Issue 12 - Australian International School Malaysia
Issue 12 - Australian International School Malaysia
Issue 12 - Australian International School Malaysia
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<strong>Issue</strong> <strong>12</strong> Week 3A 3rd August 20<strong>12</strong> For internal circulation only<br />
AISM NEWSLETTER<br />
The Fortnightly Community Newsletter of the <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Malaysia</strong><br />
Main Senior Middle Junior Performing Arts Sports Others<br />
Principal’s Message<br />
Our student numbers have reached over<br />
590 compared to 550 when I commenced<br />
at the school in January last year. Next<br />
year, we will open an additional Year 7<br />
class and we expect our enrolment to<br />
grow to above 620. The growth will likely<br />
include higher numbers in our Year 11<br />
class as students are increasingly seeing<br />
our school as a strong option for achieving high university<br />
entrance scores. We are now getting to the stage where<br />
classes are full for 2013 in most year groups.<br />
Our Board has also approved a slight change to the<br />
organisational structure of our school to move away from<br />
three sub schools to two. Our new structure in 2013 will<br />
see the bringing together of Middle and Senior <strong>School</strong><br />
to establish the Middle Senior <strong>School</strong>. In doing this we<br />
will maintain the identity and specific programs for our<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> students, but under an administrative<br />
structure to be led by Wendy Gardiner, and supported<br />
by Kylie Booker and Ian Martineau continuing in their<br />
current roles. There is quite a bit of detail of how this<br />
will be implemented, which I will share with the school<br />
community over the next few weeks.<br />
In our endeavours to further improve student learning,<br />
as part of our new organisational structure, our Board of<br />
Governors has approved several new leadership positions<br />
to create Heads of Departments in English, Mathematics,<br />
Science, Modern Languages, the Arts, Humanities,<br />
Physical and Health Education and Service Learning.<br />
In the Junior <strong>School</strong>, we have created positions to lead<br />
and coach teachers for continuous development, a new<br />
role to coordinate sport and co-curricular activities and<br />
to operate as a second in charge (to the Head of Junior<br />
<strong>School</strong>).<br />
Next year, students in Junior <strong>School</strong> will move into the<br />
new building and we will open our new Senior Study<br />
Centre (for Year 11 and <strong>12</strong> students) on the top floor<br />
of the new building. All students across all year levels<br />
will use the drama, art, science, food technology, ICT lab<br />
and music facilities in the new building.<br />
Damian Baynes, has requested to step down<br />
from his role as Head of Junior <strong>School</strong> in 2013.<br />
Damian has a desire to return to regular classroom<br />
teaching. He will teach an upper junior class next<br />
year. I have asked Damian to remain on our Senior<br />
Leadership team in 2013 as an advisor, to assist<br />
with the transition of a new Head of Junior <strong>School</strong><br />
who we are currently recruiting. Damian has been<br />
a great support to me over the past 18 months and<br />
his leadership is highly valued and I know he will be<br />
spectacular class teacher next year.<br />
We are in the process of confirming teaching staff<br />
wishing to continue with the school in 2013 and<br />
recruiting new staff. I anticipate that all details<br />
about this will be finalised by the beginning of<br />
Term 4 at which time I will advise all students and<br />
parents of staffing for 2013.<br />
We are currently in the midst of planning the fine<br />
details for 2013 as the new building project nears<br />
completion. Plans to construct a new car park are<br />
almost finalised and works should commence soon.<br />
Details of fees for 2013 have been determined by<br />
the board and will be communicated to parents via<br />
E-news and on the website from Tuesday evening<br />
