T2W2 – 15 Dec 2023
Dear Senior School parents,
It was delightful to meet many of you at last Saturday at Parent Teacher Conference (PTC). While face to face meetings are important, I also encourage you to contact your child’s subject teachers on a regular basis throughout the term for more frequent updates on your child’s learning.
This has been an extremely busy first term, and while this is our first post-COVID school year, it has been anything but normal. When I reflect back on this term, the word I use to describe it an is extraordinary. There have been so many great events and amazing opportunities for student learning. I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our community. These learning opportunities could not happen without the strong relationships and collective support of students, teachers and parents.
This IGCSE Recognition and Awards ceremony celebrated our IGCSE Class of 2023 succes in the May external examinations. All students received their IGCSE certificates and we presented Best in Subject awards as well as recognising outstanding and best overall achievement. A special thank you to Mr. Cole and the IGCSE Awards committee for organising this event.
Last week the Student Council led the Whole School Gratitude and Kindness week. After a busy few weeks, this initiative from the Student Council was very much appreciated by all SSIS staff!
Grade 6 students joined the Senior School assembly this week in the first of many planned Senior School transition events for academic 2024-25.
The next events are scheduled for:
- Tuesday 9th January: G6-G7 Get Ready for Senior School (students)
- Wednesday 10th January: G6-G7 get Ready for Senior School (parents)
A sign up form for the parent information session on Wednesday 10th January will be shared after the winter holiday.
A quick update on grade 12 university applications and admissions from Mr. Gould. While it is still very early in the process, we have supported over 80 applications to students’ choice of university so far. A selection of these applications is displayed here. We continue to support applications to prestigious universities and courses all over the world.
Our students have also received their first offers of the season from both the University of Liverpool and Manchester. Well done to our grade 12 students as they balance their studies, after-school activities and university applications.
Looking forward to next year, Scholarship applications for the next academic year 2024-25 are now open. Scholarships support our key pillars of excellence. We welcome applications from students that show excellence in
- Academic IBDP – Excellence & Merit
- Academic CLSP & IGCSE – Excellence & Merit
- Aesthetics
- Athletics
- Technology and Innovation
- Leadership and Community Service
The Scholarship Policy and full details about the application process are available on the school website.
https://www.ssis.asia/admissions/ssis-scholarships/
The deadline for applications is Thursday, 22nd February. Should you have any queries or need guidance through the application process, please don’t hesitate to approach your teachers or myself. I eagerly await reviewing your applications and learning about your scholarship initiatives.
Parents and students are encouraged to speak to their teachers or academic coordinators if they have any questions about the application process.
Thanks to PSG and parent representatives for coordinating Santa’s Workshop this week and all your support this term. Once again, I extend my deepest appreciation to the students, teachers, and parents for your support and time you give to the SSIS community. Together, let’s continue to foster a culture of excellence, kindness, and collaboration.
Dates for your diary
- Tuesday 2nd January: Return to School
- Tuesday 9th January: G6-G7 Get Ready for Senior School (students)
- Wednesday 10th January: G6-G7 get Ready for Senior School (parents)
Pastoral Wellbeing
Term 1 ended with a big bang as we raised awareness and embarked on an anti-bullying drive. In Well-Being Lessons and form time, students discussed ways they could be upstanders rather than bystanders and act against inappropriate behaviours. This culminated in a fantastic Speech Contest titled: ‘Make a noise against bullying’. In this week’s celebratory assembly, winners were announced with special recognition to Grade 12 Jason Hsu.
This assembly was also the Senior School Term 1 Character & Leadership Awards where we recognised many students as Future Global Leaders. Grade 6 students attended, and this was a great opportunity for them to witness the very many exciting activities they will experience next year from an array of athletics to World Scholar’s Cup to Winter Formal to House events.
Let’s celebrate some of our winners here.
Once again, I take the opportunity to remind parents of all the opportunities your child is given in senior school. Please do encourage them to try something new in Term 1, chase a goal, enjoy a passion project, get involved in service learning, play a sport or sign up for an ASP. Learning happens both in and outside the classroom and it is these valuable opportunities that will define their identities and personalities.
Have a wonderful and blessed winter holiday!
Yours sincerely,
SSIS Senior School
Mr Steven Gaynor (Senior School Principal)
Ms Shireen Naidoo (Senior School Assistant Principal)
