{"id":10878,"date":"2022-10-05T15:54:24","date_gmt":"2022-10-05T07:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.easytest.my\/igbis2022\/?p=10878"},"modified":"2022-10-17T12:25:27","modified_gmt":"2022-10-17T04:25:27","slug":"igbis-newsletter-issue-311","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.easytest.my\/igbis2022\/newsletters\/igbis-newsletter-issue-311\/","title":{"rendered":"IGBIS Newsletter, Issue 311."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Message from the Head of School<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jason McBride<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hello IGBIS Community,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a week full of conversations and activities based around what it means to be inclusive, one of the themes that linked many of those talks and events was the importance of communication. The Learner Profile highlights communication as one of the 10 attributes of an internationally minded person, and together with being open-minded, sets the stage for respectful, meaningful discussion and dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sometimes, however, conversations are needed to clarify a misunderstanding or to address a mistake and when that happens, it\u2019s important for parents and students to know what to do and who to go to. The full version of our Procedure for the Communication of Concerns<\/a> can be found by accessing the link, but the shorter version is this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When questions or concerns arise, students and parents are strongly encouraged to speak with the teacher or staff member closest to the concern first. The vast majority of issues are solved by asking questions of the person most closely associated with the source of the issue; in most instances involving students and their learning, this is a classroom teacher. Going directly to that person not only often resolves the problem, but it also helps build trust and understanding between the people involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We know that language barriers may be a challenge for some, but we can help with translation support when needed. Cultural barriers may exist as well where there are differences in someone\u2019s comfort with potential conflict, but know that we are all here to support our students \u2014 your children \u2014 so we ask that we err on the side of discomfort rather than not knowing how to help or that a concern exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see in the chart below or in the link above, if going to the person closest to the concern directly does not solve the issue \u2014 or the issue is about that person \u2014 then you move on to speak with that person\u2019s line manager; often a Principal or a Department Head. If the situation continues to not find a solution, they generally end up on my doorstep as the final step. There are usually a lot of steps between me and the issue, just know that my door is always open if it gets to that point!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is at least one special circumstance where you would not go through this process, the most important of which is if you have a child safeguarding concern. We have spent much of the last 12 months upgrading our team\u2019s training and making sure our safeguarding policies and procedures are in line with international best practice \u2014 information we will be sharing in the next few weeks \u2014 but for now, just know that if you are worried about the safety of a student (neglect, abuse, etc.) to contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead (Mr. John Schuster, ES Counselor) immediately as per the red path below. All students will be listened to, believed and supported by any adult in the school, and there are five members of the Child Safeguarding Team that the students are being made aware of, but our DSL Mr. Schuster is the most direct path for parents should the need arise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all other worries, concerns or clarifications, let the dialogue between the right people continue or begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have a great weekend,
Jason<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From the ES Principal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Simon Millward<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What a great week it has been this week. So much going on during our \u2018Inclusive School Week\u2019, our first PYP parent workshop of the year and the Grade 2 assembly which is where I will start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Grade 2 students shared a variety of their learning and they spoke clearly and with confidence. A big shout out to Teeya and Ariq for acting as the MC\u2019s for the assembly. I enjoyed listening to the students sharing their understanding of place value in maths as they showed us how they use materials to understand hundreds, tens and ones. They spoke clearly and with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Grade 2 students also helped us with some strategies that we can use in the playground should there be some kind of conflict. They are using Kelso\u2019s choice wheel that gives them options like \u2018talk it out\u2019, \u2018share and take turns\u2019, \u2018wait and cool off\u2019, \u2018walk away\u2019, \u2018tell them to stop\u2019 etc. This is very good advice and I hope other grades will have heard this message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The students demonstrated their creativity and imagination as they were inspired by \u2018It\u2019s not a box\u2019 written by Antoinette Portis. I had to smile at some of their ideas. The students got us up and moving as we played \u2018freeze dance\u2019. I liked the simplicity of the movements (as I was able to follow along with the students on stage). They even shared their learning from Music (their inquiry into melodies) and Art (their future artist selves- sharing their goals).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The highlight for me was the \u2018Kung Fu punctuation\u2019- ask your children if they can remember this part of the assembly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inclusive schools week has brought a flurry of activities that have brought the focus of what inclusion is to the students. Ms. Stacey read to all grade levels and facilitated a mini workshop with them, we had first language (mother tongue) stories read by members of the community. It has been wonderful to see so many students taking the opportunity to listen to a story in another language. As these have happened at lunchtime they have actively made the choice to engage in this experience which says a lot about our students. The students have created a paper chain with words that highlight inclusion, and contributed to the community mural by adding their unique person. There were also some physical challenges too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thank you to Mr. Harvey for being a risk taker and leading our first PYP workshop of the year \u2018Digital citizenship and tech tips for parents\u2019 and all the parents that attended. Next Wednesday 5th October we have a very important workshop about assessment in the PYP. It would be great to see lots of parents attend this session. This workshop is taking place in the music room on level 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you are all aware on Friday we have our 3 way and parent teacher conferences. I look forward to seeing you all at your conference where the children from G2 – G5 will be sharing their learning journey so far with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dates for Your Diaries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n