Volume No: 2003-04/24

Date: 26 March 2004

Dear Parents

 

The Demon Headmistress

 

At the time of writing, it’s a question of “one down, one to go”. After a rather nail biting week, it was very heartening to have almost a full house last night for the first performance of the secondary play. I think it is true to say that The Demon Headmistress was thoroughly appreciated by the audience and it was a treat to see the cast give it their all after rehearsing all term. The decision to run the show for two nights has been more than justified by the numbers attending both performances and Sutera Harbour lends itself well to a production for young people. Its comparatively small size means that the speaking, singing and action can be live (rather than, as in many cases locally, pre-recorded) and so the cast and crews get a real experience of being involved in live theatre.

 

I would like to congratulate all cast and crew for their hard work over the course of the term – and to thank all those parents who have doubtless suffered for their children’s art! Productions are major investments in terms of time, energy and disruption to normal life but are somehow always worth it when the final curtain falls. I am always reminded of some lines from one of my favourite films, Shakespeare in Love:

 

But all ends well.

How does it?

I don’t know – it’s a mystery.

 

My sincere thanks to every single person who has contributed in any way to making this a successful and enjoyable “mystery”.

 

Egg Decorating Competition

 

Primary students will be invited next week to take part in an egg painting competition. This is a home based activity, so please hard boil an egg and ask your child to paint and/or decorate it. The finished eggs should be brought into school on Thursday for display and judging. Class teachers will be giving further details to their classes next week.

 

Thanks to our Central Asian visitor…

 

Earlier this week, the pupils of Years 10 and 11 were lucky enough to attend a talk by Fullbright Scholar Bahodir Samadov, a renowned linguist at the Tash-Kent University of world economics. He spoke interestingly to a combined Year 10 and 11 audience of his life and experiences and the students would like to thank Dr Samadov for his time.

 

Measles

 

I sent out a letter earlier this week to alert parents to the possibility of cases of measles in school. In fact, there seems to have been no outbreak. Mrs Klauser has kindly given me some information on measles taken from the medinfo.co.uk website. Copies of it are available from the school office on request. 

 

Year 1/2 Trips

 

Year 1/2 have been out and about a lot recently. Their first visit was to the library, where they enjoyed a puppet presentation and looking at the books. Today they have been off to the beach as part of their geography work on the seaside. Thank you to Ms Dennis and all the parents who have helped in broadening those children’s education.

 

Sadly, Ms Dennis has a commitment in KL next week that she cannot avoid. She will not be in school on Monday or Tuesday but I am very pleased to say that Mme Luk, who is familiar to all the children, will be in school in her place.

 

 

 

Swimming

 

There will be no primary or secondary swimming next week. Key Stage 2 will play volleyball instead on Thursday morning.

 

Clubs

 

There will there be no clubs next week, as it is the last week of term.

 

Mufti Day

 

Thursday, 1st of April is Mufti Day. Students may come to school in their normal clothes and pay a fee of RM5 to the school office. This will be given to charity. Snacks, drinks and food will be sold by the PTA , so please send your children with money rather than food. There will be pizza, pasta, pies, cakes and fruit. It’s all for a worthy cause!

 

Last Day of Term

 

The last day of this term is, as you know, Friday, 2 April. As usual, both primary and secondary will finish at 12.00.  Secondary students will play a uni-hock competition, which will be followed by a final assembly for the whole school.

 

It’s a Sporting Life

 

High drama at the archery field:

A humid Sabah afternoon saw the long awaited re-match between perennial rivals DHI and KIS, bolstered by several foreign transfers. After winning the toss, KIS pressed down the right flank with Cikgu Mutang showing some classic touches. Exchanges were even until the game was given a new complexion with young Sam Wickham seeing red after a clash with a Danish hard man, Fleming. This unbalanced the KIS team, leading to two quick goals for DHI. Jon Gronbech bullied his way to two goals in the first half with DHI finishing 3-0 at half time.

 

Manager Leak decided to ring the changes at the interval, introducing fresh legs in the guise of Johnson “the cat” Hew and the Doi brothers. Kevin Hughes came out to baby-sit the Gronbech threat with Hew picking up the gloves. The much improved performance in the second half, particularly from Eric Doi and Max Paturan, added finesse. A clean sheet was kept by Hew, but DHI finished as victors.

 

In a post match interview, J. Miter (roti-nan) told this correspondent how impressed he was with the school-boys’ skill and spirit, highlighting Ashley Ling and Korean marksman, Jung Ho Paek, who was unlucky enough to strike the bar with a 30-yard screamer, all the way from the back streets of Seoul.

 

Thanks…

My thanks to our special correspondent for the match report – and for tirelessly arranging fixtures for our students.

 

Best wishes,