informer januar 2016
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The Informer
Liza Jerrad basking in the new snow
2 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
From the Director
I am writing this edition of the Informer article having just returned from watching the third performance of The Zany Zoo primary school musical and I feel so proud of our students and staff in bringing together such a wonderful performance.
The students combined singing, dancing, acting and comedy in a way that looked effortless, but we all know that bringing together a performance like this has taken a great deal of hard work, perseverance, effort and engagement. Nothing of any meaning ever comes easily, and both students and staff, whether they contributed front or back stage, gave of themselves in order to deliver wonderful, funny and uplifting performances.
There is always one person as the director who is responsible for bringing all of this together and I would like to say a special thank you to Christine Kemp for all her hard work in bringing so many people together (many of them third graders), working as a team, ensuring that the sum of the parts is far greater than the individual pieces.
Whilst the students smiled, laughed and joked at their cast party on Saturday after the final performance, they were also justifiably tired having completed three performances, but it was the ‘right kind’ of tired. Tired due to the achievement of something meaningful that had required focus, attention, dedication and resilience over a long period of time. The students are probably not aware of it as they talk about the final performances together, but they have learned more about themselves and developed more skills during the hours of rehearsals. Well done to you all.
This past week, the weather has provided the opportunity for many of us to also take part in something special – skating, sledding and playing on the frozen lakes. Before the weather warmed up, our Early Childhood and Primary School students (and a good deal of parents) took the opportunity to take the public bus and head down to Mosvatnet to skate and play on the lake. This is the first time that it has been possible for a couple of years and we still get e-mails from families that left us a few years ago saying that this was one of the highlights of their Norwegian experience, and they feel so happy that they had the opportunity to take part in such a wonderful experience.
Whilst we have been reminded how much fun can be had in the ice and snow, we also know that one moment you are upright, the next moment sitting on the ground. If you have not acquainted yourselves with one of the varieties of spikes/coils/brodder that fasten onto the bottom of your feet, you might look into them (a popular brand is called YakTrax and they can be found at most sporting goods stores.) When using brodder/YakTrax though, remember to remove them once you come into any building. But if you are not interested in investing in commercial brodder, a traditional Norwegian method is to pull an old woollen sock over your shoes or boots—it will give a great deal of Snack time!
Faster! Faster!!
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 3www.isstavanger.no
added traction on icy days.
As I outlined in an earlier communication to you in January, Dr. Liam Browne shared with the high school staff that he would be leaving us at the end of the academic year to take up a headship/directorship at the International School of Ulm in Germany. ISS - its students and its employees, shall long benefit from the tremendous contribution he has made to the school. I am personally very grateful that I have had the chance to work with, and learn from, this wonderful educator. In the four years he has been here, we have been able to put many innovative ideas into reality and he can take great pride in what has been accomplished during his tenure here. After initiating the search for a new High School Principal before Christmas, by the time the deadline for applications came on 8th January we had over 90 serious applications. Having followed up with due diligence in relation to referees both written and verbal, two rounds of Skype interviews and personal contacts, we are due to bring in two candidates to ISS during the week 1st February.
During the week, the candidates will have an opportunity to meet with sections of the community who will hear their perspectives, ask questions and provide feedback. I have sent out further information by e-mail but I would like to share a short bio of each of the finalists along with the times of the opportunity for parents and board members to meet with the candidates.
Tuesday 2nd February 16:30-17:15
Timothy P Walsh: Is a US Citizen who has taught Middle and High School Biology including IB in the US and The International School of Amsterdam and has both Assistant Principal and Principal Experience in the US, International School of Zug and Luzern in Switzerland and The international School in Singapore.
Thursday 4th February 16:30-17:15
Peter Giddens: Is a New Zealand Citizen who has taught High School Business, Economics, Psychology including IB and Theory of Knowledge and has held Teaching, Department Leadership and Boarding responsibilities in New Zealand and both Assistant Principal and Principal Experience in The British School of Moscow and Aitchison College in Lahore Pakistan.
On Friday 8th January we held our first Alumni social event at the Vannari cellar at the Bevaremegvel Bar & Restaurant in Stavanger where there were over 40 attendees including former students with alumni dating back to 1993 as well as current and former staff and parents. There is another event planned for the 11th June and of course in the meantime we have a host of events to celebrate our
50th year centred around 17th May celebrations.
These include:
Friday 13th May: Flor & Fjære (boat trip, garden tour and dinner)
Saturday 14th May: • Morning and Afternoon: Family Activities (sports, arts,
etc.), BBQ and School Visits/Tours (including a bus trip visit to the old school buildings in different parts of the city)
• Evening: 50th Year Party/Reception at the Atlantic Hotel
Sunday 15th May: Mountain Walk/Hike
Monday 16th May: Golf Tournament or Sports Event
Tuesday 17th May: Constitution Day and Parade
More information will be sent out by e-mail and social media in due course, but details relating to all our 50th year activities and details can be found on the dedicated site linked to our web page: http://50.blog.isstavanger.no
In the last Informer article I provided further information regarding our safety and security protocols, and a further update can be found in the HSSE section that follows.
Finally there is always so much going on in Stavanger and the Region, and the INN Newsletter (http://www.rosenkilden.com/showfile.ashx?fileinstanceid=97837f0b-a5b0-4f26-acfa-6114bb577327) is a great source of information. The February issue of the INN Newsletter is loaded with other events of possible interest to you and your family -- a stained glass-making course, TOTO, kite surfing, Comedy Box Norway, “Peter Pan”, a Tour Des Fjords kick-off events to name a few.
Great things to keep us all busy and entertained during the remaining winter months.
With kind regards,
Gareth L Jones (B.Ed Hons, MBA) Director
International School of Stavanger email: [email protected]
LEARNING • WELL-BEING • COMMUNITY
Gareth L Jones (B.Ed Hons, MBA)Director
International School of Stavanger [email protected]
4 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
News about Health, security, safety and the environment (Hsse)EmErgEncy & crisis rEsponsE
In the last Informer article I provided further information regarding our safety and security protocols and I wanted to provide you with a further update at this time.
