PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING
Aaron Wise, Principal
The Dangers of Social Media for Children: What Parents Need to Know
At the Australian International School Malaysia (AISM), the well-being of our students is always a top priority, both in and out of the classroom. One of the pressing issues many parents face today is managing their child’s social media usage. With increasing access to smartphones and social platforms, it’s essential to be aware of the potential dangers that social media presents for children and teenagers.
The Risks of Social Media for Children
While social media can offer opportunities for connection and learning, it also comes with significant risks, especially for younger children. Some of the key dangers include:
- Cyberbullying: Online bullying is a growing concern, with many children experiencing harassment, threats, or social exclusion on platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.
- Mental Health Issues: Excessive use of social media can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, as children are exposed to unrealistic beauty standards, peer pressure, and negative comparisons.
- Inappropriate Content: Children can easily come across content that is inappropriate for their age, including violent or sexually explicit material.
- Stranger Danger: Social media opens the door to communication with strangers, increasing the risk of online predators attempting to make contact with vulnerable children.
Given these dangers, it’s important for parents to take an active role in monitoring their child’s social media usage and educating them about the potential risks.
Australia’s Proposed Social Media Laws: A Step Towards Greater Safety
In response to these growing concerns, Australia is now taking steps to safeguard children by proposing new laws aimed at banning social media use for children under 16 without parental consent. This proposal highlights the risks that social media poses for young people and aims to establish stricter age verification processes.
Under the proposed legislation:
- Children under 16 would not be able to create social media accounts without the explicit consent of a parent or guardian.
- Social media platforms would face hefty fines if they fail to enforce these rules and protect young users from harmful content and interactions.
- The legislation aims to address privacy concerns and ensure that children are not exposed to inappropriate or unsafe environments online.
While this proposed law is still under discussion in Australia, it serves as a reminder for parents everywhere—including here at AISM—of the importance of monitoring and regulating children’s access to social media.
How Can Parents Help?
Here are some practical tips for parents to manage their child’s social media use and protect them from the associated risks:
- Set Age-Appropriate Boundaries: Ensure that your child only uses social media platforms that are suitable for their age. Many platforms have a minimum age requirement of 13, but even then, supervision is key.
- Have Open Conversations: Talk to your child about the dangers of social media, including cyberbullying, online predators, and privacy issues. Encourage them to come to you if they encounter anything that makes them uncomfortable.
- Use Parental Controls: Many social media platforms offer parental controls that allow you to monitor activity, limit screen time, and block inappropriate content.
- Encourage Offline Activities: Promote a healthy balance by encouraging your child to engage in activities that don’t involve screens, such as sports, hobbies, or spending time with family and friends.
- Be a Role Model: Set a good example by managing your own social media usage and demonstrating responsible online behaviour.
At AISM, we believe in partnering with parents to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, both online and offline. By staying informed and proactive, we can work together to guide our children through the digital world with care and caution.
By being aware of the dangers of social media and taking the necessary precautions, we can help protect our children from harm and empower them to use technology responsibly. If you have any concerns or need further support, please feel free to reach out to the school’s pastoral team.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Michelle Chaplin, Head of Junior School
"It has been an incredible experience teaching the Foundation class at AISM and living in Malaysia. I have thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the vibrant and diverse cultures that make up this beautiful country. The warmth and kindness of the people will leave a lasting impression on me. I have had so many highlights whilst teaching here but my favourite memory would have to be hosting the Foundation Dinner. Our Foundation mini chefs prepared, cooked and served their proud parents a three course meal which was a huge achievement. While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, I am excited to be returning to my previous teaching role in Broome, Australia where I will be closer to my family."-Mrs Cayli Russel
"As I look back on my time at AISM, I’m filled with such gratitude and joy. From the adventurous school camp to Taman Negara, where we explored the wonders of the rainforest, to the memorable Year 2/3 sleepover that brought the students together for a night of excitement and laughter. I will never forget International Day, celebrating our diverse community and the unique cultures each student brings to our school in such a fun and inclusive way. Teaching Year 2 and Year 4 has been an absolute pleasure; watching the students grow and learn has been incredibly rewarding. I’ll cherish these memories and the relationships made as I move to Perth with my family. I will always remember the community that made my time at AISM so special."-Mrs Meg McTaggert
"As I say goodbye after nine wonderful years with AISM, I want to express my heartfelt thanks. It's been an amazing journey, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I’m grateful for the opportunities and memories we've shared. As I move on to new challenges, I’m transitioning to a new career goal focus. I’m excited about this new chapter and confident that AISM will continue to thrive. Thank you all for your support and for being such a great team."-Ms Alicia Lee Su Yin
Term 3 has been full of opportunities for our students as we celebrated Care Week, Book Week, Science Week, enjoyed our Cross Country and Parent breakfast, and amongst it all we have had a successful term of academic learning. The end of term is an excellent time to reflect and be grateful for all the wonderful things we experience being a part of AISM. A fabulous term - thanks to our teachers , learners and parents.
