AISM News Letter No 2/5/2008 Date : 27th June
2008
Principal’s
Comment
Dear
Parents,
It
has been a frantic finish to the term with many activities, excursions,
carnivals and sports events.
The
Barracudas participated in an interclub swim meet at Shah Alam against students
who were competing at state and national level. It was a big step for the AISM
squad and they performed very well. Their coach, Mr. Desmond Ong, has worked
with these students over a prolonged period of time and it is clear that many
students are producing their personal best.
School
photos were taken last Tuesday and Wednesday and should be available at the
beginning of next term. Most of the special team photos were taken prior to the
afternoon storm last Wednesday. Unfortunately the storm damage interrupted the
school lessons and activities last Thursday and Friday and forced the
postponement of lessons. The Junior Athletics Carnival was rescheduled to
Tuesday of this week. The carnival was a very enjoyable event with strong
support and commitment from all of the students and the House Captains. Our
youngest children in Prep and Kinder were a joy to watch as they participated
with such excitement. Congratulations to Freeman who were the winning house and
to Mr. Agg and Mr. Quin for organizing a great event.
We
are now at the end of the first semester and the half yearly reports provide
important feedback on student progress in individual classes and subjects.
Reports have been distributed from the office this week and any that are
remaining will be posted next week. Some digital portfolios were distributed
with the reports while others will be sent out separately. Don’t forget that
Parent Teacher interviews will be held in the first week back next term.
Our
Special Needs teacher, Mr. Rohan Wightman, was to leave at the end of this term
however he will stay until the end of August and our new Special Needs Teacher,
Mr. Shane Clark, and his family, will join AISM in September.
During
this week students in Years 3-12 have been asked to fill in a survey about food
in the cafeteria so that we can give SHRM feedback on the quality, consistency
and value of the food, snacks and service at morning tea, lunch and after
school. SHRM are working very hard to provide a variety of food appropriate to
the different ages and cultures in our school and they welcome any feedback
that will improve their service.
The SRC is currently raising funds to aid victims of the
Just
a reminder that next term there are two staff days on Monday 21st July and
Tuesday July 22nd July with students returning on Wednesday 23rd
July for their first day of school.
I
hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday and look forward to seeing
everyone in three week’s time after their mid year break. Happy holidays!
Anne-Maree Armstrong,
Principal
Assistant
Principal’s Comment
The
storm that hit the school on Wednesday of last week had a great impact on all
of us. Storms are not unusual and this one appeared at first to be yet another
of these events. It soon became clear that this one was not just wind and heavy
rain. Most of our community will be aware that it damaged the tiled roof of the
classroom block and that led to damage to the ceilings in some of the rooms on
the top floor as well as other damage in other parts of the school.
Staff
acted quickly to move students from open areas, where the strong winds were
beginning to blow furniture and other objects around, to the gymnasium. Once it
became clear that the damage was beyond that of a normal storm action was taken
to mark rolls and ensure all students were accounted for and safe. Students
were kept from the building while a preliminary assessment of damage was made.
We then decided not to continue classes until the building could be checked by
a structural engineer. As a result the school was closed for classes on
Thursday.
On
Friday we could not have all students back as we had been advised not to let
students into D floor – the top floor of the classroom block. We brought Year
10, 11 and 12 to school on Friday so that preparation for the School
Certificate and Higher School Certificate would not be hampered. This week
things are back to normal although classroom D8 is out of use as it sustained
the greatest damage. It will be ready for the start of term 3.
Last
Friday morning at Recess we held a morning tea for the students, administration
and support staff, Service Master, security and teaching staff. It was a good
opportunity for everyone to get together after what had been a most unusual
event.
I
would like to thank the students and staff (teaching, administration, support,
cleaning, security) for their assistance, calmness and patience. I also thank
the class parents who helped to make our cascade phone system work and allow us
to spread the information we needed to send out. Finally thank you to parents
who were patient when they came to collect their students. The normal procedure
for taking students out of the school was used so that we had an orderly exit
of students and that was a little time consuming.
