PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING

Simon Brooks, Principal



It is perhaps an overused phrase, but something that I believe makes AISM truly unique is the outstanding holistic education that we offer!

Of course, it is true that every year our HSC students achieve superb examination results, going on to secure places at some of the most prestigious universities in Australia and all around the world.

It is also true that our teachers are uniquely trained using pedagogy and approaches from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, which when coupled with our Visible Learning enables them to craft powerful student learning opportunities leading to deep engagement and the development of rich understandings.

However, beyond examinations and lessons, a great education is much more than an exclusive focus on academic achievement. A great education fosters the development of the whole person, encompassing their intellectual, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual aspects. By emphasising a well-rounded approach, holistic education promotes critical thinking, creativity, growth mindset, confidence and resilience, building up children and young people to adapt to the complexities of the modern world.

With that in mind, I invite you to read on… This week’s newsletter is jam-packed with numerous examples of the opportunities for a holistic education our students experience at AISM!

Year 9 Camp - Vietnam

Mr Dale Wells, Year 9 and 10 Pastoral Coordinator



Year 9 Camp this year was held in beautiful Vietnam. Our Year 9 students had many opportunities to learn and to challenge themselves. On the first day we visited the Cu Chi Tunnels and learnt about how the tunnels were used to live in and survive through the war.

The next day we experienced a fascinating walking tour around Saigon and visited the War Memorial Museum which brought home the reality of the futility of war to our students.

We then started our cycling challenge, 20+ km through fruit fields as we made our way to Ben Tre. All the students rose to the challenge and gave their best. That night's dinner was memorable for wonderful Vietnamese dishes and a spontaneous chilli challenge.

More cycling the next day led us to Rice Paddies where we planted and danced in the mud. More work ploughing a field ready for planting was followed by a huge meal at the farmer’s house. Later we visited an orphanage and had so much fun playing games and bonding with the children there. The last day we cruised down the Mekong Delta and learnt how to make coconut candy before we travelled back to Saigon and our plane ride home.

All of the students were excellently behaved and were real positive ambassadors for the school!

Click here for more photos.




Year 10 Camp - Perth

Mr Unsworth, Deputy Head of MSS



Last week Year 10 embarked on a fabulous journey to Perth in Western Australia. The weather was fresh, the activities fun and the day-trips delightful. We flew overnight on Monday, arriving early on Tuesday morning. Tuesday began with a wet, but enthusiastic visit to Kings Park for an awesome breakfast, a play in the park and a spectacular view of the Perth CBD. We then continued on to our accommodation at the Ern Halliday Recreation Camp, where we spent the rest of the day engaged in sport and team-building activities. Wednesday featured a full range of activities facilitated by the Ern Halliday staff, including abseiling & flying fox, orienteering, a coastal bike ride, Jacob’s Ladder, the big swing and caving.

Thursday and Friday focussed on day-trips off-site. We spent a day cycling on Rottnest Island and meeting furry Quokka friends and some of the other day at Caversham Wildlife park, where we met a range of Australian native animals and learned about farming. We also shopped in the Perth CBD, shot arrows at the archery range and toasted marshmallows around a campfire. Saturday was our travel back day, waking at 4am, jumping on the coach at 7.45am, to catch our 7.20am flight to KL, which transited in Bali, before landing at KLIA at 3.30pm, where we faced our final challenge, the massive lines at immigration. The trip was an amazing one, filled with memories that will last a lifetime, friendships that have grown ever more and experiences that will live on in our lives forever.

Our huge thanks go to Mr Webster for organising and booking an exceptional camp program and to Ms Malar, Ms Zoe and Mrs Ritchie for leading the camp so well.

Click here for more photos.




Year 12 HSC Chinese Oral Mock Test

Ms Hor Kai Lin, MSS School Chinese Teacher



On Sunday 4th of June, the Chinese Language Teachers Association of New South Wales organised an HSC oral mock test for HSC Chinese beginners, continuers, and in-context learners. The event brought together approximately 250 students, along with 50 teachers, mainly from New South Wales. They not only conducted face-to-face mock tests but also provided online oral tests for candidates who were overseas, including Malaysia.

Our Year 12 Chinese beginners greatly benefited from this event, as it simulated the real test environment and provided practice with oral questions. This experience can indeed help students become familiar with the format and assess their own ability to respond effectively.

The oral mock test was helpful in building our students' confidence prior to their actual HSC oral examination. Ms. Hor Kai Lin was one of the examiners who conducted the beginners' oral test and provided feedback to students from other schools as well.

