From the Head of Secondary 04.02.2023
Term 2:2 2022 – 2023 Begins!
Welcome back to all after our rather early half term Chinese New Year Break, and I hope that wonderful family time was had by all.
Year 11 students completed their mocks just before half term, and this week they have been going over their papers with their teachers, who have completed the reports ready to go out next Tuesday. These reports simply report the % and grade that the students have been awarded in their mocks, and the target grade that they should be aiming for in the actual exams in May / June. On Wednesday afternoon we have the Year 11 Student / Parent / Teacher meetings in the hall and we look forward to seeing all parents there for these important discussions. The next few months are vital for the students as they complete the syllabi and revise and prepare for the exams. Student leave starts on Tuesday 25th April. We have an established policy for study leave and it is set out so that it gives students and teachers lots of opportunities to meet up in school, or online, for one to one or group revision sessions. The normal timetable is collapsed so that we can arrange support at the best times which are aligned with the Cambridge Examinations’ exam schedule, focussing firstly on those subjects which are examined early in the season.
The Year 12 / 13 Mock exams are next, and they run from the 27th February to the 7th March.
It seems apt, as we start this second half term, just to talk about a few fairly straightforward things which help the school to run more smoothly. I think it’s useful for parents also to know about certain messages that we are giving students, so that they can support the ideas at home.
Here are a few reminders:
- All students must arrive at school by 7.30 and be in registration by 7.40am
- Students must lock their mobile phones away in their lockers between 7.40 and 3pm, unless a teacher has specifically stated that they need it for a particular lesson. That should be a very rare occurrence, as all students have laptop computers.
- Students are not allowed to use their phones during break and lunchtime. Laptops should also not be used then, unless there is an unusually urgent reason, in which case they can go to the library
- Students must follow the uniform rules, including those on jewellery.
- Absences are discouraged, unless there is a really good reason, such as illness. When we take registration we have a number of categories that absences can fall into, for example, illness is ‘Medical’ and we have a ‘school event’ category for such things as the FOBISIA Games. If a parent is planning to take their child out of school, they must complete a ‘planned absence’ form’ and that should be sent into school at least two weeks before the planned absence. If that does not happen, such absences are classed as ‘unapproved’. Absences for holidays are always unapproved. If they are absent, students are expected to catch up with missed work, as far as possible.
News from the Eco Warriors!
Milk cartons
This term, the Eco Warriors are starting to collect milk cartons for TAME at Tanjung Aru that is collaborating with UPcycle Shack. We will be collecting any milk cartons with a white plastic lining on the inside. There will be a labelled bin outside the school at the gate and we will start to collect them from Monday the 6th of February, continuing for the foreseeable future.
Earth Week
We are busy planning the first Earth Week at KIS which will take place from 17th April-21st April (just before Earth Day). In order to raise awareness about recycling and the environment, there will be an event where each form is able to grow some edible plants using recycled materials.
Be sure to look out for that, launching soon!
By Tiggi (Y10] and Rain (Y9)
Mrs Margaret Renshaw
Deputy Principal / Head of Secondary
