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The Informer

Look! I found my own piece of lake!

2 · The Informer 23 January 2013 www.isstavanger.no

From the Director:

“Lights. Camera. Action.” On Monday, January 14th, ISS became the setting for a British television filmshoot. It was not exactly a typical day at an international school, but one that the school was willing to play a small role in as it was such a compelling subject. The British network ITV, (yes, that same network that has produced “Downton Abbey” along with a whole host of other well-known shows), has a weekly current affairs programme entitled, “Tonight.” The topic for their show, scheduled to be aired on Thursday, February 7, is connected to the concept that prior knowledge of first aid is crucial when medical emergencies take place. The view of the ITV producers is that in the case of an individual having a heart attack, the victim’s chance of survival is exponentially greater if the emergency happens in Stavanger, Norway, than if it happens in the United Kingdom. Why is that? The ITV producers believe it is because here in Norway there is a much more rigorous discipline of teaching students first aid in schools and then following up on that with refresher training in the workplace. All this leads to a greater degree of confidence in being able to react when there is a sudden need.

To prove their point, the producers researched their theory through a number of sources, including Lærdal Medical which has its home office in Stavanger and then a three-person ITV crew traveled here to interview a doctor at the Stavanger University Hospital who has researched cardiac survival statistics and they also stopped off at ISS to watch and film our 9th grade health classes in action. Stavanger is quite an interesting place because of its connection to Lærdal Medical, (http://www.laerdal.com/gb/), which is the “home” of the Resusci-Anne dolls and their ground-breaking work in helping lay people know how to react in medical crisis situations. We use both the dolls for CPR training, but also Lærdal cardiac defibrillators which are also known as AEDs, (Automated External Defibrillators). ISS has long had first-aid training for our employees and students. Additionally, since 2002, we have been training all of our employees and our students in their health classes in 7th, 8th and 9th grades in the use of AEDs. We have AED training models, but more importantly “real” AEDs that are distributed throughout the school and also available for our student groups to take along on field trips. (And no, I am not on the payroll of Lærdal, but I have long admired their corporate ethics and their dedication to helping lay people know how to save lives.) Our school got involved, particularly with the AEDs,

Lights? Camera? Action!

Margaux tries to save ‘Annie’ using CPR

The Informer 23 January 2013 · 3www.isstavanger.no

because we have a responsibility to our students to help them know how to do the right thing at the right time. One can see AEDs in many places—airports, shopping centres, train stations, etc. The machine can save lives as long as someone is willing to take it off the wall and use it. Part of our “missionary work” as educators is to see that more people have the skills and confidence to do the right thing when others are standing by as passive spectators in the midst of a medical emergency. And yes, members of our school community have used the defibrillators in “real” situations. The school owns five defibrillators. Three of these are found in unlocked cabinets in the building. One is on the wall in the lobby near the receptionist’s office, and the other two can be found at either end of the building near our two gym complexes. Finally, there is one in the nurse’s office which is also available to go on field trips with students and one is in the athletic director’s office where it is available to have at sports practices outside or travel along to away games and tournaments. All ISS students have first aid and AED training in their health classes during 7th, 8th and 9th grades. All employees receive training at regular intervals. The school purchased its first AEDs in 2002 and we have worked hard to convince other international schools as well of the important value of having this resource onsite. Here in Norway, the AEDs are a common sight as there is wide understanding of the need to be able to react very quickly. We are fortunate here in Stavanger to have excellent medical care and ambulance service close at hand, but proactively taking action immediately is essential before the medical experts can arrive. There is only a short ten-minute window from the time that cardiac arrest occurs until death or significant brain damage occurs. How many of us are within a ten minute reach of an ambulance on a regular basis? When we think about the increasing amount of traffic on the roads, the ambulance’s journey to the scene of an accident is only extended in time. And no, the AED can’t “harm” anyone if used incorrectly. If there is any kind of cardiac action detected, the machine will not deliver a shock. Too often, lay people believe the machines are complicated—they are very simple to use correctly and there is a body of research on lives being saved by Good Samaritans who had never touched an AED before finding themselves in the midst of an emergency, yet being able to follow the simple verbal instructions from the machine and save a life. The school’s Mission Statement reminds us that we are assisting our students to become, “. . . responsible and contributing citizens in the global community.” While we do not expect to frequently have a need to ITV is filming the students using the AED

Celine is practising ‘staying alive’


use our AEDs at school, we also are cognizant that our students and staff are often in locations such as shopping centers or airports where this life-saving equipment will be hanging on the wall. Through training and practice we seek to provide our ISS community with the confidence and knowledge to proactively step forward and do the right thing while awaiting professional medical attention to arrive on the scene of the emergency. And so that is what the ITV film crew saw when they visited the school. Not only did they film the classes in action, but they also interviewed a number of students about their views on their willingness and sense of readiness to react in an emergency. The film crew had asked in advance to have the chance to interview Norwegian citizen students and I am grateful to Ferdinand Geus, Frida Hjellvik, Alec Karlsen, Emilia Meling, Erlend Meling and Anja Minsaas who took part. While the crew filmed many students in action, Margaux Huelvan, Elizabeth Ramsay and Rebecca Svege-Cornwell also were singled out for special time on camera. And, of course, our health teachers Rianne Hettema, Jeff Bakke and Richard Sygrove did a brilliant job in teaching their students during the class on January 14th—just as they do every day, regardless of whether there is a film crew there or not.