Next week a few fast days with the grande finale being International Day… See you all there in your best traditional outfit!
Fun Filled Term 3 in ELC
Ms. Manpreet, Ms. Bianca, Ms. Siti, and Ms. Ratha, The ELC Team
It all kicked off in Week 6! Reflecting on the ‘Magic of Reading’ takes us back to the excitement of Book Week! It was an absolute blast, with ELC learners dressing up as their favourite book characters. The week was filled with fun activities, and a highlight was transforming letters into objects and creating finger puppets. Learners also had a great time participating in the Book Character Parade when they walked the gym proudly dressed as their favourite characters.
“I enjoyed making the Jack and The Beanstalk door. We paint so many leaves for the beanstalk.” - Lumiere. “I make a leaf, I paint so many leaves green.” - Ernest. “My favourite part is dressing up with all my friends and I like dressing up as a pirate.” - Theo “I remember going one round in the gym for Book Week Parade.” - Henry
Cross Country reached new heights of excitement under the blazing sun! Despite the scorching heat, the ELC learners were buzzing with energy as they tackled their obstacle course. Their spirits soared with enthusiastic house cheers, and each child raced through the course with determination and a winning mindset.
“Coach Ivan put the obstacle course in the field, and I enjoyed the jumping from the box. It made me happy.” - Rickson. “I enjoy running on the field. I enjoyed going inside the blue tunnel.” - Clayton. “I love the cross country because my families come and cheer for my friends and I.” - William “We ran and did a good job during the obstacle course and won the ribbon.” - Chloe “Everyone did a good job!” - Harufumi
Week 8 wrapped up with a bang! What an amazing opportunity for the young learners to host the ELC Assembly! The excitement was high on Merdeka Day as they proudly waved the Malaysian flag and sang ‘Saya Anak Malaysia’ with great enthusiasm. Dressed in vibrant, Malaysia-themed outfits, the learners beautifully showcased the colours of Malaysia, making the celebration even more festive and fun!
“I enjoyed the ‘Saya Anak Malaysia’ performance. I enjoyed dressing up, I wear Indian dress.” - Kar Eu. “I enjoyed the assembly, I liked singing the songs, ‘Saya Anak Malaysia’ and ‘Jalur Gemilang.’ The Malaysia flag has red, white, blue, and yellow colour.” - Qinger. “We sing Saya anak Malaysia song and we love dancing and speaking on the microphone.” - Prep Wallaby.
Empowering Voices: Celebrating Growth in Bahasa Malaysia Through Confidence and Culture
Cikgu Adila & Cikgu Mohd Fadhly, Junior School LOTE Bahasa Malaysia Teachers
We are delighted to share a reflection on our Bahasa Malaysia lessons this term, as well as the success of the Merdeka Day Assembly. It has been an exciting and rewarding journey for our learners, particularly in developing their communication skills and enhancing their confidence in using Bahasa Malaysia.
Focus on Vocabulary Development for ELC, Foundation, and Year 1
This term, our ELC to Year 2 students have been focusing on enhancing their vocabulary in key areas such as phonics, pronunciation of syllables, spelling, and word understanding. Through fun and interactive activities, they are building a strong foundation in Bahasa Malaysia.
We are also empowering these young learners to use basic daily conversation phrases in their everyday interactions. These simple exchanges are boosting their confidence and helping them develop a natural affinity for the language.
