School Newsletter 21.04.2017

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful holiday and managed to spend some quality time as families. The final term has just started and it promises to be a very busy, but rewarding time!

Over the Easter break our European film festival trip returned from Genève, where they spent a few days in film workshops before being given 48 hours to create their own film with the skills they had learnt. They rose to the challenge and even had to be reminded to go to bed as they were up late creating and editing their films. They have all signed up for next year’s film trip!

Also our Uganda expedition retuned in the second week! Over the 12 days they were at Nabugabo, the team achieved a huge amount. They successfully completed the building of a new classroom that now provides a 360-degree ‘campus´ at the Nabugabo Community Learning Centre, which SIS started building 5 years ago.
In the classrooms the team gave inspired workshops and lessons to students and staff. They delivered gifts and made donations to people in that community, and received heartfelt gratitude that reduced the team to tears. I would like to publicly thank the staff who gave up their holiday to lead the trip. It is a trip that we are thrilled to have re-established again for our community of learners.

There are a few places left on the Ecuador trip, which takes place in July this year. This experience is open to students in M4 and above. To get a flavour of the trip, please click this link , which shows the film from last year’s trip.  If you are interested in attending, please contact the Kindred Project team at kpteam@sis.gl as soon as possible.

 

We are excited that Atlético de Madrid has agreed to run our football summer camps this year! There will be 3 weeks of football led by some of the club’s top coaches. For more information, please click this link. Don’t miss out on this immensely unique opportunity, as places are limited.

This week our M5 students took part in their individual ISCO meetings, looking towards their desired careers before finally choosing their IB Diploma choices for next year. Meanwhile today we bade farewell to our D2 students. They are now officially on study leave!  We wish them the very best of luck preparing for their finals and we are eagerly looking forward to seeing them graduate later this term.

Next week we have a few items for your diary! The first important event is the Bugsy Malone show!  Tickets are available for shows on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26^th.
Wednesday April 26^th has been designated a ‘Walk to School’ day. Please join us in getting up a little earlier, ditching the car and either walking or cycling to school for the day, even just part of the way!  On Friday 28^th we have our student led conferences for primary students and parent teacher conferences for M1 – M5 students. Please note that this is not a normal school, day and classes will be cancelled.  Monday 1^st May is a bank holiday; the school will therefore be shut for the day.

 

This weekend is the London Marathon. We wish all of the people within our community, including our staff members the best of luck as they prepare to take on the grueling 26 miles. One person in the community, I believe, will be dressed as Mr. Bump!!

Finally please take some time to watch this TedTalk presented by Carlota Sanchez.  Carlota is one of our D1 students.  Her talk titled “The Journey” talks about her experiences and how they have shaped her into the person she is, finding her passion, believing in her ideas and the importance of hard work.  Link

 

I wish you a wonderful weekend.

Best wishes
Jak Kearney

 

Message From Emma Butler

Welcome back to all our returning families and welcome to all our new ones.
As well as our remaining two units of inquiry, the third and final term of this academic year promises to be as busy as ever with many big events already confirmed on the calendar.

Student-led conferences
Next Friday on the 28th of April we will be holding our annual Student-led Conference Day. Student-led conferences are an expectation of all International Baccalaureate schools. These days are designed to enable students to focus on learning processes and develop awareness of their learning journey through shared activities with parents.  At SIS we also consider it to be an essential part of building the three-way relationship between students, teachers and parents. This day is not a normal school day and students should come to school with their parents only for the time slot they have signed up for. Students are not expected to wear school uniform.
During the time parents and students are participating in their conference, supervision of siblings has been organised. This will take place in the Primary ELD room in the Timber building. Parents are responsible for dropping off and collecting their children from this classroom.

The sign up sheets for all the year groups will be placed outside the Sue Jenkins primary building before school and after school on Monday to Wednesday.

I look forward to seeing you all next Friday.

 Friday 31st March 2017

The last morning of the term was a truly memorable experience for all the students in Primary. It marked our first-ever official celebration of Mother Tongue languages. A group of parent ambassadors, teachers and students speaking approximately 16 different languages, gave our students a taste of several of these languages. A carousel of hands-on language learning activities provided the students with much fun and laughter. The students were intrigued by the similarities and differences between the languages and it heightened their awareness of the fact that many of our children use neither English nor Spanish at home. Primary First children were also involved in singing or listening to a medley of songs in different languages, while Upper Primary listened to a presentation by Diploma students on the Ecuadorian Safiki  language and the risk of its extinction. Feedback from everyone involved was that it was an experience definitely to be repeated.

