Garden International School

Newsletter

5th October 2007

 

 

Headlines For This Week

 

News From Principal

-          Cambridge Brilliance in Malaysia 2007 Awards

-          List Of Award Recipients

 

News From Secondary

-          AS Level Examination Results 2007

-          New Secondary Teachers

-     Cultural Kaleidoscope and Face-2-Face Paris ‘08

 

News From Primary

-          International Primary Curriculum (IPC)

-          Develop Independence and Responsibility in your Child

-          Field Trip To River Congkak, Hulu Langat

 

Co-Curricular Activities

-          Dragons Results

-          U13 FOBISSEA Selection

-          School Swimming Costume

-          Secondary Footware

-          CCA Expectations & Suggestions

-          CCA During the Week 22nd – 26th October 2007

 

Parent, Teacher and Friends of GIS

-          Parent Forum Cum Coffee Morning

-          Coffee Morning

-          Christmas Bazaar

-          Parents & Teachers BBQ

-          Mum & Tots Group

-          Second-Hand Uniforms & PTF Book Library

 

 

NEWS FROM PRINCIPAL

 

This week, we received our list of outstanding performers at IGCSE, AS and A Level from the Cambridge Examination Board. The list makes for very exciting reading as yet again GIS has produced a considerable number of award recipients. As you can see on the list printed in this newsletter, a large number of our students were top performers not only have we scooped the top three awards for the best of 4 IGCSE subjects in Malaysia but we have also five students who rank top in the world. This reflects the excellence of our students and teachers and the quality of education at Garden International School. Congratulations to all the award winners.

 

With the heavy volume of traffic dropping and picking up students at GIS, we would like to request that you arrange with neighbours to car share where possible. Even a small decrease in the number of cars that are used to drop and collect students would be of benefit to all. Could I also remind all families that cars must not be parked outside the school. This parking creates not only traffic jam but also places pedestrians crossing the road at risk. Please could families pass this information onto their drivers.

 

 

Simon Mann

Principal

 

Cambridge Brilliance in Malaysia 2007 Awards

 

Category 1: Top in the World in the International A-Level Examination

1.                           Ben Bradley – Geography

2.                           Kee Hooi Jean – Art & Design

3.                           Luwita Mohd Juginder – French

 

Category 2: Top in Malaysia in the International A-Level Examination

1.                              Lee Weng Yew – History & Economics

 

Category 3: Top in the World in the International AS-Level Examination

1.   Pooja Bharat – Literature in English

 

Category 4: Top in Malaysia in the International AS-Level Examination

1.   Danielle Willatt – Business Studies

 

Category 5: Top in the World in the IGCSE Examination

1.    Satoko Omata – Foreign Language Mandarin Chinese

 

Category 6: Top in Malaysia in the IGCSE Examination

1.      Low Jie Ying – Art & Design

2.                              Montserrat Tami Garcia Freixes – Art & Design

3.                              Alexandra Lee – Drama

4.                              Gordon Hooi – Information Technology

5.                              Ashley Chin – Business Studies

6.                              Julia Chan – Geography, History & Coordinated Sciences

7.                              Patrick Quah – Literature in English

8.                              Hansa Rastogi – First Language English

1.                              Wang Yuyan – Foreign Language French

2.                              Muhammad Ezanie Noorazman – Foreign Language Malay

3.                              Basil Lim – Mathematics

4.                              Gregory Yap – Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry & Physics

 

Category 7: Best of 4 IGCSE Subjects Combined

 

First              : Gregory Yap

Second       : Ho Ren Xian

Third            : Low Jie Ying

 

 

NEWS FROM SECONDARY

 

AS Level Examination Results 2007

Fifty-four students from Year 12 entered AS examinations this year and have achieved the highest % of A grades ever.  Over a third of the students in Year 12 achieved at least three A grades in the examinations. Individual outstanding results have been achieved by Low Zhen Lin with a total of 1A for A level and 5A’s for AS level. Joyce Eng Jun Fang, Kwek Sue Ping and Wong Ke Ni, all attained 5A’s.

 

We omitted to announce previously that Saranya Rajaratnam too got 10A* and 1A in her IGCSE results for 2007.

 

New Secondary Teachers

Below are further introductions to you by some of the new teachers joining the Secondary school this year.

 

Susan Skinner (Mathematics)

I taught for 6 years in the UK before moving to Brussels where I taught for 12 years. I taught in Singapore for a year at United World College before moving to the Alice Smith School. After 2 years there, I took the position of Head of Mathematics and stayed for a further 3 years. Then, I returned to UK but missed teaching in international schools. I had a year in Spain before returning to KL. I am here with my husband; a daughter who is studying at Taylor College and my son who is in the 6th form here.

