Senior School News

Unlocking Your Child’s Potential Through Sleep

A heartfelt thank you to the many parents who partner with us in nurturing your child’s holistic growth at SSIS. Our shared mission to develop well-rounded individuals means we care deeply about every aspect of their journey, from academic rigour to their physical and emotional health. Today, I want to explore a wonderful opportunity to support their wellbeing and success: the power of sleep.

While a sleepy Grade 10 student on a Monday morning may be an unfortunately familiar scene, it’s important for us, as a supportive community, to see it for what it truly is in most cases: a biological mismatch, not a personal choice or lack of effort. During adolescence, a natural shift in the body’s circadian rhythm means the brain doesn’t start releasing melatonin, the sleep hormone, until much later in the evening. This essentially wires the teenage brain to be alert at night and sleepy in the early morning, creating a genuine conflict with early school start times. When we mistake this biological reality for laziness, we miss the opportunity to help. The fatigue we see can mask the incredible potential within each student, impacting their mood, their ability to concentrate in lessons, and their capacity for the critical thinking we actively encourage. Our students are so bright and capable, full of ideas and enthusiasm. By understanding this biological challenge and collectively prioritising healthy sleep, we can help them unlock the sustained energy, sharp focus, and resilient mindset they need not just to succeed, but to truly thrive in all their endeavours.

Understanding this is the first step toward positive change. Sleep is not merely a pause in the day; it is an active, essential process where the brain consolidates learning, regulates emotions, and recharges the day ahead. It is the foundation upon which a successful and happy school experience is built.

At SSIS, we are committed to doing our part by reviewing assessment calendars and providing restful spaces like our Zen Den. The home environment, however, is where the most profound impact can be made. I invite you to consider this important topic and think about trying these following strategies:

Co-create a Consistent Routine: Work with your teen to establish a regular bedtime and wake-up time. A predictable rhythm is a gift to their body clock, helping them feel more in control and energised.

Champion a “Digital Sunset”: The blue light from screens can disrupt sleep. I encourage a family-wide practice of powering down all devices at least one hour before bed, creating a calmer atmosphere for everyone.

Wind-Down: Encourage calming pre-sleep rituals. This could be reading a book, listening to calming music, or a short mindful exercise. This signals to the brain that it’s time to rest and restore.

Get your child to create a Sleep Sanctuary: Help them make a bedroom that is a cool, dark, and quiet haven, a dedicated space for deep, restorative sleep.

By working together to champion healthy sleep habits, we give our young adults a profound advantage: the cognitive sharpness to excel, the emotional balance to thrive, and the vibrant energy to embrace all the wonderful opportunities their SSIS education provides. Thank you for your continued partnership in nurturing their wellbeing and success.

Strong Together,

Mr. Shirley

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October Highlights: A Month of Learning, Leadership, and Liveliness!

October has been one of our busiest and most rewarding months of the year with Senior School buzzing with activity and school spirit.

Staff began the month engaging in rich Professional Development sessions, focusing on our school’s strategic thrust and teachers’ Professional Learning Plans; aimed at enhancing the overall quality of teaching and learning across departments and divisions.

Our Student Council and RAPS investiture ceremonies followed soon after, celebrating the next generation of student leaders. This year, we are especially proud to see several boys stepping into Student Council roles, an encouraging shift in what has traditionally been a female-dominated space.

In athletics, our programme has truly gone from strength to strength with students proudly representing SSIS at ACAMIS and SISAC volleyball tournaments, cross-country events, and swim meets, showcasing skills and sportsmanship.

The highlight of the month was undoubtedly the Autumn Excursions where students ventured to Moganshan, Yangshuo, Sanya, and Jeju, participating in team-building tasks, challenge and resilience activities, and, this year, a strong focus on service learning. We are especially proud that our students had the opportunity to work with children from local and special schools and take part in a beach clean-up, developing empathy and social responsibility. The Shanghai incursions were also well received by students. Much gratitude goes to our teacher chaperones who went over and above and to Insight for their attention to detail.

