Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

INTERNATIONAL DAY 2014

Friday, 20 June 2014

TENBY CELEBRATES DIVERSITY WITH INTERNATIONAL DAY

An annual event in Tenby Schools, International Day is a wonderful opportunity to open up windows of perspective into different cultures around the world. It is a day to celebrate our values of harmony and international-mindedness across the primary schools.

It has been a really busy week with teachers, students and parents scrambling frantically to dress up their classrooms to transform them into different countries. After all that meritorious effort, it was finally THE day to kick back and enjoy, albeit only for 1 hour;  and to soak in the myriad of cultural colours and savour the plethora of foods from around the world. A much more structured event this year, children entertained visitors from other classes and introduced them to their chosen countries, in between specialist classes. Yes, there was no let up in learning, even on International Day, and specialist classes went on as normal.

As a parent of a child in Year 6E, I was privileged to witness first hand, the amount of effort the students, teacher and supportive parents put in, into International Day preparations. In Kenya, where people were divided by poverty, united by football; children find pleasure in making their own balls out of recycled plastic bags, newspapers and strings. Students had fun creating their own makeshift footballs and kicking them around! More importantly, the message was clear that Kenyans possess the resilience and ingenuity to overcome challenging environments, admirable traits indeed.

International Day is a fun and engaging way to:-

Wear your country's national costume!

Watch the parade of nations!

Enjoy cultural performances!

Sample foods from around the world!

Just immerse yourselves into the festivities and celebrate the wonderful cultural diversity! I am already looking forward to an even better International Day next year!

The parade was a feast for the eyes...what a kaleidoscope of colours!
Campus principal, Andrew Auster shows how it's done, in a blazing red mop top!

6E was transformed into Magical Kenya with abundant wildlife and overhanging vines. 

6T was a burst of colours and flavours!

You have to admire the handiwork that went into the creation of Spain. Look at the "mosaics!"

Enchanting!

I was amazed at the sheer creativity and artistry of Egypt...wonderful!

Trumpet-blaring and lots of fun going on in here...!!!

Mesmerizing decorations and generous food sampling in virtually every class you stepped into. Kudos to the teachers, students and parents for the splendid set-ups!

Photographs courtesy of Amelia Hooi, Toni Colbron and Julia Oh

Article by Julia Oh

PARENTS vs TEACHERS FOOTBALL MATCH

PARENTS THRASHED 6-1 IN MAIDEN FOOTBALL MATCH!

Thursday, 19 June 2014, 4:00 p.m.

The day where history was made! It was Tenby's maiden friendly football match...parents vs teachers. Timely too, as it was football season. Football. It is a game that at some point, anoints almost every child in the country, and captivates many others around the world.

It was a hot, slightly hazy day but spirits were high. The teachers looked mean and mighty in black! Parents team, dressed in white jersey and black shorts looked like they were ready to play top-flight football. Looks can be deceiving, it is often said and I guess, to some extent, this was true in our case! 

Warming-up before the game

Peeeeeet!!! The referee's (Surprise! Surprise! It was Mr Andrew Auster, our sporting sportsman!) whistle blew to signal the start of the game and they were off! Barely 20 minutes into the first half, the parents' team had to call in a few students to replace some of their players' aching limbs! The teachers proved to be the fitter and stronger team and they emerged winners. Despite Year 6 student, Navjoth (as stand-in for the parents) scoring a goal, it was too late! We were thrashed 6-1!

Errr, round "table" discussion, eh, parents?

One for the album...Premier League in the making?

Game in progress!

Well, it was obvious we were nowhere near World Cup standard but it was all in good, clean fun! And I'm sure with more training, there will be greater things to come! I will be looking forward to more spectator sports between the school and parents, or even between the children and their teachers. Yes, spectator only, because I don't fancy getting my face cosmetically bruised by a flying ball!

Article and photographs by Julia Oh

INTERNATIONAL BOOK WEEK - THE POWER OF STORYTELLING

Last Tuesday, the students at TIS Primary were treated to some storytelling fun in conjunction with International Book Week. Themed, "Stories from Around The World," parents' association volunteers Eugene Kok and Grant Colbron kept the children enthralled and entertained with stories and activities.