of next week.<br />
David Kilpatrick, Principal<br />
Diary<br />
Monday, 6th August 20<strong>12</strong><br />
• Public Holiday - Nuzul Quran<br />
Sunday, <strong>12</strong>th August 20<strong>12</strong><br />
- Friday, 17th August 20<strong>12</strong><br />
• Year 8 - 11 Sabah Trip<br />
Friday, 17th August 20<strong>12</strong><br />
• Junior <strong>School</strong> Assembly, 2.15pm, Auditorium<br />
<strong>Australian</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Malaysia</strong>, No 22, Jalan Anggerik, The Mines Resort City, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor Darul Ehsan, <strong>Malaysia</strong>.<br />
Phone: (603) 8943 0622, Fax: (603) 8948 4522, Email: admin@aism.edu.my, Website: www.aism.edu.my<br />
3rd August 20<strong>12</strong> Page 1<br />
© 20<strong>12</strong> <strong>Australian</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Malaysia</strong>
Main Senior Middle Junior Performing Arts Sports Others<br />
Senior <strong>School</strong> News<br />
Semester One Academic Awards<br />
At Thursday’s Senior <strong>School</strong> Assembly we presented<br />
academic awards from Semester One. In each subject,<br />
at each year level, an outstanding achievement award<br />
was presented to the student who was top of the<br />
class and an encouragement award presented to the<br />
student who put in the greatest effort and performed<br />
well but did not top the class.<br />
ICAS Awards<br />
We have recently received results for the ICAS tests in<br />
both Computer Skills and Science. Whilst we have the<br />
results, we are still awaiting arrival of the certificates.<br />
Awards will be presented at assemblies when they<br />
arrive.<br />
Science Awards (56 entries, 28 awards)<br />
High Distinction: Claire Willemse (Year 6)<br />
Distinctions: Kevin Lee (Year 11), Kah Ann Ho (Year<br />
<strong>12</strong>), Shao Qi Lim (Year <strong>12</strong>), Alex Wong (Year <strong>12</strong>),<br />
Eliza Chew (Year 10), Vighnaa Kunendran (Year<br />
10), Ashwen Parthiban (Year 10), Liam Clark (Year<br />
9), Chantelle Machado (Year 6), Javier Tan (Year 6),<br />
Alexander Kam (Year 4)<br />
Credits: Sally Peh (Year 11), Kevin Kam (Year 10),<br />
Harusora Takahira (Year 10), Thung Xuan Lim (Year<br />
9), Jaan Joseph (Year 8), Christian Bartley (Year 7),<br />
Clarita Chua (Year 7), Ken Jie Chee (Year 6), Joshua<br />
Hughes (Year 6), Sophie Low (Year 6), Timothy Millar<br />
(Year 6), Pei Xien Yeoh (Year 6), Yi Tao Sim (Year 6),<br />
Yan Yi Au (Year 4), Gilbert Sutisna (Year 3), Dragon<br />
Tan (Year 3)<br />
Computer Skills Awards (36 entries, 21 awards)<br />
High Distinction: Lisha Ling (Year 4)<br />
Distinctions: Valentyn Santhara (Year 5), Benjamin<br />
Christy (Year 7)<br />
Credit: Costanza Conidi (Year 3), Dragon Tan (Year<br />
3), Shane Yeow (Year 3), Syamel Greatorex (Year 4),<br />
Lharanya Somasundaram (Year 4), Chantelle Machado<br />
(Year 6), Maiku Nakajima (Year 6), Kaveen Parthiban<br />
(Year 6), Javier Tan (Year 6), Rhiannon Ward (Year<br />
6), Christian Bartley (Year 7), Clarita Chua (Year 7),<br />
Thung Xuan Lim (Year 9), Vighnaa Kunendran (Year<br />
10), Harusora Takahira (Year 10)<br />
Parent Survey<br />
Here it is another reminder regarding the parent<br />
survey!! Remember your feedback will form the<br />
basis for our school improvement plan as part of CIS<br />
accreditation. For those of you who somehow have<br />
missed the previous instructions:<br />
Copy this URL into your browser:<br />
www.endicottresearchcenter.net<br />
When you reach the home page, type in your survey<br />
code: CNP<strong>12</strong>9152<br />
The survey should take you about 15 minutes.<br />
Ian Martineau, Head of Senior <strong>School</strong><br />
Mr B’s Careers Corner<br />
With our Year 10s currently looking for careers research<br />
project placements, I thought it would be a great<br />
opportunity to share some advice from Futurewise’s<br />
careers magazine on how to conduct yourself on work<br />
experience.<br />
Do’s and Don’ts for Work Experience<br />
Get there on time<br />
Yes, the silly bus driver got lost and you fell down an<br />
uncovered manhole but the hard fact is, most people<br />
