Newsletter
2nd
November 2007
Headlines
For This Week
News
From Principal
-
Parent Consultation Coffee
Morning
-
Brilliance At GIS
-
Space Display
-
Health and Safety
News
From Secondary
News
From Primary
Parent,
Teachers and Friends of GIS
-
Coffee Morning
-
Mufti Day
-
Calling All Japanese Ladies
-
Christmas Bazaar
Announcement
-
Mufti Day
Parent
Consultation Coffee Morning
We
have had a week of celebration and collaboration. On Tuesday, the PTF organised a parent consultation coffee morning. We had over
150 parents join us and share their views on what education our families want
for their children. We will be collating the results and feeding them back at
the next coffee morning on November 20th when Mr. Wilson will talk
about internet safety. Thank you to all the families that gave up their
valuable time.
Brilliance
At GIS
Tuesday evening
found us back in the Grand Hall to celebrate ‘Brilliance at GIS’ with the
secondary school, an event to honour our top achievers both academically and in
the International Award. Tuesday proved to be a big day as I also received a
letter from
Space
Display
Finally, I would
like to draw your attention to the space display in the foyer of the Performing
Arts Building, a timely addition with the first
Health
and Safety
Could we please
remind families that the security we provide on the school site covers areas
inside the school grounds. We have some security in
the car park and outside the school gates, however, please be
aware that although we are located in a residential area, you and your children
should take all normal precautions when moving to and from school. The safety
of our students is of paramount importance to us at GIS.
Simon Mann
Principal
Brilliance in
Earlier this term,
Mr. Mann reported on the remarkable achievements of our students in the
“Brilliance in
IGCSE Examinations
Achieving A* in
all eleven subjects entered – Gregory Yap
Best “value added”
performance – Shotaro Hattori & Joe Lewis
Best performance
by a student in Year 10 – Gordon Hooi
AS Examinations
Best overall
performance – Low Zhen Lin
A Level Examinations
Best overall
performance – Lee Weng Yew
Best “value added”
performance – Woo Yi Xuan
WHAT COMES NEXT?
IGCSE Examinations, The
Sixth Form and Routes to Higher Education Year 11 Parents and
Students Evening
Thursday, 15th November at 7.30pm
Grand Hall
All parents of
Year 11 students should have received a letter regarding this meeting from
their sons/daughters. The meeting will provide important information about
IGCSE examinations as well as information regarding options for the future,
including the Sixth Form at GIS. It is important that Year 11 students attend
with their parents so that everyone receives the same information!
Congratulations to Former GIS Students
Carien Christiani Natalia and Lin Ye Shan who left at the end of Year 11 2006
having completed their IGCSE programme. They have been awarded the
Head of Secondary
ISKL Model United Nations
As the 2.20pm bell rang on a hot Friday
afternoon last October, all the
‘soon-to-be’
delegates were rushing out of their classrooms like a band of chaotic red ants
- but why though? One word (well one acronym actually) for you folks - ISKLMUN!
Yes, the phenomenon that was MUN swept both the students and the teachers alike
this year with the overwhelming number of pupils (that were willing to give
their time and dedication to this conference) finally cashing in on their big
day. After a slow start and an even slower journey (maybe it was the excitement
which dragged time?), we finally arrived at ISKL and were immediately rushed to
our respective committees (Human Rights or ECOSOC) to commence all of the
delegate’s opening speeches. These were extremely varied - some lasted fifteen
seconds while others were pushing the one minute mark! The most ear-catching
speech would probably be from a certain delegate who said, “fellow
delegates and most ‘Beautiful’ chair”, that made all heads turn and even made
the teachers laugh in humour. Day two of the
conference was (and I quote from one of the chairs), “full of heated,
passionate and fruitful debate.” In the Human Rights committee, debate raged on
throughout the day like wildfire. Half an hour debates were made just to amend
one clause!
Looking back on the conference, I, as a
delegate am thoroughly impressed and humbled by the
amount of passion shown throughout, the sophistication, the leadership and the
level of discipline was uncanny especially knowing that we were only a band of
secondary students. Finally, I’ll use this little column to thank the teachers
who helped all of the students through the conference, Ms. Gruberska, Ms. Jones
and Ms. Punitha. We couldn’t have done it without you! Lastly, for all those
people who weren’t able to join this conference, I urge you to join KLMUN next
year and you will truly understand the breath-taking, amazing atmosphere which
can only be found in places like these.