Busy dads Gene and Grant, consummate storytellers of the day,
enchanting the children with their tales from around the world.

People of all ages, particularly children have an innate love of storytelling. There are many benefits to having storytellers engage with children. Storytelling helps develop and enhances listening skills. Stories cultivate imagination, creativity and teach character. Stories can foster the desire to read independently. Research has shown that children can listen on a higher language level than they can read. Stories make complex ideas more accessible and exposes children to increased verbal proficiency.

I truly believe the world of tomorrow belongs to innovators and storytellers. Storytelling moves people! Stories can link not only the classroom and home, but also between the classroom and beyond. Is it no wonder then, that schools revel in the power of storytelling...?!

Ms Val Dombey in a Year 6 class,
telling the life story of Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926.

Photographs courtesy of Ruth Silva and Julia Oh

Article by Julia Oh

Photo Festival - Friday 20th June, 2014

Message from Ms Bell, our Photography Club Teacher.

Parents and students are cordially invited to participate the Photo Festival this Friday....

One of the exhibits

IGCSE ART & DESIGN FINAL EXHIBITION..."Our Parting Gift"

Yesterday was the opening night of Year 11's IGCSE Art & Design Final Exhibition, themed "Our Parting Gift". With ambient lighting and soft music playing in the background; and students, parents and teachers dressed in their formal attire, it was a night to pay tribute to the amazing pool of talented students and TIS Head of Art & Design, Ms Gemma Pearce. Truly works of art, these students have outshone themselves in showcasing their excellent masterpieces.

The exhibition is open to the public and will be on till 27 June 2014, from 9am -11am (weekdays) & 9am -12pm (Saturdays), at the Exhibition & Performance Centre (EPC). Do make time to visit the exhibition, you will be amazed by the fine artwork as I was...

Some truly amazing art and design work by the Year 11 students!

Campus principal, Mr Andrew Auster lending support to the exhibition and
providing words of encouragement to the students.

Lovely array of delectable treats
organised by the TIS Parents' Association,
with assistance from Year 9 student helpers.
A special thank you to them for showing exemplary courtesy and great responsibility.
They were ever-willing to help and offered service with a smile!

Article and photos by Julia Oh

Bobby sighted outside Tenby Schools Setia Eco Park - Traffic related

Thumbs up to Campus Principal Mr Andrew Auster and Operation Manager Mr James Gan for the great initiative in addressing traffic woe outside campus, after school today.

One of our PA Committees who drove in to pick up her primary year's son was out of the school by 2:45pm, the fastest time since a long time ago.

We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to both Mr Auster and Mr Gan, especially Mr Auster who went out his way to get dressed up. 

The initiative is in line with Mr Auster's call for parents NOT to park along the highway during morning drop off and afternoon pick up because of danger in life. Extra Parking Area on arrival to school has been opened on 2nd June. This serves as a safer location for parents to park while waiting for their children to walk out.

More on Traffic in the school's Parents Bulletin, page 1 under topic: Traffic.

http://www.tenby.edu.my/photo/pdf/Parents_Bulletin_28.pdf

Parents who sight thoughtless driving may report them to the school, along with details and photograph evidence.  The school will contact these parents to remind them on courtesy driving in and outside the school. Please email them to Mr Gan (james.gan@tenby.edu.my) and Mr Auster (andrew.auster@tenby.edu.my).

Here're 2 pictures sent in by parents.

*Bobby = British Police Officer

Mr Auster and Mr Gan reminding parents not to park on the highway.
Mr Auster, "Please will all parents help the School to keep your children safe at all times."

PA Coffee Morning: Cyber Wellness - Mentoring the Internet Generation Online and Offline Seminar

Date: 27th June, 2014 (Friday)

Time: 8:30am - 11:30am (3 hours)

Venue: Auditorium

Register by emailing TIS PA (tenbysep.pa@gmail.com) by 13th June, 2014 to reserve a place. Do specify your child's class.

RM20/participant for a minimum of 50 participants. 

Alternatively, it will be RM40/participant for the minimum of 25 participants. 

Registered parents will be notified via email on payment arrangement.

For those who would like more insight into what to expect at this Cyber Wellness talk, here's an article about the facilitators themselves and their background.

