Newsletter
19th January 2007
NEWS
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
School Security
I am pleased to inform you that from 1st
January 2007,
This
new arrangement ensures that we now have complete control of our security
guards who come under the direct control of the GIS Security Manager, Major Raj
Kumar. Major Raj is an extremely experienced security professional who knows
the operational and security requirements of the school.
Our
security guards have been hand picked for their commitment and efficiency and
will ensure the safety and security of students, the school campus and all
campus visitors. You may have noticed that over the past week, some new
security measures have come into force.
All
visitors must now show their GIS identity tag or sign in as a visitor to gain
entry to the school. All tags and visitors badges must be worn in a
prominent place when on campus. It is now also a requirement that during
weekends and evenings, all campus visitors must sign in. If visitors do not
have a GIS security pass, they will be asked to provide proof of identity.
The
security guards have the right to refuse entry to anyone who cannot provide
proof of identity or who does not have legitimate business on campus. The
security guards have been asked to conduct bag searches from time to time to
ensure that dangerous items are not brought into the school campus. To help us
maintain a secure and safe school, I would ask you to follow the instructions
of our security guards at all times.
Principal
NEWS
FROM THE HEAD OF SECONDARY
Dear parents,
2007 International Space Settlement Design
Competition
Many congratulations to our team of
scientists from Years 9 and 10 who have reached the semi-finals of this
prestigious international competition organised by
NASA. This is the first time that a team from GIS have entered the competition;
so to reach the semi-final is a remarkable achievement.
The
competition is a high-intensity intellectual experience that emulates real
proposal teams in
industry. It requires high level research skills as well as very effective
teamwork. The team’s brief was to design a self-sustaining space facility
orbiting within the asteroid belt. This they did superbly well. Next week, the
team will be travelling to
Our successful team consists of:-
1)
2) Basil
Lim
3) Dion Moult
4) Andrew Chim
5) Branden Khong
6) Kaushal Inna
7) Lim
Hyun Tae
8) Calvin
Tan
9) Gordon Hooi
10) Pranay Sharma
11) Jane
Woo
12) Derek
Cheah
Well done to all
the team and many thanks to Mr Dennis Christley, Head of Science and Mr Sam
Gibbs the team consultant for their support and guidance of our young
scientists.
We
shall keep you informed of the team’s progress…
Robert Lloyd
Head of
Secondary
French, Spanish and
Mandarin Homework Club
The Homework Club is on every Monday and
Wednesdays, from 2.30 to 3.30 pm. Help is given by a team of French, Spanish
and Mandarin teachers and talented students. Please note that help with
Mandarin is only offered on Wednesday afternoons. (Thanks Mrs De Vries!!!)
Dr Conti
Head of
French
NEWS
FROM PRIMARY
Reminders for your diary :
|
Year 5 Parents |
Tuesday 23/1 – Thursday 25/1 |
Year 5 Malacca Trip Details from Class Teachers |
|
All parents |
Thursday 1/2 |
School Closed for City Day |
|
All Parents |
Friday 2/2 |
School Closed for Staff
Training |
Advance Warning for your diary :
|
Years 3 and 4 Parents |
Tuesday 13/2 |
Year 3 and 4 Sports Day Details soon |
|
Year 2 Parents |
Wednesday 14/2 (morning) |
Chinese New Year Assembly Details soon |
|
Year 3 and 4 Parents |
Friday 16/2 |
Year 3 and 4 Sports Day Presentation Assembly |
New Staff
I
inadvertently omitted the names of new staff in last week’s Newsletter
and so belatedly I would like to welcome the following who joined us at the
beginning of this term:
Ms Joanna Boden who takes our new 1L class. Mrs Boden
moves to us after having recently taught in
Ms Farah Fariza who joins us
as a new member of the Primary Malay Department.
Ms Catherine Guna who returns to GIS after several years’ absence as
Primary Music Coordinator.
Year 3 Class
Assemblies
Congratulations
to Year 3 on their Class Assemblies this week. Not only did they show that
learning could be fun, but they were also able to demonstrate just how much
knowledge and understanding they had acquired. Many thanks to the teachers for
all their hard work in putting the Assemblies together and also to all parents
who supported them.
Year 5 Camp
to Malacca
Next week
around 160 children and 16 staff will spend three days in Malacca as their
residential excursion. These ‘camps’ are so important for children
not just because they allow time for more extensive fieldwork but also, and in
some cases even more importantly, they allow children an opportunity to develop
their social skills. We appreciate the trust parents put in us by allowing the
children to participate. I am very grateful that so many of my colleagues have
kindly volunteer to participate. A particular thanks to Ms Siobhan (Year 5
Coordinator) who has made all the arrangements.