aren’t interested in excuses. No matter how brilliant<br />
you are, if you’re regularly late, it will get noticed.<br />
Dress the part<br />
Model yourself on the smartest person in the office.<br />
Avoid comedy ties, white socks and other naff faux<br />
pas. In a TV production or fashion company people<br />
might dress a little more “street”. However, generally<br />
ask yourself: do I look smart, clean and appropriate<br />
Explore<br />
What do people in your department do Where could<br />
someone like you be in a few years time What do<br />
people in other departments do What are the<br />
skills in different jobs – is it about creativity, using<br />
spreadsheets, selling, analysing, a mixture of these<br />
or quite focused on a few key skills How do you get<br />
into this industry and different roles (eg. is a degree<br />
necessary, a particular degree)<br />
Ask questions and listen<br />
Ask questions but at appropriate times. People may<br />
be busy so perhaps ask when would be a good time to<br />
talk. Remember to listen to answers – it’s how you’ll<br />
find out things and listening properly is a good way to<br />
make people like you!<br />
Loose the attitude!<br />
You may be given boring things to do, you may get<br />
nothing to do. Whatever you’re asked to do, do it<br />
with a smile and enthusiasm. If you’re asked to make<br />
tea, make it the best tea you’ve ever made. Carry a<br />
notepad with you to note down tasks, however basic,<br />
so you get them right first time. The important thing<br />
is you’re getting an idea about the world of work and<br />
different jobs – you won’t be making tea in ten years<br />
time (unless you’re snooty on work experience, that<br />
is!).<br />
Chris Broadbent,<br />
Careers and Pathways Coordinator<br />
Page 2 3rd August 20<strong>12</strong>
Main Senior Middle Junior Performing Arts Sports Others<br />
Middle <strong>School</strong> News<br />
ICT-rich Learning<br />
This fortnight I have focussed on visiting classes and<br />
interacting with the students and observing their<br />
learning. It has been extremely enjoyable to see<br />
the rich and varied learning experiences that are<br />
occurring throughout the school. I moved between<br />
three different classrooms where they were speaking<br />
French, Spanish, Bahasa and Mandarin. I was shown<br />
a student’s maths assignment that integrated ICT<br />
which was extremely innovative and creative. I wish<br />
to acknowledge the Middle <strong>School</strong> teachers for their<br />
commitment in integrating ICT into the students’<br />
learning experiences. At times using ICT can be<br />
challenging, daunting and frustrating, but their efforts<br />
are certainly appreciated especially by the students.<br />
Students benefit from being presented with authentic<br />
learning experiences in all learning areas.<br />
Outdoor Education Camp<br />
Last Friday evening I was given the opportunity to<br />
attend the Year 8 Outdoor Education camp which I<br />
thoroughly enjoyed. Outdoor Education is new this<br />
year and has been another example of the diverse<br />
learning opportunities available to the students. Mr<br />
Colbey’s report is included on this same page.<br />
Kylie Booker, Head of Middle <strong>School</strong><br />
Gold Medal for Claire Willemse,<br />
Year 6 in ICAS Science Competition<br />
Claire Willemse (Year<br />
6) has been awarded a<br />
Gold Medal in the ICAS<br />
Science Competition.<br />
The Gold Medal is<br />
awarded to student(s)<br />
who score the top mark<br />
in the test.<br />
This is the third Gold Medal that AISM students have<br />
received which is an outstanding achievement. Claire<br />
will be presented with her medal at a special ceremony<br />
later in the year.<br />
Year 8 Outdoor Education Camp<br />
On Friday, the 27th of<br />
July, 16 students from<br />
Year 8 plus 3 teachers<br />
braved the wild, rugged<br />
terrain at MARDI<br />
(<strong>Malaysia</strong>n Agricultural<br />
Research Division). Mr.<br />
Colbey, Ms. Cox and Ms.Booker were able to ensure<br />
that all 16 students were transported safely to the<br />
venue by 5:00pm and ready to partake in a cross<br />
