September 2018

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From Mrs Hawtree: Principal Dear GIS Community, As I write this newsletter, I am heading to Kazakhstan as I’ve been invited to join a CIS (Council of International Schools) accreditation team at a school in Pavlodar, which is in the far north of the country. As GIS is a CIS accredited school (the only one on the Eastern Seaboard), I and other senior leaders at GIS can be called upon to assist with accreditation visits to other schools. The last one I did was back in 2014, at a school in Budapest, so it has been a while and I’m looking forward to getting re-acquainted with all the CIS standards and processes. I’m also looking forward to the opportunity to delve into the workings of another school. It is quite a privilege to get unfettered access to everything another school does, and being part of a CIS team is often described as ‘the best professional development that money can’t buy’! At GIS, our own accreditation will be due for renewal in 2021, and next year we will be starting the process of putting together our documentation, and reviewing our own systems and processes, in preparation for a visit of a CIS team similar to the one I’m joining. Back at the ranch, student leadership is a big focus for us at GIS this year, and we are in the final stages of appointing our student leadership teams for <strong>2018</strong>/19. We have moved away from the old system of ‘prefects’ and have put in place a new, more inclusive system, which will provide formal leadership roles for in excess of 60 students across the whole school. The leadership team will be headed by a Head Boy and Girl, four Student Directors (in the areas of Culture, Global Action, Internationalism and Well-being) and four House Captains (Cobra, Eagle, Gecko and Tiger). These students are all from IB1, and will work with student councillors and House councillors from across the secondary school to run events and activities, to raise awareness of issues, and to help myself and the leadership team move the school forward. In Primary, House captains and a Student Council have been elected, and the Head Boy and Girl will provide a link between all the different groups and ages. The student leaders will be formally announced in an assembly next week, but I am able to share with you that our Head Boy is Ashcharya Kela, and our Head Girl is Liyana Kamar – congratulations to these two students, and I very much look forward to working with them over the coming year. Further student leadership opportunities will be available shortly, as we are launching a ‘peer counselling’ programme. Such programmes are increasingly found in international schools, with students undertaking training to be able to support other students who are struggling with friendships, school work, sibling issues and other adolescent woes. Students often prefer to talk to another student, rather than a teacher or counsellor. Applications for peer counsellor positions will open next week, and training will begin shortly after the half term break, so we are ready to launch the programme in January. The peer counsellors are, of course, supported and guided by our excellent counselling team, and we are excited to see the impact of this new initiative. So, from a chilly Pavlodar, I wish you a happy extended weekend with your children; as I’m sure you are aware, the teachers are busy undertaking an array of professional development activities on Friday. Kind regards Ms Dinah Hawtree Principal 2
Upcoming Events Whole School Oct 1-4: U Smile school photos Oct 1: Anti-bullying Day Oct 5: World Teachers’ Day Oct 10: World Mental Health Day Oct 11: Friends of Garden monthly meeting, 7.45am-8.45am Oct 12: Mufti Day Oct 13-28: Half-term break (school closed) Monday October 29: School re-opens Primary Oct 2: Year 1 trip to Greta Resort Oct 4: Year 1 and 2 Phonics information evening, 6pm Oct 9: Year 2 Forest walk at Silverlake Oct 10: Reception trip Oct 11: Year 6 trip Secondary Oct 6: SAT examinations (Main Hall) Oct 8: Grade Cards issued Oct 8: IB1 CAS interviews Nov 1-5: FOBISIA U15 Games 3
Page 1: Your choice. Their future. Our fami
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Page 7 and 8: Community Service HAND TO HAND PRES
Page 9 and 10: STUDENTS HELP WITH MEGA BEACH CLEAN
Page 11 and 12: MARBLE RUNS For the past few weeks
Page 13 and 14: We have some great school blogs to
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Page 17 and 18: #GENERATION IB HELPS THE ENVIRONMEN
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Page 23 and 24: BOYS DOUBLE VICTORY! Our Under 9 bo

September 2018

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