Senior School News

Dear Parents, 

As we move further into the term, our Senior School students are beginning to find their rhythm. New timetables are becoming familiar, relationships are developing, and academic expectations are becoming clearer. At the same time, students are managing assessments, activities, friendships, responsibilities and the everyday pressures that come with being teenagers. 

At this point, our partnership with you is particularly important.  

Here are a few ways we can continue supporting them together: 

⚖️ Protect the balance 
School can get busy very quickly with academics, sports, activities, friendships, and other commitments, but students need time to rest and simply switch off. Encourage your child to think about whether their weekly schedule is manageable rather than trying to fit everything in. 

😴 Make rest a priority 
Late-night studying is not always productive. Regular sleep supports concentration, memory, emotional regulation, and readiness to learn. Helping teenagers establish healthy routines around sleep and devices can make a noticeable difference to how they approach the school day. 

💬 Keep conversations open 
Teenagers do not respond well to “How was school?” Try questions that invite conversation: “What made you smile today?” “What was challenging?” “What are you looking forward to this week?” Check ManageBac and the Student Planner and talk about their commitments. 

🌟 Notice progress, not only grades 
Success comes in many forms; improving a test result, asking a teacher for help, meeting a deadline, joining an activity, making a new friend or persevering. Recognising small successes helps students understand that growth is about progress and effort, not perfection. 

🤝 Reach out early 
Please do not wait until a concern becomes a significant problem before contacting us. If you notice changes in your child’s mood, motivation, sleep, friendships or attitude towards school, reach out to their mentor, teachers or counsellors so we can help put the right support in place. 

Finally, one thing we continue to see in our students is their genuine desire to succeed. However, growing up and learning are not smooth journeys. There will be difficult days, disappointing results and mistakes along the way. Our role is not to remove every challenge but to help our students develop the resilience to navigate these successfully. 

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.  

When students know that home and school are working together, they are far more likely to feel secure, supported, and ready to thrive. 

Stronger Together. 💙  

Ms. Shireen NAIDOO 

SENIOR SCHOOL PRINCIPAL 

Coffee Morning: Thank You 

A big thank you to all parents who attended our Grade 7 and New Parents Coffee Morning on 28 August. I hope you found the session both enjoyable and informative. It was lovely to have the opportunity to meet and connect with so many of you. 

Mentor Mornings Are in Full Swing! 

Our Mentor Mornings take place from 8:15-8:30 a.m. and are designed to give students a positive start to the day. Each morning has a different focus, giving students time to plan, pause, connect, read and have some fun together. 

Mentor Mornings in Action 

Here are a few photos of how your child is spending the different Mentor Mornings in Senior School. 

A Little Reminder / Tip for Parents 

Coming Up Next: School Excursions (19 – 23 October) 

Grade 7 -> Moganshan    |    Grade 8 -> Yangshuo 

We are looking forward to our upcoming excursions and to seeing our students learn, explore and spend time together outside the classroom. 

IGCSE Parent Info Evening 

On 22 September, we had a great IGCSE Parent Info Evening. We walked through how to understand grade thresholds and different assessment components, discussed key dates for Grades 9 and 10 and provided strategies for how to best support your students. Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Parent Info Evening. It was wonderful to hear your questions, and we look forward to having another Parent Workshop soon.  

Leadership Camp 

On 11 September, Grade 9 & 10 students took part in the Leadership Camp this term. Here, our RAPS ambassadors and captains as well as our Student Council members, took part in valuable workshops to prepare them for their upcoming roles. They also were able to have fun with dinner, music and games following the workshops. This included an extremely competitive bout of musical chairs. Teacher-led workshops that students participated in were on: 

Coming Up: Grade 9 & 10 Excursions (19 – 23 October)  

GRADE 9 → SANYA   |   GRADE 10 → SANYA OR HUA HIN (STUDENT CHOICE) 

Key Parent Dates & Reminders 

IGCSE Tutoring Has Begun 

Grade 11 students who just sat their IGCSEs, and who have achieved an A or A* in the subject, are now tutoring Grade 9 and 10 students, sharing strategies from their own recent exam experience. This is a fantastic way for Grade 9 and 10 students to get practical help from peers who have just went through the IGCSE Exam experience and who have mastered the material. If you are interested, please contact: Erika TONG at 904858@ssis.asia or Daon CHOI at 904134@ssis.asia.  

