Garden International School

Newsletter

22nd February 2008

 

Headlines For This Week

 

News From Principal

-          Annual Parent Satisfaction Survey

-          ID Cards

-          Swimming Suit

 

News From Secondary

-          International Award Bronze Trip to Kuala Kubu Bharu (Near Fraser's Hill)

-          Visits by the Director of the Alliance Française, the Ambassador of Belgium and the Counsellor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Morocco

-          Languages Work!

 

News From Primary

-          Selamat Tinggal to the 1 sen coin! Hello to playground kits!

-          Year 1 Entry Point to “ Structures”

 

Notice

-          International Week

 

Co-Curricular Activities

-          Year 3 and 4 Sports Day 2008

-          Good Luck

-          SEASAC Tennis 2008

 

Parent, Teacher and Friends of GIS

-          Chinese New Year Coffee Morning

-          International Exhibition

-          Parents’ Forum

-          Mum & Tots Group

-          2nd Hand Uniforms/Book Library

 

NEWS FROM PRINCIPAL

 

I would like to congratulate all staff, students and teachers on the excellent Year 3 and 4 Sports day this week. It was wonderful to see so many students actively involved and having so much fun. Special thanks to the PE department for their organization.

 

With extensive preparations for International Week now complete, we hope that you can join us in our multi-cultural school to experience and enjoy the unique celebrations next week.

 

School Survey

Annual Parent Satisfaction Survey

Each year, the school carries out a range of satisfaction surveys to help us improve our services to you and your children. Results are analysed and areas where improvements are needed are then targeted for development or improvement. This year, to ensure impartiality and to provide anonymity, the survey will be carried out by the Taylor’s Education Group Survey Unit using a web-based survey form.

 

All parents who have provided the school with their e-mail address will, on Monday 10th March, receive an invitation to participate in the survey. I would be very grateful if you could follow the link provided in the e-mail to participate in the survey. Your response will assist the School to improve the services it provides for students and their families. The survey will take approximately five minutes to complete. You will be able to respond to the survey at any time until Friday, 21st March 2007.

 

There are two surveys, one for parents with children in the Primary School and one for parents of children in the Secondary school. If you have children in both sections of the school, you will receive two separate invitations. If you have children in both Primary and Secondary, please complete both survey forms. A full analysis of the survey will be provided for parents when it becomes available.

 

If you have not received an e-mailed invitation to participate in the Survey by Monday, 17th March, please contact parentsurvey@gardenschool.edu.my.

 

I thank you for your assistance in helping to improve our services to you.

 

Simon Mann

Principal

 

ID Cards

Please be aware that ID cards will be charged at RM100 in the following cases:

·                    Change of driver/helper/bodyguard (charge of RM20 if previous card is returned)

·                    Failure to return ID cards when students leave the school permanently

 

Replacement for lost ID cards will be charged at RM50

 

We are aiming to place tighter control on the use and number of ID cards that are in circulation and see this as an appropriate way to support this process

 

Swimming Suit

Please be reminded that all students are expected to wear GIS swimming suit for swimming during PE lessons. This decision was made at the end of the last academic year and communicated to parents.

 

NEWS FROM SECONDARY

 

International Award Bronze Trip to Kuala Kubu Bharu (Near Fraser's Hill)

Last weekend, 39 students from Years 10 -13 completed 2 nights of camping and 2 days of hiking up a mountain and alongside rivers. It was a hot one and all participants proved themselves to be capable of progressing to the Final Weekend based at the Outward Bound Centre near Lumut on the 11th -13th April (more staff needed).

 

Thanks to all staff who gave up their weekend - Ms Ali, Mrs Winstone, Ms Heath-White, Ms Owen, and Ms Pow and particular thanks to Mr Grierson who took the lead in organising the trip.

