head's corner…
TRANSCRIPT
Issue 23 - SY 2014-15
20 February 2015 Head’s Corner…..
VISION
The Overseas School
of Colombo shall be a
model of excellence
in education,
nurturing and
empowering our
community of
learners to achieve
global success.
MISSION
“The Overseas
School of Colombo,
an IB World School, is committed to
guiding our global
community toward
international and
intercultural
understanding.
OSC develops the
whole person as a
responsible learner,
striving for personal
excellence within a
culturally diverse
environment. ”
I returned from my administrative conference and recruitment trip to San Francisco early this week and it was nice to feel I was returning to my home. As a newcomer this year, I have spent much of the first semester of the year learning about OSC, our community, and my new home in Sri Lanka. I have been working through a process of settling in and adjusting to a new job and a new personal life after many years of familiarity in my last assignment in Argentina. Most of my adult professional life has involved periodic upheaval and change with all the resulting culture shock elements that have, by now, become an expected part of the move. I have typically found there is a cycle of adjustment with a fairly predictable set of emotional milestones along the way until finally, like following this trip, I realize I am coming home when I return after being away. I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all the parents, students, and colleagues who made a point of welcoming me back, and making me feel comfortable returning to my home once again. The two objectives of this trip were both met successfully. The first few days I attended the AAIE professional development conference where I was engaged in a series of meetings with other heads from around the world. One of the people I spent a little time with in the meetings was your former Head of School Areta Williams, and she asked me to pass along her warm regards to all of you. Areta is also in her new adjustment cycle as she moved back to the US after so many years working abroad. She is also finding it to be a process as she finds home once again. She is well and enjoying herself with many local activities and inevitably some international professional tasks such as sharing her strong educational expertise on visiting accreditation teams to other international schools around the world. The conference itself was packed with interesting educational topics. I attended several interesting educational sessions throughout the three day conference. One that stood out in relevance to me was a session titled “How to Develop an Emotionally Safe Classroom Environment.” It is becoming very clear through current brain research that emotions have a tremendous impact on learning. This was a session that considered research on the topic and reviewed implementation of strategies to develop social–emotional intelligence as highlighted in the work of Dr. Daniel Goleman. The facilitator provided very clear research based affirmation that only well balanced children are able to fully maximize their learning potential, and that a key element of a truly effective education relies on a considered balance of both the cognitive and the affective domains of learning . The other aspect of my trip was teacher recruitment. As I mentioned in my last Head’s corner note, we had two elementary positions that needed to be filled, and
I can report positive success in that area as well. I interviewed eleven applicants for the two positions and was very pleased with the two who accepted my offer. They were both strongly recommended by their current schools and are very excited to be joining our OSC faculty next August. I will be providing a brief review of all our new teachers for next year next Monday morning at the SCN sponsored Coffee with Principals at 7:45 a.m. in the PMPR. I hope you can join us. Phil Joslin Head of School [email protected]
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Secondary School Principal
I am sure you are aware of the recently completed SAISA tournaments in Basketball, Football and Badmin-ton. After a bit of a break, the teams have the following summaries from the badminton and football teams.
Badminton: As you already know our badminton team participated in SAISA badminton tournament which was held in American International School of Dhaka , Bangladesh. After playing some fantastic badminton during team competition, we managed to earn respectable third place which was a better achievement com-pared to last year’s 4th place. The final day was all about individual event competitions and we are proud to announce that our players were in three finals out of six! Our very own Arnold and Laurens stayed unbeaten throughout the competition and eventually won us a gold. Athena did remarkably well in girl’s completion and ended up winning silver in girls’ single competition. Again Laurens and Rishika won silver in mixed doubles competition so overall we had a very successful tournament. Proud to be a part of our Gecko winning team. Go Geckos !! – Ms. Lockwood, Mr.Silva and Mr. Pradeep.
Football: The Geckos boys travelled to Kathmandu to participate in the 2015 tournament. The group stages of the tournament went well with the Geckos finishing unbeaten on the top of their group with a 1-1 draw against LAS (John Fredericks) , a 2-0 win over LS ( Devin Kabay, Nikita Drechsel) and a 3-1 win over AISC ( Devin Kabay, Christian Beckmeyer, Nikita Drechsel) earning a place in the Quarter Finals.
In the Quarter finals the Geckos faced an ever improving Karachi American School, winning 2-0 following 2 goals from Sho Kubota. A semifinal place was booked.
The finals day saw the Geckos face a second test against the ever competitive host school Lincoln. Full of confidence the Geckos were 2- 0 up at half time; scorers Christian Beckmeyer and Kai Floto (penalty). De-spite some really determined play from the home team our Gecko team ran out winners, remaining solid in defense. A finals place was booked!
