School Newsletter20.02.2015

Whole School News
 

From the Head of Teaching and LearningDear Parents and Guardians,I would like to begin this week’s newsletter by applauding all who collaborated to make Kiss the Casbah such a huge success last Friday.  It was yet another outstanding night of talent, musical genius, culinary delights and wonderful company.  Mr. Wickersham, the peripatetic team and Miss Laura are such magic makers.  They are able to coach and mentor our students to show their talents with great courage and conviction.  Thank you to the tech team who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the sound levels were just right and the kitchen team who worked in unison to create a range of authentic Moroccan dishes.   The D1 teachers, leaders and students created an outstanding night; they planned and delivered a night to remember.  Lastly the performers, the stars of the night, thank you for shining brightly and bringing such delight to so many of us

Throughout the week the M5 students have been having interviews with representatives from ISCO (the Independent Schools Careers Organisation), who are helping them think about their future, potential IB choices and careers advice.  This is a huge point in these students’ lives and I hope that they have used this guidance and time wisely.  Thank you to Mr. Moore and Mr. Mungles for organising this.On my walkabout this week I have enjoyed the P4 week of fitness.  At the end of last week I walked into a zumba marathon and I have heard about their daily walks up the hill!  I loved doing number aerobics with the P3 students who were discussing multiples and times tables.  I was lucky enough to see Mai Greenwood’s Big Thinkers presentation.  I was amazed by her ability to blend, drama, ICT and presentation skills!  In GCP the students in M2 and M3 have been researching a global issue of their choice, Hannah Al Omar produced an outstanding video on deforestation.  Once again the talents of our students and the timeless work of our gifted staff to unlock them amaze me.Finally I wish to remind you that Monday 2^nd March is a professional development day for staff.  There will be no school on this day.

I wish you a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable half term!

Best wishes

Jak Kearney

Día de Andalucía

Today we have celebrated the Día de Andalucía during which SIS students have participated in a range of cultural activities,which have given them the opportunity to find out more and enjoy different aspects of our Andalusian culture.

The day began with a typical Andalusian breakfast for all students. Following this, Primary students went off to take part in numerous workshops related to carnival, flamenco, decorating pots and other crafts…

Secondary students received very special classes: they enjoyed mathematics and design working with tiles and geometric patterns similar to those decorating the Alhambra; in art they dived into the world of fashion of the Andalusian designers Vittorio and Luchino; in Spanish they enjoyed Flamenco-Zumba classes, etc.

Together with this program for students, we also enjoyed, as usual, a taste of tapas and other Andalusian dishes kindly provided by parents in the theatre. This meal was enlivened with a live flamenco show and performances from our students.

My name is Juan José Delgado, I hold a Technical Engineer degree in Forestry from the University of Huelva.  I live in Castellar de la Frontera, a beautiful village well worth visiting.I served in the Spanish Navy for several years, during which time I did a course on professional diving and I did survival and security practices on the sea with the Maritime Rescue Centre.

For eight years I served in a forestry fire brigade. My main hobby is gastronomy, together with sports and in particular boxing, basketball and swimming. I look forward to saying “good morning” to you each day!

 

 

 

New Parents’ Survey

If your family was new to SIS this School Year, i.e. you arrived between September and January, you should have received an invitation to complete a survey to gather your feedback on the admissions and introduction processes. We will use this information to help us to improve the services that we provide to parents and prospective parents, and so we value your input.

If you have not received the survey, please send an email to ehalter@sis.gl
If you have already received the survey, and have yet to complete it, we would like to encourage you to do so! Link here

Careers & University Convention – Thursday  19^th March, 3pm – 5pm at SIS

The SIS Careers & University Convention is focused on offering students from M3 to D2 an insight into the world of work, university and professions, to help them with their future plans.

We are inviting a range of professions, universities and businesses to give our students a comprehensive introduction to potential careers.
Would your company be interested in sharing your knowledge and experiences with students & parents?
There will be short presentations where professionals will give a focused view to small groups of students and parents.
As a modern sophisticated establishment at the cutting edge of international education, SIS offers a pool of high calibre, well-qualified international students who are interested in careers as well as university.
Students attending will be from M3 to D2 (age 13 to 18).
All participants are invited to an informal networking and thank you reception from 5 to 6pm.  

Primary School News

PYP6 Parent Information Session about the Exhibition

On Wednesday parents from P6 attended an information session on the upcoming PYP Exhibition. If you would like to see the information shared please click on this link.
Another information session will be held on Wednesday 18^th March.

Working Together with our Colleagues from Fundamentals

On Tuesday Emma Butler (Head of Primary) facilitated an afternoon workshop for Andrea Bennett (PYP Coordinator), Elizabeth Halter (Head of Admissions) and our colleagues from Fundamentals. During the session the group worked together to map out plans for the creation and implementation of The Early Childhood Centre. All involved are extremely excited about this new venture and the times that lie ahead.

