PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING

Simon Brooks, Principal



What a wonderful fortnight we have experienced at AISM, full of rich learning and so many opportunities for our learners to shine.  From sporting successes, to amazing experiences in the ELC, to Junior School music, to the whole-school Eco Day, to the Middle School Halloween Dance, to the Senior School Vietnam exhibition and MABC musical performances, our students have been saying ‘yes!’ to life and embracing all of the opportunities that come their way.

Today has been a particularly special day for our Year 12 Graduating class of 2023. Today we say farewell to this outstanding group of young people, who have given their all in their HSC examinations and now wait with baited breath for their results in December.

Amongst many memorable moments today, one that particularly resonates is our beautiful tradition of the ‘Tunnel of Love’. It was truly moving to see all of our students from ELC to Year 11 forming a human tunnel for our amazing graduates stretching all the way from the Junior School to the flagpoles, in order to celebrate their awesomeness and wish them all the best for the next phase of their lives.

As is tradition, I delivered a speech at our graduation assembly during which I offered five ‘pieces of advice’ for our Year 12s for the years ahead. I have shared these five points for you below. I do hope you enjoy and find value in them.  



1 - Exercise
Some of us love it, some of us hate it, but however you feel about it, take care of your body, because you’re going to need it!  

It doesn’t matter whether it’s running, lifting weights, dancing, surfing or ping pong; try to find something that you love, something that makes your blood pump and your heart pound, and give it your all. Remember - just 15 minutes a day of exercise has the power to make a huge difference to your wellbeing. In fact, a recent study suggests that just 15 minutes of exercise per day adds an average of 3 years to your life span!  

… And if you are one of those people who wake up in the morning and struggle with the motivation to exercise, I refer you to the words of the great Arnold Schwarzenegger.  “Don’t think!” Now you might find this an odd thing to hear me saying, bearing in mind I’m such a fan of thinking, but here’s how it works. If you wake up in the morning and analyse all the reasons why you shouldn’t go to the gym, it won’t happen. You’ll talk yourself out of it. Don’t think. Just get on your gym kit and leave the house. Do your workout. Come home and eat. And think afterwards!  

2 - Be kind, but don’t be a doormat
In my speech at last year’s graduation I concluded by saying that the world needs more kind people. This is true. It does. Kindness comes in many forms.  

Remembering people’s names is a way to be kind.  

Another way is listening to what others need to say and trying our best to truly hear them before jumping in to steal the airtime with our own take on things!  

Another is to respect people with less power than you. Just because someone is in a position of less authority, this doesn’t mean you are better than them. Listen to these words from Tim Minchin - “I have, in the past, made important decisions about people I work with — agents and producers — based largely on how they treat wait staff in restaurants. I don’t care if you’re the most powerful cat in the room, I will judge you on how you treat the least powerful. So there.”  

Yes, kindness is important, but being kind is not the same thing as being a doormat. Don’t go through life afraid to share your opinions. You won’t agree with everyone on everything and that’s fine. The world doesn’t get better when everyone agrees with each other all of the time, but we do all get better when we are challenged to think, to contend, to adapt, to change… But try to remember to challenge ideas, not people. Don’t crush people’s spirit when you disagree with them or think they have done something wrong. Be respectful. Try to think of your challenge as a way of lifting them up rather than bringing them down.  

3 - Accept that we can’t feel 100% happy all of the time
When I ask parents what they would like their children to be like when they are older, they often say, ‘happy’. As a parent myself, I understand this. We want our children to be happy. But newsflash - I’m not sure I myself always feel 100% happy, every moment of every day. I’m not even sure that’s possible; how do we know what happiness is, if we haven’t experienced sadness? And surely we’re missing out on something rich and powerful in the human experience, if we’re never sad.  

Instead of happiness, let’s aim for acceptance. Aiming for acceptance involves acknowledging and embracing the realities of life, both the positives and the negatives. It's about coming to terms with those things that cannot be changed and learning to adapt and find peace within those circumstances. It’s about believing that calm always follows a storm, and trusting that sadness will eventually pass. As the character Sonny says in the film ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ - ‘Everything will be alright in the end, so if it is not yet alright, it is not yet the end.’  

4 - Travel
If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity, try to see the world.  

As St. Augustine wrote, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."  

When you travel, you quickly realise that many of the things you have always believed to be ‘normal’, or the ‘right way of doing things’, are not ‘normal’ for somebody else, and may not be ‘right’ for them.  

Travel the world. Live in a different country if you can. Live in several different countries if you can. There is no greater way to broaden your understanding and appreciation for the world's diversity and complexity.