On
Tuesday last week watched both the boys and girls Volleyball teams play against
Wayne Wagner,
Assistant
Principal
NEWS FROM
We
have made it to the end of what was a very hectic term in one piece. Last
week we weathered a fierce storm. It struck us very suddenly during lunch
time and the students were evacuated into the Gym. I want to take this
opportunity to thank all of the staff who pulled together to keep your children
safe and were proactive and sensible in the many split second decisions which
have to be made in emergency situations. Also, I am immensely proud of
the Senior Students. They read the situation and supported teachers in
calming down the younger students and taking the rolls when we were short
staffed. The Year 12s, in particular were mature and sensible and behaved
like the young adults they are. Well done! I would like to wish
everyone a safe and happy break. See you next term.
NEWS FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL
The
end of the first semester is here. With that, comes the end of the first formal
reporting period and these are now all available to you. As you reflect over
these reports and discuss these with your children, can I remind you that the
parent/teacher interview forms went out at the beginning of last week and times
should have been confirmed by this stage. The interviews will take place in the
first week back of school. If I happen to be the teacher of your child,
remember I will be back in school in Week 2, following study leave in the first
week of term.
I
would like to congratulate the students and commend them for their patience and
cooperation last week, during the freak wind storm. It was an unusual situation
and they had to follow instructions from many different people. A special
thanks to the Year 12 students whose assistance did not go unnoticed and they
demonstrated tremendous civic duty and responsibility.
We
farewell again some of our families from the AISM school community and we wish
them well as some return to Australia and some to other parts of the world. I
thank them for their contribution to their child’s education and to our school.
I
would like to thank the Middle School academic staff for their hard work
throughout the semester, particularly the homeroom teachers who have always
demonstrated a genuine concern and care for the children under their charge.
They do much more than mark the role in the morning which is quite often a
perception people have. The time and energy they invest in their students is
really a very rewarding thing to witness and I know that the students
appreciate their efforts too, even though they tend not to acknowledge this
sometimes.
We
also have to say farewell to
Have
a great holiday, keep safe and I hope all the students return next term,
Wednesday 23 July, ready for another great term, recharged and full of
enthusiasm.
NEWS FROM
With
the holidays upon us it is with sadness that that we farewell one of our
teachers, Ms. Denise has been with us since the beginning of last year and had
been a valuable member of the Junior School team. We wish her well with her
future pursuits. Ms. Denise’s replacement, Mrs. Matter is very eager to join us
and we will settle her into her new position during the holidays. There are
also a number of students leaving us, some of whom have been with us for up to
four years, and it is sad for us to bid them farewell, but we wish all the very
best of luck with their next adventure.
I
would like to remind everyone that Parent Teacher Interviews will be conducted
on the Thursday of the first week of Term 3. Whilst only 10 minutes in length,
these interviews are a great way to gather a little information about your
child’s progress and to ask any questions about the reports sent home this week
or any other aspect of your child’s learning. The teachers will also have sent
home digital portfolios this week and we hope you enjoy this insight into your
child’s school life. Any feedback about the portfolios would be greatly
appreciated by all staff.
I
hope you all have a restful and safe break and look forward to again being a
part of your child’s learning journey in Term 3.
In
the
Year 3 : Charlotte Abela, Issabelle Breen, Melissa McLaughlin, Hafiz
Sharil.
Year 4 : Santhini Kalaichelvan, Lily Bendeich, Miles
Farquhar.
The
following people have achieved a Silver
Award. Excellent job!
Year 4 : Renee Lim, Jancis Wong.
Debbie Fitch,
Junior School Welfare Representative
Taylor’s Sport Carnival
AISM Staff
Futsal Team -
NEWS FROM
It
has been a very productive term in the
At
our most recent Senior School Assembly we awarded our ‘Outstanding Achievement’
and ‘Encouragement’ Subject Awards to our Yr 12 students. The same awards will
be awarded to Yr 9 – 11 students at an assembly next term. I would like to
congratulate all Yr 12 students who received an award for their hard work and
perseverance.