And to make things even more interesting, the local television station, TV Vest, came along to film the ITV crew in action filming our students! One of the things that we know in advance when film

crews come onto campus is that while they can spend a lot of time filming, the actual amount of time used in the final product may be exceedingly short. So, regardless of how much “air time” the final product includes from their half-day spent at ISS, our students can take pride in having a small role in hopefully encouraging a greater emphasis on future first aid training in British schools through the positive impact we hope the “ITV Tonight” final product brings about. And as a final note, I challenge all parents reading this message to ask at their workplace—if they are unaware of the answer—whether there are AEDs available for use that can be accessed easily by anyone who witnesses a medical emergency. And, if there are none available, then please do encourage your employer to make the important—but not particularly expensive—investment in having at least one AED available. Further, don’t be afraid to ask your employer to train many employees to know how to do the right thing when an unexpected emergency occurs. If ISS can make the financial investment to have five AEDs on our campus, my guess is that all of our local employers can make a similar investment in this life-saving equipment as well. Thank you. In good health to all,

Dr. Linda DuevelDirector

[email protected]


With kind regards,

Gareth JonesDeputy Director

[email protected]

to where ISS stands in regard to meeting its Guiding Statements (Vision and Mission) as well as a set of defined ’best practice’ Standard and Indicators as established by CIS and NEASC.

The re-accreditation committees are as follows:

Section A: Guiding StatementsSection B: Teaching and Learning (Numerous Pre-S, K – 12 subject areas)Section C: Governance and LeadershipSection D: Faculty & Support StaffSection E: Access to Teaching and LearningSection F: School Culture and Partnership for LearningSection G: Operational Systems

I will provide further updates as the process progresses; however, an overview can be seen in the diagram below.

Dear Parents & Students,

I trust that you all had an enjoyable and restful vacation and have taken the opportunity to skate on our frozen lakes over the past week.

I wanted to provide you with an update on how we are progressing with our re-accreditation process. As you may be aware from my previous articles in The Informer ISS is currently undergoing a process of re-accreditation with the two agencies: The Council of International Schools (CIS) and New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). This process stated back in May 2012 with a survey that was set to all areas of our school community including parents, students, board members, staff and faculty. This was followed up with a review of our Guiding Statements. The update of these is currently with the Board of Trustees and we hope to see them adopted at the next board meeting in February and I hope to share them with you in the next issue of the informer. From September to December 2012 we also worked on gathering together a great deal of information which will can be used by our self-study committees and ultimately shared with the visiting team in the Spring of 2014. Between now and June the following committees will be conducting a self-study in relation

From the Deputy Director


QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNSELOR? Email MJJetabut@isstavanger. no or call 51 55 43 13

The Counselor’s Corner

NOTICE TO ALL TWELFTH GRADE STUDENTSHaving survived the college application rush, college interviews, and mock exams, I can imagine the relief you must be experiencing by now. However, remain steadfast! Be aware that as the weather becomes brighter and the workload appears to lighten up, the dangerous senior slump may begin to take over. Many universities will be contacting us for mid-year reports or call to check on your progress. To avoid having a college acceptance rescinded, stay on course and forge ahead towards a strong senior finish!

If you are planning to attend a Norwegian university program in the fall of 2013 you must apply DIRECTLY by March 1, 2013. For those students planning to apply to Universities in countries other than the UK and/or have not already completed their applications, please check your deadlines carefully and be sure to notify the Counseling Office three weeks beforehand, in order for us to send off your transcript and references to meet the due date. Make sure you complete one information form per university so that all necessary material is sent.

GAP YEAR IDEAS: For students planning a gap year, have you considered a volunteer or service project? Review http://www.unitedplanet.org or http://www.volunteerabroad.com for further ideas. Also be sure to check with the Counseling Office to see that your current teacher references have been submitted so you may use them in the Fall of 2014 when you plan to apply to university.

NOTICE TO ALL ELEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS Junior Seminar has begun! Per my email to you back in December, the time to begin planning for your future is NOW. I have included my message to you again below to reiterate the HIGH-5 items that we will accomplish over the coming months. Even if you are considering a gap year after your graduate, we strongly recommend that you go through the college application process with your peers while you are still an ISS student, surrounded by a plethora of support.

1. Standardized college admissions tests Depending on what you would like to study, you may need to take certain exams such as the TOEFL, LNAT, BMAT, or UKCAT (to name a few acronyms). Research NOW, what required exams you will need for various programs so that you can prepare accordingly and plan to

register.Many students take the SAT and/or ACT if they are looking at universities in the U.S. Even if you are not planning to study in the U.S. these are reputable exams that provide excellent feedback on your level of college readiness. The ACT website is: http://www.act.org/ and here is general information on the SAT: http://sat.collegeboard.org/home

2. Extended Essay draft The extended essay is a core component of the IB Diploma Programme. For some, it is one of the most challenging projects they will ever accomplish in high school. As such, the extended essay takes tremendous planning, reflection, and research. It all begins with a research question. What will yours be?

3. Resume/CV Many of you have already begun your resume. Is it a comprehensive draft? Have you included experiences that may be relevant to a future career pathway? IT skills? Language fluency? Building a strong resume takes time. If you do not have much work experience to date, this may be a good time to delve into some opportunities. Network. Ask friends and families. Look into local internship options and summer work possibilities. Above all, be sure to invest your time into options that interest you and may serve you well for a future field of study or career path.

4. Personal Statement/Essay Most, if not all of you, will need to complete a personal statement or essay for your college applications next year. The personal statement can be a very meaningful experience since it involves self-reflection and focused research on your future field of study. It is also a different piece of writing depending on which college system you apply to. Do you know the differences? Now is the time to look into them.

5. College Short list The world is your smorgasbord! At the end of the day, you will be attending ONE university. The challenge lies in determining THE ONE. Research the world. Ask yourself where you see yourself living and thriving as a university student. Applying to too few or too many can be dangerous for too many reasons to mention. Create a shortlist of your top schools (within a healthy range) and focus your time and


Email MJJetabut@isstavanger. no or call 51 55 43 13 QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNSELOR?

The Counselor’s Corner

energy on perfecting applications to them.