On both 19th and 27th January ISS reverted to an ´Alert´ protocol here at ISS as the British International School received bomb threat communication which included communicating to families by both e-mail and SMS.
As you are aware we have a range of Emergency and Crisis response protocols which are well documented, practiced and table-topped on an annual basis. The procedures are also reviewed by the Regional Security Office in Oslo and other external authorities and our staff and faculty are provided with regular updates. More specifically we have protocols that include procedures in relation to: • Alert (various levels)• Lockdown• Evacuation (both on and offsite)• Reunification. Whilst our Emergency Response and Crisis planning procedure cover a wider range of scenarios also we deliberately do not share details of these procedures further than our school employees as there is a danger that they will be shared further, compromise our security and be helpful to those who would be seeking to cause harm. Whilst I understand that you will be curious in relation to the detail, I hope you understand the rational for not sharing these publicly and are re-assured that we do have mitigating practices in place. I would also like to as for your help assistance and support by doing the following things:
• Please do not try to enter through one of the locked side doors and get offended if you are directed by a member of staff to used the main entrance
• Please make sure to use the main entrance and sign in at reception and wear a visitors badge if you have an appointment at school.
• As with the instruction to our staff and students please Keep vigilant and report anyone or anything suspicious immediately to the front office.
• Please refrain form sharing emergency and crisis response information that is shared with you to people not associated with the school (only employees and parents receive these details) and please do not post information shared with you on social media or bring up conversation at diner parties etc. or with any media organizations as again it compromises the safety and security of our students and employees.
As outlined above we continue to monitor levels of threat
from official sources and adjust our level of response as appropriate. We also continue to ensure that our protocols are up to date, understood and practiced and we will continue to keep you informed of any updates, modifications or pertinent safety and security information via SMS and/or e-mail communication so please let us know if there are any changes to this information.
As always we thank you for your help and support in this regard.
Whether it is light or dark, warm or frosty in the mornings, it is important that we are reminded about safe driving on our campus—and particularly in the drop-off zone in the area near the Primary School.
We have between 60 and 80 cars dropping students off in about a ten-minute span before school so it is imperative that we all follow the safety instructions outlined below:
1. Because of the number of cars using this drop-off point, vehicles should drive right down to the stop sign before letting their children out.
2. Children should leave their vehicle via the passenger side of the car and not circle the car, thus avoiding other cars in the area.
3. Drivers should not get out of the car--again this is for your safety to avoid being hit by other cars passing by.
4. Before leaving home, please see that your children have their backpacks and other items with them on the car seat so they can just safely hop out of the car, eliminating the need for the parent to get out and grab items in the boot of the car--again, we are only thinking of your safety and the smooth movement of the drop-off zone.
5. Thanks for giving your child that all-important hug and kiss BEFORE leaving your house and driving to school. We want the process at school to move quickly, smoothly and safely with drivers not getting out for those final farewells in the morning. A kiss and hug delivered at home are just as effective and much safer for parents to deliver than waiting until being in the midst of a busy drop-off zone!
6. If you wish to park your car in the lot and escort your children into the school, please use one of the marked parking spaces. Sorry—no “creative parking” allowed. If there is not a marked space for you to park in, almost certainly you will find one in the big parking lot that adjoins the gym area. Maybe it is a longer walk, but exercise is not a bad thing for anyone.
Thank you for your help and support with keeping all our children safe.
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 5www.isstavanger.no
News from the IbDP/IGcSe Coordinator
Tackling procrastination: A guide for students and parents
As I write this, the 12th grade International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) students are just completing the January ‘mock’ examinations. Although these grades are not part of their final IB grade, they can give an indication of where the students are in their academic journey at this point, and provide pointers for what needs to be done before the final examinations in May.
10th graders who are choosing to take International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE) examinations in May are also considering what needs to be tackled over the next months. For both the IBDP and the IGCSE, students must complete a number of assignments (oral, practical and written) and then study two years of material for the final examination.
It can seem a daunting task. How do students cope with this? And why do they so often seem to put off the work?
I have been trying to tackle the tendency to procrastinate in our students. It has been a topic of discussion in teacher meetings and student meetings, and we have been researching what is best to do. I would like to share some interesting ideas from an article in the Guardian which seemed to strike a chord – and show that we are not alone in being concerned!
“Students are biologically and socially predisposed to put off until tomorrow what we should do today, says Dr. Piers Steel, author of The Procrastination Equation. “Aside from the cliché that students are more impulsive, in your early 20s you’re still developing your pre-frontal cortex, home of the will power.” …
Research has also shown that evaluation threat and fear of failure (dissertations and exams, anyone?) correspond with higher levels of procrastination. As for those who say they produce their best work under pressure, allow Dr. Tim Pychyl to burst your bubble: the “adrenaline rush” is actually relief that the task is done. …
And, in what comes as a shock to no one, a link has been found between procrastination and Facebook use. It’s worth noting this study was released in 2008, before the likes of Twitter had joined the ever-expanding social media family. Steel sums it up well: “Students are caught in a perfect storm of procrastination.” Is that it, then?”
http://www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2012/may/09/students-procrastinating-exams
Fortunately there are also many tips available to help students (and maybe help ourselves) to tackle procrastination. It does require a certain amount of self-discipline and/or support from outside.
Many websites give useful suggestions – one easily accessible set of advice is available on http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Procrastinating which includes some steps which particularly struck a chord with me.
One point is to avoid the trap that every task has to be done ‘perfectly’ – nothing ever is, and we all need to learn to accept that something has been done to the best of our ability with the time and energy constraints that we have.
Other advice links to motivation: focusing on the end goal (those IGCSE or IBDP grades) can be helpful, but we probably also need the small motivational rewards when we have completed one small task or part of a larger task.
Finally, I would encourage all students to avoid distractions (I believe that it IS possible to turn off a mobile phone and close the social networking sites on the computer) and try to do one task at a time.
The May examinations will arrive more quickly than we think, especially as the IGCSE written examinations actually start on 26th April for ISS students this year.
Now is the time to stop procrastinating, focus on those end goals and be the best that you can be.
