Senior School News

Connecting with Your Child’s Mentor Teacher

Dear Parents,

Over the past six months, every student in the Senior School has been assigned a mentor teacher.

At SSIS, we believe that education extends far beyond the classroom. Teachers serve not only as instructors but as mentors and guides, supporting students as they navigate the complexities of both academic and personal development. This holistic approach reflects who we are: a school that cares deeply for each student and is committed to walking alongside them on their individual learning journey.

Mentor teachers provide essential emotional support, offering a safe and supportive space for students to share their struggles and concerns. They act as trusted adults who listen, guide, and help students build resilience. In addition, they offer individualised academic guidance, breaking down complex concepts, providing feedback, and tailoring their approach to help each student succeed.

Beyond this, mentors foster a sense of belonging and community. They encourage collaboration, empathy, and mutual respect, helping students develop not only as learners but as caring individuals.

I warmly invite you to ask your child about their mentor teacher. Building a strong home-school partnership ensures that we can support your child together, with care and purpose.

Thank you for being part of our school community.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. David SHIRLEY (Head of School)

Celebrating Progress and Looking Ahead

Dear Parents,

I hope this message finds you well.

Following the release of our Term 2 Reports, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the continued effort, growth, and resilience shown by our students. Each report reflects not only academic progress, but also the development of important skills such as independence, perseverance, and responsibility.

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you this Saturday for our Student-Led Conferences (SLC). This is a valuable opportunity for students to take ownership of their learning, share their achievements, and reflect honestly on areas for growth. We hope these conversations will be meaningful and empowering for both you and your child.

As you review the reports, we encourage you to celebrate your child’s successes (no matter how big or small) while also supporting them in setting goals for continued improvement. Open conversations at home can make a significant difference in helping students stay motivated and focused.

We also encourage you to stay connected with subject teachers and mentors, who are always available to provide further insight, guidance, and support.

Looking ahead, we are excited for next week’s Future Global Leader Assembly, where we will recognise students who have demonstrated our learner attributes. It is always a proud moment to celebrate the character, values, and leadership our students bring to our community.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing partnership and support. We look forward to seeing many of you on Saturday.

Warm regards,

Shireen Naidoo (Senior School Principal)

LSP newsletter

I cannot believe that we are now starting Term 3. It feels only yesterday when we had fresh Grade 7s and returning Grade 8s walking through the school hallways again. We have some very special events coming up on the Grade 7&8 calendar over the next few weeks. These events are often seen as the highlight of the academic year for many students and allows them to put much of what they have learnt over the year to practice and showcase it to the school community.

These are:

The Grade 7 Intercultural Fair – 10^th of April

The Grade 8 Science Fair – 15^th of April

I cannot wait to interact with the students as they showcase their learning.

Dave Herring (LSP Coordinator)

IGCSE newsletter

We have reached a vital time in the year for both our Grade 9 and 10 students.

Our grade 10s have now finished their Mocks and are in the process of preparing for their final IGCSE exams. This is a very important time for them, as they can now identify any areas for growth or strength and use this in structuring their study schedules as they move forward. The IGCSE exam session is a long one, and having a clear approach is vital for both well-being and academic success.

The last day for the Grade 10s will be 17 April, after which they will be on study leave and not expected to come to school unless they have an exam. We do ask, however, for parents to let us know if their child will be staying at home or coming to school late or leaving early. The students have put in a lot of hard work and we wish them the best of luck for the exams to come.

Our grade 9s are also moving into an important part of their academic journey. Term 3 is a short one and builds up to the End of Year exams, making this an excellent time to take stock of their progress through the year and identify areas they feel they can improve in.

We look forward to working with the students as they navigate this key part of the year.

Andrew Cole (IGCSE Coordinator)

Grades 11 and 12 Biology Trip

DNA Workshop in Suzhou

IB Biology students recently took part in a two-day intensive DNA workshop at the Cold Spring Harbor Asia DNA Learning Center in Suzhou, where classroom learning was transformed into authentic scientific practice.

The programme began with a lecture on CRISPR-Cas9, followed by hands-on experiments in DNA restriction and ligation, where students manipulated plasmid DNA and visualised results using gel electrophoresis. On the second day, students explored human genetic diversity by extracting their own DNA, amplifying gene regions through PCR, analysing Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to PTC gene (bitter taste) and determining their genotype.

Students described the experience as highly engaging and intellectually rigorous, offering a meaningful extension of their classroom learning. The workshop enabled them to apply theoretical concepts to advanced laboratory techniques, strengthening both their practical skills and scientific thinking. They also developed a deeper appreciation of molecular biology and its relevance to real-world research and human genetics.

Erlinda Fabriaga (Science Teacher)

IBDP newsletter

Dear parents of Grades 11 and 12 students,

Our Grade 12 students have now completed their mock examinations and all key internal submissions. This has been a demanding period, and we are proud of the resilience and determination they have shown throughout. It is also a joy to see many of them already receiving university offers. We are now excitedly preparing for their upcoming graduation ceremony. Grade 12 students will also come together for a BBQ day on 12 April, which will be their final day on campus before they begin their study leave.

The recent Art Exhibition by our Grade 11 and Grade 12 students was well received. It was a wonderful celebration of creativity, effort, and talent across both year groups. Our Grade 11 students are making good progress as they begin their Extended Essays, taking their first steps into independent research. Please take some time to ask students about their research.

Thank you.

Arathi PV (IBDP Coordinator)