AISM 2024
Newsletter Issue 2 - Term 4
PRINCIPALLY SPEAKING
Aaron Wise, Principal
At the Australian International School Malaysia, we deeply value the role that fathers and father figures play in the lives of our students. Whether it’s offering guidance, providing a listening ear, or setting an example through actions, fathers and father figures have a profound impact on shaping the lives of young people. Their presence and support are vital to fostering resilience, confidence, and emotional well-being in children.
To celebrate and acknowledge the importance of these relationships, I am excited to invite all members of our school community—especially our fathers—to join us for a special event: Dads and Doughnuts, taking place on Tuesday, 19 November from 8:00 am to 9:00 am.
This event will be a wonderful opportunity for fathers to enjoy some delicious doughnuts, and meet other dads from our AISM community. Whether you are a father, stepfather, grandfather, or a mentor in a fatherly role, your involvement in the lives of our students is invaluable. We also know that some mothers love doughnuts too - so you are invited to the event as well.
We look forward to seeing many of you there! More details about the event will be sent out soon, but for now, please mark the date in your calendars and get ready for a fun and meaningful morning. Thank you for your continued support and for being such an integral part of our AISM family.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
Michelle Chaplin, Head of Junior School
Exciting times in the Junior School as we look forward to celebrating Deepavali next week.
On Wednesday the Junior School will all dress in their best Deepavali gear and Year 1 have organised an incredible Assembly for 9 am. We will have a wonderful dance with all the teachers involved and would welcome any parents to join us.
Come along to our Wednesday Deepavali celebrations from 9 am!
Year 1
Ms. McNarn and Mr. Baxter, Year 1 Teachers
What a fantastic year we’ve had in Year 1 at AISM. Our students have made amazing progress, creating wonderful memories along the way.
In English and Math, they’ve grown so much. Our daily reading groups helped strengthen their fluency, comprehension, spelling, and punctuation. Writing lessons let them explore different types of texts, like recounts, information reports, and narratives, all while becoming more confident 'Visible Learners.'
The Math groups were all about exploring number concepts and measurement through hands-on activities. These interactive lessons helped students apply their skills in real-world situations, boosting both their understanding and confidence.
In Inquiry, we explored topics like family and celebrations, forces (pushes and pulls), the features of different environments, and what living things need to survive. These lessons helped students understand more about themselves, others, and the world around them, in line with the AISM Care:Mvmt.
We also enjoyed some memorable events this year. Our Mother's Day assembly was a touching celebration with performances and artwork. We are looking forward to the upcoming Year 1 Deepavali assembly in Week 4. Our sports carnivals were another highlight, giving students the chance to work together and have fun.
It’s been a great year of growth, learning, and celebration. We’re so proud of everything Year 1 has achieved!
Inquiry, Science and Graduation Excitement!
Mr. Ryan Mclntyre, Ms. Jaeshinthaa Kaur Uppal, Ms. Taranpreet & Ms. Poovaneswary, Year 5 Team
Last term, our Year 5s engaged in a powerful Inquiry Unit that combined creativity and real-world issues. Each student selected an important global topic, such as plastic pollution, the burning of plastics, overfishing or the impact of excessive mining on our land. They then designed an awareness display and wrote a persuasive feature article to communicate their message, encouraging thoughtful action towards these issues. This project helped students develop research, critical thinking and persuasive writing skills.
Our Year 5s have been investigating the fascinating world of matter. Through hands-on experiments, students have explored how different states of matter change under various conditions. Highlights include making ice cream to observe what happens when we cool liquids, making jelly to study the effects of heat and creating “spider” sodas to witness gas formation during a chemical reaction. The students have thoroughly enjoyed this unit and it has sparked plenty of excitement and curiosity about the science behind everyday materials.
We’re now in full preparation mode for the much-anticipated Year 5 graduation! Our students are thrilled to have their own special ceremony, where they’ll perform an amazing graduation song for their parents and celebrate their transition into Middle School. This day promises to be a memorable occasion, filled with pride and joy as they take this important next step in their educational journey.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement!
Warm regards,
The Year 5 Team
Term 4 Focus: Enhancing Bahasa Malaysia Writing Skills for Upper Junior School (Year 3 – Year 5) Using the S.K.O.P. Method and Speaking skills enhancement for Lower Junior School learners.
Cikgu Adila & Cikgu Mohd Fadhly, Junior School LOTE Bahasa Malaysia Teachers
Throughout the term, students will engage in structured exercises where they begin by identifying the Subject (such as “Ali” or “kucing”), then choose a Verb (like "membaca" (read) or "menyanyi" (sing)), followed by selecting an Object to complete the action. The final step, Perluasan (Expansion), adds descriptive details, such as location or time, to enhance the meaning of each sentence. For example, students will learn to create sentences like “Ali membaca buku di perpustakaan” (Ali reads a book in the library), where they can add layers of detail confidently.
This method provides a strong foundation for sentence construction, helping students improve their syntax, grammar, and vocabulary. By focusing on S.K.O.P., we encourage learners to approach writing as a step-by-step process, allowing them to build more complex, engaging sentences with ease. Through interactive activities, group practice, and personal feedback sessions, students will strengthen their writing proficiency and enjoy a greater sense of accomplishment in Bahasa Malaysia.
The Lower Junior School learners in Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 will emphasise speaking skills and vocabulary building to lay a strong foundation in the language. Through engaging, interactive word games, students will expand their vocabulary and gain confidence in using Bahasa Malaysia in daily conversations.
To make learning fun and impactful, students will participate in various language games designed to reinforce key vocabulary and pronunciation. These games, like Bingo Bahasa, Word Wall Matching, and Syllable Sort, encourage active participation and help learners practise speaking in a supportive and dynamic environment. By repeatedly hearing and saying new words, students improve their pronunciation and start building their conversational skills.