country/orienteering run approximately 4 km long.<br />
The running groups were<br />
led home by the team<br />
of Henry, Will and Shae.<br />
They were followed by<br />
Callum and Joe, Jancis<br />
and Juri, Chris, Ethan,<br />
Robert and Hezekiah,<br />
Theo, Phoebe and<br />
Maddy, Kahlia and Eleanor with Mr.Colbey and Ms.Cox<br />
left to the sweeping duties.<br />
Protest flags were waved when<br />
Juri and Jancis were left with the<br />
wrong directions at one marker<br />
which saw them lose time and<br />
places, but enjoy a pleasant stroll<br />
through the jungle.<br />
A quick shower and clean - up<br />
was followed by dinner where a<br />
variety of dishes were on offer.<br />
Some were even edible. The ever<br />
popular marshmallow desert meant that all campers<br />
were left with fond memories.<br />
After dinner activities<br />
included a 2 hour<br />
spotlight/running game,<br />
a firefly catch and a<br />
release program and<br />
general relaxation.<br />
Campers then settled in to a cosy, some would say even<br />
chilly night with the usual late night antics concluding<br />
at around 1:30am.<br />
Well done to all Year 8’s who participated and behaved<br />
in a manner becoming AISM students. Thank you also<br />
to Ms.Cox and Ms. Booker for giving up their time to<br />
assist with our camp.<br />
Andrew Colbey<br />
3rd August 20<strong>12</strong> Page 3
Main Senior Middle Junior Performing Arts Sports Others<br />
Junior <strong>School</strong> News<br />
We have had a very positive start to the term and all<br />
of the children have settled well. Our new composite<br />
classes in Preparation and Kindergarten are doing<br />
extremely well and this has been a very positive<br />
experience for all. Our new teacher, Miss Stephanie,<br />
is doing a wonderful job working with Miss Wendy and<br />
Mrs Goves to ensure the educational needs of these<br />
students are being met.<br />
Term overviews and updated timetables should have<br />
been sent home by now indicating the topics of study<br />
for the term and any changes that may have occurred<br />
with the timetable. If you haven’t received these<br />
documents yet please contact your class teachers.<br />
Library News<br />
The students, staff & parents are enjoying our wonderful<br />
new learning space. The various library areas allow<br />
for a variety of activities.<br />
These include table &<br />
chairs for formal classes,<br />
benches for computer use,<br />
lounge furniture & “Doof”<br />
bags for laptops and leisure<br />
reading.<br />
At the beginning of the term it is always important<br />
that the students have a positive experience. If you<br />
have any questions about what is happening in the<br />
class, please make an appointment to see your child’s<br />
class teacher as soon as possible.<br />
Our Annual Readathon has begun and the students<br />
have the opportunity to read and raise money for<br />
our school library. Please support your children<br />
with this initiative as the focus on reading is always<br />
important for the students. I encourage you to take<br />
the opportunity to pick up a book and read with<br />
your children. If children believe their parents are<br />
passionate about literature and reading, they too<br />
develop a similar outlook to reading.<br />
Damian Baynes, Head of Junior <strong>School</strong><br />
Walkathon Update<br />
We have still had some money coming in from the<br />
walkathon and will have an accurate update available<br />
very soon, but it looks like we have raised close to<br />
RM60,000 which is an amazing effort. Congratulations<br />
to the students who made the effort to raise money<br />
for our Matilda Project.<br />
Our prize winners from Walkathon are:<br />
Lunch with the Principal (Thursday 9/8/<strong>12</strong>) -<br />
Katie Tranter 2W, Amelia Ward 7W, Shahirrah Shaziman<br />
9G, Kane Dyer 7G, Jessica Sheppard 3W, Jayden Yew<br />
KG, Sally Peh 11G, Nikhil Rao KG, Daweena Motwany<br />
9G, Washington Chao 4G.<br />
New Resources<br />
Recent additions to our library include a selection of<br />
Olympic related books and a wide range of graphic<br />
novels.<br />
Read-a Thon<br />
