TENBY SCHOOLS IPOHNewsletter #174 - April 2018

Highlights in this Newsletter:

Closure of Visitors’ Car Park for Sekolah Tenby Awards Ceremony - Monday 30th April

Stenden University, The Netherlands

Primary Sports Day

Dates for Your Calendar

Photography Competition Results

From the Campus Principal Jane Kuok

Dear Parents & Tenby Community,

This week the Year 6 and Standard 6 children completed their Cambridge Checkpoint Examina-tions. These went smoothly and we look forward to getting their results.

Closure of Visitors’ Car Park for Sekolah Tenby Awards Ceremony – Monday 30th AprilTenby’s Mission Point 1.1 supports our students ‘to achieve their full potential for academic excellence and achievements in sports and the arts’. We will be recognising and celebrating our Sekolah Tenby students’ achievements in these areas at the upcoming Prize Giving Ceremony 2017, on Monday 30th April. This year, we are very fortunate to have Her Royal Highness, Raja Permaisuri Perak Darul Ridzuan, Tuanku Zara Salim as our guest of honour. A luncheon will follow after the ceremony in the MPH. On the day of this ceremony, the Visitors’ Car Park is reserved for VIPs and invited guests who are attending the event, we therefore kindly ask parents who are attending this event to park outside of the Campus and walk in.

Stenden University, The NetherlandsAs a continuing link with overseas universities and sharing of good practices, we have two trainee teachers from Stenden University in the Netherlands who are completing their teaching placement with us. They are Melina Knispel and Anka Clark who are working in Year 6 and Year 2 respec-tively. Below is a brief introduction by Melina and Anka of themselves.

Hi. My name is Melina Knispel and I am a second-year ITEps student-teacher studying at NHL Stenden, which is located in the Netherlands. I spent my childhood in Germany, where I was born and raised. From a very young age, I got to explore the world which enhanced my interest in diverse cultures and travelling. As a result, I chose to become an international primary teacher, which will give me the chance to explore the world’s multiculturalism and various places more. During my free-time I enjoy doing various kinds of indoor and outdoor sports as well as being surrounded by people. I am

looking forward to getting to know as many students, teachers and parents as possible in order to experience the Tenby learning community.

Hello, my name is Anka Clark and I am a second-year student studying International Teacher Education at Stenden University. I grew up in a bilingual household in the United States and have always been passionate about travelling and experiencing different cultures. I have been working with early years children for several years now and love to tap into their curiosity. I am extremely excited to be able to continue improving my teaching skills at Tenby.

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Primary Sports DayNext Friday we will have the Primary Sports Day at Meru Campus.Date : Friday 27th April Time : 08:00hrs – 10:00hrs Key Stage 1 (Years 1 to 2) & Std 1 10:00hrs – 12:00hrs Key Stage 2 (Years 3 to 6) & Std 2 – Std 6

Venue : Meru Campus FieldAttire for students: House Colour PE T-shirt, black shorts, school cap, black shoes and white socks (grey socks for Year 1) Food and Drinks: Students will be expected to bring their own water bottles and snack.

There will be rehearsals for the Primary Sports Day and they are scheduled as follows: Key Stage 1 (Yr 1 & 2) & Std 1 – Wednesday 25th April Key Stage 2 (Yr 3 – 6) & Std 2 to Std 6 – Tuesday 24th April

Your child may come to school in their PE Kit on rehearsal day. Please ensure that your child has:• A spare set of school uniform for them to change into after the rehearsals.• A bottle of water.• Their hat and sunscreen.

Parents are welcome to join us on Friday to cheer on their children. We look forward to your presence to make the day a happy and meaningful one for your children. As the event is located on the Field, parents will not need to sign in.

Next week is Primary Book Week and we look forward to all the different characters the children will come dressed in on Monday! Read on in the Primary section of this Newsletter for more details of all the fun and exciting learning activities that have been planned.