Facing the American School of Bombay (AISB), the Geckos started slowly and went into the break a goal be-hind. A rousing team talk resulted in the Geckos peppering the Bombay goal with second half shots. The re-sult, an equalizer from our youngest player, grade 8 student Xavier Zengue. Final score 1-1. The game went into extra time which saw both teams squander scoring opportunities. Bring on a penalty shootout! Geckos stood firm and scored 5 of their 6 penalties while Bombay had 2 saved by our excellent goalkeeper Joaquin
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Ross Tellechea.
This saw the OSC Geckos make SAISA history being the first OSC team to be crowned SAISA Boys Football Champions. Congratulations boys, you are THE 2015 CHAMPIONS!
ACT or SAT? Grade 11 students will begin the road to university by taking either the ACT or the SAT college entrance exam. In the United States the ACT is actually the more popular exam. Which one should your stu-dent take? Each student has different strengths and weaknesses as do both of these exams. The key
difference between the ACT and SAT is as follows:
Students and parents may want to consider taking one of each of these exams and review the scores to de-
cide which exam is appropriate. Both the ACT and the SAT are administered at OSC, but one must register
online. Rosanne Noble, Counselor
ACT SAT
Knowledge based, includes science The math proceeds to trigonometry No penalty for guessing Writing section is optional
Skills based, does not include science and The math goes to geometry Penalty for wrong answers Writing section is mandatory
http://www.actstudent.org/regist/intldates.html
Registration Deadline Test Date March 13, 2015 April 18, 2015 May 8, 2015 June 13, 2015
http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-international-dates
Registration Deadline Test Date April 6, 2015 May 2, 2015 May 8, 2015 June 6, 2015
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EXCITING NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY The OSC library team has formulated a mission statement for the OSC library. This mission statement was developed to align the library’s programmes with new trends and developments in information use and access.
Mission Statement of OSC Library
The OSC library empowers students to be critical thinkers and effective users of information. A centre for inquiry and collaboration, we foster the love of reading within a diverse community where learners collaborate to share knowledge and reach new understandings.
Goals: Develop a facility that functions as the information centre of the school. Deliver high quality, accurate and current information in a wide variety of
formats. Provide resources that represent a diversity of experiences, opinions and
cultural perspectives. Create a collaborative environment conducive to activities that develop,
embrace and challenge different types of learning. Facilitate the OSC community to become lifelong learners, discriminating
consumers and skilled creators of information. Nurture the habit of reading for pleasure and information.
Raina Lockwood, Priyani Keenawinna, Sureshnie Dissanayake
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UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS……..
21 February SGA: Gecko Factor - Auditorium 5.00-7.00 p.m.
*23 February Coffee with Principals - PMPR 7.45 a.m.
25 February MYP5 Parent Introduction to the IB Diploma Programme
27 Feb to 1 March COMUN 2015
27 Feb to 1 March ISAC Track & Field Championships - Sugathadasa Stadium
4 March Primary Talent Show - Auditorium
5 March Poya Day
7 March SGA: OSCars - Auditorium 7-10 p.m.
10 March PYP Parent Workshop “Reading in the PYP - PMPR
7.45 a.m.
*Changes/Updates to calendar
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Recorders for
Second hand descant recorders for sale at the following prices:
Rs300 with cover Rs200 without a cover
These can be purchased from the cashier in the business office.
Happy playing!
Gecko Factor is just around the corner on
Saturday, February the 21st from 5-7 pm.
Tickets will be sold at the door for Rs.500.
Come and support your favourite acts and also a special teacher act. There will be dancing, singing, beat-boxing, and of course a few
very entertaining judges.
All are welcome.
LIVE ACTION - Come & CHEER, ENCOURAGE & CELEBRATE with our teams!
LIVE ACTION – International Schools Athletic Championships (15th annual event) hosted by
Gateway College @ Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo 13 - Friday 27, Saturday 28 February & Sunday 1 March – 8:00am to 6:00pm (daily)
OSC will have a team of 64 athletes competing in the U20, U19, U17, U15, U13, U11, U9 boys and
girls competitions
Visit this link for the event information & location map for the stadium http://www.isaclk.com/
index.php/about/stadium-map
LIVE ACTION - Friday 27 February – 3:00 pm to 5:00pm
Girls’ Football on the OSC field – Inter squad 5-a-side challenge
Boys’ Basketball in the gym – Game dependent on team availability due to ISAC
Additional details will be published in the relevant ManageBac group
SAISA TOURNAMENTS – Final season reports – please see the Secondary Principals section
in this newsletter edition.