Progress Through Group Work and Presentations
Over the past term, Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 students have made tremendous strides in their Bahasa Malaysia speaking abilities. Group work and presentations have continued to foster a collaborative environment, allowing students to express themselves more fluently and confidently. Through these activities, they have expanded their vocabulary and gained valuable experience in articulating their thoughts in front of their peers.
Building Confidence Through Public Speaking
The highlight of this term was certainly the Merdeka Day Assembly, where our students had the opportunity to demonstrate their progress on stage. Watching them confidently speak and perform in Bahasa Malaysia in front of a large audience was truly inspiring. For many, this was their first experience of public speaking, and the growth in their self-assurance was evident. We believe this exposure to public speaking will benefit them not only in language learning but in all areas of their academic journey.
Merdeka Day Assembly: A Proud Collaboration
The Merdeka Day Assembly, hosted by ELC in collaboration with the LOTE Bahasa Malaysia team, was a resounding success. The event was a vibrant celebration of our national identity, and the students' performances were met with great enthusiasm. Thanks to the ELC, Foundation, Year 4 and Year 5 learners who participated in the performances. We are incredibly proud of how our learners embraced the spirit of Merdeka and proudly showcased their skills. It was a fantastic way to conclude this term’s focus on Bahasa Malaysia, blending language learning with cultural pride.
Value-Added Reflection
Looking back on this term, the progress made by our students in Bahasa Malaysia has not only been academic but personal as well. The ability to communicate confidently in a second language is a crucial life skill, and we have seen significant improvements in our students’:
- Confidence: Many students who were initially shy to speak in Bahasa Malaysia have now grown into confident communicators.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Through group activities, students learned the importance of working together, listening to others, and building on each other’s ideas.
- Cultural Awareness: The Merdeka Day Assembly provided a deeper understanding of Malaysia’s rich culture and heritage, reinforcing the importance of language in connecting with national identity.
The amazing Year 1 learners, exploring Malaysian symbols like ‘Bunga Raya’ and ‘Jalur Gemilang’ by reading a short paragraph in Bahasa Malaysia.
The Nursery is having a fun learning activity knowing the sound of the vowel ‘a’ in Bahasa Malaysia. They started to explore the Bahasa phonics through ‘abu ada ayam’ song.
Year 2 learners took the challenge to enhance their vocabulary by using Blooket.com. Words to remember session together with the Chin students! Good teamwork!
We are excited to continue building on these successes, further developing our students' language skills, and fostering a lifelong love of learning. Thank you for all the support from the AISM community.
Junior School Enrichment Snapshot
Leigh Janett, Deputy Head of Junior School
This week, we will be taking a sneak peek into our Year 2 and Year 3 Literacy Enrichment classes that take place each Thursday morning.
We have been busy reflecting upon what went well during the Paris Olympics’ Opening Ceremony and what were the areas of improvement.
Were you aware that tickets cost up to RM16,000 per person and many reported a sense of dissatisfaction with sitting by the Seine. Complaints included interruptions to their view, bad weather, discomfort, not being able to access toilets and challenges when wanting food and beverages.
Never fear - the AISM Shark Tank is here!
Our incredible Enrichment learners from Years 2 and 3 have been researching these issues and complaints. They have analysed texts reporting on E. coli levels in the Seine, investigated tonal language on personal opinion papers and posed questions about the schedule and layout of the Opening Ceremony.
Collaborating in teams, they are now identifying at least one of these major problems and designing, building and pitching their prototypes to a panel of judges. We have the ELE Jet Pack 2.0, The Everything Drone and The GM. Our pitches will be filmed and sent to the International Olympic Committee so that audience members will be satisfied during the 2028 Opening Ceremony in L.A!
SASMO Junior School Awards
Michelle Chaplin, Head of Junior School
Congratulations to our quick thinking mathematicians for their outstanding results in this year’s Singapore & Asian Schools Math Olympiad. We were particularly impressed with the efforts of Zicheng, Jasper, Adrian, Rachelle, George, Jian Zi and Sara who all were awarded with bronze medals. A very special mention to our gold medal recipient from Year 2 - Harvey!
