International School Moshi Moshi Campus News - 29th March 2009
Dear Parents,
The campus is now quiet after a relatively short but very busy term. I wish you all the best for the holidays and look forward to seeing all our boarders back on Tuesday, 14th April and the day students here for the start of classes on Wednesday, 15th April at 7:30am.
From the CEO
We have successfully concluded Term 2 at ISM. All our students have worked tremendously hard, but especially our M5 and D2 students. The M5s completed their MYP Personal Projects and presented their findings. I was really impressed with the attention to detail in these projects and the depth to which they inquired into their chosen area of study. Likewise the D2 students have been working very diligently anticipating their final exams in several weeks time.
In Term 3 we are looking forward to more OP Trips, the D2 Art Exhibition, M4 Work Experience Week, M3 Field Study, M1/2 Maths Challenge, D2 exams, PYP Exhibition, Primary Swimming gala in Dar, Music Nights, Drama performances, D2 Graduation, D1 Assessment Week, MYP Assessment Week, M3, M4 and M5 Field Study trips and the M5 Leaving Ceremonies. Factor into that all the sports fixtures and boarding activities and you can easily see why time flies past in a blur at ISM.
As you know, all our teachers for next year have been recruited and they are very excited to be joining this vibrant and diverse ISM community of ours. They have already received some general information about what a supportive and positive community of ISM students and parents exist on both our campuses. We have posted their biographies and photos on the website at the following links for your convenience. Please take the time to get to know them. www.ismoshi.org/newtm09.htm www.ismoshi.org/newta09.htm.
This is certainly a time of year when everything seems to speed up. I hope you and your children will take the Easter break time to slow down and reflect on what you have accomplished in Terms 1 and 2 and come back to us refreshed and ready to finish the school year with lots of energy and a positive attitude.
Enjoy the break.
Sincerely,
Barry Sutherland Chief Executive Officer
Term Three 2008/09
Boarding students should return to school for the start of term three on Tuesday, 14th April. Classes will begin at 7:30am on Wednesday, 15th April. If any help is needed with travel arrangements or with transport from the airport, please contact Sunita Somaiya on .
We are planning a visit to Dar es Salaam on Friday and Saturday, 24th/25th April to meet with parents and to present the school to new prospective families. If you know of any families in Dar who may be looking for a new school for their children, please let them know about this event. Full details and arrangements will be published soon once all is confirmed.
TOEFL tests
The next TOEFL tests to be held in Moshi will be on Saturday, 9th May. Students presently in D1 who are not British, US, Canadian or other English-speaking country nationality and who plan to study in the USA and some other countries will usually be asked to take a TOEFL test of English Language. A TOEFL score is an important part of a university application package for many students. D1 students who are not sure whether or not to take the test should consult Mrs Beveridge as soon as possible. Registrations must be done online before the final deadline of 6th April and details are given on the school website at www.ismoshi.org/SAT.htm. Late registrations are not possible. The cost is US$ 150 and payment must be made by credit card.
SAT tests
D1 students who are planning to join university or college in the USA are also strongly advised to take SAT tests. We have been providing weekly classes in preparation for these since November. Registration for SAT tests is also online and students who wish to take the next set of tests in Moshi on 6th June should register online by the end of April. Details are given on the school website at www.ismoshi.org/SAT.htm.
M4 Work Experience
M4 students will be spending the week of 20th-24th April on work experience. This means that instead of attending regular classes, they will be placed with a local company or workplace for the week, working under the guidance of a supervisor. The aim is to introduce students to the world of work and to encourage them to think further about their possible future careers.
M3 Field Study
The M3 students will be travelling to OUAACC in Arusha from 21st to 23rd April to undertake field study at their centre. Parents of M3 students should have received a letter with more details about this from their children.
Sports Banquet
Our annual Sports Banquet will take place on Friday, 24th April. Day students who wish to participate should sign up for the banquet at the start of the term.
Arrangements for D2 students
D2 students are fast approaching their final diploma examinations and will need to use much of this holiday to work and prepare. On their return they will have only a few days of classes up to and including Friday, 24th April. These last few formal lessons with teachers are very important as they will be used for the final needs of exam preparation. There will be no formal classes for D2 students from Monday, 27th April to Thursday, 30th April. During this time they may choose to revise privately or may choose to meet with their teachers who will be available for advice. D2 boarding students who wish to travel home for the study period from 25th April to 3rd May may do so - parents are requested to advise the boarding parent in advance; others may prefer to remain in school and study here with teacher support.
D2 Visual Arts students must have their exhibition fully ready for the opening (by invitation only) on Thursday, 16th April. The exhbition will also be open for general viewing on April 20th - 23rd. For more details see www.ismoshi.org/dipart09.htm.
D2 written exams begin on Monday, 4th May and finish on Thursday, 21st May. The full exams schedule is shown at www.ismoshi.org/dip_exams.htm.
There will be a dinner for D2 students and their parents in Moshi on Friday, 22nd May. The Graduation Ceremony for the D2 students will take place on Saturday, 23rd May after which D2 students will have fully completed their schooling and will leave the school. More details on both these events will be published next term.
Outdoor Pursuits
The following OP trips are planned for term three:
The calendar of the trips, including the dates of all trip meetings and equipment collection or return are given on www.ismoshi.org/opcal.pdf.
School Fees
For most parents, school fees for the third term were due to have been received by us on 1st February 2009. Unfortunately many fees are now overdue and this is causing the school some cash flow difficulties. Parents in this position have been informed and late fees have been surcharged. We will also be advising parents that students whose fees are not paid will not be able to return at the beginning of term three.
New Teachers for 2009/10
We have now completed our recruitment of teachers for the new school year and all positions have been filled. Most of their pictures and details have now been posted on the school website - if you wish to see who will be joining us in August, please go to www.ismoshi.org/newtm09.htm.
Public Holidays
Please note that the following days are public holidays in Tanzania. The school office will be closed on these dates:
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