From the Principal, 09.03.19

Dear KIS Community,

I believe this is the first digital newsletter that is reaching our students as well as parents and staff. Students in Secondary have all been given access to school email accounts. We do have policies in place to support a greater and safer online presence and parents have been asked to sign online safety policies so that they are aware of our expectations as well as those for students and parents. We will be including Primary students at a later date.

With a larger representation of our community and in line with increasing connectivity, it is appropriate to ask opinion about two of our values. Below are KIS definitions for Digital Citizenship and what we believe High Quality Learning should look like here at KIS. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these please contact me directly and be a part of developing our school values and definitions; your contributions are welcome.

Digital Citizenship
At KIS, a Digital Citizen has the ability to communicate and safely engage with others: independently, responsibly, critically and creatively in a changing digital environment; in a caring and respectful manner.

High Quality Learning
At KIS, high quality learning happens in a caring and respectful environment:

when our students are consistently challenged and inspired to achieve their full potential,
through a variety of methods by our dedicated and passionate educators and staff,
by utilising a broad range of strategies and assessments in our daily interactions.

Following on from high quality learning, it was lovely to see representatives from the University of Edinburgh coming into school this week to meet with our sixth form students. I am sure more visits from other universities will be taking place as we work to support our Sixth Formers in their university placements. Talk to Mr Barker or Mrs Renshaw if you want further information. Our Coffee Morning on the 20th will have its focus on your child’s future and how we support their option choices.

Coming up over the next month, the canteen is looking to support the environment and reduce the amount of single-use plastics. From the start of April, the canteen will be encouraging students, staff and parents to bring their own containers. If you wish to use a single-use container from the canteen there will be a charge of RM1.00, so bring your own and save your money whilst helping the environment. This new canteen initiative will not apply to the pre-ordered lunches.

You can also help with the environment by joining the second KIS Beach Clean on March 16th, at the beach on Tanjung Aru 1. Starting from 9am, bring some gloves and lend a helping hand. Don’t forget to use sunscreen and bring a hat. Further details are around school and in the newsletter.

At the end of the month, we are very much looking forward to the KIS Family Day. Mrs Rose, Ms Dobson and Ms Westaway have been working very hard with the Student Councils to plan a fantastic day of activities, sports and community spirit. Keep an eye out for more information and get involved; help with the mural design and painting for example.

Finally, on Monday and Tuesday this coming week we will be having a visit from our new Head of Primary (and her husband, Mark). Mrs Jo Smith will be starting her new role in August and is keen to get to know the school and KIS community before she arrives. Mrs Smith will be meeting a variety of staff, students and parents during her first visit to KIS.

I wish you all a lovely weekend,

Ian Gross
Principal