Dates for Your Calendar23.04.18 Book Character Dress Up Day for Primary23.04.18 – 27.04.18 Primary Book Week24.04.18 – 26.04.18 Year 9 Checkpoint27.04.18 Primary Sports Day28.04.18 PA Date Night 30.04.18 Sekolah Tenby Awards Ceremony02.05.18 – 04.05.18 Secondary Production - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Next Tuesday 1st May is a public holiday. School will resume as normal on Wednesday 2nd May.

Have a great weekend.

PEER ASSESSMENT IN ENGLISH LESSONS

By Neela Choudhury (Head of English Department TISSI)

This academic year, staff in the English department at Tenby International Secondary School, Ipoh have been focusing on improving teaching and learning within lessons. Whilst we want to ensure that students achieve high grades that are representative of their ability, we also aim to help them develop as learners.

With this in mind, teaching and learning in English across all three Key Stages now incorporates peer assessment, as well as teacher assessment. Students are trained in how to assess their own and other students’ work before their peer assessment is checked by teachers at regular intervals. This practice means that students can produce far more written work, and that they can receive immediate feedback. In fact, educational research has proven that peer assessment can help accelerate student progress.

But, you may be wondering, what is it like to be a student in a lesson where peer assessment is regularly used? Kelly, a Year 10 student who has experienced peer assessment in English lessons this year, provides her perspec-tive on this learning strategy below.

MY EXPERIENCE OF PEER ASSESSMENT IN ENGLISH LESSONS

By Kelly

The IGCSE English Language examination is fast approaching for students in Key Stage 4. Students who are sitting the examination this summer are tirelessly working to achieve the most outstanding results possible; perse-vering through any difficulties encountered with the essential help of the teachers in the English department.

Currently, lessons consist of peer assessment and constantly revisiting the many questions in English Language examinations. Peer assessment is the process whereby students learn how to assess each other's work according to the pupil friendly criteria, which is adapted by teaching staff according to the marking criteria used by CIE. As well as deciding on a grade, feedback is also left to help each student understand their areas of strength and what they need to do to improve further. The aim is to help students achieve a higher standard of work each and every English lesson.

By carrying out peer assessment in class, students are given the opportunity to understand how they are being assessed, which then enables them to develop their own skills and have a deeper appreciation of the subject itself.

Additionally, analysis and evaluation of each other's work in class, results in us being able to learn from each other. One person’s weakness may very well be another person’s strength. By reading successful responses produced by students in our own class we are able to learn how to improve, as effective answers are modelled before our subject teacher leads the class in discussion about the response’s strengths and areas for improvement. Conse-quently, success is celebrated within our lessons and potential issues are addressed quickly in a supportive environment. Additionally, this tactic allows us to experience other styles of writing and increase awareness of how individual and unique language itself is.

Practice makes perfect, however, so a routine is established and repeated within lessons. Despite the repetitive nature of learning within English, we often experience enlightening discoveries and drastic improvements in our work. Our teachers do try their best to try to incorporate new elements to avoid weariness during lessons. This often takes the form of group discussions or games like SPLAT. In the end though, timed exercises under exam conditions are necessary to induce familiarity and decrease student anxiety.

Up until now, the standard of work done has been consistently advancing, and will hopefully continue right up until the Examination day itself!

Model United Nations

The end of March witnessed a ground-breaking event at Tenby, Ipoh.

It has been the ambition of many here at the school for us to organise our own MUN

conference rather than always attending events at other locations. With this in mind,

our student leadership team of San Jet (Year 11) and Sean (Year 11) set about the

organising of such a conference. With the able assistance of many of the more

experienced ‘MUNers’ they were indeed able and proud to announce the opening of

the first ever TIMUN Conference.

This initial event was only open to our own

students and was established both to get a feel

for organising a conference and to further develop

the skills of less experienced delegates. Without

doubt these two goals were achieved but

participation in Model United Nations gives

children much more than this.