At
this assembly, we also took the opportunity to award a ‘Merit Award’ to Patrick Kortum in Yr 10 who
successfully organised and carried out a successful Yr 8 – 10 Swimming Carnival
as part of his studies in Physical Activity and Sports Studies. It was a
pleasure to have the opportunity to recognise such a significant achievement
and I encourage all students to strive to achieve their personal best in their
subjects.
I
would like to wish you all a very safe and peaceful holiday period.
Fiona Sayner,
Senior School curriculum Coordinator
Library and Information
Resource Centre News
This
week the Year 9, 10 and 11 students went to Borders Bookshop in
The
2008 Read - a – thon will begin Week
2 of next term. Mrs. Phillipa Seeto and Mrs. Rosie Ingram have been busy
organizing this popular event.
Book Donations
Thank
you to the Adams and the De Vries families and also Vimala Thanggavelu (shadow
teacher for Hani) for all the wonderful books.
Once
again my sincere gratitude to all the parent helpers. In particular I would to
thanks Mrs. Kerrie Maconaghie, Mrs. Michelle Mc Quinn and Mrs. Marilyn Peters.
The remaining three competitions are in term 3.
Please note for your diaries:
THURSDAY
JULY 24TH : MATHEMATICS
TUESDAY
AUGUST 5th : ENGLISH
TUESDAY
SEPTEMBER 2nd :
COMPUTING SKILLS.
NB MATHEMATICS WAS CHANGED FROM JULY 22ND AS THIS
HAS BECOME A STAFF DAY.
Martin Peters, UNSW Competitions Coordinator
School Photos 2008
The school photos were taken last week and proceeded
smoothly until the storm hit on Wednesday at lunchtime. By then, we had only a
few of the Family groups to complete, but this couldn’t be done because we
couldn’t find a safe place with good light to take them. As the photographers
are fully booked this week, we will rearrange these group shots early in the
new term.
Proof copies will come back to school by the start of
term and you will receive these then. If you are leaving and would like to
place an order before you go, Photographer
has sent over a bundle of Order envelopes by Wednesday this week. Please
collect the order form from the school reception.
A BIG THANKS to all the mum helpers. Although we
didn’t have a lot for you to do, it was really helpful that you were there when
we needed you.
Lesley Lee, Development Officer
WEBSITE
UPDATES
This
fortnight’s newsletter will be online this evening, weather permitting, in both
.html and .pdf formats. www.aism.edu.my.
2008 Tour to
HARI RAYA /EID ASSEMBLY
The
2008 AISM RAYA/ EID ASSEMBLY will be held on 17th October 2008. Those
wishing to be involved, kindly contact any of the following mums:
Nouri 012 – 2974081
NoorAza 012 – 2781131
Mariani 012
– 3589000
Sports Report
Calendar Term 3
ü
Friday 25th July (Week 1)
House Meetings for MS and
ü
Friday 8th August (Week 3)
MS and SS Athletic Carnival at UPM, Serdang
A
great day of competition, house spirit and fun was had by all at last Tuesday’s
carnival. The event started in fine, sunny weather however we were interrupted
by thunderous clouds and distant lightening which forced us to move inside the
gymnasium for the final few events and the presentations.
The
day started out with individual events: long jump, Frisbee throwing, ball
javelin and sprint events. This was followed after the break by the house
events, namely ‘Egg and Spoon races’, ‘Relays’, ‘Tunnel Ball’ and ‘Pass Ball’.
All students are to be complimented on their participation, effort and house
spirit.
Many
thanks to Mr Quin for preparing the program and for coordinating the age
groupings, a very large task. Thanks also to the parents who supported the
carnival at the Bake Sale and as spectators and to Shelley Anson, Mr Kasi, Mr
Shan, Mr Loga and the Service Master team for their help in setting up the
event. Finally, thanks to the staff, both teachers and assistants for your
support.
Congratulations
to Freeman House and to Captains Henry Baynes and Auni Razak, Vice Captains
Bailey Anson and Piers van den Hende.
