Professional Documents
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special
2 bright kids
By THERESA BELLE
WIDE recognition and acceptance
in tertiary institutions around the
world have granted international
school curricula an edge in
todays increasingly globalised
education landscape.
With efforts shifting to
creating self-learners and
holistic individuals, co-curricular
involvement and out-ofclassroom learning are regular
fixtures across the board in
British, American, Australian,
Canadian, Malaysian and
International Baccalaureate
Structure
Aims
Content
British
American
Australian
According to Creating
Pathways to Success: An
Education and Career/ Life
Planning Program for Ontario
Schools, Policy and Program
Requirements, Kindergarten to
Grade12,2013, the education
policys goals aim to ensure that
students develop the knowledge
and skills they need to make
informed education and career
or life choices through the
effective application of a
four-step enquiry process.
Canadian
Assessment
Schools
bright kids 3
High school principal Stuart Glascott (second from left) with parents at a St Josephs Institution
International School Malaysia event.
Relevant
curriculum
choice
ST JOSEPHS Institution International School
Malaysia (SJIIM) recently announced that it
had received the International Baccalaureate
(IB) World School status a few months ahead
of its opening in August this year.
In keeping with the standards of the IB, all
schools must complete an authorisation
process before offering one or more of its list
of programmes.
Relating the rigorous process, SJIIMs high
school principal Stuart Glascott says, After
submitting an application for our IB Diploma
Programme (IBDP), we had to demonstrate
that we had all the key attributes of an IB
school which can be hard for a new school.
We documented specifics on the
resources, facilities, curriculum planning
and teaching pedagogy to illustrate that we
had what it takes to run a good IBDP.
From there, an IB inspection team visited
the school for a three-day inspection to
verify that we had all the aspects
documented, he explains.
SJIIMs IB coordinator from the United
Kingdom and teachers selected from all
around the world to teach in the school
beginning August were also part of this
verification visit.
Having attended the respective IB
workshops, they were then required to
demonstrate their understanding of the
programme and the commitment needed
to successfully run the programme.
Vision of excellence
IBDP teachers are known to be top
classroom teachers who create frameworks
that harness students ability to develop
their own ideas.
This allows students to build on each
others knowledge and skills while
enhancing their individual analytical
capabilities.
The IBDP is also offered at St Josephs
Institution in Singapore, where students
achieve excellent results year after year.
One might wonder how SJIIM plans to
emulate that success here in Malaysia.
When you walk around SJI Singapore,
you get a sense of community and the first
goal of SJIIM is to match that in terms of
making students feel happy, safe and part of
the larger Lasallian community, says
Glascott.
We believe that if students feel this way
and are comfortable with their teachers and
peers, they will enquire and explore in the
way that is relevant to the IB philosophy.
4 bright kids
Aims
Content
There is a variety of
curricula to choose
from. Study all your
options thoroughly
before making a
decision.
Assessment
Schools
Malaysian
Structure
Aims
Content
Assessment
Schools
bright kids 5
Scholarships
available
Special 10-year
anniversary offer
AISM is offering 50% and 30%
fee-reduction scholarships to
deserving students to mark its
10th year of being part of the
Taylors Education Group in
Malaysia.
Malaysians and expatriate
students not currently enrolled
at AISM who are aged 11 to 18
are eligible for entry into
programmes from Year 6 to
pre-university.
A discount of 50% or 30% on
the admissions fee and tuition
fees is offered for the entire
duration of schooling at AISM
from year of entry, while the
application fee, annual
technology fees and yearly
deposit are waived.
How to apply
To apply or enquire further,
call the principals office at
03-8949 5000 or e-mail
paprincipal@aism.edu.my by
June 24.
You can also visit the school
during the Open Week held on
June 10 and 11 for a short
briefing on the scholarships.
AISM pre-university students learn from each other in an interactive and engaging classroom.
6 bright kids
Bifidobacterium-dominant flora
and suppresses the growth of
harmful intestinal bacteria.
GOS is important in alleviating
About Morinaga
MORINAGA Milk Industry Co Ltd
is the second largest dairy
product company in Japan and
was founded on Sept 1, 1917 as
Nippon Rennyu Co Ltd.
Morinaga started its business
with the production of condensed
milk before producing the first
milk powder in 1920.
Today the mega brand is
well known in Malaysian
households and prides itself in
being committed to creating
nutritious and healthy products
for all ages and exports its
products worldwide to more
than 30 countries.
Morinaga has been in Malaysia
for almost 50 years and was the
first Japanese milk formula
available in the market.
Lazada and 11 Street.
Spinning
bucket
THIS experiment allows children
to learn about cetripetal force. It
is also a fun outdoor activity for
a hot day.
What you need:
l A bucket with a strong
handle
l Water
l An open area outside
What to do:
l Fill the bucket with water
until it is about half full.
l Stand well clear of other
people and anything that could
get in your way.
l Hold the bucket tightly by
its handle with your arm
extended and start spinning
quickly, moving the bucket
towards the sky and back to the
ground in a circular motion.