Year 2 & 3 Sleepover Camp: Fun, Friendship and Adventure!
Jeremy Cox, Iman Engelbert, Tamara Kerr, Vaneisha Madhavan, Uma Krishnan, Year 2 & 3 Teachers
This week, our Year 2 and 3 students had a fantastic time at the much-anticipated Sleepover Camp on Thursday and Friday. The event was filled with excitement, laughter and opportunities for personal growth, making it a memorable experience for everyone involved.
The camp started on Thursday morning with a warm welcome from the teachers. Students arrived eager and ready for the day ahead. The first activity was a Nature Scavenger Hunt, where students, working in teams, explored the school grounds to find hidden treasures. This activity encouraged teamwork and allowed students to connect with nature and their friends.
After the scavenger hunt, students took on the enormous task of setting up their tents in the Auditorium, which served as their campground for the night. With the help of teachers and their friends, each student successfully created their own cosy sleeping space—a significant achievement that showed their growing independence and resilience.
Students enjoyed various fun activities throughout the day, including team-building games and exercises. A highlight was participating in Tarik Kain Pelikat, a traditional Malay game that brought lots of laughter and friendly competition. The Obstacle Course and sports activities also provided both fun and physical activity.
In the evening, everyone gathered around the campfire to toast marshmallows, and afterward, they headed back to the Auditorium for a special Movie Night. The Auditorium, already equipped with a big screen and sound system, was transformed into a fabulous cinema with beanbags, where students relaxed with popcorn and enjoyed the movie together.
MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL
AISM Mathematicians Dominate World Competitions
Mrs Tanya Fisher, Head of Mathematics
A huge congratulations to our talented Mathematicians who competed in the SASMO competition for 2024. The medal winners were:
Gold: ChengJun Han (Derek), Lucas Zhen-Yu Yip
Silver: Tiansheng Li (Jaedon)
Bronze: Hyuna Oh, Ru Qian How, Felicia Shao, XingYu Pan
We are also very proud of our hardworking Middle School students who competed in the KL Junior Mathematics Competition, which is a live event held at BSKL this year. Our Middle School students who enjoyed challenging themselves are pictured here:
Back from left: Ayra Akmal Hakim, Kaeden Diep,
Front from left: Zhouyouyou Xiang, Ru Qian How, Caden Cheong and Arjan Pathmanaban,
This year, we will be recognising our top medal winners at the end of year presentation day assembly. These students not only regularly compete in many different competitions, but they have also performed to an outstanding level in many of these International Mathematics competitions we facilitate at AISM. We are looking forward to seeing who this year's top competition Masters are!
Health Talk for Year 9 and 10 Female Students Term 3
Mrs. Mac & Nurse Alice, Health Services Nurses
During the advisory session for Year 9 and 10 female students, the AISM school nurses conducted an informative health talk. The discussion focused on practical strategies for managing menstrual discomfort, with topics covering the benefits of exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, and the importance of staying hydrated.
The session also guided how students can prepare for their menstrual periods, including what essentials to pack in their bags. Additionally, the nurses emphasized that students can seek support within the school should they need assistance during this time.
This talk aimed to empower students with the knowledge and resources to manage their health confidently and comfortably.
Celebrate Mooncake Festival
Ms. Hor Kai Lin & Ms Shen Xin Lin, Chinese Teachers
This week, Chinese language learners at MSS from Years 6 to 12 eagerly donned chef hats to try their hand at mooncake making in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节 (zhōng qiū jié), also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival. This traditional festival holds a special place in Chinese culture, and making mooncakes is one of the cherished activities in their Chinese class.
Under the guidance of their teachers, Ms. Shen Xin Lin and Ms. Kai Lin Hor, the students carefully crafted a variety of snow-skin mooncakes, filling them with lotus paste and red bean paste. To their delight, they were surprised to see rabbit-shaped mooncakes emerge from the molds. The rabbit, known as the Jade Rabbit, is a key character in the legend of Chang'e, the goddess of the Moon.
MSS Chinese learners had an engaging and delicious experience immersing themselves in Chinese culture and taking part in the Mid-Autumn Festival festivities.
