Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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From the Schools’ Principal, Ms Annie Termaat

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students and Colleagues,

Welcome back to our 2nd term of SSU and 3rd term of UIS. The focus for UIS

Form 5 students will be their IGCSE examinations. As this program is highly-

regarded throughout SE Asia, their results will provide a gateway to the next

stage of their learning. I know how hard everyone has been working, so we

wish them well.

We have had a busy and successful term behind us, with our annual Sports

Carnival and 7-week visit from Wilkes University pre-service teachers. The relationship with Wilkes

University enriches Sri Utama Schools in many ways, starting with the direct experiences of your

children (Girl Power and Reading Rally were both very popular this year), sustained classroom teaching

with one of the six young visiting teachers, and finally, by providing the school with staff who are

conversant in 21st century learning techniques: three across our schools to date. Education never stands

still, and because teaching is a collaborative profession, this sustained partnership benefits us all.

In 2014 Wilkes University has offered a scholarship for two of our 18 year old graduates. We are

delighted Ahmad Akid Bin Noor Azlee and Mohamad Amirul Hafidz Bin Mohamad Farid from our 2013

Form 5 cohort at Johor Bahru campus will be attending an intensive English course for 3 months from

May 2014, before they start college.

In my first newsletter last August, I introduced myself as coming from a strong background in curriculum

design and support for inquiry learning. In March, I trained 22 teachers from all three Sri Utama Schools

campuses in Primary Connections, an innovative approach that links learning Science with literacy

development. This is particularly important in our context, where so many of our students are second

language English speakers. At Kuala Lumpur campus, we have dedicated a room to the teaching of

primary science. I am looking forward to hearing how the program engages your children.

A second important initiative, which will affect every one of our students, is the introduction of an

Academic Honesty Policy. With the growth of the World Wide Web, and freedom with which everyone

now has access to information, students must be made aware of their responsibilities when using the

intellectual property of others. Therefore, at Sri Utama Schools we are introducing a staged program,

starting in Primary 1, to help children learn this important skill. We are asking all parents/ guardians to

support this move by counter-signing the student agreements. More detailed information is available

later in this newsletter.

Annual events that lie ahead of us, this term, are our Swimming Carnival and Annual Performance. In the

interests of providing a balanced education, we hope to see your child participate and look forward to

meeting you at these events.

With enthusiasm and continued best wishes for your child’s future,

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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Welcoming new staff at Sri Utama Schools, KL

We welcome our following staff who joined Sri Utama Schools during last term or will be starting now:

Mr Gonzalo Morquecho Rey

Mr Gonzalo has degrees in Fine Arts and Performing Arts, and a strong professional history in Madrid, Spain, where as well as running his own performing arts company, he coached professional actors and provided content for theatre and TV. At Sri Utama Schools he has responsibility for 24 classes across the UIS and SSU.

Ms Andrea Hourahane

Ms Andrea is from the UK and has been teaching for 20 years, as an expert on numeracy across the curriculum and ICT integration. Since arriving at Sri Utama Schools 2 months ago, she has been teaching Forms 4-5 Economics and Forms 1-3 Mathematics. Her students are enjoying her extensive knowledge of rich interactive tasks for engaging with mathematics.

Ms Renee Yap Mei Xia

Ms Renee has a degree in Performing Arts and many years’ experience as a teacher of piano. She is looking forward to teaching students in Sri Utama primary schools music this term.

Ms Ha Junlu

Ms Junlu will be teaching Mandarin to students in the Srim Utama primary schools. She has extensive experience tutoring children in English, Mathematics and Mandarin, sometimes taking groups of up to 40! She has also taught university level students.

Acknowledgement and thank you to Teachers who have come and gone, helping out with relief classes, writing units of work, or teaching for extended periods include: Ms Nor Emalina (Primary music), Mr Seyed Ali Ramezani Bayani (ESL), Ms Aishah Ramlan (for Mr Deji’s mathematics classes) and Ms Marienne (for Mr Deji’s economics class) and Ms Ai Pei (Primary Mandarin). All of them assisted the learning of our students in some way, and we are grateful for their efforts in helping our students experience a consistent programme.

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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SPM Results for Year 2013

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) is the Malay Certificate of Education, taken by Form 5 graduating students in SSU. On 20 March, our 20 Form 5 T 2013 cohort received their graduation results. Every student achieved at least 1A grade in their examinations! Please join us in congratulating our students and their teachers: Pn Azeem (Bahasa Melayu), Ms Shamini (Bahasa Inggeris), En How (Mathematics, Additional Mathematics), En Goon (Science, Physics), Cik Zainurain (Biology), Cik Shariza (Chemistry), Pn Norita (Pendidikan Islam), Cik Lenny/ Ms Azmalia

(Pendidikan Moral), Pn Siti Norbani (Sejarah), Cik Rasdiana (Pendidikan Seni), Pn Lenny (Perdagangan, Ekonomi Asas) and Cik Tan Hui Chin (Prinsip Perakaunan).