Robotics and programming  – a new stand alone IT unit for P6 
Led by Mr. Álvarez and Mr. Sánchez

At the end of last term P6 were introduced to robotics and programming during their stand alone IT lessons. During the sessions students were introduced to a number of key concepts and skills and enjoyed using them when mounting the different components on a motherboard. Once all the elements were connected, they then programmed them on an online platform to execute their created code. In addition they all had the opportunity to explore buttons, LEDs, motors (servos – 360 degrees rotation and mini servos -180 degrees rotation) and buzzers. It was a pleasure watching the students develop and apply their understanding and skills throughout all the lessons.

A picture says a thousand words, but a video much more!

P3 experiential trip to engage with their new Unit of Inquiry
This week P3 were engaging in their new unit of inquiry; Physical Geography and Settlements. As part of the engaging stage they went to Pinar del Rey to enable a hands on experience of physical geography and to develop their collaborative skills. In groups the students decided what kind of land would be best for the location of a settlement and what people need access to. The children then had to be creative, work as a team and build their own settlements.

Playing for Change Update: a message from Mr. Luis and Miss Maureen

Please accept our most sincere thanks for all your support during both the semi-finals of the Playing For Change music competition.
After more than 30 performances and two sold out evenings, we have raised 900 euros to support the Playing For Change foundation in Curitiba, Brazil.
Since we had such a high level of performance from all our students we, the organisers, have decided that the competition final deserved to be enjoyed by more people on a bigger stage and set.
So the final will now take place on the 24th of May in a large marquee, which will be located in the Primary playground.
Tickets will soon be available at a cost of 5 euros for adults. To enable children to support their friends, tickets for children will be on sale for 2 euros. Please note all children attending must be accompanied by an adult.
Congratulations to all and see you on the 24th of May!

 

Success on the slopes

Congratulations to Carla in P1 who over the Easter break became the Andalucian Snowboard Champion for the Under 6 age group. Carla was also ranked second place for the whole season in the general Andalucian Championship.
Well-done Carla and welcome back to P1!

M1-M5 Parent Teacher Conferences

The M1-M5 Parent Teacher Conferences on Friday April 28th will be a little different this year. Each meeting is allotted 10 minutes, with 5 minutes in between to get to the next meeting.

Teachers will contact you today and over the weekend if they request meetings. If you would like to meet, please have your child request times with their teachers on Monday. Teachers will post the times of meetings, check here to see your confirmed times. If you are uncertain as to your child’s teachers, please consult the list here.

D1 Parent Teacher Consultations

D1 Parent Teacher Consultations will be held on Tuesday 2nd and Thursday 4th May between 4:00pm and 6:00pm.
This is an important opportunity for students and parents to speak to subject teachers about their academic performance and targets for the remainder of the year, including effective exam revision techniques.

No school for D1 students Friday 28th April

There will be no school for D1 students on Friday 28th April because all secondary teachers will be involved in M1-M5 parent consultations.
Students should use this day to make revision plans for the end of year examinations in June. This should include consolidating notes and making revision aids for each of their subjects.

NAFFAS Young Artist competition

The following students have had work selected to represent the school in the NADFAS Young Artist competition: Loreto Villegas Maestro (M4), Oliver Hoad (M4), Maria Kostychenko (D2), Leila Modirzadeh (D1) and Arthur Caceres Bennett (M1). All the competition entries will be on display in San Roque at Espacio Joven, Camino del Almendral from 24th-28th April. The prize giving will be held on Friday 28th April; all competitors and their families are invited to attend this prize giving evening.

 

This annual competition, which is organized by NADFAS, provides our students with the opportunity to exhibit work in the wider community and to meet fellow artists from other schools. We wish them well. 

1.Loreto Villegas Maestro (14 years)
‘Long walk home’
Engraved in linoleum

2.Oliver Hoad (15 years)
‘As the sun rises’
Digital

3. Maria Kostychenko (17 years)
Red Canna
Digital print on paper/ Acrylic paint on body

4. Leila Modirzadeh (17 years)
Sketch of creeping Rosemary plant
Black ink

Apologies, no photograph of Arthur’s entry is currently available.

