Volume 7 4/11/19
Newsletter of International School Suva
Principal’s Report Dear Parents, Staff, Students, and Friends of ISS, The year is quickly coming to an end with about one month remaining. I know the next weeks will have many challenges with finishing projects, exams for many, and culminating assessments. As we near the year’s end, I see we have enjoyed some wonderful events, art and music events, outdoor adventures, Chow Games, and good learning experiences this year. These activities showcased the talents of our remarkable students. We are making considerable progress toward our MYP authorisation (International Baccalaureate: IB, Middle Years Program: MYP). As part of our Strategic Plan, the school is pursuing authorisation as a “Continuum” IB World School (adding the MYP in addition to the PYP and DP). IB World Schools share a common philosophy – a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education with balanced inquiry-based curriculum that covers eight core learning areas – and we believe this is a world-class framework that is important for our students. We believe our students need, and deserve, a broad understanding and ability to be global citizens and successful adults. We are excited and committed to implementing the MYP well and making every student’s school experience memorable and life changing! Please watch for further opportunities to learn more about what this means as we move forward. Thank you to all who attended previous MYP information and feedback sessions! We have begun a new facilities project to expand our Middle School capacity and you will now see a construction barrier next to the secondary hard court. Without this addition, more than fifteen current Year 5 students would not have seats in Year 6. When you return after the summer break, you should see this addition completed. The new Middle School space will give needed instructional, office, and meeting space. This addition will also meet the demands of the new MYP program and provide some necessary science and design space for students. The basic plan looks like this: As a reminder, we have a visionary Strategic Plan written and adopted by our board last year that is guiding ISS to new heights of quality, engagement, sustainability, reputation, and student outcomes. The plan is available on the school website and has four main strategic goals addressing these areas: 1) Strong student results at all levels, 2) Increase ISS’s standing as a top globally reputable international school, 3) Develop and expand needed resources for ISS, and 4) Provide improved systems to guide and inspire the school.
Inside this issue:
Student Agency
ECH & Receptions Sports Day.
Year 2 Article
Fencing at ISS
Enhanced PYP
Learning a different language.
MYP Corner
Year 9 Camp
Ocean Service Project
Individual Oral Commentary
The Uto Farewell’s Year 12
Art Exhibition
The plan is a promise to the school community to continue to make meaningful improvement over the coming years in the areas identified. I believe all families will see and enjoy the positive growth and change each of the coming five years. We will report on our progress to you regarding our achievements toward the strategic goals at a parent information session on Tuesday the 12th of November at 6pm in the Amphitheatre. There will be a child option but we ask parents who require that to RSVP by contacting Doreez in my office so we can plan for the current number of children.
Garage Sale
At this time of year, we know it is a time when some of our students and families depart from ISS. This is a sad and difficult time for many transitioning students and their friends. We will have several farewell events during the final two weeks of the year, as well as celebrations of our students’ achievement with prize-giving's and graduations. I hope most of you can attend at least one of those. They are always touching and meaningful! Thanks for being a great school community!
Term Dates 2019
Stephen Cathers Principal/Head of International School Suva
Advertisement Upcoming Events Term Dates 2020
Annual Athletics Day for ECH and Reception Wednesday the 9th of October marked an exciting day for all Early Childhood and Reception students. It was our Annual Athletics Day! For ECH, the day began with some fun track and field events which was so collaborative and exciting. The combined events (started after morning tea) began with a series of field events held in the Multi-Purpose Hall, and ended with an obstacle relay race. The students displayed great team work, gross motor skills, leadership and responsibility. And for Reception, the day ended with water-themed activities including: a water slide, pool, water guns, bubbles and water balloons. We even had Mrs Becki join us in the midst of a water fight! It was the perfect way to end a sunny day and Athletics Day!
FENCING AT ISS - AN INTERVIEW WITH THE COACH By Jenah Stice Year 3 Recently, ISS introduced fencing as an after school activity and I was curious to know more about this activity. Here is an excerpt from the interview I had with the Fencing Coach Mr Leon Thomas. Jenah: Hello, can you tell me a little about yourself, please? Coach Leon: I’m Leon Thomas, the Oceania’s Fencing Confederation Regional development officer. Jenah: How prepared are you to start at ISS? Coach Leon: I’m very prepared to start.
