Garden International School

Newsletter

1^st December 2006

NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Garden International School has over the past year, carried out a review of its purpose and philosophy to ensure that the school is meeting the needs of young people as they enter higher education and the global world of work beyond. To this end, the school has slightly amended the wording of its philosophical statements. I have included these statements below so that they may be understood by the whole school community.

Purpose Statement

To: Educate the youth of the world to take their productive place as leaders in the global community

Core Values

We Believe in:

Being Dedicated to a Culture of Excellence

Acting with Integrity

Being Passionate in what we do

Respecting and Caring for each other

Openness in Communication

Creating Enjoyable Environments

Mission

‘To be acclaimed by the world-wide international education community as a provider of the highest quality international education which is specifically matched to the needs of our expatriate and local students.’

Aims

Garden International School offers a broad and balanced curriculum which aspires to the highest levels of international education. In addition to our pursuit of academic excellence, we are committed to educate, encourage and challenge all students to fulfil their emotional and physical potential.

The School sees it as its mission to ensure our students will benefit not only from being in Malaysia. But also from the opportunity of studying and living alongside people from various parts of the world, thereby facilitating the total development of each child within a never-changing global community.

EYD Parents Car park Usage

Please note that the dropping off and collection of Nursery and Reception Class children by cars with the EYD stickers entering the rear gate of the school compound (Gate A), can only take place after 8.00am each morning and after 1.45pm each afternoon.

Children from other classes must be dropped off and picked up from the main car park. Children in Years 1 and 2 must be dropped off and picked up from the main car park. From Monday 4^th December, our security guards will strictly enforce these regulations.

Ray Davis

Principal

NEWS FROM THE HEAD OF SECONDARY

The final two weeks of the school term will be a busy time for both staff and students in the secondary school...

Parent Teacher Conferences

Year 7 - Thursday 7^th December, 2.45-4.45pm

Sixth Form (Y12+13) - Monday 11^th December, 2.45-5.45pm

This school year we have arranged separate Parent Teacher Conference for each Year group. This should reduce queuing and provide the opportunity for more focused discussion between teacher and parent. However, many teachers will still have a long list of parental appointments, so please try to keep to the scheduled appointment time. If a longer meeting is needed to deal with any particular issue, this can be arranged separately.

In the secondary school, we encourage students to accompany their parents to the conference. This is of course, essential for those students in the Sixth Form.

Swimming Gala

The Secondary Swimming Gala takes place on Tuesday 5^th December. Events for Years 7 to 9 take place from 8.00 to 11.45am and for Years 10 to 13 from 11.45am to 2.20pm. Medals will be presented in assemblies during the last week of term. Parents are welcome to attend the gala. There will be a small area of reserved seating for parents.

The School Musical Production

This will be taking place in the Grand Hall on the evenings of 12^th to 14^th December. This is the first full scale musical that has been produced at the school for many years. Very many students and staff have been working hard over the whole term in preparation and rehearsals. It promises to be a really exciting and entertaining evening, do come along.

The School Prom

The Annual Prom takes place on the final evening of the term. “A Red Carpet Affair” will be at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel from 6.30pm to 12 midnight and is open to current students of the school from Years 9 to 13. This is always one of the highlights of the school year and the organizing committee of Year 11 students have been hard at work ensuring that this is one of the best proms ever!

Please note that if your children are attending the prom, you must make arrangements for their collection at 12 midnight.  Students are not allowed to stay overnight at the hotel.

It will be a busy two weeks. I hope it will also be an exciting and positive one for the whole school.

Robert Lloyd

Head of Secondary

English Faculty—Poetry Competition

The English Faculty has recently launched its Poetry Competition for 2006-2007. This year’s theme is Traditions and Cultures, to reflect our international diversity as a community. All poems should be handed to respective English teachers by 14^th December 2006.

Entries will all be evaluated on their merit and the best will be put into the GIS anthology, due for publication in March 2007, with the top 5 winning a prize.

Complementing the Poetry Competition will be the Art Homework competition which will be launched in January 2007.

Aspiring artists need to watch this space for further details.