Results and photos are available through the following links:
Under 19 Badminton – Event hosts: American International School, Dhaka, Bangladesh. – www.aidtigers.org
Under 19 Boys’ Football – Event hosts: Lincoln School Kathmandu, Nepal - http://www.i-m.mx/lsnepal/saisabf/
Under 19 Girls’ Basketball – Event hosts: The Overseas School of Colombo - http://saisagirlsbasketball2015.weebly.com
§ Tournament stats @ www.saisabasketball.com
UPDATES & REMINDERS
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (ISAC) takes place as given
above. Hard copy information has been sent to all parents regarding the costs attributed to this event.
SEASON THREE - Started Monday 9 February, ends Saturday 25 April
SEASON THREE SPORTS – Students are now enrolled in their chosen sports. SAISA
academic eligibility checks will be made in the coming week
U19, 17, 15, 13, 11 Track & Field
U19 Girls’ Football
U19 Boys’ Basketball
GECKO SWIM SUITS - These are on sale in the GECKO SHOP
GECKO ATHLETICS - Surplus items on sale in March – Stay tuned for more information
QUESTIONS? - email address: [email protected]
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The third and final Practice Debate was held
on Saturday 14th February in the auditorium.
250 delegates debated on topics that ranged
from the transition of power in the Americas to
oil resources in the Antarctica. This was the
last Practice Debate before the conference
scheduled for the 27th, 28th of February and
March 1st. Parents and all interested in MUN
are welcome to attend the debates in the 7
various councils– General Assembly1, General
Assembly 2, General Assembly 4, Security
Council, International Court of Justice, United
Nations Human Rights Commission and the
Untied Nations Peace building Commission.
The opening ceremony and the first two
conference days will be held at OSC and the
closing ceremony and final day of conference
will be held at the Cinnamon Grand.
For more information, log on to the COMUN 2015 Facebook
page.
Jasmine Bhattacharjie
OSC/COMUN Facilitator
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SCN Mission Statement:
“Together we build a cohesive school community to enrich our children’s
SCN NEWS
PRIMARY SWIM GALA
Just for everyone to know that Rs.36,030 was raised from the Swim Gala before expenses.
Again a huge thank you to all parents who helped bake and offer support. It was a great day.
SCN CONTACT DETAILS:
Secretary Tracey Discombe 0772338183 mobile Email: [email protected]
Treasurer Kathleen Pawley 0775195662 mobile Email: [email protected]
Primary Support Parents Coordinator - Leena Surana 0777901613 mobile Email: [email protected]
Secondary Support Parents Coordinator - Danielle Schroder-Floto 0777725591 mobile Email: [email protected]
National Reps Coordinators Veronica Omprasadham 0777681345 mobile Email: [email protected]
Louise Platt 0773071588 mobile Email: [email protected]
Events Coordinators Projects based
Coffee with Content/Coffee with Principals & Board SCN Rep. Margot Richart 0770696848 mobile Email: [email protected]
Blue Gecko Coordinators Paula Queiros 0777430211 mobile Email: [email protected]
Ragini Rallabandi 0770370611 mobile Email: [email protected]
Canteen Liaison: Siobhan O’Mahony 0771442776 mobile Email:o_mahonysiobhan@ hotmail.com
Welcome Committee: Margot Richart 0770696848 mobile Email: [email protected]
General Support: Siobhan O’Mahony 0771442776 mobile E: [email protected] Tina Jansen 0778935263 mobile Email: [email protected] Kanishta Krishan 0772280584 Email: [email protected]
School Community Network
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DATES FOR THE DIARY………. COFFEE WITH PRINCIPALS
MONDAY 23RD FEBRUARY, 7.45AM, PMPR
Please note that the next COFFEE WITH OSC PRINCIPALS will be held next Monday 23rd February 2015 at 7.45am in the PMPR room.
The Head of School and both Primary and Secondary Principals will be there to discuss
various school issues with parents in an open forum. The agenda for the meeting will focus on:
The accreditation & evaluation process and results
New initiatives that are being introduced at the school
Faculty recruitment for 2015-16 This meeting is also an opportunity for parents to raise any general global issues they have
regarding the school.
If there is anything specific that you would like to see raised at the meeting in advance please could you email:
FOOD AND FUN FAIR (FFF) SATURDAY 28
TH MARCH, 3PM – 6.00PM
HELP US? VOLUNTEER???? The SCN are still looking for volunteers to help us make it a wonderful, fun
packed afternoon.
POSTER COMPETITION
DESIGN A WINNING POSTER
We are looking for one winner from the primary students and one from the secondary students. Paper submissions only please.
The winning designs will be professionally printed and displayed both throughout the school and outside to help advertise the exciting Food and Fun
Fair.
Don’t worry about any words to put on the poster; we are just looking for the artwork, a colourful design showing the theme of “FOOD AND FUN FAIR”.
THERE WILL BE PRIZES!!!!