Jenah: So, may we know a little bit about your past experience in fencing and where you see yourself in the future? Coach Leon: That’s a very complex question. I started fencing when I was eight years old, in 1965, and I’ve been fencing continuously ever since. I became a New South Wales representative in 1972 and won two national titles. I represented Australia in 4 World Championships and 2 Commonwealth Nations Championships. Then I moved to Adelaide, became a coach, and I have been involved in taking fencing to the nations of Samoa, American Samoa, Guam, PNG, and now Fiji. Jenah: I also wanted to ask you about your fencing program here at ISS because it is not a usual sport in most schools. Coach Leon: I know most schools don’t have a fencing program. In fact, ISS is the first school in Fiji that has a fencing program. This school is very lucky. Jenah: Great! If you could be teaching fencing anywhere in the world, where would it be? Coach leon: Well, that’s a hard one. I enjoy coaching fencing in the Pacific but I also enjoy doing it at home. I’m looking forward to doing more fencing in Fiji. Jenah: Cool! I would like to know about the benefits of learning fencing for students and teachers. Coach leon: The benefits are the same for both. Young kids benefit greatly from doing it, mainly because it is a complete sport and involves physical movement, balance, fast action and keen eyesight. On top of all, it improves psychological skills & self-management skills. Students gain a lot of responsibility while learning fencing. For both adults and kids, it’s a fantastic physical and mental exercise. Jenah: Nice to know that. We are almost done. I just have one more question. I would love to know how long it would normally take to master fencing? Coach leon: It depends on the student, but normally it takes about two years to be good at it and to be able to comfortably compete, but it takes about anything up to ten years to become a champion at fencing or maybe even longer! I’m in my sixties now and I still learn things. Jenah: Thank you so much for your time. It was really nice interviewing you. Coach Leon: Thank you very much.
Enhanced PYP (IB Primary Years Program) For the past six years, the International Baccalaureate has been reviewing the Primary Years Program. The updates and changes were launched officially at the IB 50th Birthday celebration. The Primary School has been working through the review and has begun the transition to the Enhanced PYP this year.
Next year we will continue to develop our program to include an increased emphasis on: The Learner
Agency – Student choice, voice and ownership Early learner – Emphasis on play based learning Learner profile Action Exhibition
Learning and Teaching
Transdisciplinary learning Approaches to learning Inquiry concepts Developing a program of inquiry Assessment Language
The Learning Community
Community of learners International mindedness Leadership Collaboration Learning environments Technology
Learning a different language- How it helps us By Sophie Graf (Year 5 student) Language - It helps you connect and communicate. Especially with families in which the parents are from different countries and speak different languages, it is important to know both. Imagine how it would be if you couldn't speak to your parents! You also have the opportunity to understand more people both verbally but also deeply and make friendship. Another big thing is that it helps you in your professional life. Believe it or not - these days a lot of jobs require you to speak more than one language or some require you to speak a specific language related to the job. The EU (European Union), for example requires you to speak French since France is a big part of the EU and some conferences are held in French. There is also a technical reason; it helps your brain grow and expand. It enhances your memory, problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, multi tasking skills and listening skills. People who are bilingual (trilingual, quadrilingual, etc.) notice changes in the space around them more than monolinguals. If that still isn’t enough reasons for you, read this - when you get older it could help slow down mental ageing! Isn’t that amazing?
In Primary at ISS, we have 2 alternative languages that we learn: Hindi and Fijian. Not only do they teach the language but they also teach the culture which enables you to think in the language and not have to translate it from your native language. ISS has recently started a World Languages program for Year 5 students. Each term we got to learn a different language - French, Chinese, Hindi, and Fijian. In the secondary school, there are two options, Chinese - the world’s most widely spoken language and French- one of Europe’s most popular languages. Learning a different language gives us a better perspective of the world and helps us understand and connect with different cultures. Well, as you can see, there are many benefits of speaking more than one language and many people actually do. Maybe this got you motivated to learn a new language, or maybe it just got you thinking, but either way I hope it was worth sharing with you. Source of information: https://www.leadwithlanguages.org/why-learn-languages/top-ten-reasons-to-learn-languages/ Personal experience
MYP Corner November 2019
Dear ISS Community, As you may be aware the Year 9 cohort are beginning their Personal Project journey. The Personal Project is a great way for students to explore their own personal interests whilst showcasing the knowledge and understanding they have acquired during the MYP. The Personal Project process will culminate with a PP Exhibition at the beginning of Semester 2 next year. The aims of the MYP projects are to encourage and enable students to:
participate in a sustained, self-directed inquiry within a global context
generate creative new insights and develop deeper understandings through in-depth investigation
demonstrate the skills, attitudes and knowledge required to complete a project over an extended period of time
communicate effectively in a variety of situations
demonstrate responsible action through, or as a result of, learning
appreciate the process of learning and take pride in their accomplishments.