European Student Film Festival Trip

Four SIS students attended the four day long European Student Film Festival. Set just outside Geneva in the beautiful backdrops of Switzerland, the students were able to attend workshops led by notable filmmakers.
‘The long take’ by Simon Ellis, ‘Visual storytelling’ by Joshua Sternlicht, ‘Directing’ by Oskar Rosetti, ‘Greenscreen’ by Ash Tidball and ‘Videoboarding’ by Dan Price. The students engaged in Q&A, applied the techniques learnt and completed the ‘180 challenge’ film over two days working with other international students from across Europe. The breathtaking nature of their locations, surrounded by mountains, lakes and countryside, certainly helped kindle that creative passion in these keen filmmakers.
Like professional production days they filmed from sun up to sun down, some even working well into the night to create their films. Yet, when I spoke to them in the morning instead of sleepy eyes, they were still abuzz with creative ideas.
The final night culminated in an award ceremony, showcasing their talents and their final ‘180 challenge’ film. It was a magnificent trip and they all look forward to returning next year. You can catch the awards ceremony evening online here: goo.gl/aClujB

M5 ISCO consultations and M1 Career Programme

This week as part of the U&C programme each M5 student had a 30-minute 1-1 counseling session with an external counselor from ISCO Inspiring Futures. The students had already worked preparing for these sessions using a variety of online tools and guidance. The 1-1 is an excellent opportunity for the students to explore their university, diploma and career ideas with an external consultant and evaluate their own targets.

Also in M1, as part 2 of the career investigator programme, the students reviewed their own personal career strengths report, using Mr. Mungles’ report as an example! This process gives an insight into their strengths, goals and skills and allows them to start thinking about how these relate to the world of work.

Advertise your business in the SIS 2017 Year Book

As we enter the final term of the academic year we have the pleasure of putting together the 2017 Year Book. Our Year Book celebrates some of the best moments, trips and activities for each year group as well as focusing on the D2 graduating class. Parents, we would like to offer you the opportunity to advertise in this much-anticipated keepsake. For further information please contact marketing@sis.gl

PTA News

 

Click here to read the minutes from last committee meeting.

SIS Cooking Camp

Our junior chefs already have a passion for cooking and, under the guidance of local professional chefs, all had a great time learning new skills and recipes at the SIS Cooking Camp this Easter!

Tech Camp

Our Easter Tech Camp was a great success offering students an exciting insight into the word of robotics!

The Kindred Project News

Ecuador 2017 Expedition
There are still a few spaces available for this summer’s Expedition to Ecuador, open to students from M4 to D2. Make sure not to miss this life shaping experience! If interested, kindly e-mail Valentina Stirling on info@thekindredproject.gl before the 30th April. Here’s a VIDEO from last year’s expedition; we hope you enjoy it!

D1 CAS trip report
We are delighted to share this year’s D1 CAS trip report! A truly amazing experience, with an incredible group of students; so much was achieved! Click on the following link to read the full report: https://issuu.com/thekindredproject/docs/asni_2017_trip_report.

Uganda trip report

During the Easter holidays, The Kindred Project ran its 4th expedition to our partner school, Nabugabo Community Learning Centre (NCLC) in Uganda! 17 incredible students, accompanied by 3 committed members of staff spent two weeks within NCLC and the local community of Nabugabo. Activities during the two week expedition included: Educational activities & sports days within NCLC; Visiting The Rock of Joy Orphanage in Masaka as well as the local primary school; Running workshops with an African author, Oscar Ranzo; Handing out 61 ´Little Suns´, a project developed from last year’ M3 Community Project; Craft workshops & Lugandan lessons. One of the main highlights of the expedition was that with funds donated from La Caixa bank as well as money fundraised before the expedition, The Kindred Project team were also able to build the 6th and final classroom at NCLC! Such an incredible achievement in such a short space of time. Well done to all involved, it was a phenomenal experience and one that will change the lives of the SIS students as well as the community of Nabugabo. Webale Nyo Nyo Nyo (Thank you so, so much).

Please see the link to our Facebook page for the photos and video of the expedition.

‘Discover the Differences’ Benefit Dinner

We have been given a gift that we would like to share with you! On Friday May 5th, M3 students, Olivia Wang, Natasha Bacarese-Hamilton and Laura De Lathauwer will be hosting a dinner at El Octogono restaurant from 7pm to raise awareness and money for children with special needs and dyslexia. The evening is called, “Discover the Differences.” 

El Octogono restaurant is very generously donating 80 three-course meals (including a welcome drink and beverage), to support our initiative. There will be a silent auction, a dance performance and an engaging presentation about dyslexia and special needs children. Also there will be a fashion show featuring special needs children, modeling clothes generously donated by Martina Babies and Kids, and Manapany Kids. ALL proceeds will be donated to our respective charities.  Tickets are available for 30 euros for adults and 15 euros for children, age 12 and under. Please join us for an enjoyable evening out and help us “Discover the Differences.”
Please contact 06natashab@sis.gl or (+34) 619 765 990 to reserve your tickets today.

Invitation to Special Viewing Day at the RC44 Championship Tour 2017

La Reserva Club, Sotogrande and SIS have arranged a special viewing day on 26th of April and are giving away 55 complimentary tickets to SIS families. 
Click here for full details.