PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING
Aaron Wise, Principal
Today marks the beginning of the Year 8 to 10 exams at AISM, an important milestone in our students’ academic journeys. Over the next week, they will demonstrate their understanding, resilience, and hard work in a structured and rigorous environment. This process is a testament to the robust educational experience that defines AISM, driven by the Australian Curriculum’s focus on balance, depth, and real-world relevance.
One of the distinctive strengths of the Australian Curriculum, which sets it apart from many others, is its balanced assessment structure. At AISM, students are assessed with a thoughtful combination of 50% coursework and 50% exams. This ensures that assessments not only test students’ ability to recall and apply knowledge under exam conditions but also evaluate their sustained effort and deeper understanding through coursework. This dual focus builds skills that go beyond the classroom, such as time management, critical thinking, and effective communication.
At AISM, our dedication to real-world learning further elevates the academic experience. Many of our assessments are grounded in real-world projects, encouraging students to connect their learning to practical applications. Whether it’s developing a sustainable business model, conducting a scientific investigation, or producing a multimedia presentation, these projects teach students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and tackle complex problems.
Central to our philosophy of education is the development of assessment-capable visible learners. We focus on six key characteristics that empower our students to take ownership of their learning:
Learning Process Insights
- Knowing Where They Are Now: Reflection and feedback help students evaluate their current progress.
- Understanding the Learning Goal: Students know what success looks like.
- Selecting Tools for Success: Students actively choose methods to improve their understanding and skills.
- Seeking Feedback: Feedback is seen as an essential tool for growth.
- Monitoring Their Progress: Students track their progress to stay on course.
- Recognises Their Learning: Reflection fosters independence and deepens learning.
These characteristics are woven into every aspect of learning at AISM, helping our students develop as confident, independent learners who are prepared for the demands of higher education and life beyond school.
As our Year 8 to 10 students embark on this week of exams, we celebrate the dedication and effort they’ve shown in their preparation. These exams are not just a test of knowledge but a reflection of the skills, habits, and attitudes they’ve cultivated throughout the term.
To our parents, thank you for your continued support in your children’s education. Together, we are building a community of resilient and capable learners who are ready to face the challenges of the future with confidence.
Best of luck to all our students!
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Michelle Chaplin, Head of Junior School
At AISM in the Junior School, academic rigor is at the core of our experience, designed not to overwhelm, but to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
Guided by the Australian Curriculum, our approach balances challenge with care. Students engage in inquiry-based learning, hands-on projects, and cross-disciplinary lessons that connect classroom learning to the real world. This week, we saw our students engaged in STEM week with the senior students. Our littlest people learnt a little more about 'wheel safety’ as we shared our “bring your wheels to school day”—academic rigor is about real world learning and the transference of knowledge and skills to real life.
It is inspiring, during Term 2 as we see the growth in our students through our continuous assessment of their reading, writing and mathematics—there is lots to celebrate across all our classrooms!
AISM’s junior students are developing the skills, mindset, and resilience to thrive—now and in the future.
MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL
Dirty Water, Dangerous Outcomes: A Global Crisis and a Classroom Challenge
Mr Christian Ogle, Biology Teacher, Service Learning Coordinator
Every year, millions of people around the world suffer from waterborne diseases—diseases that are entirely preventable. According to the World Health Organization, over 2 billion people globally lack access to safe, clean drinking water. Contaminated water is a major source of illness, especially in developing countries where water treatment infrastructure is limited or nonexistent.
Pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and coliform bacteria can thrive in polluted water sources, causing outbreaks of illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Chemical pollutants like ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites—often originating from agricultural runoff or industrial waste—further exacerbate the crisis, harming ecosystems and threatening human health.
Our Senior HSC Biology students are tackling this issue head-on in their Term 2 Assessment. In this inquiry-based project, students are challenged to:
- Investigate the impact of polluted water on human health and the environment.
- Design and construct their own water filtration systems using accessible materials.
- Test and refine their models by examining how effectively they remove harmful biological and chemical contaminants.
Students will assess the levels of dangerous pathogens such as coliform and E. coli, and test for chemical pollutants including ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites—common indicators of water contamination.
