Newsletter. Principal s Diary. Grade 6 at Telunas. Dates for your Diary. Easter Term, 17 February St Joseph s Institution International

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1 St Joseph s Institution International Elementary School Newsletter Grade 6 at Telunas Easter Term, 17 February 2017 Dates for your Diary Mid Term Break 20 th to 24 th February Tue 28 Feb Wed 1 Mar Thu 2 Mar Fri 3 Mar Sat 4 Mar Mon 6 Mar Tue 7 Mar Wed 8 Mar Thu 9 Mar Fri 10 Mar Sat 11 Mar Wed 15 Mar Withdrawal Due Date Ash Wednesday G6 Make a Difference G3A to G6 Books Home Celebration of Learning G1 Field Trip Brownies Thinking Day Campfire Maths Week Town Prep 1 Field Trip Statios Of The EPSG G2-G6 HS Coffee Morning for CPG Meeting G2-G4 Chinese Cultural Camp G5 Production Workshop Global Family Day G2-G4 Global Family Day Dear Parents, Principal s Diary This week we held an information session for families who have children in Grade 4 to talk about the transition from the Middle Years to the Upper Elementary School. The topics covered included what the children can look forward to in Grade 5, how the split between Accelerated and Extended occurs at the end of Grade 5 and how we manage the pastoral and academic aspects of this. Presenting at the meeting was Neil Corrigan (Head of UES), Claire Douglas (Head of Grade 5) and Steven Dalgarno (Head of MY). The session was highly informative and we hope it answered a few questions you may have. One of the questions we are always asked is How well do the children from the ES do in the HS compared to the Singaporean students? Mr Bradley Roberts, the HS Principal, has just shared the 2016 IGCSE results from last December. They clearly show the students from the ES on average scored better than the rest of the cohort. We are immensely pleased by this and it confirms the excellent job we do in the ES of laying the foundations for future success in learning for our students. In conjunction with Mr Roberts we will prepare a paper showing a more detailed summary of these findings. We are also asked how the children who take the accelerated programme do compared with those who go on extended programme. The HS has just done a series of standardised tests on all the children who have started in the HS. In 2016, the ES children did very well on the Baseline testing: Click here to read Br. Larry s Lasallian Reflection In 2017, the ES Baseline data is even higher:

2 Principal s Diary Continued What this data clearly shows is that the ES children are VERY strong and there is almost no difference between Accelerated and Extended. We have set up a transition committee to continue to look at this aspect of our school. The aim is to make the process as smooth as possible for the children leaving us and entering the HS. It is very much a two-way street in these discussions as we work together to get this right. We will continue to share information with you on the transition process and the successes that our children experience when there. Kevin Hannah Principal, Elementary School News from the Principal s Desk Kevin Hannah School Uniform This week during all Assemblies the children have been reminded to wear the correct uniform at all times (including hair ties etc). Following the break, staff will be enforcing this and reminding children of expectations. Repeat offenders will be noted and an will be sent home asking for your assistance in ensuring the children are correctly attired. For further information on the school uniform, it can be found here. ES Covered Walkway Many of you may know that we have explored the option of placing a covered walkway from the ES leading down to Thomson Road which will cost in the vicinity of $120,000. However, as the LTA has not been able to provide us with an update as to the traffic diversion that is likely to take place once they commence the MRT works along Thomson Road, we are reluctant to invest this large quantum of funds into something that may become obsolete due to the traffic diversion. With the recent downpours we have experienced of late, we urge all those people who are walking, to use the High School entrance on rainy days. This provides a covered walkway from the school's entrance right through into the Elementary School pick-up/drop-off area, which is situated centrally on school grounds. Once we have a clear directive from the LTA, we will review our options then. The Sandpit When I first arrived at SJIIES there was a large hole in the ground by the Pavilion. I discovered it was a work in progress organised by the parents to become a sandpit. It demonstrated to me immediately how the parents in this school get involved to make a positive difference to the school environment. Happily the project was completed soon after and today it remains one of the most popular venues for the children to play. It is not limited to just the younger children either! On a daily basis I see children from Prep to UES enjoying digging, tunnelling and using their creative energies to develop tracks and ramps. Early Years Pick-Up We continue to receive feedback that parents/guardians hover in the corridors leading into the Early Years classrooms at pick-up time. I would like to reiterate that ALL children are to be collected from the pick-up point and not from the corridors. This is creating a great deal of congestion and preventing teachers and teaching partners getting the children to their destination in a safe and orderly manner. Please assist us in this matter and in adhering to the school's policies Xiamen Cultural Trip We farewelled 17 children and two teachers on the Cultural Immersion Programme to Xiamen, China, on Wednesday this week. It was an early start as they headed to Changi Airport ready to begin their adventure. Regular updates have been coming in from the team over there and it does sound like an amazing trip. I look forward to sharing some photos once they are back. 2