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR ENTRIES TO EITHER PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SECRETARIES NO LATER THAN MONDAY 2ND MARCH
If you would like to volunteer to help plan this day please email:
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MENUS
Monday 23rd February Stir fried Corn & Egg Rice Pasta in Cheese sauce(Veg) ( Non spicy ) Steamed Boiled vegetables in herbs ( Non spicy ) Baked pumpkin ( Non spicy ) Beef stew with green peas Grilled chicken thighs ( Non spicy ) Coleslaw salad ( Non spicy ) Mixed vegetable soup ( Non spicy ) Cut Fruits & Yoghurt
Tuesday 24th February (Indian theme ) Plain white Rice (Non spicy) Baked Bathura ( Non spicy ) Biriyani Tandoori chicken with Lemon (Non spicy) Chick pea masala Mini vegetable tortillas / Bathura (healthy rotti ) (Non spicy ) Baked Potato (Indian style ) (Non spicy) Raita Salad (Non spicy) Fresh Green garden salad Fresh fruit salad
Wednesday 25th February (European Theme) Homemade Pizza options ( Rs 80/= to Rs 100/= per slice ) (Margarita, peppers (veg), cheese chicken & cheese) Pasta Napolitano (Non spicy ) Mashed Potato Vegetable Moussaka ( Non spicy ) Boiled Egg Waldrop salad ( Non spicy ) Bread pudding / Fruit salad Pumpkin Soup with butter buns
Thursday 26th February (Asian theme) Chinese Fried Rice / Steamed Rice Chicken Noddles ( Non spicy ) Young corn and egg soup ( Non spicy ) Satay chicken ( Non spicy ) Water spinach with Mushrooms Mixed Salad (Non spicy ) Cut fresh fruits /Sego pudding
Friday 27th February Burger
Grilled Chicken patty --- Rs 150 Grilled Beef patty -------- Rs 150 Vegetable-------------------Rs 100
Healthy German Sausage with Bun (no added preserva-tives or flavours)
5” Grilled Sausage-----Rs 150/= 7” Grilled Sausage-----Rs 200/=
Baked Potato ------------Rs 100 Pasta in white sauce----Rs 200 Fresh potato fries -------Rs 120 Vegetable Salad---------Rs 80
Greetings to Everyone!!!!!!!!
As we come to the last week of the month of February it is important to look back and see since the start of this year the choices you have made in the canteen, were they healthy? Did you skip lunch and had only a snack? Did you have your fruits today or did you just have a brownie for lunch and break? Also you could look at trying some brown bread sandwiches, look at trying an egg muffin, may be grab a fruit cup or a yoghurt cup on your way. Being healthy is important so your choice matters. Choose what’s good for you .!!!!!! New additions effective from this year:
Healthy German Sausages
Healthy Flapjacks
Egg Muffins
Healthy pizza options
Toasted Rotties
Mullet flour Dinner buns
Addition of snacks and lunch dishes including sweet potato,
Scramble egg, Chick peas More fresh fruit options have been introduced this semester.
It’s all about choosing your option in the canteen. You want to be healthy choose what is best for your health
Standard Price Card: We will be having a standard price for all meals. They are as follows: Small portion. (For primary students)---------------Rs 250/= which includes a main dish / available Vegetable dish options & one portion of meat or fish.
Large portion. (For secondary students)---------------Rs 300/= which includes a main dish / available Vegetable dish options & one portion of meat or fish.
Desserts /Drinks / Soups / Yoghurt will be priced between Rs 50 – Rs 100.
Salad Bar- Each day we offer 8 different vegetable options where students can choose between getting a salad or a salad wrap.
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WANTED...Looking for a full-time, live-in Maid/House-Keeper with experience and references. Call 077 0089051 or 076 5325902
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
AVAILABLE...Driver. Has worked for OSC for 20 years. Very trustworthy, honest, reliable, ex-tremely dependable. Excellent knowledge of Colombo and outstation roads. Careful and
excellent driving. Well recommended from OSC. Call Srilal 072 3208525
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
HOUSE FOR LEASE IN KOTTAWA…Large, solidly built old fashioned house in 100 perches. One kilometer from the Northern Highway entrance. House consists of ve-randah, five bedrooms, living/dining, TV area, kitchen, hot water facilities.
Ceiling fans, hot water, domestic quarters etc. Well maintained large lawn and flower beds. Dialog satellite TV connection. Available furnished or unfurnished. Call
0773666621 or 2850643
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KIDS Hip Hop / Latin Dancing classes. Hip-Hop (Ages 6 - 8) Wednesday 4 - 4.45 p.m (Ages 9- 13) Sunday 10-11 am Latin (Ages 7 upwards) Wednesday 5- 5.45 pm ADULT HIP HOP CLASSES Tuesdays 6-7 pm Venue : Jawatte / Colombo 7. Call: 0773 698923 THE DANCE FACTORY by Erika Ekanayake