Overall, this oral mock test seems to have been a positive and productive experience for the Year 12 Chinese beginners, helping them prepare for their HSC oral examination and further develop their language skills.

Festival Time

Ms Tanya Fisher, Head of Mathematics Faculty



Mathematics in an Australian NSW senior syllabus is designed to offer opportunities for students to think mathematically through questioning, communicating, reasoning and reflecting. The syllabus promotes development of 21st-century knowledge, skills, understanding, values and attitudes and provides challenges. Students generalise, find connections, think critically and creatively, using appropriate technology to support mathematical activity. One of the requirements of students studying in their senior years is for them to apply the Mathematics they have learnt in a real world context through an Investigation-style task.

This term, as well as furthering their skills in Calculus, the Year 11 Advanced students and the Year 10 Accelerated students (undertaking the Year 11 Advanced course) had to use their Trigonometric and Technological skills and design a site, stage and optimal seating plan for a music festival.

Some exceptional work was submitted by these students, taking into consideration the stage height, angles of elevation for optimal viewing and scale diagrams drawn up on mathematical software with all calculations verified by the students. Congratulations to all students who produced some quality work, maybe we could use these plans to host an AISM music festival out by the lake!?

Some of the quality of the submissions can be found on these links

SUNG JAE WOO
YOULI NG
SARAH SELVINDOSS

4-square Makes a Comeback for the Big Guys!

Ms Tanya Fisher, Head of Mathematics Faculty



While the middle school and Year 10's have been off exploring the world, it was quiet back here at school. However, the seniors decided to up-scale their skills in good 'ole 4-square. Wei Hao dominates!


Onde-Onde Culinary Fun For Bahasa Learners

Mrs Gayatri Unsworth & Ms Rashina Hayrat Ali, Middle & Senior School Teachers



The acquisition of language via cultural immersion is one of the most effective, not to mention fun ways, for students to develop their language abilities. Language is not merely a collection of words as well as grammatical rules and conventions but a gateway to understanding a culture's nuances, values, and traditions. By delving into the culinary traditions of Malaysia through the creation of the delectable onde-onde, our Bahasa class students not only had the opportunity to put their Malay vocabulary to test in a real-world setting but also gained other valuable skills around teamwork, organisation and kitchen safety.

Onde-onde, a popular dessert loved by many in Malaysia, is a delightful pandan-flavoured glutinous rice ball filled with palm sugar and coated in grated coconut. Its chewy texture and sweet burst of molten palm sugar make it a favourite among Malaysians of all ages.

Under the guidance of our talented Bahasa teacher, Cikgu Rashina, along with two other MSS staff members, Ms Ida and Ms Hafizah, our Bahasa learners embraced this hands-on experience with great enthusiasm. As they donned their aprons and rolled up their sleeves, they immersed themselves in the techniques and skills required to master this cherished Malay dish.



The first sticky (but fortunately, in a good way) situation our students encountered was making the pandan-infused dough. They carefully blended fresh pandan juice with glutinous rice flour, skillfully kneading the mixture until it reached the perfect consistency. The vibrant green hue of the dough was a testament to their dedication and attention to detail.

Next came the delicate art of shaping the dough into small balls, each one encapsulating a hidden treasure of luscious palm sugar. Precision and finesse were essential to ensure that the onde-onde maintained its shape during the cooking process, preventing the delicious filling from seeping out prematurely.

Boiling the onde-onde posed its own set of challenges. Our students closely monitored the water, ensuring it reached the ideal temperature before dropping the dough balls into the pot. A keen eye was required to detect the subtle signs of doneness, such as the onde-onde floating to the surface, indicating they were cooked to perfection.



Finally, the pièce de résistance: the grated coconut. The students took turns delicately rolling the cooked onde-onde in the fragrant, freshly grated coconut. The snowy white flakes clung to the surface of the balls, providing a delightful contrast to the vibrant green exteriors.

Throughout the entire process, laughter, camaraderie, and a shared sense of accomplishment filled the room. It was heartwarming to witness the bonds forming as students exchanged tips and encouragement, supporting one another through any challenges they encountered.

As the aroma of freshly cooked onde-onde permeated the air, a sense of anticipation grew among the students. The moment of truth had arrived. With eager smiles, they each took a bite, savouring the harmonious blend of pandan, palm sugar, and coconut. The room filled with sighs of satisfaction, and their beaming faces were proof that their efforts had paid off.