  5 - Say ‘yes!’
As you go through life, you’ll be amazed how many amazing opportunities pop up and present themselves to you, just waiting for you to grab them with both hands!  

Perhaps you’ll get a chance to try a new hobby, or learn a new language. Perhaps you’ll be offered new responsibilities at work, or the chance to be interviewed for a podcast. Maybe you’ll be invited to deliver a speech, or go to a networking meeting. Perhaps you’ll have an opportunity to join a sports team, or do some work for a charity.  

Opportunities like these can be scary, particularly if they are outside your comfort zone. Sometimes the little voice of doom in your head pipes up and makes itself heard: “Don’t risk it, you can’t do that, it’s beyond you, you’ll make a fool of yourself, what makes you think you’re good enough? Who do you think you are?”  

Ignore that little voice, and do it anyway. Say yes and have a go. What’s the worst thing that could happen?  

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: learning occurs at the point of challenge.  Say yes to great opportunities, even when they scare you, even more so when they scare you. That’s how learning is done!

2023 AISM Yearbook  
This year we will be publishing our AISM Yearbook in a digital format which will be available to all families. However, for those members of our community who would still like to order a printed copy, they can do so by completing an online form below. The printed Yearbook is available at no extra charge (one copy per family), with additional copies available at RM50 per copy.  

Yearbook Order Form

The AISM Yearbook will be ready for distribution to all students from 7 December 2023 and the e-Yearbook will be available on the AISM website on the same day.  

All Yearbook orders need to be completed by 24 November 2023. If you have any queries, please contact marketing@aism.edu.my.

PTC Annual General Meeting
I would like first, on behalf of our school community, to express my thanks to those hard-working parents who have made such a positive contribution to running the PTC this year. Their work has been a fabulous boost to the school's community in so many different ways.

We are now calling for applications from parents and guardians interested in joining our PTC committee for 2024.

If you are interested in being part of the PTC committee next year as either Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary or as a Committee member, please email paprincipal@aism.edu.my by 10 November 2023 at 4.00pm.

PTC Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in the library on 23 November 2023 when the new PTC for 2024 will be announced.
For further information, please click the button below.

PTC Annual General Meeting Letter

If you are an enthusiastic person with ideas, interests, skills, and a team player with some time to spare to benefit our community, then please consider nominating this year to make a difference in the education, health and welfare of our children.

Echoes of the Vietnam War: A Journey Through History

Steven Webster, Year 10 History Teacher



In a unique showcase of creativity and historical insight, our Year 10 History students transported us back in time to the turbulent era of the Vietnam War. On Thursday, 26 October, the Blackbox was transformed into a museum exhibition that left a lasting impression on all who attended. This captivating event, titled "Echoes of the Vietnam War," was a testament to the remarkable dedication and ingenuity of our students.

For this assessment task, our Year 10 History classes embarked on an exciting journey to explore diverse perspectives on the Vietnam War. They chose to focus on the experiences of various groups involved in the conflict, including Australian, North Vietnamese, South Vietnamese, and American soldiers, civilians, or supporters. Through their chosen lenses, our students crafted remarkable artefacts that vividly portrayed the lives and struggles of those who lived through this chaotic period in history.

The museum-style setting provided a unique opportunity for visitors to gain a multi-dimensional understanding of the complexities and impacts of the Vietnam War. It was a mesmerising journey through time, as we delved into the hearts and minds of individuals who faced the challenges and adversities of this historic period.



This exhibition was more than just a display of creativity; it was a history assessment designed to explore the profound impacts of the Vietnam War on various facets of society. The project encouraged our students to immerse themselves in the historical context, engaging meticulously with both primary and secondary sources. They expressed their comprehension in creative and thought-provoking ways, such as through music, artwork, diary entries, visual media, and even military artefacts. The essence of this assessment lies in its intention to not only sharpen their critical thinking, research capabilities, and creative aptitude but also to cultivate a profound understanding of the far-reaching consequences of the Vietnam War.

The task at hand was to create a museum exhibition 'experience' that would bring to life the impact of the Vietnam War on the citizens of Vietnam and those who participated in the conflict. The students aimed to provide both a factual and emotional experience for attendees, and they succeeded brilliantly.

What makes this a uniquely AISM “thinking in action” focused task is the incorporation of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches in the assessment. The interdisciplinary approach emphasises the interconnectedness of subjects, encouraging students to synthesise insights and solutions from various perspectives. This fosters a deeper and more holistic understanding of the subject matter. The transdisciplinary approach, on the other hand, emphasises collaboration, problem-solving, and a holistic understanding of issues that may not neatly fit into any single discipline. It promotes a more comprehensive and integrated approach to learning and problem-solving. Our students embraced both of these approaches with enthusiasm and innovation.

