International School Moshi Moshi Campus News - 17th October 2008
Dear Parents,
Everything has returned to normal in school very quickly after the break. We are very pleased to welcome our 11 new students to the Moshi Campus this quarter and hope that they will settle in quickly. A busy term is ahead starting with the M2 field study trip to Pangani next week, closely followed by another Hard Labour weekend and a full month of OP trips.
Letter from the CEO
I trust that everyone had a relaxing break with their children. All our teachers have returned energized and ready to begin the second half of term 2. On Wednesday the M5 students on both campuses wrote the PSAT and I want to thank all the teachers involved with teaching the PSAT preparation classes in the first half of term one. Educators have a variety of views on the impact of such tests, but the bottom line is that the PSAT is a good introduction to this style of test and certainly gets students thinking about their approach to the SAT one year forward. As long as American universities require the SAT scores as part of their admissions requirements, ISM will continue to prepare students for the test. An added incentive is that American universities on average provide the more financial aid to students than other universities in the world. For parents paying their own fees, that makes the US schools worth looking into. The M5s can now take a short break and then get back to work on their MYP Personal Projects. Diploma students can look forward to their first SAT of the year in November. Yes, at ISM, the fun never stops!
I want to thank the Parent Association for the two lovely BBQs hosted on Arusha Campus and at TPC in Moshi at the beginning of term. Both events were well attended and it was great to see our families from both campuses mixing and meeting our new teachers. I really appreciate the work the PA has done in the past year to provide opportunities for our many communities at ISM to come together as one school. I also appreciate that parents have adjusted to the system of bringing concerns to the source of the concern and working with the appropriate administrators towards resolving conflicts that inevitably arise in a school. Parents are reminded that they are always free to book an appointment with teachers or administrators at the school to discuss any issue they may have. The PA has decided to hold its whole school Annual General Meeting (AGM) at KIA Lodge again this year on Wednesday, November 19th at 3:00 p.m. I look forward to seeing you at the halfway point between our two campuses.
In Arusha, I want to thank all the parents who have been actively involved with the gardening projects that really have the Arusha Campus looking beautiful. In Moshi, our boarding houses are nearly full and our average class sizes have increased accordingly to create a more optimal learning environment for both students and teachers. It has been a real pleasure to have more children on campus on the weekends as well. We have also benefited in our activities and team sports from the increased numbers. I want to thank Mama Somaiya and the boarding team for putting on an active program that the students really enjoy.
There will be many events on our calendar from now until Christmas with several class trips and Outdoor Pursuits trips on the mountains. ISM will again host IST and other schools for the annual Sports Weekend on the Moshi Campus, December 12-14. I encourage you to take a look at the calendar published on the school website and discuss with your child which trips or events they wish to be involved with.
Sincerely,
Barry Sutherland Chief Executive Officer
M2 in Pangani
The M2 students from both campuses will be undertaking field work at the school's study centre in Pangani on the Indian Ocean coast from 20th to 24th October. Parents of M2 students will have received a letter with more details. Pictures of previous trips can be viewed at www.ismoshi.org/pangani.htm.
Hard Labour Weekend
The second Hard Labour Community Service weekend will take place on 25th/26th October for students in M5 to D2. This group will be working at Kidachini primary school to help to build an outdoor kitchen for the school.
Rummage Sale
We will be holding a Rummage Sale in Karibu Hall on Saturday, 1st November from 10am to 12 noon. This is an opportunity to sell second hand items that you have been longing to part with. If you are moving on from Moshi then here is a chance to sell your stored up items. All proceeds from table rentals will go towards the Model United Nations programme at the school. Please click on www.ismoshi.org/rummage.pdf to get full details of how to rent a table.
College Fair
On Friday, 7th November, we will be hosting a College Fair attended by a number of US and Canadian colleges. The following are expected to attend: Columbia University, Brown, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Michigan State, Truman State, Ohio Wesleyan, Colgate, College of St Scholastica, Manhattanville College, Foothill & DeAnza Colleges, Eugene Lang College, York University, Thompson Rivers, Carleton, Saskatchewan.
This will be an impressive line-up and an excellent opportunity for students in D1 and D2 who are planning to study in North America to approach colleges for information and advice. M5 students would also benefit from attending to learn more.
Primary After School Clubs
All after School Clubs will begin next week. Your child should have brought their choice slips back confirming the clubs they are in. Please see Narelle if you have any concerns. The following clubs still have spaces; IT & Computer, Drama, Netball, Polynesian Dancing. Clubs will be cancelled when teachers are away and parents will be contacted as soon as possible.
