From the Head of Secondary 03.02.2024
This week we had a visit from Mr Jee from the University of Wales who spoke to our Year 10, 11 and 12 students. Over the coming weeks we will be hosting a number of visits from well-known universities as part of the comprehensive careers programme organized by Mrs Colbeck, our Head of Sixth Form / Careers and University Counsellor. Read on to find out more about this opportunity that we offered our students.
The Year 11 Mock Reports were published this week, and next Tuesday teachers will be meeting with parents to discuss their child’s performance in the exams and the areas to focus on in the build-up to the actual exams in May / June. It is important that the mock exams are thought of as a learning experience within themselves. Whilst there is a certain level of stress associated with any exam [which I am sure we can all remember from our own school days] they do give an authentic experience which helps prepare the students for the real thing. The mocks also give an indication of how students will perform in the actual exams, and whether, in some subjects, the student should be sitting the Core rather than the Extended paper. The Core paper is easier; the highest grade that can be achieved is a C. For a few students taking the Core paper would be the sensible choice; C is considered a passing grade at IGCSE level.
Year 11, 12 and 13 students will start study leave on the 24th April, and from then on will come into school to sit their exams, and to meet with teachers for revision sessions. These will be pre-arranged, and some may take place online via Google Meet.
Thursday saw the revival of SportsNite which was enjoyed by 60+ Secondary Students. Organising an event like this has been a learning experience for our senior students as there are so many things to consider if the outcome is to be successful, but Woon Tong and her team did an amazing job. Well done to all!
Have a wonderful weekend
Mrs Margaret Renshaw
Deputy Principal / Head of Secondary
A Visit from the University of South Wales
This week on Tuesday, KIS welcomed Mr Rock Stevie Jee, who represents the University of South Wales UK. He came to talk to our Year 10, 11, and 12 students about what his university can offer them. Whilst this might seem like a distant prospect for students in Year 10, it is important to start thinking about next steps and where we want to start aiming for our futures. Mr Jee talked about all the courses, Degrees, and Masters available, as well as touching on fees, scholarships and accommodation. Even for those who are not considering the wilds of Wales for university should now have a starting point for discussion with friends and families, and can supplement this with their own research on the Unifrog platform.
Library News!
A new e-platform for a catalogue of online books is being trialled across Years 3, 5, and 7 for February, and teachers had a short training session on how to use it on Thursday. The new catalogue has 100s of newly published books, as well as some of our old favourites, and caters for the full range of reading levels amongst the students at KIS – and the app can be installed on multiple devices. Other features also include a grammar analysis tool, as well as translation, with audio options for those who want to hear the story as well as read it. We are hopeful this will encourage reading; some of us are still very much wedded to reading a physical book, but the practicalities of digital books cannot be escaped!
We will be sending out a google form to collect feedback from staff and students after CNY so we can evaluate the next steps we take in modernising the KIS Libraries.
SportsNite
On Thursday afternoon we held ‘SportsNite’ – the first Secondary Student Council organised event since Covid hit.
The aim was to give the students an opportunity to build engagement within the school community, showing that school is not just about studying but also about creating happy memories. Through fun activities and sports, students had the opportunity simply spend time with friends and enjoy the school environment. At its very core, it was one of Student Council’s attempts to make the school fun!
At scheduled times, an array of activities were offered for every attendee: basketball competitions, House dodgeball, ping pong, an obstacle course, and team building games. Although the event itself was quite short, each hour was made lively as more than two activities were offered for the students to choose from. These were competitive and also built important skills such as teamwork. Some activities pushed individuals to their limits in order to achieve their very best, such as the obstacle course.
On a personal note, the idea of SportsNite came to me when I remembered being a small Year 7 student, excited to take part in the SportsNite held by the Student Council of 2019. I am now an old Sixth Form student, in a position I once looked up to, attempting to recreate the same joyous memories for the current Secondary. I hope that this shows that regardless of what age or where you are now, in the future you can also do great things.
Woon Tong Liao
Secondary Students Council (Events Committee)
Year 12
