IGBIS Newsletter, Issue 310.
Message from the Head of School
Jason McBride
Hello IGBIS Community,
Not a long note from me this week other than to publicly thank our teachers and staff for getting our school back to feeling — as Ms. Sandy would say — like the “before days” prior to COVID. Activities, trips, games, assemblies, university visits, Phoenix Talks, workshops and more; it is great to have campus buzzing again with not just learning, but community spirit. This week’s newsletter is a really long one because it is packed with everything that has been going on, but also because there is a lot of post-secondary / university information that all parents should take a look at. The planning process for life after IGBIS really needs to start in the middle of MYP so that students can choose courses on a path to knowing what comes after Grade 12. For more than two decades, I’ve told students that they don’t have to know at age 16-18 what they want to do forever, but they definitely have to have a sense of where they are headed. The US President Eisenhower quote of “plans are useless, but planning is essential” always comes to mind in this regard!
You may want a cup of coffee or tea to get through this edition because I haven’t even mentioned that there is a lot of information and I haven’t even mentioned that it’s our Inclusion Week beginning on Monday!
Have a great weekend,
Jason
From the ES Principal
Simon Millward
Last Thursday 15th September the Elementary students hosted our whole school Malaysia day assembly. This was a wonderful event with an almost ‘party’ like feel to it. The assembly itself showcased the many talents of our students in both Secondary and Elementary. I would like to extend a big thank you to Ms. Meena and Ms. Farah for leading the organisation of this assembly.
Our IGBIS orchestra started us off with a live performance of the Malaysian National anthem, closely followed by Joget Pahang. The students really rose to the occasion,
performed very well and set the tone for the rest of the assembly. They also accompanied the Grade 3 students as they sang “Saya Anak Malaysia”.
These performances were followed by two songs from the Grade 5’s “Burung Kakak Tua” and a Nasi Lemak Commercial that the students devised in their music class.
What was great was the information about Malaysia and its diversity shared between performances. This included information about Merdeka Day and the difference between that day and Malaysia day. The Grade 10 students shared some of the images from the Secondary Merdeka spirit day as well.
The Grade 3’s Colours of Malaysia really highlighted the diversity of Malaysia and it certainly added something I had not seen at a Malaysia day assembly previously.
The Grade 5 students had been working hard in their Host Nation classes to produce beautiful umbrellas and they used these to perform the Glory Umbrella dance.
Our Secondary students also showcased their creativity as a Grade 9 student performed traditional Indian dance called ‘Odissi’, whilst some of our grade 7 really brought an upbeat atmosphere to the assembly by performing a Chinese fan dance.
The Grade 5’s final performance was an aerobic dance where the audience was encouraged to join in — which they did — bringing smiles to everyone’s faces.
It was a great event and my thanks are extended to all of the teachers and staff that helped make this a success guiding our student performers, but also to the students for being risk takers and performing in front of a near full theatre.
I know you are probably wondering which classes I have visited this week. Whilst I have been into a few, like EY as they were getting messy with slime, I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the Grade 2 students as they were reading. The students were keen to share their books with me, entertaining me with the stories they had chosen. Two students read to me about a book eating a dog, another student read a book about grass growing and another one about the adventures of ‘Dogman’. I liked that they were risk takers reading to me, but they also read with confidence and understanding. Thank you Mr. Nigel for accommodating me.
Finally, I am sharing here our PYP parent workshops for the year. The document highlights which grades the workshops are most suitable for, but as with the Secondary offerings, they are open to all. Look out for further advertising of these workshops closer to the time. Our first of the year Wednesday 28th Sept is being facilitated by Mr. Harvey and Ms. Aga about digital citizenship (helping students be safe online) and tech tips for parents. A majority of our workshops will be held on a Wednesday hence the name Workshop Wednesdays! I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 8.15am – 9.15am in the Music Room on level 3.
Dates for Your Diaries
- Wednesday 28th Sept: PYP workshop: Digital citizenship and tech tips for parents
- Wednesday 5th October: PYP workshop: Assessment in the PYP
- Friday 7th October: 3 Way/PT conferences
- Monday 10th October: Public holiday
- Wednesday 12th October: PYP Workshop: Early Childhood
From the SS Principal
Sandy van Nooten
There have been lots of great things happening in Secondary this week.
