Newsletter No. 53 - September 2014

Merdeka Celebration at Tenby

The 57th anniversary of Merdeka was celebrated in distinctive Tenby style with

the focus on Bapa Malaysia – Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj. Ten Sixth

Formers took the stage on Wednesday’s secondary school assembly to explain

why the founding father of Malaysia should be remembered. Our ten reasons

why Tunku should be remembered focused on the Tunku’s inclusive vision of a

better world for all mankind; a world fully resonant with the Tenby vision of “a

united world at peace.” The highlight of the ceremony was the spirited singing

of Celine Dion’s “The Power of the Dream” by Cohort 10 of the Sixth Form. The

ceremony ended in flamboyant style with the waving of the multicoloured “Jalur

Gemilang” by the sixth formers as they left the stage.

>>>

A Special Merdeka Assembly

held by the A Levels at the

auditorium.

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Students waving Jalur Gemilang

after the Special Merdeka Assembly.

Pictures courtesy of Harry Seggu

From the Campus Principal

Dear Parents and Friends of Tenby,

Another busy week has flown past here on campus. Our new students

have settled in well generally and it has also been pleasing to see the

wide variety of co-curricular activities taking place. I have also been busy

dealing with the paperwork for a number of forthcoming school trips going

as far afield as Kuala Lumpur and Malacca. Visits such as these are a

huge boost to our delivery of the curriculum, not only in terms of academic learning but also

life lessons in being part of a group and learning to live with others. I am grateful to all staff

who organize and participate in such visits as they involve a huge amount of work.

As I write preparations are underway for our Moon Cake Festival which will take place on

campus tomorrow evening. Having seen the rehearsals for the concert, it promises to be a

lively and enjoyable event and I look forward to seeing you here. A big thank you is due to

the hardworking committee of teachers who have put the event together in a very short time

as well as our Parents’ Association which has been very supportive in a number of ways.

Next week a number of our teachers will be travelling to Kuala Lumpur to participate in the

first part of their PGCEi course; this course is a teacher training course administered and

delivered by Stranmillis College, part of Queen’s University, Belfast, which has a long histori-

cal link with Tenby Schools. This course offers an invaluable training opportunity to the

teachers leading to an internationally recognized qualification after one year of study.

Once again a reminder that I operate an open door policy and an appointment through my

PA will always secure a meeting as soon as possible.

With every good wish for a pleasant and relaxing weekend,

Yours sincerely,

Howard Bullock.

From the Head of TIS Secondary

I hope that by now, all of our new students who have joined us in the

Secondary School have settled in well and got into an appropriate routine!

As Staff within the school, we do recognize that it can be difficult to transi-

tion from one school to another. Equally we are aware that for some of our

Year 7 students in particular, the demands of moving around the campus to

specialist teaching rooms represents a logistical challenge. If you or your

children have any concerns whatsoever, please remember to get in contact

with your child’s form tutor, or myself so that we can do everything in our

power to help facilitate their integration into the school community. Communication between

school and home is paramount for having happy and healthy dialogue. By the end of this

week, all students should have been allocated a locker as we are keen to prevent our young

students from carting several kilograms of resources around the campus, which could be

harmful from a physiological perspective.

A new year represents a fresh start. It should be the time when the very best standards are in

evidence and that student effort and application is of the highest caliber. I have noticed quite a

large number of students periodically wearing training shoes with their uniform, or seemingly

‘opting’ not to wear their ties. Uniform at Tenby is mandatory. It is clearly stipulated what is

expected and I do not want to see deviation from this. Please can you ensure that before your

child leaves for school in the morning that they are appropriately attired. Many thanks in ad-

vance for your support.

CCA’s began in earnest on the campus this week and it has been great to feel and see the

buzz around the site as students have taken to their new chosen after school sessions. Many

thanks to Mr. Harvey for coordinating this program which largely involved every single member

of academic staff providing exciting, dynamic and diverse opportunities for all of the students. I

am sure that in due course colleagues will take the opportunity to write brief reports in upcom-

ing newsletters to keep you abreast of what is happening.