We end October on a wonderfully creative note with our Reading Extravaganza. The celebration began with a wellbeing lesson dedicated to “Drop Everything and Read,” encouraging students to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasure of a good book. On Friday, October 31, students dressed as their favourite characters to the theme of Genre Galaxy, and on November 7, we’ll keep the cosy reading vibes going with Pyjama Day. Between November 3–7, students will take part in a range of fun and interactive reading activities across all subjects, designed to promote and inspire a lifelong love of reading.

Tips to Encourage Parents to Read with Their Children

1. Make it a ritual, not a requirement.
Set aside 10–15 minutes a few nights a week for shared reading: after dinner, before bed, or even Sunday morning. When reading feels relaxed and routine, it becomes something to look forward to, not a chore.

2. Model the magic.
Children are far more likely to read if they see their parents doing it. Leave a book or magazine lying around, talk about what you’re reading, and let them ‘catch’ you enjoying a story.

3. Ask questions that spark curiosity, not anxiety.
Instead of ‘What was the story about?’, try ‘Which part surprised you most?’ or ‘If you were that character, what would you have done differently?”’

4. Create a reading space that feels special.
A comfy corner, a reading lamp, and a blanket are small touches that make a big difference. It signals that reading is something to be enjoyed, not endured.

5. Take it beyond the book.
Watch a film adaptation together, cook a meal from a story, or visit a place mentioned in the book. It helps children see that reading connects to real life.

As always, thank you to our dedicated staff, enthusiastic students, and supportive parents for making October such a vibrant success.

Warm regards,
Shireen Naidoo
Assistant Principal

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IBDP updates:

Grade 12 Updates:
Our Grade 12 students participated in Incursion Week, which provided them with dedicated time to work on their e-coursework — including the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essays, and Internal Assessments (IAs).

Several students have already submitted their university applications, and we are hopeful they will receive wonderful offers in the coming months. We are proud of their hard work as they balance academic commitments with their future aspirations. I request that all parents continue supporting their children during this crucial phase as they approach final deadlines. Please encourage them to rest well, eat healthy, and maintain a balanced routine while enjoying their final year at SSIS family.

Grade 11 Updates:
Our Grade 11 students are now settling into the Diploma Programme and becoming more familiar with the academic expectations of the IB. Recently, they enjoyed an engaging excursion, which helped them strengthen collaboration and develop a sense of balance between academics and extracurricular activities.

We encourage all Grade 11 students to maintain this balance and embrace the qualities of being a true SSIS and IB learner who strives for excellence both inside and outside the classroom. If you have any questions related to the iB diploma programme at SSIS, please feel free to reach out to me.

Ms. Arathi

IBDP coordinator

arathi_pv@ssis.asia

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IGCSE updates:

Most of our IGCSE students were away last week on excursions, either in Sanya or on Jeju Island. These trips are important opportunities for the students to forge meaningful connections with their peers and challenge themselves to develop new skills. We are all back in school now, tired but happy, and ready for the push towards the end of Term 1.

As we approach the end of the term, there will be multiple assessments across all subject areas, and it is important for the students to manage their time carefully. A well-thought-out review schedule can avoid last-minute cramming and enable the students to reach their potential more effectively.

Some important upcoming dates and events include the IGCSE awards ceremony for our Grade 10 class of last year on 26 November (more details to follow) and for our current Grade 10 cohort to begin considering what subjects they may want to take for IBDP.

If you have any questions related to the IGCSE diploma programme at SSIS, please feel free to reach out to me.

Mr Cole

IGCSE Coordinator

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Grade 7/8 Updates:

I am pleased to say that the Grade 7 & 8 students successfully participated in our excursions to Moganshan or Guilin. These trips provide a meaningful opportunity for students to build resilience and independence as they look towards the senor years at SSIS. More importantly, these excursions provide a fresh opportunity to build new friendships and relationships with their peers.

As we approach the end the end of the term and look towards final assessments, the publication of report cards and parent teacher conferences it looks to be a very busy next few weeks. It is important that students regularly check managebac to be aware of deadlines and intereact with their learning materials posted by their teachers.

If you have any questions related to the Lower Secondary programme at SSIS, please feel free to reach out to me.

Mr Herring