International School Moshi Arusha Campus News - 16th August 2009
Dear Parents,
From the Director
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year at International School Moshi. As we close our first week of class the new teachers and students on both the Arusha and Moshi campuses seem to be adjusting to rhythm of the daily schedules and Tanzania.
As the new director, I have been working closely with the Senior Management Team (SMT) in order to become familiar with the operations of our school and the challenges faced by our institution as well as those faced by our individual campuses. As we move through these opening weeks I plan to meet with students, professional, support and ancillary staff and of course parents. I am honored to have been offered this opportunity to serve as the Director of International School Moshi and look forward to working with the community in moving the institution forward.
Sincerely,
Robert W. Woods Director
Head of Campus News
Dear Parents,
Primary Polo Shirts
From the start of this term all primary students (kindergarten to P6) are required to wear an ISM Polo shirt when attending classes. These are available in a variety of colours and sizes from the receptionist, Loise, in the main office at a cost of TSh 18,000/20,000/- each. Please ensure that you have sufficient shirts for your child.
We are pleased that our stock is now sufficient to re-introduce this requirement which lapsed in 2008/09 due to poor supply.
Ramadan and Idd el Fittr
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan will begin in about one week's time. We need to be aware that during this time some Muslim students in the school will be fasting.
At the end of Ramadan there is a national holiday of two days - Idd el Fittr - which is declared once the new moon has been sighted. So that ISM families can plan their time well, the school will recognise Monday, 21st September and Tuesday, 22nd September as the Idd holiday and we will hold no classes on those days. We will not change these plans if the government announces different dates for the Idd holiday. There will be classes as normal on Wednesday, 23rd September.
PA Picnics
The Parent Association will be hosting picnics in both Arusha and Moshi to welcome new teachers and families to the community and to provide an opportunity for all to meet socially. The first of these will be on ISM Arusha Campus on Saturday, 22nd August. The second will be at TPC, a short distance south of Moshi, on Saturday, 29th August. Please bring your own food and drinks. Details of times and how to get there will be published soon. We hope that all teachers and families living in Arusha/Moshi will be able to attend one (or both) of these events.
Contact Information
To ensure that our records are up to date we request that parents provide us with accurate contact information. Please complete the form distributed this week and return it to ensure that you are able to receive all school communication and that the school is able to contact you in an emergency.
M1 Camp
The M1 students will have an opportunity to learn some of the skills of camping and hill walking during the M1 Camp on 29 - 30 August.
ABRSM Theory Exams
The next set of music theory examinations will be held in Arusha on 30th September. Parents of students who wish to register must email me directly at
adrianm@ismac.ac.tz before the end of this term on 17th June. Please note that I can only take registrations for upcoming examinations and parents need to
confirm registration for later examinations when they are announced.
School Documents for Parents
There are many school documents available on the school website for parents to view and download:
?? www.ismoshi.org/parents.htm - the ISM Parent pages
?? www.ismoshi.org/Download.htm - General school documents to download
?? www.ismoshi.org/pardocs - Restricted documents for parents only
The restricted documents include ISM Board Policy and Strategic Planning
documents, minutes of Parent Association meetings, and Accreditation and
Curriculum Authorization documents. Please do not
pass these documents on to others or give the password to those who do not
have children in the school.