As the second week of school concludes, our Year 10 students will have confirmed and signed

off on their IGCSE options. Thankfully there has been little need or wish on the parts of stu-

dents or parents to change subjects. I would like to wish all of our students well in their en-

deavors over the next two years leading to final examinations in May 2016. Students (and their

parents) should not immediately expect to perform at optimum level, but rather to make small

incremental steps which lead to success in 20 months-time.

Please note from the website that many of the calendar dates for key academic events such

as reports and parent-teacher conferences will be available from today. We sincerely hope

that they are set in stone, but equally recognize that their maybe some need for flexibility in

the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Throughout Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, we maintain and ‘open-door policy’. Please do feel free to

meet teachers, tutors or members of the Secondary School’s Senior Leadership Team should

any issues arise.

Neil Page

From the Head of TIS Primary

Our first two weeks are over and the majority of students have already settled

into their new classes and new routines.

As a school we have focused on the mini topic of Brainwaves (supporting

children in understanding how they learn) and all classes will begin their new

topics next week. A circular will go out with your child to inform you of their

class topic, if it hasn’t already done so.

Can I take this opportunity to remind parents of three things:-

1) Please wear parental tags around the school.

2) Please do not approach the teachers during lesson time from 7.45am years 1-6 and

8.00am nursery/reception, as it interferes with learning time.

3) Please note that your child should be in class by 7.45am years 1-6 and 8.00am in

Nursery/Reception.

Following these points will help avoid disruptions to the learning of all children.

Lee A. Harvey

From the Head of Sekolah Tenby

This has been a short but productive week. National Form 3 finished their

PT3 Trial Exam with Form 5 completing theirs on Friday. On Tuesday, we

had a simple but meaningful assembly to celebrate Hari Merdeka (National

Day) with Form 4 students putting up a power point presentation of how

Malaysia achieved independence in 1957. Many thanks to Mr. Jack Wong,

the History teacher, who helped put this together.

Today, the facilitators from Focus on the Family are conducting a workshop

called “No Apologies” to SM 3 and SM 4 students. We will give you a full report next week.

As the week draws to a close, we look forward to the highlight of the week, the Moon Cake

Festival Celebration. The committee is working very hard to ensure that everyone coming for

the celebration will have a good time on Friday night. We hope that the parents will come and

give us their fullest support, enjoy the concert and take a stroll round the school with their

children carrying their lanterns. I was told that some students are forming their own ghost-

busters club as it is their only opportunity to walk around in big groups in the dark!

Here’s to a wonderful Moon Cake Festival!

Madam Soot.

From the Head of IIS Early Years Centre

Our first week in kindergarten was a great success. The boys and girls

have done a great job of adjusting to our daily routines. There are no more

crying children nor parents. We continue to review classroom rules and

procedures as well as school rules and proper indoor voice. Teachers have

begun to assess children in order to provide them with instructions that

meet their individual learning needs.

Classes started their IPC units with Year 1 inviting one of our parents

Dr Prema, who came and gave a talk on the function of the brain. Since this was the first time

the children were having “Brain wave” as their theme, they were thrilled and excited as Dr

Prema talked about the two parts of the brain - left and right. She also emphasised how to

take care of the brain and most importantly the skull. They had the opportunity to hold a

dummy brain in their hands and have a feel of what a real brain looks like. Thank you on

behalf of the children and staff, Dr. Prema, for the time taken from your busy schedule

to share your knowledge with our children.

More news will appear from time to time from the other levels. In the meantime, kindly visit our

school website for the update of the IPC topics which will be covered for the next few weeks.

Mrs. Puvanes Mahendran

Our youngest have finally settled in.

Dr Prema giving a talk on the function of the

brain.

A quiet, dignified and sombre remembrance event was

held on Friday 29 August 2014 by Tenby Ipoh’s Sixth

Formers for those who lost their lives in the M17 air

crash of 17 July 2014.

Kevin Chan Weng Kit and Maiko Yamane who led the

act of remembrance opened the ceremony respectively

with these words:

“We are gathered here today to show our respect for

the many lives that were taken on July 17 2014 and to

express our sorrow and oneness in spirit with the

bereaved ones. Last Friday Malaysians paused for a

minute of silence on a nationwide day of mourning held

to welcome home the first remains of the 43 Malaysian

citizens killed in the MH17 disaster. Today we are here

to remember not only the Malaysian victims but every

one of the 239 lives that were taken. “

“We begin our remembrance not on a note of sorrow

but with the resolve to create a better, safer world for

all. We cannot allow this incident, however tragic it may

be, to dampen our desire, our aspiration, for a better

world.”

