TERM 2, ISSUE 3 12 DECEMBER 2013
I love our KISC Christmas cards produced by our excellent communications department which have the title ‘Love came down’. I am beyond grateful to my Lord and Saviour for coming down to earth to save me.
I am looking forward to parent, staff and student discussions on discovering further what the values actually mean to each of us on a daily basis. Next term our focus is on the value of Love. The Passion Statement summarises this as: We know God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, is love. • We treat each other with kindness • We apologise quickly Let us consider how we can share God’s love with others and how we can be kind to each other, demonstrating God’s love to all that we meet. Blessings on you as many of you celebrate Christmas and New Year with family and friends. I look forward to seeing you all at the KISC Christmas Carol Service. Judith Ellis KISC CEO
Christmas Cards Now Available at Communications
UPCOMING EVENTS Tuesday 17-22 Dec --KISC EQUIP Tansen Trip Thursday 19 Dec --- KISC Christmas Service; 6:30 pm Friday 20 Dec ----- Secondary Haatiban Trip End of Term 2 Monday 20 Jan ---- Staff Meeting; 8am Staff Parent Worship; 12.15 pm Tuesday 21 Jan ---- All Classes begin
‘For God so loved and dearly prized the world that He gave up His only unique Son, so that whoever believes in, trusts in, clings to, relies on Him shall not be lost but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge, to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.’ JOHN 3 V 16-17 AMPLIFIED.
MSA Oral Report: KISC is ‘FAMILY’ Dear Parents, Staff and Students A huge thank you to everyone for enabling us to be recommended for re-accreditation for the next 7 years. Our accreditation is called an “Excellent School by Design”. Thank you for the support and hard work so many gave to make the KISC 500 page Self Study and the MSA visit a great success. Special mention must go to Daniel Parnell who led us through the Self Study and preparation for the MSA visit. Also to Laura Beth Webster who meticulously proof read most of the 500 page report for us and Jenna Hudlow who made the actual visit a great time for the team. Here are a few quotes from the MSA Team’s Oral Report. ‘We asked nearly all of the groups with whom we met to identify what they see as the primary strengths of your school. The responses can be summarised by the word “family.” KISC has an exemplary culture of inclusion and genuine commitment to mission and vision, way beyond the theoretical.’ ‘Most particularly this sense of family extends to teacher-student relationships which are exemplary, and acknowledged as such by all stakeholders. Students told us that their teachers are always willing to go the extra mile with them, and that their teachers are always available to them. We put on record the commitment and dedication of KISC teachers who give of themselves willingly to the benefit of their students.’
‘We have heard from nearly everyone with whom we met that the students of this school are achieving academically at or above the level expected by the community. And, in fact, your achievement scores on such things as the IGCSE and A/AS levels clearly substantiate this claim.’ What next? We will receive a detailed report in about 8 weeks. In the report will be some recommendations, similar to the ones we gave ourselves. I will share them with you when they arrive. Also each year we send a report to MSA HQ showing how we are achieving our 4 objectives which are: F: A: R: M:
Facilities, to have our own site by 2020 Assessment, students will improve on their ability to monitor and reflect on their learning Recruitment, continue with our strategy of prayer and making links with specific countries’ universities and colleges to recruit new staff Mission, Vision, Values and Passion Statement. That students and staff will grow in living out the values.
The School Management Committee (SMC) will be monitoring the Facilities and Recruitment Objectives and the Student Performance Objectives will be monitored through the School Leadership Meeting (SLM) and the Student Council will also be involved.
‘KISC is a relatively small school, but it is one that is vibrant with activity and learning.’ ‘Also noteworthy is the contribution of the PTA to the life of the school and efforts to involve members representing Nepali and South Korean families.’ ‘The KISC Board provides strong support for school administration and contributes significantly to the direction and vision of KISC in both strategic and practical ways.’ ‘KISC offers a variety of athletic and nonathletic activities for students of all ages. For a school with an enrollment of approximately 200 students, the choices are varied and numerous, which we consider to be exceptional.’
