T1W11 – 11 Nov 2022
Dear Senior School parents,
Congratulations to all our D1 girls and boys volleyball teams that placed 2nd and 3rd at last weekend’s ACAMIS tournament. The students were assets to SSIS as they shown outstanding sportsmanship and leadership throughout the tournament. While most of the SSIS community could not attend in person, we followed every point online. We presented the trophies and recognised the students’ achievements at this week’s assembly. As we continue to navigate COVID related challenges it is especially important to keep in the moment and remember the small and major successes we experience every day.
Last Tuesday morning, you came together to listen to speeches on ”Embracing our Cultural Differences’ and celebrating diversity at SSIS. Thanks to all the students that participated in the speech contest. For many of our students, it was the first time to speak in front of such a large group of people, and many took a further risk by sharing aspects of their culture and personal experiences. I was again proud, to hear the reflections of the outstanding young people we have here at SSIS. Every day, we learn from each other. Please refer to Ms Naidoo’s message for more information on Speech winners.
This week has been book week or also known as Reading Extravaganza. This year’s theme was “Reading is Magic”. Thank to the English Department. Mr Browne our librarian and the student book review panel for an excellent assembly presentation.
There is substantial research that shows that students who develop a habit of reading for pleasure in their teenage years do better at school and university. The learning outcome of this week was to encourage all Senior School students and teachers to go to the library to take out at least one book and read it by the end of the month. Please encourage your children to commit to this challenge as for many of our students it could be the first step into developing a lifelong habit, and love of reading. I am looking forward to finding out all the books that will be taken out from the library this month.
A message from Ms Weisz
The annual ‘Shanghai Family Student Voices’ speech competition came to a close last week with great results for SSIS. To engage more young people in the discussion of environmental protection the theme this year was: “Green Your Power, Power Your Future”. With over 100 students in each of the three divisions and from 24 different schools, Venizse Buquid from Grade 9 took 2nd place for the 11–14-year-old division and Tanisha Chaudhary took 2nd place in the primary division.
A message from Ms Deeksha
Our students have been working on some art pieces for their CCA programme and there will be an Art sale in the Multipurpose room 1. Some IGCSE portfolios from last year will also be displayed. We welcome you to visit us from 10a.m – 1p.m, to celebrate our talented students’ achievements.
I look forward to meeting many of you at tomorrow’s International Family Bazaar tomorrow. I am excited for the return of this important community event. Massive THANKS to the Parent Support Group (PSG), all SSIS staff and students that have spent considerable time ensuring that this event will be a resounding success!
Mr Steven Gaynor, Senior School Principal
Dates for your Diary
- Saturday 12th November : International Family Bazaar
- Thursday 17th November (17:30): IGCSE Music Recital
- Saturday 19th November : SSL Swim Round 2
- Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th November : SSIMUN Hosted by SSIS
- Saturday 26th November : IGCSE and IBDP Options Morning
- Wednesday 30th November (14:30) : IGCSE Recognition & Awards Ceremony followed by a celebratory dinner
- Saturday 3rd December : Parent Teacher Conference (PTC)
- Thursday 8th December : IGCSE Art Exhibition
- Tuesday 13th December : G6-G7 Transition Morning (Students)
- Wednesday 14th December : G6-G7 Transition Morning (Parents)
Student Wellbeing
Dear parents,
October was an exciting month with senior school learning about and celebrating our culture and diversity. House Captains organised Grade 7-10 speech contests ‘Embracing our Cultural Differences’ which was a wonderful opportunity for students to challenge themselves, talk to a large audience and share ideas. We are proud to announce the winners from
G7/8:
3rd – Rashi Saravanan Mudaliar,
2nd – Tanisha Chaudhury,
1st – Aadya Ravi Katyayan and from
G9/10
3rd – Maryam Zubair Siddiqui,
2nd – Ranya Bijlani,
1st – Pak Yan Mok.
The Student Council hosted yet another successful Halloween event on Friday night. Around 150 students attended playing a host of fun games and activities coordinated by our students and chaperoned by an equally excited team of teachers.
This month of November, we introduce our new theme: ‘Reading is Magic’. The English department and school librarian have planned a host of reading activities to inspire our students to read more. Yesterday’s assembly was a great start and together with our ‘In the Spotlight’ morning announcements, we will continue to nurture and instill a passion for reading. We would love for parents to get involved too: let’s read at home, let’s read together and travel into the world beyond, learn different perspectives and empower ourselves with new ideas.
Ms Shireen Naidoo, Senior School Assistant Principal shireen_naidoo@ssis.asia
Academic Coordinators
The last few weeks have certainly been very busy here. Students have been involved in a number of exciting opportunities such as our Student Council Halloween Night, Reading Extravaganza and delivering speeches celebrating cultural diversity. I would like to extend a special congratulations to our speech contest winners. I look forward to seeing our school community at the International Family Bazaar this weekend.
Mr David Herring, CLSP Coordinator david_herring@ssis.asia
We have a major IGCSE event coming up at the end of the month – the IGCSE Recognition and Awards ceremony takes place on 30th November! During this event, we commemorate the achievements, and resilience, of our previous IGCSE cohort, celebrating with them and their families. Another event taking place is the SSIMUN, Model United Nations conference, the first time our school has individually hosted an inter-school conference, and a testament to the hard work of the Student Secretariat. This is a busy time of year, with various assessments and activities taking place, so keeping a healthy balance is especially important.
Mr Andrew Cole, IGCSE Coordinator andrew_cole@ssis.asia
The last few weeks have seen some exciting opportunities for IB DP students to get out into the wider community and experience the arts. Mr. Rebecca Weisz organized a trip for students to see Sleep No More, the Macbeth inspired interactive theater piece, and was accompanied by HL English and Art students. All students who attended left inspired and with a fresh perspective on Macbeth, which they had previously studied. Additional Ms. Ivy Wong organized a dark room photography-based field trip for art students, allowing them to add another dimension to their final art exhibitions. These trips become memorable touch stones for students and are a crucial part of the learning that occurs at SSIS.
Mr Adam Kent Crossley, IBDP Coordinator adam_crossley@ssis.asia
Reminders
Please ensure your children are ready for the daily COVID test by coming to school with their ID cards. Everyone that enters campus on Monday must also have a COVID test completed on Sunday morning. If your child is absent, please email your child’s form teacher as soon as possible with a reason. Please also directly state whether your child has a fever or no fever. It is a Shanghai Education Committee requirement for all schools to record attendance and reasons for absence.
A reminder that students should arrive at school wearing smart shoes and ties. As the weather starts to cool, students should also wear their school blazer as the first outer layer of clothing.
Please email me with any questions you may have, and we can arrange a follow-up phone call through my PA Katharine Chen.
Contact Information
| Mr Steven Gaynor | Senior School Principal | steven_gaynor@ssis.asia |
| Ms Katharine Chen | PA to Senior School Principal | katharine_chen@ssis.asia |