Branden Tian-Wei Khong , 11L
10 Tips On
How To Help Your Children Learn French More Effectively
Just like with any other subject,
parents can have an enormous impact on their children’s progress in French,
first of all, by (i) checking they have done their homework (ii) asking them to tell (or sing) to
you what they have learnt in French (iii) being inquisitive as to how
they are doing in the subject (iv) asking what their predicted grade is
and what recommendations their teacher have given them in order to improve
(v) by enthusing them about the subject. These are the basics, as it
were, but there are other effective ways in which you can help your children,
even if you do not know any French at all! Here are some:
1. The textbooks we use have two pages at the end
of each unit where the to-be-learnt words are listed in both languages. Test
your students by asking them ‘How
do you say X in English/French?’
(start with French to English questions as they will
be easier to answer). Don’t worry about pronunciation.
2. Your children have been given a list of very useful FREE interactive websites that make learning easy and fun. The
French Department has recently subscribed to new websites (the students have
been given the username and password for them). Ask them to spend at least
twenty minutes, three times a week. Here are some useful ones:
For general French learning: www.languagesonline.co.uk, www.wildfrench.co.uk,
www.zut.com
For vocabulary: www.linguaprime.com , www.linguastars.com,
www.linguascope.com
For grammar: www.laits.utexas.edu/tex/
3. If your children have problems learning
words, encourage them to make lists in both languages and stick them on places
such as bedroom walls, the fridge, etc.
4. Get your children to borrow readers
from their French teacher. They are graded according to the children’s ability.
Just ask them to ask the teacher.
5. Encourage them to go to Dr Conti
and Miss Pelat’s homework clubs. There are at least
three running every week.
6. Learn more on how to help
your child learn on the following website:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryfrench/parents/tips_flash.shtml
7. Praise your child as often and as warmly as
possibly for any achievement however small he/she makes in the subject. This
will definitely boost his/her confidence!
8. Do not wait until parents’ evening to find
out more about your child’s progress and the areas in his/her learning that
need more attention/practice. Contact his/her teacher.
9. Your child could join the Alliance Francaise.
The membership fees are inexpensive and give access to books, CD’s, DVD’s and
other services that can boost your children’s learning ( for more info: www.kl.alliancefrancaise.org.my
10. If your child is not good at organisation,
sit with them and ask them to make a study/revision schedule. Make sure in the
schedule there are opportunities to go over new words at least three times a
week (did you know that 80% of what one has memorized is lost after one week
without revision?)
Dr Conti
Head of French
International Week Cultural Concert
Yes...it's
fast approaching! On Wednesday, 27th February, two hundred students will take
to the stage in a myriad of colours. They will
perform cultural dances of their own origin as well as of others. Be part of
this magical performance. We are looking for students who would like to take
part in the International Cultural Concert. Parents who would
like to help out with choreographing a dance and training dancers are also
very welcome. Please contact Ms Peers at anne.p@gardenschool.edu.my with
details of the item you would like to present. Thank you!
Reminders for your
diary :
|
Year 4 Parents |
6th
November 07 |
Year 4 Deepavali Assembly |
|
All Parents |
7th -12th November 07 |
School Closed |
Advance Warning
for your diary :
|
Year 5 Parents |
19th November 07 |
Year 5 Camp Meeting |
|
All Parents |
23rd November 07 |
MUFTI Day |
Deepavali Breaks
Just a reminder to
parents and guardians that the school is closed for the Deepavali
break from 7-12 November. We would like to wish all of our families a great
holiday.
It is a good time to remind you all that
attendance at school is vital to your child’s progress. To maximize your
child’s learning, please try to arrange all family holidays and visits in the
school holidays. The dates of these are published well in advance to assist you
in this process.
Neil Smith
Head of
Primary
Tache-Tastic!
As part of the annual MUFTI charity
fundraising efforts, (some of ) the male teachers are
having a competition over the course of November. The idea is simple: grow the
best moustache that you can!
Children will be able to sponsor the
teacher that they think will win by making donations in the Primary Office
(until 9.20am each day). Minimum donation is RM1 and the children can sponsor
as many teachers as they like and as many times as they like.
The results will be judged on Friday, 30th November.
LSU Dept.