Phoenix Talks 2022
Huge thanks to Mr. Drechsler and the Grade 12 DP and CP students for showcasing their work on the core elements of the IB programs at our second annual ‘Phoenix Talks’.
- The IBDP core consists of the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS).
- The IBCP core consists of the Research Project (RP), Personal & Professional Skills (PPS) and Service Learning (SL).
It was fantastic to hear, see and experience their speeches, exhibitions and workshops. Judging by the questions during the final Q & A session, the event provoked a lot of deep thinking and discussion.
 A DP student sharing a summary of their EE. |  A DP student explaining their TOK Exhibition. |
 CP students presenting their PPS project. |  A CP student showcasing the Reflective Project. |
 A DP student running a workshop. |  Panel discussion and Q&A at the end. |
University Visits
On Monday we hosted (real 3-dimensional) university representatives in the MYP and DP lounge. Thanks to Ms. Amanda for all her work to get this university fair into our school. I know she has plans for many more university visits including three more in the week ahead. Keep your eyes open for her emails.
 |  |
Parent Workshops
We hosted two workshops this week. One on CAS (hosted by Mr. Wilson) and one on Counseling and support (hosted by the ES, MS and HS counselors). Thanks to all the parents who came in.
 |  |
Upcoming Parent Workshops
- ManageBac – an online session (for those who were unable to come to the F2F session on the 2nd Sep) hosted by Ms. Flavia Godja. Mon 26th Sep (8:15 to 9:15 in the PVO). No need to RSVP for this online workshop. Here’s the link for the google meet session.
- Assessment in Secondary – from philosophy to the nuts and bolts (run by me, Mr. Drechsler, and Mr. MacDonald). Wed 28th Sep (8:15 to 9:15 in the PVO). Please RSVP using this form if you plan to attend.
- eAssesments for Gr.10 parents (run by Mr. MacDonald). Wed 28th Sep following the Assessment session in the PVO.
- Parent Session Overview – Here’s a link to all the parent workshops in Secondary.
Have a lovely weekend.
Regards
Sandy
The 24-Hour Race
Thesya Thiruchelvam (Grade 11)
It was the crack of dawn on the early morning of 10th September, volunteers attentively up on their feet going left to right, as they worked their hardest to organise the venue for the long day ahead. Runners were arriving at IGB International School in groups of friends, energised and ready for the challenge ahead of them, participating in the 24-Hour Race.
The 24-hour Race is a movement and a Running To Stop The Traffik (RTSTT) initiative, where young people across the globe are united to eradicate modern slavery. The 24-Hour Race is a compelling and unique way to introduce this initiative to a generation of youth from around the world. The Race encourages thousands of people from my generation to become change-makers.
There were more than 300 runners in this year’s 24-Hour Race which was smaller than past races held at IGB International School where we had about 700 runners in total. The race was delayed for months, but there were 3 teams from IGBIS with one team made up of only IGBIS students. Before the race, each team was required to raise RM1800 in funds. The proceeds were given to A21, a non-profit organisation that is fights against human trafficking at a local, domestic and international level. The 24-Hour Race gives students the opportunity to fundraise to help their partnership company, which will help them rebuild a child advocacy centre in Pattaya, Thailand.
Held at IGB International School, the race took place from the 10th-11th of September. Participants stayed at the school for the full 24 hours, either volunteering to make sure the event operated smoothly or being part of the race itself. Before the race started, Mr. Jason McBride (our Head of School) gave an inspiring speech of how the school supports youth making a positive global impact and advocating for the better future of others. Although the race was challenging, it in no way matches the lives of millions suffering under slavery and human trafficking. Several IGBIS students became race marshalls, who helped keep track of the runners’ laps and the clean-up crew, who made sure that the venue was pristine to the best of their ability. As a first-aid volunteer, the race was an opportunity for me to apply my first-aid knowledge towards helping the runners and to ensure that they got appropriate treatment. It was a huge challenge for me to do my shift during the wee hours of the morning when the sun doesn’t shine.
While the race was going on, ‘Grace Volleyball’ hosted a Volleyball tournament from 2-5 pm. The volleyball tournament was very entertaining with lots of games where teams were neck and neck. The ‘minute of silence’ was to commemorate the victims of modern-day slavery and it was done by raising flashlights, wearing glowsticks and keeping completely silent for one minute.