Annette Owen

Head of English Faculty

Visit to the Malaysia Space Science Centre

On Monday of this week, 13 students and two staff went to NASA Headquarters in Houston, Texas – well as good as!! During a visit to the brand new Malaysian Space Centre in Banting, we held a video conference with NASA during which we were given a virtual tour of a life-size mock up of the International Space Station. Students were able to ask questions and see how astronauts live in the Space Station. It was interesting to learn that NASA is looking forward to having some Malaysian dishes on the Space Station when the Malaysian Astronaut is on board – it seems that roti canai is perfect for a space diet!! The representative from NASA also put Sam Barton of Year 9 through his paces to see if he would make a good astronaut. He passed with flying colours.

As well as the Interactive Video conference, we had the opportunity to tour the Space Science Facility and were fortunate enough to have the person in charge of the centre to answer our many questions. She seemed delighted with the depth and breadth of the questions asked and clearly enjoyed discussing her work with the group. We hope to have more visits like this in the near future especially for members of the Aerospace CCA but also for any other Secondary school students who are interested.

Dennis Christley

Head of Science Faculty

Art Department

The Art department would like to notify all of last years IGCSE Art and Design students that they can now come and collect their work. We ask that they approach Monica and she will help them locate their work. Please be informed that Monica will be in the Art Department Mondays to Thursdays.

Philippe Delmotte

Head of Secondary Art

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Any students who are interested in U11’s Netball, there will now be a U11’s recreational Netball CCA next term on Monday 2.30 - 3.30 pm (Year 5 and 6 on the Under Cover court and Year 3 and 4 on the Car Park court). Ms. Mallory will train the U13’s Netball team at 3.30 - 4.40 pm on Monday on the Undercover Court.

Nicola Randy

CCA Coordinator

U11’s Dragons Netball Tournament-Thursday 23^rd November

Champions and Runners up in the U11’s Netball Tournament!  

Congratulations to the boys’ team - Dwayne (captain), Shivam, Eric, George, Jae Hui, Jonathan, Walter, Ekkarat and Jody, who were the champion alongside Alice Smith. Behind only by two points were the runners up A team - Ji Woo (acting captain), Nina, Sian, Molly, Roshni, Cheyenne, Amanda and Hannah.

It was a fierce and exciting competition; two and half hours of beautiful dodging, straight passing and amazing goals. The children worked so hard and I was very impressed with them. Well done also to the B team - So Hyun (captain), Faye, Gwen, Sara, Maya, So Eun, Ellen, Yasmin and Christine. Thank you to all those teachers and parents who came and helped and supported. The tournament could not have happened without you.

Lorna Mallory

Coach

ISAKL Tennis Tournament – 25^th November 2006

GIS entered both the boys’ and girls’ team. The games were held at the Titiwangsa Tennis courts. The boys were represented by Edwin Heng, Darshan Joshi, Marc Lee, Shaun Lim, Leon Gan and Pranay Sharma while the girls were Eliza De Silva, Julia V.D. Drift, Tan Jean Li, Adelene Lai, Jane Tan, Zoe Chan and Asees Bajaj.

All together there were 3 singles and 2 doubles matches played for each category. Edwin Heng came in 2^nd in the 1^st singles category, winning 2 out of 3 matches played.  He played brilliantly and with great spirit, and was also the captain of our team. Marc Lee came in 3^rd in the third singles category while Shaun Lim & Leon Gan also came in 3^rd in the first doubles category.

In the girls section, Julia and Jean Li both came in 3^rd in their respective second and third singles category. It was a good showing by them despite having to play against much older opponents. Zoe and Asees also came in 3^rd placing in the second doubles category. A great effort and determination was put in by the whole team and everyone was in high spirits cheering each other.

Final standings for team event:

1.  MKIS    

2.  ISKL     

3.  GIS    

4.  Alice Smith

Andrew Gui

NEWS FROM THE HEAD OF PRIMARY

Reminders for your diary :

Year 4G/4I Parents	Monday 4 December	Trip to Tenmoku Pottery Details from Class Teacher
Year 4S/4K Parents	Tuesday 5 December	Trip to Tenmoku Pottery Details from Class Teacher
4L/4M Parents	Wednesday 6 December	Trip to Tenmoku Pottery Details from Class Teacher
RS Parents	Thursday 7 December	RS Christmas Assembly Details from Class Teacher
RG Parents	Friday 8 December	RG Christmas Assembly Details from Class Teacher
NG Parents	Tuesday 12 December	NG Christmas Assembly Details from Class Teacher
RI Parents	Wednesday 13 December	RI Christmas Assembly Details from Class Teacher
Year 1 Parents	Thursday 14 December	Year 1 Christmas Assembly Details below
All Parents	Friday 15 December	End of Term

Advance Warning for your diary :

All Parents

Monday 8 January 2007

Term resumes at the normal time

Christmas Assembly (Year 1)

The Christmas Assembly for parents of children in Year 1 will take place on Thursday 14^th December. Parents of children in Year 1 are warmly invited to attend this special Assembly which will take place in the Grand Hall at 12.45pm.