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FOBISSEA RECAP For the first time ever, The British School of Kathmandu hosted the FOBISSEA (Federation of British Schools in South-East Asia) U15 Games, an international sports event in which 6 schools participated (TBS, Lincoln, KISC, St. Andrews Thailand, St. Stephens Thailand, Kota K. Int. School Malaysia). We were very thankful to be invited as it was a great opportunity for our students to participate in an event of this size. The games started Thursday, 28 November, with a football tournament on the grounds of the Armed Police Force at Halchowk. On Friday morning, our team took part in the athletics event with some excellent results! Daniel
Boehm won gold in the 1500m and bronze in long jump, Joseph Boehm won silver in the 1500m and bronze in triple jump. Yuddhavir Thapa won gold at shot put and silver in 100m sprint. Pookar Chand won silver at Shot put. Ole-Johan Gulbra won silver at Javelin and in the 400m. And those that didn’t win a medal deserved one for the effort they made and the excellence they showed. It was the afternoon of that same day that brought most of the fun with a competition of mixed rounders. Our boys’ team teamed up with girls from TBS to play together. Overcoming their shyness they won their first 2 and built team-spirit. After that they were un-stoppable and continued to win gold! On Saturday, the games continued at Lincoln School with a Basketball Tournament. The team played very well but didn’t win. Their sportsmanship and bonding as a team made all of KISC proud. Congratulations to: Nahum Pradhan, Danial Ahmad, Sarbesh Maharjan, Prateek Samson, Aarambh Shrestha, Joseph Im, Pookar Chand, Ole-Johan Gullbra, Joseph Boehm, Daniel Boehm and Yuddhavir Thapa for representing KISC in a way everyone can be proud of! Thank you Mr. Bipen for being a great coach those 3 days!
HOMELESS SLEEP-OUT On Friday, 6 December, the Year 9 students participated in the Homeless Sleep-Out. The event was designed to bring to life a novel we read titled, Stone Cold, a story about a teenage boy who becomes homeless. The students were able to build a shelter out of “found” materials such as plastic bags, cardboard and newspaper, play homeless simulation games, and learn about the conditions that more than 1/6 of the Earth’s population live in and the hardships they have to face. The purpose was to be uncomfortable and hungry for one night to develop empathy for our neighbours who have to experience even greater discomfort every day. We are hopeful that the students’ eyes were opened and that they have developed a love and desire to help God’s people.
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FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT RECAP On Friday, 6 December, the whole school was bused over to the grounds of the Laboratory School in Kirtipur to enjoy a day of football, fun and community. For the Primary, Annapurna won the tournament very decisively. In the Secondary the win was shared by Annapurna and Makalu with a draw. The Primary versus Secondary staff and parents match was equally exciting and ended in a 1-1 draw. Additionally, the secondary students voted for players that showed the most excellence on the field. These excellent players (beside the 70 others) were: Joseph Im, Prateek, A.J., Himal, Selina, Becca and Abby. Football is definitely one of the sports we want to continue growing in at KISC. Not too long and we will have our own Astro-turf court out on the new ground. So let’s see what that will mean for next year!
MATHS COMPETITION @ THE BRITISH SCHOOL Term 2 saw the reappearance of the Inter-School Mathematics Competition. Four schools from the valley entered two teams each to see who had the quickest thinkers and most creative mathematicians. The competition consisted of 5 rounds which tested mathematical operations, puzzle solving, logical thinking and practical construction. KISC team worked well together and as a result Deep Fried Algebra came in second place overall and The Mathletes’ strong performance helped us to be the 2nd best school in the valley. Well done guys!
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POINSETTIA PLANTS FOR SALE
Dear KISC Community, We consider it a privilege to serve you and our students. KISC’s vision to “Be living witnesses of Christ’s love through excellent education” stems out of our desire to not only provide the best academics we are able to for our students, but also to help prepare our students for life by showing them their identity and purpose in Christ. The Passion Statement was developed by the MSA planning committee to help us practically process and live out the vision and values of KISC. Each term the staff and students have been taking a value and looking at the Bible to see what God has to say about that value and what that should look like in our day to day lives. Next term they will be looking at the value of Love. We encourage parents to get involved through the PTA to help us determine what that looks like for us as a community. We also desire, through EQUIP and the emerging TEC, to help train up teachers in Nepal who can bring excellent teaching methods and our values into their classrooms. KISC gives EQUIP a practical model to go by. What that looks like in the Nepali context will look different from KISC, but the goal is the same, to be living witnesses of Christ’s love through excellent education.
