Newsletter
08th
December 2006
NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
This
week has seen the usual wide range of activities taking place throughout
school.
The Singapore Model United Nations Assembly which began last week
continued over the weekend and the GIS delegates demonstrated their brilliance
as debaters, negotiators and policy makers.
Disco Inferno
Rehearsals for the musical, Disco Inferno, continued over the
weekend and I would urge you to get your tickets for this vibrant, fast moving
and entertaining extravaganza which takes place on 12th, 13th
and 14th December.
Secondary Swimming Gala
A very successful Secondary Swimming Gala took place on Tuesday, with the concept of
the inter-House competition taking centre stage.
Drama Showcase
On Wednesday Year 10 IGCSE Drama students took part in a Drama Showcase in which they presented
several works based around the very thought provoking examination syllabus. The
students demonstrated a maturity beyond their Years in both their writing
staging and acting.
Greek Day
Thursday was Greek
Day for Year 4,
with students arriving at school in Ancient Greek costumes, many of the
carrying home made models of Greek Temples. Such interactive learning makes the
curriculum both meaningful and fun.
Christmas Assembly
The first of our Early Years Christmas Assembles took place on Thursday.
This year each Reception class is presenting a Christmas Assembly whilst the
Year 1 students present their combined large Christmas Assembly on Thursday 14th
December.
Christmas Bazaar
The wonderful PTF
Christmas Bazaar took
place today at the Grand Hall. This annual event draws hundreds of members from
our school community to share the festive mood and to purchase Christmas
presents.
As a consequences of several unfortunate incidents which regrettably were
the responsibility of GIS students; Vista Kiara,
Buddies Café and the adjacent shop are “out of bounds” to all students, except
for those who live in Vista Kiara.
This will remain as effect until further notice whilst we consider the
arrangements that might need to be made to ensure that these facilities are
used in the responsible way which we would expect of all GIS students.
Please be reminded that the present Term ends on Friday 15th December with all
students finishing at 11.30 am.
Principal
NEWS FROM THE HEAD OF SECONDARY
Swimming
Gala
Congratulations to all
involved with the secondary school Swimming Gala on Tuesday. The level of
participation and standard of competition were the best yet. The swimmers were
well supported by the spectators, both other students and parents and the races
kept to a very tight schedule. An excellent event and many
thanks to Mr. Springall - Head of Secondary PE who organized the day.
Year 10 Drama Showcase
The Year 10 IGCSE Drama
students are just one term into their course; yet they achieved excellent performances
in what was for many their first time in front of an audience. A very enjoyable evening for all the parents and friends who
attended.
Robert Lloyd
Head
of Secondary
WANTED – HOMESTAY FAMILIES in MARCH 2007
In conjunction with our
ever successful AEC Project, Cultural Kaleidoscope, we are looking for a few
more willing host families for our visiting students from
Your child should be either in Year 9 or 10, as the visiting students will
be of around the same age. This is a perfect opportunity for your child to
experience hosting a student from another country and what’s more, he/she will
have the chance to participate in a very interesting programme
of activities during International Week, including sight-seeing, hands-on
workshops, collaborative group work.
If you are interested, please contact me immediately at 012-382 2060 as
there is a final meeting for CulKal students on
Monday 11th December in the afternoon, 2.30pm-
3.30pm.
Leonora Anne Peers
International Coordinator
NEWS FROM THE HEAD OF PRIMARY
Reminders for your diary :
|
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 14th 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.
Farewell
Sadly we say ‘farewell’ to Mr Elliott, our Primary Music Coordinator, at
the end of this term. Mr Elliott is returning to his native
Happy Holidays
Term finishes for the Christmas holiday next Friday. My colleagues join
me in wishing you all a very enjoyable holiday and we look forward to seeing
the students back in school for the start of next term at the usual time on
Monday 8th January.
Christopher FitzGerald
Head of Primary
Changes to FOBISSEA Selection
Primary FOBISSEA selection will now follow the same format as secondary.
There will now be trials for individual teams e.g. U11 Dragons T-ball. The
overall FOBISSEA team will then be selected by the coaches of the following
teams:
Dragon U11 T-BALL Team
Dragon U11 Football Team
Dragon Primary Athletics Team
Dragon Primary Swimming Team
There will be separate trials for Year 4’s as these are not covered by
Dragons Teams.