Each student will be assigned a teacher mentor who will help them through the process which is overseen by the PP coordinator (Ms. Chen). We will be scheduling a parent information session regarding the PP during the first weeks of 2020. Kind regards, Luke Ramsdale
Year 9 Camp October 2019 Last week ISS Year 9 students and teachers took 3 days out of the classroom for our annual camp and to learn more about the environment and communities of Fiji. We started our camp early on Monday morning, meeting at school at 6.30, then catching the bus down past Pacific Harbour to Qaloa village, where we put on our packs and started hiking inland towards our first camp site. The track very quickly became steep, and the groups started spreading out a little, with the fast students out the front with Mr Walker and Tony - one of our village guides- and the rest of the groups taking more time. We regularly stopped along the way for snacks and drinks; giving everyone a chance to catch up. As we climbed higher the views out over the ocean and nearby islands were stunning! After 15 kilometers of a tough hike, we reached our first campsite at about 4pm, and took the opportunity to have an outdoor bath and wash off the grime in the nearby creek. The camp contributes towards the Duke of Edinburgh award which requires students to organise and prepare their own food, so there were a number of small fires constructed around the campsite, with a variety of interesting food choices. After a much needed sleep, we were packed up and on the road again at 8 am. The second day’s hike was easier; not so long or steep. And the packs were quite a bit lighter - as some of the food and water supplies had beenconsumed. We arrived at the Nuku School grounds at 2 pm, put down our heavy packs and headed to the local river for another refreshing swim. Then back to the school grounds to prepare for dinner, and join in some local volleyball games, before our communal evening meal with the Nuku students, who very kindly shared their dining and bathroom facilities with us. The last day was certainly the easiest! We walked down to the Navua River for a long relaxing swim, after which we took the transports for the hour long trip back to the main road, and then onto the bus back to school. ISS school camps are always a great opportunity to experience the beauty of Fiji and the generosity of the Fijian people- as well as a time to get to know each other outside the classroom, and to bond as a year group. The Year 9 students are proud that we not only hiked over 20 kilometers carrying heavy packs, we also improved our survival skills, and worked towards our Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award.
Year 9 Ocean Service Project This semester, the students of Year 9 were assigned the task of creating and working on an ocean based project that will help the community. It was similar to the Community Project they did in Year 8, except all projects were ocean related. Throughout the process, the students learned a key principle from NMEA’s Ocean Literacy framework: Principle 6: “The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.”
Students use the MYP design cycle to investigate possible projects they could carry out within the given time frame, which was 10 weeks. Projects were a direct and indirect service to the community and the ocean in general. Students faced many challenges in terms of logistics and connecting with the right organizations to support them in their bid to help save the ocean ecosystems. In Week 5 of Term 4, the students were able to present their projects to the Year 3 students and teachers, as well as some High School teachers. Students worked with various organizations which include:
Mobile Kindy Fiji in educating the young ones in ocean literacy Precious Plastics for Recycling plastic waste Coca-Cola Amital Fiji for collection of bottles and cans from school Ministry of Forestry and Fiji Society of the Blind for collaborative work on Mangrove Planting Suva City Council for discarding of plastics and synthetic waste collected from beach cleanups
Some students chose to work on water monitoring by taking water samples for water quality testing in nearby sea, rivers and creeks in urban centers around Suva. Other students chose to do beach cleanups at My Suva Park and Nasese Foreshore. While others opted for a service through advocacy on social media platforms like Facebook and the creation of videos based on surveys conducted on the general public on ocean pollution awareness.
