From the Head of Secondary 26.06.2021

On Tuesday this week I received an email from an ex-student, Rose. It is always heartening to hear from students after they leave us, and interesting to hear about how their lives have progressed since then. This is what Rose says:

“It has been a few years since I was a student at your school, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I used to come and hear from you and give you my thoughts. I remember a conversation in your office during my year 8, where you told me that you regularly received news from former students and that it touched you. So when I was looking for some information about Malaysia for one of my A Levels exams, I strayed onto the school’s website. So here I am. I don’t know if you remember me, but I wanted to write to you specifically at this time of change for teenagers my age. I am currently in the home stretch of my A Levels this week and have an oral exam tomorrow (Wednesday 23rd June). This exam is very important to me, as I will be presenting my three year experience in Malaysia and comparing the Malaysian and French political and geopolitical systems. However, the beginning of my oral is entirely dedicated to my years in your school. While preparing for this exam, I realised that I haven’t contacted you since I left and it seemed important to me to do it now, because it is thanks to you and my teachers at the time that I discovered the pleasure of learning and always giving the maximum of myself, and without the confidence that you had granted me I am not sure that I would be where I am today  So after the summer I am going to university, to study a double degree in law and foreign languages, in the hope and desire to become an international business lawyer.”

I remember Rose very well and as you can imagine I was delighted to hear from her. I think this is a wonderful reminder [if we needed reminding!] that KIS is a terrific school, that we do abide by our mission statement in terms of caring and being respectful, and that as teachers we have a huge responsibility to our students. I still remember some of my old teachers from my Secondary school in the UK all those years ago, and I know that some of them stand out because they really encouraged and influenced me.

At this time of year we are bidding farewell to some colleagues and we will acknowledge their contributions in our meetings and assemblies next week. They have each, in different ways, contributed to the development of KIS and I do not doubt that in years to come students who they taught and interacted with will remember them fondly, and perhaps they will receive an email such as I received from Rose this week!

What’s Happened This Week?

Year 6 to 7 Transition

Our main event this week was the Year 6 to 7 Transition Days, from Tuesday to Thursday. Despite not being in school, staff worked hard to replicate the kind of learning experience that Year 6 can expect once they enter Secondary. They attended a range of lessons in different subjects, from Science to Art, and all things inbetween, and to kick off the event Mr Kelly hosted an assembly where he went through the basics of what being a Secondary student involved, including information about the diary for recording homework and the lockers that they use for storing books and equipment so that they don’t need to carry everything with them as they walk between the different classrooms during the day. There was plenty of excitement in that assembly and I was impressed by the Year 6s’ enthusiasm and their eagerness to ask questions. Following that assembly we held a Google meeting for Year 6 parents and Mr Kelly and I went through a lot of the same information that their child had received earlier.

Entering the next stage of an educational journey is exciting, but it can also be stressful, and that applies to parents as well as students, especially if there are no older siblings who have already made that transition. We encourage all parents [and students] to get in touch if there are any questions or problems that we can help with.

In August we will have further meetings with students and with parents. The first day for Year 7 is the 16^th August, and we will send out more information in due course about what will be happening and also information such as the weekly timetables.

What’s Happening Next Week?

Careers Days Year 10

On Monday and Tuesday next week our Year 10 students will be starting to think seriously about their futures. Monday will focus on self-discovery, motivation and career paths. Students will have the opportunity to view specially commissioned videos on a range of career paths including that of a radio DJ in Hong Kong and the Vice President of Exploration for Petronas. The afternoon will be spent in live online talks with a range of different professionals including a kidney specialist, an actor, and a helicopter pilot.

Tuesday is a day to focus on Study Skills and how to ensure the success needed to achieve their goals. There will be some theory and practical sessions in the morning followed by an online Escape Room, focussing on teamwork, in the afternoon.

Unfortunately, our students cannot benefit from the usual Work Experience for Year 10 but hopefully this will offer them some thoughts, ideas and goals for the future. Many thanks to Ms Service for all her work in planning and organising these two days.

As we know, next Wednesday 30^th June is the last day of term. There will be no normal lessons for Secondary on that day; we will be having an extended Celebration Assembly, a House Quiz, tutor time, and an online show I am calling ‘The Aliens are in Town’, courtesy of Mr Bryant.  School will officially finish at 12pm.

As this is the final newsletter of the year, I would like to sign off by wishing all our students and parents a relaxing holiday. Many thanks for all of your efforts. To our leaving staff I would like to add my best wishes for the future, wherever you are going, and to our leaving students, the best of luck in all your future endeavours!

Have a great weekend.

Mrs Margaret Renshaw

Deputy Principal / Head of Secondary

“Overall, I really enjoyed these three days trying secondary and getting to experience it really helps me to get used to when I go to Secondary school. The teachers were nice and great to the students.”

“I felt that the transition was great and no improvements could be made. I just really wished we could have experienced this in physical school.”

“I think I will have a GREAT TIME in Year 7! :D”

“I now look forward to Write Day Fridays, more Science experiments, and new things to learn.”

“I enjoyed Drama even though it was the first time. It was really funny and hilarious but if I had, to be honest, I would choose all the subjects because all teachers were amazing!! :)))))”

“I really had fun experiencing Secondary and this experience has made me feel a lot less scared to go to Secondary now. I’m really excited!”