1. Global Challenge Week (GCW): Last week's GCW was a huge success. Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive about their experiences and what they have learned. They gained particular benefit from the guest speakers to whom we offer our thanks. They included: Mouden Abdelsalam - talking about our links in Morocco and teaching Arabic; Justine Natale - describing life in Uganda and teaching drumming and dance; Mr Montesino for giving us an introduction to the UN; Alberto López for an interesting discussion about the environment; and Fr Patera for accounts of his work with refuges in Spain. There was some amazing art work based around our GCW themes including: dream-catchers, sculptures on the beach, a very special SIS logo and huge banner (now in the cantina) made from re-cycled material, and especially our stunningly vivid rainforest papier mâché frogs that will be painted and put on display soon. There were enlightening presentations and discussions about healthy eating; poverty and famine relief; and environmental issues. Students watched moving and thought-provoking films that generated lively debate around the theme of combating racism and intercultural understanding. There were the superb GCW news-sheets each day (special thanks to Sarah Burgess and her team of reporters) and an excellent video summarising all the activities of the week (thanks to Kerry Wickersham and his team). The students have learned much about the world and themselves during this week and perhaps most importantly was the commitment they displayed to helping others and working together in flexible collaborative teams. Special thanks go to a group of mums who helped every day with various activities - Sarah Burgess, Brenda Cuby, Lynn Reithaar, Sabina Turner-Ubeda and Jessica White. Very special thanks go to Carol Hartland and Dave Batten without whom this inspirational event would not have taken place.

2. Haiti Earthquake appeal: The earthquake in Haiti occurred during our Global Challenge Week on the day when students were focussing on the topic of famine and poverty relief. The heart-rending images from Haiti could not have had more impact and made very real the simulation that one of our classes was doing on a Shelter Box activity to help survivors of a hypothetical natural disaster (www.shelterbox.org/index.php).
To help survivors of the real humanitarian disaster in Haiti, using money from the global reality meal and other student-raised funds, the school has already made three donations of €1000 each to Shelter Box, the Disaster Emergency Committee www.dec.org.uk and Partners in Health www.standwithhaiti.org/haiti. These are recommended organisations that are demonstrating success in getting relief to the survivors of the earthquake.
We are planning to raise further funds through:
• A non-uniform day - on Thursday 21 January students may come to school in non-uniform in return for a €2 donation to the Haiti appeal.
• Community cash donations - if anyone would like to add further to the SIS campaign, Helen Miles will accept donations in the school office.

3. Mandarin Chinese: During the week starting 25 January, we will be offering Mandarin Chinese to students from P3 to M5, as part of our activity programme. This activity will be led by Qiao Jing (Angela), who has experience of teaching Mandarin to foreigners. The cost will be €50 per student per month and it is intended that this activity will initially run until June 2010. Classes will take place once per week at SIS either on Wednesday from 3.30 to 4.30pm or Thursday from 4.30 to 5.30pm. If you are interested in this activity please return the reply slip sent to students this week.

4. 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. Yanapuma Foundation and online Spanish lessons: This week we will begin again the online Spanish lessons with our partner teachers in the Yanapuma Foundation in Ecuador. Our connection with the Yanapuma Foundation was a focus of the Global Challenge Week and the children had the opportunity to see a video showing some of the projects with which the organization is currently involved. We are planning to become more involved with the Yanapuma Foundation during the course of this year. Please see the website http://www.yanapuma.org/en/index.php for more information.

Timetable: Week 2

1. D2 Mock Examinations: These examinations were completed last week. A report following these examinations will be published on Wednesday 3rd February, followed by a Parent Consultation afternoon on Monday 8th February.

2. Rehearsals for Annie: The Spring Musical, Annie, is off to a great start! Set in New York City during the Great Depression, Annie is a story of an orphan girl struggling to find her parents and survive in a time of great economic, political, and social upheaval. Throughout the four month rehearsal process students will hone their performance, design, and leadership skills while exploring the major themes of the musical such as poverty and class conflict during the Great Depression. Last week over 80 students in M1-D1 auditioned for singing, dancing and acting roles and expressed interest in non-performance roles such as poster design, set construction and assistant directing. The cast list will go out today via email to all those who auditioned. The first rehearsal is Wednesday at 3:30pm in the theatre. Please contact the Tina Farrell at tfarrell@sis.ac with any questions.

3. IB Theatre Trip: On Sunday 24 January, a theatre group will be going to see Fedra (Phaedra), one of the Greek Tragedies, performed in Spanish, at the Teatro Cervantes in Málaga. Sam Reed will meet students at school at 5.00pm, ready to travel to Málaga for a 7.00pm performance.

4. M4 IAYP trip: There will be an M4 IAYP Bronze award practice expedition on Sat 23 and Sun 24 January.

1. U19 Boys Football - SIS 3 v 7 ICSP: Our young U19 side were taught a few harsh lessons in the physical side of football. Despite a poor first half losing most 50-50 challenges, the team showed plenty of character to learn and fight back by drawing a much more evenly contested second half. The pre-match approach will be totally different next match!

1. Under 15 Boys Football Tournament: Wednesday 20 January at ICSP. Depart SIS at 1pm and return by 5pm.