Fairytale Characters Visit P3

This week P3 were visited by Goldilocks (Estelle Maloney, an M4 drama student) and Goldilocks’s mother (Helen Warwick, one of the Secondary drama teachers) to tell us about their adventures in the forest with the three bears.

Yet another demonstration of how our teachers organise activities and opportunities to enhance our students’ learning. This activity enabled P3 to learn more about and appreciate different characters’ perspectives in the story (perspective is one of this Unit of Inquiry’s key concepts).  They also had the opportunity to ask the characters questions about their actions and feelings and what they had been doing in the story.

An Arts Focus In P6

P6 have just finished an exciting unit looking at energy. Our Central Idea was ‘energy may be converted from one form to another and stored in various ways.’

P6 looked at the impacts different types of energy have on our landscape, for example wind farms and coal mines, and discussed and compared urban and rural landscapes.  They then took this further by investigating both single and two point perspectives in landscapes.
These photos show P6 busy painting our landscapes and some examples of their artwork showing perspective.
Very impressive! Well done, P6.

In their new P6 unit students have been reflecting on Childrens’ Rights and the associated responsibilities those rights carry.  These reflections formed the initial part of our inquiry in to the unit “Challenges for Children”.  The students used the medium of drama to consider the changing perspectives of past and current generations.  They explored and contrasted what is considered acceptable today against the views many older generations may have, for example;  “children should be seen and not heard”, and “sparing the rod spoils the child.” It created quite a discussion.

Judo Workshop

P5 and P6 students had the opportunity to participate in a Judo workshop taught by Miss Marre Nieman (Physical Education teacher at SIS and experienced judoka).

The workshop focused on intercultural awareness, Japanese traditions and culture within a Judo context. They learnt that not only strength, but also agility, speed and ¨being smart¨ can make you a successful judoka. Different techniques were put into practice, along with the respectful Judo protocols and rules. A very interesting experience enjoyed by all!

Celebration Assembly P3-6

Well done to all the students who received a SIS values certificate in this week’s celebration assembly. Link
This third celebration assembly marks the halfway point of the journey through this year’s Programme of Inquiry. Throughout the first three units there has been some amazing progress and work produced by our Primary Students.
Well done, Primary. Keep up the good work and I look forward to the next three units.

Secondary School News

Kiss the Casbah

From good to great! There aren’t many people who can pull off an event like this year’s D1s did. It was a night to remember; amazing food cooked by the catering team and talented acts performed by around 100 students in the school, from P3 to D2, even teacher – respect to Mr Moore´s debut drumming performance! It wasn’t easy but all the hard work paid off when it all came together; seeing everyone really enjoy themselves and knowing it was all for a good cause.

A starter of hummus and dips followed by a mouth-watering couscous and chicken, or for the vegetarians couscous and pumpkin, then to really top it off the desert was a creamy, rich chocolate cake or a delicious traditional Moroccan dessert. All musical performances were mesmerising. Everything from Bruno Mars and Alicia Keys to Muse and Nirvana. The year group said beforehand that they wanted this night to go off with a BANG! And it really did; all of us who were present during the night were up on stage to receive a round of applause while one of our own sang a great classic; ‘Light my fire’ by The Doors! A great way to end the night. We are delighted to announce, that after completing the accounts and paying the expenses, we made a staggering grand profit of 3701.06 Euros! This will be used to invest into projects within the Asni community and Twizi association.
Thank you for supporting us!

Report by Victoria Locke and Photos By Sonnie Hiles

French Crêpes with M1

The M1 French students have been studying ‘Celebrations around the World’ this term. The 2nd of February was “La fête de la Chandeleur”, a day when French people make crêpes. The M1 students studied the crêpe recipe and participated by bringing ingredients and making crêpes in class today. They enjoyed a lovely celebration! Bon appétit!

Fundamentals News

Bonsai

During our “Around the World” project we have been exploring Chinese culture, gastronomy, arts, music and other curiosities of their traditions such as bonsais. Although bonsai originated in Japan, it is also common in Chinese culture.

The children were greatly attracted to these plants and decided to study them in depth, consolidating their experience in these works that we now share with you.

PTA News

Pub Quiz Event

Do you enjoy quizzes?  The PTA is pleased to invite you to a fun quiz night on Tuesday 10^th March in the Ivory Restaurant in Pueblo Nuevo.  This light-hearted event is open to all SIS staff and parents; and though the quiz itself will be in English, we have been assured the questions will be appropriate and fair to an international audience.
The start time will be 8pm and tickets will be sold on a per table basis. There is a definite space limitation, so all tickets must be reserved and paid in advance. The cost is €40 per team of 4 people, which includes tapas. To reserve your team table, please email eilish@eilishjenkins.com