As the numbers for FOBISSEA teams are capped/limited
then selection will favour those students who can
offer more than one sport. It is important that this is taken into
consideration when students select what teams they
trial for. This applies to Primary, U13 & U15 FOBISSEA teams.
Paul Wellington
Head of PE Faculty
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Term 2 CCAs
I am pleased to say that all CCAs for next term
have been confirmed. Classroom teachers and form tutors have been asked to
display lists in their classroom during this week, which confirm whether or not
your child has gained a place in their chosen CCAs.
If you wish to check these lists, they are currently being displayed on the CCA
notice board.
If your child has gained a place in a paid CCA, please
visit Miss. Devi on Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th
or Wednesday 13th December. Their place will only be secure for
these 3 days. Miss. Devi will not accept payment before Monday.
If your child did not gain a place in one of their CCAs
and they wish to join another CCA, please ask them to see me or they can
approach the teacher involved in the CCA directly. (To find out which members
of staff are involved in the CCA, please refer to the CCA booklet).
Please be aware however, that the following CCAs
are now FULL:
·
Year 3 and 4 Art Attack
·
Beginners Tae Kwon Do
·
Primary Drama
·
Fencing
·
Floor Hockey
·
Horse Riding
·
Jewellery Making
·
Judo
·
Primary Cricket
·
Puzzles and Games
·
Race Swimming
·
Recreational Badminton
·
Recreational Tennis
·
Rhythmic Gymnastics
·
Robotics
·
Technology Workshop
Please be aware that the following changes have taken place during the last
week:
- Cross
Stitch is now on a Wednesday.
- Creative Writing Workshop is on Tuesday.
- U13’s Boys Dragons Football – Wednesday
3.30-4.30pm (astro)
- Year
10-13 Dragons Tennis is on Thursday.
Those CCAs that are described as being selective/trials in the
CCA booklet require trials. If your child wishes to join these teams, they must
attend a trial at the beginning of next term and the coach involved will then select their team. For details of the
trials, please ask the coach involved (refer to the CCA booklet).
I am pleased to say that the majority of students gained their first choice
of CCA. However, if you child did not gain a place in their first choice, they
were then given priority in their second choice.
Although there is a wide variety of CCAs to
choose from, certain CCAs seem to be very popular and
fill up very quickly! I sincerely hope that there are not too many disappointed
students. If your child wishes to join another CCA, please see me/ email me or
approach the teacher involved in the CCA.
Please remember that this is the last week of CCAs
for this term. There are no CCAs in the week
beginning 11th December.
Nicola Randy
CCA Coordinator
Dragons Team Selection
Trials will take place for Dragons Teams in the 1st / 2nd week of
Term 2. It is important that students read the PE & Sports notice boards.
Trials will take place at the same time as their slots published in the CCA
booklet. Any queries regarding team selection must initially go through the
team coach and then Mr. Wellington (Head of PE).
1st SUKAN TERAS NATIONAL AQUATIC
CHAMPIONSHIP 2006, 20th - 23rd DEC organised
by PRAKL
The school has been invited to the above swim meet. Any students wishing to
compete must make their own travel arrangements. Mr. Ong will help with
registration and entry forms. If you would like your child to attend, please
get in touch with Mr. Ong (Head of Swimming) ASAP in the PE Dept.
Paul Wellington
Head of PE Faculty
PARENT, TEACHER & FRIENDS
Calendar
Term 1
11th January – New Parents Coffee Morning
16th January – Mother &
Toddler Group, 9.45-11.15am, EYD Hall
26th January – Quiz night
(details to follow)
5th – 9th March –
International Week
9th March – International
bazaar
New Parents Coffee Morning
All new and existing parents are invited to join in this Coffee Morning.
The Principal, Mr. Ray Davis will be there to welcome everyone. Please do come
and get to know each other. Breakfast will be provided for.
International Week
Apologies for error on information regarding Masumi’s dance performance.
She is organising a traditional dance for the cultural concert on Wednesday 7th March and not the 9th
March.
Additionally, this performance is open only to all Japanese children of
all ages. Please contact Masumi on 019 282 0966 if you are interested before 11th
December.
Also, if there is anyone who might be interested in organising a
cultural dance from their country, please come forward. If you are and need
assistance in enlisting volunteers, please contact Tina on 0172216845 and she
will put it out in the weekly newsletter.