Dates to remember
?? Thursday, August 20 - Secondary Parent Information sessions
?? Saturday, August 22- Welcome to New Teachers (PA)
?? Saturday, August 29 - M1 campcraft OP trip
?? Sunday, August 30 - M1 campcraft OP trip
?? Monday, August 31 - EC Open morning , CCA’s commence
?? Friday, September 4 - U12 football/netball v SCIS @ ISM
?? Wednesday, September 9 - M5 Leadership Symposium
?? Thursday, September 10 - M5 Leadership Symposium
?? Friday, September 11 - M5 Leadership Symposium
?? Saturday, September 12 - OP Level 1 - Pares
?? Sunday, September 13 - OP Level 1 - Pares
?? Thursday, September 17 - U16 football/netball v Braeburn @ ISM
?? Friday, September 18 - Secondary Sports Day (Moshi)
?? Monday, September 21 - Idd el Fittr
?? Tuesday, September 22 - Idd el Fittr
?? Thursday, September 24 - U10 football/netball @ SCIS
?? Saturday, September 26 - Interschool Athletics (Arusha)
?? Wednesday, September 30 - ABRSM theory exams
?? Saturday, October 3 - U16 football/netball @ Braeburn
?? Monday, October 5 - World Teacher’s Day
?? Friday, October 9 - End Quarter 1
?? Wednesday, October 14 - Nyerere Day Holiday
Regards
Adrian Moody
Head of Campus
adrianm@ismac.ac.tz
Secondary News
Dear Parents,
New Families in Secondary
We offer a warm welcome to our new students, Natale (M4) and Rishil (M1), in
the Secondary School.
Secondary Parent Information Sessions
These are happening on Thursday 20 August from 1445-1730. Theses sessions
will introduce parents to teachers who will help you become more familiar with
the various subjects being studied in the Secondary School. In addition, there will
be overviews of Co-Curricular Activities by Charles Schofield and the Middle
Years Programme (MYP) by Steve Brown. A parent workshop on Wednesday 2
September will examine the commonalities between the Primary Years
programme (PYP) and the MYP.
Visual Arts
Linda Willms classes want to let you know that M4 and M5 have begun
‘Photography to Fine Art’ units. M4’s work is based on aspects of life in Tanzania
and will be on exhibition around the end of the quarter. M5’s work is based on
local health issues and will be part of the M5 exhibition near the end of the
academic year.
Technology
The Technology have a few notes for the start of the year:
?? Please note that technology is now Design Technology and Information
Technology integrated as one; there are no separate IT and DT classes,
rather a balanced flux between them.
?? please students and families - bring a USB / Flash drive stick to school
every day to back up your work and to take work home with you - it will be
rather necessary for most classes
?? Carl Love is the new Technology teacher, and he welcomes your
comments or questions at carll@ismac.ac.tz
Regards
Éanna O’Boyle
Head of Secondary
eannao@ismac.ac.tz
Sports News
OUTDOOR PURSUITS
?? Pare Mountains (Equivalent of a 1st Hut Trip) - September 12-13, 2009 -
Level 1
The trip is aimed at OLDER STUDENTS that are new to the school who want to
get involved in OP. It will be a 2 day trip walking up the Pare Mountains and
camping on a ridge at the top before descending down the other side the next
day. This is a steep level one trip not suitable for M1’s.
?? Mandara Hut Kilimanjaro - November 1-2, 2009 - Level 1
The trip is aimed at OLDER STUDENTS and M1’s that did well on the campcraft
trip and want to get involved in OP. It will be a 2 day trip walking up to first hut on
the Marangu Route. Spend the night there, then return the next day.
?? 2nd Hut Meru - November 7-9, 2009 - Level 2
This trip involves climbing up to the 2nd hut on Meru, which is a little bit steep,
and then up Little Meru 3801m. You must have successfully completed a level 1
trip in order to go on this trip.
?? Rongi Route Kilimanjaro - November 13 -16, 20 - Level 4
This will be a camping trip on Kilimanjaro. Students MUST have successfully
completed a level 3 trip in order to go on this trip. We will ascend up the north
side of Kili on the first two days, before coming over the saddle and descending
down the Marangu Route. Great views of Kibo and Mawenzi if no rain!
?? Base of Mawenzi Level 3 - November 20-23, 2009 - Level 3
This is a level 3 trip, which involves the first day climbing to Mandara, the second
day climbing to Horombo and the third day going on a day walk up to the base of
Mawenzi, before returning to Horombo for the night. You must have successfully
completed a level two trip (or are an older student new to ISM and had no
problems on level one).
?? Uhuru Peak - November 25-29, 2009 Level 5
In order to attend this trip you must have successfully completed a level four trip
already, preferably Socialist Peak. This 5 day trip is hard and very cold!