Earlier in the morning, Year 1 will perform their Assembly – as their ‘Dress Rehearsal’ – for the whole Primary School.

Christopher FitzGerald

Head of Primary

Malay Dictionaries

Malay dictionaries for students’ use during Malay lessons are now available in the GIS Bookshop. Parents / students can purchase them for RM 9.50.

Library Books – Malay Story Books

In order to promote independent reading skills in Malay, all primary students in Years 3 – 6 will be given the opportunity to borrow Malay books from the library to read at home.

Students will borrow the books during their Malay lessons on fortnightly basis. Parents/carers are encouraged to involve themselves in helping their children by reading the books with them wherever possible.

Ms Punitha

Head of Primary Malay

PARENT, TEACHER & FRIENDS

Calendar Term 1

8^th December – Christmas Bazaar

26^th January – Quiz night

9^th March – International Week Bazaar

Successful Mufti Day

A big THANK YOU to everyone who had contributed and helped with the running of the PTF cake stall and the Japanese food stall. It was very successful indeed and we raised a large sum of money which will go towards the local children’s charities organised by the Prefects.

Christmas Bazaar (8.30am – 2.00pm)

The PTF will be holding a cake and refreshment stall. We would appreciate any contributions of cakes and goodies and help to run the stall. Please contact Lys on 012 227 7688 or Masumi on 019 282 0966. It is still not too late for anyone wishing to book a stall. Call Lys or Jessie on 016 395 2507 for your booking.

Japanese ladies – Masumi is again organising a Japanese stall for the day. Please call her if you wish to make any contributions of food or offers of help to run the stall. 

International Week Bazaar, Friday 9^th March

Masumi would like to organise a performance of a traditional Japanese dance on this day. So, all boys and girls from Primary and Secondary school, give Masumi a tinkle (before 11^th December) if you are interested in joining in the fun! Also, if there is anyone who might be interested in organising a cultural dance from their country, please come forward!

The PTF would like to invite parents to get together to organise stalls or booths to represent their countries. Please inform Masumi or Lys with confirmation of the country you are representing.

Tina and Cheryl

PTF communications sub committee

Car Pool

Parents who live in the area of Sg. Buloh (either Sierramas, Sierramas West, Valencia and its surrounding area) who wants to do car pool can submit their names and contact number to the Student Services Officer.

Ravin

Student Services

Interested in Playing Netball?

Recreational Netball at GIS UNdercover Court, Wednesdays, 7.00 - 8.30pm. Please email Lorna Mallory at mallory.l@gardenschool.edu.my for details.

Lorna Mallory

Discovery Week 2007 – July 2^nd – 7^th  

Tomb Raider: Discovering Cambodia

6-day adventure to fascinating Cambodia following in the footsteps of Lara Croft/Angelina Jolie.

Trip leader: Ms Lorna Prestage

Other staff: Mr Stephen Butlin (+ Mrs Caroline Lucas subject to numbers)

Approximate cost: RM2500 + $45 US entry visa on arrival & exit tax

Deposit: RM500

Minimum number of students: 10 Max number of students: 27

Aims of trip:

Experience life in another SE Asian country.

Learn a little of modern & ancient Cambodian history.

Meet and support orphaned, injured and disadvantaged children.

The arts: photography, dance, music, textiles.

02 jULY 2007: Phnom Penh – Arrival (No meals included) www.hotelcara.com

∞ Afternoon flight KLIA - Phnom Penh International Airport, private transfer to our good quality hotel, twin-share rooms with private bathrooms.

∞ Dinner at a top restaurant that trains underprivileged young people for jobs in catering.

www.streetfriends.org/CONTENT/BUSINESS/restaurant_final

03 july 2007: Phnom Penh (All meals included)

∞ Phnom Penh city tour: Victory Monument, National Museum, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, then hilltop Wat Phnom temple for views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh.