Artisanal Art Magazine
The Artisanal Team
The name Artisanal refers to the work of someone who crafts something with consideration and artistic care by hand. As such, the aim of Artisanal is to showcase students' work, whilst also allowing them to publish their art in a collaborative and safe environment. This emphasises our community's willingness to work together to achieve a common goal – in this case, celebrating all things artistic.
The submissions have been chosen so that the pieces of the utmost quality have been included, whilst also highlighting a variety of forms including poetry, paintings, short stories, photography and digital art. The process of creating, and exploring creative passion are at the centre of what it means to be an artist – this magazine is a celebratory communion of that notion within the school community at the Australian International School of Malaysia.
The Artisanal leadership team consists of various members with various roles to ensure the quality of the project is met, using their diverse range of skills and thought processes in skillfully selecting the criteria and aesthetics of the magazine. As a team, we have worked collaboratively in problem-solving and advertising the initiative, with an aim to take action and make a lasting initiative within the school community.
Finally, from the team at Artisanal, we would like to thank all of the people involved in crafting this beautiful display. Notably, the students who submitted their pieces, the teachers who rallied support and the staff leadership team who supported the initiative in its primitive stages. A huge thank you to everyone, and we hope you enjoy the selection provided!
With regards,
Ethan Fisher & The Artisanal Team
Click here to view:
WHOLE SCHOOL
AISM Cross Country 2024
Ivan Yoong, Whole School Sport and CCA Coordinator
The last day of Term 3 concluded on an amazing, colourful note as the AISM community came together to mark and celebrate International Day 2024. The day’s festivities took us on a journey across the globe, highlighting the diversity and richness of our community’s cultural backgrounds. From the striking traditional costumes worn with pride, to the colourful array of flags representing the many nations within our community, it was a day that celebrated and showcased intercultural understanding and connections.
A big thanks to the PE Department, staff, PTC, and students (AISA Team, School, and House Captains) who assisted with organising and running the event. Kudos, AISM!
Junior School Cross Country Results - 2024
| House Champion | Sauvage | 682 |
| 2nd | Thorpe | 594 |
| 3rd | Freeman | 586 |
| 4th | Rafter | 389 |
| Age Champions 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Girls | Champion | 1st Runner up | 2nd Runner up |
| Foundation | Shi Ziyu | Lily Shi | Nanako Yagai |
| 6U | Ruby Oliver | Aino Shigeeda | Hannah Ooi |
| 7U | Cerise Ying | Yeong Yu Chen | Melody Lee |
| 8U | Mizuki Tsukamoto | Rayanne Lim | Rin Aoyama |
| 9U | Carrie Bu | Manuela Sanchez Chaves | Iroha Mori |
| 10U | Halle Jackson | Charmayne Cheong | Haru Kanao |
| 11U | Sara Inagaki | Seshu Yawata | Susan Ng |
| Boys | Champion | 1st Runner up | 2nd Runner up |
| Foundation | Lucas Loh | Nathaniel Reza | Yuto Riho |
| 6U | Rayden Lim | Martin Ooi | Ryder Ng |
| 7U | Xu Zicheng | Chua Yi Da | Lum Yi Hong |
| 8U | Kei Kirihara | Declan McDevitt | Hudson Ng |
| 9U | Belvan Lee | Isaac McIntyre | Reo Murakami |
| 10U | Edward Broadbent | Chua Yi Chen | Yukitaka Nakano |
| 11U | Keisuke Kuriyama | Dan Aoyama | Baxter Janett |
Middle & Senior School Cross Country Results - 2024
| House Champion | Freeman | 774 |
| 2nd | Sauvage | 575 |
| 3rd | Rafter | 529 |
| 4th | Thorpe | 409 |
| Age Champions 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Girls | Champion | 1st Runner up | 2nd Runner up |
| 11U | Alexandra Matheson | Neoh Jen Yi | Lisa Li |
| 12U | Antonia Sanchez Chaves | How Ru Qian | Emily Babkina |
| 7U | Cerise Ying | Yeong Yu Chen | Melody Lee |
| 13U | Sharon Ng | Elizabeth Broadbent | Chuah Pui Mun |
| 14U | Yua Natsuhara | Asha Murugan | Cherish Wang |
| 15U | Hyuna Oh | Ding MengHan | Miyabi Yamamoto |