Quarter 1 Sports Fixtures
DATE AGE EVENT VENUE VS. TIME
Fri. Sep. 4 U12 Football & Netball ISM Primary Pitch Scis 3:15
Thu Sep. 17 U16 Football & Netball ISM Big Pitch Braeburn 3:15
Thu Sep. 24 U10 Football & Netball SCIS Scis 3:00
Sat Sep. 26 11-16 Interschool Athletics ISM Big Pitch Interschool 8:30
Sat Oct. 3 U16 Football & Netball Braeburn Interschool 9:00
Fri Oct 9 Whole school Athletics Morning Inter house 8:00
Quarter 2 Sports Fixtures
DATE AGE EVENT VENUE VS. TIME
Thu. Oct. 29 U12 Football & Netball Braeburn Braeburn 3:00
Thu Nov 5 U16 Football & Netball ISM Big Pitch Scis 3:15
Dec 11-13 Moshi Sports Weekend ISM Moshi Interschool Fri-Sun
Fri Dec 18 Whole school swim gala Pool Inter house 8:00
SELECTION: Is based on age, commitment to team training and/or appointment
by team coach.
UNIFORM: Team members representing ISM must be in ISM PE kit or team
uniform as supplied by the team coach.
AGE: Is as of September 1st 2009. For example U12’s must be under 12 years
old as of September 1st 2009.
TIME: Weekday fixtures are on Thursdays from 3:15-4:15pm. When these
fixtures are away at another school we leave at 3pm and return by 4:30pm.
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ( CCA’S )
Activities will run on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30
Quarter 1 Important Dates:
a. Wednesday August 19 Quarter 1 Activity List posted and emailed
home
b. Wednesday August 26 Students in Activities List posted
?? Quarter 1 Activities start Monday August 31– Wednesday September 30
?? 5 weeks
?? Quarter 2 Activities start Monday November 2– Wednesday December 3
?? 5 weeks
?? Quarter 3 Activities start Monday February 1– Wednesday March 3
?? 5 weeks
?? Quarter 4 Activities To Be Announced
Primary News
New Families in Primary
We would like to welcome the following students into our primary classes and
look forward to the Banks and Brown family joining us soon.
?? EC – Sehtulakshmi Chandra, Caleb Salomons, Simone Vandermeulen
?? P1/2 – Flo Bierens, Ivy Keza, Xaver Frey
?? P3/4S – Anna-Lena Frey, Vie Bierens
?? P5/6N – Anotonia Ritter
All our classes are off to a great start. Rooms are filled with smiling faces and
work that identifies the members of their class community. Routines have been
established and the culture of the class is being agreed to. Students have
discussed the learner profiles and the attitudes that we believe in at ISM. In
particular students in P5/6N have already re written the attitudes in their own
words. Can you match the following definitions with the related attitude! (this
activity can be found at the end of the primary news!)
Parent Information Afternoon Meetings
We would like to thank all our parents who attended our parent information
afternoons this week. One of many compliments that were made about the
program was made by a parent who said “WOW I wish I was back at school
learning what these kids are learning now! It is so much more fun and enjoyable,
related and meaningful to life!”
Goal Setting Meetings
Students in P3 – 6 will have brought home a goal setting discussion prompt.
These are for families to share and complete in readiness for the goals setting
meetings that will commence next week. Please make sure you fill in a time slot
on the whiteboards out side your childs classroom.
Parent Workshop
Please mark your calendar for Wednesday 2 September: 8.00am. During this
time Mr. Brown (MYP Coordinator) and Mrs. Brown (PYP Coordinator) will share
with you aspects of the IBO (International Baccalaurette Organisation)
Continuim. How the programmes connected and what makes them a truly
‘international’ curriculum framework.
T Shirts, Polo Shirts, Hats, Library Bags
These are all available from Loise in the office. We hope you have all enjoyed
your first week back at ISMAC and are looking forward to the many learning
opportunities ahead.
Regards
Betty Brown
Head of Primary and PYP Coordinator
bettyb@ismac.ac.tz
Can you match the P5/6 definition with the related attitude?
?? We help each other and work together with thought and care
?? We listen to each other and take care of our friends, teachers and our
possessions.