Poinsettia plants available for pickup after the Christmas Service on 19 December or anytime on 20 December. The school will be using them as part of the decor for the service and afterwards they can be collected. The cost is 500 NRS per potted poinsettia plant (medium-sized pot with large flowers). The proceeds go towards Operation Christmas Child, which provides clothing, school supplies, and basic necessities for needy children in Nepal and around the world. Donations will also be accepted towards this project. Please reserve your plant(s) in the reception office by 16 December.
CHRISTMAS JOKES
Thank you for your prayers for us as leadership. Please continue to pray for us as we look at implementing the new organisational structure in term 3. We have a very unique and special community here at KISC. The MSA was very encouraging as they affirmed our ability to celebrate our diversity therefore allowing us to soar. I’d like to thank everyone for their contribution towards the fantastic results we received from the accreditation team.
Q
What is the best Christmas present ever?
A
A broken drum - you can’t beat it.
Q
How does Good King Wenselas like his pizzas?
A
Deep and crisp and even
Q
What did Adam say the day before Christmas?
A
It’s Christmas, Eve!
Q
Who never eats at Christmas?
A
The Turkey - it’s usually stuffed!
Q
What’s brown and sneaks around the kitchen?
A
Mince Spies
Blessings to you all as we celebrate Christ’s birth! Marcy Knoble SMC Chairperson
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PRAYER POINTS
PTA NOTES This term our kids are learning about excellence - to be the best they can be. I think that is something we all showed during the MSA Visit. I would like to thank all of you who helped and prayed for the MSA Visit. The MSA team were happy about our school, and sent a very good report.
Praise God for the peaceful election. Please pray for the newly elected Constituency Assembly members as they will be involved in writing the constitution of Nepal.
Praise God for His wonderful provision of staff for Term 3.
It is only two weeks left until Christmas. We are having a Christmas Carol Service in the evening at KISC on 19 December. We would like to request all parents to bring some snacks to share so we can have a nice time together.
Praise God for the great MSA Visit and all those involved in making it successful.
This is a great time to be reminded about our commitment as PTA. We are committed to pray for the school, for the staff and for our students. Every Monday at 8.10 am we gather at KISC prayer room. Please come and join us. We also get together to pray for the school two times a year. Please come and join us on 20 December as we gather to pray and worship.
Pray for God’s protection for all the families who are traveling during the Christmas break.
THANK YOU
Mirjam Thiessen PTA Chair
WELCOME We are looking forward to welcoming COURTNEY JALLO as part of the KISC Kitchen Gardens project. Courtney is a Master’s student in International Agricultural Development at University of California. Her placement with KISC EQUIP is part of the funding award provided by UC Davis in partnership with USAID. During her visit she will be visiting schools in Tansen and Kathmandu during 21 December to 2 January and she will be preparing a kitchen garden manual to introduce to the EQUIP partner schools. She will be working closely with Rae Goss and the EQUIP team.
The Language Faculty gives a warm welcome to SHONA BLACK as their new French Teacher. Shona will start teaching French in Term 2.
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Thank you for your prayers for Karina Barger, ESL Teacher. A huge thank you to Rachel MacKinney, Kelly Boehm and Tabatha Raiees-Dana for the practical support, love and care. The operation on her leg was a success and she is recovering well. We hope to see her back with us in Term 3.
“
Thank you for the prayers and support given to me while I have been recovering from my back injury. I continue to slowly recover and would continue to value your prayers for a full recovery over the holidays. Please pray for the pain to be gone and that the ligaments would heal so I could fully walk again.
