Volume No: 2004-05/23

Date: 29 April 2005

Welcome back to school and to the new term – it promises to be at least as busy as the two that have preceded it this year. I would also like to welcome Nur Syifa S. Abdullah, the new classroom assistant for the Year 3/4 class.

A sheet of the main dates/events of this term accompanied the last newsletter of last term, but please feel free to contact the office if you have mislaid it. Highlights of this term include SAT exams, (I)GCSE exams, a whole-of-primary Mother’s Day assembly, the Junior FOBISSEA Games, Environment Week, internal examinations, and a Science Fair. That’s before final reports, parents’ evenings and House competitions!

Foundation News

Over the holidays, the Foundation 1 classroom was painted and the car track known as Fox Lane (or should it be Jalan Musang?) was built. It is already proving very popular with the children and is a valuable addition to the resources that we are constantly trying to update and develop.

And talking of Foundation …

Foundation 2 will be studying Fairy Stories this term. They are making a castle in the classroom and would be grateful for any dressing-up clothes to enhance their play. In particular, any old high-heeled shoes (adult sizes are fine) and costume jewellery would be welcome.

I also see on the F2 notice board that a CD of photographs of the Helicopter visit is available. If you would like a copy, please give Miss Fox a blank CD and she will copy them for you.

Primary Information Booklets

Accompanying the newsletter this week are the new primary information booklets. There is a general introduction to primary, a Learning Journey for the Key Stage and an introduction to the work of the specific class in which your child is placed. We have worked consistently over the last eighteen months to try and improve the quality and quantity of information that goes out to parents and this is an important part of that process. In addition to the primary team, I would like to thank Mrs Bremer for her help in their production.

Term and holiday dates for next year … accompany this newsletter. For primary parents, a calendar is in the pack with the primary booklets. For secondary parents, the calendar is in the pack with the curriculum statements. These dates have been approved by the Board but please be aware that some Malaysian public holidays are subject to change, often at short notice.

Board Vacancies

I have been asked by the Board of Management to draw parents’ attention to the fact that there is currently a vacancy on the Board and that at the end of this academic year a further two places will become vacant. Interested parents should contact the school office or any current member of the Board for details and further information.

Secondary Badminton

The Friday morning sports activity for secondary students will be badminton for the first four weeks of this term, culminating in a House competition and individual championship. Our hire of the hall necessitates a slight re-juggling of lessons but without loss of curriculum time.

Mother’s Day Assembly

There will be a Mother’s Day assembly in the Foundation classrooms from 11.00 – 11.30 on Friday, 6 May. This will involve all primary students (including Foundation 1 – hence the earlier time) and all mothers and aunties are urged to attend!

Junior FOBISSEA Games – news and raffle

Training sessions for the Games are already underway and competitors have been informed of these and other arrangements in separate letters. However, we are trying to raise a little money to buy team swimming costumes and batik shirts for participating students. We shall shortly be holding a raffle and would very much appreciate the donation of any suitable prizes. Raffle tickets will be on sale from Tuesday at RM5 each, or 12 for RM50. The Games are getting ever closer and some of us are getting very excited..!

(I)GCSE Examinations

Year 11’s time has now come, as examinations started this week with French, Malay and ESL orals. From now on, the pace of exams picks up considerably, with optional study leave starting from 9 May. We wish all candidates (and their parents!) the best of luck in the weeks that follow.

Key Stage Two and Three SAT examinations

SAT examinations for KS2 and KS3 start shortly, on 9 May and 3 May respectively. SAT examinations mark the end of key stages in the English system and, once again, we hope that all our candidates will be able to produce their best form on the day.

Topic Talks

The timetable for Topic Talks is as follows:

Tuesday 3 May:          Year 1/2          Year 5/6

Wednesday 4 May:    Year 3/4        

All talks start at 2.10 and last for approximately 20 minutes. They offer parents an excellent opportunity to learn about their children’s work for the term and to meet with the class teacher.

Clubs

Letters detailing next term’s clubs have already gone out. Please complete and return forms to the office as quickly as possible. Clubs start next week.

Environment Week

Our Environment Week starts on 6 June but we are already trying to get our children to focus on environmental issues. Primary children are being encouraged to sort their lunchtime debris into paper and plastic and will shortly be asked to place it in separate bins. Recycling starts here!

  Belated thanks …

Last term finished in a flurry of trips, visits and activities, most of which were mentioned in the newsletter and some of which were not. Many parents were involved with these in a variety of ways and their help and support are appreciated. I would particularly like to thank Mr and Mrs Seung-In Park for their generosity in transporting primary children by boat to Sapi Island and Mr Bremer for hosting both a Cookery Club outing and a helicopter visit at Shangri-la Tanjung Aru.

Enjoy the long weekend.

Best wishes,