International School Moshi Arusha Campus News - 23rd April 2010
Curriculum Changes for 2010/11
A number of different curriculum issues have been addressed during this school year and we are planning to make a few changes in 2010/11.
1. Diploma Programme Theatre: The number of students selecting this course has been consistently very low since the course was introduced in 2006. We currently have one student in D1 taking this course and 3 students in D2. We will therefore not be offering the course in D1 in 2010/11 (although the course will continue for the D2 student and students in M1 to M5 will continue to take Drama).
2. Second Language Provision: In 2010/11 it will be a required part of the programme for all students from P3 to M3 to study both French and Swahili*. We believe that all students should share a common core programme and that this should include a foreign European language as well as the language of our host country. This means that students currently taking other mother tongue classes during school lessons will need to move these classes to a time outside the regular ISM classes. . ISM will continue to provide other support for mother tongue instruction as in 2009/10. The other languages on offer in M4 will be Swahili A or French B and students may choose either of these if eligible. Some support will continue to be provided for francophone students to study French A. Languages on offer in the diploma programme will remain the same for next year. (*Note: students may be excused study of a language if they are required by school to study ESL at that time, or if they have Special Educational Needs and this is recognized within their Individual Education Plan [IEP])
International Schools Assessment (ISA) results
We have received the results from the International School Assessment tests held in February. Individual student results will be emailed to parents over the weekend and a school summary will be available on the school website by Tuesday.
Union Day Holiday
A reminder that this coming Monday 26th April is Union day and therefore a public holiday. There will be no classes on Monday.
PYP Reports
We have now received the reports from the recent visit of the International Baccalaureate PYP evaluation team following our self study. These reports will be made available on the school website shortly.
ABRSM Theory Examinations
Results from the ABRSM theory examination in March are now available from reception.
Please note that certificates will be available at a later date.
ABRSM Practical Examinations
The ABRSM practical examinations will be held on Wednesday 12th May and Thursday 13th May in Arusha. We are currently preparing a schedule which will be available soon in reception.
Dates to remember
Saturday, April 24-26 - OP Little Meru
Monday, April 26 - Union Day Holiday
Wednesday, April 28 - M1/M2 Maths Challenge - Moshi
Thursday, April 29 - OP Mawenzi
Saturday, May 1 - SAT tests (Moshi)
Saturday, May 1 - International Schools swimming football gala (Moshi)
Monday, May 3 to 7 - M4 Work experience
Tuesday, May 4 to 6 - M3 Field Study Trip: UAACC
Saturday, May 8 to 11 - OP Socialist Peak
Wednesday, May 12 & 13 - ABRSM Practical Exam
Saturday, May 22 - ISM Graduation (Moshi)
Friday, May 28 - Shakespeare Season
Tuesday, June 1 -3 - M5 Field Study Trip: TPC
Monday, June 7 - P6/M1 Transition
Tuesday, June 8 - M5 Leaving Ceremonies
Friday, June 11 - Quarter 4 ends
Regards
Adrian Moody Head of Arusha Campus
Secondary News
Visual Arts with Linda Willms
The P5 students visited the M3 Visual Arts class this week as part of their Unit of Inquiry called Authors and Artists. MYP students showed PYP students how they used their Developmental Workbooks and the Creative Cycle to develop their art work. The P5 students will be keeping their own workbooks, and were inspired by seeing three years of exploration and reflection in one book.
M3 and M1 held an art show on Wednesday during the lunch break. M3 exhibited their final pieces for their unit on OP art as well as their process work from their workbooks. M1 showed their final pieces of their work in animals and the painting styles of two colourists; Edward Tingatinga and Franz Marc.
Dress Code
A reminder to all parents and students that we have a dress code, as outlined in the Secondary Students’ Handbook (page 2):
ISM has a dress code to convey a message of respectability to our community and reflect the standards that are a part of ISM. We are a school in Tanzania and should be aware of community and cultural expectations regarding student dress both when attending classes and when going off campus.
The following dress code will be expected for students who attend International School Moshi:
1. A smart, collared sleeved shirt OR T-shirt (without inappropriate labeling) or sleeved blouse to cover most of the upper torso, i.e. no exposed midriff or chest, no exposed underwear.
2. Trousers, shorts or skirt. Pants/trousers must be worn around the waist without exposed underwear.
3. Shoes and socks. Leather sandals or leather malapas are allowed. No plastic or rubber malapas (flipflops).
4. A hat at all times when you are outside.
The dress code should be followed:
1. During school hours and when traveling between school and home.
2. During school field trips or excursions from the school, unless specifically stated otherwise.
3. To various school functions that represent ISM unless other attire is requested.
All clothing should be clean, tidy and in good repair. Clothes, jewellery, make-up or hairstyles which may give offence to those in the community should not be worn. In particular clothes or ornaments which advertise alcohol, cigarettes or drugs or which contain offensive language or pictures should not be worn. Suitable footwear should be worn for all classes and activities.
Students are expected to wear a hat when playing outside during PE class, break, recess, and outdoor Extra-Curricular Activities. All students should bring a hat to school and wear it when playing outside.
For PE you will need a hat, white shirt and plain black shorts and appropriate footwear; a swimming costume or swimming trunks and towel are needed for pool use.
Students who are inappropriately dressed may be asked to change, may be given alternative clothing to wear or may be asked to go home to change.
More specifically, skirts or shorts should be of modest length and to quote above "pants/trousers must be worn around the waist without exposed underwear". Although fashionable elsewhere, we consider it very inappropriate for students to wear trousers below the waist and exposing their underpants as a result.
M1 and M2 Math Challenge
M1 and M2 students compete with their counterparts in Moshi for the annual Math challenge next Wednesday 28 April. This will take place in Moshi Campus and the students will be accompanied by Steve Brown and Annette Wood. Students come to school as usual on Wednesday morning and they will return to our campus by 1430.
Co-Curricular Activities
These started this week and continue until Wednesday May 26.
Outdoor Pursuits
Congratulations to Mr. O'Boyle and the Level 1 group for a successful safari to and from Mandara Hut last weekend.
Safari njema to Samantha Mongardi, Shawna Spady and students attempting the Level 2 trip to Little Meru this weekend. Let's hope there's not too much rain!
Those signed up for level 3 Mawenzi will receive their letter today in preparation for next weekend's trip. Level 4 Socialist Peak concludes the season May 8-11.
Sports
Today's volleyball tournament has been cancelled by the organizers.
Éanna O’Boyle Head of Secondary
Primary News
Inter school Swimming & Football
Next Saturday 1st May students who have been selected to represent ISM Arusha campus from P4 - M1 will be travelling to Moshi to participate in swim events and football matches against: ISM Moshi, Morogogo, Savannah plains, DIA, St. Constantines, Braeburn and IST. We welcome you all to support and share in this very special sporting day. A notice for all participants will be going out on Tuesday.
ISA Results
Families of our P4, 5 & 6 students will be receiving their child’s ISA results this weekend. These assessments were taken in February. Please feel free to come and discuss your child’s results with me if you have any questions or need clarification on any points. As a school we will be analyzing these results in order to inform improved teaching and learning practices within our school.
Parent Workshop
Math Investigations Wednesday, 12th May 8.00am - 9.00am
All parents and members of our wider school community are invited to attend.
Warm Regards
Betty Brown Head of Primary & PYP Coordinator
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