 

Some future dates for the diary:

Silver and Gold Practice - Taman Negara : 1st - 4th May

Final Trip dates :  5 -12th July  –  Silver: Kinabalu Sabah, Gold: Langkawi/Thailand Canoe Trip

 

Mr Bradshaw  

 

Visits by the Director of the Alliance Française, the Ambassador of Belgium and the Counsellor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Morocco

In the French Department we believe that engaging the Francophone expatriate community and institutions in Malaysia has enormous potential for enhancing our students’ learning. Thus, for the second year running we have invited the Director of the Alliance Francaise, the cultural ‘embassy’ of France in Malaysia, to talk to our students about France and to teach them about one aspect of grammar that a lot of our learners find problematic (the difference between the imperfect and the perfect tense). One session, with Ms Sharma’s Year 9 students, took place last week on Friday, 15th February ; one more is scheduled for next week.

 

The session started with Ridhima Kad talking our guest through her impressive presentation about Madagascar. An innovative video about France ensued which showed students unusual aspects of the country’s culture and economy. A lesson on the Imperfect tense ensued, during which the students were attentive and highly responsive, promptly answering Monsieur Plousse’s questions and contributing ideas. One of the students, Brian Anand, commented: ‘…he showed us the importance of the French language and encouraged us to take French as an IGCSE subject. He explained to us clearly the difference between the imperfect and perfect tense. I think that everyone will benefit from more visits like this one!’

 

Next week, the Ambassador of Belgium and the Counsellor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Morocco will also visit GIS. They will meet our Year 8 students to talk about their countries and their work as high-ranking diplomats. More visits by Francophone VIPs will follow. Watch this space!

 

Dr Gianfranco Conti

Head of French

 

Languages Work!

  • Did you know that only 5.6% of the world’s population has English as a mother tongue?
  • Did you also know that by 2020 it is expected that Mandarin will be the most-used language on the Internet?

 

Last week was “Careers Week” in the Modern Languages Faculty. All Year 9 students were given presentations and involved in group discussion work on the importance of languages in everyday life as well as future careers. Particular emphasis was placed upon the growing need for languages skills in today’s global economy. Here are some afterthoughts of our students regarding the careers sessions:

 

“I now realize that, in learning Malay, we not only have a chance to learn an exotic language, we also have an advantage because we know a language that is not common around the world.” - Karmern Yap, 9M

 

“In my opinion, Mandarin is a fast-growing language that will be very useful for the future generation. Those who take a language at a higher level have an advantage and that leads to better employment and more job opportunities.” -Sofia Sharifah, 9P

 

Malay is a language we should all learn. Not only because you are in Malaysia now but for your universities and the future. It looks good on your record and can help get you a job in a multi-national company in Malaysia.” - Imran Jamalulhak, 9P

 

“I was surprised to learn about the number of French speakers in the world. This has made me realize how important it is to be able to speak French.” - Hye In, 9M

 

“My opinions of Spanish changed as I found out all the job opportunities that were available. I learned that in the future Spanish can help me in business.” - Fariza Faraish,  9P

 

NEWS FROM PRIMARY

 

Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends

 

We do hope all of our families enjoyed the Chinese New Year holiday and are ready for the year of the rat!  Having spent the week in the UK recruiting staff for the next academic year, I am certainly happy to be back in the warmth of Malaysia and back at GiS.  Recruitment for the Primary School has gone well and we look forward to finalising the staffing for August over the next week or two.  We will update you all on the staffing once arrangements are in place.  It has been particularly encouraging to see so many staff remaining at GIS for next year, this continuity will certainly help with the long term development of the school.

 

Neil Smith

Head of Primary

 

Selamat Tinggal to the 1 sen coin!  Hello to playground kits!

Student council needs your 1 sen coins!

 

The Student council plans to create a playground kit for each class in the Primary School. Part of how we want to do that is for everyone to give in their Malaysian 1 sen coins during international week. Nobody will be able to use the 1 sen coin by the end of April, but before then we can cash them in at our local bank! 