Lynn ParkIBDP/IGCSE Coordinator
6 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
The Counselors’ [email protected]
Grade 12 News
At present, 36 students have submitted their university applications and many have already received conditional offers of places. It has been an exceptionally busy time, as we have processed a total of 169 applications to universities in the UK, Ireland, US, Canada, the Netherlands, and Singapore.
Deadlines are fast approaching for Norway and we urge all Grade 12 students to check their requirements carefully and complete all application procedures as soon as possible. Our congratulations to those who have already received offers!
To our Grade 12 students! A Happy New Year to you all and congratulations to those students who have completed all their applications, some of whom are already receiving conditional offers of admission. Most of you have completed the college application rush, Extended Essay and mock exams. It is natural to experience a bit of relief now that core university deadlines have been met.
However, now is the time when, as the days lengthen and become brighter and the workload appears to lighten up, the dangerous senior slump may begin to take over. Many of you now have university offers to work towards and it is less than three months until your final IB examinations begin.
To avoid having a college acceptance rescinded, stay on course, plan your revision time and forge ahead towards a strong senior finish!
UK ApplicationsNotifications of university decisions are normally received from both UCAS and the university itself. Once all the decisions are made students are allowed to keep two of the maximum of five offers – one ‘Firm’ and one ‘Insurance’. One should be their first choice and the other should be their safety choice with a points offer that the student and his/her teachers are sure can be achieved in the final IB examinations. I strongly advise that students do not make this decision without first consulting me and their parents.
Students can track their decisions in UCAS. If you are unhappy with all your offers, or if you have no offers it is possible to have another try with UCAS “Extra” (See the UCAS website for more information OR talk to me for more information). If you didn’t apply AT ALL and still want to, it may be possible, but you have to check with universities if they will still accept an application.
Some students who applied through UCAS as EU citizens may be asked to complete extra paperwork to verify their fee status. This should be done as quickly as possible to avoid delays in decisions.
Norwegian UniversitiesIf you are planning to attend a Norwegian university degree program in the autumn of 2016 you must apply DIRECTLY via the samordna opptak website by March 1st, 2016. Applications open February 1st. http://www.samordnaopptak.no/info/
Applicants for the one-year Norwegian Language and Culture program at the University of Stavanger should apply directly on the UiS website as soon as possible. The deadline is March 1st 2016. http://www.uis.no/studies/norwegian-language-and-culture-programme/
Canadian Universities
Applications to Canadian universities take place between December and March. IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO APPLY TO CANADA AND HAVE NOT YET DONE SO PLEASE SEE ME IMMEDIATELY. Canadian Universities usually make their decisions based on class grades in Grade 11 and the first half of Grade 12 plus IB predicted grades. For all students who have officially notified us that they are applying to Canadian universities we will send the Midyear grades and IB predicted grades to their chosen universities as soon as they become available. Decisions are made usually in March and April and are usually conditional on achieving a good result in the IB Diploma examinations.
USA applicationsWhile the first stage of the US application process is complete in that students have submitted their applications and initial materials (transcript, teacher recommendations and school report) have been sent to the colleges, there is still work to be done and it is important for you to know the following:
1. The very selective US universities receive thousands of applications for each place. The average application is 20 pages, including transcript, recommendations, SAT scores, TOEFL scores, school report, school profile, essays etc. It takes a long time for the college to collate and check all this information. It is common for them to misplace something and tell a student it is missing.
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 7www.isstavanger.no
The Counselors’ Corner This can be very worrying for students and parents. If something is missing the college will normally notify the student; often they will notify the counselor as well. Please do not worry immediately if a college tells you something is missing. Merely check with the HS office. We can very easily send duplicates of school forms electronically. All students should check their status regularly to make sure that they have notification from the college that their file is complete. If by February 10th they have not received this confirmation they should email the admissions department to check.
2. Admissions decisions begin to come through in late February and March and students are required to choose one university and make a tuition deposit by May 1st. Please be aware that all decisions in the US are conditional on a student finishing school in good standing and the student is required to send a final transcript to the university of his/her choice. It is becoming more common for highly selective universities to penalize students who fail to do well in final examinations, or whose final term grades are very low.
All other university destinationsStudents should talk to their counselor as soon as possible about school paperwork and references for applications to any other destinations.
GAP YEAR IDEAS: For students planning a gap year, have you considered a volunteer or service project? Review http://www.unitedplanet.org or http://www.volunteerabroad.com for further ideas. Also be sure to check with the Counseling Office to see that your current teacher references have been submitted so you may use them in the first semester of 2016 when you plan to apply to university.
NotiCe to All eleveNth GrAde StUdeNtS
There is much to plan for in 11th grade SOAR! We will continue to hold this 11th grade seminar during Block 4 on alternating Thursdays. Generally the time will be divided between university planning and IB, but we hope that once important goals are reached you will have extra time for study. The time to actively research and plan for your future is NOW so that in senior year you can concentrate on applications and studies.
8 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
The Counselors’ [email protected]
During SOAR time you will work on the HIGH-5 items that we have already discussed as well as explore university and career options through group and individual meetings.
Even if you are considering a gap year after your graduate, we will require that you go through the university planning process with your peers and we strongly advise that you apply to university and ask for a year’s deferral, while you are still an ISS student, surrounded by supportive staff.
HIGH FIVE GOALS
1. Standardized college admissions tests2. Extended Essay draft3. Resume/CV4. Personal Statement/Essay5. University Short list
teStiNG reMiNderS:
To register online for the SAT that will be offered here at ISS on May 7, 2016 go to www.collegeboard.com. The registration deadline is April 8, 2016.
To register online for the ACT that will be given here at ISS on April 9, 2016 go to www.actstudent.org. The registration deadline is March 4, 2016.
Please note: Spaces for these exams fill up quickly. It is recommended that you sign up as soon as possible to ensure that you will be able to take the exams.
