Newsletter
26th January 2007
NEWS
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Update of contact
information including e-mail addresses
It is
very important that we are able to contact parents immediately if their child
is involved in an incident in school. We have a mass SMS message system which
would be used in times of emergency.
Please
ensure that we have your current house and mobile telephone numbers. It is also
important that we have your e-mail address so that we can notify you of the
publication of the weekly newsletter and other long term events. Updated
information can be sent via the school office or e-mailed to admissions@gardenschool.edu.my.
Please
do not forget to supply us with your child’s name and class as well as your
contact details.
Construction
of Security Boom Gates
Over
the next two weeks, contractors will be erecting security boom gates at the
three campus entrance and exit points. These gates will provide additional
security for our campus and have been supplied with the generous help of the
United States Department of Homeland Security. I apologise for any
inconvenience that may be caused during the construction period.
Appointment
of Head Boy and Head Girl
I am
delighted to inform you that the following students have been appointed to
these positions:
Head
Boy
Benjamin Rynjah
Goh
Head
Girl
Pooja Bharat
Deputy
Head
Boy
Owen Bendor-Samuel
Deputy
Head
Girl
Wong Ke Ni
These
students are ambassadors for the school and represent the student body at a
number of public and private functions. They also act as exemplary role models
to other students. They are a very worthy appointees and I am certain that they
will carry out their responsibilities with skill and dedication.
School
Closure
Please
be reminded that the School will be closed to students on Thursday 1st February for Federal Territory Day and
Friday 2nd February for staff in-service training.
Principal
NEWS
FROM THE HEAD OF SECONDARY
Dear Parents,
As
announced earlier in this newsletter, the new Head Boy, Head Girl and their
Deputies take up their posts for this calendar year.
I would like to
take this opportunity to thank their predecessors who have done a superb job
over the past year.
Head Boy, Gregory Das, Head Girl, Manisha
Rajaratnam, and their deputies Christopher Ho and Kee
Hooi Jean have been a very strong team.
They have played
major roles in organising school events including the inaugural “Walk The World”, Mufti Day and recently the Year 13 camp. They
have quietly and without fuss, given younger students and the Prefects the
benefits of their own experience at camps and during school activities.
They have
represented the school at formal events such as Graduation Awards evening. They
have been very good role models for other students to respect and look up
to. Congratulations on a job very well done.
The new student
leadership team have a hard act to follow; I am sure that they will try hard to
rise to the challenge.
Teaching and
Learning
Whatever
the myriad activities and events of school life, the central purpose must
always be to provide the best possible quality of teaching and learning. The past decade as seen huge developments in our understanding
of how learning occurs and therefore, of the most effective ways of
teaching in order to maximise the learning
opportunities for our students.
As an
international school, we pride ourselves on the quality of teaching and
learning that we provide for our students and it is the main focus of our staff
training this year. This newsletter contains an article by Michelle Taylor, the
Gifted and Talented Coordinator for the Secondary school which tells you
more about this.
Robert Lloyd
Head of
Secondary
Discovery
Week Phase 2
Today, all
students in Secondary School would have received a booklet containing all
information on Phase Two activities for Discovery Week. Please take some time
to read about all the interesting activities planned and make your choice
wisely.
For those who
may have missed out on signing up for a Phase One Trip, you have one last
chance. There are still places available to
You have till
16th February to make your choice and place
your deposits. All students not opting to go on a trip will take part in a
special programme back at school focusing on
Community Service in our neighbourhood and
surrounding areas.
Please make
your payments by cheque to Miss
Thank you.
Leonora Peers
International
Coordinator
Teaching and Learning
Continues at GIS
This year GIS continue to focus on high
quality Teaching and Learning. GIS benefited from the advice of one of the
Our enthusiastic and knowledgeable
speaker, Alistair Smith, discussed his work on Accelerated Learning within
schools across the
His work is centred
on making learning memorable by connecting students learning to previous
knowledge and understanding and incorporating a range of different learning
activities and delivery methods to include the thinking of Multiple Intelligences
and Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic learning styles.
