Garden International School

Newsletter

28^th September 2007

Headlines For This Week

News From Principal

- Performing Arts

Information

- School Car Park Stickers - Guidelines

News From Secondary

- A Level Examination Results 2007

- New Secondary Teachers

      -     School Camps

- Education UK Exhibition

- Homestay Visit From Students From Germany

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

News From Primary

- Jewellery

- “No Hat, No Play”

- Maids And Drivers

Co-Curricular Activities

- Dragons Results

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

Announcement

- Swimming Costume

NEWS FROM PRINCIPAL

This week, my focus has been on the performing arts. I would like to draw your attention to the wonderful art display in the foyer. The fish sculptures were produced by Year 7 in April and June last academic year. They were inspired by a joint art/science trip to the KLCC aquarium. Please come to the foyer and view the outstanding display. Above the Art Department on floors three and four, initial preparations are underway for the School Musical, Grease. Grease will be staged in December and I look forward seeing you at the production. The visual and performing arts block continually provides evidence of our student’s talents. With academic standards continually on the rise at GIS, it is important to recognize that top universities are looking beyond just results. The opportunities we offer students in the arts, sport, community service and many other areas are essential to accessing these top institutions and more importantly providing your children with a holistic educational experience which will prepare them for life after GIS.

Simon Mann

Principal

INFORMATION

School Car Park Stickers - Guidelines

	PINK Car Stickers Early Years Department (EYD) Entry Time	LIGHT BLUE Car Stickers Key Stage 1 (KS1)  Entry Time	YELLOW Car Stickers Normal (P)  Entry Time	GOLD Car Stickers Temporary (T)  Entry Time
Morning – Entry Point Main Guard House Entrance Gate A	6:45am till 9:00am 8:00am till 8:45am	6:45am till 9:00am N/A	6:45am till 9:00am N/A	6:30am till 5:00pm N/A
Afternoon – Entry Point Main Guard House Entrance Gate A	After 1:20pm After 1:40pm	After 1:35pm N/A	After 2:15pm N/A	N/A

Special arrangements can be made in advance if you have an appointment or other requirements for specific

NEWS FROM SECONDARY

A Level Examination Results 2007

This year has seen Garden International School’s best ever pass rate for A Level results. Fifty-nine students completed Year 13 this year, which is the largest cohort so far. The overall pass rate was 100%, an excellent achievement for so many students. 100% of entries in Accounting have achieved grade A. Exceptional results were also achieved in Biology and Drama where none of the candidates achieved less than a grade B. In Physics, 12 out of 18 candidates achieved grade A, 7 out of 11 achieved an A in Sociology, 11 out of 13 in History and 8 out of 11 in Art & Design. Fourteen students obtained grade A in all the subjects they entered. 

Last year Year 13 students - Lee Weng Yew has gone to St Catherine’s College, Cambridge to read Economics. Anisha Jethwani now at MIT, Stephanie Siow at Stanford and Chae Won Jeon at Cornell University.

New Secondary Teachers

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

Zaibun Nisa (Science)

Hello! My name is Zaibun Nisa, but known as Zebby. I have been a teacher for 10 years in the UK, working in both Comprehensive and Grammar schools. I have held positions of Head of Chemistry and Key Stage 4 Science coordinator. I was also the Duke of Edinburgh coordinator, running both the Bronze and Silver Awards. I enjoy travelling especially off the beaten track to really immerse myself into the culture and geography of the country. I have been known to do things a little daring such as Sky Diving, Bungee jumping and Gliding to name a few. It’s my first time in the South East Asia. I hope to cuddle an orang utan as well as climb Mount Kinabalu whilst I am here. Wish me luck!! 

Joanna Heath-Whyte (English)

Hello! I’m Jo Heath-Whyte and I have joined the English department. I hail from the beautiful city of Oxford, England where I grew up and where I have taught for the last three years at Oxford Community School. I chose to come to Malaysia to escape the terrible English weather to experience living and working in a different culture, to travel around SEAsia (it’s my first time in the region) and to sample the culinary delights of many different cultures! Since my arrival, I have done much of the latter. No more beans on toast for me. I don’t think I’ve eaten the same thing twice in the last month – except for satay sticks which I am slightly obsessed with! Apart from eating, I love to swim which is brilliant as I can do so everyday outside in the sun (or heat, at least!). I am also excited by the prospect of learning to dive and exploring the countryside of Malaysia. So far, I have been very impressed with the students at GIS. They are extremely polite, enthusiastic and friendly and I look forward to seeing them progress over the next couple of years.

Ross Beattie (English)

I have taught English and History for 10 years though am attached solely to the English faculty at Garden. Whilst I started teaching in Australia, my recent experience has been in the UK where I taught at The Forest School, an independent school in North East London. GIS is my international teaching post.

Pamela Sime (Music)

I spent happy four years at Aberdeen University studying to become a music teacher within primary and secondary schools. During that time, I used my final summer vacation to work abroad in an American Summer camp as Head of Faculty for the music department. Since graduating from University, I have been teaching secondary pupils in two different high schools within East Lothian, Scotland as well as being a choir director for the National Youth Choir of    Scotland and a tutor with Edinburgh Schools Classical Guitar Ensemble.

Sandy Renew (Learning Support)

I am married to Peter and we have three grown-up sons. Matt and Tim are working in England and Richard is married to Becci and working in New Zealand. I originally trained as a specialist Physical Education teacher with Outdoor Pursuits and gained my B.Ed (Hons) degree from the University of Sussex. I later retrained, gained my Diploma in SpLd (Dyslexia) and my AMBDA qualification. I have taught in several schools around the world; Afghanistan, Kenya, India, Thailand and England, both in states, independent and international schools.