At the end of the event, it paid off because one of our IGBIS teams, ‘Radiant’, won 3rd place for the most funds raised in the ‘all girls’ category. I’d also like to congratulate The Dolphins team for their great efforts.
I was able to interview the organising committee of The 24-Hour Race and here’s a few words about their experience holding the event at IGBIS.
“As the Operations Director of the 24-Hour Race KL 2022, I was honoured to host our event at IGBIS, not just the venue but how they worked with us day and night for months. Although our whole organising committee went through a lot of difficulties due to COVID-19 and constant changes of SOPs, we have finally made it through the Race and we were very proud of this!” – Yewon Yoo, Operations Director
“The first post-COVID race has been a success! The best way to describe my experience is the incredible amount of exposure I got into the real world while being just a student. This was something I’ve never imagined I would explore and it has been a turning point in my life in making myself feel more confident and bold.” – Ria Shah, Community Director
IGBIS would like to thank the school community and students for participating in the 24-Hour Race and supporting the movement. We hope that the awareness and movement will continue for many years to come.
Global Goals Week
Natasha Gagan
The 17 United Nations Global Goals play a significant role in our approaches to education. As an IB school, we recognize the importance of the development of a well-rounded human being. Thus, it is important to reflect on our actions as individuals and the various communities we belong to.
This week, the United Nations held the 77th General Assembly to discuss progress being made and further actions needed in order to achieve the goals. In the PYP, we used this week as an opportunity to continue the conversations surrounding issues we need to address in our local and global communities. Albeit, we also highlighted the positive things that are happening in the world, as these are important to recognize.
Grade levels across the PYP approached the Global Goals week in various ways. For example, the Grade 5 students took on the perspective of being a president and reflected through a larger lens. Students in the Early Years have been collecting plastic bottles in order to recycle them. They are also organizing their classroom in a way that invites student questions and deepens inquiries regarding our different environments.
Although the Global Goals week has come to an end, grade levels will continue to build upon their discussions with students through the natural connections from their units of inquiry.
Success for All
The Counselling Team
The counselling team facilitated a parent workshop “Success for All” to a full room of parents on Thursday morning. Parents completed a ‘potato activity’ that showed how easy it is for us to make assumptions about groups of people. When this happens, stereotypes are created. A significant focus of the session was on the academic, social and personal challenges that students face and the consequent complications that may result. Participants also learned what support is available at IGBIS and how to access it. The multi-tiered system of support was explained, which led to an in-depth look at Individual Education Plans (IEP), Individual Access Arrangements (IAA), and accommodations versus modifications. One of the big takeaways was helping parents to understand that if they have any prior assessments (Psycho-Educational, Medical, Speech & Language, Occupational Therapy and Mental health) there are significant benefits to sharing these. All information we have as a school helps us to better support our students.
Inclusive Schools Week – Overview of Activities
Leanne Harvey
Next week IGBIS will celebrate Inclusive Schools Week. The theme for the week is ‘Unity within our Community’. This theme is particularly fitting as all around the world communities are working hard to reignite a sense of unity after the heavy restrictions we all faced in relation to Covid 19 and subsequent lockdowns. At IGBIS we believe that being an inclusive school is one of the very factors that unites us so strongly.
As an Inclusive School, we are continually reflecting on our practices, procedures and teaching and learning strategies to ensure that we are embedding best practices related to inclusion into all that we do. Inclusive Schools Week is a special week where we can plan and encourage participation in activities and events that celebrate inclusion. It is a super fun and exciting week, but the real story of ‘Inclusion’ is what happens on a daily basis in every class and around the school
There are so many different and exciting activities happening throughout the week. Please check the link to find out more. We would especially like to invite parent and community participation in some of these activities, especially the Mural Making in the morning and the Movie afternoon on Friday. Link to activities.
Mural Making
This will happen at the gates on both level 1 and 2 in the morning as students arrive. We invite parents to come in with their young people to help them to collage their ‘special person’ which will then be added to the mural. (Just come on in … all materials will be supplied!)