Within all faculties, staff at GIS recognise that each student experiences learning through
many levels, and in doing so, lessons are focusing not only the need to teach
students about subject matter but also about the different skills needed to
learn effectively.
All humans are talented in their own
way. How people understand, think, and perceive the world makes each person
a unique learner. The work of Howard Gardener identifies 8 areas of multiple intelligence that should be considered when designing a
training program for learners.
1. Verbal-language ability. Examples: writers, storytellers,
and television talk-show hosts.
2. Logical-mathematical ability for scientific reasoning.
Examples: scientists, statisticians and computer programmers.
3. Visual-spatial, ability to perceive the world through
spatial arrangements. Examples: architects, graphic designers, and engineers.
4. Bodily-kinesthetic, ability for control of muscular and other
physical sensations. Examples: actors, athletes, dancers, and craftspeople.
5. Musical-rhythmic ability. Examples: musicians and singers.
6. Interpersonal, ability to work cooperatively and
communicate with others. Examples: teachers, therapists, politicians,
managers, salespeople, public relations specialists, and religious leaders.
7. Intrapersonal, ability to perceive oneself, to watch
oneself as an outside observer. Examples: theologians,
entrepreneurs, and philosophers.
8. Naturalistic, ability to see the elements of physical
world in their interrelatedness. Examples: anthropologists,
biologists, physicians, and natural healers.
In recognising
patterns and behaviours of learning, we can support
the educational and emotional development of students more fully. Along with
this information teachers also have access to Standardised
Score test results (carried out in Year 7, Year 10 and Year 12) that also indicate
areas of Verbal, Logical and Naturalistic capabilities.
With this in mind, there have been many
opportunities for students to maximize their learning within the classroom and
beyond…Our extensive programme of CCA’s,
Sporting activities, Arts productions, Science and Mathematic competitions
allows students to ‘Aim High’ in fulfilling their potential.
Also, there have been many group
projects which students have been involved in, some independently and some
through association to groups or clubs such as being a Prefect, writing for
INK…being Gifted and Talented, a part of the Disco Inferno production,
Recycling group, The Model United Nations forum, to speak of a few…
It is hugely encouraging to see the
number of students who choose to be part of so many different activities that
support their learning and build their confidence as intelligent and
knowledgeable young adults. It is worth reflecting on the huge personal
achievements gained for so many of our students and staff during the first term
of this academic year.
Michelle Taylor
Curriculum Co-ordinator
THIMUN
It all started with Edwin dragging us
out of our beds at the unearthly hour of six in the morning to wait for a bus
that would only arrive at seven. On November 28th 2006, a group of 17 fresh young people
started their journey to the
This year round, it has been an honour for our school to produce the first and only student
officer for THIMUN Singapore from Malaysia, the chair of GA 6, Ian Choong.
On the first day, we entered Hwa Chong dressed in black suits. Although some delegates
chose to wear tights inside their pants to prevent chaffing, most others did
not. After the opening ceremony, opening speeches were made in the general
assembly. Certain speeches carried more impact than others, for example the
Ambassador of China’s opening speech contained the words “We have a noble
mission at this conference; as the world’s new only superpower. Our economic
might, our communist principles and our stern resolve ensures than with the
right amount of effort, we will make a significant difference to many world problems.”
During the 4 day long conference,
delegates had to debate particular issues in accordance with their forums. The
delegates debated with such fervour and passion that
some debates continued from the conference rooms to the canteen.
The food this year was a welcome change
from the last. With everything from laksa to steak
available, the delegates were in cloud nine everyday.
But THIMUN isn’t only about lunch and
debate. Every night, was a different adventure. In the six days that we were
there, we became experts at riding the MRT. We also grew closer both as people,
and as a delegation.
All in all it was a fun, yet eventful
trip thanks to our directors and coordinators, Mr Butlin and Ms Mayor.
