TERM 4, ISSUE 2 12 JUNE 2014
JUDITH’S LAST NEWSLETTER When God called me to Nepal 14 years ago I never imagined the journey God would take me on. In my wildest dreams I had not foreseen the impact He would allow me to make in Nepal. KISC was a small failing secondary school at that time and I had a vision to see it become an excellent Christ-centred school. The vision for an excellent Christ centred school was realised and the many accreditation teams have affirmed this. KISC has grown from around 80 secondary students to a primary and secondary school of 230 students. God is so good! I am eternally grateful to all those who chose to join the vision and enable KISC to be all that it could be for God’s glory and to positively impact so many lives. Many of the staff and students have caught the vision to positively impact their worlds through living out the values of love, grace, justice, community and excellence. But KISC school was just the beginning. God enlarged the vision He had for me to see the needs beyond KISC and to develop a heart for education in Nepal as well as for the nation itself. As the years unrolled God enabled this vision to be realized through the creating and building of the EQUIP teacher training program. It is thrilling to consider the transformation God has brought in our 35 partner schools in 6 districts of Nepal. Then God blew my mind further by extending the vision to set up the first Christian University in Nepal. God’s gift has been to allow me to help lay the foundation for this to happen. This week the KISC TEC has submitted its curriculum to Kathmandu University for approval. It has been a great privilege to see the KISC TEC formed and moving forward. Yet, not only has God opened the door for me at KISC but also has given me the honor to have been chosen to be on the working party to plan the Nepal government’s five year plan for Quality Education in Nepal; to speak in churches, at events, to top leaders in Nepal to share a vision of what a new Nepal could look like; to train over 100 principals in leadership;
to train teachers and teacher trainers; to help set up schools and inspect others and to impact countless student’s live. It has been an amazing journey with God!!!! I am not only incredibly grateful for all the above, I am also thankful for how this has moulded, refined, challenged and shaped me to be who I am today after having spent half a century on this planet. I am beginning to look forward to seeing what God has in store for me for the next half a century. Philippians 1 v 27-29 Live as Citizens of Heaven Ephesians 3 v 16-21
Judith Ellis
2014/2015 ACADEMIC YEAR DATES TERM 1 July 28-30 Mon-Wed 31-Aug 1 Thurs-Fri Aug 4 Mon 5 Tues Sept 12 Fri 26 Fri
New Staff Induction All Staff training days Staff Mtg and Staff/Parent Prayer & Worship Students’ First day Primary half day Last day of Term 1
TERM 2 Oct 15 Wed 24 Fri 27-31 Mon-Fri 31 Fri Dec 19 Fri
Term 2 starts No school - Tihar Activity Week Primary half day Last day of Term 2
TERM 3 Jan 19 Mon 20 Tues Feb 6 Fri 26-3 March Thurs-Tue April 2 Thurs
Staff/Parent Prayer & Worship Term 3 starts Primary half day Midterm Break Last day of Term 3
TERM 4 April 20 May 22-26 25 June 10 17 24
Term 4 starts Midterm break Staff Development Days Primary half day Secondary day off Students’ last day of school
Mon Fri-Tues Mon Wed Wed Wed
STUDENT LIFE KISC’S GOT TALENT
Primary kids displayed an amazing abundance of talent at the KidZone evening filled with singing, dancing, acting and laughing. We enjoyed the sweet tones of music, marvled at dancing moves and laughed to tears with comedians. Primary staff used the opportunity to showcase their enviable lip dub abilities.
MUSICAL PRODUCTION IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS Fiddler on the Roof Jr. Performances next Academic Year will be as follows: ⋆ Saturday evening, 20 September ⋆ Wednesday evening, 24 September ⋆ Thursday evening, 25 September Time of performances TBA. All Cast Members will be meeting after school on Friday, 20 June for an extended rehearsal and cast party from 2:30 - 7:00 PM. Help is still needed with the production in the areas of choreography, stage make-up and hair design, props, public relations and promotions. Please contact Kristi Loper at kloper@kisc.edu.np if you are interested in helping in any of these areas.