There is so much more to follow. But as you look around you, you are surrounded by teachers and staff who have been there before. Ask, listen, and learn.TESTING REMINDERS: To register online for the SAT that will be offered here at ISS on May 4, 2013 go to www.collegeboard.com. The registration deadline is April 5, 2013.

To register online for the ACT that will be given here at ISS on April 13, 2013 go to www.actstudent.org The registration deadline is March 8, 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: Spaces for these exams fill up quickly. It is recommended that you sign up as soon as possible to ensure that you will be able to take the exams.

NOTICE TO ALL TENTH GRADE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTSAll students and parents are encouraged to attend the IB Information Night on Wednesday, January 23, 2013. At this event, we will be discussing IB program requirements in depth and setting up individual appointments to review course choices for next year.

NOTICE TO ALL NINTH GRADE STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTSCongratulations! You have completed 1/8 of your high school career! As you reflect on last semester, how would you assess your experience and performance? Are your grades something you can be proud of? Were you actively involved in sports, clubs, or the school play? If you feel that you could have had a stronger start to 9th grade, it is not too late to have a strong finish. Remember that 9th grade counts! Your grades, courses, and credits will be recorded on your overall high school transcript. What is a transcript? See Ms. J to find out!

COLLEGE INFORMATION NIGHT is scheduled for Wednesday February 6, 2013 in the ISS Theater from 18-20:00. We will be discussing general information regarding the “college short list,” country-specific criteria, and application timelines.

UNIVERSITY VISITS AT ISSUniversities and colleges are eager to visit ISS! Since our return from Christmas break, here is the list of guest visitors…and it continues to grow!

January 10, 2013 Oxford Brookes UniversityJanuary 15, 2013 IE University (Spain)February 5, 2013 Arts University BournemouthFebruary 6, 2013 Savannah College of Art & DesignPlease check the Daily Report for other university visits and updates.

SUMMER STUDY PROGRAMS : We have received a wide variety of brochures and information from summer study programs in China, the U.K, France, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.S.A. Please check the college bulletin board or ask in the Counseling Office for more information.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE – SPRING/SUMMER REVISION COURSES 2013 AND SUMMER UNIVERSITY TOURS: Pre-IB and Mid-IB summer programs are available, as well as pre-exam revision courses in the spring. University tours for both the UK and US are also available this summer. For more information go to www.osc-ib.com and www.college-visits.com

Last but not least, to our dear ISS PARENTS:No matter where I am in the world, I am always baffled by how quickly time escapes us. We are nearly halfway through the academic year, and although there is still much work to be done, we have already accomplished a great deal. These celebrations are due to the persistent effort and unwavering commitment of our remarkable high school students. It is important to acknowledge the good work that we have seen thus far but it is equally important to continue to support them through until the end. As such, we must be cognizant of the fact that they are still teenagers going through 9th grade transition for the first time, making critical IB choices as a 10th grader, beginning a 4000 word assignment in 11th grade, or determining a career pathway as a 12th grader. These experiences are tremendous benchmarks that can be educationally enriching, but they can also be extremely stressful and trying. As their support system, we must look out for their well-being, watch their eating and sleeping habits, and help them achieve some semblance of balance. It is mainly due to this culture of community that we have established here at ISS, which makes it a continued honor to be your child’s counselor.

Warmest regards,Ms. Jetabut

High School [email protected]


International School of Stavanger A Note from Admissions January 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday! A few Admissions updates, including new “Morning Connections” topics… Enrollment ISS had a lively start to the new year with 20 new students starting in January, bringing enrollment up to around 805. As more expats from around the world land on Norwegian shores, the number of children continue to increase at ISS, positively expanding our multi-cultural community of learners! We send a warm welcome to all new ISS families! Orientations Given the number of students beginning mid-year, ISS held a combined middle and high school orientation for students to become more familiar with ISS before the first full day of school (similar to the August orientation). The January orientation offered families a mini introduction to the school and Stavanger, IT and iPad tutorial, English as an Additional Language testing and a chance to finalize schedules and logistics. Also, new students met their ISS Student Ambassador! Student Ambassadors Arriving in a new country and school can bring excitement as well as anxiousness. So many changes: the culture, language, customs, school, classes, friends and more. Across the school, we feel its important new students feel welcomed, connected and informed before, during and after a move. The student ambassadors at ISS help to ensure new students – irrespective of start date – feel comfortable with their new school and life at ISS. Student ambassadors communicate with new students prior to the move, participate in new student orientations, provide social support (e.g., sharing lunch together) and more. Thanks to Mr. Armstrong (PS/MS guidance counselor) and Dr. Liam Browne (HS principal) for helping to lead this effort. We’re continually updating this program and always welcome suggestions – feel free to e-mail [email protected] with ideas. International Parent Ambassadors Similarly, ISS’ International Parent Ambassadors are happy to chat with anyone interested in connecting with someone from their home country or language. From shopping recommendations and transport tips to school questions and travel ideas, our International Parent Ambassadors are great resources. Please e-mail [email protected] for more information. Morning Connections "Morning Connections" kicks off in 2013 with a topic relating to the increasing number of children with focus, learning and behavior issues: Nutrition and Brain Health. Nathalie Skogland, ISS parent, will lead the session, which has good timing with many people thinking about healthy intentions at the start of the year! Details for this Jan. 24 event and future topics (“Digital Safety,” “Culture Shock”) are on the next page. New to ISS? "Morning Connections" is a networking and resource series for ISS parents with monthly topics relevant to expat life, living in Norway, education and more. These sessions complement the morning coffees offered to ISS parents by the Parent Association (PA). We hope you join us, whether to meet new friends, gather information or enjoy a pastry! Newcomer Coffee Mornings from the Parent Association The newcomer coffee mornings, courtesy of the PA’s Welcome & Hospitality committee, provide a chance for new parents to meet other parents, ask questions about Stavanger and find out about life at ISS. All parents are welcome to stop by the next one on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 8:45 in the cafeteria. Special thanks to Charlotte Smit-Veeger ([email protected]), Wyntsje Bonekamp ([email protected]) and Vlatka Duric ([email protected]) for organizing. Kindly, Katharine Mudra Admissions & Communications Officer [email protected]