Below are clubs on offer this 2nd half of Term 1
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
1:35-2:25
STING RAYS BEGINNER SWIMMING (P1-4) POOL MAX. 12
DRAMA CLUB (P1-6) Rm 15 - MAX. 12 STUDENTS TO PERFORM A MUSICAL PRODUCTION
MARLINS SWIMMING SESSION 1 (P3-6) POOL - MAX. 12
POLYNESIAN DANCING (P3-6) RM. 15
MARLINS SWIMMING SESSION 2 POOL- MAX. 12
DRAWING/SKETCHING (P1-6) RM 2 - MAX 10
QUILLING (P1-6) - MAX 10 OUTSIDE RM 2
SOCCER/FOOTBALL MIXED (P4- 6)
PITCH
2:35-3:25
AFRICAN CULTURE (P3-6 MIXED) RM.15 - MAX. 12
SHARKS SWIMMING SESSION 1 (P3-6) POOL - MAX. 12 STUDENTS
NETBALL (P3-6) MAX. 10 STUDENTS NETBALL COURTS
SHARKS SWIMMING SESSION 2 (P3-6) - MAX 12
ART CLUB (P3-6) - MAX 15 BOARDING HOUSE
IT & COMPUTER CLUB (P1-6) MAX 10 - RM 2
BALL ROOM DANCING (P1-6) KARIBU HALL-MAX.20 STUDENTS
4:30-6pm
Football (P6-M3) - Pitches
Primary Assemblies
Assemblies are held in Room 15 on Friday mornings from 7:45 to 8:15 am unless otherwise stated:
17 October
Welcome back - introduce new students
Ms Rosi
24 October
United Nations Day
Ms Rosi
31 October
Music Assembly
Mr Lee
7 November
P3/4 Assembly
Ms Ray
14 November
P5/6 Assembly
Mr Holt
21 November
P1/2 Assembly
Ms Narelle
28 November
KG Assembly
Ms Rosi
5 December
Language B Assembly / After-school clubs
Madame Laborde / Mama Mvungi
12 December
Spirit Week Assembly
Primary Staff
19 December
Whole School Assembly (9:40am)
Mr White / Sutherland
Lost and Found
Please check with Anita at the front desk if you left behind items at the pool after the Poolside lunch last quarter.
Overdue Library Books
Please remind your child to return any library books that they borrowed over the holidays.
Primary News
For updates on school events please check the weekly flash on the school website and the PYP Board on the pathway behind P5/6 and P3/4.
The primary team is always reflecting on the quality of their programmes and our development as a school. If you have any concerns or need clarifications concerning class programmes, school events etc. please feel free drop in or make an appointment with the teachers. This will prevent unnecessary tensions in the community.
We hope that this half term will be another enjoyable and successful term.
Rosi Uluiviti Head of Primary
Russian Performance
Pavel Khlopovski, Russian guitarist, will be performing on the Arusha Campus on Sunday, 2nd November. Tickets are now on sale from ISM Arusha Campus at a cost of TSh 5000/- per person. See www.ismoshi.org/guitarnights.htm for more details. There will be a red caviar and vodka tasting for those interested in trying a Russian tradition. Wine and snacks will also be available on sale.
Umoja Arts Centre Concert
The Umoja Arts Centre in Arusha is putting on a concert on Friday, 24th October from 6pm. Our very own music teacher, Khari Lee, will be performing on saxophone. For details, please click here or go to www.ismoshi.org/umoja081017.pdf.
Yellow Fever Inoculations
We would like to remind all families that the Tanzanian Health authorities are frequently asking to see valid yellow fever inoculation certificates for people arriving in the country. If your child is a boarder in ISM and needs a new inoculation and certificate, please let me know within the next week so that we can try to arrange this for him/her.
Mosquito Nets
All rooms in our boarding houses have mosquito netting on the windows and external doors also have mosquito screens. If you would also like your child to sleep with a net over his/her bed, please supply the net and we will happily arrange to fix it properly. We do ask any boarders who want them, to bring their own bed nets and also blankets.
School Bank
We strongly discourage boarders from keeping large amounts of cash with them or in their room and we provide a school bank for safe-keeping of boarders' money. The bank is open twice per week and withdrawals can be made by the boarder (within any limits requested by their parents). However it appears that many boarders do not put their money in the bank and prefer to keep cash with them. We are concerned about the risk of loss in this situation and would be grateful if parents could also help to encourage their children to use the school bank.
ID for TOEFL test
Students taking the TOEFL test on November 8th are reminded that they MUST have the required ID document with them. For non-Tanzanian citizens, a passport is the only acceptable ID. Tanzanian citizens may alternatively present a driving licence. Copies are not acceptable. We are obliged to follow these regulations imposed by ETS - any student without the necessary ID will be excluded from the test and is likely to lose his/her registration fee.
Fees Reminder
Many parents who are paying fees by termly instalments will have the next instalment due by 1st November. We depend a great deal on having a smooth cash flow in the school and would therefore ask all parents affected to ensure that the next instalment is paid on time and that the school receives advice of payment. As usual we will need to surcharge late payments.
Outdoor Pursuits
November is the peak month for our Outdoor Pursuits trips, and we have the following trips planned for this half of term:
Nov 1-2: Mandara - first hut on Kilimanjaro. Excellent trip for beginners to the programme involving a one night stay on the mountain
Nov 7-9: Little Meru - a level two trip to the smaller summit on Mount Meru, involving one night's stay at Miriakamba and one night in Saddle Hut.
Nov 13-16: Rongai Route - a demanding level four trip climbing Kilimanjaro from the north side and sleeping in tents on the mountain on the way up.
Nov 20-23: Mawenzi Hut - a level three trip on Kilimanjaro to Horombo Hut and then taking a day walk to the small tin hut at the base of Mawenzi - the lower peak.
Nov 26-30: Uhuru Peak - a challenging level five trip to the summit of Kilimanjaro.
All students new to the school or new to ISM's OP programme and who choose to participate must first undertake a Level One trip and, if successful, they may then sign up for higher level trips, gradually moving up the levels. There will be more trips later this year in March/April/May. We are very grateful to the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) who allow us to undertake these trips at certain times of the year outside the main tourist season.
Parent Association AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the ISM Parent Association will be held at KIA Lodge on Wednesday, November 19th at 3pm. Any parent who has a child enrolled in either campus of ISM is warmly invited to attend. The meeting will review the year just concluded and elect new members to the PA Committee. More details will follow in due course.
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