IGB International School’s Weekly Newsletter - Issue 170. Week 2. November 2018.
Message from Head of School Dear IGBIS Parents and Community Members, While the school was closed for the Deepavali holiday, our teachers were attending an in-school Professional Development Programme. Training for offsite visit leaders and the Crisis Management Team was provided by a UK consultant, and a wide range of other workshops were led by our IGBIS staff including. These workshops included Approaches to teaching and learning; Positive behaviour support and functional behaviour analysis; Using technology to create a flipped classroom and facilitate a blended learning environment; Applying drama techniques to reveal subtext, context and transferrable knowledge to promote collaboration, understanding and empathy; Makerspace; Visible
learning and Project Zero; Theory of knowledge; Virtual and augmented reality; Google applications. The Wednesday keynote was an inspirational panel of IGBIS students who shared their impressions of learning at IGBIS and just how much they appreciated their teachers. Once again the quality and depth of experience of our teachers has been highlighted as IGBIS grows as a learning community.
Anne Fowles Head of School
News from Elementary School Whilst it has been a short week for our students there has been a lot happening at school with staff. During the non-student days the IGBIS staff were engaged in their own professional development. We often talk about it being important to be ‘lifelong learners’, and this week the staff were modelling that. The staff previously identified areas of interest for them that they wanted to learn more about. This is to improve their own teaching practices and ultimately assist student learning more. They were being inquirers, generating questions, finding out and sorting out the information they had and for many this lead to greater questions. These inquiries have not been completed; staff are engaging in these in their own time as well. However, the learning was not limited to this, as teachers wanted to share their own expertise with colleagues in a conference-like format. The day started with some PYP, MYP and DP students delivering a keynote presentation and a dance that inspired the staff to learn. They signed up and attended sessions run by fellow IGBIS teachers, asked questions and relished in these learning opportunities. For the workshop facilitators this was great experience too. Finally some staff spent time with an outdoor education consultant drawing upon his experience to improve their understanding and
practices. On Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th November we have early closure for our 3-Way Parent-Teacher conferences, the information for this was sent out on 31st October. Please ensure you have made your conference bookings by 12.30pm on Monday 12th November. To gain support for the participants of the 24 hour race on Tuesday 13th November we will have a 24 minute run. This will be for students from Grade 1 to Grade 8. On Tuesday please have your child wear their house t-shirts, PE shorts and trainers. Parents are welcome to come along and support. Dates for your diaries • Monday 12th & Tuesday 13th November: Early closure 3-way and Parent-Teacher conferences. • Tuesday 13th November: 24 Minute Run (Grades 1 - 8) 8.30 - 9.40am • Friday 16th November: PVO meeting • Tuesday 20th November: Public holiday—no school • Friday 23rd November: PYP Parent University
Simon Millward
Elementary School Principal
24 Minute Race On Tuesday, 13 November, there will be a mini-replica of the 24 Hour Race, which the school will be hosting in a few weeks. This is none other than the 24 Minute Race, and is a 24 minute-long relay race for students from grades 1-8. We would like to invite all parents to spectate, cheer on the students, as well as donate to the cause by buying delicious snacks and drinks from students who will be fundraising at this event. All proceeds will go to the 24 Hour Race charity, which works to fight human trafficking in Southeast Asia. Esha Mardikar Grade 12
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News from Secondary School Dear parents, Many thanks to the parents who came to our Kopitiam on Friday. We spoke on a variety of issues, discussing the planning for MYP e-assessment, the development of sports at IGBIS, our whole school assemblies and the recent experience that Mr Harding and I (and others) had at the recent EARCOS conference. Listening to the input of our parents, I am continually thankful for the commitment our community has towards an IB education and what this means for our daily practice. Support from our parents is instrumental as we develop and move forward as a school.
to be learners and these days were an opportunity to put this into practice. Carefully listening to those we teach is a great way to start. Looking forward to next week, we will have our PST Conferences on Monday and Tuesday. Please see my email this week about the logistics for the two days. I look forward to seeing all parents and students on these days and seeing the discussions that take place about how students are progressing and how they can achieve their goals. Sincerely yours,
My thanks as well to our Secondary students who came and gave the keynote presentation during our professional development days. Their message was inspirational and helped frame this day of learning for teachers. We expect everyone in our community
Michael Arcidiacono Secondary School Principal
Student Services - University/Higher Education Support Bill Mitchell Grades 9-12 School Counsellor
.................................................................................................................... Grade 12 students are entering the stage of the first semester where some are completing their university applications, and some are still considering additions to their lists. Decisions are being made based on many criteria: location, internship availability, study abroad opportunities, course content, etc. One area that often doesn’t get a great deal of consideration, and should, is the support networks that are available in higher education destinations. With the prospect of them leaving Kuala Lumpur, and moving across the globe, students and parents should be considering the full range of supports. Is there an International Students department that will assist in the transition? Is there a specific programme prior to school starting? In times of need, what health and socioemotional supports are available? What about on-campus security? This is an area that campuses across the world
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have beefed up in recent years. Students can have access to onsite medical practitioners, and Safe Walk escorts as they move between buildings in the evening on many campuses. Alternatively, there are many other options for students looking for ‘alternative’ types of higher education, and for families that are looking for very specific placements for their children. Breaking from the norm in North America are Minerva School at KGI and Quest University Canada, where students are given a great deal of control over their university pathway and studies. The range of campuses that are also catering to students with special learning needs has dramatically increased, in particular in North America: Incredible Colleges for Students With Special Needs. If you would like to discuss further the numerous opportunities around the world, please don’t hesitate to email me and set up a meeting. Regards.
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