University visits at iSS
Universities and colleges are eager to visit ISS! Over the coming months, the following universities plan to visit (please track the Daily Report for dates and times):
University of ManchesterAberystwyth UniversityUniversity of LeedsSciencesPo UniversityUniversity of EssexUniversity of KentUniversity of St. AndrewsMaastricht UniversityUniversity College Utrecht
SUMMer StUdY ProGrAMSWe have received a wide variety of brochures and information from summer study programs in China, the U.K, France, Spain, Switzerland, and the U.S.A. Please check the college bulletin board or ask in the Counseling Office for more information.
iNterNAtioNAl BACCAlAUreAte – SPriNG/SUMMer reviSioN CoUrSeS 2016 ANd SUMMer UNiverSitY toUrS Pre-IB and Mid-IB summer programs are available, as well as pre-exam revision courses in the spring. University tours for both the UK and US are also available this summer. For more information go to www.osc-ib.com and www.college-visits.com
NotiCe to All teNth GrAde StUdeNtS ANd their PAreNtS
All students and parents are encouraged to attend the IB Information Night on Thursday 11th February at 6.00pm. At this event, we will be discussing IB program requirements in depth and setting up individual appointments to review course choices for next year.
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 9www.isstavanger.no
The Counselors’ CornerNotiCe to All NiNth GrAde StUdeNtS ANd their PAreNtS
Congratulations! You have completed 1/8 of your high school career! As you reflect on last semester, how would you assess your experience and performance? Are your grades something you can be proud of? Were you actively involved in sports, clubs, or the school play? If you feel that you could have had a stronger start to 9th grade, it is not too late to have a strong finish. Remember that 9th grade counts! Your grades, courses, and credits will be recorded on your overall high school transcript. What is a transcript? See Ms. Jetabut to find out!
A Note ABoUt CYBK
In the coming weeks, our high school will partake in a wonderful school-wide initiative, Caught You Being Kind. The premise of this initiative will be for individuals (students, staff, parents, visitors) to observe and note others performing acts of kindness. At the high school level, we will slowly reveal a visual display of these random acts of kindness to remind us of the good that surrounds us. Despite the high pressures of testing, academic programming, and hectic schedules, we can be reminded of the power of a positive outlook. We may not be able to control the amount of work that lands on our plate, or the suffering that continues to exist in far reaches of our world, but we can take time to be kind and take notice of the kindness that surrounds us.
After all, being kind increases happiness. Happiness increases well-being. Well-being enhances learning. As your high school counselor, it continues to be a gift to work with our fine students as they continue to navigate these uncertain teenage years. And still, the best is yet to come.
Warmest regards,
Ms. JetabutJune Jetabut
High School [email protected]
51 55 43 13
10 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
H i g h S c h o o l N E W SWe are now well into 2016 and the second semester at ISS. Grade 9, 10 and 11 reports cards were distributed last week. As students and parents reflect on reports and grades, I would encourage you to not simply see grades as evaluations of your child’s intelligence, abilities, and potential but as a context-specific measure of how well they have met the specific learning goals of a course. Students often forget that receiving a positive evaluation is not, in fact, the central goal of a class.
The true value of reporting is to provide students with constructive advice about how they can improve their academic performance and the appropriate guidance to help them on that path. This is why at ISS, we provide both summary and narrative reports; each twice a year per grade level. The reports, coupled with parent teacher conferences help identify concepts such as multiple intelligence, skills, enduring understanding and progression. Furthermore, this approaches helps identifying the most effective learning methods for each individual student and acquiring a detailed understanding of their cognitive and affective performance in each of their subjects.
In a society where information overload is common, the skills of being able to process, use and value different types of information rather than simply remembering it is becoming more important, as are the development of inter and intra personal skills. However, reports too do have limits: a student’s ability to implement these skills cannot be summed up in sentences or paragraphs. They are best explored through conversation and dialogue. I would encourage students and parents to talk to teachers should you have any questions regarding reports.
As I’ve stated previously, assessment is not only used to judge student work, it is used to help students learn. Good assessment takes into account learning styles, strengths and needs and reflects a student’s achievement against a set of criteria (not against other students) and takes place over time. In the past, most of the attention was paid to marks/grades on student work.
Today, teachers focus more on the ongoing feedback that is provided to students so that they clearly understand what they need to do to improve their work. A grade is assigned at report card time and is a summary of demonstrated learning. Assessment has three roles: For learning: providing students with feedback about their work
As learning: helping students to set learning goals and monitor their own progress
Of learning: evaluation and reporting of progress in the form of grades or marks Assessment “for” learning.
Assessment “for” learning refers to the use of assessment data by students and their teachers to decide where the students are in their learning, where they need to go next and how to get there. The information gathered is used by teachers to provide feedback and adjust their instruction, and by students to focus their learning.
Why is this important?
The information gathered during this type of assessment is used for the specific purpose of helping students improve while they are still gaining knowledge and practising skills.
This type of assessment incorporates dialogue between teacher and student. When students are more involved in the classroom assessment they become more aware of their strengths and areas needing improvement. They can then focus their efforts on closing the gap between where they are and where they need to be.
I hope that students over the coming week, and Grade 12 students with their mock exams, do not simply look on assessment as a summation of their learning but more especially as a formative process. In other words, assessment as, and for, learning.
We also welcome three new students to our High School; Jeremias and Kendall, and Nicolas will be joining us later in January.
We also wish our THIMUN group the very best, and we know their hard work preparing policy statements, resolutions and fine tuning their debating skills and understanding of parliamentary procedure will stand then in good stead.
Please note the following Important Dates in the High School over the coming weeks:
February 5 . . .. . Girl Effect – Teacher Talent ShowFebruary 10 . .. . Grade 9 to 10 Transition Information Afternoon (15:30)February 11 . .. . IB Information Evening (18:00) for Grade 10 familiesFebruary 12 .. . StuCo Lock InFebruary 15-19 Winter WeekFebruary 24 . .. . Careers Day February 25 . .. . Grade 8 to 9 Transition Information Evening (18:00)February 26/27 HS Lock-In
Dr. Liam BrowneHigh School Principal
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 11www.isstavanger.no
H i g h S c h o o l N E W S H i g h S c h o o l N E W S
The 11th century ‘Creation of the World’ tapestry Mural
Documents to read ....
