Paterson Campus
This week Paterson Campus hosted the ISS Strategic Planning meeting. At this meeting, the continued direction of the school is re-affirmed and aligned with our foundational statements. The current plan is in the second year of its three year cycle. The collective work and input of all areas of the ISS community help to provide a clear learning pathway for all students, parents, teachers and the wider community of stakeholders. The Strategic Plan is the bedrock that keeps the school steady and it is built upon student voice, parent input and the vast experience of the teaching and administration staff. Well done to all involved. Next week is Vesak Day (Tuesday 29 May) This public holiday, in Singapore, marks the birth of Gautama Buddha. He was the father of Buddhism, who is responsible for Buddhism's core teachings. Elementary School News Congratulations to Grade 5 on their original Performing Arts pieces shared at the Festival of The Arts! What a wonderful year of unique grade level performances inspired by the units the students were inquiring into. Swimming Gala Monday, June 4th from 8:45 am until 12:30 pm Sports Lifestyles Centre - 3500A Bukit Merah Central, 159837 The children will come to school at the regular time and by normal transportation means. They will be bused to the swimming complex on a rotational basis. Full information about the event can be found here: http://issphysed.weebly.com/swim-gala-2018.html At the end of the Gala, parents are to pick up their children at the Sports Lifestyle Centre at 12:30 pm. If you are unable to pick up your child there will be a bus back to school and students will be supervised in Changi Hall until 2:20 pm when they can return home by their normal route. If you wish your child to return to school you must inform us prior to Friday 1st June by filling in the form found here: Students Return Bus Sign-Up. NB There is no lunch provided for students returning to school. Students will need:
If you would like to volunteer to help out at Swim Gala please go to Parent Volunteer Form Upcoming Dates Tuesday, 29 May - Vesak Day (no school) Thursday-Friday, 31 May-1 June - G5 to G6 Transition Days Monday, 4 June - Swim Gala Thursday, 7 June- Last day of school for students (12 noon finish) Middle School News Last Friday night it was a privilege to be part of the Grade 12 Graduation. These nights have many moments that revolve around reflection, anticipation, pageantry and all with a tinge of sadness. For some G12 students this is the end of a 12 year journey, for others not so long. For all of them, it is a wonderful moment in their education and we wish them all the success of the future. G5 transition In the same breath as talking graduating students, next week Middle School (MS) welcomes Grade 5 for their transition days. These are two days were the Grade 5 students mix with MS students; experience their own timetable; and begin the next part of their IB journey in the Middle Years Program (MYP). This will include a ‘taster’ for Language Acquisition Chinese and French. It is an exciting time and we look forward to sharing the excitement with the Grade 5s. G5 Parent coffee morning On Friday 1 June at 8am in Changi Hall, Mr Taylor will be meeting with Grade 5 parents who are interested in finding out more about Grade 6. This is an informal chance to meet the Middle School Principal and begin the next part of the IB journey, called the Middle Years Program (MYP). Arts Exhibition What a wonderful display the Arts Exhibition was on Friday. The presentation our Arts students put together under the guidance of their teachers was breathtaking. Paterson Campus has come alive with evidence of Street Arts, Performance Arts and Visual Arts on display for all to see. Have a great weekend Upcoming Dates Tuesday, 29 May - Vesak Day (no school) Thursday-Friday, 31 May-1 June - G5 to G6 Transition Days Friday, 1 June- Grade 5 Parent Coffee morning (8am Changi Hall) Tuesday, 5 June- Grade 8 Farewell Wednesday, 6 June- Service as Action day Bukit Timah reserve walk Wednesday, 6 June- Semester Two reports upload to ManageBac Thursday, 7 June- Last day of school for students (12 noon finish) Monday, 6 August- students return for Semester 1 2018-19 Paterson Campus An Invitation to Meet the ISS School Board The ISS School Board would like to invite you to a reception on Friday May 25th at 2.45pm in the Paterson Campus library. This reception is being held right before the Paterson Campus ISS Festival of the Arts which starts at 3.30pm. This is an opportunity to meet ISS Board members, to learn who they are and about the important role they play in our community. They will also bring you up to date with school news. Please reply to Sally (PA to the Head of School) if you would like to attend as we want to make sure we order enough afternoon tea for everyone attending the reception. [email protected] ISS Festival of the Arts 2018 When: Friday, 25th May. 3.30pm - 4.45pm Where/ What: Changi Hall for ES displays Serangoon Hall for MS displays Original Performing Arts pieces by Grade 5 in different parts of the campus Choir ECA performances at Changi and Serangoon PTA sponsored refreshments next to the Design Lab We will hold a silent auction of some collaborative pieces of art to support the Singapore Food Bank. Elementary School News As the end of the school year approaches fast there are many big events coming up! Swimming Gala Monday, June 4th from 8:45 am until 12:30 pm Sports Lifestyles Centre - 3500A Bukit Merah Central, 159837 The children will come to school at the regular time and by normal transportation means. They will be bused to the swimming complex on a rotational basis. Full information about the event can be found here: http://issphysed.weebly.com/swim-gala-2018.html At the end of the Gala, parents are to pick up their children at the Sports Lifestyle Centre at 12:30 pm. If you are unable to pick up your child there will be a bus back to school and students will be supervised in Changi Hall until 2:20 pm when they can return home by their normal route. If you wish your child to return to school you must inform us prior to Friday 1st June by filling in the form found here: Students Return Bus Sign-Up. NB There is no lunch provided for students returning to school. Students will need:
If you would like to volunteer to help out at Swim Gala please go to Parent Volunteer Form New and Leaving Teachers As we get closer to the end of the school year, I wanted to share with you that we have recruited some great staff to join us in August. These are: Sophia Bustamante: Sophia will be joining us as a K1 teacher. Sophia is also a graduate of ISS International School and we are excited to welcome back an alumni! Sarah Herbert: Sarah is British and will be joining us in the Elementary ESL department. She is coming from Esbjerg International School Denmark. Tony Palumbo: Tony is American and will be joining us as K-8 Performing Arts teacher. Unfortunately some of our staff will also be moving on. I am sure you will join with me in wishing all of them all the best and a heartfelt thank you for what they have achieved at ISS: Marnie Hurst: Marnie will be moving to Nigeria to work at the American International School of Lagos. Christine Arnold: Christine will be repatriating to her home town of Perth, Australia. Gemma Cass: Gemma will be returning to the UK after 9 years in Asia. Susan Grant: Susan will be retiring from teaching, but will divide her time between being with her husband in Singapore, being with her grand-daughters in England and writing the children’s book she has been planning for many years. Colin Gallagher: Colin will be moving to Finland to work at the International School of Helsinki. Upcoming Dates Friday, 25 May - Paterson Art Exhibition and G5 Performing Arts Concert Friday, 25 May - Free Dress Tuesday, 29 May - Vesak Day (no school) Thursday-Friday, 31 May-1 June - G5 to G6 Transition Days Monday, 4 June - Swim Gala Thursday, 7 June- Last day of school for students (12 noon finish) Middle School News Exam week in any school comes with a mixed set of emotions. Some excitement about this nearing the end of the school year. Some fear about the unknown of what is going to be in an exam. Some confidence that study habits and active learning will pay off in the final assessment. Finally, some relief when that final exam is done. Yes, we have seen all of these emotions this week in Middle School, and probably a few more. Needless to say, our students, your sons and daughters, or wards have navigated the week like dedicated professionals. So thank you to all the parents and guardians out there for providing the solid base and and steadying influence that helps all the students get through examination week. Sok Sabay For nearly 10 years ISS has supported the Sok Sabay Association in Cambodia. Founded in 1995 and based in Cambodia, Sok Sabay is a registered charity which rescues children in situations of abuse, exploitation and neglect. Each year for Week Without Walls, Mr Lebon takes a group of 20 ISS students to Sok Sabay to help out, interact, educate (and be educated) side by side with the Cambodian students. Thanks to the contributions of our French and Drama teacher, Mr Lebon, and the Director of Sok Sabay, Marie Cammal, ISS has been able to sponsor three students over this time. In Sambutan today we welcomed Marie to present her with the support needed for the coming year. She gave us some insight into the students lives and the future that is possible with the support of ISS. Bravo Marie, Bruno and all ISS students who work toward this valuable cause. Service as Action As is tradition, on the second last day of semester (Wednesday 6 June), all Middle School participate in a Service as Action day. This year we will venture to Bukit Timah reserve. The students will learn more about the flora and fauna found within the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and connect with the aims of the UN Sustainable Development Goals #13 Climate Action, #15 Life on Land, and #17 partnerships for the Goals. More details to follow. Have a great weekend MT Upcoming Dates Friday, 25 May - Paterson Art Exhibition and G5 Performing Arts Concert Tuesday, 29 May - Vesak Day (no school) Thursday-Friday, 31 May-1 June - G5 to G6 Transition Days Tuesday, 5 June - G8 Celebration Wednesday, 6 June - MS Service as Action day Thursday, 7 June- Last day of school for students (12 noon finish) Paterson Campus
Library End of Year Arrangements As part of the school's ongoing commitment to ensure quality learning spaces at Paterson Road, the Library will be taking a comprehensive stocktake of all resources. In order to prepare for this, the Paterson library will be closed for the last two weeks of school, May 28 - end of the school year. All student and parent books should be returned to the library by Friday 25th May. Elementary School News Congratulations to K1 on their Performing Arts concert this afternoon, Going on a Bear Hunt! As mentioned in our blog post from September, each unique performance this year will be inspired by the unit the students are inquiring into for that particular grade level. The next Performing Arts Concert is G5 on Friday, 25 May, as part of the Paterson Art Exhibition. Swimming Gala June 4th The ISS ES Swim Gala is organized as a culmination to the swimming program at ISS and allows children to celebrate and demonstrate some of the swimming skills they have learned throughout the course of their 7 week swimming program. More information to come soon via this blog. Talented Teachers Sharyn Skrtic served on a CIS School Evaluation Visit this week in Hong Kong. Upcoming Dates Friday, 25 May - Paterson Art Exhibition and G5 Performing Arts Concert Friday, 25 May - Free Dress Tuesday, 29 May - Vesak Day (no school) Thursday-Friday, 31 May-1 June - G5 to G6 Transition Days Monday, 4 June - Swim Gala Thursday, 7 June- Last day of school for students (12 noon finish) Middle School News It’s always interesting visiting other schools and seeing how other schools ‘do it.’ This week Dr Jeremiah has been running Middle School, whilst Mr Taylor is visiting a school to help guide their WASC accreditation. By getting opportunities to work with other educators, it helps us validate what we do at ISS. Our small school environment is to be celebrated. Our student diversity make us strong. Being inclusive grows us as people. It’s a great experience working with other schools but it’s great to come home to ISS. Exam week All Middle School are on exams over the next week. It is a time for students, parents and guardians to focus on well being. Students need to get plenty of rest, eat healthy and reinforce being organised this week. Having students arrive at school with plenty of time each morning will contribute to their preparedness for each exams. Sports Update Our U14 boys basketball team completed their season. It has been a season of discovery, where results came and went but the big things that were learnt was teamwork, commitment and resilience. Well done to Mr Jonas and the team. Singapore Hospital Performance Next Friday Mr Lebon, Ms Alp and a team of Grade 6-8 students will perform at Singapore Hospital. It is an annual event that Mr Lebon has supported over the years. Good luck to all involved. Have a great weekend everyone Upcoming Dates Friday, 25 May - Paterson Art Exhibition and G5 Performing Arts Concert Tuesday, 29 May - Vesak Day (no school) Thursday-Friday, 31 May-1 June - G5 to G6 Transition Days Tuesday, 5 June - G8 Celebration Wednesday, 6 June - MS Service as Action day Thursday, 7 June- Last day of school for students (12 noon finish) Paterson Campus
Conversations with Counsellors You are cordially invited to the next Conversations with Counsellors session, Making the Most of your Holidays: Family time, managing expectations and setting routines. Once again the PTA will commence with announcements at 8:15am. Wednesday, May 16th from 8:30-9:45am in Changi ES Hall at Paterson. RSVP Requested- https://goo.gl/forms/4z5ATZGnBvHM60c72 Parent Focus Group Thank you to the parents who were able to join us for our focus group this week. This focus group aimed to explore the findings from the Parent Survey that was recently completed so that we can fully understand parent perceptions and use this information to further strengthen our services. Elementary School News This week, Grades 3, 4 and 5 traveled to camp; G3 to Pasir Ris, G4 to Sembawang, and G5 to South Buona Vista. The students were able to enjoy new experiences as a class community, continuing to build friendships and making lasting elementary school memories. The camps are an important part of learning at ISS and provide students with a well rounded learning experience. Swimming Gala June 4th The ISS ES Swim Gala is organised as a culmination to the swimming program at ISS and allows children to celebrate and demonstrate some of the swimming skills they have learned throughout the course of their 7 week swimming program. More information to come soon via this blog. Upcoming Dates Friday, 11 May - K1 Performing Arts Concert, 'Going on a Bear Hunt', 1:30pm Changi Hall Friday, 25 May - Paterson Art Exhibition and G5 Performing Arts Concert Tuesday, 29 May - Vesak Day (no school) Thursday-Friday, 31 May-1 June - G5 to G6 Transition Days Monday, 4 June - Swim Gala Thursday, 7 June- Last day of school for students (12 noon finish) Middle School News Greetings everyone and welcome to what has been an insightful and enlightening week. It has been a week of getting feedback from our community and our students. Between the parent focus group and getting feedback from students, we are well placed to listen to the needs of our community. Welcome We welcome a new staff member for the remainder of the academic year in Ms Ayda Alp. She joins us with a wealth of experience teaching English. She takes over from Mr Contreras as the ESL Teaching Assistant. Grade 8 interviews This week our Grade 8 students began the next part of their educational journey by having interviews with Mr Hayward and Mrs Edwards from Preston Campus. The interviews are aimed at helping students and parents understand the pathways that are available for Grade 9-10, as well as into the IB Diploma. The Grade 8 interviews continue on next Monday. Sports The U14 played their last game in the ACSIS tournament against St Joseph's Institute International. Once again well done to all team members and thank you to Coach Jonas who has shown the boys the importance of working as a team and gracious losers and humble winners. Exam Week This week all students received their examination timetable. Exam week is from Monday 14th May to Friday 18th May. Students are encouraged to use the timetable as the basis for their own study timetable. Homework Club are on Tuesday and Thursday with Ms Alp in the Design Room from 14:45-15:45 Upcoming Dates Monday, 7th May - G8 High School interviews (continued) Monday, 14th- Friday, 18th May - Examination Week Thursday, 31st May- Friday, June 1st - G5 to G6 transition days Friday, June 1st - G5 into G6 parent coffee morning |
Susan Tilney
Paterson Principal Archives
April 2020
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