7A’s!

3 A’s!

1. CHEN LOK CHING 5. JEZZEBEL ANN SIVANATHAN

10. NICHOLAS TAN CHOON YEW

15. SOLEHA BINTI SHAHARUDDIN

5A’s!

6. SAYED MOHD NOFAL BIN SAYED ISKANDAR

11. PUTERI SOFIA SAFIAN 16. LIUE GUEY EONG

2. BENJAMIN WONG CHEE KIN

2 A’s!

12. IMANI NAJWA BINTI NORDIN

17. JESSICA LEE KAH MUN

3. LIM QIAN WEN

7. ALYA AMIRAH BINTI ABDUL AZIZ

13. MOHAMED DANIAL BIN MOHAMED REZA

18. LIM SHIN JING

4A’s!

8. ABDUR RAHMAN BIN HASSAN

1 A!

19. KAVIN CHELVAN SYLVESTYNE A/L KATHIRAVAR

4. SARA BINTI RASHIDI 9. MUHAMMAD UMMAR KHAN B. SHER KHAN

14. ANISAH BINTI IBRAHIM 20. NABILLA MANISSA BINTI ABDUL RAHMAN

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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Communication with the school

Parents and Guardians are requested to contact the Registrar’s office if they have any queries about enrolment,

withdrawal of students, fees, immigration issues or other matters relating to their School contract. Similarly if

there are any queries about Data Protection they should be directed to the Registrar or emailed to

Dataprivacy@sriutama.edu.my. Only the Registrar’s office is able to deal with these issues and it is likely to

cause confusion if these issues are raised with teachers.

Parents can arrange to meet the Principal or School Teachers by appointment to discuss other matters such as

academic issues and discipline. All meetings with the Principal or a Teacher will be conducted in the Principal’s

office.

Appointments to see the Registrar, the Principal or a teacher can be made by contacting the Front Office on

03-40212490.

Visiting students from Indonesia

As an international school, we are always delighted to welcome potential students from neighbouring countries.

On 7 March, 14 beautifully behaved students and their 3 teachers came to inspect our premises and learn about the Primary UIS program. As Sd Islam Almadina Semerang in Java has classes only up to Year 3, the school is considering a boarding arrangement for their older Primary students.

Over 18-20 March, Hendro Widjaya of Fu Wei Education organized a study tour for 15 Secondary students and their teacher Ms Shine from Lentera International School in Jakarta. On each day, a small group of students in grades 6-10 joined classes in our Secondary SSU program to help them consider whether our school would meet their needs for future study.

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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Academic Honesty at Sri Utama Schools: New Policy

With the instruction of 30% of summative assessment at Sri Utama Schools being based on

assignment work, it is timely that students understand the basic meaning of academic honesty,

especially with respect to authenticity and intellectual property. An authentic piece of work is one that

is based on the student’s individual and original ideas with the ideas and work of others fully

acknowledged. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable.

Academic honesty malpractice is behaviour that results in the student gaining an unfair advantage.

This includes:

Plagiarism, defined as the representation of the ideas of work of another person as the

student’s own

Collusion, defined as allowing one student’s work to be copied or submitted for

assessment by another student

Duplication of work, defined as the presentation of the same work for different

assessment components

Copying the work of another student

Fabricating data for an assignment

Paraphrasing another person’s work without acknowledging the source

Any other behaviour that gains an unfair advantage for a student

At the beginning of this term, all students will be asked to sign an agreement that they will

acknowledge the work they present is their own. We are asking parents/guardians to counter-sign

this agreement in recognition that you support our school in this. These agreements will be placed in

each student’s file.

To help them develop skills, this term our students will be introduced to age-appropriate

referencing guidelines by teachers who request written research for their assignments. These

guidelines are also available on http://www.sriutama.edu.my/index.php/curriculum-m-7992/academic-

honesty-policy so students can refer to them whenever they need to. We anticipate, as these skills

become embedded and refined with practice, graduates from Sri Utama Schools will find they belong

to a superior academic group when they reach college.

This is an important skill that will support every one of our students in their future studies, and in any

work environment where they may be required to research and write reports. A full copy of the policy

and the age-appropriate bibliography guides have been placed on the school’s website under the

‘Curriculum’ tab. The guides will always be available to assist students when they have assignments.