Individual Oral Commentary (IOC) How to Help Your Child Prepare If you are the parent or guardian of a year 11 IB student, then you may be aware that they have one of their first assessments for the IB coming up in week 9 – the Individual Oral Commentary (IOC). The IOC is a challenging task that all students undertake as part of their Language A: Language and Literature course. This task asks them to prepare a commentary on an unseen extract from one of the texts that they have studied this semester. Students are given 20 minutes to prepare the extract, followed by 10 minutes to deliver the extract and lastly 3-5 minutes of questioning by their teacher. The task itself is straightforward, but the pressure of the task being a one-shot-only can mean that students become stressed and overwhelmed. So what can you do to help? Below is a list of 5 things you can do to help your child prepare: 1.Quiz them on the texts – help them build their knowledge of their texts as excellent knowledge of the texts is the key to success in the IOC 2.Get them to explain the meaning of the text to you – what are the themes, ideas and literary devices that give the text meaning. 3.Listen to their practice IOC with them and identify areas that they could improve on. 4.Get them to explain the marking criteria to you –
by doing this you are helping them to
understand the marking criteria better themselves. 5.Ensure that they get a good night’s sleep the night before and stay hydrated the day off.
Texts studied this semester:
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou Selected Short Stories, Edgar Allan Poe
HL: The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Uto Ni Yalo farewells our Year 12 students As we approach the end of this year and our Year 12 students move on to a new chapter of their lives, the Uto ni Yalo crew hosted an afternoon lunch at the sailing centre for our eaving students. It was great to get feedback from the year 12 students of what they discovered about themselves on this traditional sailing vessel; the family atmosphere, the skills that they learnt, a rediscovery of the ocean and above all, the unforgettable experiences that they encountered. For Kenny this Uto experience has allowed him to decide on his career and he
will be pursuing his goal in getting his captaincy license. Best of luck to our Year 12 leaving students!
Upcoming Events Term 3 Week 9 to Week 7 Term 4
T4 Week 5 Monday 28th October Diwali— Public Holiday Friday 1st November Year 3 Camp Halloween Social Primary Assembly
T4 Week 6 Monday 4th November IB Exams Begin Thursday 7th November Internal Exams Begin Year 11 Friday 8th November Chow Games ECH to Reception Transition Parent Info Session Last Day for year 12 ACT Primary Assembly— Lower Primary ECH2
T4 Week 7 Monday 11th November Prophet Mohammed's Birthday Friday 15th November Year 11 Exams End Primary Assembly—Lower Reception Saturday 16th November ISS Garage Sale
T4 Week 8 Thursday 21st November Year 5 Graduation Friday 22nd November Primary Assembly—Lower Reception
T4 Week 9 Wednesday 27th November Primary Concert Dress Rehearsal Thursday 28th November Primary Concert Friday 29th November Year 12 Farewell Assembly Upper Primary Assembly Saturday 30th November School Ball
T4 Week 10 Monday 2nd December Whole School Staff Meeting Tuesday 3rd December Middle School Celebration Evening Wednesday 4th December High School Presentation Evening Thursday 5th December Farewell Assembly School Ends Semester 2 Reports Friday 6th December Teacher Only Day
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SUVA TERM DATES 2019 TERM 1 (11 weeks) New Teachers Start
Monday, 14 January 2019
All Teachers Start
Thursday, 17 January 2019
Students Start
Wednesday, 23 January 2019
Term Ends
Friday, 5 April 2019
TERM 2 (9 weeks) Y11 & 12 ACT Students Start
Tuesday, 23 April 2019
Students Start
Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Term Ends
Friday, 21 June 2019
TERM 3 (9 weeks) Teachers Start
Monday, 15 July 2019
Y11 & 12 ACT Students Start
Tuesday, 16 July 2019
Students Start
Wednesday, 17 July 2019
Constitution Day
Monday, 9 September 2019
Term Ends
Friday, 13 September 2019
TERM 4 (10 weeks) Teachers Start
Monday, 30 September 2019
Students Start
Tuesday, 1 October 2019
Fiji Day
Thursday, 10 October 2019
ISS Vacation
Friday, 11 October 2019
Diwali
Monday, 28 October 2019
Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday
Monday, 11 November 2019
Term Ends for Students
Thursday, 5 December 2019
Term Ends for Teachers
Friday, 6 December 2019