This real-world investigation not only strengthens scientific understanding and problem-solving skills, but also builds awareness of one of the most pressing humanitarian and environmental issues of our time. Through creativity, collaboration, and a strong scientific foundation, students are exploring how low-cost technologies can make a real difference—one drop at a time.
WHOLE SCHOOL
STEM Week Round-Up
Ms Anna Wood, Head of Science and Technology & Mathematics Teacher
STEM Week at AISM was a vibrant celebration of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration across the Junior and Middle Senior Schools!
Junior School Lunchtime STEM Fun
Each lunchtime saw a new hands-on adventure in the JS! Students explored the science of suds in Bubble Mania, tested predictions in Will It Sink?, got messy with Oobleck, examined bugs in Arthropod Investigation, and expressed their inner scientists through Found Art. These playful and interactive sessions sparked wonder and made science exciting and accessible.
MSS STEM Extravaganza Challenge
On Friday during Period 5, our MSS students participated in a thrilling STEM Extravaganza—a four-part challenge that tested their teamwork and applied knowledge across Science, Engineering, Coding, and Mathematical Estimation. Students pushed their critical thinking to the next level, from building structures to solving coding conundrums.
MSS Hosts JS for STEM Discovery
Also on Friday, MSS welcomed Junior School students into their Science and Technology spaces for an exciting showcase. Highlights included a dramatic Liquid Nitrogen Display, colourful Chemical Gardens, creative Gingerbread Decorating, Marvellous Microscopy, Exciting Electricity, hands-on Build-a-Boat design, tech-infused fun with Drones and Robotics, Building Bridges, and the Dragon Maths relay. Our younger learners were amazed and inspired by what the future holds!
Thank you to all students and staff who made this week of STEM discovery so special.
Stay curious!
Plant It Forward: AISM’s Community Gardening Project Blossoms into Action
Mr Steven Webster, Middle & Senior School Teacher and Green Team Representative
The AISM Green Team is proud to announce the successful launch of our Plant It Forward initiative – a vibrant project designed to enhance our school environment through community gardening. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our parent community, we’ve collected an incredible number of pots, soil, and gardening supplies. From all of us involved, thank you!
“At times, I’m overwhelmed (in the best way!) by the kindness and support shown by our parents. Because of you, our work is not only easier, but so much more rewarding.” — Project Leader
Plant It Forward Progress Update:
With Phase 1 – Collection – complete, we now move forward with the next stages of the project:
Last week, student members of the Green Team began re-potting and planting on the Ground Floor of the Middle/Senior School and Level 3 of the Junior School. The aim is to continue greening all common balcony spaces throughout the school and create a truly beautiful, alive, and healthy Living Campus.
The central aim is to long-term upkeep and care, led by each homeroom class and our dedicated Green Team members.
This project not only supports our sustainability goals, but also encourages student ownership, community participation, and a greener, more beautiful school.
Thank you once again to everyone who contributed. Let’s keep planting it forward – together!
For more information or to get involved, please contact Mr Steven Webster at
stevenwebster@aism.edu.my
AISM Shines Bright at SASMO 2025!
Ms Charlotte Spence, Head of Diverse Educational Needs
We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible achievements of our mathematicians in the 2025 Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad (SASMO)! This year, a remarkable 60 students from AISM took on the challenge, showcasing their problem-solving skills and love for mathematics on an international stage.
Their hard work and determination truly paid off, bringing home an impressive collection of awards:
- 🥇 6 Gold Awards — Demonstrating exceptional mastery and precision!
- 🥈 3 Silver Awards — A testament to their strong analytical skills!
- 🥉 8 Bronze Awards — Reflecting solid effort and understanding!
- 🎖️ 6 Honourable Mentions — A recognition of their dedication and growth!
We couldn’t be prouder of each and every participant. You have not only represented AISM with pride but also inspired your peers with your commitment and enthusiasm. A full list of students and their awards is below—be sure to check it out and celebrate their success!
Individual results and e-certificates have been sent to all parents. Physical certificates are expected to arrive in August-September, where we look forward to celebrating together.