Annie Termaat

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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Competition Results! In January, AmAssurance (www.amassurance.com.my), part of AmBank, invited students to enter a competition explaining the advantage of a savings plan in 25 words or less. A different section of the school participated in a colouring-in competition. The company provides insurance protection.

We congratulate all students who reflected on their answers. Yasaman Dehbozorgi (P6A), wrote:

I love to save because ..reaching your goals is easier. With savings you can chose the goals that are most important and wise for you.

Aminnovation-I, the company the managed the competition,

had difficulty judging which three responses were the best.

The lucky winners were Shermin Ghajar (P4A) is pictured with

her mother - 1st Prize, Helena Natalia Pillai (P5A) - 2nd Prize,

and Lim Ju Whan (P4B) - 3rd Prize.

An example of a participation certificate.

P5B Art Show

The quality of art produced by students in P5B inspired their teacher, Ms Kaitlyn McGuirk, to celebrate their

achievement and success with a special occasion, just for this group and their parents. There were two

showings: Friday 4 April 2014 from 6-8pm and Saturday, 5 April 2014 from 10am-12pm. All of her students

attended with their parents on at least one of the days.

Did you miss out? Not to worry, click these live links to experience the class and the exhibition vicariously!

Click here to view the slideshow "PRIMARY 5B ART SHOW"!

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow-maker/d9762640k8965204o1/art-exhibition-2014

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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Primary Connections introduced at Sri Utama Schools

Primary Connections is an outstanding, innovative teaching resource developed by the Australian Academy of Science. It is very structured, and uses a variety of questioning strategies and hands-on activities to help students develop scientific ways of thinking (scientific literacy). The engaging program has been highly successful in improving student learning and understanding of science in Australia. As part of our drive to improve teaching and learning, Sri Utama Schools is introducing selected Primary Connections units to deliver some of content in CIE and/or Malaysian syllabus. We expect all students in SSU and UIS primary classes to have the opportunity to work with these resources. The major difference from traditional teaching strategies is that students must be given opportunities to explore their own ideas first and find out, through their own investigations, whether this prior knowledge is correct. During March, every primary teacher of science at Sri Utama Terengganu, Johor Baharu and Kuala Lumpur Schools attended an introductory Saturday professional learning workshop in Kuala Lumpur to gain more familiarity with these strategies.

This has been a key investment for Sri Utama Schools, in resources and in teachers’ time. We look forward to feedback about your children’s experiences.

Above: Teachers who attended the training with principals from three Sri Utama Schools, from left to right: Quah Poh Leng (Paulin) - Terengganu; Annie Termaat - Kuala Lumpur; Kamisah Binti Zainal Abidin – Johor Baharu

Below: Workshop in progress in the Great Hall, block E

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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Annual Sports and Track Event

In the build-up to last term’s Annual Track and Sports Day events, Primary and Secondary students participated in a range of individual and team based sports throughout the term, including basketball, badminton, football, and table tennis. Track & field events included long jump, shot put, javelin throw, and discus throw. Students who performed these events received points for their respective assigned Houses (Green Crocodiles, Blue Wolves, Yellow Tigers, and Red Eagles), which contributed to the points awarded during the Annual Track Event and Annual Sports Day Event. On the 4th March, all Primary and Secondary students were transported to the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) stadium for the Annual School Track Event, where they competed in 100m, 200m, and 400 m sprints and relays. Despite unfavourable weather conditions, all participating students showed determination and recorded exceptional performances. Students displayed team spirit by lining up along the final straight of the track and applauding members of their Houses as they crossed the finished line. On the 8th March students participated in the Annual Sports Day. The event commenced with a March Pass from the Kindergarten Students in their Bright Orange T shirts followed by the Primary and Secondary students, divided into their four assigned Houses (Green Crocodiles, Blue Wolves, Yellow Tigers, and Red Eagles.) Our Principal, Annie Termaat introduced the event, which was opened by our Chairman, En Hassan Md Ali. Students displayed outstanding sportsmanship and team work through participating in the Gymrama, Various Tele-match’s, and Tug of War. Teachers and Parents also joined in the fun, with the Parents vs. Teachers tug of War, and Female Teachers Victorious and the Male Parents Victorious. Prizes were determined by the accumulation of points won by individual students as well as overall results by house events. The 2014 Primary winners were the Yellow Tigers; and 2014 Secondary winners, the Green Crocodiles! The event concluded with the singing of the School Song and the Negaraku. (Malaysian National Anthem)

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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2014 Wilkes University IEP Summer Scholarship

Congratulations to Ahmad Akid Bin Noor Azlee and Mohamad Amirul Hafidz Bin Mohamad Farid on being selected for the 2014 Wilkes University IEP Summer Scholarship!