?? We are patient with each other and understand that we are all different
?? We are eager and excited about learning and trying new things.
?? We value and enjoy each other and our environment
?? We are prepared and determined to finish hard work.
?? We enjoy opporutnities to make something unique and to develop our own
ideas and plans.
?? We have faith in ourselves and our friends and we are sure that we can do
the things we need or want to do.
?? We are willing to do our work alone womertimes and we trust our own
abilities.
?? We like to learn about interesting and unusual things and we are
inquisitive to find out more.
?? We know what is right and wrong and we tell the truth.
?? We understand how other people are feeling and try to put ourselves in
their shoes.
Attitudes: Appreciation, Commitment, Confidence, Cooperation, Creativity,
Curiosity, Empathy, Enthusiasm, Independence, Integrity, Respect, Tolerance
International School Moshi inspires individuals
to be lifelong learners in a global community
I would like to welcome back all our parents and students to the new academic year. I hope you had a safe and enjoyable break. I would like to extend a special welcome our new parents and students.
There are orientation programmes planned for parents to inform them both of our programmes in both primary and secondary. Information regarding these will be sent out with students early in the first week.
New Teachers
Our new teachers have all arrived and have begun to settle into ISM and Arusha. You will have the opportunity to meet with them during our school orientation programmes. We welcome:-
Eanna O'Boyle (HoS/Mathematics) who has come with Sandy and their son Fionn.
Andrew VanderMeulen (Humanities) and Mirjam Berghuis (French) and their children Simone and Theo.
Carl Love (Technology) who has come with Pamela and their daughter Kaia.
Shawna Spady (P3/4)
Erik Meinertz (Music./drama)
School Fees
We regret to inform families whose fees are still overdue that we will be unable to allow students to begin the new term. If you are unsure of the status of your fees account, please contact to request a statement.
Fees for the new school year 2009/10 were due to be received by 1st July 2009. If you have not yet made payment, please contact our accounts office on so that your child's education will not be affected.
Primary Polo Shirts
From the start of this term in August, we will be requiring all primary students (kindergarten to P6) to wear an ISM Polo shirt when attending classes. These are available in a variety of colours and sizes from the receptionist, Loise, in the main office at a cost of TSh 20,000/- each. Please ensure that you have sufficient shirts for your child.
We are pleased that our stock is now sufficient to re-introduce this requirement which lapsed in 2008/09 due to poor supply.
Contact Information
To ensure that our records are up to date we request that parents provide us with accurate contact information. A letter will be going home on Monday requesting this information. Please complete the form and return it in the first week to ensure that you are able to receive all school communication and that the school is abe to contact you in an emergency.
New Bus
Over the break we have purchased a new bus for the campus. This will be used for student excursions and various trips.
First Day Arrangements
We begin school on Monday, 10th August at 8 a.m. Students are expected to be at school at normal time for classes. School will finish at 2.30 p.m. as normal. The canteen will be open for normal business.
ABRSM Theory Exams
The next set of music theory examinations will be held in Arusha on 30th September. Parents of students who wish to register must have enrolled by the end of last term. Please note that I can only take registrations for upcoming examinations and parents need to confirm registration for later examinations when they are announced.
Swine Flu
There are now officially eight cases of swine flu in Tanzania. It is an epidemic in many developed countries and, given the mobile nature of our student population, it seems inevitable that there will be cases in the school in the near future.
Students exhibiting flu-like symptoms should seek medical advice and should not come to school. In the event that any student exhibits flu-like symptoms, parents will be informed by phone. They may travel home if accompanied in a private vehicle (but not by public transport) if parents request this. All parents will be kept advised by email newsletters of any suspected flu cases in the school.
The school will remain open and operating normally unless advised to close by the Tanzanian authorities, or unless the number of cases of illness amongst staff and/or students prevents effective operation.
It is expected that an effective vaccination against H1N1 will be available by early September. The school will keep up to date on the availability of such a vaccine in Tanzania.
This newsletter has been sent to you from International School Moshi. Please advise me on if your email address changes or if you would like me to add another email address to this mailing list.