International School of Stavanger A Note from Admissions January 2013

MORNING CONNECTIONS: Thursdays, Jan. 24, Feb. 21 & March TBD - - 8 :45-10:30 Three upcoming “Morning Connections” events are: Jan. 24: Nutrition and Brain Health News reports show the number of children with attention and behavioral concerns as well as diagnosed conditions like ADHD and autism continues to rise. January’s “Morning Connections” looks at the ADHD epidemic among today’s children and the connection between the role of gut health and brain health. And while ADHD and autistic children may have more symptoms from diet, the gut-brain connection and impact of nutrition is applicable to all. How is the brain affected by diet? What is the relationship between sleep, focus, student learning and a child’s diet? Can ADHD be prevented or even reversed through nutrition? What role does functional medicine play in understanding the root causes of imbalances/disorders in the body and correcting imbalanced biochemical pathways through individualized diet and supplementation? Trained as a naturopath in Paris, Nathalie Skogland (an ISS parent) will discuss the above questions and offer related suggestions for improving a child’s focus, learning and behavior. Nathalie discovered functional medicine in London in 2009 and has since extensively studied the field wherever her family has been located. She took an online American program while in Perth, Australia and recently attended a research-rich conference in London. Nathalie is eager to share the latest in trends and biomedical interventions during the first “Morning Connections” of 2013. RSVP here: http://isstavanger.wufoo.com/forms/w7x1q9/ Feb. 21: Digital Safety There’s no question…today’s kids are tech-savvy. They’re networkers, gamers, masters of the touch screen and more. But tech-savvy doesn’t always mean tech-smart, especially when it comes to the digital world. While technological skills are important for use in the classroom and beyond, digital safety is often top of mind for many parents. How do you monitor? When do you pull the plug…or, swipe to close? How can parents and teachers help students understand the opportunities and risks? Mr. Andrew Rhodes, ISS’ Director of Technology, will cover a range of topics around digital safety. He’ll consider social networking, gaming and some of the other things that young people do online, some of the related issues and how we can help students to learn how to use the technology responsibly. There’s a reason the phrase “digital citizenship” evolved so quickly. As Director of Technology and an Apple Distinguished Educator, Mr. Rhodes’ aim is for ISS students to learn the skills to become good “digital citizens.” As such, he will overview some of the ways ISS helps students to make safe and smart decisions in their digital lives. Mr. Rhodes will also discuss what ISS does to try to safeguard students and encourage responsible use, using the rules for the iPad 1:1 program in middle and high school as one example. As always, a Q&A session will take place at the end of the presentation. An RSVP link will be sent to parents via e-mail in February. March Date TBD: Culture Shock Many of ISS’ globetrotting families have lived in numerous corners around the world, sometimes quickly saying goodbye to one home and culture and onto the next within months. The international way of living brings many benefits, but there are certainly challenges too. It’s been said that “a successful moveable family is one in which each family member feels welcome, safe and valued not only as a member of his/her family but also in the new community in which they live.” This session looks at culture shock for parents and managing change as adults. It will also overview strategies for managing culture shock, such as creating new support networks and meaningful connections during time of change. We’re lucky to have the talents and expertise of an ISS parent, Dr. Vlatka Duric, to lead the session. Dr. Duric is a psychologist from Australia with extensive clinical and research experience with individuals and groups addressing change; adjustment to change and loss; and, how to create safety and stability during and after change. She has developed and led many workshops and seminars in a variety of settings such as communication skills training for medical students as well as experienced doctors and nurses. She is a mother of two ISS students, an expatriate, a trailing spouse and once a TCK (‘third culture kid’) herself. An RSVP link will be sent to parents via e-mail in March.


News from the Exams Coordinator

International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations are normally taken by students in 10th grade, following a two-year preparation programme in 9th and 10th grade.

Some 9th grade students choose to take the Drama IGCSE after one year.

Some 11th and 12th graders may choose to re-take IGCSE examinations in English Language or Mathematics, particularly if they failed to achieve the ‘magic’ grade C (UK universities normally consider a grade of C or better as a ‘pass’, and in some cases require the minimum of a C grade in English and Mathematics for entry to courses).

I am currently emailing the parents of all 10th grade students as part of the process of entering students for the IGCSE examinations in May / June 2013.

The letter may also be relevant to the parents of some 9th grade, 11th or 12th grade students, and it can be accessed via Edline (HS – IGCSE information). Parents of 10th graders are asked to complete the registration form carefully, even if they do not wish their son / daughter to take external examinations this year. The signed and completed form should then be returned to me in the Examinations Office (in the High School office area) by Thursday 24th January 2013.

Why should students take IGCSE?

There are various reasons why students may choose to take (or not take) IGCSE examinations, and it should be a considered decision by the students and their parents. Every student’s situation is different, and should be thought about carefully. Some guidelines are available on Edline (HS – IGCSE information) along with more information about the IGCSE at ISS, and the Cambridge website www.cie.org.uk/igcse is a great source of specific information about the programme.

The IGCSE is taught in over 2900 schools, in more than 140 countries worldwide, and there are approximately half a million entries each year.

2013 marks 25 years of Cambridge IGCSE, so it is a well-established and well-respected programme.

In the UK, the Secretary of State for Education, Michael Grove suggested that UK schools should “consider how the IGCSE might be an appropriate preparation for the changes that we [the Government] hope to introduce”. Many UK schools have, in fact, changed to Cambridge IGCSE in advance of the proposed reforms in England.

