The Informer - the International School of Stavanger

The Informer November 28, 2003
High School/Middle School News
November 28, 2003
High School/Middle School News
The Informer
able route. But the accumulation of
those decisions will build strong foundations
for a person of integrity and
influence. Integrity is not always the
easiest concept to explain and so here
are five questions Maxwell and Dornan
provide to help the reader reflect on
what’s going on ‘inside’, at the building
site of character. Take some time to
think about these and maybe discuss
them at home.
Questions to help you measure your
integrity
1. How well do I treat people from
whom I can gain nothing?
2. Am I transparent with others?
3. Do I role-play based on the
person(s) I’m with?
4. Am I the same person when I’m in
the spotlight as I am when I’m
alone?
5. Do I quickly admit wrongdoing
without being pressed to do so?
Ultimately, rising from the respect
shown to others and the high standards
maintained, the prize for those people
with integrity is the trust of others,
allowing the potential for positive influence
to increase greatly.
(All quotes taken from Becoming a
person of influence: how to positively
impact the lives of others John C.
Maxwell and Jim Dornan, 1997)
HS News and Events
Looking back over the previous two
weeks there is much to report on and
much to be proud of.
The College Fair was very successful
for students and college representatives
alike. Students gathered many ‘inside
tips’ from the people who ‘build classes
for their colleges’ each year, while the
representatives met with our students
and were excited by the calibre and
overall level of interest. Lots of good
questions were asked that afternoon.
The following evening the HS ISTA
group performed their piece ’58 degrees
north’ and the audience (and the cast)
were simply blown away! A wonderful
performance of student created and
directed work was received with great
enthusiasm by the assembled ISTA
schools participating in the event.
Meanwhile the MUN group were
attending their first Iberian Model
United Nations in Lisbon. Their preparation
and performance throughout the
meeting was commended by the organizer
describing them as "outstanding--
well behaved, cooperative, excellent in
debate, and very well informed." They
have been invited to return next year and
to provide student as a debate chair,
such was the quality of their contribution.
Looking on to the coming weeks, the
end of the semester and the school
examinations are on the horizon. My
thanks to Dr. Cameron for ‘heading
them off at the pass’ with his timely
advice about managing exam stress.
The High School/Middle School winter
concert will warm everyone’s heart
on Wednesday, December 3rd and the
High School Dance on Saturday,
December 6th will provide lots of holiday
spirit. The last of school, Thursday,
December 18th will be a half day for
high school students and there will be
post-exam bowling competition for all
students and teachers that morning.
More details in the last Informer of
2003!
Jayne Lund
Principal
Dates for your calendar
December 3rd: MS/HS Concert
December 6th: Winter Formal
December 12th: 17th: Semester Exams
for 9th, 10th and 11th grade -- Classes
for 12th grade
December 18th: End of 2nd Quarter/
1st Semester
Half day for HS students
2004
January 1st: Happy New Year!
January 7th: School opens.
Third quarter, second semester begins
January 14th – 23rd: Exams for 12th
grade students
Middle School
Many congratulations to everyone,
teachers, parents and students, involved
in the ISTA festival. The weekend was
a tremendous success and the visiting
schools had a terrific time. Our students
were the first group to perform on
Friday evening and they certainly took
my breath away! Tumultuous applause
proved that I wasn’t just the ‘proud principal’
in my reaction to the piece.
Thanks and buckets of bouquets to Ms
Landis for her work with the students
and to her and the team of teachers and
parents that helped with the organization
of the event.
We will be welcoming back Mr
Keereman and Mrs Febvay next week,
along with the 7th and 8th grade
Spanish students, and looking forward
to hearing of their exchange experiences.
By all accounts there has been
lots of fun and learning in Barcelona
this week.
The talent of our students knows no
end, and the winter concert will be the
next opportunity for the students to
share their talents with us - a wonderful
way to get into the holiday spirit.
The "thoughts from the principal"
article this week may provide some food
for thought with your students, particularly
the ten questions that help identify
integrity. We are all aware of the need to
continue to help students develop an
understanding of ‘respect’ and the way
we treat each other and our environment.
Destructive behaviour, whether it
is a personal jibe at someone, or damaging
property, creates a negative atmosphere
and it is our responsibility as
teachers and parents to help young people
realize that they have a significant
part to play in creating a positive atmosphere
by their actions. As the saying
goes, "Middle Schooler, a work in
progress".
Jayne Lund
Principal
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