Make sure to spin the bucket fast
enough to keep the water inside
the bucket.
l Stop spinning before your
arm gets tired. Watch out for
bright kids 7
Making a
difference
THE important thing is not to
stop questioning, quotes Albert
Einstein, a physicist who had
published many scientific works
and is most notably known for
writing the formula E = mc2.
He believed in the need to
question questioning and
enquiry lead to the discovery
of many wonders in the eyes of
students.
In an environment of
safety, students are lead and
encouraged to question, explore
and enquire. This freedom to
make mistakes provides the
best environment for creativity.
Creativity is important in
todays world as jobs of
tomorrow are unknown and
one must be creative to adapt
and adjust to a constantly
changing world.
This happens when a teacher
exposes students to many things
and shows them where to look
but not point out what to look
for.
Often, students attend schools
that have things well-arranged
and given to them, which makes
them unable to produce their
own ideas.
However, more and more
students are now exposed to
various curricula and
programmes, which can either
be boring or awaken minds.
Hence, it is at the hands of
amazing teachers that the joy
of learning and curiosity
flourishes.
These teachers can nurture
students minds, encouraging
them to step out of their comfort
zone and be courageous.
Aristotle, the great
philosopher, stated that human
beings are curious by nature.
This curiosity, with the correct
stimulation and environment,
can grow and lead to
understanding.
Many curricula and
programmes, be it Cambridge,
International Primary
Curriculum (IPC), The
International General Certificate
of Secondary Education (IGCSE),
A-Levels or International
Baccalaureate (IB) have the
ability to stimulate minds.
Teachers determine if
students memorise content,
develop skills or understand
concepts.
These are all important but
a teacher who can teach a
student how to grow
independently, think, question
and apply is to be applauded.
The curriculum is but a
means to expose students to
different content areas. The
ability to manipulate the
information obtained is more
important.
UCSI International School
teachers strive to expose
students to a variety of content
and guide them to understand
that there is so much more to
explore beyond the classroom.
In the safe environment of
the classroom, however,
students can make mistakes
and learn from them. They
understand how to apply what
they have learnt to different
situations.
The cultural diversity of the
teachers at the school allows
students to view things from
different perspectives and
understand that there are
many ways to deal with
situations.
In this environment and
under the teachers guidance,
18 students from UCSI
International School Subang
Jaya in six teams, with just
more than a week of
preparation, participated in
the World Scholars Cup, Kuala
Lumpur Round, on May 14
and 15 this year.
Three teams qualified for
the Global Round in Bangkok,
which is an amazing
accomplishment for students.
This would not have been
achievable if their curiosity
was not nurtured and if they
were not encouraged to think
independently.
Therefore, a school is but a
building, a curriculum a guide
to follow. It is the teachers that
make the difference.
The alpaca was elected the mascot of the World Scholars Cup.
The UCSI International School Subang Jaya team for the World Scholars Cup.
8 bright kids
AN equitable distribution of
resources and peaceful human
relationships lead to a better
quality human life.
Grade 6 students (aged 10 and
older) in Fairview International
School set out to investigate this
statement, working on three main
lines of inquiry:
l Current issues causing conflict
among nations
l How people communicate and
connect to solve problems
l Organisations that try to solve
problems
Throughout the six-week
journey, students researched on
their iPads, spoke to parents and
teachers, and worked on library
resources to gather facts to support
the statement.
Teachers guided the students in
integrating mathematics, science,
social studies, physical education
and even art in their enquiry.
A five-day expedition to
Singapore provided insights into
how this small city state uses its
limited resources to maximise
benefits in the face of adversity.
textbooks or teacher-directed
instruction.
After the six weeks, students
reflect on their learning journey
and tell their stories to parents,
with teachers facilitating the
process.
Various modes are employed,
such as presentations, 3D
models, essays, comics, art and
cartoons to deliver the message
to the parents. A performance
relating to the enquiry is usually
the highlight.
Fairview students are driven
to success through the skills
training and approaches to
learning that are part of their
curriculum.
They learn research skills,
time management skills, thinking
skills, referencing skills and
social skills, to name a few.
With students as young as 10
years old already equipped with
these skills, they can progress to
the Middle Years Programme
(MYP) and the International
Baccalaureate Diploma
bright kids 9
Franchisee of Smart Reader Kids Pandan Indah and Bukit Indah Melinda Seng May Yee with
her students.
and imagination.
Some children were initially shy
but they soon became excited after
attending the classes. They look
forward to going to school every
day. Their parents were surprised
to see their childrens excitement to
attend classes and praised the
Smart Reader Kids syllabus that
has helped their children read,
write and speak well. The children
have also become more confident
and polite, says Kalimani.
10 bright kids
INTERNATIONAL schools in
Malaysia offer a variety of
curricula, thus allowing parents to
choose one based on their childs
learning needs.
The vast majority of
international schools in Malaysia
offer the national curriculum of
England and Wales (generally
known as the British curriculum)
and the Cambridge programmes,
where students sit for the
International General Certificate of
Secondary Education (IGCSE).
However, the International
Baccalaureate is becoming
increasingly popular with a
number of schools offering it.