This Intensive English Programme will be held over 3 months, from May to August, at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania, USA. It will focus on Intensive English Instruction through daily classes at the university. In addition to academic fees, food, flights, and accommodation, this full scholarship also includes group trips around the region. The scholarship should give both students a good understanding of the university environment, and further their English competency and communicative skills to the level required at a University.

All 2013 graduate students from Utama International School and Sekolah Sri Utama were given the opportunity to apply for this scholarship. Interested students were tasked with writing a student essay outlining ‘why they should be selected and what they hope to gain from the experience’. Short-listed students attended a panel interview with the School Principal and accompanying Teacher. Only students who met key criteria; including a strong academic record and a good record of discipline, were selected. This scholarship is an invaluable opportunity for Sri Utama Students and we strongly encourage current 2014 SPM and IGCSE graduates to consider applying for this opportunity next year.

Important Events this Term

Our Annual School Concert is fast approaching, scheduled for Saturday 21st June, and student rehearsals have begun under the guidance of Play Directors Mr. Gonzalo and Puan Jasvinder. This year’s play is entitled ‘Around the World in 80 Days,’ based on the classic novel by French writer Jules Verne. This event will showcase the artistic talents of all Sri Utama Students, with participation from Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary Students. More information will be sent through a school circular closer to the date.

Our Annual Swimming Gala will be held on Saturday, 10th May, at the school pool for all Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary Students. Students will compete representing their assigned Houses, (Green Crocodiles, Blue Wolves, Yellow Tigers, and Red Eagles) in a range of strokes including Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Freestyle, and Relay Events. More information will be sent through a school circular closer to the event date.

*Please refer to the Sri Utama School website for photographs of all school events.

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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Careers Day

On the 20th March Upper Secondary Students gathered in the School Hall for the Annual Careers Day Event. This year the school welcomed 16 different educational institutions from Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Each institution manned a stall and Sri Utama students were able to ask questions about the various courses offered at each institution, as well as collect brochures and course information. Students listened to seminars on various Pre- University Programmes, as well as seminars on different careers options, such as Information Technology, Hospitality and Tourism, and Economics.

Primary Educational School Trip

On Tuesday, 19th February Primary 1-6 students accompanied by their class teachers visited KidZania for the annual Primary Educational Trip. Upon arriving at KidZania students were given an introduction by KidZania Staff on the days planned activities. Students were than able to choose from a range of real life occupations such as airline pilot, doctor, and fireman; and perform these occupations through simulated hands on role play. The day ended with students and teachers gathering for lunch before catching the school bus back to campus. All students eagerly participated in the day’s activities, and had a fantastic time experiencing their dream jobs!

Prefects’ Installation

On Friday, 14th February 2014, selected students in both Primary and Secondary gathered for the yearly Prefects Installation. In the company of existing prefects, probationary prefects were presented with their Prefect Badges and ties by School Principal Annie Termaat and Mr Nakhil Hassan. Following this all prefects recited the Sri Utama Prefect Oath, an oath which outlines their commitment to the school community.

Students are accepted as school prefects if they have displayed leadership qualities and maintained a good academic record. However, we must emphasise we have many worthy students at this school who could fulfil this role, and sometimes only subtle qualities differentiate those who were selected for the limited number of positions compared to those who, on this occasion, did not win a place.

Prefects are responsible for being positive role models and supporting other students, and assisting teachers in the organization and execution of school events, assemblies, and tasks. We would like to congratulate all Sri Utama Prefects and wish them a successful and smooth year ahead! http://www.sriutama.edu.my/index.php/about-us-m-45238/gallery-m-63516/category/65-prefects-installation-2014

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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2014 pre-service teachers visit from Wilkes University, Pennsylvania

Annually since 2012, Wilkes University Education Faculty graduating students have completed part of their Practical Teacher Training at Sri Utama Schools. This is a unique and genuine partnership, in which each student teacher is paired with a Sri Utama class teacher over a period of seven weeks, to observe, assist and teach in the classroom. As always when students work with highly-experienced staff, they gain rich experience in classroom management skills and understanding of local contexts, including the CIE and Malaysian syllabi. As experts in a range of subject areas and levels of education, this sustained program also benefits our school by helping our teachers keep in touch with evolving understandings of best practice in education.

For many of these USA citizens, this was their first time abroad. The warmth and family atmosphere of our school helped them develop as global citizens, and as a consequence their experience in Malaysia, many have gone on to seek professional careers overseas, and several have returned to work at Sri Utama! If your child was in a class they taught, then your child contributed to that life changing experience.