In the US, a number of high schools are offering IGCSE as part of a pilot programme which aims to raise standards in education (the ‘Excellence for All’ programme developed by the National Center on Education and the Economy). (Information from Cambridge IGCSE Update for schools – November 2012)

At ISS, we are seeing that a number of universities in the USA and Canada are requesting students’ IGCSE results as part of the application process. We have long known that good IGCSE results certainly help students’ university applications in the UK, and it seems that they can now help students applying to some universities elsewhere in the world. They act as a positive objective indicator of the students’ performance in subject tests at the 10th grade level. Many universities use this as part of the selection process, in addition to other standardised tests that the students may have taken, and very often predicted IB scores.

I would always recommend that students taking the IGCSE examinations should ensure that they do as well in them as they can – they should never be taken just as a ‘practice’ for IB, although they can help students learn how to manage their time and revise two years’ work for a single examination at the end of the course (which is something that is also needed for their IB Diploma in 11th and 12th grade).

Teachers will help students prepare well for the examinations, providing the necessary instruction, and opportunities to practise the skills needed to tackle the different styles of examination questions.

Students should definitely check out the dedicated student website at http://www.cambridgestudents.org.uk/ for tips and information (a great resource for parents too!!).

I wish all our IGCSE students “Good Luck” in their studies.

Lynn ParkExams Coordionator

[email protected]

Registration forms for IGCSE examinations in May/June 2013 are now due!


News from the Health, Security, Safety and Environment (HSSE) Committee

Ms Sølve Ims Ottesen [email protected]

Bedriftshelsetjenesten has done a Safety Walk through the school. Even though we didn’t find any severe shortcomings, we noticed areas in need of improval and put them on the agenda. It is useful to have someone ’from outside’ to review us who can also give advice on how to do the right things in the right way.

As you will have seen when accompanying your son or daughter to school, there is ISS staff on bus duty mornings and afternoons to regulate traffic and prevent hazardous situations. I sometimes receive reports on parents parking outside indicated parking areras or driving in a way that can lead to incidents. We all have busy days and both mornings and afternoons can be more than hectic. Nevertheless, I urge you to put safety first. When someone tries to save time by parking outside marked areas, others may be obstructed or put at risk.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

In the months ahead we will focus on risk assessment, and also involve the students at all levels in this.

Solve Ims [email protected]

HSSE Coordinator


H i g h S c h o o l N E W S

High school students studying Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Design and Technology were lucky enough to have a visit from Adsign Reklamebyrå, a Norwegian advertising company specialising in web and graphic design.

Our 3 visitors engaged the students by talking about how the whole design process works from finding leads through to launching a product. Students were particularly fascinated by a discussion about how designers find their inspiration. I know that a number of students have now signed themselves up on “Pinterest”, “Behance” and “Dribble” to try to get some design ideas for their own projects!

One key discussion point was on trying to ensure that designers create a product that their customers actually want, and how important it is to get user feedback as part of the process; the perfect product is unlikely to be created the first time round, this is more likely to be an iterative process. It is often hard for our students to accept that feedback is a good thing, so it was great for them to hear this from some real professionals!

Students also learned that when sites are created, developers need to think about a variety of platforms. So many people are using mobile devices that the focus is now more on developing for mobile devices first and then working on how to fit it onto a bigger screen. This certainly impressed our iPad-loving students!

We would like to thank Adsign for allowing its employees time out of their busy schedules to help our students better understand their industry.

The company’s article on this visit can be found here: http://adsign.no/2013/01/09/inspiring-students-at-the-international-school-of-stavanger/#.UPQV1qVKbTQ

We are always looking to provide the students with opportunities to learn about how ICT is used in businesses. If you think that you could spare some time to show how you use ICT within your job, then please contact Miss Cherry Siddall ([email protected])


H i g h S c h o o l N E W SISS-SFL – A 2012 Project/Trip Recap

Service, culture, adventure, nature and community in Northern Thailand By: Victoria Normann (12th grade) and Alef Comisso (11th grade) Life is made up of experiences and unexpected moments. Our time in Thailand is probably going to be one of the most amazing and life-changing experiences in our lives. We have never felt so sad to leave a place than we did the day we left the School for Life (SFL) campus. Nineteen ISS students from different grade levels traveled to Northern Thailand in October 2012 to share with the students of SFL our talents and hobbies, including dancing, games, singing and puzzles. SFL is a school/orphanage for nearly 120 children, and never did we think that in less than four days the bond created between us and the children would be so strong. They may not have as much as we do, but our group can definitely agree that we have learned so much more from them than we could have ever tried to teach them. Learning to care for one another, to give, to share, to be kind.

“The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” - Helen Keller

Leaving School For Life was not easy, but we were looking forward to our next destination – a few hill tribe villages tucked away in the mountains northwest of Chiang Mai. We drove hours to Cave Lodge, where the best fruit smoothies are made, and stayed in huts. Here, the adventures began with caving, kayaking and river swimming, which was later followed by bamboo rafting, elephant riding and rock climbing. So many of us were out of our comfort zones, but no one backed out. While there, we worked on building and painting walls around a school in a Karen village (Ban Muang Phaem). During the rest of our time in Northern Thailand, we also visited temples, were blessed by monks, rode tuk-tuks to the Chiang Mai night market and more. Even though Thai culture is quite different from Norway's, we loved every single bit of it -- from the food to the people. – continued –



Once we completed our volunteer tasks, it was amazing to feel the difference we made at School for Life and in the village. But the difference they made in us is greater! Although the nineteen of us go to the same school, some of us had never spoken to each other or were not very close; now, we have become a family. This trip brought us so much closer and made us realize that life is not to be taken for granted. We hear it so many times, but I don't think it actually hits you until you recognize what you have or experience something like we did. Thank you so much to Mr. and Mrs. Mudra for organizing the trip, and everyone who was involved in making this happen. We appreciate the donations and support during fundraisers to help the SFL children. I think I can speak for all of us when I say it has sincerely been one of the best trips of our lives. – Victoria Normann (12) and Alef Comisso (11)