Work ...
Millimetres count in DT
Artful streetscape
12 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
Middle School News and Events
Here is the latest update from the always busy Middle School!
Middle School Recognition Ceremony – Q2Thank you to all parents who attended the ceremony on Monday, 25th. This ceremony gives us the opportunity to reflect on the quarter that has now finished and celebrate the events and activities that has taken place inside and outside of the classroom. We also watched a slide show of pictures from Q2 to remind us of all the wonderful events that happen in the Middle School both inside and outside of the classroom.
Special thanks and congratulations to the following students:
• Linda Hafstad-Terry (7th grade) for her vocal performance
• Oyinda Olaribigbe (8th grade) for her vocal performance
• Ancelin Rivas (8th grade) for his trumpet performance.
• Movie produced by the MS students on the French Trip!
As always, I am amazed by our talented and brave students!
Balder Award Winners• 6th grade – Hava Beaty, Glen White and Kristina
Hendicott• 7th grade - Trisha Ravi Dev• 8th grade – Katie Gildert and Maxime Osterrieth
Troll Attendance AwardKeereman Homeroom – 8th grade
Q2 House Winners
Tiger House - Taylor, De Bleser and Mr. Mayheart Kitching Homerooms.
MS Homeroom Our Homeroom theme for January has been ‘Conflict Resolution’ Students have been discussing these important topics during their advisory time in homeroom. The theme for February is ‘Decision-Making Skills’.
ISA TestingThe International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) tests will take place on the 9th and 10th February.
We will send home the individual student results (by mail/post) when the results arrive later in the school year.
Middle Schoolers delivering the many Fretex bags they have fillled to help refugees in Rogaland
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 13www.isstavanger.no
Middle School News and Events
8th to 9th Transition and Transition MeetingWe will soon be starting the transition process for our 8th grade students as they prepare for the transition from Middle School to High School. We will be working with the 8th grade students in homeroom and in our Advisory classes. In addition, you and your 8th grade child are cordially invited to attend the 8th to 9th grade Transition Meeting for students and parents on Thursday, 25th February starting at 18:00 in the theatre. This meeting will be led by Dr. Liam Browne our HS Principal and you will be receiving more information from him soon.
8th Grade Leirskole – TrysilThis exciting trip for 8th grade is coming up very soon! All 8th grade students and parents received lots of information from Mr. Keereman. Please remember to return the permission slip. The packing list can also be found on Edline.
Lunch Cards• All students who purchase lunch in the cafeteria should
always have their lunch card with them. Please make sure that there is enough money in the account. This can be done online or with direct payment to Anne Brit at the main office.
• Please encourage your children to eat lunch every
day. It is very important that students eat something at lunchtime so that their focus, concentration and energy is at its best in the afternoon lessons.
Some reminders/recommendations for our Middle School students:• Students must drink WATER during the day (not
soda, coffee, tea, and energy drinks or juices). That is the reason why MS students are not permitted to purchase soda at the kiosk.
• PLEASE send your son/daughter to school with a water bottle.
• Students should bring this to school every day and to every class.
• Adolescents MUST get at least 9 hours of sleep per night for optimum learning.
• NO TECH SCREENS IN THE BEDROOM – the light from the devices (laptops, iPads, phones, TV) wakes up the brain and prevents good quality sleep (as well as the temptation of actually using the device during the night!!). I have mentioned this fact in several of my newsletters this year.
• General Organisation – Locks and Lockers• PLEASE help us out and make sure that your son/
daughter has a padlock for their locker. Many students do have one and are then not locking their locker during the school day OR at night OR over the weekend.
Creative work in DT class
Carol WallaceMiddle School Principal
14 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
Middle School News and Events • iPads are to remain locked in their lockers during the
school day at recess and lunch.• iPads are always to be inside the case provided.
Q3 Extra-Curricular Activities
WORK SPACE Continues on Monday and Wednesday after school from 3:30 until 5:00 and is an opportunity for students to get their homework completed and ask for help from teachers before going home.
BASKETBALLPractice continues for both boys and girls takes place on Tuesday and Thursday from 15:30 until 17:00
SWIMMINGPracticesl take place on Tuesday and Thursday from 15:30 until 17:30.
MS MUSICAL REHEARSALSThe after-school rehearsals continue on Monday and Wednesday from 15:30 until 17:30 and on Sundays from 13:00-17:00.
That is all for this time!
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns – my door is always open!
Carol WallaceMiddle School [email protected]
Middle-schoolers having fun making masks in Art classIt takes some patience
Gently masking your face
Don’t smile! Can I breathe now ..?
Masks up for drying!!
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 15www.isstavanger.no
Middle School News and Events Refugee experience
Mohammad Habeeb was living a normal life in his home town of Lattika, Syria. He is an Arabic translator, and he has translated many books from authors such as T.S. Eliot, Josè Saramago, James Kelman and many more.
He was also a university professor to juniors, teaching them translation techniques. He has also written poems and books, but didn’t have the chance to publish them.
Together with a few of his friends, he started a magazine. Through this magazine they expressed their lack of basic human rights and how inhuman the regime was. All of them got arrested, and Mohammad got out of jail after 9 years.
Even inside, Mohammad kept writing, even though the conditions were very harsh. When he came out, he wasn’t allowed to have any more rights. He knew he was being watched, but he managed to get out of Syria with his family.
The Service Learning exploratory in Middle School had the pleasure of meeting Mohammad. We talked about his story, what we could learn from it and most importantly, how we could help.
Mohammad told us that the refugees need help in being included in the community. We need to include them, both the adults and the children.
Something as simple as inviting them to dinner or going out to get a coffee with them could completely change their day.
If you’re interested in helping in any way, please visit the Rogaland Red Cross (Rogaland Røde Kors) website, or email [email protected]
By Teodora Comanescu, 8th Grade
From left to right : Mr. MayheartKitching, Eskil, Mohammad Habeeb, Ms. Price, Jack, Trisha, Zoe, Teodora, Lisa, Anna.
