Welcome back after the Lunar New Year break. I hope you all enjoyed time with family and friends. The Elementary School Home Language Programme launched today. This includes a 45 minute lesson where students are supported with their home language in the areas of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Whilst the school’s medium of instruction is English, we recognise the importance of bilingualism and strengthening our students’ home languages. There were lessons in Bengali, Japanese, Arabic, Swedish, Mandarin, Bahasa, Korean, Russian, Hindi, English and Spanish. Before the Lunar New Year break, Ms. Rehu met with a small number of parents who have volunteered to help with this exciting initiative. Our intention is that classes will be run by teachers and parents together. Lessons will take place every Friday from 12:45 - 1:35pm, at school. Each home language class has a designated teacher and support person who will be working with parent volunteers to develop this programme further. If you are interested in supporting your child's home language and assisting our teachers with teaching these classes, please send me an email expressing your interest. In the current circumstances the classes will be run by teachers only and we will confirm the starting date for parent volunteers as soon as the health and safety measures surrounding the coronavirus are eased. Welcome to “Workout Wednesdays” before school on Wednesday mornings, students will lead us all in a mini-dance “Workout”. What a great way to start the day! As you are aware, some student guests were due to join Elementary School classes for a few days in January and early February. Although the students are not from Wuhan or Hubei, we have taken the precautionary measure of postponing their visit for the foreseeable future. There will be a delayed start to Semester 2 ECAs and ASAs, the proposed new starting date will be the week beginning 17th February, this will be reviewed and confirmed in due course. We are all looking forward to some new and some returning activities. Have a lovely weekend, Susan Tilney. Great excitement on Friday afternoon as the first House Event of 2020 was held. Student House leaders and Mrs. Adamberry organised a Lunar New Year event that featured lantern making and traditional games such as “Catch the Dragon’s Tail” and a chopstick relay. Each house was awarded points that will go towards their total for the year. An exciting with result with a draw for second place.
The Semester two ECA and ASA schedule has now been shared with you. Looking forward to some new activities commencing the week beginning 10th February. Ms. Rehu met with a small number of parents who have volunteered to help with home languages in Semester 2. More information is forthcoming. Please join me in welcoming some student guests who will be joining Elementary School classes for a few days later in January. Please remember to return the Travel Declaration form as mentioned in last week’s blog. As an educational organisation from time to time ISS will facilitate internships such as trainee teachers, counsellors or librarians. Interns will be under the supervision of professionals and be mentored throughout their time with us. Currently there are two counselling interns training with us: Ms. Audrey Moh at High School and Ms. Tatianna Nasr at Paterson. Please remember to return the Travel Declaration form as mentioned in last week’s blog. Upcoming Events:
Susan Tilney. Welcome to the second Semester and to the third decade of the 21st century!
January is traditionally a time for looking both backwards and forwards. A time for reflection about past events and achievements, resolving to make some changes and improvements in the year ahead and for setting targets and goals. This is of course particularly appropriate at school. You will have received your child’s end of Semester one report, where both achievements and goals have been outlined. Semester two offers multiple opportunities to reach higher and further. In recognition of those students who achieved the ISS Honour Roll certificates will be presented at a special assembly on Thursday 16th January. Parents of students who will receive certificates have been informed by e-mail today. The Semester two ECA and ASA schedule is ready and will be shared with you early next week. There will be a 10 week programme of both free activities run by teachers and paid activities run by outside providers, commencing the week beginning 10th February. Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to help with home languages in Semester 2, the meeting will be held as planned on 17th January at 8:00am in room 26. As part of our ongoing efforts to safeguard ISS Community health, all student and staff travel must be declared during vacation periods. Initially this will be retospective and will record travel that did take place over the recent break, following which the form will be completed prior to all breaks eg before Chinese New Year, before Spring break etc. Students in Grades 4-8 will complete a Travel Declaration form at school next week, forms for students in KG to G3 will be sent home for parents to complete. Please note that information will only be used in the case of medical emergencies. Upcoming Events:
Susan Tilney. |
Susan Tilney
Paterson Principal Archives
April 2020
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