In front of Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep Buddhist temple

Trip Participants: Top L-R: Jakub Dziegielowski, Tony Mudra, Hannah Visser, Conor Clarke, Caitlin Hand, Kristin Williams, Thomas Townsend, Sophie Newby, Tugberk Sengezer, Victoria Normann, Joakim Olsen, Kieran Wilcock, James Baxter, Christina Apelseth, Michelle

Darrehshoori / Bottom L-R: Lotte Olsen, Anna Chiandet, Katarzyna Kabulska, Kelcie McCafferty, Alef Comisso, Katharine Mudra

"It's funny because you meet these people and they make you laugh, and they give you hope,

and they make you realize there is so much more to life." - Anonymous


Middle School News and Events

Here is the latest news from the Middle School:

Ice SkatIng on Stokka Lake

The Middle School had a wonderful time at the lake on Tuesday and it was a perfect opportunity to experience Norwegian culture at its best.

MIddLe SchooL RecognItIon ceReMony – Q2

It was lovely to see so many parents at the Q2 ceremony. Congratulations and thanks to the following students for the entertainment at the ceremony:

• Sashja Hermelink and Nora Hatteland (6th grade) for a very interesting presentation on how we spend our time. How do you spend your 86,400 seconds that you have every day?

• Shannon Smyth for her beautiful vocal performance of ‘Fix You’ from Coldplay.

• Ms. Uddenberg and Ms. May’s Spanish class for their Spanish song .

BaLdeR awaRd wInneRS6th grade – Rebecca Neil7th grade – Leonie Dieker8th grade – Rachel Henderson

tRoLL attendance wInneRSMudra/Walker Homeroom

houSe wInneRS foR Q2 Facebook House

6th grade science experiments with states of matter



SeMeSteR 1 RepoRtS

The MS grades for Semester 1 have been completed and the semester 1 report (with comments) should be on its way to you. Please remember that the Q1 report was a progress report and this current report is looking at work and progress over the entire semester. This report card (and the Semester 2 report) will be the report that will be sent to future schools.

MS hoMeRooM Our Homeroom theme for January is ‘Conflict Resolution’ Students will be discussing these important topics during their advisory time in homeroom.

extRa-cuRRIcuLaR actIvItIeS• Basketball continues on Tuesday and Thursday

(15:30-17:00)• Swimming has started on Tuesday and Thursday

(15:30-17:00)• Work Space – Monday and Wednesday

(3:30-17:00)• MS Musical – Monday and Wednesday

(15:30-17:30). Sunday (13:00-16:00)• Math Club – Thursday - 15:30-16:30

MIddLe SchooL dance ‘Black and White’ Dance’

Friday, 1st February from 19:00-22:00

• The dress code for this dance is the same as the December dance – semi-formal, but with Black or White or Black and White clothes. Accessories too .

• Smart trousers/shirt and shoes for the boys and smart trousers or skirt or dresses for the girls.

• Thank you to all who contributed to the Bake Sale this week.

Respectfully,

Carol WallaceMiddle School [email protected]

6th grade science trying to separate mixtures


The big event at the end of January is the Primary School musical ”Treasure Island”. Children in Grades 3, 4 and 5 have been practicing for months (yes, months) to provide three special performances for the community on 24 January at 18:00, 25 January at 19:00 and 26 January at 14:00. Please join the fun. Tickets are only 20 kroner, so you cannot beat the price of a wonderful evening or afternoon of entertaining acting, singing and dancing. Join the fun!

The second quarter reports will have come home by the time this is published. These reports are one of four documents that teachers write to help you know what your child has been learning, the achievements made and the next steps in learning. If you have any questions about the reports, please contact the teachers directly so you can get more detail or clarification of your child’s progress.

In just a few weeks, 8 February, we will have student-led conferences. In a student-led conference, more responsibility is placed on the child to reflect on learning. Your child takes time in class to prepare and time will be taken to look for evidence of learning by finding examples that show improvement and growth. The student reflects on past achievement to set learning goals. This opportunity gives your child an active and meaningful role in reviewing and reflecting on learning. Thank you for joining us on

this important day. You will receive a letter with a time to come to school. Please contact teachers individually beforehand if you would like to meet with them in addition to your child’s appointment or if you need to schedule another time.

Grade 5 students will be at outdoor education week at Gullingen Leirskule, 18-22 March. This is a fantastic trip when students learn about Norway in a very hands-on way. They also learn how to cross-country ski and build skills both in working independently and as a team.

The admissions process for Pre-School has started. If your child is three years of age before 1 September or four years of age before 1 September and you would like your child to enroll in ISS Pre-School 3 or Pre-School 4, I encourage you to apply as spaces are limited for these age groups by contacting our Admissions Office, Katherine Mudra at [email protected].

There is one more exciting event at the end of January. The children are privileged and very excited about the week of 28 January - 1 February. Korky Paul will visit ISS and spend all week in our Primary School Library. Korky Paul has a lot in common with the third culture children attending ISS. Born in Zimbabwe in 1951, he grew up in the African Bushveldt, went to

The classroom has been moved to Store Stokkavatn

Primary School News


Facing the ice

art school in Durban, South Africa, worked in Cape Town and then went on to Greece, London and Los Angeles and now lives in Oxford, Great Britain. There are two times when he will be signing books, and you are welcome to join at these times on Friday, 1 February: 12:00-14:00 and 15:00-16:00.

With visiting author, Korky Paul, coming to spend about an hour with each homeroom of Grades K-5, I thought it might be time for a little story here. Winter has brought us clear skies and ice on the lakes. Somehow the ice on the lake makes the city seem so rural and takes us back to one of my favorite childhood memories.