Photo by Wim Keereman
16 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
Welcome back all Early Childhood & Primary school students! We have had new students join us in EC & PS. All seem to be settling well and meeting new friends. Thank you parents for helping to get your children back into routine after the holidays. I hope that you all had a joyful time with family and friends. It is wonderful to have everyone back to school. The children are what make the school come alive!
Thank you parents for attending the Grade One “100th Day of School” Assembly held on January 26. I know that you will agree that the children were fabulous on stage!
Winter and snow has been a focus for Early Childhood and Primary school. While we had snow and freezing weather, all grade levels went to Mosvannet Lake for skating and walking on the ice. Sledding in the snow, snowmen and snow angels and just all round fun in the snow have been a highlight for all.
In preschool the children continue to explore in their learning studios.
In Nature and Science the children have been out for a lantern walk before sunrise with torches. It was a magical experience with the glistening snow and trees as the landscape.
In Tinkering the children have been exploring magnets. They have had a box of different sizes of magnets, compasses, rings, iron filings with sand and shared their observations and discoveries. In the Art studio the children have explored clay. Many children were content to squeeze, pound, poke and pat; others were anxious to introduce other “tools”.
In the Imagination Studio the children read the story “Little Clansy’s New Drum” by Tony Kerrins. This story provided an opportunity to do role-play and to play rhythmic instruments along with the role-play. Children made rhythms by tapping the drumsticks on different surfaces and listened to the different sounds they made.
In the Block studio, the children have been building and allowed to keep their structure standing so that they can return to it and add on. There have been many amazing constructions built and we are hearing descriptive and detailed language being used to describe and share plans and stories about the buildings they are creating.
In Kindergarten the children have begun factual writing about what they enjoyed doing during their holidays. The focus was on sentence structure, ensuring sentences begin with an uppercase letter, there are spaces between words and all sentences end with a full stop (period).
Early Childhood & Primary School News
Winter in Stavanger has to be enjoyed immediately - before it disappears!
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 17www.isstavanger.no
Snow outside - and art inside!
The Kindergarten children created some excellent illustrations to accompany their writing. You can see their work displayed on bulletin boards. All children worked hard to do their best quality work.
In Grade One the children have continued with notificaiton writing. They have written several books each, and each one is about a different topic.
Many children are now including a contents page and/or index in their latest book.
They haev also been learning all about animals in winter, including hibernation.
In Grade Two the children have been learning to look at the world with ‘poets eyes’, using their hearts and minds to write about the world in fresh and unusual ways.
In Science the children have begun a unit on space. They have been considering their place in space and have been introduced to the solar system’s parts and processes. They will learn that the sun, moon and planets move relative to each other and how these movements relate to the seasons, night and day.
In Grade Three the children have begun a new unit titled Changing the World: Persuasive Speeches. This is a new style of writing for most students. They will be
spending some time finding causes that matter to them and exploring different ways to communicate a need for change.
In Grade Four Service learning has been a highlight. The children have begun to develop their own charity organization in small groups. They were asked to imagine that if they had free hands, resources and time for service, what kind of an organization would they start, who or what would they help and how would it operate?
Later on, they will prepare an advertising campaign to spread the news about their imaginary organization.
In Grade Five they have started a unit on argumentative reading and writing. The children will be researching debate topics and learning how to back up claims (strong opinions) with reasons and evidence.
In Social Studies the children will begin a unit on the Viking Age. They will study this time period from the lens of historians.
Jill RavenPrimary School & Early Childhood Principal
Early Childhood & Primary School News
18 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
Early Childhood & Primary School News
I think I’m getting the hang of it!!!!!
A sledding snake! I’ll beat you!
Gra
de 1
Trip
to
Stav
anger
Kun
stmuse
um
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 19www.isstavanger.no
Children in Grade 1 had great fun last week heading off on public transport to Stavanger Kunstmuseum (Stavanger Art Museum) by Mosvatnet Lake in order to see the exhibition titled Chromophilia.
The children enjoyed learning all about color, looking at several displays around the museum.
As well as visiting the museum, the children looked around the lake as scientists, looking for places animals may have hibernated.
The children had plenty of fun in the snow too!
Information about the museum can be found at the following link:
http://www.museumstavanger.no/museums/stavanger-art-museum/about-us/
Early Childhood & Primary School NewsG
rade
1 T
rip t
o St
avan
ger K
unstm
useum
January 2016
20 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
As you may have seen from the news there has been several reported cases of the H1N1 virus in the past few weeks.
I have spoken with our contact in Stavanger Kommune and she assures me that there is no reason to be alarmed. The swine flu (H1N1) is now on the same level as other influenza infections.
This means that we need to take our usual precautionary measures to prevent infection.
1. Please keep all children at home if they have a fever, they must be fever free for 24hours before they can return to school.
2. When coughing or sneezing, please cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve.
3. Please increase our good Hand Washing practice.4. If in doubt about sending your child to school, please call the
Nurse’s Office for advice.
Heather Melhus RGN SCMNurses Office
Mobile 92482506Work 51554347
Stavanger Kommune has several options so you can get the help you need.
The Family Centre for children 0-16 yrs Tel 51 50 89 08/ 51 50 89 36
Uteseksjonen for young people 16-25 yrsTel 51 84 26 01 or www.utekontakten.no
Barnevernet (Child Protection Agency) for all agesTel 51 91 26 00
These organizations can help with a variety of problems, such as:
• Setting boundaries• Sleep routines• Eating problems• Depression• Drug/Alcohol Abuse
Uteseksjonen is the one that can be ac-cessed by the young person if they are having problems at home and need to talk to an adult.
All conversations are of course confiden-tial.
News from the Nurse’s Office
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 21www.isstavanger.no
A big THANK YOU to all the parents, volunteers, and sponsors
who contributed to this event in support of ISS and
the Parent Association!
More than 800 people attended this year’s International Festival,
and almost 5000 raffle tickets were sold! We had 21 countries participating in
the food and activity booths as well as five student led booths
Overall we raised 132,000* NOK!*With additional corporate donations pledged.