3 News from the Principal s Desk Continued Let s Go Solo What a pleasure it was to sit in the audience on Tuesday afternoon and listen to the Let s Go Solo music concert. This was an opportunity for the children learning an instrument or singing to stand on stage and be given an opportunity to perform. They used their courage and joyfulness while performing and it was another moment when I found myself thinking how lucky I am to be in this profession. Congratulations to Andrew Tan and Pamela Main for organising this event and to the children who were the stars of the afternoon! I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and relaxed break. I hope that whatever you have planned is fun and that the children return to school refreshed and ready to resume their studies. In the week we come back, we have Kindness Week which is a highlight for us as a staff as we are all extra kind to each other with little presents left on desks throughout the week. Mrs Hazlewood and I will be using this break to begin the search for a replacement for Mr Burke with interviews scheduled from a variety of international educators. SJI International Elementary School s Poetry Recital 2017 Poetry Out Loud Deidre Hazlewood To celebrate World Poetry Day on Tuesday 21 March 2017, we will be hosting our very first Poetry Recital in the ES Library. Poetry reaffirms our common humanity, and reveals to us that individuals share common questions, feelings and values. UNESCO This is a call out to everyone from Prep 1 to Grade 6, to use this half term break to take action and select a poem that you will learn off by heart. Alternatively, you may compose your own poem to recite! Students, teachers and parents are invited to sign up to this event. Further details to come after the mid-term break. Admissions Reminder Withdrawal Notices for Students Leaving in June 2017 The deadline to give notice in writing to the School is 28 February 2017 for students leaving in June The Notice of Withdrawal may be sent to admissions.es@sji-international.com.sg. Please be advised that failure to provide adequate notice will result in the retention of the security deposit (if applicable). 3