| 16U | Ooi Yen Kei | Grace Boam | Sarah Selvindoss |
| Open | Sara Allenspach | Melynna | Kelly Moon |
| Boys | Champion | 1st Runner up | 2nd Runner up |
| 11U | Neil Pan | Edwin Ng | Na Jun Jie |
| 12U | Xingyu Pan | Hiroki Sakai | Zou Cheng |
| 13U | Anson Cai | Alexander Mukhidinov | Ethan Selvindoss |
| 14U | So Yawata | Toby Taylor | Lam Lap Yin |
| 15U | Leo Cao | Henry Yap | Lukas Teo |
| 16U | Lum Yi Kheng | Osuke Kida | Chuah Ka Jun |
| Open | Chase Jackson | Jason Guo | Kai Ter Huggel |
Fencing - Asian Cadet Cup 2024
Ivan Yoong, Whole School Sport and CCA Coordinator
The recent Asian Cadet Cup was a prestigious event where elite fencers from across Asia competed for their countries. Asha Murugan and Muhammad Arif Fitri Muhammad Fairuz made AISM proud by representing Team Malaysia. Despite the intensity of the tournament, both showed resilience and gave their best in their respective disciplines. Well done, Asha and Arif!
Ballet Competition 2024
Ivan Yoong, Whole School Sport and CCA Coordinator
On Tuesday, 10 September, one of our Year 6 students, Emily Babkina, participated in the Get the Beat (GTB) competition. GTB is a dance event that fosters a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, enabling dancers to perform at their best. Congratulations to Emily for placing third in her category!
Pink Fun Run
Mrs. Mac & Nurse Alice, Health Services Nurses
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
To support this important cause, Health Services has organized a Pink Fun Run for all staff and the first 30 lucky parents to sign up.
Please note:
No supervision for students during this event.
To Register:
Please scan the QR code to sign up and purchase your pink T-shirt. Half of the cost of each T-shirt will be donated to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia.
Whether you prefer to run or walk, everyone is welcome to join in the fun!
Important: The closing date for registration is 20 September. Don’t miss out!
For more details, check the Google Form.
Let’s come together to support this meaningful cause!
AISM Pink Gala - Win a Free Night at the Sofitel
Aaron Wise, Principal
Dear AISM Parents and Staff,
The AISM Pink Gala Dinner will raise money to support the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. It is going to be a fantastic night featuring:
- A delicious 5-course dinner
- Free-flow juice, soft drinks, beer and wine
- Entertainment
- A charity auction
- A charity raffle
- And more!
To find out more about the gala dinner, please see the attached PDF or watch the exciting promotional video at:
To encourage everyone to buy their tickets early, anyone who purchases a ticket during August will automatically be entered into a draw to win a free night's accommodation at the Sofitel for 2 people.
Early bird tickets are on sale now for RM 500 for this month only. From next week onwards they will cost RM 550.
To secure your ticket, please deposit the payment directly into the school's bank account. Be sure to include a note in the remarks section indicating that the payment is for the Gala Dinner. Once the transfer is complete, please send a copy of the transaction along with details of who the tickets are for to accounts@aism.edu.my.
Gather your friends, dress to impress in black tie and evening dresses, or your finest shades of pink, and join us for a night of fun, food, and fabulous entertainment – all for a great cause.
Follow our official Instagram page for more updates.
Arrowhead Skills Camp
This weekend is the last chance to book for the Arrowhead Skills multi-activity holiday camp from Monday, 23 September to Friday, 27 September. The camp runs from 08:30am - 4:30pm each day during which time your child will take part in a wide range of challenges and activities specially designed to ignite their passion, resilience, confidence, lateral-thinking and team-working.
All of this will happen through a specially designed programme over four pathways - Move ; Perform ; Create ; and Build.
To get an idea of how much fun, and learning, happens at an Arrowhead Skills camp take a look at this video:
Be sure to secure your child's place on the camp by completing the Google Form HERE
