From the Head of Secondary 24.06.2023
Macbeth!
What an amazing end of term it has been, and it’s not over yet! First of all: Macbeth, our first major school production for some years. Anticipation had been building for some months, and we were not disappointed.
Amazing fact: a Mr William Shakespeare wrote a play Macbeth in 1607. It was first published in the First Folio in 1623, exactly 400 years ago. I am pretty certain that he never envisaged in 1607 that centuries later that he would be collaborating with a Mr Simon Bryant, Drama teacher in an international school in Borneo, to produce what we have experienced, the product of two incredibly creative minds. Mr Shakespeare would have been thrilled to see his work transformed as it was, through the power of imagination and hundreds of hours of rehearsal.
None of this would have been possible without Mr Bryant. He did an amazing job, not just in creating, directing and producing, but also in leading a whole team of staff and students who all pulled together so that this could be the tremendous success that it was.
Well done to everybody!
Graduation: Class of 2023
On Friday, the school hall was transformed from Macbeth’s ‘blasted heath’ to magical place, complete with fairy lights, for this year’s Year 13 Graduation. It ran like clockwork, and the students (and Dr Gross!) looked magnificent in the caps and gowns. We were delighted to host Dr Richard Barrow as our special guest speaker. Dr Barrow was one of the founding members of KIS 50 years ago and his speech covered not only the history of that time but also some words of wisdom that he has lived by over the years, one of which is particularly super-relevant to us all ‘Never Give Up!”. He recounted that his dream was to become a doctor, but it was not an easy ride. He struggled for some years to pass the necessary exams at school, until finally he was successful in being able to commence the many years of training to achieve his goal. It was a very heartfelt and genuine speech, and much appreciated by all.
Well done, and many congratulations to the Class of 2023 as they begin their next adventures!
PROM2023!
On Saturday evening students, guests and staff joined together at the Sutera Resort, Magellan Garden Room for an evening of glamourous outfits, good food, great company and dancing to celebrate the end of term and for some, the end of their time at KIS. Well done to the student committee for organising this event. It was a fitting end to a wonderful week!
Of course, this week has also been super-busy. Read on to find out how the Year 6 to 7 Transition Days went (Year 6 were very excited, and by all accounts they loved their time in Secondary). We also had the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Adventurous Journey, with 28 students (and the staff team) enduring heat, rain, aches and pains to achieve their goals. The week concluded with Science Day!
As this is the final newsletter of this year, I would just like to say many thanks to students, parents and staff for coming together to ensure that a great time was all by all, not only in the classrooms but also in all the extra things which happen to make sure that KIS is such a brilliant school!
Have a wonderful break.
Kind regards
Mrs Margaret Renshaw
Head of Secondary / Deputy Principal
Year 6 Transition Days
As the end of the school year approaches, our Year 6 students have been actively participating in an array of engaging activities during their transition days in Secondary. These days have been carefully designed to ease their transition into the new academic environment, giving them a taste of what lies ahead. Let’s take a closer look at the various subjects and topics they have explored during these stimulating sessions.
During their Science lessons this week, Year 6 (Year 7 soon!) have been continuing to work on their Science day projects. Mrs Beresford reported that she saw some fantastic team work – as well as some fantastic science – and that she is looking forward to seeing Year 6 in action next year.
In English, our students have been honing their analytical writing skills through a captivating reading of ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.’ They have been using the PETAL writing structure to analyse the text and express their thoughts effectively. This exercise has allowed them to develop their critical thinking abilities and articulate their ideas with clarity.
Mathematics has been an exciting adventure, covering a wide range of topics. Our Year 6 students have delved into “Moving Maths – Factors,” where they have explored the concept of factors and their significance in mathematical operations. They were also enthralled by the concept of “Maths Magic – Kaprekar’s Number,” which introduced them to a fascinating mathematical phenomenon. Additionally, they enjoyed the “Chinese Whispers – Communicating in Maths” activity, where they discovered how effective communication plays a vital role in solving mathematical problems collaboratively.
In the realm of ICT, our Year 6 students have been equipped with essential digital skills. They gained a comprehensive understanding of the school network and learned how to create their own folders to organize their work efficiently. They also delved into the world of image manipulation, experimenting with Paint.net software to learn how to place images inside text. Moreover, they mastered the basics of Microsoft Word, including saving files and copying and pasting images, which will undoubtedly prove useful in their future academic endeavours.
The artistic talents of our students flourished during their art sessions. They unleashed their creativity by drawing their own shoes, working collaboratively to build unique ducks, and embracing the spirit of their “bad hair day” project. These art activities allowed them to express themselves, showcasing their individuality and imagination.
In Drama, our Year 6 students have been delving into various theatrical elements. They explored the concept of “Efforts,” understanding the dynamics of heavy versus light, direct versus indirect, and fast versus slow movements. They also engaged in the captivating activity called “The Staring Game,” which explored the concept of focal points on the stage. The game “Purple Kiwi” challenged their tonality skills and provided a platform to experiment with different emotions. Lastly, they explored the enchanting world of Shakespeare by performing mini monologues from “Queen Mab.”
Geography classes offered a hands-on experience as students planned and executed a primary data investigation on noise levels across the school. Armed with digital decibel meters, they conducted a hypothesis test and meticulously analysed the data. This exercise exposed them to the practical application of geographical concepts and nurtured their scientific inquiry skills.
In History, students had a thought-provoking session where they delved into the importance of preconceptions when interpreting historical events, realizing that different perspectives can shape our understanding of the past. This activity fostered critical thinking and encouraged them to question the reliability of historical sources.