4 sjii.tv Carl Rayner & Antony Grigson 4

5 Music Notes Andrew Tan Let s Go Solo We are truly amazed by the incredible musical talent we have amongst our students. On Tuesday 14 February yes on Valentine s Day we launched our first Let s Go Solo concert featuring some of our budding soloists. As I have often reiterated that when we are learning to sing or play a musical instrument, it is a journey that we embark upon and on this journey we will need to exercise diligence, patience, self-discipline, excellence and certainly courage! On Tuesday we heard renditions of different stations of this amazing journey and our children reflected those qualities as they presented their pieces. Every performer showed confidence and determination. Believe me it requires immense courage to face any audience and sing or perform on a musical instrument. We applaud our soloists for their beautiful contribution! I cannot say enough as Hans Christian Andersen said: "Where words fail, music speaks." I know, you wished you were there now 1. Zachary Tan 3CTh - Piano - That s What Friends Are For & Right Here Waiting 2. Diya Jalan 5SBa-Violin-Allegro Assai 3rdMvt Concertino in D Major by Kuchler 3. William Urquhart 3JCHu - Piano - Lightly Row arranged by Faber & Faber 4. Isabelle Yeo 3CTh - Violin-Ballad for a Rainy Day by Peter Wilson, Menuet by Mozart 5. Daisy Goodwin 3TCo-Piano-Boogie on Broadway by Faber & Faber 6. Neil D Silva 3TCo-Ukulele-Greensleeves by King Henry VIII 7. Michael Suseno 4CCu-Violin-Tango by Neil Mackay 8. Jadon Perumal 3JCDa-Piano-Russian Sailor Dance by Faber & Faber 9. Esme Fantom 2GSm-Violin-Bow Rock by Peter Wilson 10. Samantha Lee 6ACo - Voice - How Far I ll Go from Moana by Lin-Manuel Miranda 11. Honor McNair Scott 5PMc - Violin - Theme and Variation from Caprice No.24 by Paganini 12. Rohan Shivar Nair 3TCo-Piano-Runaway Rabbit by Faber & Faber 13. Friederike Behling 6CSi-Cello-Entr acte from Carmen by Georges Bizet 14. Anna Van Der Schaft 2AOg-Violin-Stinkbomb Surprise by Attwood, Waterfall by Colledge 15. Grace Allen 5PMc-Voice-Castle in the Cloud by Claude-Michel Schonberg 16. Alice Parrot 4JKa-Piano Great News by Bruce Kerr 17. Maren Bakkelund 5SBa-Clarinet-Greensleeves-Traditional English Song 18. Justin Qiao 4ABo-Piano-Sonata in C Sharp Minor by Frederic Chopin 19. Naomi D Silva 5SBa-Violin-Habanera by Georges Bizet 20. Rosalind Slade 2JCDy-Piano-C s Rock! By Faber & Faber 21. Niamh Summerbell 4ABo-Violin-Happy Go Lucky by Anon. 22. Stephia Yeung 6CSi-Violin - Violin Concerto in G KV216 by W A Mozart 23. Stanley Qin 4JKa-Piano- Beethoven Sonata Opus 14 No. 2. 1st Movement 24. Nanami Sweeney 5PMc-Voice-Ring of Keys by Jeanine Tesori A massive Thank You to all our soloists for their contribution! 5

6 Spotlight On Sport Peter Vassbotn Good luck to our 10U Boys Rugby team as they open the Season 3 calendar with an away game at Turf City. Good luck boys! The remaining teams schedules are not yet complete. As soon as they are ready we will pass on to all parents. Thank you for your patience. Training in black, matches in red, Special Events in Blue Please return Season 2 Kit! 10U/11U Football 12U Basketball 11U Badminton Any other kit you may have 6

7 Spotlight On Sport Continues 10U SJII White Take BRONZE MEDAL in ACSIS Finals Last Saturday our boys 10U teams hosted the ACSIS 10U Div. 2 Finals here at SJII. Our White team then went on to face GIIS EC in the Bronze medal match. Down 1-0 with 3 minutes to play our boys launched an all-out attack, and scored 2 goals in the span of 60 seconds to take the BRONZE MEDAL. It was a stunning win, made possible by the fantastic support by the Green team who cheered from the side-lines.well done to all the boys and to the CUFA coaching staff. Over at GEMS our 11U Boys were in a massive 16 team tournament to decide the ACSIS Champions. Our boys fought hard, and were a bit unlucky in a few games only losing by thin margins. We finished up 11 th overall, not a bad result in what proved to be an extremely competitive league. Well done to all our boys and to the CUFA coaching staff. Basketball Teams Take GOLD & SILVER at ACSIS Finals Congratulations to our boys and girls basketball teams as they competed with courage and perseverance at the ACSIS finals last Friday night at AIS. The girls game was epic, perhaps the most exciting final played in years in ACSIS competition. After a quick start by the much taller AIS team our girls surged back, led by their talisman Sage Wu. Sage led our girls to a late 4 th quarter lead of 1 point. The team appeared within reach of the gold medal, but with 5 seconds left on the clock an AIS steal and a quick lay-up with 1.4 seconds left gave AIS the gold. Our boys were up next and they did not disappoint. After falling behind to NPSI in the first half our boys thundered back with a commanding 3 rd quarter performance, led by the Garcia brothers (Malvyn in the backcourt, Marcus up front). In the end NPSI just didn t have an answer to the SJII attack, and the boys took GOLD. The boys went undefeated this year, winning every match they played. You can t ask more from any team. Thank you to Coach Kyle and to Mr Mac for their outstanding coaching. Well done to all! 7