Literacy Resource Making Workshop
Do you like making
things?
Have you got a few
hours to spare?
We are looking for
a group of parents to take part in a Literacy Resource Making Workshop after
the Deepavali holiday. Materials and instructions
will be provided you just need to bring a pair of scissors. Mr Smith has also
agreed to put on refreshments!
If you are
interested, please contact
Year 1 Activities
This week, in Mathematics, the children
have been learning to use appropriate vocabulary for subtraction.
Please encourage your children to make up subtraction stories at home or when
you are out shopping this weekend.
Monday
- 5Th November, we will be celebrating Deepavali
in our classrooms with rotational activities through the day. Children are
encouraged to come to school dressed in Deepavali
costumes. You might like to talk to your children about what activities they
did at school and what they have learnt about this celebration.
Tuesday
- 6th November, the children will be going to see ‘Robin Hood’ the
pantomime at Bangsar Theatre. This should be great
fun and I‘m sure the children will want to share this experience with you when
they get home.
Happy Deepavali!
Mrs Longman
Year 1 Co-ordinator
Year 4
Performance
(an IPC Exit Point including Deepavali)
:
You are warmly
invited to the Year 4 Performance:
When:
Tuesday, 6th November 2007
Time:
1pm - 2pm
Where:
Grand Hall
In the Primary International
Curriculum (IPC), an Exit Point is a great way of bringing a topic to a close
and is an opportunity for children to reflect upon what they have learnt and
also to share with others aspects of their learning. This
year, Year 4 will be combining both the celebration of Deepavali
and the Exit Point for the topic “Different Lives, Different Places” in a
Performance Extravaganza! You will be meeting
Year 3/4 IPC
Coordinator
TO THE PARENTS OF YEAR 6 STUDENTS OF FRENCH
The
French Department is setting up a mentoring program whereby Year 12 and 13
students will help Year 6 children currently taking French improve in the
subject. The program will start two weeks after the Deepavali
holiday and it will take place once a week on Tuesday mornings during registration time. The children, in small groups of
4-5 will work with their mentors going through what they have been learning in
class and getting help in the areas of their French learning they find
problematic. The mentors, all proficient in the language (at least A* at GCSE)
are first class French students who stand out for their behaviour
and commitment to learning.
If you want your child to take part in
the program, please drop by the French Department or inform your child’s class
teacher. Alternatively, you can e-mail Dr Conti at the GIS address: conti.g@gardenschool.edu.my.
Please note that we can only accommodate 40 students on a first come first
served basis.
Dr Conti
Head of French
PARENT,
TEACHERS AND FRIENDS OF GIS
It was wonderful to have so many parents
at the Coffee Morning this week. Much information was gathered and as soon as
this has been collated, we will get back to you, possibly at the next coffee morning. We’ll let you know!
Coffee
Morning
Tuesday, 20th
November @ 8.30am at Primary Hall - 1st
Mr Wilson will
give us a talk to help us parents keep our kids safe on the internet. This is
an increasingly relevant topic as all GIS students use the internet for
homework.
Mufti
Day
Friday, 23rd November
We need any parents who are willing to
help us sell food at the PTF stall as well as donations of cakes
& pastries for Mufti Day. More details will follow after the Deepavali holiday. Please call
Calling
all Japanese Ladies
Masumi will be
organising a Japanese stall for Mufti Day. Please contact her on 019 282 0966
if you wish to contribute or help on this stall.
Christmas
Bazaar
Friday, 7th December : 9am -
2pm
Parents who
wish to have a stall at the bazaar, please call Jessie on 016-395 2507 or
Masumi on 019-282
0966. Don’t delay as the offer is open to parents first and then outside
vendors will be able to book their tables.
PTF
communications sub-committee
ANNOUNCEMENT
MUFTI DAY
The Prefects are proud to announce that
the whole school charity event : Mufti Day is taking
place on Friday, 23rd November. This year’s theme is ‘CRAZY HEADS’
… think gel, spikes, hats, wigs, face paints etc! T-shirts, dedications and
raffle tickets are already on sale in school via the Prefects and we are all
looking forward to a fun day that will raise money for local charities.
To ensure the day is a huge success, all
Crazy Head designs must be created for MUFTI DAY FRIDAY ONLY. All hair must be returned to school
regulation style by Monday, 26th November.
Teacher in-charge of
Prefects