Following the exhibition, our students had the opportunity to share their experiences regarding these approaches with the Curriculum Development Division of the Ministry of Education Malaysia the following week. It was a testament to the importance of these approaches in shaping not only their understanding of history but also their broader educational experiences.

"Echoes of the Vietnam War" was a resounding success, and it was a reflection of the outstanding thinking, creativity, and ambition of our Year 10 cohort. It is a reminder of the power of history to connect us to the past and shape our future. This exhibition was not just a display; it was a journey through time, an exploration of perspectives, and a celebration of the dedication of our students to understanding and learning from history.






Senior Music Students take to the stage at MABC Dinner

Matthew Fisher, Head of the Arts



On Friday night, the 27 October, four of our amazingly talented musicians performed to a packed ballroom at the Hilton Hotel for the Malaysia, Australia Business Council Gala Dinner. This was the first time our students had been the entertainment at such a massive ‘black tie’ event and they handled it with such professionalism and confidence. The organisers of the event were extremely impressed with the maturity and musicianship of our students and constantly praised their talents. Special thanks to Zara, Evann, Ethan and Hayden for their dedication to performing at such a high standard, and also to Ervin and Mr and Mrs Fisher for organising the equipment and chaperoning on the night.


Jasmin Unsworth - Bronze Award for 2023 Commonwealth Essay Competition

Mr Stagg, Head of English Faculty



Congratulations to Jasmin Unsworth (Year 9) for her outstanding efforts in the 2023 Royal Commonwealth Essay Competition, where she earned a Bronze Award.

It is the world's oldest international schools' writing competition. This writing competition attracts very high-level applications and is facilitated internationally by the Royal Commonwealth Society and endorsed by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. It signifies her talent as a writer, acknowledges her success in a highly regarded competition, and provides motivation and encouragement for her future endeavours in writing.

Exceptional result!

Storytelling As Family Experience: a creative nonfiction version of a family story

Samuel Chong, Year 11 Advanced English Student



“They are coming!” A distant voice cried. “They are coming!”

The family had dreaded this moment for several months; but it had finally come. Their hearts beat like the sound of drums. Bells chimed in the distance, accompanied by the loud panic of a few within their own homes. The man grabbed what little he could carry: a bag, a few items of clothing, candles, and a small box of crackers and rice.
“Hurry!” He shouted. “We don’t have time!”

From upstairs, a woman—newborn strapped to her chest—took each step with care. Her left hand pressed against the railing, quivering, followed by two prepubescent boys, one teenage girl, and an old crone holding a wooden cane. Her stomach was bloated, and with some assistance from her children and her husband, her feet touched the cool stone floor. With a quick pat of his pockets, the husband made a gut-churning realisation: his keys were nowhere to be found. Frantic, he shot up the stairs, entering their bedroom for the last time. Drawer. Shelf. Toilet. He glanced around the room, panting. Table. Bed. Floor. With an act of desperation, he planted himself on the ground and strained, plying the bed from the wall. It unveiled a grey, dusty wasteland, filled with dirt, webs, and the occasional faeces left by Malaysian geckos. However, amongst all the dust was a pair of shiny metal keys, reflecting a glow against the sunlight peeking through the window pane. The red sun painted the sky purple. It was sunrise. Clenching the keys, he raced downstairs, shoving the key into the hole; it let out a click.


Many people had already left the night before. His neighbours. His street. As if everyone had vanished. Doors were left swung open—belongings left scattered on the ground—wrappers and half-eaten food. Regaining his thoughts, he knew he could not waste time.

Thirty minutes at most.

In thirty minutes, they would arrive.

In thirty minutes, we cannot call this place our home anymore.

“Mum, get on my back.” The man’s directions towards the old crone were clear.

“Do not touch me!” She cried. “I can walk by myself.”

Decisively, the man threw his mother onto his back, paying minimal care to her constant complaints. Beyond their village was a mountain range covered in a dense rainforest. During the man’s childhood, his father would tell him stories of how the rainforest was filled with pineapple trees—the remains of a past war—to deter attacks from advancing. They stood tall like sentinels, unmoving and emotionless.

The family’s march carried on. They did not stop, despite each step depleting their strength. The Malaysian sun was in full bloom, eating away at their water. Oblivious, the children cried and pleaded for rest. But the mother and father knew that even a moment's rest would lead to their deaths. Their surroundings slowly turned from familiarity to a dark unknown. As the sun slowly set, radiating a warm glow, the remaining light was covered by the looming monstrosity of trees.