Movie Afternoon (Zootopia)
Who: Families
Where: The Theatre
When: Friday 30th from 3.00 – 4:30pm
We are looking forward to a fun and exciting week where we can celebrate, highlight, champion and embrace Inclusion.
Leanne Harvey
(on behalf of the Inclusive Schools Week Committee)
Future Planning Weekly Update
Amanda Lopez
Welcome to a new addition to the IGBIS Weekly Newsletter! The Future Planning Weekly Update is your resource for all things career, college and university planning. We hope you find this resource helpful and valuable as you and your students navigate IGBIS and plan for life after high school.
Highlights for the Week
Uni(versity) Visits
This week saw our first University Fair of the school year, as well as a virtual visit with the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Since 7 September, we have hosted 28 colleges and universities either on campus or virtually!
- Highlights from the Fair:
- Saint Michael’s College offers up to a full year of university credit for students on the IB Diploma. Additionally, they guarantee scholarships starting at $18,000 per year.
- Binghamton University is offering an info session on applying to university and understanding financial aid for US citizens living abroad. Find more information and register to attend HERE.
- For missed virtual sessions, you can access information HERE.
Cialfo Merge
Grade 9 – 11 students are being introduced and onboarded to Cialfo during the month of September. As a reminder, Cialfo is our career and future planning platform of IGBIS, and will soon be the method of communication for all things college and career related. As of Oct 1, all college and career communication will be sent via Cialfo. In the platform, students can research and explore their career interests and university course interests, plan for their course selections here at IGBIS, research colleges and universities, and prepare for university applications. Communication regarding events like university fairs and open days, and resources, like help with creating a CV, will all be communicated through Cialfo. Essentially, Cialfo is the college and career version of ManageBac, so we will be using it daily in the near future to keep all this important information in one place.
As students are onboarded, parents will receive an invitation email to set up a guardian account on the platform. Students will be intentionally walked through this process to ensure parents receive access (please check your spam folders as we are getting word this is where many of the invitations are landing). All Grade 9 – 11 students and parents will be on-boarded by Monday, 26 September.
Upcoming Uni Fair
Next Thursday, 29 September, we will host our second University Fair here at IGBIS. This fair is scheduled to take place from 8:15 – 9:00am in the MYP and DP/CP Lounges, and both students AND parents are invited to attend.
STUDENTS – as this fair is taking place during class time you MUST sign up to attend. Sign up here. The deadline to sign up is Wednesday, 28 September at 4pm. The sign up list will be shared with administration and teachers, so your attendance is marked appropriately.
PARENTS – we would LOVE to have you on campus to meet and talk with reps. Please RSVP here by Wednesday, 28 September at 4:00pm. Note you must use your IGBIS email in order to RSVP.
HERE is the list of colleges and universities that will be in attendance (please use your IGBIS email to access the document).
Grade 12 Early Appliers
Now that Phoenix Talks are done, it is time to get back to your uni applications!
NEW! APPLICATION LUNCH DAYS – get help during lunch, no appointment needed!
- Week 1: Tuesday 27 & Thursday 29 September
- Week 2: Tuesday 4 & Thursday 6 October
- Week 3: Tuesday 11 (Uni App Day!) & Thursday 13 October (1 day past the IGB deadline)
UPDATED DATES: UNI APP HELP DAYS – get help any time during these days, no appointment needed!
- Friday, 30 September
- Thursday, 6 October
- Tuesday, 11 October
University of the Week
Celebrating Inclusion Month
Resources and Opportunities
Invitation to Edinburgh Undergraduate Information Event:
Students (and parents) interested in applying to the University of Edinburgh in 2023 or beyond are invited to an in-person information session in Kuala Lumpur.
- Date: Tuesday 11th October 2022
- Time: 17.00 – 19.00 (Registration opens at 17.00, the session will run from 17.30-19.00)
- Location: The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL) (Enter via Entry gate and follow signs for event)
- Please click here to register for the event
American Education Expo
Register here – https://tinyurl.com/4kau5mk9
- Venue: Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur
- Time and Date: Sunday, September 25, 2022, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Participants: Purdue University Fort Wayne, Full Sail University, Iowa State University
WebiFair Event
- Saturday, 24 September from 5:00pm – 7:00pm MYT
- To register, please visit: https://southeastasia.webifairs.com/
- At the event, we will have the workshop – “How to prepare for college: Steps to take in high school” starting at 5:00 pm MYT where students can learn about what to do in each grade throughout high school to prepare for their university studies and application process.