 

Next Monday, the student council will put out a picture of the world map in the primary canteen and you can put your 1 sen coins, any coins at all actually, foreign or Malaysian, on it. In break times and lunch times, we will try to fill the map.

 

Please be part of our playground kit drive!  Send in your 1 sen coins all week long!

 

Primary Student Council

 

Year 1 Entry Point to ‘Structures’

Last week our new topic took us to Badan Warisan. Our helpers Ms Zai, Ms EeLin and Ms Intan took us around Rumah Pengululu Abu Seman. We learnt many things about the building itself e.g. the materials which were used and why the building was designed that way. We had a role play session of a traditional Malay wedding in the main room of the house and also learnt how to greet in Malay style.

 

In the kitchen, we had fun learning to use the traditional kitchen equipment and found differences to our modern electrical equipment. We had a look underneath the house and learnt that it also served many purposes.

 

This was a great start to our topic and has got us all thinking about ‘Structures’.

 

Year 1 Team

 

NOTICE

 

International Week

Yes, it's finally here! By now, you would have received the colourful brochure highlighting the events of this week’s extraordinaire. We hope that you will be able to make it to the very colourful and  interesting events.

 

The Parade of Nations kicks off the week on Monday, 25th February at 8am. This 'not-to-be-missed spectacle' will be followed by a special PTF breakfast morning in the Grand Hall to celebrate the recent Chinese New Year. It would be lovely to see as many of you in Chinese costumes or wearing red attire to fit this very happy occasion.

 

The Global Concert on Wednesday, 27th February at 7.30pm in the Grand Hall promises a variety of polished performances by our very talented students. Please come early as seats fill up very quickly. 

 

Last but not least, the International Exhibition takes centre-stage on Friday, 29th February from 9am - 2.20pm. The PTF have worked very hard with parent volunteers to put up splendid displays in both the Grand Hall and Sports Hall. There will also be food and souvenirs for sale at most country booths. The exhibition will officially open at 9am. So, do make your way to the exhibition for a morning well-spent.

 

Leonora Anne Peers

International Coordinator

 

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

 

Year 3 and 4 Sports Day 2008

Year 3 and 4 students competed in 9 different events in good weather this year. There were outstanding individual performances and all athletes achieved good personal standards and gained valuable points for their houses. The overall result was extremely close with Chancellor beating Queen by a narrow margin to become this year’s winners.

 

The individual winners are as follows –

 

 

                 

Year 3

 

Year 4

 

 

 

 

Boys

Girls

Boys

Girls

Gold

1st

Kei Shimada

Ramona Nabavieh

Julian Amani

Victoria Barathan

Silver

2nd

Atahan Selekoglu

Srinidhi Vulla

Alfred Holden

Fanny Malicet

Bronze

3rd

John Granda

Carmen Lei

Talha Syed Muhammad

Andrea Wong

 

Well done to all competitors and thank you to all teachers, staff and PE department for making the event possible.

 

Mr. Dale

Head of Primary PE

 

Good Luck

Good luck to the GIS Dragons athletics team who will be competing in this Saturday’s ISAKL Athletics meet. This year, GIS is hosting the meet. Parents, pleased be informed that your GIS ID cards will be required to enter the stadium.

 

Paul Wellington

Head of PE

 

SEASAC Tennis 2008

SEASAC tennis this year was hosted on home grounds by GIS and Mont Kiara International School at the National Tennis Centre, Jalan Duta. The two long days of February 1st and 2nd consisted of 9 teams, 200 sets and 3000 games. The kind of tennis that was played was remarkable. Not only because of how well each individual did, but also the courtesy, sportsmanship and respect the players had for each other. This was the GIS Dragons Tennis Team's first entry into this tournament and we have proven that we are not a team to be taken lightly.

 

The boys’ team was led by Marc Lee, who was playing the 1st doubles position with Pranay Sharma, followed by Darshan Joshi and Thong Weng Sheng at 2nd doubles. Our top three singles were Christian Lee, Edwin Heng, and Jason Lee who all played remarkably well, saving the team most of the time.