Thank you to the parent helpers who are organizing it<br />
this year.<br />
Book Donations<br />
Leo Landridge, 5G has kindly donated the very popular<br />
Geronimo Stilton books.<br />
Outstanding Loans<br />
Students with long-term outstanding loans have<br />
recently received a notice. Parents, please assist the<br />
library with this by encouraging students to return<br />
them as soon as possible<br />
Denise Miller and Rod Gardiner<br />
Kidzania Tickets - Tung Xuan Lim 9W, Zak 11G, Aaron 8G, Soraya Meor 3W, Wei Ren Goh 1G, Ben Pols KG,<br />
Dashveen Jose 9G<br />
Lego Land Tickets - Sally Peh 11G, Eliza Chew 10W, Madyson Pietsch 8W<br />
The Winner of the Grand Prize of a Samsung Galaxy Tab was Ford Sutcliffe.<br />
Well done everyone on a fantastic effort with this charity fund raising event.<br />
Damian Baynes<br />
Page 4 3rd August 20<strong>12</strong>
Main Senior Middle Junior Performing Arts Sports Others<br />
Performing Arts News<br />
From the Music Room<br />
HSC Drama Showcase, Thursday 16th August<br />
The 20<strong>12</strong> HSC Drama Showcase<br />
will be held in conjunction with<br />
the Visual Arts and Design<br />
and Technology Exhibition on<br />
Thursday, 16th August. The<br />
four students will present their<br />
Group Performance Project and<br />
then each student will present<br />
their Individual Projects. Two students will present<br />
Individual Performances and two will screen and<br />
talk about their Video Projects. These students will<br />
travel to Singapore in early September for the HSC<br />
Practical Examinations and the Video Projects will<br />
be sent to Sydney for marking at the same time.<br />
The performances will commence at 5.30pm in the<br />
Theatre.<br />
<strong>International</strong> Day, Thursday 30th August<br />
The annual <strong>International</strong> Day is fast approaching and<br />
many students are involved in preparing performances<br />
for the assembly that will start the day. Please put<br />
Thursday, 30th August in your diary and come along<br />
and join us on this wonderful day of celebration. A<br />
reminder that there will be no Co-Curricular<br />
Activities that afternoon.<br />
The program for <strong>International</strong> Day will be published in<br />
the next newsletter.<br />
Jon Suffolk,<br />
Coordinator Performances and Events<br />
Junior Music Notes<br />
Junior <strong>School</strong> Production,<br />
Wednesday 5th September<br />
The Junior <strong>School</strong> is now in recycling mode – collecting<br />
plastic bottles and plastic bags and cardboard boxes<br />
for their installations and props for “The Project”. This<br />
year’s Junior <strong>School</strong> Production of sound, light and<br />
movement is an evening performance set around<br />
the site specific venue of the pool and surrounding<br />
verandas.<br />
Parents, please do not go out and purchase the plastics<br />
required. The intention is to ask your neighbours, Malcolm McCormick, Music Teacher<br />
friends and families to collect used bottles etc. for our<br />
Artist –in- Residence, Ms. Lisa Foo to come and help<br />
coordinate the construction which will begin very soon. Please mark the Production time and date on your<br />
calendars: Wednesday, 5 September, 7.00 – 8.00pm.<br />
The Young Voices Choir is now in preparation for a performance at the up-coming <strong>International</strong> Day (30th<br />
August) and will also be performing at the Showcase evening on Thursday, 13 September.<br />
Japanese Drumming Group, KLCC 24th & 25th August<br />
What’s on in KL An interesting Japanese Drumming group called ‘Drum Tao’ is performing at the Plenary<br />
Hall, KLCC Convention Centre on 24th and 25th August. This performance will be a mix of Taiko drums and<br />
contemporary Japanese percussion.<br />
Susan Bal-Short, Junior Performing Arts Teacher<br />
Music Showcase Concert,<br />
Thursday 13th September<br />
The annual Music Showcase<br />
Concert will take place on<br />
Thursday, September 13th in the<br />
evening. Auditions will take place<br />
in week 5. Students need to sign<br />
up with Mr McCormick. Please<br />
make sure you can attend this<br />