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As the school year draws to a close, having a bit of fun in school to unwind and forget about the exams is neccessary. Every Friday in May, students had loads of fun as they dressed up according to different themes.
Year 7 Original Drama Performances This term in Year 7 English/ Language Arts, the students studied elements of drama. They read a published play and then had the opportunity to write and produce their own one act plays. The originality and passion they had for their dramas was amazing. All of the students did a great job staging and participating in the productions. A big thank you to the primary teachers who were willing to stay after their assembly and be Year 7’s audience.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Our Community Connection was completed on April 4th, the last day of school before the Easter term break. Year 3 and Year 2 played with children from the Agape Orphanage on our new site. We played many games with them, including some intense football matches. We enjoyed some of our favorite snacks such as momos, pringles, oreos, donuts, and many other delicious snacks provided by the parents and teachers. The children from the orphanage were friendly and great at sports. We really enjoyed playing with them. Many of the children spoke in Nepali: however, some spoke in English too.
We made new friends. The children were very friendly and funny. We in Year 3 plan to fill a jar of coins to provide a gift for our new friends at the orphanage. Our class will work hard to fill the jar by displaying good manners and showing our values of love, patience, excellence, justice, community and grace. Our class has been working on good behaviours and sharing kindness with others as well as always doing our best to share Jesus with those around us. Thank you to those who brought coins in to help us reach our goal! Year 3
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SPORTS KISC ANNUAL SWIMMING GALA Summer is in full swing in Kathmandu, and we all know what that means - it’s time for KISC Annual Swimming Gala! This year’s Swimming Gala was held at the GoCool Pool and was a smashing success. Both primary and secondary kids had tons of fun competing and enjoying the day. Year 12 used the opportunity to raise money for the class trip next academic year by selling tasty snacks. Congratulations to Annapurna house for winning the Gala trophy!
Did You Know...
COMING UP:
... that KISC has a girls’ football club? KISC girls’ football club trains on Wednesdays after school and has already played some friendly matches against Nepali schools girls’ teams. It was a great experience for all. We hope to see the girls’ team grow next school year and play a lot more matches. Go Girls!
GIRLS’ FOOTBALL CLUB friendly match against the girls from TBS, Wednesday, 18th June. PRIMARY SPORTS DAY, Monday, 21st June 09:00-11:30 Athletics 12:15-14:30 Team Sports - Rotation and Competition The event takes place on the new site and on main campus. The day will conclude with an Assembly in the hall during which a House winner for this school year will be announced. Parents are welcome to come watch and support participating teams.
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MATH AND ENGLISH TRAINING IN NEPALI SCHOOLS
KISC EQUIP has partnered with 5 schools in Lalitpur from this Academic year. We conducted a day training on Math and English for the grade 1 and 2 teachers of these partner schools on May 14, 2014 at KISTLAND School. Liz Sheppard and Shona Shrestha are seen below delivering the training.
TEC UPDATES
KISC EQUIP/TEC has recently submitted TEC curriculum to K.U. Please continuously pray. We recently had a very positive meeting with Bruce Piercy, regional director of Samaritan’s Purse -Canada. They seem very positive about commencement of TEC.
ECEC & KISC EQUIP Leadership Training ECEC and KISC EQUIP conducted a 3 days leadership training from June 8 to 10 in ECEC in which 23 leaders and principals from different organizations and schools participated. The focus of the course was Human Resource Management: how to deal with the staff and create an effective school working environment. Some of the topics covered included: team building, effective affirmation, communication skills and a number of others.
TERM 4 VERSE:
Gracia
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
은혜
Compassion
GRACE
Ephesians 2:8-10
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PARENTS /STAFF KISC would like to invite all staff, students and parents to an opportunity to pray and worship in the KISC hall from 7:15 - 7:40 am, Tuesdays through Fridays.
JOIN PTA FOR PRAYER Every Monday morning from 8-9am we meet in the Prayer Room (behind the toilet block) to pray for KISC, the staff, students and each other. Any specific prayer requests can be sent to: mirjam thiesse n@gm ail. com
NOTICES
BOOKING FACILITIES REMINDER:
To book KISC facilities outside school hours, please contact Reception, admin@kisc.edu.np. They are booking facilities now. Thank you!
