Volume No: 2003-04/14

Date: 9 January 2004

Dear Parents

Happy New Year!

Let me firstly wish all of you a very Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed the holiday and are looking forward to another busy term at KIS.

New Arrivals

The year has begun promisingly for us with thirteen new students joining classes ranging from ELC to Year 9. This is double the number that left at the end of last term and is most encouraging. School enrolment now stands at 133 students – the highest number since the school was established in 1973!

In-service Training Day on Accelerated Learning

Staff started the school term with an in-service training day, which was held at Shangri-la, Tanjung Aru. The theme of the day was Accelerated Learning. This is the name given to the approaches to teaching and learning that have developed as a result of research into brain function undertaken by neurologists. Roughly 90% of what we know about brain function has been learned over the last ten years and the implications for those involved in education are considerable. Accelerated Learning embodies a set of approaches applicable to all of us, in all teaching and learning situations, and is having a considerable impact on educational practice in the UK and elsewhere. Our in-service day allowed us to refresh our thinking about an area that is full of exciting developments.

Head of Primary

I am pleased to announce that Julie Wickham has accepted a post of responsibility as KIS’s Head of Primary. This position is, of course, a parallel one to the Head of Secondary position and completes the formation of a full Senior Management Team. 

Year 11 Mock Examinations

Year 11 begin their mock exams on Monday. They will last a full week and by the end of them we should all have a pretty good idea of how much work needs to be done before the IGCSE examinations in May and June! Year 11 have a stressful few months ahead of them and I am sure you will all join me in wishing them well, both in the mocks and in their preparation for the final exams.

PTA

The PTA would like to express their deepest sympathies to Lily Walker, whose father passed away on Boxing Day.

The PTA AGM will take place on Monday 12 January 2004 at 10.00am. It will also be a “pot luck” coffee morning to welcome new KIS families at Lily Walker’s home: #41 Lorong Pelanduk, Taman, Kinamount, Luyang.

Clubs

Clubs will start next Monday, 12 January. Please ensure that children have completed a form indicating which clubs they wish to join if they have not already done so.

Swimming and Athletics

We are still trying to find the optimum balance for our sports, athletics and swimming programmes. This term, the majority of our secondary students will do athletics on Friday mornings in preparation for Sports Day. However, because it is such an important life skill we would like non-swimmers and beginners to continue with their swimming programme in a smaller group, at least for the first part of the term. Further details will be available next week. 

The primary swimming programme will continue as normal

Secondary Uniform

The tailor will be in on Tuesday morning, 13^th January to take measurements of new pupils in the secondary department. Please decide on the number of sets required and make your payment. Short pants at RM35, long pants at RM55 and Skorts at RM35.

My best wishes for the new term,