Thursday 11th of December 2014

Reports 

For your information, the end of term reports should now be available on the school system. I have spent some time reading through the reports and it is clear that the teachers certainly offer a lot of very specific advice for how the pupils can improve in their attainment and approach at school. Moreover, the vast majority of Year 9 have very encouraging reports demonstrating that they have made a superb start to this important year. Looking through the pupil scores for their attitude to learning and also organisation for learning (two key indicators for success) it is remarkable to see the same names near the top of both lists. The following pupils scored in the top 5 out of the entire Year 9 cohort (over 150 pupils) for both of these categories. These pupils have been rated as exceptional in the majority of their subjects.

Narissa Jewa 9L

Kareena Kamdar 9W

Vanessa Lee 9P

If you have any immediate concerns and wish to discuss the contents of the reports please feel free to contact me browning.m@gardenschool.edu.my. Otherwise there will be a parent teacher conference in Term 2 on Tuesday 10th February 2015.

Year 9 into Year 10 Subject Option Information

The calendar for next term is now filling up with subject options events. All pupils have been given a copy of the schedule but you can see the information by following the link below. Please note that we will be holding an options information session for parents in the first week back 7.30-8.30pm on Thursday the 8th of January in the Grand Hall. Pupils will then have options taster sessions during the second week of term 2 in which they will be able to gain real insight about what it would be like to study the different subjects for IGCSE. We will be doing some options based activities during tutor times too to help the pupils really think about their choices. I would also encourage parents to start talking to pupils about what subject options might be most suitable. My best advice for this would be:

• Select as wide a range of subjects as possible – universities and employers look for this
• Choose subjects that you enjoy
• Choose subjects that you are good at

An overview of options available can be viewed on the school website:
https://sites.google.com/a/gardenschool.edu.my/secondary-curriculum/home/secondary-curriculum-overview

Options event schedule:
https://drive.google.com/a/gardenschool.edu.my/file/d/0B1I5bAMjrTiEaWEzSGhBX1MwR2M/view

Have a GREAT holiday!

It has been a very busy term, and also a very successful one for the vast majority of pupils. I am still hearing lots of great things about the Year group so thank you all. Sadly we are saying goodbye to a number of pupils this term and would like to wish the following pupils all of the very best for their futures. Do stay in touch with all of your friends here at GIS. The leavers this term are:

Louis Do 9I

Zhakri Azlan 9I

Hannah Do 9L

Dean Knight 9L

Justin Ang 9M

Emily Batrouney 9P

 Finally, I would just like to wish everyone a fantastic holiday and remind pupils to get some well earned rest. Stay safe if you are traveling this holiday and I look forward to seeing you next term! Best wishes, Dr. Browning

Friday 5th of December 2014

 Year 9 Options Information

As the final few tutor groups have their initial careers / options sessions with Ms Sharma we are now turning our attention to the subject option information events scheduled for the start of Term 2. Please follow the link below to see the order of events. A hard copy of this letter will be given to pupils at school.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1I5bAMjrTiEaWEzSGhBX1MwR2M/view?usp=sharing

iPad Use at School

Whilst the significant majority of pupils are using iPads responsibly and effectively to enhance learning at school there remains to be a significant minority of pupils causing concern with how they are choosing to use their iPads. In light of this, as a school we would like to remind pupils of the responsible use policy that they have all agreed to abide by:

Student iPad Responsible Use Policy:

• I will charge my iPad every night and bring it into school every day

• I will take good care of my iPad, protect it in a suitable case and will never leave it unattended or allow another student to use it
• I will ensure that my iPad is secured with a password and that ‘FindmyiPhone’ is activated
• I will set my iPad homescreen to show my name and tutor group and ensure that the ‘name’ of my iPad includes my own name
• I will use my iPad appropriately for learning purposes during the school day under the direction of my teachers
• I will only photograph or film people with their permission
• I will only use the camera or microphone with the knowledge and permission of my teacher
• I will not use my iPad to bully, tease, humiliate or upset other people
• I will not use my iPad to hack another person’s accounts or create false user profiles
• I will never share any images or movies of other people without their permission
• I will not access, create or download inappropriate, explicit, offensive or illegal material
• I will not attempt to gain unauthorised access to another persons’ iPad
• I understand that my iPad is subject to inspection at any time without notice
• I understand that failure to follow these guidelines for responsible use will result in sanctions for my behaviour
• I understand that if I use any apps inappropriately I may be asked to remove them from my iPad
  
  
  During next week and the first weeks back following the holiday I will be inspecting pupil iPads at random. I would like to thank parents in advance for their help and support in ensuring that all pupils are using the iPads in an appropriate and responsible way. If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate in contacting me. Many Thanks, Dr. Browning