Ian Choong
Year 12
NEWS
FROM THE HEAD OF PRIMARY
Reminders for your
diary :
|
Year 1 Parents |
Tuesday 30/1 |
Trip to Badan Warisan Details in letter recently sent/Class Teacher |
|
Year 1 Parents |
Wednesday 31/1 |
Trip to Badan Warisan Details in letter recently sent/Class Teacher |
|
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 :
|
Year 6 Parents |
Tuesday 6/2 |
Year 6 Camp Meeting for Parents Details in letter sent this week |
|
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 |
Year 3
and 4 Sports Day
We look
forward to seeing parents and friends supporting their children at Sports Day
in the morning of Tuesday 13th February. On Friday 16th
February there will be a special assembly at which medals will be awarded and
to which Year 3 & 4 Parents are also invited. Further
details in the letter being distributed this week.
Chinese New
Year Assembly
The
Chinese New Year Assembly for parents of children in Year 2 will take place on Wednesday 14th February. Parents of children in Year 2 are warmly
invited to attend this special Assembly which will take place in the Grand
Hall at 8.15am
Later
in the day, Year 2 children will again perform their Assembly, this time for
the whole Primary School.
PLEASE
NOTE that this Assembly is only for the Primary School and I am sorry that we
are unable to accommodate parents on this occasion.
Children
who wish to come to school on 14th February in appropriate costume to help
everyone celebrate the forthcoming Chinese New Year are welcome to do so.
Year Five
Malacca Trip
Year Five
children and their teachers visited Malacca for three days this week on an
educational trip, studying sites of historical interest. Look for more details
about the trip in the next newsletter.
Reception
Visit To The Pet Shop
Last week,
Reception classes enjoyed their trip to the pet store. It was a great way to
bring to life our classroom activities about pets. We wrote a recount on our
return to school. Thank you to Reception parents for supporting this fun local
outing!
“I saw a dog,
a rabbit and a cat.” - Leanne
“We went on
the bus.” - Declan
“The mouse
can run fast and it lives in a hole because it’s small.” - Syed Muhammad
FINALLY - please
don’t forget that next week is a short week and that school is closed on
Thursday and Friday. On
Thursday, we are closed for a Public Holiday and on Friday, school will be
closed for children to allow for Staff Training. In the Primary School,
this will include being updated about the
Christopher
FitzGerald
Head of
Primary
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
GIS Badminton Club
There are still a few places left for the badminton club. Monday 4-30 to 6-00pm and Wednesday 5-00 to 6-30pm in the Grand
Hall. Please see Miss Devi in the Arts Centre for details.
PARENT, TEACHER & FRIENDS
Calendar Term 2
6th Feb - Mother & Toddler Group, 9.45-11.15am, EYD Hall
9th Feb – ‘Safe Internet Surfing’ by Mr.
5th – 9th March – International
Week
9th March – International Bazaar
Mother
& Toddler Group, Tuesday, 6th February
Come
and join Therese in the EYD Hall between 9.45 and 11.15am for a chat and a cup
of tea whilst the little ones are at play.
‘Safe
Internet Surfing’ by Mr
Mr.
Wilson, Deputy Head of Secondary, Pastoral, would like to speak on ‘Safe
Internet Surfing’, which is vital for parents to help and guide their children
on proper usage of IT. We have arranged for him to talk to parents of Years 4,
5 and 6 on 9th February in the Primary Hall, between
5.30 and 6.30pm.
This is
to coincide with the Primary Valentine’s Disco which starts at 5pm and finishes
at 6.45pm. Whilst the kids are boogying away, parents can wait in comfort and
listen to Mr. Wilson on this important subject. Light refreshments will be
provided.
International
Bazaar, Friday, 9th
February
The PTF
will be organising an International Bazaar on the Friday of the International
week. We are aiming to have as many stalls as possible representing various
different countries. So, if any parents are interested in displaying and
selling wares, foods, etc. from a particular country, please call Jessie on
0163952507.
ASEAN
Kelab Darul Ehsan
(KDE)
Sunday
- 4th February 2007, 10.00am - 4.00pm
RM 5 -
For Adults, Children enter Free!
ALL
WELCOME!
Tina
& Cheryl
PTF Communications
sub-committee