The PTF would like to invite parents to get together to organise stalls
or booths to represent their countries. Please inform Masumi or
PTF Library & Second-hand Uniform
Both of the above will not be open next Wednesday 13th December. If there are
any parents who are leaving at the end of this term, the PTF would welcome any
unwanted PE kits, uniforms or books.
Tina
and Cheryl,
PTF communications sub-committee
--Lost & Found--
A blue face, silver metal SWATCH watch was lost in the Girls’ Changing
Room, near the pool area, on Friday, 1st December CCA at 3.20 -
3.40pm.
Could the person/finder be kind enough to return the watch to the young
owner, as she is still mourning over her loss.
Kindly hand it over to Mr. Ravin at the Student Services Department.
Thank you.
International Week ~ Performing
Arts (5th – 9th March 2007)
Can you help?
Do you know someone who
can help?
I am very keen to explore the possibilities of inviting established
local artists (supported by Performing Arts staff) to lead a series of workshops
over the course of International week.
These ‘discovery
options’
will take place during the school day and will provide superb opportunities
for interested students to acquire new skills and to
experience, share and enjoy the cultural diversity within the different art
forms.
Here’s
where you can help…..
If you know of local dancers, musicians or actors, skilled in dance,
music or drama from any culture, who may be interested in leading sessions
during International Week, I would be delighted to hear from you.
I can be contacted on 03 6209 6888, ext 6130, or krenca.s@gardenschool.edu.my
I look forward to hearing from you
Susan Krenca
Head of Performing Arts
PS – if anyone knows of a Kompang teacher,
please let me know as soon as possible.
CULTURAL SHOW - WEDNESDAY, 7th MARCH 2007
Important news for all talented students, staff and parents! A fabulous
opportunity for all those who can dance, act or sing!
I write with exciting news of the annual Cultural Show which will, once
again, take place during International Week (5th– 9th March
2007).
We have, at GIS, an abundance of talent - the resounding success of last
year’s Cultural Show was doubtlessly due to the expertise, enthusiasm and
commitment of all the parents, pupils and staff involved. A very special thanks
for your invaluable support – it was a pleasure to work with you!
Please help to make this year’s Cultural Show an equal success. If you are
a dancer, actor or singer; if you can train students; if you have artistic /
organizational skills; whatever your expertise, I’d like to hear from
you.
The remit is variety - our students represent over 50 nationalities!
Let’s produce a show which truly celebrates the wealth of cultural heritage
at GIS.
If, after reading this, you would like to consider rehearsing /
choreographing / organizing a performance by either students or parents (or a
performance involving both!), please get in touch with me as soon as you can. I
would be delighted to hear from you, even if you are, as yet, unsure. Please
email me at the following address:
I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Susan Krenca
Head of Performing Arts
DISCOVERY WEEK 2007
The
After a very successful and enjoying trip to
This 7-day-and-6-night trip will broaden our students’ horizon by giving
them a glimpse of the remains of ancient dynasties as well as provide those
students studying Mandarin with the opportunity to practise
their language skills.
Places we’ll be visiting are as follows:
1.
2. Tian An
3.
4.
5. Hutong Tour - a trishaw ride through the narrow streets and
old quadrangles, which dated back to
the days of the emperors.
6. Prince Gong’s Mansion - the most
exquisitely decorated and best preserved of the princes mansions
in
the capital city.
7. Great Wall - One of the seven
wonders of the world.
8. Ming
Tomb - the imperial burial place of 13 Ming emperors.
9.
10.
11.
12. Kung Fu show
13. Little Potala Temple - built in 1790 by Qian Long emperor for his 60th birthday.
14. Summer Resort -
the largest imperial garden in modern
15.‘Gubeiko’
Great Wall - a part of the Great Wall.
16.
The tour fare is RM3500 which includes flight ticket, hotel accommodation
(twin sharing), meals, sightseeing entrance fees, escort services, tipping and
airport taxes.
Come and speak to Ms Lee and Ms Yap in the teacher workroom on the 5th floor (MFL Faculty).
Lee Wan Sin
Head of Mandarin
All
of 11 wonderful and exciting trips in Phase 1!
Sports Camp – Brisbane
La
Discovering
The
Please sign up before it’s too late! Last day for deposits is Wednesday 13th December! Please hand in
your cheque directly to Ms Devi or Ms Kim at the
Leonora Anne Peers
International Coordinator