MABECS & THE Student Fair
- Date: Saturday, 15 October 2022
- Time: 12:00pm to 4:00pm
- Venue: Level 5, Grand Ballroom, The Gardens, St Giles Hotel at Midvalley City
- Register HERE.
BridgeU Resources: Fab Free Resources for College & University Planning
- From Public Ivies to Little Ivies – the Alternatives to the Ivy League You Should Know About
- Writing a Business Personal Statement: 7 Steps to a Stand-Out Application for Your Students
SAT Testing
- The SAT is going digital in March 2023. Check the Digital SAT Suite of Assessments page to download the digital SAT test specifications and sample questions.
- You’re invited: Grade 9-11 students and guardians to join us for a digital SAT updates webinar on October 27 and October 28, 2022. More information available here: cb.org/studentevents.
New Program: Arizona State University in Japan
Thunderbird/ASU-HU Global Initiative at Hiroshima University
UNIQUE POINTS
- American Bachelor’s Degree programs
- all taught in English
- first 2 years at the campus of Hiroshima University (HU)* – Japan
- + next 2 years at the campus of Arizona State University (ASU)* – U.S.
*HU is one of the leading comprehensive research universities in Japan.
*ASU has been ranked the “Most Innovative School” in the nation for seven years in a row.
DEGREES
- Bachelor of Global Management (BGM)
BGM draws on Thunderbird School of Global Management’s expertise in global management practices and intercultural communication training to provide students with a highly specialized global business education, and prepares students to take on leadership roles in multinational corporations, government agencies, and more. - Bachelor of Science in International Trade (BSIT)
- BSIT is unique as it allows students to learn new skills needed for a career in international trade through rigorous, hands-on training and to apply these skills during a local, national or international internship.
- 3 years of Optional Practical Training will be granted to students who have completed BSIT.
www.thunderbird-tokyo.jp/hiroshima/eng
The College Essay Guy
- How to Develop a Great College List
- The Mission: Identifying colleges where you will both get in and fit in!The Method: Four hours of expert list-building advice with a nationally-recognized expert.
- Join TCEG and nationally-recognized college expert Dr. Steven Antonoff to discuss finding colleges that meet your academic goals, social goals, financial goals, and even more.
- September 29th – 30th
- Students: Register
- How to Write the Personal Statement, Application & Supplemental Essays
Did you miss my live fall college essay & application courses? Don’t worry. All the content from our sessions is available recorded—and we have one more live session left.
My two-part course covers the rest of the college application beyond the personal statement. Dozens of resources for developing a college list, finishing all the school-specific supplemental essays, polishing the activities list, and more.
Live this Month & OnDemand (Watch Anytime. Anywhere.) | Register Here
From the MABECS Team
Popular Resources and FAQs
Questions, Support, and Help
Amanda Lopez
Grades 9 – 12 Universities Counseling & Social/Personal Counseling
To schedule an appointment
- Parents – https://calendly.com/lopez-igbis/parent-community-meeting
- Students – https://bit.ly/IGBHSCounselor
- Email – amanda.lopez@igbis.edu.my
Parent Workshops (September 2022)
Elementary School
- 28th September / 8.15 am – 9.15 am: Digit-al Citizenship – Digital footprint, expectations, password securi y online safety, social media Tips for parents as children use devices.
Secondary School
- 26th September / 8.15 am – 9.00 am: ManageBac – ONLINE parent workshop (for those who were unable to come to the f2f session on 2nd Sept) Here is the video link.
- 28th September / 8.15 am – 9.15 am: Assessment in Secondary (from philosophy to the nuts & bolts) (sign up) + (info for G10 Parents for eAssessment after the main session)
Kukri’s Leggings Available at the Uniform Shop
We have Kukri’s leggings of various sizes in our Uniform Shop now. Parents/students can get them directly from our Uniform Shop instead of ordering them from Kukri’s website. Come visit our Uniform Shop if you want to be the proud owner of a pair of IGBIS/Kukri leggings 😊.