event which will feature solo and small group, studentdirected<br />
items as well as items from the performing<br />
ensembles here at AISM.<br />
Orchestra Tour Vietnam 20<strong>12</strong>, 7-11th November<br />
This exciting tour is scheduled to take place from 7-11<br />
November, 20<strong>12</strong>. I am still waiting on a few expressions<br />
of interest letters before going ahead with the final<br />
arrangements. If your son/daughter is in the orchestra<br />
and you have not returned this letter of interest please<br />
do so. Letters are available from myself and can be<br />
found on Studywiz. Alternatively, please email me<br />
your intentions regarding this activity.<br />
Instrumental Music Academy Lessons<br />
Lessons for term 3 are underway this week with<br />
record numbers of student enrolments in the program.<br />
Invoices have been sent out last week and payment<br />
is requested by August 7. Thank you for your prompt<br />
payments in advance. The standard cost of the 8<br />
lessons over the term is RM 320.00. As teachers<br />
have a tight schedule due to the large amount of<br />
enrolments, please notify the teacher if your son/<br />
daughter is unable to make a lesson previous to, or on<br />
the morning of, the lesson. Make –up lessons are often<br />
difficult to schedule.<br />
Year 5 Band Fees<br />
The exciting Year 5 Band program is gaining<br />
momentum and we look forward to their performance<br />
at the Music Showcase Concert. Please encourage your<br />
son/daughter to practice daily as we are at the stage of<br />
rapid skill and music reading development. This week<br />
I will send out invoices for instrument rental fees for<br />
semester 2. This fee can be paid at the accounts office.<br />
3rd August 20<strong>12</strong> Page 5
Main Senior Middle Junior Performing Arts Sports Others<br />
Aussie Rules at AISM<br />
The time honoured<br />
tradition of ‘Saturday<br />
arvo footy’ was<br />
celebrated<br />
last<br />
weekend, the 28th of<br />
July with a Staff/Parent<br />
team taking on the<br />
students.<br />
The age difference between the teams was offset by<br />
the corresponding difference in abilities which allowed<br />
for a most entertaining match. The crowd of around<br />
50 were treated to an enthralling spectacle which<br />
gave those present a rollercoaster ride of emotions<br />
and excitement.<br />
The staff/parents were<br />
pushed to their limits<br />
as the students’ run<br />
and enthusiasm had<br />
many questioning if 4,<br />
15 minute quarters may<br />
have been 10 minutes<br />
per quarter too long.<br />
Steve Wall proved to be the difference up front for<br />
the oldies (experienced) team with a fine example of<br />
how the position of full forward should be played. The<br />
forward pockets (one notable senior staff member<br />
in particular) were heard to have been chanting the<br />
usual forward pocket mantra, “I’m free, kick it to me…<br />
….I’m free, kick it to me”. Rugby converts Coombes,<br />
Unsworth and Martineau were handy all day especially<br />
in the later stages with Mr. Martineaus’ all important<br />
touch finders and Mr. Unsworths’ slick pass in the<br />
middle that was deemed to have been backwards in a<br />
forwards motion.<br />
The students had many good players. McLaws and<br />
Booker gathered plenty of touches out of the middle;<br />
Uruguayan utility, Santiago Prato, slotted in well in<br />
the back line as did Pearsall. Sprite and Dash were<br />
full of run, the Tranter boys threw down the gauntlet<br />
only to have dad place a couple of well - timed tackles<br />
and bumps just to let the boys know who the boss is.<br />
‘Apples’ Kilpatrick took some good marks up front and<br />
Maynard combined well with newcomer, Will Thorpe<br />
across half back.<br />
The real winner on the day was footy (and the oldies<br />
by 16 points).<br />
There are already whispers of a rematch which the<br />
staff/parents are seriously considering. Allowing for<br />
recovery, the senior team should be back into training<br />
by early August……….2016.<br />
This was a “pilot” activity, generated by students and<br />
could well become a whole school community event in<br />