Our family lived on a farm with the Platte River running through the woods on its way to the Mississippi, about three hours if riding a tube down the river. One Sunday afternoon, our family of nine walked through about one km of snowy woods and pastures to Big Rock, one of our favorite swimming spots in the summers. Swimming was important to cool off as there was no such thing as air conditioning. Well, actually we got electricity on the farm when I was three so I don’t remember dealing without at least a fan. Winter had other challenges, including sawing wood in the forest, loading it on trailers and hauling it to the house, so we were quite familiar with working in the woods, but that Sunday on the ice was a day to

play. My mother and oldest sister made hot chocolate, and we shoveled snow off an area of the river to make the skating easier. My father built a fire and had tested the ice for thickness, though with some nights as cold as minus 40, we were pretty sure it was about as thick as my younger sister was tall. We shoveled a large area to make it seem like a skating rink, but was also made paths through the snow so we could play tag, and we weren’t allowed to go off the path. Somehow I don’t remember the cold, so shoveling the snow and skating afterwards must have been like the wood, it warmed us more than once. Our favorite part, however, was rubbing the ice until we could see through it to the water and when we were very still, we sometimes saw a fish swimming below us. Trudging home to milk cows at the end of the Sunday afternoon seemed to take much longer than getting to the river, and it probably had more to do with starting chores than walking uphill.

We all have favorite stories from our childhood, and you can make memories of special days by just calling the day a special one for the family.

Enjoy the winter!

Len Duevel, PhDPrimary School Principal

[email protected]


Pre-School on ice!


Learning can be so exciting ...!


All School News

The school auditors have indicated that we need to limit cash payments for lunch accounts.

In the cases where you have not been able to open a bank account yet, you can continue to pay cash.

However, as soon as you have a Norwegian bank account, please follow the instructions below.

MAKING PAYMENTS ON A LUNCH ACCOUNT:

Parents and students can deposit money and top off balances on their lunch account via online/internet banking, which can be done at any time. Please allow three days for the payment to process.

To make a bank transfer into your family’s ISS lunch account, the following information is required:

ISS Canteen/Cafeteria Bank Account: 3201 42 47857

KID # (translates to ‘customer identification number’):

Your identification number (KID) should have been given to you with the initial information about the lunch account and it appears on all email reminders when the lunch account is low and needs to be topped off.

If you cannot find your KID number, you can contact Brynhild Åsheim, the Business Manager at 51 55 43 24.

Payment on lunch accounts


All School News


BATSpresents

January/February 2013 31 Jan - 3 Feb - 7pm

Saturday, Sunday matinee - 2pmTickets: kr.150/50, www.billetservice.no

Byfjord skole

Soltunveien 28, 4026 Stavanger

A great family

night out

www.bats.no


SIBS Babysitter Service is now open for bookings! We are proud to present a pool of highly skilled and certified babysitters, all dedicated to children and eager to take on tasks. They are from all over the world, of all ages and both genders, and we are sure we will be able to find your match.

SIBS Day Park is welcoming you to an Open Day on January 29th, from 10 AM to 12 PM. This is a day for getting to know our wonderful Supervisors, check out the bright and spacious premises and let your kids check out the toys and make friends. This day is for you to drop in and stay with your kids. As a start the Day Park will be open every Tuesday from 9AM to 1PM, opening also Thursdays, pending on demand. For more information, please check out our website: www.sibs.no.


Objetivos Ayudar a los padres en la tarea de que sus hijos, junto con otr@s niñ@s y mediante una variedad de actividades lúdico-educativas, mantengan vivas su lengua materna y su cultura en Noruega. Destinatarios Padres hispanohablantes y niñ@s de entre 0 y 10 años cuyo idioma materno o de herencia sea el español, que uno de los padres o ambos sean hispanohablantes. Fecha y horario Todos los domingos De 12:00 a 13:30 Lugar Variado. Se comunicará semanalmente Aportación Según actividad. En encuentros ordinarios 20 NOK por primer niñ@ en concepto de materiales (10 NOK por segundo hij@ y sucesivos).

El idioma materno es de máxima importancia, tanto para la identidad del niño, como para la capacidad de aprendizaje. Resultados de investigaciones demuestran que el niño que recibe este tipo de ‘apoyo cultural’ desde temprana edad, tendrá más facilidades en la escuela y para aprender otros idiomas El bilingüismo es un recurso sumamente valioso en la sociedad de hoy en día. Para el desarrollo de la competencia y de la identidad bilingüe del niño, es sumamente importante la actitud positiva de los padres con respecto al idioma materno. Información y matrícula

M. Lourdes Pérez [email protected]

Teléfono 41078784


Chef: Jean-Pierre Duc

Lunch MenuIn addition to the daily HOT MEAL and the soup of the day, the cafeteria also offers a vegetarian option for lunch

NB! The symbols V and GF means vegetarian and gluten free, respectively - and, all our beef meat is halal

Editor: Liv Nærland Høie Phone: +47 51 55 43 22 E-mail: [email protected]

The Informer is issued on the ISS web-page: www.isstavanger.no

Go to “News” and then to “Informer” and current issue.

To have CLASSIFIED ADS published in The Informer, please e-mail: [email protected] editor reserves the right to edit ads to fit the space requested by you.

Prices: Companies1 Private persons2

ISS Teachers/Students and their parents3*

Full page (260 x 180mm) NOK 2400 NOK 1200 NOK 600

1/2 page (130 x 180 mm): NOK 1200,- NOK 600,- NOK 300,-



1/16 of a page (28,5 x 88 mm): NOK 200,- NOK 100,- NOK 50,-

1. If you run a business/company/activity that makes your living, you are a “company” price-wise. 2. If you have a small activity, a non-profit foundation, organise a charity, advertise your belongings for

sale, insert small personal ads, etc., you are charged a “private person” price.3. *These prices are valid from January 2010

If you do not wish to receive the Informer any more -

or if you have changes to your e-mail address,

please notify Liv N. Høie at 51 55 43 22 or e-mail: [email protected]

Issues of the Informer in the school year 2012-2013 are due: 05.09, 03.10, 07.11. and 12.12. 2012. In 2013: 23.01, 06.03, 17.04 and 29.05. Deadline is one week before.

