T1W9 – 25 Oct 2024
Dear SSIS Parents,
October has been an exciting month of continued learning and exploration at SSIS. Our recent excursions and camps provided valuable opportunities for students to connect classroom knowledge with real-world experiences, fostering a deeper understanding across various subjects.
Additionally, Grades 3, 4, and 5 enjoyed action-packed football days at Shanghai American School. The events not only showcased their skills and teamwork but also highlighted the importance of sportsmanship and building friendships beyond our own school community.
Key dates:
- Oct 31 – Parent Coffee Morning (9:00 – 10:00 am, Book Tree, Sign up)
- Nov 1 – PEP: Building Strong Readers with RAZ Kids (G1 to G6, Sign up)
- Nov 2 – International Family Bazaar (IFB) Open to Public
- Nov 4 to 7 – Reading Extravaganza Week: Monday Book Character Dress up Day; Thursday Pyjama Day
- Nov 8 – No School (Teacher Professional Learning Day)
- Nov 11 – Grade 1 & 2 Sports Day (Afternoon)
- Nov 12 – Grades 3 to 6 Sports Day (All Day)
- Nov 19 – K2 to G1 Transition Day
- Nov 19 – PEP: HSK information sharing (G6 and above Online, Sign up)
- Nov 21 – PEP: Lower Grade Math Model Drawing (G1 to G3, Sign up)
- Nov 25 – Parent Coffee Afternoon (1:30 – 2:30 pm, Sign up) & Student of the Term Assembly (2:30 – 3:15 pm)
- Nov 29 – House Shirt Day
- Nov 30 – Parent Teacher Conferences (PTC)
Enriching Experiences Beyond the Classroom
Our excursions and camps are integral to the holistic development of our students, connecting learning with real-world experiences.
Grade 1: Shanghai Chen Shan Botanical Gardens
Our youngest explorers embarked on a sensory adventure at the Chen Shan Botanical Gardens. The nature walk allowed them to engage their five senses, observing and describing the sights, sounds, smells, textures, and tastes around them. This experience enhanced their sensory awareness, deepened their appreciation for nature, and provided a hands-on way to connect with the environment.
Grade 2: Ganso Dream World
Second graders delved into the world of cake-making at Ganso Dream World. Observing the production process of cake-making gave them insights into the steps involved in manufacturing, from mixing to baking and packaging. They also had the opportunity to ice and decorate their own cake. It was a wonderful opportunity to see how teamwork plays a crucial role in production.
Grade 3: Shanghai Zoo
Third graders took their learning outdoors at the Shanghai Zoo, where they examined plants in their natural habitats and observed how animals are classified into different groups. The visit provided a platform for students to create list poems based on the characteristics of animals, blending scientific observation with creative expression.
Grade 4: Overnight Camp and Minhang Sports Park
Grade 4 students enjoyed an overnight camp at school where they developed independence and self-reliance. Students embraced the challenges of taking care of themselves while away from home, which helped build a sense of responsibility. Their visit to Minhang Sports Park provided them with various team-building activities that promoted resilience and respect for others. These experiences allowed students to connect with nature, appreciate the outdoors, and strengthen bonds with their peers.
Grade 5: Sun Island (2 Days/1 Night Camp)
The Grade 5 camp at Sun Island was packed with diverse learning experiences. Social studies came alive as students developed essential mapping skills, while science lessons on the properties of various materials were explored through hands-on activities. Physical education played a key role as students participated in challenges aimed at enhancing both gross and fine motor skills, fostering resilience and teamwork.
Grade 6: Peng Lai (5 Days/4 Nights Camp)
The week-long Grade 6 camp at Peng Lai was a dynamic and enriching experience filled with diverse activities that fostered learning, teamwork, and community service. Students participated in team-building exercises, enjoyed a movie night, and had a memorable fireworks and BBQ evening. They also experienced grape picking and learned about the wine-making process, as well as marvelling at marine life during an aquarium visit.
Service learning was a key focus, with students teaching English to kindergarteners and contributing to a beach cleanup. These activities helped them develop a sense of responsibility and connection to the community. Overall, the camp was an excellent blend of fun, education, and service, providing students with unforgettable memories.
Collection of Sabre’s Adventure
To recognise our students’ outstanding qualities in specific areas and to promote the spirit of Sabre and our Future Global Leaders’ attributes, our primary school will typically select a “Sabre of the Week”, allowing these nominated students an opportunity to spend a wonderful weekend with Sabre.
We encourage parents to share your child’s weekend stories with Sabre by sending photos or videos to us. You can upload videos and photos via the following link. We will create a video from these stories to share on our social media platforms. We look forward to hearing from you and greatly appreciate your support!
Kind regards,
Tony Rampton
Primary School Principal
Exciting Times Ahead for Sports
Upcoming Events:
- SAS Football Days
- U9 and U11 Football Invitations to Wellington and Suzhou Dulwich
- The start of CISSA Football
Cross Country: Our CISSA Cross Country team attended two meets this season. At the first event, hosted by SAS, three of our Grade 5 and Grade 6 girls placed in the top 10 overall. Ella O’Maonaigh-Lennon finished 3rd overall, and Sophie Wall, competing as a 3rd grader, finished 5th.
At the Suzhou Singapore International School Invitational, Sophie Wall (Grade 3) secured our first-ever medal at a major meet, winning silver in the Grade 5 and 6 category. Audrey Blackmore (Grade 4) finished 9th.
ASP – Sabres Golf Team: Our golf team has seen remarkable growth with students as young as 8 years old participating in tournaments. The team’s training has been impressive, with every student lowering their scores over the course of the season. This past week, the team travelled to Sun Island Kunshan for on-course training.