The Secondary library sessions provided students with a gateway to the captivating world of books. They were introduced to the library’s cataloguing system and had the opportunity to choose and sign out a book of their liking. This experience encouraged a love for reading.
Finally, their Wellbeing session with Ms Siti proved to be a valuable opportunity for our Year 6 students to gain a deeper understanding of the term “wellbeing” and to recognize the potential challenges they might encounter during their transition to secondary school. By equipping them with knowledge and strategies to prioritize their mental and emotional health, we are confident that our students will have a smooth and successful transition, ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
In conclusion, the Year 6 transition days have been an overwhelming success, leaving us filled with anticipation and excitement for the Year 6 students to return as Year 7s next year. The past few days have been a notable journey of exploration, growth, and preparation for their upcoming academic adventure that will begin in August.
DofE Bronze Award Practice Adventurous Journey (19th -20th June)
On Monday this week, 28 year 9 students embarked on their much-anticipated practice adventurous journey for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. They displayed high spirits and enthusiasm, ready to navigate through the picturesque Kiulu area.
The journey began on a positive note despite some early setbacks. A twisted ankle, a nosebleed, and even broken shoes failed to dampen the students’ resolve. With the weather being hot and humid, the teams were grateful for the presence of Miss McNutt, who met them at various checkpoints along the way, providing much-needed relief in the form of coolers of ice.
Following lunch, the students found themselves facing a change in weather as rain poured down upon them. Initially a welcome respite from the heat, the rain soon presented its own challenges. Undeterred, the groups increased their pace and persevered, eventually reaching their campsite at Zip Borneo. There, they successfully pitched their tents and cooked their own food, showing independence and resourcefulness.
After a somewhat restful night’s sleep, the students began their day with the zip-lining and wall climbing activities before setting off on their hike to Tamparuli. The toll of two consecutive days of hiking and carrying heavy backpacks was evident as the students battled exhaustion and sore muscles.
Despite their weariness, the students accomplished a great deal in terms of teamwork and perseverance. Their unwavering determination and ability to overcome challenges were admirable. The Year 9 students returned with a sense of accomplishment and pride. Thanks to Miss McNutt, Mr Watson, Miss McPherson, Mr Gant and Mrs Dobbs for supporting them over the two days.
Onto the next Adventurous Journey in the new term!
Mrs Dobbs
Duke of Edinburgh Silver Practice Adventurous Journey (Friday 16th-Saturday 17th June 2023)
Our students had been planning this journey for a long time, but due to extreme weather and government decree it had been postponed indefinitely.
Then the ban was lifted and the rush to organise the trip was on staff and students managed to get everything ready in record time. The original plans needed to be modified, the three day journey was reduced to a two day event. Extra support was provided as a contingency in case the temperatures soared again. The Macbeth production took place on the Wednesday and Thursday evenings. So the actual journey began at school first thing Friday morning. Last minute checks were made and students and their heavy rucksacks were loaded onto the coach. All the tents and other essential equipment were loaded onto a support vehicle and we were off, the Adventurous Journey had begun.
Our students were in three groups the boys XTP, and the two groups of girls Carrot cake and Mars Potatoes. All the groups were following the same routes and set off along the 12km route under clear skies. Everyone was in good spirits and made good progress making use of frequent water refills and ice cool sponges along the way. Just before reaching camp the heavens opened up cooling everyone down, fortunately the campsite had covered areas to pitch the tents. After preparing and consuming their evening meal there was a short debrief on what was a successful day.
It was planned to make an early 6:00am start on day two, unfortunately that did not happen and we left around 7:15 am. As there were absolutely no issues on day one it was decided to leave one of the support vehicles in camp and I could then accompany one of the groups. The second day went well with all groups successfully completing the 12.5km circular route. My watch recorded 26,000 steps and the equivalent of climbing 65 floors of stairs.
We have had the debrief o the practice journey are now planning the actual AJ in Sabah Tea next academic year, using our experiences gained on the practice to improve our overall performance. They all gained plenty of new experiences which will help them prepare for the next adventure. They conquered the distance, their fatigue and the elements.
Well done EVERYBODY!
Mr Williams
Year 7 Geography Trip- 22nd June
Thursday 22nd 10.20am, and all of 7k and 7s boarded the coach to embark on their Geography Investigation at two contrasting locations in KK.
This trip was designed to build on the learning from Terms 1 & 2 when the Year 7 Geography classes had learnt how to plan and conduct a primary data investigation. This trip has allowed each of the students the opportunity to develop more geographical as well as personal and interpersonal skills.
In their small groups of 2s and 3s each have been bravely asking a member of the general public questions from a pre-written questionnaire. They had to overcome the challenges in Gaya street of many of the people who they approached were tourist visitors and so therefore not eligible to answer their questions. As their Geo teachers it was great to see the perseverance from students in 7S and 7K; it took several tries for many of the groups to find that willing person who was a KK local to answer their questions.
In addition they used their survey, observation and classification skills to complete a tally chart of the businesses along Gaya Street to then compare with those types in City Mall. Each group of students focussed on the skills to be able to undertake a 5 minute pedestrian count using clickers, a traffic count of 5 minutes recorded into categories with tally charts. Noise levels were recorded using hand-held digital decibel meters and environment surveys were completed using objective scoring criteria.
Students recapped their data collection Skills from our term 2 microclimates study using their allocated digital anemometer and thermometer.
All culminated in each group successfully judging if our 7 preset hypotheses were true or false, justifying and supporting their decision with the primary data evidence they collected.
It was a busy and highly successful trip for the Year 7 students!
Ms McNutt