Every day we serve either a vegetarian option or a vegetarian soup.

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January/February Menu

We 23.01: Chicken wings w/BBQ sauce & guacamoleTh 24.01: Chilli con Carne served w/riceFr 25.01: Pollock w/shrimps & carrots in cream sauce

Mo 28.01: Hot dog w/mashed potatoesTu 29.01: Pasta Primavera: ham & peas & parmesanWe 30.01: Chicken burritos w/salsa and cheeseTh 31.01: Sweet & sour pork w/riceFr 01.02: Salmon Teriyaki w/wild rice

Mo 04.02: Jack Sparrow Caribbean fried rice with hamTu 05.02: Bali chicken stew served w/mashed potatoesWe 06.02: Beef lasagnaTh 07.02: Penne w/homemade tomato sauce & parmesanFr 08.02: Bouillabaise w/cod, salmon and crustacean

Mo 18.02: Pizza & saladTu 19.02: Sweet & sour pork w/riceWe 20.02: Chicken wings w/BBQ sauce & guacamoleTh 21.02: Beef burgers w/gravy and fred onionsFr 22.02: Ravioli w/sea food tomato sauce

Mo 25.02: Hot dog stew w/mashed potatoesTu 26.02: Gnocchi w/Carbonara sauceWe 27.02: Beef burritos w/salsa and cheeseTh 28.02: Chicken Tikka MasalaFr 01.03: Breaded pollock w/potatoes & carrots


2012-2013 School Year

January 20139-23 IB Mock Examinations, grade 1223 IB Information Evening24-26 Primary School drama production: Treasure Island25 Pre-School 4 Assembly, 09:0025 100th Day of School27/1-1/2 THIMUN Conference, The Hague28/1-1/2 Author Paul Corky visits ISS

February1 Middle School Dance, 19:00-22:005 Grade 4 Assembly, 10:306 College Night, Lovelace Theater, 18:00-20:008 Student-led Conferences11-17 Winter Week Holiday21 Grade 8 - 9 Transition Meeting, 18:0021 Grade 8 - 9 Transition Meeting, 18:0022 StuCo Valentine’s Dance, 25-26 High School Parent-Teacher Conferences28 Grade 9 Information Afternoon, 15:30 - 16:15

March1 StuCo Dance7-8 Middle School Parent/Teacher/Student conferences7-10 NECIS - Boys & Girls Basketball8 Pre-School 3 Assembly, 09:0010 Middle School Ski Trip14-17 High School ISTA Festival, Czech Republic17-22 8th Grade Leirskule to Trysil15-16 NECIS Boys & Girls Swimming (ISS hosting)18-22 Grade 5 Outdoor Education Week25/3-1/4 Easter Vacation

april12 Grade 1 Assembly, 10:3012 All-School DEAR Day13 ACT17-21 Middle School ISTA at ISS17 Grade 5, MS & HS Band concert17 Grade 5, MS & HS Band concert19-21 International Award - Coastal Qualifying Walk19 Student Council Spring Elections26 SWEC Spring Fling26 Last day of school for IB students29/4-20/5 IB Examinations

May2 High School/Middle School Choir Concert 3 Last day of school for IGCSE-students4 SAT6/5 - June IGCSE Examinations7 Grade 11 Group 4 Science Project7 Grade 5-6- Orientation Evening16-19 NECIS - Boys Rugby & Girsl Football23 Kindergarten Assembly, 10:30

The Informer is published by international School oF Stavanger

Treskeveien 3NO-4043 STAVANGER

Norway

Tel: +47 51 55 43 00 Fax: +47 51 55 43 01

E-mail: [email protected]

High School Office: +47 51 55 43 43Middle School Office: +47 51 55 43 11

Primary School Office: +47 51 55 43 23

Director: Dr. Linda DuevelDeputy Director: Mr. Gareth JonesHigh School Principal: Dr. Liam BrowneMiddle School Pricipal: Ms. Carol WallacePrimary School Principal: Dr. Len DuevelBusiness Manager: Ms. Brynhild Åsheim

IB Coordinator: Ms. Lynn ParkHigh School Counselor: Ms. Monchaya (June) JetabutPrimary/Middle School Counselor: Mr. Matt ArmstrongSchool Nurse: Ms. Heather Melhus

The ISS Vision StatementThe ISS vision is to prepare students for greater glob-al participation by helping them become responsi-ble, empowered learners.

The ISS Mission StatementThe International School of Stavanger is dedicated to providing its students with English language education in a supportive, academically stimulating, and multi-cultural environment. We strive to fos-ter a love of learning, the development of individual skills and talents, and an awareness of the value each person has to society. Our goal is to enable students to succeed in continuing educational programs and to live as responsible and contributing citizens in the global community.

The International School of Stavanger (ISS), founded in 1966, is an independent, non-profit Norwegian foundation accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of Interna-tional Schools. The school enrolls students from ages 3 through 18. ISS offers an international university preparatory curriculum that combines the best features of many national educational systems. Both the Inter-national Baccalaureate Diploma programme and the International General Certificate of Secondary Educa-tion external examinations are available to students.

In 2012, the school has an enrollment of over 800 students who represent some 54 nationalities, including students from six of the earth’s seven continents.

High School event Middle School event Primary School event All School event

Calendar of Events School year 2011-2012

Otat et illaudae et

Three swords and a frozen fjord

informer january 2013

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