2 15INTERNATIONAL
FESTIVAL
12th Annual ISS Parent Association
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 25www.isstavanger.no
A special thanks to our corporate sponsors:
26 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2016
•Event •Country Food Booths • Country Activity Booths •Raffle Baskets •Decorations •Volunteer
•MS and HS Liaisons•Sales •Corporate Donations •Publicity•Treasurer•Photographer
13th Annual ISS Parent Association
Morning Coffee and Orientation MeetingMarch 8th at 8:45
Pre-Planning of next year’s festival starts in March!
Share your thoughts and ideas to make next year’s festival even better! Come find out about how the
festival works and how you could get involved.
Everyone is welcome!
Lend a hand and help coordinate one of the following areas!
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 27www.isstavanger.no
Events 2016NEW EVENT Saturday, February 2750th Anniversary Special Pub Quiz Night 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm All Parents WelcomePay Event in Stavanger
NEW EVENT Saturday, March 12 Mother/Son Event2:00 – 4:00 pm Location TBA
Wednesday, April 13 Morning Coffee for All Parents8:30 am – 10 am ISS Cafeteria
Saturday, April 16 Father/Daughter Dance5:30 pm – 7:30 pm ISS Cafeteria
Friday, April 29 PA Fun RunRuns will included a 400m, 1mile and 5k. Great family event!Time TBA ISS Track Saturday, May 14 Ice Cream SocialJoin everyone for 50th Anniversary Celebration events all weekendISS Cafeteria Saturday, May 21 Parking Lot Sale10:00 am – 2:00 pm ISS Parking Lot
Please consider joining the PA now and for next school year especially if you are staying! We have lost many volunteers due to job changes. All positions will be open next school year, please consider being President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer or a Committee Chairperson – we need you!
Please email [email protected] for further information.
[email protected] or find us on Facebook at Stavanger ISS Parent Group
28 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
MORNING CONNECTIONS 2015-16
About Morning Connections Morning Connections is a supportive parent community and venue for learning about education, parenting, expat life and living in Norway. Below is the schedule to date for 2015-16. All events start at 9:00 in the MS/HS Library. Coffee/pastries are available at 8:30 in the cafeteria foyer - come mingle! We hope to see you, and feel free to bring a friend. Upcoming Events • 11 February (Thursday): Dr. Jude Nielsen of Counselling Psychology Stavanger will discuss
how parents can support their children’s emotional development, based on the latest research. Additionally, she will introduce parents to what anxiety can look like (given it can be experienced in many different ways) and explore strategies to encourage listening and talking.
• 17 March (Thursday): Siri Abrahamsen, a speaker and entrepreneur from Verdifabrikken ('Value Factory'), will cover how parents can praise and compliment children as well as how to build their creativity and joy of learning (research based on Carol Dweck).
• April (TBD): CPR Course • 21 April (Thursday): Mr. David Beaty, director of technology at ISS and parent of three, will
dive into a topic tied to technology and/or social media. More to come. • 19 May (Thursday): Mr. Will Randall, school psychologist and ISS teacher and parent, will
touch on research from The Duckworth Lab related to traits that predict achievement, including 'grit' ("the tendency to sustain interest in and effort toward very long-term goals").
Past 2015-16 Speakers • August: Outdoor Adventures in the Region, Preben Fålck (Stavanger Turistforening) • September: Sexual Exploitation and Early Intervention, Catriona Harper (SEEIT) • October: Improving Family Communication, Stephanie Mead (ISS Parent) • November: The Science of Happiness, Dr. Nicola McCaffrey (Clinical Psychologist) • December: CPR and First-Aid Course, Heather Melhus (ISS Parent) • January: Norwegian Culture and Lifestyle, Liv Høie and Anne Lise Riedel (ISS Staff) Videos and resources from previous sessions can be found in Edline. Comments/suggestions? E-mail [email protected].
Jonathon, Maria and Mina at work on the murals for the HIgh School Art hallway
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 29www.isstavanger.no
Note: Classified ads are placed by organisers external to the ISS, so the responsibility for the content is with the organisers, not ISS
Flute, recorder and music theory teaching offered by a qualified flute and music teacher with many years experience.
Please ring/sms 452 04 979 evenings only for more information.
See: http://www.windsongmusikkstudio.com/
The Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) is a UK-based and internationally recognized organization that offers a series of graded exams for a variety of instruments and for vocalists.
These exams are well-respected benchmarks of achievement, and they can provide goals, motivation, a measure of progress, and a sense of achievement.
More information about ABRSM and their exams can be found on theABRSM website:
http://no.abrsm.org/en/home/
An examiner from ABRSM will be coming to Stavanger in April or May of 2016. The deadline for applications is February 5, 2016.
If your child takes private music lessons and you think these exams may be appropriate for them, please discuss it with your child's music teacher.
More information about the exams can also be obtained through contacting Beth Walker
30 • The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 www.isstavanger.no
Editor: Liv Nærland Høie Phone: +47 51 55 43 22 E-mail: [email protected]
The Informer is issued on the ISS web-page: www.isstavanger.no:
Click the Informer icon down to the right and just leaf through the pages.
To have CLASSIFIED ADS published in The Informer, please e-mail: [email protected] editor reserves the right to edit ads to fit the space requested by you.
Prices: Companies1 Private persons2
ISS Teachers/Students and their parents3*
Full page (260 x 180mm) NOK 2400 NOK 1200 NOK 600
1/2 page (130 x 180 mm): NOK 1200,- NOK 600,- NOK 300,-
1/4 page (125 x 88 mm): NOK 800,- NOK 400,- NOK 200,-
1/8 page (60 x 88 mm): NOK 400,- NOK 200,- NOK 100,-
1/16 of a page (28,5 x 88 mm): NOK 200,- NOK 100,- NOK 50,-
1. If you run a business/company/activity that makes your living, you are a “company” price-wise. 2. If you have a small activity, a non-profit foundation, organise a charity, advertise your belongings for
sale, insert small personal ads, etc., you are charged a “private person” price.3. *These prices are valid from January 2010
If you do not wish to receive the Informer any more -
or if you have changes to your e-mail address,
please notify Liv N. Høie at 51 55 43 22 or e-mail: [email protected]
Lunch MenuIn addition to the daily HOT MEAL and the soup of the day, the cafeteria also offers a vegetarian option for lunch
Issues of the Informer in the school year 2015-2016 are due: Wednesdays 02.09, 28.10. and 09.12. 2015. In 2016: Wednesdays 27.01, 09.03, 20.04. and 01.06. Deadline is Wednesdays one week before.