The 2014 cohort was a particularly impressive group. Many of their co-teachers were moved to tears at the Farewell Ceremony, held in the Great Hall on 5 March. We hope it was not really ‘Good-bye!’ but ‘So long!’ and that maybe there will be a place for some of these young people at Sri Utama Schools one day in the future.

Term 2 SSU and Term 3 UIS, 2014

Day Date Happening / Events / School & Public Holidays

Tuesday 22 April 2014 First Day of School (Term 2 SSU / Term 3 UIS)

Thursday 1 May 2014 Public Holiday – Labour Day

Friday 2 May 2014 Parents – Teachers Meeting (PTM)Term 1 SSU / Term 2 UIS

From Left to Right: Micahel Yamrus (Biology, Secondary education); Prof Gina Morrison (Course coordinator); Robyn Sorber (Early Childhood, SEN) ; Rachel Gill (Chemistry, Secondary education); Paige Trusty (Mathematics, Secondary education); Amanda Best (Early Childhood); and Chase English (Early Childhood).

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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Friday 2 May 2014 IGCSE Special Prayers

Monday -

Friday

6 May 2014 – 13

June 2014 IGCSE Examinations

Saturday 10 May 2014 Swimming Gala

Monday 12 May 2014 Replacement School Holiday

Tuesday 13 May 2014 Public Holiday – Wesak Day

Thursday 15 May 2014 Secondary School Educational Trip

Friday 23 May 2014 Teachers’ Day Celebration & High Tea

Wednesday 4 June 2014 2nd Fire Drill

Saturday 7 June 2014 Public Holiday – DYMM Agong’s Birthday

Saturday 21 June 2014 Annual School Concert

Monday 23 June 2014 Replacement School Holiday

Saturday -

Sunday 28 June 2014 First Day Fasting – 1 Ramadhan

Wednesday -

Friday

2 July 2014 –

11 July 2014 *Examination Term 3 UIS

Thursday 10 July 2014 Special Prayers & Buka Puasa

Monday -

Thursday

14 July 2014 –

17 July 2014 *Examination Term 2 SSU

Friday 18 July 2014

UIS Prize-Giving Day Parents-Teachers Meeting (PTM) UIS Term 3 Kindergarten Graduation Children’s’ Day

Monday 21 July 2014 School Holiday Starts

Monday 28 July 2014 1st Day Hari Raya Puasa Celebrations

Tuesday 19 August 2014 First Day of School (Term 3 SSU / Term 1 UIS)

**Note: All the above dates are subject to amendments particularly the term examinations.

Term 2 SSU, Term 3 UIS April 2014

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STOP PRESS! Coached and Interschool Activities

Commencing on the Monday 5th May 2014, Sri Utama Students in both SSU and UIS can elect to participate in a variety of After School Sports under the instruction of external coaches, including Badminton, Basketball, Football, Netball, Table Tennis, and Swimming. Activities will occur on Mondays from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm for Primary, and Tuesdays from 3:30 pm – 4:40 pm for Secondary. Interschool Competitions Training sessions for interschool competitions will occur on Thursday, for all sports except Swimming. These sessions are free, but only available to students who are enrolled on Monday or Tuesday’s training sessions. Students must maintain regular attendance in training sessions to be eligible to participate in interschool competition. Swimming Squad The Swimming Squad on Wednesday is independent of the Learn to Swim Programme. There is an expectation that students in the squad are already confident swimmers, therefore students attending on Wednesday are not required to attend the Learn to Swim Programme on Monday or Tuesday. The details of each activity, including nominal charges for participation are included below. Students must sign up for these activities at the School Front Office before Friday 2nd May 2014.

COACHED ACTIVITY

Learn to Swim Sri Utama Swim Squad Team sports

Teacher/ Coach

Advanced Aquatics

Advanced Aquatics

Kickabolla (Basketball, Football, Netball, Table Tennis) Times Academy (Badminton)

Day Monday (Primary 4-6)

Tuesday (Form 1-5)

Wednesday (Primary 4-6 & Form 1-5)

Monday (Primary 4-6) Tuesday (Form 1-5)

Student audience/ Purpose

Students with limited or no swimming experience. Students will learn how to perform basic swimming strokes, and gain confidence in the water.

Students who are confident swimmers. Students will perform drills, work on individual technique, and improve lap times. Students will participate in interschool competition.

All students. Students will develop basic skills and an understanding of the rules of the game. Students will develop strength, flexibility, team work skills, and overall health.

Time 3:30 – 4:30 PM

Cost RM 25 Per Session

Minimum no. 10 Students