 

Our girls’ team was led by Asees Kaur Bajaj, playing at 3rd singles, with Adelene Lai in 1st, and Eliza De Silva playing at 2nd respectively. Our doubles players are Julia and Nadja van der Drift, along with Jean Li and Zoe Chan at 2nd doubles position.

 

Here is how the GIS Dragons did.

 

Boys

Round robin

GIS (2) --- BPS (3) -(The champions for 6 years in a row)

GIS (4) --- KLASS (1)

GIS (2) --- RIS (3)

GIS (3) --- NIST (2)

---------------------------

GIS (4) --- BISJ (1)

GIS (3) --- NIST (2) = 5th placing

 

Girls

Round robin

GIS (3) --- BISJ (2)

GIS (0) --- UWC (5)

GIS (1) --- RIS (4)

---------------------------

GIS (1) --- CDNIS (4)

GIS (3) --- BISJ (2) = 7th placing

 

We all couldn't have done this without Mr. Gui being there for everyone especially when we needed him most. He has dedicated a lot of his time to help us improve our game and to be better tennis players. During this tournament, some of us wouldn't have performed as well if Mr. Gui hadn't taught us to play smart and most importantly, keep our cool and to not throw our racquets during stressful situations!

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our supporters: parents, friends, and members of the school faculty. I would especially like to thank Auntie Sophie, Mrs. Heng, and Mrs. Lee, who came for both days, not only there to support their children, but the whole team. Also making sure that we had great food to eat!

 

Overall, it was a fantastic tournament and next year we are aiming to hanging up the SEASAC plaque at our school. Well done to all who participated!

 

Marc Lee, 11S

 

PARENT, TEACHERS AND FRIENDS OF GIS

 

International Week What a week!!!

Chinese New Year Coffee Morning

Monday, 25th February

Grand Hall

This will start immediately after the Parade of Nations. There will be some very exciting presentations - calligraphy, music, tea-making and more. Donations of Mandarins and Cookies would be greatly appreciated. Please call Lys on 012 2277 688 or Joyce on 017 247 2288 for more information. As the coffee morning is after the 15 days of Chinese New Year, don’t throw those pussy willows away – we would be grateful to have them for this morning. Please call Geraldine on 012 306 0092.

 

Friday, 29th February

International Exhibition 9am – 2pm

Grand Hall & Sports Hall

The following countries are currently being represented at the exhibition. If you are interested in helping these countries or would like to have a stand for another country, please call Karen 017 257 1405.

 

Holland                     Japan           Sri Lanka

Pakistan                    India              Great Britain    

Bangladesh             France           Korea

Philippines                Finland          Czech Republic

Sweden                    Australia

 

Japan – please call Masumi 019 2820966 if you would like to help.

France – urgently need helpers. Please email Claire at hughwestlake@hotmail.com or call Karen 017 257 1405.

Bangladesh - if you would like to help, please call Shilpi 017 215 6630.

Philippines - please email elcee.villa@mgtstrat-asia.com  or call Elcee Villa 012 3378880 or Crystal

                        Raymond 012 3331234.

Great Britain - if you would like to help on the day or have anything of interest that you would like us to display (especially for Wales) please call Tracy 017 2989 625. 

 

Parents’ Forum

Email address is gisptf_forum@gardenschool.edu.my

 

Mum & Tots Group

This group is for all mums with children under school going age. They meet every Wednesday from 9.40am - 10.55am in the EYD hall. Call Marie on 012-610 3431 or 017-2763524 for any queries or       e-mail her at carolinalubienska.r@gardenschool.edu.my

 

2nd Hand Uniforms/Book Library

A new day this term!!!

Every Thursday, 1.30pm-3pm in the Foyer of the Arts Block

Pre-loved sports equipment-boots, uniforms etc.

 

PTF will provide some tables for you to come and sell any items your children have out grown.

 

Karen Ho

PTF communications sub-committee