1. Global Challenge Week: This week, the entire school (except D2 who are sitting mock exams), will take part in an exciting special project, Global Challenge Week. Through guest speakers, workshops, presentations, news-sheets and activities, we will address four broad challenges over four days (the Environment; Wealth & Poverty; Peace & Conflict; and Food & Famine) with Friday set aside for reflection and action planning. Working in mixed year groups, students will take part in a range of activities that look at global challenges and will produce a daily news bulletin and online blog to report on the activities. Global Challenge Week offers great opportunities to foster intercultural understanding, to promote bilingual work and to collaborate with the local/international community and the intended outcome is to create a number of practical action plans. Parents are invited to participate in various activities in school and to follow up activities at home.

2. Global Reality Meal: As part of the Global Challenge Week, on Wednesday 13 January, all the students and teachers at SIS will receive a simple bowl of rice for lunch - nothing more (just like much of the world's population does, every day). Sodexo, who supply our lunches, has agreed to contribute the money saved from this lunch, to our school solidarity projects, including Morocco, Goa and Uganda. Any parent who may be concerned about their child not getting a full lunch that day is welcome to provide a packed lunch. (If any parent does not wish to participate in the Global Reality Meal we would be happy to refund the cost of that meal).

3. Casa Abril raffle: On the last day of term a student raffle was held through which we raised nearly €1000. We used this money to make a very happy Christmas for the children of Casa Abril. We bought presents for them including sports equipment such as dart boards, table tennis sets, badminton sets, volleyballs and footballs. We also gave the children gifts of clothes, track suits and watches and there was also enough money to treat all the children to an outing to the cinema and a local restaurant. Thanks go to P6 who wrapped and made beautiful labels for the gifts, with special thanks to Mrs Hartland for organising this activity.

4. Extra Curricular Activities: Most activities start the week beginning Monday 11 January. Several new activities are being offered, some activities have changed days / times and some have finished. Students and parents should check details with the teacher in charge in order to confirm specific clubs, times and venues or refer to the updated overview sheet (at reception, gym and with form tutors).
Of particular interest to many students may be the following activities.
• Expressive Arts (M1-D2): Auditions and rehearsals for the secondary school production of Annie will be taking place on most days of the week, supervised by Samantha Reed, Tina Farrell and Kerry Wickersham.
• Maths and Thinking skills (Age 4-13): As part of the activity programme we will be offering the UCMAS abacus-based activity programme, designed to enhance the maths and thinking skills of young children. Following specific training from UCMAS, two members of staff will run the courses: Anne Adamson on a Tuesday and Friday and Carole Oughton on a Monday and Thursday. This activity will start the week beginning Monday 18 January. A letter was sent out to all parents in Primary school at the end of last term. If you did not receive this letter you can obtain it by clicking on one of the following links http://www.sis.ac/documents/UCMASen.doc or http://www.sis.ac/documents/UCMASsp.doc or you can collect a copy from the reception desk.
• Mini Tennis (P1-4): Mini Tennis will start on Friday 22 January. Specially designed for young children in P1-4 it uses smaller racquets, smaller courts and special softer balls. It's energetic and easy to play, and, by using fun and enjoyment, mini tennis teaches kids the basic shots and moves of the full court game of tennis. All equipment is provided. Cost: 80 Euros for 8 sessions. For a full explanation of the game of Mini Tennis, and for further details about our LTA Licensed and Qualified Tennis Professionals, please visit www.playtennisspain.com.
• Mandarin Chinese: We are hoping to offer a Mandarin Chinese activity starting during the week of 25 January. Final details will be sent to all parents soon.

5. Oranges and Mandarins: As in previous years, the Munday family will be selling delicious oranges and mandarins from their finca. This year they are raising money to support students who will be helping at the Seva Trust orphanage in the summer. They will be selling their produce each Wednesday after school and you can also place a regular order with them.

1. Global Challenge Week: This week we have our exciting Global Challenge week which will run from Monday 11th to Friday 15th January. EC1 and EC2 are running their own integrated programme with a focus on internationalism. Students and teachers from P1, P2 and P3 will be working together in smaller groups and will be addressing four key areas during the course of the week. Similarly P4 and P5 students and teachers will be collaborating and participating in activities which we hope will stimulate interest in global opportunities.

2. Online Spanish lessons: Online Spanish lessons with our partner teachers in Ecuador will begin again during the week starting 18 January.

Timetable: Week 1

1. D2 Mock examinations: Mock examinations will run from Monday 11th January to Friday 15th January. Students have been issued with their exam timetables.

2. M5 London Theatre Trip presentation: The meeting for parents and students introducing the M5 Theatre trip to London, due to take place on Wednesday 13 January, has been postponed to Wednesday 27 January. (This is because we are awaiting some final information from the organisers in UK.)

3. Auditions for Secondary Musical Annie: Auditions for Annie will be held from Monday 11 to Friday 15 January. All students who wish to be involved must first attend a meeting on Monday at 4-4.30 where the audition schedule will be given out. Parts will then be sent out via email over the weekend and rehearsals will start the following week.

4. IB Theatre: D1 and D2 IB Theatre support for students will be available Thursdays 4.00 to 5.30pm in the Library.

1. U19 (M5-D1) Boys and Girls Football Tournament: There will be a football tournament for U19 boys and girls on Wednesday 13 January at ICSP (to be confirmed)