FOR SALE IN RECEPTION: KISC VALUES T-SHIRTS - get your KISC Values T-shirt in Reception for NRs 550/-. All sizes available.
TERM 4 IMPORTANT DATES
ADMISSION to KISC closes @ the end of June. Space is limited so act fast! Do not forget to SAVE 35% on retainer fees if you notify us about your upcoming furlough/extended time away by June! If you plan to be away any term next year or if your child will be leaving KISC, please inform Reception as soon as possible. Forms are available in Reception or online: www.kisc.edu. np/parents.
JUNE
11 Wed Secondary Exams Start 18 Wed SMC Meeting 23 Mon 9:00am Secondary Assembly 6:30pm Graduation Ceremony 24 Tue End of Term Primary 1:30pm Primary Assembly 25 Wed End of Term Secondary
EQUIP Schedule
June 15-23 - LAMJUNG PHASE II
KISC is hiring! Do you dream of
working in a supportive, fun and creative community with teachers and students from all over the world? Are you passionate about teaching and leading for the glory of God? Then KISC is the right place for you! Become a part of our journey in transforming education in Nepal.Current vacancies listed at www.kisc.edu.np/vacancies
2014-2015 KISC School Fees
Dear parents, Adjusted school and additional fees for the next Academic Year can now be found on the KISC website: www.kisc.edu.np/parents
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From the PTA Thanks to all of you who participated in the KISC Spring Fair. We had a good day, even though it was a bit hot. About 850 people came and enjoyed themselves. We got in around 171 000 NRs for the PTA, which we are very grateful for. We want to thank all of you for your contributions! Many Blessings, Mirjam Thiessen
ADMIN PICNIC Admin staff did an amazing job in organizing a picnic to honor Judith and say goodbye. Most of the admin staff has worked with Judith for a significant number of years. They gave emotional goodbye speeches during the picnic and prayed for her. The picnic was attended by most in the admin staff and some teaching staff as well. Thanks to everyone who made it a very special event.
END OF YEAR STAFF SOCIAL
At the end of this Academic Year KISC and KISC EQUIP are saying goodbye to 16 members of the community, including teachers, teacher trainers and support staff. The End Of Year Staff Social was a wonderful opportunity to honor and acknowledge the ones who are leaving, and their legacy at KISC. Prayer circles were organized and staff moved from one circle to the other to pray for the ones leaving. It was truly an inspiring event.
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WELCOME Lizzy Neiger is arriving from the USA with her family to take up the position of Special Needs Ed Teacher. Judy Abrahams will be joining KISC as a Maths Teacher. Biz Jens is coming from New Zealand to work in the ESL department. Dave Crow is moving to Nepal from the USA with his family. He’ll be working as the Site Manager at KISC. Samantha Seymour and her family are coming from the USA to live in Nepal. Samantha will be the Year 3 Teacher at KISC. Hannah Holmes will be working as an ESL and French Teacher. Hannah Dornon, whose parents are missionaries in Tansen, will be taking the position of Primary Music Teacher. Michele and Max Morton are arriving with their son David who will attend Year 10 in KISC. Michele will be taking the Primary Principal position while Max will be working as an RE Teacher.
FAREWELLS PRAYER POINTS • Continue to pray for the SMC as they seek the Lord in a way forward for the future. • Pray for a successful end of this academic year and for teachers trying to finish off well • Pray for the many transitions, adjustments and changes we are all going through at KISC. • Pray for those who are graduating this year (Potta Demo, Stephan Smith, and Daniel Geiss). • Pray for those leaving at the end of this academic year and for those who will be returning this summer.
•Judith Ellis •Laura Beth Webster •Astrid Smith •Simon Hall & Wendy Hall •John Richards & Maureen Richards •Sarah Ghimire •Meaghan Truscott •Sara Oates •Gretchen Schlie •Shona Black •Kristi Loper •Kelsi McGillvray •Mike Gaunt •Bethany Arneson
“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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