 

Fiona Seymour (English/Learning Support)

I am currently working in two faculties at GIS; I work in both the English Department and the Learning Support Department. I am also a Year 7 form tutor, which I very much enjoy. Before becoming a secondary teacher, I worked in Italy as an English teacher and am qualified in TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language). When I went back to the UK, I trained as a teacher in London and completed my PGCE at the Institute of Education. I worked briefly in the Further Education Sector as an ESL teacher and then went into the secondary sector where I have been working ever since. I am a qualified Special Educational Needs teacher (Certificate in teaching students with Specific Learning Difficulties) with over 10 years experience in this field. I also have extensive experience in teaching History and English. I have lots of interests and hobbies and have taken part in amateur dramatics, musicals and have been a guitarist/singer in a band.

 

JoHeyes (Science - Physics)

I have travelled widely in South East Asia and was impressed by the friendliness of the people and the diversity of culture. When I was looking for a new place to live and work, Malaysia and KL was therefore top of the list. I have now left the cold Yorkshire weather behind and I am teaching Physics here and enjoying it.

 

Lisa Rushton (Drama)

Hello! I have been teaching for 6 years before landing here in Malaysia to be greeted by the friendliest, politest, most hard working students in the world (really….what’s the catch?!!) This is my first trip to Malaysia and I fear that with all the excellent food (Roti Canai is the best invention ever!) and shopping experiences surrounding me that you’ll have trouble getting rid of me!! I also love diving and so being near the idyllic islands of Malaysia after the ‘coral reefs’ of Hartlepool are also a welcome change. I’m looking forward to many happy years of teaching at Garden and travelling around Asia.

 

Graham Wilson

Head of Secondary

 

Cultural Kaleidoscope 08

There are places for 15 students to host our visitors from Paris, Singapore and Estonia during International Week next term and 10 places for a Face-2-Face visit with students from the German school in Paris. Forms are available from Ms Peers. Deadline is next week.

 

Leonora Anne Peers

International Coordinator

 

 

NEWS FROM PRIMARY

 

Reminders for your diary :

All Parents

8th , 9th, 10th, 18th, 19th  and 22nd October 2007

Johnny Foo Photography Session

All Parents

11th October 2007

8am - Children, 1pm - Parents

Year 5 Hari Raya Assembly

Year 3’s Parents

10th October 2007

Year 3 Trip to Bombay Palace and Lake Garden

 

 

 Advance Warning for your diary :

All Parents

8th , 9th, 10th, 18th, 19th  and 22nd October 2007

Johnny Foo Photography Session

All Parents

22nd till 25th October 2007

Parent Teacher’s Conference

All Parents

22nd till 26th October 2007

Free CCAs - CANCELLED

Paid CCAs - ON

 

As we enter the sixth week of term, it is pleasing to see how quickly and easily the children have settled into the routines and expectations of the school. The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is well underway and the staff are putting in great effort to ensure your children enjoy their learning. The IPC has clearly defined six personal goals for each child, these are in addition to the subject and the international goals. The goals are:

 

·        Cooperation

·        Respect

·        Morality

·        Enquiry

·        Thoughtfulness

·        Resilience

·        Adaptability

·        Communication

 

These are not age specific goals, they apply to children and adults of all ages. In addition to these, we are looking for opportunities for each child to develop their independence and sense of responsibility. There are many ways in which you can assist your child to become more independent and to take responsibility for their own belongings, their own learning and their own development. Naturally this does rely on having firm boundaries and guidelines. Examples of how you can help your child might include:

 

·                    Encourage your child to check their own timetable and prepare their school bag for the day ahead

·                    Tidying their own room

·                    Assisting a younger brother or sister with given tasks

·                    Helping with household chores such as shopping, washing up, or caring for a pet

·                    Sitting down to commence their homework at an agreed time

·                    Independent reading and research tasks

 

There are of course many others. At school, it would help greatly if parents began to encourage their children to carry their own school bags and belongings to and from school. Parents/Guardians can also help greatly by working towards the situation where your child can come into school alone or with a sibling.

We would like to encourage all parents, guardians and caregivers not to congregate in corridors after the start of school. If you are in school, please feel very welcome to head to the cafeteria where you can socialize with other parents, whilst enjoying a hot or cold drink. At 9.20am, the students come down to play and to use the cafeteria. Therefore, we do ask that parents leave by 9.00am to ensure the staff have time to prepare for morning break.

 

Thank you in advance for your efforts to help your child and the school.

 

Neil Smith

Head of Primary

 

Field Trip To River Congkak, Hulu Langat

As part of the Year 6 Studies; ‘Investigating Rivers’, the children took part in a field trip to the River Congkak, Hulu Langat. The children took part in activities to measure the depth of the river so that they could draw a profile when they return to school. They also got involved in measuring the current; to see which part of the river was flowing the fastest. The children also had a chance to sketch different stretches so that they could identify the boulders that had been transported down the river in times of flood. The river walk allowed the children to see at first hand the results of erosion of the banks and areas of deposition of sediment. They also got wet, some wetter than others! The trip was made all the easier by the parents who gave so freely of their time. In a number of cases parents making a second visit, obviously not put off by their previous experiences. So, a big thank you to all the teachers and the parents for making the learning come to life.