Other curricula in use include
the American, Australian,
Canadian, Indian, Islamic and the
International Primary Curriculum.
Each curriculum has its unique
characteristics, which may be seen
bright kids 11
All-rounded, unique
innovative space
THE Learning Village, set within
the heritage-rich grounds of Jalan
Macalister, will house two
reputable preschools, a leading
enrichment provider, as well as a
global research and training
college specialising in early years
development, curriculum design
and professional development.
At the heart of the village are
two popular preschools The
childrens house and Odyssey The
Global Preschool.
With more than 40 years of
experience between them, both
preschools offer internationally
recognised and proven teaching
methodologies, giving parents
more to choose from when it
comes to their childrens early
years education.
The village was conceptualised
with the vision of providing a
unique innovative learning space
for the early foundation years, and
we saw it as a fantastic opportunity
to present Penangites with more
quality choices for their childrens
early years education under one
roof, says Nurjiwawati Aris,
12 bright kids
(From left) Gakken Education Malaysia Sdn Bhds managing director Hiroaki Noh, Gakken
Educational Co Ltds president Koiichi Deguchi and Gakken Education Malaysia Sdn Bhds
director Yoiichi Moriya at the launch of Gakken Education Malaysia Sdn Bhd on May 19.
Bending bones
THIS cool experiment uses chemistry to alter
the make-up of bones. If you are interested
in forensic science, this simple project is a
great gateway to more complex experiments.
What you need:
l A chicken bone (a drumstick bone
works best)
l Vinegar
l A jar large enough to fit the bone,
with a lid
What to do:
1. Rinse off the bone to remove any meat
and clean it.
2. Notice how hard the bone is. Try to bend
it gently (do not break it).
3. Put the bone in the jar and pour in the
vinegar until the bone is submerged.
4. Close the jar and let it sit in a cool place
for three days.
5. After three days, remove the bone. Rinse
the bone in water and try bending it; it
bright kids 13
Expansion to
improve learning
SUNWAY International School (SIS)
was founded on the motto
Nurturing Mind, Building
Character and has stood firm with
this principle ever since.
As an education provider in a
fast-paced society, SIS has been
consistent in providing an
environment for students to
flourish.
SIS strives to provide an
educational platform for all
students to continuously grow as
an individual both inside and
outside of the classroom, which is
made possible through eliminating
limitations in the learning
environment.
The ever-growing student body
means that there is a need for SIS
to expand. Recently, the school
expanded its wings to the East
Building.
The East Building offers an
additional 11 classrooms, a music
room and drama room. The
expansion of school facilities
provides a richer learning
environment for the SIS
community.
The performing arts is one of the
most exciting areas of learning in
school and SIS has provided
students and teachers with a new,
modern Black Box drama room.
Complete with a set of risers to
create a stage, curtains, lighting
and its own sound equipment, it is
a facility that will please all
performers.
Music also plays an integral role
in the field of performing arts and
SIS acknowledges the importance
of music as part of developing art
and literacy.
Hence, the new music room
caters to music-loving students as a
free space to unleash their inner
musician. It is also one of the many
steps taken towards introducing a
music programme at SIS next year.
On top of that, the school library
has been relocated to the East
Building. The enlarged facility
can now cater to three times
more students than before.
Equipped with an online search
terminal, the space also introduced
14 bright kids
Healthy
family drink
BEFORE you power through a busy
day, your body needs sufficient
energy and nutrients.
While we often turn to our
favourite foods such as nasi lemak
to feed ourselves and our children
before we head out, these foods
contain few health benefits and
cause hunger to strike before
lunchtime.
Holiday fun
at home
bright kids 15
16 bright kids
Taylors International School, Kuala Lumpur will strengthen its curriculum offering next year with the introduction
of A-Levels for Years 12 and 13.
Breakfast
ideas
PARENTS usually wait until children are a
little older to let them help out with cooking,
but you can introduce younger children to
the kitchen with simple recipes that are fun,
quick and tasty. This school break, let your
kids have their hand at being chef for the
morning with these two yummy breakfast
recipes.
Parents or older siblings can help the little
ones with cutting ingredients up and using
the oven. Children can follow these simple
steps to spruce up their oatmeal breakfast or
prepare a delicious dip that could double as
a snack.
Apple cinnamon baked oatmeal
Ingredients:
l 2 cups oats
l cup light brown sugar
l 1 teaspoons cinnamon
l 1 teaspoon baking powder
l teaspoon salt
l 1 cups milk
l cup applesauce
l 1 tablespoon melted butter
l 2 egg whites
l 1 teaspoon vanilla
l 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled,
cored and diced
Optional toppings: Brown sugar, raisins,
dried cranberries, chopped almonds
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Coat an 8x8 inch baking dish with
cooking spray.
3. Combine and mix oats, brown sugar,
cinnamon, baking powder and salt in a
large bowl.
4. Whisk milk, applesauce, butter, egg
white and vanilla in a separate bowl.
5. Pour wet ingredients over dry
ingredients. Stir until combined.
6. Gently stir in diced apples.