∞ Optional: Choeung Ek memorial (16 km south of Phnom Penh). Return to Phnom Penh and visit the Tuol Sleng Museum. Alternative: Afternoon free time at hotel.

∞ Central Market, with its giant domed roof, to shop for bargains.

∞ Dinner at Malis restaurant

04 july, 2007: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (All MEALS)   www.casaangkorhotel.com

∞ By private bus to Siem Reap – views of the countryside and village life as we pass by.

∞ Start our temple tour of the Angkor complex, finishing at Pre Rup temple for sunset!

∞ Dinner at local restaurant.

05 JULY 2007:  Siem Reap (All meals)

Today, we use tuk-tuks for our transport. Great fun!

∞ Visit Sunrise Children's Village to meet orphaned Cambodian children and, if we are able, donate some of our no longer needed clothes or toys. 

www.sunrisechildrensvillage.org

∞ Morning visit to the most famous of all the temples: Angkor Wat.

∞ Afternoon, more of the most photogenic temples, including the South Gate, the Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces), the Royal Enclosure, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

∞ Sunset at Angkor Wat!

∞ Dinner at local restaurant.

06 july, 2007: Siem Reap (All meals)

∞ An optional early bird special: sunrise over the waters of Srah Srang bathing pool.

∞ Silk Farm at Puok to see the whole process of making silk fabric by hand, with opportunities to buy some of The beautiful items in their shop.

∞ Afternoon, continue temple visits, including Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples, where Angelina Jolie filmed Tomb Raider.

∞ Aki Ra Landmine charity project which supports a number of children who have been seriously injured by landmines so we may feel we’d like to make a donation or give some of our old clothes/toys here too.

www.akiramineaction.com/album

∞ Dinner Apsara Dancing performance at theatre.

www.angkorvillage.com/en/high/theatre

07 july 2007:  Siem Reap (Breakfast included)

∞ Early morning visit to local market in the Old Town (if time permits).

∞ Lunch not included but we can organise packed lunches or buy snacks on the flight.

∞ Siem Reap International Airport for Return flight to KLIA mid afternoon.

Cambodia is a developing country but we are only visiting the two main cities. All staff have visited there before and the sites we are visiting. I have personally been four times and am visiting again in December. Mr Butlin is a history teacher for those who would like to ask him History questions! Tourist facilities are very well developed and we are using only very good quality hotels and restaurants – photos can be seen on my notice board in school. Roads are good and traffic is quite busy in towns, but not heavy like KL.

Safety - Cambodia is a safe country for tourists and our tour operator has been providing tours there and throughout Asia for tourists (and students) from all over the world for many years. We will have seat belts in our bus and we will insist they are used! There will be a swimming pool available, but no life guard.

Charity - We will be visiting an orphanage and a project that supports land mine victims. The children are similar ages to you but they have very few things of their own. They would really love to receive any clothes or toys that you don’t need any more. Even hair accessories or stuff for school, small things too. If you like it, they would like it.

(We will have an English-speaking Cambodian guide and private bus at all times; our tour providers are Diethelm Travel http://www.diethelmtravel.com/cambodia)
Students who are interested but not sure can come and collect a leaflet from my office at any time (A11 main block). We have lots more information. If you have any questions, please email -prestage.l@gardenschool.edu.my

Lorna Prestage

Head of Learning Support

Discovery Week 2007 - EXTREME ADVENTURE, THAILAND

How extreme are you??????  

Do you think you have the guts for anything?  Let's decide............... Try snorkeling, elephant riding, Island hopping, rock climbing, kayaking and bungee jumping; all in the beautiful setting of Krabi and Phuket.  You can't possibly determine anything more during DISCOVERY WEEK.

At RM 2,500 it’s the cheapest International Trip on Discovery Week.

Only limited places on offer.  Want to find out more?  Look at the Thailand display outside the Art Faculty or see Miss Carr..... If you dare!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I am aware, many parents will be concerned about the welfare of their kids, I have discussed the following safety issues with a trained and qualified ‘Great Adventure Consultant’ who will be co-organising the trip.

Great Adventure Consultants guide will double check all the items below before & during the trips. All activities we have a risk assesment plan, backup plan, and emergency procedure.

- medical reports / info from the students

- life jacket in sea/water activities

- rock climbing equipment meet the UIAA standard

- Kayaking activities with Qualified Kayaker Guide with CPR

- Safety boat will go along during the water/sea activities