8 Lasallian Reflection Enabling students in a Lasallian community to learn how to learn, and to learn how to live, empowering them to become people of integrity and people for others Enter to Learn Leave to Serve In receiving the ashes, ask God that the spirit of penance may inspire you, accompany you, and make you holy. - Meditation for Ash Wednesday, St John Baptist de La Salle Although our immediate thoughts these days are focused on the holiday week ahead, we will return to school just as we begin the season of Lent. Lent officially begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on 1 March. You are invited to participate in our Lead Me to the Cross Lenten activity. A large wooden cross will be in the Chapel during Lent, along with some purple coloured slips of paper. On these papers, you are invited to write your own Prayers, Acts of Penance, or Acts of Charity you intend to practise during the Lenten season. As we proceed into the season, the cross will be a visual sign of our desire to draw closer to God and our commitment to the Lenten practices. All parents and students are invited to the Ash Wednesday Mass on Wednesday, 1 March, at 7:45am. The Distribution of Ashes will take place at the end of Mass. Lent is the season of the year where Christians are asked to focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting, in order to draw closer to God. Lent is the forty days before Easter, excluding the Sundays, and provides a time for us to re-focus our lives on God, and to use our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and charity, to help us better become the people God wants us to be. Prayer helps us to focus on the Virtues of Thankfulness and Forgiveness in our relationship with God. The practice of fasting reminds us of the Virtues of Self- Discipline and Moderation. The Virtues of Caring and Helpfulness are visible when we practise acts of charity and almsgiving. 8

9 Catholic Corner Catholic Assembly The Mass Receive Jesus today with respect and thanksgiving. - Saint John Baptist De La Salle Simone Tan Children sometimes think that mass is long and boring as they do not understand what is happening. They also think that only when they are altar servers, offertory bearers, lecterns or choir members can they participate actively during mass. Actually, we are all called to participate actively and if children learn to understand key gestures and moments of the mass, they will be more engaged and be able to love the mass more. On Thursday morning, children were invited to attend a Catholic Assembly in the Chapel on the Mass. Three special moments during the Liturgy of the Eucharist were highlighted. When the priest prepares the chalice, he pours the wine and adds a few drops of water. The children were invite to think about how the strong smelling wine reminds us of God s strong and rich love for us. Compared to wine, the drops of water are small and have no scent. This reminds us of us how we are small compared to God. When water is added to the wine, it cannot be separated from the wine. So when we are with God, nothing can separate us from his love and care for us. The Epiclesis. Epiclesis (in Greek) means to call down The gesture of Epiclesis is when the priest asks God our Father to send the Holy Spirit to transform the gifts of bread and wine (offered by the faithful) into the Blessed Body and Blood of Jesus who, by his death and resurrection, is made present to the faithful gathered at the Lord s table. The gesture of the priest s hands over the bread and wine are like someone wanting to give a gift. The children thought about what is falling from Father s hands? The Holy Spirit is falling, to give us all the great gift of transubstantiation. You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy therefore, these gifts we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like dewfall, So that they may become for us the Body and the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we receive a gift, we express our gratitude. The priest is saying thank you for the great gift of transubstantiation through this gesture of lifting up the chalice and the paten. The children were asked to think about who is the bread and wine? (Jesus). Who is being lifted up with the bread and wine? (We are, so together with Jesus, we are saying thank you to God.) Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever. Since we have this special moment in the mass to offer our thanksgiving to God, through Jesus, our intercessor, with Jesus as our brother, in Jesus as the Church is his body, the children were invited to think about what they could offer in their lives; joys, sorrows, everything done for love of God, regardless of the results. They were given a reflection note to take away and use as a start to preparing their hearts for thanksgiving the next time to participate in mass. Let us remember how we are all beloved children of God and how Jesus awaits us in the tabernacle and at mass to come and be; with him. Wishing everyone a safe and restorative break! When we return from half term break, look out for a Lead me to the Cross - Lenten Activity in the chapel organised by Ms Lisa Joven to help us all think about what we can offer to Jesus during Lent to prepare ourselves for Easter. 9