The lively debates that took place during the

committee sessions will have helped our pupils become much more effective

communicators and enabled them to think more critically, creatively and

independently. Furthermore, the fact that the students represented countries rather

than themselves will have deepened their understanding of cultural diversity and the

acceptance of other point of views. They are now more internationally minded than at

the outset.

To discuss and then vote upon resolutions will

have hopefully reinforced to our pupils the

importance of democracy and respect for

collective decision making, for listening to all

sides, compromise and negotiation. The

conference has broadened their appreciation of

issues such as human rights and the United

Nations’ vital role in safeguarding these

universal values.

In the future we aim to open the next conference to participants from other schools

and thus take TIMUN to a whole new level. The weekend was widely considered to

be a success and I hope that the accompanying photographs give the reader a feel

for the happy atmosphere that surrounded the two days.

I will leave the final word to a quote that was given by a distinguished educator who

happened to be visiting the school at the time and witnessed our conference delegates

in action;

“The students were able to express themselves concisely, with clarity, maturity and in

an informed manner; on a controversial topic. They demonstrated ‘international

mindedness’ in keeping with the great tradition of the United World Colleges

organisation. I was reminded of what I witness in college on a daily basis; very

impressive for a student led initiative, and for students so young.”

Denise Davidson – Head of UWC Dilijan, Armenia

Paul Wilson

MUN Teacher Adviser

Year 11 Student Earns Prestigious Music Diploma

A part of Tenby Schools Ipoh’s mission is to enable students to achieve their full potential in the

Arts. In this vein we are proud to announce that Janna of Year 11 has been successful in

passing the examination for the award of the Associate diploma (ARSM) of the Associated

Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) UK. This is the first of the ABRSM ‘professional’

diplomas and allows Janna to put the letters ARSM after her name. Janna, who has been

learning Music since early childhood, took her diploma as a pianist but she has also passed

ABRSM Grade 8 in both Piano and Theory.

She is pictured here receiving her diploma from ABRSM Executive Director of Global

Operations, Tim Arnold, at a special ceremony in Singapore recently.

Photography Competition 2018 - Results

International Mindedness

‘LIGHTS’ - Adrian Choi

‘HEAVEN ON EARTH’ - Bhajneet Kaur

‘The fight for Rights’- Chin Alicia

Nature and Wildlife

Parents & Staff

‘Don't ruffle my feathers.’ - Basil Tan

‘Look into my eyes’ - Adrian Choi

‘The Three’ - Ang Chee Teong

‘THE THREE’

Nature and Wildlife

Upper Secondary

‘Crimson Tide - Baiona – Northern Spain’ - Rebecca Davidson

‘Nature Pixels’ - Soo Yen Ee

3rd Place – Charlotte Ong

Nature and Wildlife

Lower Secondary

1st Place – Meressa

‘Feed me with Love, feed me with Kindness’ - Charlotte Ong

Nature and Wildlife

Lower Secondary

‘Gods' art, earths refreshment’ - Meressa

‘Amazing Sunset’ – Chan En Zhen

‘Beezy Day’ - Chin Alicia

Friendship

‘Even in my worst times, they saw the best in me.

Even in my worst lies, they saw the truth in me.’– Jayshree

‘A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than he loves himself.’ – Ecco Ong

‘Yammmmmmm Sengggggg’– Ang Chee Teong

Asia Maths Challenge 2018

It was an exhilarating moment when Sekolah Tenby Ipoh was ranked Top 5 in Asia in the Mangahigh Asia Maths Challenge. All the primary and secondary students in Asian schools registered under Mangahigh competed each other. Students with 150+ points earned themselves a medallion. There were 17 gold medallions, 6 silver medallions and 10 bronze medallions.

Furthermore, inline with, International Mindedness, which is being promoted around

the School, this challenge has served as a purpose to enlighten the students by showing a new approach to learning and also to find ways in problem-solving.

Presentation of medals and certificate to all the winners.

It was fun and exciting. My favourite game was Sunday Times Lite because it allowed me to master my multiplication.

Healesya Std 6T

I’m very happy to receive a gold medal. The Maths games were challenging and fun to play. Moreover, I can apply my mathematical skills while playing the games.