January 2016Wednesday 27: Chicken legs with potato and greek saladThursday 28: Chili con carneFriday 29: Pollock with fried onions and potato
FEbruary
Monday 1: Fried nudles with pork and vegetable Tuesday 2: Pasta with a creamy zuccini sauceWednesday 3: HamburgerThursday 4: Chicken stewFriday 5: Fish nuggets
Monday 8: Chicken legs with couscous and ratatouilleTuesday 9: Pasta ala matricianaWednesday 10: Snitzel with fried potato and peas Thursday 11: KjøttbollerFriday 12: Fish au gratin
Winter Week
Monday 22: Chili con carne Tuesday 23: Pasta with green pesto (no nuts)Wednesday 24: Pizza :)Thursday 25: KomleFriday 26: Tex mex cod
Monday 29 Fried rice with chicken (gf)march
Tuesday 1: Pasta BologneseWednesday 2: PizzaThursday 3: Karbonader (gf)Friday 4: Breaded cod
Monday 7: Ratatouille with couscous Tuesday 8: Pasta carbonaraWednesday 9: Thai chicken stew (gf)Thursday 10: Kjøttkaker
Friday 11: Salmon terriyakiMonday 14: Chop suey porkTuesday 15: Pasta with meatballs and tomato sauceWednesday 16: Greek chicken (gf)Thursday 17: Ham roast (gf)Friday 18: Fish burger (gf)
Easter Break
Wednesday 30: Taco (gf)Thursday 31: Pasta with cheese sauceFriday 1: Bacalao (gf)
april
Monday 4: Chinese pepper chickenTuesday 5: Pasta with bacon and tomato sauceWednesday 6: BurritosThursday 7: Lapskaus (gf)Friday 8: Tagliatell with salmon and cream
Monday 11: Pork noodlesTuesday 12: Pasta with chicken and a creamy sauceWednesday 13: Chili con carne (gf)Thursday 14: Hot dogs and mashed potatoes (gf)Friday 15: Breaded cod Monday 18: Chicken curry (gf)Tuesday 19: Pasta with tomato and feta cheeseWednesday 20: Pulled beef (gf)Thursday 21: Pork chopsFriday 22: Thai cod (gf)
Monday 25: Fish nuggetsTuesday 26: Pasta with red pestoWednesday 27: Chicken tandoori (gf)Thursday 28: Frikadeller Friday 29: Salmon (gf)
The INFORMER • 9 December 2015 • 31www.isstavanger.no
January 2016
February
4-8 Middle School Basketball - Aberdeen5 Girl Effect - Teacher Talent Show9-10 ISA Testing10 Grade 9 to 10 Transition Information Afternoon, 15:3011 IB Information Evening for Grade 10 families, 18:00
15-19 Winter Week - No school
24 Careers Day25 8th to 9th Grade Transition Meeting, 18:0026/27 High School Lock-In
March
3-4 Middle School Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences - No school for MS students3-5 Middle School Musical10-13 NECIS Swimming - Luxembourg14-18 8th Grade Outdoor Education Week
21-28 Easter Vacation
29 Employee in-service - No school for students
30/3 - 3/4 Middle School girls Honour Choir
april
7 Drop Everything and Read Day22 Middle School Recognition Ceremony, 08:3526 5th to 6th Grade Transition Meeting, 18.0028 5th Grade, Middle & High School Spring Concert, 19:00
May 5 Ascension Day - No school6 No school9-18 Spanish Exchange Part 2 at ISS12 Middle School Dance, 18:3013 No school13-15 50th Anniversary activities16 Whit Monday - No school17 Constitution Day – Half day26-29 NECIS Track and Field, Copenhagen
June 2 Early Childhood Field Day - 09:00-10:003 Primary School Field Day - 8ith Grade to help, 09:00-11:308 Middle School Beach Afternoon - 12:00 noon8 Baccalaureate9 Middle School Recognition Ceremony, 09:309 Graduation Day and last student day – Half day
The Informer is published by intErnational school oF stavangEr
Treskeveien 3NO-4043 STAVANGER
Norway
Tel: +47 51 55 43 00 Fax: +47 51 55 43 01
E-mail: [email protected]
High School Office: +47 51 55 43 43Middle School Office: +47 51 55 43 11
Early Childhood & Primary School Office: +47 51 55 43 23
Director: Mr. Gareth JonesHigh School Principal: Dr. Liam BrowneMiddle School Pricipal: Ms. Carol WallaceEarly Childhood & Primary School Principal: Ms. Jill RavenBusiness Manager: Ms. Linn Åsheim
IB Coordinator: Ms. Lynn ParkHigh School Counselor: Ms. Monchaya (June) JetabutMiddle School Counselor: Mr. Matt ArmstrongPrimary School Counselor: Dr. Jack RavenSchool Nurse: Ms. Heather Melhus
The ISS Vision StatementInspire a community of responsible, globally- engaged, empowered learners.
The ISS Mission StatementISS provides an internationally-accredited, engag-ing and challenging English-language education in a supportive, multi-cultural environment where students have the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
Our ValuesLearning, Well-being, Community.
The International School of Stavanger (ISS), founded in 1966, is an independent, non-profit Norwegian foundation accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of Interna-tional Schools. The school enrolls students from ages 3 through 18. ISS offers an international university preparatory curriculum that combines the best features of many national educational systems. Both the Inter-national Baccalaureate Diploma programme and the International General Certificate of Secondary Educa-tion external examinations are available to students.
In 2015, the school has an enrollment of nearly 650 students who represent over 50 nationalities, including students from six of the earth’s seven continents.
Calendar of Events • School year 2015-2016
I’m ready!