 

John Kirby

Head of KS 2

 

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

 

Dragons News

 

Last weeks scores

U18 Boys Football vs ISKL 1-1 draw

U18 Girls Football vs ISKL 2-0 loss

 

U13 FOBISSEA Selection

The team for this year U13 Fobissea (Singapore, 28 November – 1 December ’07) will be announced on Friday 19th October. Each student selected will be required to take part in a minimum of 2 sports. Fobissea sports are Football, Athletics, Swimming & Basketball. The squad will be chosen from the U13 Dragons teams.

 

School Swimming Costume

School swim costumes and hats are now available in the school book shop. They will be phased in for lessons over this term and compulsory after Christmas for Year 3 to Year 9.  

 

Secondary Footwear

Could secondary students please wear “blades / moulded studs” or “football boots” when undertaking physical activity on the field.

 

Mr. Wellington

Head of PE Faculty

 

CCA Expectations & Suggestions

When participating in any a CCA after school, students are expected to:

 

·                    Wear PE kit or appropriate attire* when participating in any physical activity.

·                    Be punctual to CCAs and inform the teacher, instructor or coach if they cannot attend a session.

·                    Bring plenty of water and wear a hat or sun cream when appropriate. Jewellery and watches must not be worn during any physical activity.

·                    Be respectful of the facility and equipment that they use. Equipment should be collected and returned sensibly and neatly.

·                    Be polite, well behaved and respectful of those around them.

 

Have fun!!!

(*For example, students may be asked to wear a Fencing suit for safety reasons).

 

It may be worth noting that if you need to speak to me for any reason, the best times to phone or to come into school are as follows:

 

7.30-8.00am (before I start teaching).

3.30-3.45pm (after CCAs have finished).

 

I would like to thank you for your patience and support this term. With your help and the staff here at GIS, a record number of students are participating in CCAs this year, which is fantastic. However, this also meant that CCAs did fill up very quickly!! So, to try and avoid disappointment, this is a list of suggestions to help you select CCAs for next term:

 

·                    Please do not knowingly select two CCAs on the same day. This may secure your child a place in both for you to then choose at later date, but another student will inevitably be disappointed that he/she did not gain a place.

·                    Please do not select only one CCA. I cannot guarantee that your child will gain a place in this CCA.

·                    CCA forms really need to be handed in on time. Most CCA forms in the Primary school are generally handed in on time as parents (as opposed to children) give the forms in. But, if you have children in the Secondary School, please don’t forget that if you are expecting them to hand their own forms in because they are older, they still may need reminding!

·                    Please sign the CCA form. This is so that I know that you are aware of your child’s choices.

·                    Please don’t forget to write your child’s full name and class on the form. If children fill in their own form, often they seem to only write their first name which can cause confusion.

·                    Please, if possible, avoid picking three very popular CCAs. The following CCAs have limited space and always fill up very quickly:

 

1.                     Rhythmic Gymnastics

2.                     Recreational Tennis/ Badminton/ T-ball/ Cricket

3.                     Fencing

4.                     Cooking and Baking

5.                     Improvers/ Beginners Swimming

6.                     Robotics

7.                     International Award

8.                     MAGIC

9.                     Mad Science 1, 2 and 3

10.                Computer Club

11.                Master Chef

12.                Year 3 and 4 Art Attack

13.                Chess

14.                Brownies

15.                Jewellery Making

16.                Technology Workshops

17.                Observational Drawing

 

I do try where possible to expand very popular CCAs (for example, extra Mad Science and Technology Workshop sessions have been created). But, as I am sure you can understand, CCAs do depend on availability of space and staff etc. and numbers have to be restricted for safety reasons. I am aware that it must be difficult to select CCAs if you are not sure if your child will gain place in a Dragons team. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to this problem but just to reassure you, we are trying to come up with a solution.

 

Nicola Randy.

CCA Coordinator

 

CCAs during the week 22nd-26th October

As you may be aware, during the week of 22nd - 26th October, Primary Parent Teacher Conferences (PTCs) are taking place and many Secondary students and staff are involved in various camps. Therefore, teachers may cancel their CCAs during that week. IF your child’s CCA is cancelled during that week, they will be informed by the teacher involved.

 

Nicola Randy

CCA coordinator

 

 

PARENT, TEACHER AND FRIENDS OF GIS

Hi Everyone! Nothing new to mention. So, here is a reminder of the upcoming events:

 

Parent Forum cum Coffee Morning

Tuesday, 30th