Congratulations once again to our brilliant problem-solvers! You are proof that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible!
| JASPER LIN | Grade 2 | GOLD |
| HANNAH OOI SZE MIN | Grade 2 | HONORABLE MENTION |
| ALYSSA NG | Grade 2 | SILVER |
| HARVEY JIA LE YEO | Grade 3 | BRONZE |
| LUM YI HONG | Grade 3 | BRONZE |
| RACHELLE ROY RAJA | Grade 3 | GOLD |
| BOHANG HU | Grade 3 | HONORABLE MENTION |
| HUDSON NG ZI HAO | Grade 3 | HONORABLE MENTION |
| YUTO YAGAI | Grade 4 | BRONZE |
| JIAO YUZE | Grade 5 | BRONZE |
| TOMMY LEE TAO | Grade 5 | GOLD |
| FLETCHER HILL | Grade 5 | HONORABLE MENTION |
| JIAN ZI NEOH | Grade 5 | SILVER |
| YUKITAKA NAKANO | Grade 6 | BRONZE |
| MUCHEN ZHANG | Grade 6 | BRONZE |
| ZHANG CHEN YU | Grade 6 | BRONZE |
| XINGYU PAN | Grade 7 | HONORABLE MENTION |
| RU QIAN HOW | Grade 8 | HONORABLE MENTION |
| OSUKE KIDA | Grade 10 | BRONZE |
| MIAOXUAN WANG | Grade 11 | GOLD |
| HYUNA OH | Grade 11 | SILVER |
| CHENGJUN HAN | Grade 12 | GOLD |
| LUCAS YIP ZHEN-YU | Grade 12 | GOLD |
ICAS Registration Now Open!
Ms Charlotte Spence, Head of Diverse Educational Needs
Dear parents and carers,
ICAS Registration Now Open!
We are excited to announce that registration for the 2025 ICAS Assessments is now open! To register please fill out the google form: ICAS Registration
Even better news, there is an Early Bird Offer for ICAS 2025 until 31 May 2025.
- Early Bird Discount: RM11 off per test
- New ICAS Fees after Discount:
- RM59 per subject (English, Mathematics, Science, Digital Technologies)
- RM89 for Writing
- Valid Until: 31 May 2025
ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) is an internationally recognised program that assesses students' academic skills across a range of subject areas. Designed to recognise and reward academic excellence, ICAS challenges students to apply their knowledge, think critically, and solve complex problems.
Participation in ICAS provides students with:
- Recognition of Academic Achievement: Students receive certificates and detailed results to celebrate their success and motivate continued growth.
- Detailed Feedback: Each student receives an individual report that highlights their strengths and identifies areas for improvement, providing valuable insights to enhance future learning.
- Opportunities to Unlock Potential: By engaging with challenging questions and external benchmarks, students are encouraged to stretch their abilities and reach new academic heights.
All ICAS assessments will be conducted at school during the scheduled dates.
Assessment Dates for 2025:
- ICAS Maths: Wednesday, 16 July 2025 (Years 2–10)
- ICAS Science: Thursday, 17 July 2025 (Years 2–10)
- ICAS English: Friday, 18 July 2025 (Years 2–10)
- ICAS Digital Technologies: Monday, 21 July 2025 (Years 2–7)
- ICAS Writing: Tuesday, 22 July 2025 (Years 3–10)
Important Information:
- Fees for each assessment are detailed on the registration form.
- The deadline for registration is Monday, 16 June 2025.
For more information, please visit the EATS website: https://www.eats.com.my/
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at hod.learningenrichment@aism.edu.my
We encourage all interested students to participate and take this exciting opportunity to celebrate their achievements and further their academic journey!
AISM Facilities Now Available for Rental Online
We are pleased to share that AISM’s sports and school facilities are available for community rental. Whether you're planning a game, event, or training session, our world-class amenities are open for booking.
Facilities booking and rental are now available online through the website www.courtsite.my. This new system offers greater convenience for our community, making it easier than ever to secure your preferred space with just a few clicks.
For rental of other facilities or any further enquiry, please contact the school at 03 8949 5000 or email to operations@aism.edu.my