Beng Rui F2T

Top scorer

I could keep playing the games all day without realising that I was actually doing mathematical exercises.

Salman Std 3T

I feel that it was a fun experience because we got a sense of achievement when we rose up the ranks after playing the games on the Mangahigh platform.

Jolie F3T

Mangahigh is a fascinating and brain-triggering Math game. Although questions vary for ages 5-18 with only 10 questions per round, some could be complicated and tricky, which took time to figure out the answers. It took two rounds to obtain a gold medal for a particular task as long as you managed to accumulate 14 000 points. 350 points in total wasn’t easy as an expert will have to spend at least 5 hours on the game to win the gold medal. Hence, I think Mangahigh is beneficial to students as it can stimulate a rapid response when facing higher order thinking skills questions.

Brendon F5T

Students collaborated to complete bubble map.

What numbers should we

add so that we can get 850?

Let’s try 450 + 365, will we

get 815?

Students were explainng their findings to their friends.

Standard 2 students learnt to add 3-digit numbers. This topic helped

them in applying addition in their daily lifes. They were given a sum

and were required to form different equations in the form of a bubble

map. Students collaborated and worked as a team to solve the sum

given. In order to create an equation, Higher Order Thinking Skills

were tested as students needed to think critically to carry out tests

and trials to solve the problems. Students then justified their outcome

by explaining their findings to their friends. They have concluded that

different sets of numbers can be added to form the same sum.

Early Years Pajama Day

Monday 23rd April – Put on your jammies and bring your favourite bedtime storybook!

Book Character Dress Up Day (Years 1 to 6)

Monday 23rd April – Come dressed as your favourite book character!

NOTE: If your child has PE on Monday 23rd April, please remember to pack their PE Kit in their school

bag.

Drop Everything And Read

The children will bring in a book for a DEAR session everyday during the week.

Book Swap

Each child will be given a Book Swap Token for every book they bring in for swapping. The deadline for

bringing in a book is Tuesday 24th April 2018. Please refer to information uploaded via the Parent Portal.

Book Cover Design Competition

The Year 1 to 6 children will get to choose a book from the Library and design a brand new cover for it.

This activity will be completed in school.

Spelling Bee

Open to children from Year 3/Standard 3 to Years 6/Standard 6, the participants from each year group

will be representing their House colours and the winning team will earn House points for their respective

houses.

Book Character Dress Up Day (Early Years)

Friday 27th April – Come dressed as your favourite book character!

Door Decoration Competition

As part of Book Week, all classes have been given the challenge to decorate their classroom door in the

style of a book cover. There will be a prize waiting for the winning door.

This week, some children from Year 3/Standard 3 to Year 6/Standard 6 have been busy participating in the preliminary

rounds of Book Week Spelling Bee. Those selected will be representing their respective year groups and House.

Primary Sports Day

Friday 27th April 2018

KS1 (Years 1 and 2): 08:00hrs to 10:00hrs

KS2 (Years 3 to 6): 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs

Venue: Meru Campus

Your toddler is probably happier playing alongside - rather than with - other children. But it's important to introduce new

playmates. Socialising with other children is an excellent way to foster your toddler’s social and emotional development.

Between 24 and 30 months, toddlers are able to show compassion, but they can also find it hard to share their toys, food

or parents' attention. https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca

In our Toddler classes, the children are provided with ample opportunities to play with others. They learn to share and take turns with

their peers. The classroom is set up with various activity stations for them to explore throughout the day. The teachers facilitate learning

through guided activities, encouraging talk and also observation the children’s behaviour.

The Year 3 students

had their IPC

Learning Assembly

on 23rd March in

conjunction with the

learning topic “Active

Planet”.

The children put up a performance to create

global awareness and how important it is for us

to take care of Mother Earth. The children

applied what they have learnt in this topic

about earthquakes and volcanic eruption.

It was wonderful to see how the children came

together to collaboratively showcase their

learning to the audience.