10 Virtues Corner Antoinette Cooney When most people think about the words diversity, racism, and/or tolerance, it is unlikely that an image of a school classroom comes to mind. However, this is the very place where educators must ensure that such issues are explored. SJIIES is a school that continues to become increasingly diverse. As educators, it is our role to develop an inclusive environment that respects the diversity of all students, staff and stakeholders. Tolerance is a virtue that is closely linked to many other virtues; respect, thoughtfulness and humility are just a few of the virtues that need to be considered if we are going to demonstrate Tolerance. It may seem complex to demonstrate the virtue of Tolerance and its meaning to someone, particularly children in the younger grades, but we should not underestimate the minds of children. Here at SJII a Grade One boy explained his understanding of Tolerance by stating: He looked different but I was nice to him because we were going to be friends. A powerful response which highlights, once again, that the virtues underpin our students thoughts, words and actions. WHAT IS TOLERANCE? To be tolerant is to accept differences. You don t expect others to think, look, speak or act just like you. Tolerance is being free of prejudice, knowing that all people have feelings, needs, hopes and dreams. To be tolerant also means to accept things you wish were different with flexibility and patience. Signs of Success Congratulations! You are practising Tolerance when you: Accept differences Are free of prejudice Don t complain when uncomfortable conditions can t be helped Make others feel included by reading out in friendliness Change yourself instead of trying to change others Accept people the way they are, faults and all I am tolerant. I overlook people s faults. I appreciate differences. I accept the things I cannot change with good grace. Chinese Corner Chinese Cultural Camp 11 th March 2017, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Chia Puay Leng Dear Grade 2 to 4 Parents, Would your child like to: Learn wushu (Chinese martial arts) from the Monkey King? mold fantuan (rice balls), make rooster head gear? enjoy Chinese food and play traditional Chinese games? These are some of the interesting activities that your child will engage in at our Chinese Cultural Camp this year. The children will be encouraged to use Chinese throughout the day, including buying their own snacks and lunch. Cost of the camp is $80 which covers all the activities, snacks and lunch. To have your child Join us for a day of learning and fun, please complete the registration and payment form here by 8 March Sign up early to avoid disappointment as there are limited vacancies. 10

11 Elementary Parents Support Group This week, we have the great pleasure of announcing the appointment of our new Treasurer, Chris Leahy. Chris has extensive experience working in the finance industry in Asia and the UK and is today the founder of his own successful business. We are so thrilled to have a busy working dad join us on the executive committee this year. His coming forward to lend a hand is a great exemplification of the virtues that we try to embody in the community at SJIIES. Please do note that the Secretary position is available and we would really like to see this position filled by the next Town Hall meeting on 7 March. We are leading the parent community and therefore representing each of you. I firmly believe that we would be better represented as a full executive committee. The time required for this role is minimal and I believe that it would go far to show unity and commitment on behalf of the parent community. Lastly, if you do have any questions or concerns, please do me and Lynette at epsg@sji-international.com.sg. Please find attached the minutes from this month s EPSG committee meeting HERE. Lastly, a BIG thank you to all who organised the CNY dinner. Your efforts yielded a beautiful evening that delighted the children and entertained and amused the adults. Thank you to the Chinese department for their efforts and for the delightful songs sung by the children. There are few things as joyful and heartening as the sound of children singing. We are grateful to the 230 parents, children and staff that participated and made the event a true success. We look forward to doing it all over again next year! EPSG Executive Committee epsg@sji-international.com.sg 11

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