +84 (8) 3898-9100 Email: admissions@ishcmc.edu.vn www.ishcmc.com

Nathan, Grade 1 ISHCMC student since 2009.


Why IB? By Peter McMurray - Head of Bangkok Schools St. Andrews Sukhumvit 107 is an approved IB World School offering the 2 year IB Diploma Programme. This prestigious Diploma is recognised throughout the world as an entrance qualification for study at university and other providers of Higher Education. In an ever complex and changing world, where the growth of human knowledge is accelerating at a pace faster than ever known to mankind, it is critical that we provide our next generation with the tools to adapt to this world and to succeed in it. I believe that that provision lies in the International Baccalaureate Programmes currently offered in 146 different countries to over 1.1 million students, with 3671 schools authorised to offer one or more of its programmes. I write this as an educator who has worn many hats; an IB Diploma teacher, a Director of IB schools in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and now Thailand, an IB examiner, (for Higher level English), an IB authorization visitor, and most importantly, a parent who saw his daughters through the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. So why am I a big supporter? Firstly, the Diploma Programme is an all rounded programme that offers students the opportunity to study two languages, the arts, the sciences, and mathematics. It also offers a unique course in the Theory of Knowledge, exploring the nature of knowledge and instilling in students a natural and rigorous tendency to question their world and the veracity of what they see, hear and learn.

In addition, students in their second year write an extended essay which, from parental experience, allows students to go to University well-grounded in independent learning, research, and essay writing. Both my daughters complained to me about the number of their friends who had gone through the traditional “A� level path, who would come to them for help at college on how to reference and how to research for longer papers than they had ever been forced to write. And then there is the ethical piece. Because students are required to perform community service, and explore the concept and principles of service giving, there is a natural discipline of guiding students to want to make their world a better place. Good Community Action Service programmes, in essence achieve this, but also make it a lifelong process. Both my daughters have chosen careers which have been strongly influenced by those Community Service Programmes: one works in the UK for a charity called the Rainbow Trust, and is assigned to help and support families who have had a child diagnosed with a terminal illness. My second daughter is an actress who works with a charity group, which uses drama to educate prisoners in UK prisons, (including top security prisons for serious offenders,) about issues revolving around violence to women, homophobia and racism. The IB programmes instil ethical values which are lifelong, offer strong preparation for both acceptance to top universities and success in them when enrolled: why would I not be a supporter, as well as a proud father?


ISHCMC - American Academy Graduate Nguyen Quang Minh (class of ‘13), A Physics/Math Major at the University of Toronto. of it being a multi-racial city, people here treat each other equally regardless of skin color and ethnicity.

Many hardworking students at ISHCMC – American Academy have been awarded scholarships to study in some of the world’s most prestigious universities. Here is a letter from one of those lucky students sharing his first year experience at the University of Toronto. Two months have passed since I arrived in Canada. Although it has only been a short period of time, these two months have been quite memorable. It was a beautiful evening on the last day of August when my plane landed at Pearson International airport. Like anyone else going overseas for the very first time, I was worried. I worried about who would wake me up in the morning so I would not be late for class. I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to keep pace with other students in my class, and that I might fail the tests. However, those feelings did not last long, and they were quickly replaced by excitement and passion to conquer new horizons. I am now a freshman at the University of Toronto. Founded in 1827, UT is one of the oldest universities in Canada and consistently ranks among the world’s top 20 universities. The university is located in the Discovery District, an area of downtown Toronto that features a high concentration of educational institutions and research hospitals. Toronto is a world city and is home to many ethnic groups coming from all over the world; over 140 languages are spoken here. In fact, more than 50% of the city’s population was born outside Canada. In spite

The city is also well known as a center for commerce, finance, industry, and entertainment alongside New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Toronto‘s cosmopolitan atmosphere is clearly reflected in its cuisine. I could find any European or Asian dishes and even my favorite Vietnamese meals without going too far from my residence. However, I often prefer the food in the university residence since food outside can be pricey. A big, hot bowl of pho from a restaurant costs me $10, which is approximately eight times the price it would be Saigon. As my residence is not too far from the campus, I walk to class making the activity my daily exercise. Luckily, I have a room on the 19th floor far from the noisy street, so I always have a quiet place to concentrate on my work. Daily life in Canada starts later than in Vietnam; people only have go to work at 9 or 10 am, so I can stay up late at night to do my work without worrying that I’ll be late for class the following morning. After one month of school, I started to get stressed when there were term projects and essays I had to complete before the given deadlines. The thing I struggled with most was ensuring the progress of all of the projects and essays while at the same time acquiring new knowledge in the courses. I realized it was fairly important to choose courses that I had a real interest in so I would not be bored and give up on the assignments. To the seniors at ISHCMC – American Academy, I hope you all will have a wonderful school year and be accepted to the university of your dreams. For all the AP students, I encourage you to sit the AP exams; with a score of 4 or 5 you not only have the chance for scholarships, but also the opportunity to earn credit at many universities in North America and skip some of the typical first-year university classes.


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


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