Final Result was:
1st
Freeman 445 points
2nd
Rafter 381 points
3rd
Thorpe 377 points
4th
Sauvage 365 points
Individual Winners were:
7
yr old Boy Parsa Arab and Jayden
Keelan
7
yr old Girl Jessica Kamps
8
yr old Boy Cory O’Regan
8
yr old Girl Melissa McLaughlin
9
yr old Boy Jason Kamps and Gabe
Robertson
9
yr old Girl Estee Lee
10
yr old Boy Joshua O’Regan
10
yr old Girl Courtney Lamb
Senior School Volleyball vs
Garden International School
Last
Tuesday our Boys and Girls Senior Volleyball teams competed in friendly matches
against Garden IS at AISM. The boys played first and they managed a solid win
in 3 sets, winning 2 sets to 1. The boys displayed great teamwork and skill,
especially in the 3rd set. The girls then took on the very strong
Garden IS girls team and whilst showing great improvement as the game
progressed, they lost in 2 sets. Best players included: Steven, Jiro, Jian,
Dan, Chie, Rina, Ateka. Well done to everyone and special thanks to coaches Mr
Pollock and Mr Haines for their ongoing support.
Senior School Basketball v
Last
Sunday our Senior Boys Basketball team competed in a special match against the
local school, Sri Cempaka. Up to now, our boys team has defeated the AISM staff
team, ISKL middle school and played a close match against Mont Kiara. Sri
Cempaka proved a much stronger opponent, well drilled and organized. Our boys
were slow to get started and at the end of the 1st period trailed
26-10. From this point on our boys increased their work rate and teamwork,
drawing to within 5 points of the opposition late in the 3rd
quarter. Mr Unsworth managed the boys with great skill bringing out the best in
all of them. The final result was a win to Sri Cempaka by 10 points. All the
same, a great result for our emerging team.
A
rematch is scheduled to take place soon and will give us a chance to redeem
ourselves.
Jiro (Year 12 student)
Congratulations
to all coaches and students involved in these recent matches. Keep up the great
work.
Semester 2 Sport
By
now you should be aware of the changes that we have made to semester 2 sports
in order to increase the opportunities for students to improve their skill
levels and to arrange competition with other schools. The impetus for this
change was initiated by the Parent Association Sport Committee and considerable
time and effort has been put into its design. Bus scheduling, other
MS
sport will be conducted on Monday and Wednesday and SS sport conducted on
Tuesday and Thursday.
|
TERM |
MIDDLE SCHOOL |
|
|
Term 3 2008 |
Volleyball, Soccer |
Volleyball, Soccer |
|
Term 4 2008 |
Table Tennis, Basketball,
Netball |
|
|
Proposed Term 1 (2009) |
Basketball, Touch |
Softball, Badminton |
|
Proposed Term 2 (2009) |
Australian Rules
Football, Badminton |
Australian Rules
Football, Table Tennis |
From the Mailbox
1.
The
Contact
information. Call 03 27195612 or email
info@the goalacademy.com
Shah Alam ‘adidas King of
the Road 2008’. This
event is scheduled for Sunday 10th August at Dataran Shah Alam at
7.15am. You can choose to run the
U/16 5 km or U/18 7km race. (MS and SS students only). Prizes and lots of give
aways. If interested, obtain a permission form from the office and return it
along with entry fee to school by Friday 25th July. Parent Shelley
Anson can also assist with information on the
event
by emailing her at: manson@pd.jaring.my
2.
Interschool friendly
Soccer Match with
On
Friday afternoon 20th of June, The senior boys played a soccer match
with students from the
After
a rain delay the students played on a rain soaked pitch with the AISM students
taking the game to their generally bigger opponents. After missing a host of chances (no names
will be named) AISM took the lead from a goal by Razley. The Iraqi school them scored a number of
goals due to defensive errors and took a 4-1 lead. The AISM students never gave up and
controlled the play for much of the second half and eventually scored another
goal through Jiro. The
The
game proved a good learning experience for the students, who showed that their
ball control and skills are of a high level but need to work on the team
organization and positioning, especially when in defence. Next term the increase to 2 soccer ECAs per
week will help the students to continue to improve.
Thanks
to Mr. Nasyarul for organizing the teams and booking an official referee for
the games. Thanks also to all the
teachers and spectators who came and watched and gave their support.
