From the Head of Secondary 05.06.2021
This week we have had to make some decisions which we were hoping not to have to do. As we looked at the school calendar and considered the news about the latest MCO and associated SOP it became apparent that some changes had to be made. Whilst I think some students (and teachers and students) will be frustrated that the Year 7 to 10 exams have been cancelled I know that there is widespread understanding about why we have had to make this decision. We will tentatively reschedule for early September in the hope that we can go ahead with them at that time. We are hugely relieved that the Cambridge exams have continued this week; they will be completed on the 11th June. The Year 13 Graduation will happen on the 18th June and there is a strong possibility that this will also be online, unless we see some radical improvements in the current situation in Sabah. This is not ideal and I know it will be a disappointment to the students and their families, but we must prioritise the health and safety of the community.
Online lessons are back in full swing and I see that the vast majority of our students are doing their best, logging in on time as required and completing the work set by their teachers. I fully understand that it’s not easy, especially when there are stringent limits on going out and about (in fact, we are all being told to stay at home except when absolutely necessary). Thank you to those of you who completed the recent feedback survey…..there were some interesting observations and some good ideas. There were a few comments about the stresses and strains for the students on being online and the difficulty of being able to socialise with their friends during this time. This is something that we are considering here at school. We do need to get the balance right between a necessary focus on the academic side, and the less easily defined emotional and social side of school life, vitally important and especially so during lockdown. I would welcome your ideas about ways to achieve this. Just email me at margaretrenshaw@kis.edu.my.
We need good news at the moment so read on to see what the EcoWarriors have to tell us about what is happening in the natural world, and then have a look at Mr Davis’ account which celebrates the achievements of our students in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge. Well done everybody!
Mrs Renshaw
Deputy Principal / Head of Secondary
Environment Day 5th June
Let’s celebrate Environment Day 2021 with some positive news!
Africa
There are approximately 24 Karomia gigas trees left in Tanzania and it is one of the most endangered species in Africa. In September 2018, thousands of seeds were collected from field expeditions in Tanzania and now a sapling has flowered in the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Asia
Camera traps in May 2020 revealed a tigress with three healthy cubs in a wildlife corridor in Bhutan. The tigress was last seen during the national tiger survey in 2014.
Europe
In Utrecht, Netherlands, 316 bus stops have been covered with sedum plants to attract bees, butterflies and other insects. The city has also built a huge bee hotel on a billboard next to a motorway. It has more than 200 nesting sites and is surrounded by a 7,000m2 wildflower meadow.
North America
The U.S. approved a large offshore wind project, 12 nautical miles offshore from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. The 800-megawatt project will produce enough electricity to power 400,000 homes and businesses.
Oceania
A new species of frog, Litoria Mira or the “chocolate frog”, has been discovered by Australian scientists in the rainforest swamps of New Guinea.
South America
In May, a giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), a species believed to be extinct in Argentina, was spotted in the Impenetrable National Park.
Watch the river otter at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO5mor4r8zE
Sources: WWF weekly round up
During lockdown, how can we engage with nature?
- Look at nature from your window.
Observe birds, butterflies or changing seasons in the plants and trees.
Scientists at the University of Melbourne found that spending as little as 40 seconds looking outside at nature can help restore concentration.
- Buy a plant or plant seeds. Why not do what the horticulturalists did for the Karomia gigas trees and germinate your seeds on damp paper towel? Try seeds from papaya, cucumber or carrot tops.
- Look out of the window and count how many different shades of green you see on plants or blue for the sea.
- If you have a garden or yard, do a plant survey. How many different plants do you have? Why not sketch them too.
The EcoWarriors
The 2021 UKMT Junior Maths Challenge
In late April Year 7 and 8 students took the online UKMT Junior Maths Challenge – a demanding (yet enjoyable) hour long multiple choice exam paper designed to test students’ deeper understanding of the curriculum material they routinely engage with.
Just before the half-term break we received feedback on the competition, and the results make for great reading. No fewer than twenty-three of our students achieved special awards.
The following students received the Bronze Award:
Y7: Ada Hammer, Matthew Jo,
Y8: Nur Azwina Abdullah, Julia Aveline-Rabenjoro, Vayne Lim, Mikail Nik Mohd Azif, Ian Samuel, Junhu Yang
The following students received the Silver Award:
Y7: Arayyan Anwar, Jihyo Shin, Pik Ern Tong, Caleb Wong, Leroy Yapp
Y8: Sarah Jong, Pik Yen Tong
The following students received the Gold Award:
Y7: Jayden Cheng, Seyoung Jung
Y8: Kenzi Chan, Celine Hiew, Anny Ling, Isabella Luping-Cowan, Juah Son, Amiel Suresh
Well done to all the students who participated, congratulations to the Award winners, and a special commendation to Jayden Cheng who scored the highest mark of all the KIS students.
All students who took part will receive a certificate of participation in the coming days, and the special award winners will receive their recognition at the end-of-year assembly.
Mr Frank Davis
Head of Secondary Maths