The morning included the video of the speech given by

Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the official

memorial service in Australia and the playing of Celine

Dione’s “Power of the Dream”. The ceremony also

included a minute of prayerful silence, an Islamic

prayer and a sung version of the prayer of St. Francis

of Assisi – the universal prayer for world peace. This

act of remembrance was organized by the Sixth Form

Council of Tenby International Schools, Ipoh.

MH17 Remembrance Event

A quiet, dignified and sombre moment...

Students watching the video at auditorium.

Article: Mr Louis Pictures: Mr Harry

Merdeka Assembly - Sekolah Tenby

Merdeka: A single word with a thousand other words behind its meaning. What could be

better than celebrating Merdeka in Sekolah Tenby Ipoh, with a community of unique people

from different backgrounds and ethnic origins mirroring exactly the spirit of 'Merdeka'?

Yes, 'Hari Merdeka' is a day meant for refreshing

our memories, and renewing our gratitude. This

year’s special Merdeka assembly on Tuesday 2nd

September proved just that and more.

The aim of this assembly was to create aware-

ness among the KBSMs students of the develop-

ment and achievements of Malaysia before and

after obtaining independence. It was also to culti-

vate a sense of patriotism and responsibility as

citizens of Malaysia. The programme started at around 7:55 am with the whole school rising up

and singing the National Anthem of Malaysia; ‘Negaraku’. Later we sang the ‘Tanggal 31’ and

the 57th Merdeka Day Theme Song ‘Di Sini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta’.

Muhd Ameerul from KBSM 4 delivered a speech titled ‘Sejarah dan Pembinaan Negara dan

Bangsa Malaysia’. Students from KBSM 4 presented their History project with some interesting

facts about the history of Malaysia and the impact of Merdeka up to the present day. The title of

the presentation was ‘57 Years of Development in Malaysia’. The presentation started from the

establishment of the Straits Settlement in 1867 until 2014, the year in which we celebrate 40

years of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China with the arrival of a pair of giant pandas

from China, Fuaw and Fengyi.

As we celebrate the country’s 57th independence

anniversary on Sunday, we are certainly proud of

our country and its many sterling achievements.

It was truly an interesting and educational assem-

bly for all the students in Sekolah Tenby Ipoh.

Thanks go to all who contributed to making this

assembly such a success especially to the KBSM

4 students.

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Students’ masterpiece:

SR & SM students have their Merdeka themed

posters displayed at Block C.

KBSM 4 students who participate in the event.

Source: Wilson Yeap, KBSM 4

Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration - Sekolah Tenby

As the students eagerly await for the Lantern

Festival, a Lantern Making Competition was

organised at Tenby Schools Ipoh.

Our students crafted beautiful lanterns using various

techniques of folding and cutting paper. They later

enlivened the lanterns with lights and colourful

embellishments. It was a visual treat to see the

children giving wings to their imagination.

The art teachers have been working together with

classes to put the creative work of the students on

display for the final judgement. The criteria for the

judgement will be design, creativity, the materials

used, the effect of lighting and overall impression.

Rehearsals have been going on for the Mid-Autumn Festival

Show on Friday night (5 September 2014).

Article Source: Ms Yulaga

Students busy with their lanterns making.

Contact Us

Tenby Schools Ipoh

16 Persiaran Meru Utama

Bandar Meru Raya

30020 Ipoh, Perak

T: 05 - 525 2628

F: 05 - 525 2881

ipoh@tenby.edu.my

Visit us on the web at

www.tenby.edu.my/ipoh

Upcoming Events/Announcements

5 September 2014, 7.30pm - 9.30pm

Mid Autumn Festival Celebration. Tickets will be available at the

admin office of Meru campus on Tuesday, 2 September 2014.

9 September - 11 September 2014

UPSR Examination

12 September - 13 September 2014

The Global Perspective Debates II/2014