School Camps

It is four weeks now until school camps take place for students in Years 7 to Year 10. The Year 11 Geography field trip and International Award Expedition will take place at the same time. All these activities form an important and planned part of students’ overall education and I am hoping that most students will be taking part. These trips will form part of a student’s record of achievement at GIS – the kind of experiences that universities are looking for in addition to good exam results. However, students who are not participating should attend school as normal where a modified timetable of lessons will be taking place.

Education UK Exhibition

Once again, the British Council will be organizing the Education UK Exhibition to be held on 6^th & 7^th October at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). There will be 55 UK institutions participating in the exhibition in Kuala Lumpur and 28 in Penang. Representatives from these institutions will be present to meet students, parents and college representatives to discuss study opportunities in the UK and/or UK programmes on offer in Malaysia at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Graham Wilson

Head of Secondary

Homestay Visit from students from Germany

We are looking forward to the arrival of students from Kreisgymnasium Neustadt from 21^st – 29^th November this year. All in all, nine students will be travelling with their teachers, Mr Ralf Hubner and Ms Christine Schulke. Mr Hubner, incidentally was a participant in Cultural Kaleidoscope 2004 with his students. The age of our visiting students range from 14 to 17 years and we hope that students from Year 10 and 12 will volunteer to be their host. If you are interested in hosting a student, please give your details to Ms Peers at anne.p@gardenschool.edu.my.

Cultural Kaleidoscope and Face-2-Face Paris ‘08

Forms for these cultural exchanges are available from Ms Peers or at the Library Desk. All information can be found on these detailed forms. If you are interested in taking part in these very interesting and enriching projects, please get a form and hand in the return slip (registration) by Monday, 8^th October. Places are limited. These projects are open to students in Year 9 and 10 only.

Leonora Anne Peers

International Coordinator

NEWS FROM PRIMARY

Reminders for your diary :

Key Stage 2’s Parents

2^nd – 4^th October 2007

Year 6 River Trip

 Advance Warning for your diary :

All Parents	8^th – 19^th October 2007	Johnny Foo Photography Session
All Parents	12^th – 17^th October 2007	Mid Term Holiday
Key Stage 2’s Parents	10^th October 2007	Year 3 Trip to Bombay Palace and Lake Garden
Key Stage 2’s Parents	11^th October 2007	Year 5 Hari Raya Assembly (am - parents, pm - school)

Having seen the successful start to the year at GIS, I am looking forward to visiting our Kuantan campus this week. I am looking forward to seeing the school and to considering ways in which we can support and contribute to each others development.

May I take this opportunity to remind parents, guardians and pupils about several matters:

Jewellery. We discourage children from wearing jewellery to school. We do allow items of a religious nature to be worn, as well as a sleeper or stud in each ear lobe. These items should be removed for all PE and/or swimming lessons.

“No Hat, No Play”. Please ensure your child has a school uniform hat. Those children who do not have a hat will not be allowed to play. This is for your child’s safety.

Maids and Drivers. The school is actively looking for opportunities to develop your child’s independence. Currently, a number of maids and drivers are wandering around the Primary School which has a negative impact on this quest for independence. May I politely remind parents that they should not stay at school.  Please rest assured that we will call parents if a child needs support. 

Thank you for your support with these matters.

Neil Smith

Head of Primary

Please note:

Mr Smith will be out of school on Friday, 28^th September 2007.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

DRAGONS RESULTS

Last week results

U18 – Boys Football

Vs MKIS        Lost 2-0

Vs ISKL          Won 2-0

Vs KLASS      Lost 4-1

Vs ISKL          Won 8-1

U18 – Girls Football

Vs MKIS        Lost 5-1

Vs ISKL          Drew 1-1

Vs KLASS      Lost 1-0

Vs ISKL          Lost 2-0

U13 – Boys Football

Vs MKIS        Won 3-0

U13 – Girls Football

Vs MKIS        Won 1-0

Mr. Wellington

Head of PE Faculty

PARENT, TEACHER AND FRIENDS OF GIS

Parent Forum cum Coffee Morning

Tuesday, 30^th October @ 8.30am -10am, Grand Hall

Our principal, Mr Mann will conduct this morning where a small number of questions will be up for discussion in small but changing groups over food and drinks. As mentioned last week, this will be a great chance to have your own input into the future progress of our school. So, mark this important date in your diaries.

Coffee Morning

Tuesday, 20^th November, 8.30am - 10am, Primary Hall

Mr Wilson will help us parents to know how to guide our children to use the internet safely. A very important topic as all our children need to use the internet for homework…what else are they exposed to?

Friday, 7^th December

Two events to keep you extra busy:-

· Christmas Bazaar : 9am- 2pm

This will be your chance to buy those Christmas gifts!!!

· Parents & Teachers BBQ - 3.30pm onwards

Finish off the week relaxing with some good food and have a chance to socialise near the end of a very busy term.

Mum & Tots Group

Wednesdays, 9.40am -10.55am at EYD Hall

Second-hand Uniforms & PTF Book Library

Mondays, 2.20pm - 3.30pm @ Foyer of the Arts Centre

This will be open as above to purchase, for a small fee, pre-loved uniforms and to borrow & return books from the PTF library.

Karen

PTF communications sub-committee

ANNOUNCEMENT

Swimming Costume

Swimming costume is now available at the school’s book shop