In addition to games, the program includes group activities that foster peer interaction, allowing students to practise words and phrases with their classmates. Teachers will guide learners to use new vocabulary in simple sentences and daily expressions, helping them feel more at ease with speaking in Bahasa Malaysia.
Throughout the term, students will engage in structured exercises where they begin by identifying the Subject (such as “Ali” or “kucing”), then choose a Verb (like "membaca" (read) or "menyanyi" (sing)), followed by selecting an Object to complete the action. The final step, Perluasan (Expansion), adds descriptive details, such as location or time, to enhance the meaning of each sentence. For example, students will learn to create sentences like “Ali membaca buku di perpustakaan” (Ali reads a book in the library), where they can add layers of detail confidently.
This method provides a strong foundation for sentence construction, helping students improve their syntax, grammar, and vocabulary. By focusing on S.K.O.P., we encourage learners to approach writing as a step-by-step process, allowing them to build more complex, engaging sentences with ease. Through interactive activities, group practice, and personal feedback sessions, students will strengthen their writing proficiency and enjoy a greater sense of accomplishment in Bahasa Malaysia.
We are excited to see our Upper Junior School learners develop their writing skills this term, applying S.K.O.P. as they create descriptive, well-structured sentences that showcase their growing confidence and command of the language!
The Lower Junior School learners in Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 will emphasise speaking skills and vocabulary building to lay a strong foundation in the language. Through engaging, interactive word games, students will expand their vocabulary and gain confidence in using Bahasa Malaysia in daily conversations.
To make learning fun and impactful, students will participate in various language games designed to reinforce key vocabulary and pronunciation. These games, like Bingo Bahasa, Word Wall Matching, and Syllable Sort, encourage active participation and help learners practise speaking in a supportive and dynamic environment. By repeatedly hearing and saying new words, students improve their pronunciation and start building their conversational skills.
In addition to games, the program includes group activities that foster peer interaction, allowing students to practise words and phrases with their classmates. Teachers will guide learners to use new vocabulary in simple sentences and daily expressions, helping them feel more at ease with speaking in Bahasa Malaysia.
LOTE Mandarin
Mr Fong and Ms Lin, Junior School LOTE Mandarin Teachers
Looking ahead, we’re excited to celebrate the upcoming Winter Solstice in December. As part of this cultural tradition, students will have the opportunity to make glutinous rice balls (汤圆), a popular treat enjoyed during this festive season. This hands-on activity will not only be a delicious experience but also deepen students’ understanding of Chinese culture and traditions associated with the Winter Solstice.
We look forward to a wonderful term filled with learning, fun, and cultural exploration!
MIDDLE & SENIOR SCHOOL
AISM Reef Conservation Program Update
Christian Ogle, Service Learning Coordinator
The first video, cut, edited, and produced by Matilda Whitaker, offers a quick glimpse into the diverse activities our team took part in. The second video was cut, edited, and produced by Cedric Boudeville. It also spotlights key expedition moments. These videos are just the beginning, as the team will now focus on creating more conservation-centered media to deepen our understanding and appreciation of Malaysia’s precious marine ecosystems. Keep an eye out for more content soon, and join us in supporting reef conservation!
The next Expedition is slated for the April break 2025, although no specific dates have yet been established. If you are a Year 9 to Year 12 student interested in being a Team Member for the next Expedition, or if you are a parent who would like to see your child as a member of the 2025 Team, please contact Mr. Ogle (christiano@aism.edu.my) as soon as possible. There are limited seats available and once the maximum number is confirmed no more students can be added. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference!
WHOLE SCHOOL
Thinking Green
Simon Matheson, Head of Science and Technology
Education plays a pivotal role, with lessons that inspire curiosity and action around global challenges, preparing students to become future advocates for the planet. Healthy eating options and a focus on local, sustainable sourcing add another layer to AISM’s green initiatives, fostering well-being alongside environmental care. Habitat renewal projects also breathe life into native ecosystems, creating spaces where wildlife can thrive and biodiversity is protected.
In the words of David Attenborough, "The natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living." This ethos is mirrored in the vibrant engagement of AISM students, whose enthusiasm for creating sustainable futures shows that our global environment is in good hands. Special thanks to our teacher-led CIS Sustainability steering committee and our student represented Green Teams for building this culture and long-term awareness and action program. Through their innovative ideas and community leadership, the next generation is rising to meet the challenges of climate change and sustainability, proving that thinking green is not just an aspiration—it's a reality.
Pink October Bake Stall
Mrs. Mac & Nurse Alice, Health Services Nurses
Pink October Fun Run
Mrs. Mac & Nurse Alice, Health Services Nurses
At the finish line, a photo booth with a pink-themed banner provided a memorable backdrop, with participants enthusiastically capturing the moment. Refreshments of chilled fruit were available, and each finisher received a medal as a token of accomplishment. The event celebrated fitness, community spirit, and support for a meaningful cause.
AISM 2024 Chess Tournament
Stephanie Rajani, French Teacher and Pastoral Coordinator Stage 5
The final showdown was a gripping match between Year 12 students Derek and Lucas, both displayed remarkable focus and strategic depth. After a series of intense moves, Lucas emerged victorious, claiming the well-deserved first-place title. Congratulations to our winners: Lucas (1st place), Derek (2nd place), and Lukas T. (3rd place).
A big thank you to all students and staff who participated and supported the event. The AISM Chess Tournament has proven to be a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together and celebrate the game of chess. We look forward to more Chess events in the future that encourage strategic thinking, resilience, and friendly competition!
Arrowhead Skills