It has been a wonderful and action-packed first six weeks in the IB Programme at SSIS! We have seen our students dive into their studies with remarkable energy, and we have celebrated several key milestones as a community. From building bonds at the IB Camp to preparing for upcoming exams and excursions, there is a great deal to be excited about. 

Partnering for Success: The IB Parents Information Session 

Our recent IB Parents Information Session was a wonderful opportunity to connect with our parent community. The session was tailored to support both our G11 parents, who are new to the programme, and our G12 parents, who are preparing for their child’s final year. 

A key message shared across both groups was the vital importance of communication. We highlighted the high levels of support and guidance offered by the school and discussed the essential role parents play in their child’s ultimate success. Parents, we appreciate each of you and your involvement and support are essential for your child’s success. 

Building a Strong IB Community: The IB Camp 

Our recent IB Camp was a resounding success, serving as a powerful launchpad for the year ahead. The highlight of the camp was a series of workshops led by our experienced Grade 12 students for our incoming Grade 11s. These peer-led sessions covered the core pillars of the IB Diploma: CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), TOK (Theory of Knowledge), the Extended Essay (EE), and University Guidance (UG). 

The day was not just about academics; it was about building a supportive community. Fun team-building activities allowed teachers and students to connect, strengthening the bonds that are so vital to our success. We are incredibly proud of our G12 students for stepping up as mentors and leaders and they deserve our gratitude: Thank you! 

Student Spotlight: CAS in Action 

We are thrilled to see our incredible students already taking initiative with their CAS projects. From organizing after-school academic support to planning charity fundraisers, our students are finding meaningful ways to make a difference. 

We should all be proud of the hard work these students are putting in. This is a reminder to all IB students to continue making steady progress on their CAS goals throughout the year. 

G12 Academic Milestones & University Guidance 

Our G12 students are deeply engaged in their core components and are making excellent progress. 

• Extended Essay (EE): Students are working diligently on their EEs, and this is a top priority. The final drafts are due on November 17th. 

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK): The TOK essay titles have been released! G12s are now brainstorming ideas and selecting their topics. The first draft is due on November 25th. 

• University Guidance (UG): Our amazing UG team has been working closely with both G11 and G12 students, providing invaluable support in clarifying their university aspirations and creating actionable plans to turn those dreams into reality. 

Important Upcoming Dates: Incursions & Excursions (October 19-25) 

We have an exciting and mandatory week of activities planned for all IB students. 

For Grade 11 Students: 
G11 students will be embarking on amazing trips during this week. This is a rich and important experience that offers a fantastic opportunity for CAS experiences and should not be missed. 

• Please Note: Students who do not attend these trips will still be required to come to school. Their attendance will be recorded and will appear on transcripts used for university applications. 

For Grade 12 Students: 
G12 students will have a mandatory “incursion” at the school. This week provides the precious gift of uninterrupted time to focus on critical IB components. 

• Focus Areas: Students will have invaluable opportunities to work on their Internal Assessments (IAs), Extended Essays (EEs), CAS projects, and have dedicated contact time with the University Guidance (UG) team. 

• Attendance Policy: This incursion is a crucial part of the IB journey and is mandatory. Absences will be recorded and will also appear on transcripts. 

This has been a fantastic start to the IB year. We are excited to see our students continue to grow, learn, and achieve. Thank you for your continued partnership. 

• September 24: Staff PD Day (No school for students)
• September 25: Mid-Autumn Holiday
• October 1-7: Chinese National Holiday
• October 19-24: G7-11 Excursions, G12 Incursion
• November 2-6: Reading Extravaganza Week
• November 13: Student Council Fall Event
• November 14: International Family Bazaar
• November 16-20: Dave Studio Photo Taking

Please find the updated benefits and privileges for SSIS community through the link below:
https://www.ssis.asia/privileges-discounts/