Archives | The Star Online:
Games are bad only when the line between entertainment and obsession is breached. 

Cyber Wellness - it's not just about internet-safety, it's about a balanced reality.

As youth are increasingly spending more time online, Persatuan Kebajikan Generasi Gemilang will address many issues both parents and students face today, such as gaming-addiction, cyber-bullying, the dangers of pornography, and how to respect and maintain one's privacy in everything from Blogs and e-mails to Facebook and other forms of social networking. Parents will be able to discuss these issues openly and address them accordingly. The goal during these sessions is in creating an open and healthy cyber culture that will enable families to get connected and to stay connected with each other.

Cyber Wellness is a two-fold approach. Coming from the Cyber Generation itself, are people who will address these issues from a standpoint of experience, understanding and relevance. And on the other hand, approaching them from a standpoint of balance, reality, and a wholesome lifestyle.

The targeted groups for these sessions are adults, parents, leaders, mentors, decision-makers and people who have a heart for the digital generation. If that's you, this is for you.

With the increase of technology, the need for a balanced lifestyle continues to grow and is becoming exceedingly more important more than ever.

Speakers:

Seminar Details

Objectives	1.     In depth explorative program 2.     To effectively equip adults with principles on mentoring the next generation in their Internet world 3.     Create awareness concerning the dangers of these trends 4.     Impart principles and insights for effective mentoring 5.     Provide a platform for those who also need assistance
Target Audience	1.     Adults – Parents, Educators, Youth Workers, Counsellors, etc)
Duration	3  hours
Description of Program	General Course Outline: 1.     Examine cyber trends and seriousness of issues. 2.     Create awareness concerning these trends. 3.     Tips and handles on Mentoring. Primary Course Outline: 1.     Overview of Cyberspace, Generations and Gaps. 2.     Social Media: - Evolving trends - Impact - The good, the bad and the ugly - Evolving trends - Motivations of Social Networking 3.     Gaming: - Industry Overview and Progression - Motivations for Gaming - The good, the bad and the ugly 4.     PorNOgraphy: - Industry Overview and Progression - Motivations for PorNOgraphy - Consequence of PorNOgraphy 5.     Mentoring: - Handles and Principles - Effective roles to be played - Family Orientation 6.     Q&A
Deliverables	Notes. Participants will receive an immediate update on latest world cyber trends and will learn proven handles and guides in key area of the cyber world and how to mentor through these situations.

Happy Wesak Day 2014

Follow up on Traffic Improvement Programme

This serves as a follow-up to the Traffic Improvement Programme carried out by Tenby International School (TIS PA) in February, 2014.

It is that very important time when we say a huge “thank you” to all of the parents who took the time to write in their suggestions for traffic improvement at the school. Traffic is something that affects us all each and every day and your observations and suggestions have provided many recommendations that the Parents Association (PA) have taken forward.

At this point in time the PA has engaged both the school leadership and relevant external stakeholders with a list of recommendations in a joint effort to improve the traffic situation in and around the school campus. I am sure that everyone has already noticed and appreciated the increased security presence at the exit roundabout and also the relocation of school mini-vans to the area adjacent to the administration block. These were recommendations made by numerous parents and the PA is very thankful to the school leadership for taking an active role in their swift implementation.

The school has written to the Setia Alam council to seek permission for a one-way road system to be in operation during school pick-up hours. This will further reduce the congestion caused by ever-growing vehicle numbers in an area limited by space.

SP Setia has been engaged to look at the possibility of improving the open area outside of the school adjacent to the highway with a view of this being used as an open-air car park in the future. Talks are ongoing and we will keep the parents updated as they progress

A proposal has been put to the school board for consideration to tar the existing car park opposite the Early Years building. Again, the PA will keep everyone informed of progress on this recommendation. The full recommendation is for this to ultimately become a two-lane exit road leading out of the campus grounds, subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

The improvements that we have already seen and will continue to see are a product of true partnership. The PA encourages all parents to continue to share their ideas on ways to improve the traffic management of the school. 

With thanks and kindest regards

Devan Rajam

Traffic, Health & Safety Sub-Committee

Tenby International School Parents Association