From the Head of Secondary 18.11.2023
This week seems to have passed by very quickly and it is somewhat startling to realize that we have only 4 weeks remaining of this term. Last week I wrote about some very special events which had been happening in school and whilst in that sense it has been a somewhat ‘calmer’ week, of course the nuts and bolts of school life have continued.
On Thursday afternoon we had the Year 7 Student / Teacher / Parent meetings in the school hall. Many thanks to all parents who attended. These were the first such Year 7 meetings we have held since the MCO; during those years we held the meetings online. However, there are aspects of communication which can only work well face-to-face and so we are pleased that we are able to go back to the traditional way of reporting progress and talking to parents about how home and school can work together cooperatively.
It was wonderful to see so many members of our community in the MPR on Thursday morning at the coffee morning, and there was definitely a celebratory atmosphere as we talked about the next 50 years of KIS. Mr. Gipson emphasized the aspect of working together to support our mission and values as well as building the physical aspects of the school moving forwards.
There are many aspects to what makes a ‘great’ school, and some of those won’t become apparent until the young person reaches the age of 26, a time of their lives when they become the person they are meant to be, which their education and their parenting have brought them to. There was a great deal of interest in the room in this and other ideas, and perhaps a sign of the morning’s success is that it continued well past the planned timing of one hour! We look forward to holding more such events.
Our 27 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh candidates are currently on their Adventurous Journey practice, and we wish them all the best for that; let’s keep our fingers crossed for good weather!
Read on to find out what our Year 12 Computer Science students got up to when they visited the school’s server room, and also a heart-warming account written by Ada in Year 8 about her involvement in a local charity programme. Well done Ada!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Mrs Margaret Renshaw
Head of Secondary / Deputy Principal
Year 12 Server Room Visit Report
Last week on the morning of International Day, our Computer Science class got the opportunity to visit KIS’ server room in the primary building. It was quite an interesting experience as I had never been there – I’d never even thought about where the school’s network was located!
Our guide for the trip was Mr Collins, who showed us the various parts of the server room, which machines were responsible for storing data like in StudentShared, the firewall, and the massive pile of batteries that make up the emergency generator. He even cut up some old twisted pair wires to show us how inside each wire were multiple pairs of wires twisted around each other (like the name, duh..) in order to reduce external interference that could make the school’s network slower.
While there, we had the opportunity to ask questions about various topics we had learnt. The one that I was itching to ask the most was the difference between bridges, gateways and routers, since I had only found conflicting answers from my textbook and various websites. Fortunately, Mr Collins was able to mostly clear up my confusion, as well as answer the other queries from my classmates. Some things we learnt were: The server has around 50GB of RAM, 20TB of storage, and yes, Mr Collins can see what you’re looking at on your computer if he wants ;). He likely won’t, however, as it was “too much effort” for him to do. Or is it…
I think I speak for my class when I say that we all left the server room with more knowledge and understanding than we came with. I’d like to thank Ms Bernard and Mr Collins for giving us this opportunity, and I hope the following computer science students after us will be able to enjoy the visit as much as we did!
My Involvement in a Charity Program – A summary by Ada Pian, Year 8
My family and I have participated in a charity program organised by an NGO. It was held in Kampung Wasai, Kiulu (District of Tuaran) from 3rd till 5th November 2023. There were a team of 33 volunteers who joined in the convoy of 13 4WD vehicles to reach the campsite. The whole journey took about 3.5 hours of driving on a muddy terrain heading to the village. The team consisted of medical personnel, dentist and volunteers.
The charity program aimed to address issues of poverty and education among underprivileged communities in the outskirts village, which were not taken care of by the government due to its difficult rough roads and distance. This program involved a series of initiatives and activities designed to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
Day 1:
Today was the first day of the outreach charity program in Kampung Wasai, Kiulu (District of Tuaran). We arrived at the designated meeting point early in the morning, ready to embark on our two-day adventure.
After a warm welcome and introductions, we participated in a community service project. We joined a team of volunteers and spent the morning helping the medical and dentist team. I got my hands to sanitise the utensils and tools needed for the dentist in the treatment room. My parents worked alongside me, registering and monitoring the attendance and overflows of villagers who benefited from the tooth check-ups and necessary proceedings treatment. I also helped to distribute the gifts and saw firsthand the gratitude in the recipients’ eyes. It was a humbling experience for me and my entire family, reminding us of the power of small acts of kindness.
In the afternoon, my family and I had the opportunity to interact with the beneficiaries of the charity program. We assisted the hair lice treatment team, whereby the students and villagers had their general haircut and hair lice treatment. I also assisted in calling out the names of people who needed either haircut or hair lice treatment. As I engaged in the flow of this process, I realized on the importance of keeping hair hygiene and the overall personal hygiene.
Day 2:
Today, my family and fellow volunteers dismantled our tents and packed up all our belongings. Meanwhile, the villagers came to show their appreciation by giving us plenty of organic vegetables that they have planted in their village. Soon, I, my parents, and the other volunteers bid our farewell. We reflected deeply on our experience during the outreach charity program. The three days had been filled with hard work, compassion, and newfound connections. Finally, all of us left the campsite and headed back for the long-hour-journey to Kota Kinabalu.
Overall, the outreach charity program was a transformative experience for me and my family. It had helped many children and adults in the village.
Duke of Edinburgh International Award
Participating in The International Award, also known as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, at the Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels offers a multitude of value and benefits for young individuals. This globally recognized program empowers young people to challenge themselves, develop new skills, and make a positive impact on their communities.
At the Bronze level, participants learn fundamental life skills and gain a sense of achievement. This level encourages personal development, teamwork, and community engagement. Completing the Bronze Award involves activities like volunteering, physical fitness, skill development, and an adventurous journey. These experiences instill a strong sense of self-worth and resilience in young participants.
Moving on to the Silver level, participants face more significant challenges, further developing their leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. They take on a broader range of and time commitment To their activities and embark on an even more demanding adventurous journey. The Silver Award pushes individuals to step out of their comfort zones, fostering self-confidence and a spirit of exploration.
The Gold level represents the pinnacle of The International Award. Achieving the Gold Award requires significant dedication and perseverance. Participants are challenged to lead others, undertake a substantial service project, and engage in a week-long expedition. This level fosters maturity, global awareness, and a profound sense of responsibility.
The benefits of The International Award are numerous. It enhances participants’ physical and mental well-being, instills a sense of community engagement, and equips them with invaluable life skills. Furthermore, having The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award on one’s resume is a testament to a person’s determination, work ethic, and commitment to personal growth, making them stand out to colleges and potential employers.
The International Award at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels is a life-changing experience. It shapes young individuals into confident, responsible, and compassionate citizens who are well-prepared for the challenges of the future.
Photo gallery of our previous DofE journeys!
Good luck to our Year 10 students who are away this weekend on the next stage of their DofE adventure!
As an IAC – Independant Award Centre – we at KIS can and do offer the full Award program to our students, embarking on this journey from January when in year 9 students sign up to start their Bronze Award, continuing to Silver in Jan of their year 10 & embarking on their Gold Award whilst in our Sixth Form where they are supported by our DoE staff team until & even after they have graduate from KIS in our Sixth Form.
Ms Rachel McNutt