”
LAURA BETH WEBSTER
FAREWELL It is with great sadness we say farewell to LIBBY HAYES. Libby has been the Secondary Principal since 2009, but her connection with KISC goes back long before that. Since the late 1990’s she has filled many roles at KISC, firstly as a parent to Daniel, Julia, Stephanie and Ruth, then as a part time Music teacher. Full time Music teacher, Head of Music, Geography teacher, English teacher, Head of Arts Faculty, Secondary Vice Principal, member of KLT and of course Secondary Principal. It would be impossible to accurately measure her impact on the school and the young people who have passed through her classes, although her legacy can be seen in events such as several Musicals, the Interhouse Music Festival and less tangibly in the delight of former students when they return and are able to share how their life has developed since KISC with her. Libby’s devotion to serve the students, the staff, the parents but mostly God has been evident to all those who have worked with her. Working closely with Libby has been a personal privilege and I have seen first-hand an excellent example of leadership. With patience, with gentleness, with thoughtfulness, with humility but mostly with love. We wish Libby, her husband Bruce and their family all God’s Blessings as they follow His call to return to Australia.
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’’ Matthew 25:21 Daniel Parnell
HEATHER DOUGLAS has returned to the US on 7 December to graduate from Cairn University. Congratulations Heather! Thank you for an excellent student placement. God bless you as you go on to be a fantastic middle school teacher.
A huge thank you to CALEB WEBSTER for generously giving of his time, energies, skills and talents at KISC over the last two terms. His innovative lessons have greatly helped a potential Year 3 student access English Medium education. His support of Suzie Parr in art classes and Marcy around the school for communications have been a blessing to all. Thank you for your dedications to prayer for the KISC community. We pray God’s richest blessings on Caleb as he returns to his college in the US.
ANNIE BROWN will be away from KISC Term 3 as she attends BMS World Mission’s training college to return with them long term. Annie has been a God send covering art classes, teaching KISC about thinking skills, help set up peer mediation and working in EQUIP. Over 200 Nepali children have been impacted by her trainings. Thank you to Annie and our prayers are with you as you prepare to come back to Nepal long term as a TEC/EQUIP teacher trainer
Thank you to PRATIKSHA RAWLINGS for helping us to get our new KISC website going. She will join UMN as their Reasearch and Learning Officer from January 2014. Please pray for a smooth transition.
ISABELLE MONNIER is leaving at the end of Term 2. Thank you Isabelle for your hard work in the French department. The Language Faculty will organise a farewell for Isabelle on 18 December at 10.15am.
SUSIE MOORE will be on furlough for Term 3. Thank you Susie for your prayers, teaching, leadership and guidance at KISC. You will be missed and we look forward to your return. Our prayers are with you.
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EQUIP UPDATES LAMJUNG PHASE III TRAINING
On 1-9 December, the EQUIP team successfully conducted third and final phase training for 2013 in Lamjung. A special note of thanks to Khim, Dil, Krishna, Annie, Binod and Sandra for their involvement in this training. Training on PE and Science were organised for the pre-primary teachers. During the visit, the team conducted follow up of Phase I and II training, monitored the resources previously provided by EQUIP and scholarships. Sandra and Annie helped with Classroom Activities.
UPCOMING TRIP AND TRAINING 1. On 14 December EQUIP team will provide English Phonics II and Science Training to Kathmandu Partner Schools from 9-4 at KISC hall. Please pray for a successful training. 2. Palpa Phase III training is scheduled from 17 to 24 December. Khim, Dil and Binod will be involved in the training and Rae and Courtney will visit partner schools for Kitchen Gardening Project. Please pray for their travel, training, and meeting.
SHARPENING
YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS Leadership Training
DATES:
• Conducted by international and Nepali facilitators. • Location: ECEC Training Centre, Bhanimandal. • Registration: Please call ECEC Reception at 5548439 / 5549063.
• Monday, 27 Jan. (13 Magh)
• Sunday, 26 Jan. (12 Magh) • Tuesday, 28 Jan. (14 Magh) JOINTLY ORGANIZED BY:
“TO BE LIVING WITNESSES OF CHRIST’S LOVE THROUGH EXCELLENT EDUCATION”
CONTACT US!
Kathmandu
International
PO Box 2714
Dhobighat Kathmandu Nepal
WE ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO HEAR FROM YOU, OR IF YOU ARE IN NEPAL, PLEASE COME VISIT!
+977 (1) 553 8720
Centre
www.facebook.com/kisc1987
admin@kisc.edu.np PROJECT OF HDCS
Study
www.kisc.edu.np
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY SERVICES
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