the future - watch this space.<br />
Andrew Colbey<br />
MATILDA EXPEDITION 20<strong>12</strong><br />
Our Service Learning Group<br />
is off to Sabah to work in<br />
our Matilda Project at the<br />
Asrama Desa Pukak hostel<br />
in week 5 and would like<br />
to ask for any last minute<br />
donations. We have limited<br />
luggage allowance but if you have any of the following,<br />
we would be happy to deliver them to the 30 students<br />
and Dora, their house mother.<br />
Toothpaste/ toothbrushes,<br />
soap / face towel, coloured<br />
pencils, postage stamps,<br />
clothing for 5-11 year<br />
olds, other good ideas (eg;<br />
skipping ropes), board<br />
games / colouring-in books,<br />
playing cards, hair clippers, seeds (flowers or vegies),<br />
trowel, colourful posters (educational or decorative).<br />
We will collect it from the<br />
box in Junior <strong>School</strong> Office.<br />
Many Thanks.<br />
Alex MClaws, Tom Tranter,<br />
Sabah Team and Service<br />
Learning Committee.<br />
Sheila Martineau<br />
Page 6 3rd August 20<strong>12</strong>
Main Senior Middle Junior Performing Arts Sports Others<br />
Message From Health Services<br />
There has been Head lice in Year<br />
2 and Kindergarten Parents with<br />
girls are requested to keep their<br />
hair tied back and if it is very<br />
long, it is better to keep the hair<br />
in a pleat. Hair strands should be<br />
neatly tied back with a clip well<br />
off the face. Please be vigilant and check your child<br />
every week before school on Monday and at the start of<br />
every term. Please inform the school nurse if your child<br />
has Head lice so that we can keep it under control.<br />
Parents are able to buy Head lice shampoo and<br />
comb from the Nurse Office at RM 20. Payment<br />
and receipt should be handed to the accounts<br />
department.<br />
Please see this website for more information on how to<br />
treat Head lice:<br />
http://www.health.wa.gov.au/docreg/<br />
Education/Diseases/Communicable/Parasitic/<br />
HP0149_head_lice_FS.pdf<br />
Tetanus Injection<br />
If your child is going away on a school excursion or<br />
camps, it is always good to up-date your child’s tetanus<br />
injection.<br />
• The vaccine is given along with other childhood vaccines.<br />
It is combined with the diphtheria and pertussis vaccine<br />
for early childhood immunization (DPT) and is usually<br />
only combined with diphtheria (ADT) or given by itself<br />
(Tetox) in adulthood. The DPT vaccine is given at 2, 4<br />
and 6 months of age. Boosters are given at 18 months,<br />
5 years, and after 10 years of age. The immunization<br />
schedule is constantly changing and it is wise to discuss<br />
with your doctor what the current regime is.<br />
• A booster tetanus injection is recommended every 10<br />
years, throughout life. Usually it is combined with the<br />
diphtheria booster.<br />
A person who gets a deep puncture wound more than 5<br />
years after the last tetanus booster may be advised to<br />
get a tetanus booster.<br />
Denise MacFarlane, <strong>School</strong> Nurse<br />
<strong>International</strong> Student Assessment<br />
(ISA) in Term 4<br />
This year we will facilitate the <strong>International</strong> Student<br />
Assessment (ISA) program in Term 4. The ISA<br />
assessment program is designed especially for<br />
students in international schools in Grades 3 to 10. It<br />
is based on the internationally endorsed reading and<br />
mathematical literacy frameworks for <strong>International</strong><br />
Student Assessment (ISA).<br />
What does the ISA Measure<br />
• Reading<br />
• Mathematical Literacy<br />
• Writing<br />
The assessments will<br />
be spread over three<br />
days and will include 5<br />
sub-tests. There is no<br />
preparation required<br />
for these assessments<br />
by the students.<br />
The ISA assessment provides:<br />
• An assessment with a broad cultural base;<br />
• A combination of multiple-choice and open-ended<br />
questions and prompts;<br />
• Student-level information about what individuals<br />
know and can do;<br />
• Class-level and school-level information that can<br />
inform instructional programs;<br />