AISM Volleyball Team
Interschool friendly Volleyball
Match with
On
17th June, AISM Volleyball Team had a game with GIS. This year we
had a Saturday Volleyball Team and we practiced a lot until this game. Mr.
Haines and Mr. Pollock supported us. The boys won the first set and third sets
but sadly, the girls could not win. However we really had a good time. I was so
happy even though the girl’s team did not win I think our team worked better
together. I hope we can win next time. At the end of this year, we might have a
tournament in ISKL. We have already started to practice for it. The ISKL
tournament will be the last game for year12 students who are involved in the
Saturday Volleyball Team. We really want to say thank you to Mr. Haines and Mr.
Pollock for supporting us.
Rina Tanaka, Year
12G
AISM Senior Soccer Team
THE
SATURDAY,
16 AUGUST 2008
SHANGRI-LA
HOTEL,
RM2,400 nett per table (10 pax/table)
RM 240 nett per person (MNZBC Member)
RM 260 nett per person (Non-Member)
Price includes:-
- Set Western Dinner
- Free flow of NZ wines, beer, sft drinks & kiwifruit juice
- Auctions & Lucky Draw Prizes, including a Return
Economy Air Ticket to Auckland
Please RSVP your
attendance by Monday, 11 August 2008 e-mail:
mnzbc@mnzbc.com.my
Fax: 03-2144 1422 / 03-2141 0843
For further enquiries: call +603-2144 2422, 2141 0822, 2141 0842
Barracuda's
Swim Squad News
On Wednesday we held our
end of semester morning tea in the auditorium. At this time we presented
the swimmers with their awards from the meet at Kelab Shah Alam. I would
like to thank
This week we have said
goodbye to eight of our swim squad members who are leaving the school.
They are Ashraf Salleh, Casey Hogue, Lily Bendeich, Grace Bendeich, Emma
McLaughlin, Melissa McLaughlin, Holly Davis and Georgia Davis. I would
like to wish you all the very best and thank you for all your support during
your time with the squad. I would like to thank the following swimming
Mum's for their continuous volunteer work and their much appreciated support
with the running of the squad: Lisa Davis, Rose Gill and Karen
McLaughlin. Without their assistance and encouragement we wouldn't have
been able to achieve all that we have, so a big thank you! You will all be
missed.
I would also like to
congratulate Rory Stanford and Gaia Miller-Foote for the leadership roles they
have carried out as squad captains. They have assisted both myself and
the coaches during the semester. They are great role models for the rest
of the squad and we are very proud of them!
Finally, but certainly not
least we would all like to thank our coaches Desmond and Phillip for their
commitment, encouragement and continued hard work during the semester. Thank
you Desmond and Phillip.
Shelley Anson, Swim
Squad Manager
SRC Raising
Money for Victims of Earthquake
The SRC is currently raising funds to aid victims of the China
Sichuan Earthquake Disaster. We are selling restaurant vouchers, kindly
donated by Marco’s Restaurant in
Bangsar. At the end of July, all money raised will be presented to the
Sin Chew Foundation, who channel 100% of funds collected to the
Tom
Middleton, SRC Coordinator
Drama Report
At
the conclusion of Semester 1 am very pleased with the progress of many students
in their Drama lessons. They are engaged and motivated in their lessons and are
enjoying the variety of games, improvisations and class performance
opportunities. The Senior School Elective class have produced some excellent
performances as well as very interesting Costume Design Portfolios.
The
AISM Senior Drama Company 2008 is well into the development of their production
which will take place on Friday 1st August. The play “Living with
Lady Macbeth” is a comedy about ‘Lily Morgan”, seen by many of the other
characters as ’ordinary’, who wishes to audition for the role of Lady Macbeth
in the school production. Intertwined
with the themes of Shakespeare’s tragedy the performance will be fun for all
the family. Please see the advertisement in this newsletter and put it in your
diaries.
The
cast has been working very hard every Monday afternoon in their ECA timeslot
but have also attended extended rehearsals on Friday afternoons and one Sunday.