Christopher
FitzGerald
Head of
Primary
To Parents of Year 6
students studying French
If
you would like your son or daughter to be helped with his/her French by Sixth
Formers on Monday and Thursday mornings during registration time, please let
his/her classroom teachers know or do get in touch with the Head of French, Dr
Conti, MFL Faculty (e-mail: conti.g@gardenschool.edu.my).
The students who are currently part of this scheme find it very useful and
enjoyable; moreover…it is totally free!
Dr Conti
Head of
French
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
U11’s Dragons
Trials (Year 5 & 6)
Trials have
been held this week for the U11’s Dragons Teams. There will be a second
opportunity for trials week beginning 22nd January.
U11 Boys
Football – Wednesday 2.30 – 3.30pm (Mr. Bradshaw)
U11 Girls
Football - Wednesday 3.30 – 4.30pm (Mr. Storey)
U11 Boys
& Girls T-Ball – Thursday 2.30 – 3.30pm (Mr. Dale / Mr.
Bradshaw)
U11 Boys
& Girls Swimming – Monday 2.30 – 3.30pm, Thursday 2.30 –
3.30pm (Mr. Ong)
U11 Dragons
Athletics (Mrs. Moore) finalised their squads this
week.
Mr. Wellington
Head of PE
Dragon Swim Team News
Friendly meet at Alice Smith
Primary
school students are invited to try out for the Dragons swim team, which will
travel to
The swimming trials
will be held next week on Monday, 22nd January, and Thursday 25th January.
If
you’re interested in trying out for the team, you will need to make sure
you’re at the school pool at 2.30pm on both Monday and Thursday. The
trials will finish at 4pm on both days.
Swim team to
travel to Bangkok
Swimmers from
Primary and Secondary are invited to try out for the Garden Swim Team that will
travel to
This will be
the first time that GIS will send a swim team to the South East Asian Secondary
Activity
Conference (SEASAC) competition.
Trials for
the SEASAC Dragons Swim Team will be held on Monday, 12th February and Thursday, 15th February, at the
school pool.
Garden will
be sending a team of 12 boys and 12 girls to the swim meet to compete in the
following age groups: 10-12 years; 13-14 years; and 15-19 years.
Four boys and
four girls will be chosen for each of the three age group classifications.
Students will be chosen to represent the school based on their all-round
performance in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.
The SEASAC
swim competition will be held from 8th -11th March at the New
International School of Thailand (NIST).
MSSKL team being finalised
Dragon Swim
Team Head Coach Mr Ong is presently finalising the
swim team that will represent Garden at the 26th MSSKL Swim Meet on 6th - 7th
February.
Trials for
the competition were held this week, and successful swimmers will be offered a
place on the team next week.
PRAKL Swim
Meet
Swimmers from
Primary and Secondary are invited to take part in the PRAKL swim meet that will
be held on 2nd - 4th March.
Students
wishing to take part in the age-group meet can do so as individuals.
If you want
more information about the meet or need an entry form, please contact Head
Coach Mr Ong in the PE staffroom, on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.
Dragons Swim
Club News
Dragons Swim
Club members re-started their training this week in the lead up to the major
MSSKL, SEASAC and Alice Smith friendly meets.
Students from
Secondary and Primary are always invited to become members of the club.
The aim of
the club is to build swimmers into strong competitive swimmers by improving
their stroke technique, developing their starts and turns and giving them the
necessary endurance and speed training.
Club trainings are on Monday at 4.00-5.30pm, Tuesdays at
3.30-5.00pm, Wednesdays 4.00 – 5.30pm and Thursdays at 4.00-5.30pm in the
school pool.
Membership is RM350 per child per term which can be paid
to Miss
Fiona Cope
P.E Teacher
PARENT, TEACHER & FRIENDS
Calendar Term 2
25th January – PTF Coffee Morning,
Topic- Preventing Cancer through Detoxification by Dr. Rajen
26th January – Quiz Night, Grand Hall,
from 7.30am onwards
6th Feb - Mother & Toddler Group,
9.45-11.15am, EYD Hall
5th – 9th March –
International Week
9th March – International bazaar
PTF Coffee Morning (Thursday 25th January, Primary
Assembly Hall, 8.30-10.00am)
Dr. Rajen will be back next week to give us another interesting
and useful talk. The topic this time is ‘Preventing Cancer through
Detoxification’. Dr. Rajen has been very kind
to give up his time to come and talk to us, so please do come and give your
support. As usual breakfast will be provided for, compliments of the PTF.
Quiz Night (Friday
26th January, Grand Hall, 7pm)
Posters and flyers
are out with details of this Quiz Night. For your information there will now be
5 prizes (not 3) for winners and lots more lucky draw prizes too. We have had
good response so far, lots of tables booked, so come and join in the fun, the
more the merrier! Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available from
the Arts Foyer and canteen. Any queries, please call
Tina
& Cheryl
PTF Communications
sub-committee
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.
Yours faithfully,
Head of
Performing Arts