• Information about sub-groups’ performance; for<br />
example, gender, language group;<br />
• Relevant comparisons between like schools;<br />
• <strong>International</strong> normative information and<br />
• Information about growth over time of our<br />
students<br />
Further information<br />
will be provided closer<br />
to the assessment.<br />
Please do not hesitate<br />
to contact me if you<br />
have any questions at<br />
kyliebooker@aism.<br />
edu.my.<br />
Kylie Booker<br />
3rd August 20<strong>12</strong> Page 7
Main Senior Middle Junior Performing Arts Sports Others<br />
20<strong>12</strong> ICT Highlights<br />
During this year there have been many improvements and enhancements to our ICT facilities and resources.<br />
Below is a summary of some of the initiatives that have undertaken and that are directed towards improving<br />
student learning.<br />
• Whole <strong>School</strong>:<br />
▪ Purchasing underway for 50 additional MacBooks for students , to bring<br />
the total to 100.<br />
▪ Increased Internet bandwidth 500% from 8GB to 44GB<br />
▪ 6 New Multifunction printers (Scan, Copy, Print) and 7 New High<br />
Performance desktops<br />
› 50% of which are dedicated to student use<br />
› Each lab now has a high performance printer<br />
› Smart card Authentication system to support follow-me printing<br />
▪ Upgraded all netbooks, laptops and PCs to 4GB memory or higher to<br />
improve performance<br />
▪ Improved Wi-fi coverage by increasing access points and additional controller<br />
▪ 18 New iPads bringing total to 30 with close to 200 apps installed<br />
▪ Installed Control panels in all classrooms and learning areas to support full<br />
integration of laptops into learning<br />
▪ Commissioning under way for remote access to our “Clickview” Video<br />
Resource database for all students<br />
▪ Deployment of Digital Signage in Swimming pool area, Admin Office and<br />
Library<br />
▪ Purchase under way for 2 new High Spec servers to support future<br />
demand and upgrade existing services<br />
• The revamped Library now has<br />
▪ New collaborative working space with 6 new HD TV’s complete with PC<br />
connectivity<br />
▪ 6 New multimedia learning areas complete with projectors and Smartboards<br />
▪ 5 new computers for Library resources access<br />
▪ 1 New Multifunction printers (Scan, Copy, Print) and High performance<br />
desktop printers<br />
▪ <strong>12</strong> New iPad 3’s dedicated for Library access bring total to 24.<br />
• Junior <strong>School</strong><br />
▪ Allocated an additional 50 netbooks to Junior school to support a 3:1 student to computer access<br />
ratio for all students<br />
• Admissions department has received 4 new laptops to conduct online entrance tests<br />
• Learning Support Department - 3 New PCs<br />
2013 ICT Initiatives<br />
Although not finalized below is a summary of key initiatives under way for 2013.<br />
• Replacement of the current Student Management System is a major undertaking which will provide several<br />
benefits including:<br />
▪ Improved data accuracy and turnaround time<br />
▪ Increased flexibility in capturing student and parent data<br />
▪ Increased electronic communication - including providing a parent portal<br />
▪ Reduced paper based data collection and manual entry<br />
▪ Improved integration with other school systems including library, virtual learning environment and<br />
financial systems<br />
• Upgrading/Refreshing 25 Portable Devices in the Library<br />
• Upgrading/Refreshing 100 Portable Devices in Junior <strong>School</strong><br />
• Deploying 20 Wireless Access Points to provide Wi-Fi coverage in the new building<br />
• Rolling out a new specialized ICT lab with iMac to support Multimedia content production.<br />
• Increasing Digital Signage coverage in cafeteria and new building<br />
• Printer store and release system complete with Smart Card system for students.<br />
• Improving remote access to school resources including Library systems.<br />
• Parent access to single login for Studywiz (Virtual Learning Environment).<br />
• Revamped web site<br />
Charles Mutinda, ICT Manager<br />
Page 8 3rd August 20<strong>12</strong>