This commitment is very commendable and will lead to an excellent performance.
Many
students from the Middle School have auditioned for the annual Middle School
production over the last 2 weeks of term. Their enthusiasm and motivation to
attend the rehearsals has lead to an exhaustive list of students who we have
sifted through for the purposes of casting. All the Middle School will be
involved in the production which will take place in Term 4. There will be more
information on that in future newsletters.
I
would like to take this opportunity to wish all our students and their families
a very happy holiday period.
Mr
SEC Report
It
has been a very successful semester for the Student Environment Committee.
The
Family Fun Day was a fantastic event with the committee raising 650rm in the
sale of second hand books.
The
environment notebook and bag initiative this term was also successful, with
almost 150 gift packs sold!
Thanks
to the SEC’s fundraising efforts, the school received today, two sets of
recycling bins, housing glass, plastic and aluminium.
During
term three the SEC is looking forward to implementing more initiatives, namely
an environment awareness competition throughout the school.
Year 6
students in the throes of paper sorting…
The Expat Talent
Hunt 2008
The Expat Expo 2008
KL Convention Centre - 20th and 21st Sept
A fun and fabulous and maybe even a fame-making
event which gives our students a venue to demonstrate their creativity and
whatever talents they have.
You may enter as an individual student or a group
of up to five as a team. You will have 90 seconds to present a sketch, a song,
play an instrument, dance, and perform a magic show or a combination of
these. We may submit as many entries as we wish, but you will need to
show Ms Magi that you are ready to perform in public. Various categories will
be assigned once organisers have a more accurate idea of the numbers involved.
Prizes awarded are contributions to Charity.
The School having the highest number of parents attending the competition at
the Expo will receive RM5000 to be donated to the School’s favourite children’s
home. The School will also receive the Annual Charitable International School Award.
Preliminary rounds will be held Saturday at 11am, 2pm and 5pm. Each round will
be about an hour. The finals will be at 3pm Sunday along with the award
presentation.
If you are interested, please see Mrs Lee or Ms
Magi to collect an Entry Form which will need to be signed both by your parents
and AISM.
Music Report
The
main feature for this term has been the emergency of many musically talented
students previously unknown to me. The Music room has become a meeting place
for students to practice, experiment in various combinations of instruments and
share their particular talents with others. It is nearly reaching a stage where
students will have to be rostered in order to accommodate all those interested.
I find this a very exciting development and one which will expand the range of
performances in our Music Evening Concert.
We
now have two choirs. The Junior Choir includes students from Years One to Four
and is open to any child wishing to attend. Some consistency in attendance is
required. This is held on Thursday at lunchtime. The members of the AISM Vocal
Ensemble Choir are chosen by me. Any interested student is welcome to audition
for membership during weeks I and 2 next term. This is open for both female and
male students from years 5 to 12 and is held at lunch times on Tuesdays.
Our
Music Evening Concert is on Friday the 12th September 7.00 for a
7.30 start.
As
with last year performers will include Students of all age groups in the
school. It is hoped this year to include more of an international flavor with
instrumental performances to include
students from
Auditions
for all students interested in performing at this concert are to make
arrangements with me to audition in the 1st. and 2nd weeks
of next term.
Looking
forward to seeing you at the concert.
AISM TERM 3 Calendar, 2008 23th
July Wednesday Student Return 24th
July Thursday UNSW Maths Competition 25th
July Friday Middle/Senior School House
Meetings 28th
July Monday Read-a-Thon start 31st
July Thursday 1st
August Friday Next
Newsletter is on Friday 25th July…
|
AISM SENIOR DRAMA COMPANY 2008 PRESENTS “LIVING WITH LADY MACBETH” BY ROB JOHN Co-directed by Mr J. Suffolk & Mr P. Tyr-Egge ‘Will Lily Morgan fulfill her dream of playing Lady Macbeth?’ Friday 1st August,
School Auditorium Drinks and Nibbles at 7.30pm Performance commences at 8pm Unreserved seating All welcome!!! |
Enjoy your holiday!!! See
you all in Term 3.
Have a safe and happy holiday!