The onde-onde cooking experience not only allowed our students to explore the rich flavours of Malaysia but also deepened their understanding of the country's cultural heritage. It served as a gateway, providing them with a taste of the Malay way of life and fostering an appreciation for the traditions that have shaped this vibrant cuisine.


World Scholar’s Cup KL Regional Round at Epsom College

Mr Chris Broadbent, Head of Humanities, Careers and Pathways Coordinator



We are pleased to report that AISM’s ‘Scholaroos’ have once again achieved success at the recent World Scholar Cup Kuala Lumpur Round held on June 10 and 11 at Epsom College. Our 30 talented scholars showcased their exceptional thinking and communication skills, earning a large haul of medals and commendations.

I would like to express my thanks to Mr. Beadle and Ms. Dawes, who dedicated their time and expertise to support our students throughout the competition, training our students through the CCA program and numerous lunchtime sessions since the beginning of the year.



Students competed in four events over the course competition; the Scholar's Bowl, Collaborative Writing, the Scholar's Challenge and Team Debate. All of our students were awarded with medals for their efforts, but here are some of the highlights:

  • Cherish Wang claimed an impressive 3rd place in the Writing category, demonstrating her exceptional writing skills
  • Ayra Akmal Hakim secured a well-deserved Gold medal in Literature
  • Annabelle Au achieved Gold in the Special Area subject
  • Robiin Smith received a Gold medal in Art
  • Sarah Selvindoss excelled in History, earning a Gold medal
  • Bo Shen Tan earned a Gold in the Special Area subject
  • Aneesha Pollock received a Gold in Literature
  • Jasmin Unsworth, our top placed scholar from AISM, not only achieved a Gold in the Special Area subject but also secured an impressive 8th place overall in the Junior Division.
  • Phillip Mah demonstrated a remarkable breadth of knowledge by securing Gold medals in Social Studies, Science, and History.
  • Caden Cheong's dedication and hard work paid off as he claimed the 3rd place overall in the 11 and Under category, an impressive achievement for such a young scholar.
  • Furthermore, Lucas Yip, Yin Kai Tan, and Hayden Fisher, who secured an impressive 2nd place in Team Writing.
  • Ethan Fisher was our top Senior Division scholar and he finished in 15th place overall in the Senior competition
We are immensely proud of all our students who participated in the World Scholar Cup Kuala Lumpur Round. Their remarkable achievements not only reflect their individual abilities but also their hard work in preparing for the event.
Click here for more photos.


Role Play - At the Doctor’s

Ms Hor and Ms Rajani, Chinese and French Teachers



This week, Year 8 Chinese and French students had the opportunity to perform a role play “un rendez-vous chez le docteur/ 求医记 ” (at the doctor’s). It gave them the opportunity to apply their language abilities and knowledge including grammar, vocabulary and cultural aspects of the health topic covered this term.

During the role play, the students demonstrated their language proficiency by accurately describing their symptoms, asking relevant questions, and providing responses. They used vocabulary related to parts of the body, common illnesses, medical examinations, and prescriptions.

Students had a great time experimenting with the language in this scenario and finding creative ways to express themselves in the Target Language. What a great way to develop and practise speaking languages at AISM!

Click here for more photos.


New Parents Morning Tea

Parent, Teacher & Community

Paint & Sip

Parent, Teacher & Community

Guided by Ms. Kimberly Ritchie (AISM Art's Teacher) & PTC's Artist Turkan Dunderdale
Date: 24th July 2023 (Monday)
Time: 10.30am - 1.30pm
Venue: MSS Art Room (Above School Cafe)
Fee: RM50 Nett

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Semester 1 CCAs Update

Mr Ivan Yoong, JS PE Teacher - Whole School CCA/ Sport Coordinator

Reminder:
CCA concluded on Thursday, 15 June 2023.

Epic 5D4N Kids Scuba Camp - with Big Ocean Dive
[26 - 30 June 2023]

Want to go on an Epic Adventure? Join Big Ocean Dive on a 5D4N "no phones, no parents" sleep-away camp on Tioman Island! This camp is packed with non-stop excitement like scuba diving, kayaking, water sports & games, campfires, and best of all … s’mores. It’s crazy good fun and one of the most memorable camp experiences on the planet!

But that's not all - picture yourself gathering around a crackling campfire, indulging in delicious s'mores as you share stories and laughter with newfound friends. This is your chance to experience an adventure that will be etched in your memory forever.

Click here for more information