2018-19 The High

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August 2018 NEWSLETTER adminhs@issrcambodia.com

Academic Year 2018-19

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all new and returning students, parents and staff to the High School of ISSR, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in building upon the many developments that took place last academic year. At this time last year, there was talk of a move to the present site and at the time it seemed like a very ambitious idea. However due to the careful strategic planning of the directors and the ISSR staff, here we are in what is essentially a new high school. I would like to thank the directors for their vision and continued support to make ISSR one of the premier schools in Siem Reap. The move to the present site marks a turning point in the high school’s development. The campus has been retro-fitted to make it more suitable for secondary level students and the students can now enjoy the more spacious environment. The school population has now increased to over 110 students, and our Year 7 to 9 classes are close to full. We also now have a Y13 A2 level class comprising 7 students. These are positive signs for the future and I look forward to seeing the progress the school makes in the upcoming year.

Team building activities : August 13th 2018 On the first day back at school, the students were welcomed by their tutors and first attended an assembly where new students and teachers were introduced. We also welcomed back our teachers from last year. As is tradition the students participated in a series of team-building activities, and it was very encouraging to see the spirit and enthusiasm of the students as they participated in a series of challenging team events.

Teaching Staff 2018-19 A major part of the success on an international school is determined by the quality of the staff. Due to the expansion of the A-Level Program there are more teachers in the High School this year. We have been very fortunate to have been able to assemble a great groups of teachers to guide our students over the next few years. Our new and existing teachers have an excellent range of skills and experience, and are able to contribute to the academic program of the School in several subjects and at several levels which will assist in the diversity and stability of our curriculum as well as the flexibility of staffing. I will give a brief introduction of the academic staff for the international program in 2018-19. We welcome all new staff and hope that they will have a long and successful association with the School.

Ms. Sarah Jane Harbord (KS3 Coordinator)

KS3/4 English Language KS3/4 English Literature

Dr RaoBondalakunta PhD (HOD Science, Tutor Year 13)

KS3/4 Science KS5 Biology

Ms. Coral van Loggerenberg (HOD English, KS5 Coordinator)

KS3/4/5 English Language KS3/4 Drama

Mr. Jonathan Wilson (Tutor Year 9)

KS3/4 Science KS5 Chemistry Lab Technician

Ms. Gemma Woodburn KS3/4 English as a Second Language

Dr. Giulia Balducci PhD KS5 Chemistry, Physics, Further Mathematics

Ms. Aurore Louis

KS3/4 MFL – French KS4 First Language French

Mr. Manoj Joseph Vaz (KS4 Coordinator)

KS3/4 Mathematics KS4 Ad. Mathematics KS5 Mathematics, Further Mathematics

Mr. Pan Dao Lin KS3/4 MFL – Chinese (Mandarin) KS5 Chinese

Ms. Wei Li (Tutor Year 11)

KS3/4 Mathematics KS4 Add Mathematics

Mr. Philip Craven (HOD Humanities) (Tutor Year 12)

KS3 Humanities KS4/5 History KS4/5 Geography

Mr. Taliv Mo (Cambridge Curriculum Coordinator – IGCSE/AS/A Level)

KS3/4 Art, Design KS3 ICT

Mr. Michael Tait (Tutor Year 8)

KS3 Humanities KS3 Citizenship KS4/5 Business/Travel and Tourism

Mr. Jon MacDonald

KS3 English Language. English as a Second Language KS5 Psychology

Ms. Claudine van Diemen (HOD Sports, Physical Education, PSHE) (Tutor Year 7)

KS3/4/5 Physical Education KS3 PSHE

Dr. Pablo Dobalo PhD (HOD ICT/Computer Science) (Tutor Year 10)

KS3/KS5 ICT KS4/5 Computer Science KS5 Psychology

Mr. Ray Koppelle KS3/4 Music

Refurbishment Each subject area now has a number of dedicated classrooms in which to deliver the lessons. All of the classrooms are equipped with projectors which are linked via laptop to the internet. There are now two Science laboratories and a classroom for teaching theory. There is a combined Art and Design section to enable easy access to both areas for classes. The new ICT Lab is larger and more spacious. The courtyard area continues to be enhanced and it now contains a central area for eating and for presentations and assemblies. There are now areas set up for table tennis, volleyball, badminton, basketball, football and we have a swimming pool. The high school can now offer the types of facilities associated with other international high schools in the region.

Year 9 Checkpoint results Cambridge Checkpoint Examinations for Year 9 assess the students’ progress in English, English as a Second Language, Mathematics and Science. The results indicate whether the students are performing as expected for that age group, or whether they are achieving higher or lower results. Checkpoint scores range from 0.0 to 6.0, the latter being the highest results. Score range: 5.0 – 6.0 Excellent understanding of curriculum content 4.0 – 5.0 Very good understanding of curriculum content 3.0 – 4.0 Sound understanding of curriculum content 2.0 – 3.0 Satisfactory understanding of curriculum content < 2.0 Basic understanding of curriculum content Average Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint scores are as follows:

English (overall) Average score = 4.1 Reading Average score = 4.3 Writing Average score = 3.8 English as a Second Language (overall) Average score = 3.6 Listening Average score = 3.7 Reading Average score = 2.9 Usage Average score = 3.8 Writing Average score = 4.0

Mathematics (overall) Average score = 4.5 Algebra Average score = 4.2 Geometry and measure Average score = 4.8 Handling data Average score = 4.4 Number Average score = 4.5 Science (overall) Average score = 3.6 Biology Average score = 3.9 Chemistry Average score = 3.2 Physics Average score = 3.6 Scientific enquiry Average score = 3.9

IGCSE results The results for the Cambridge IGCSE examinations were issued on August 14th 2018. Our Year 11 students performed extremely well, attaining 85% passes A* - C in the subjects taken. Although the average varies from year to year, the UK equivalent would be approximately 65%. The following students in particular are to be congratulated: Lucas Purnell: 2 A*, 6 A, 1 B grade; Centina Caboor: 3 A*, 2 A, 3 B grades; Gaia Giani: 5 A, 3 B grades; Danesh Mariapan 1A*, 3 A, 4 B grades; Philos Himm 3 A, 4 B grades. Another special mention goes to the following Year 10 students from last year who sat their examinations one year early: Sokcheatong Yem A*, Choi You Jin A* in Foreign Language Mandarin Chinese and Yay Vireakbodh A* Mathematics. News from last academic year A number of events took place last term after the publication of the final newsletter for 2017-18: Year 8 and 9 Otres Expedition (Saturday 16th June until Tuesday 19th June)

A group of 18 year students accompanied by Miss Masa, Miss Hannah, Mr Samnang and Mr Max have spent a wonderful 3 nights/3 days at Otres 2 Beach just outside Sihanoukville. They were lucky enough to stay at an excellent hotel called Otres Resort which is situated on the banks of the Ou Trojak Jet River – a 5 minute walk to the beach and well located for the variety activities planned.

Diary:

On day 1, we had an excellent morning at La-Oh Park where we went ziplining in the jungle canopies. We traveled from one platform to another, from tree to tree, and challenged ourselves through different games such as rope bridges, swinging logs, wood walkways, flying boards and of course zip-lines. We also spent time on the deserted beach there, playing football, posing for photographs, as well as looking out for crabs and other interesting wildlife.

Day 2. An expedition to Otres 2 Beach would not have been complete without a trip to the picturesque beach. Here the students (as well as staff!) competed against each other in the Otres Beach Olympics 2018. They carried out activities such as 100m sprint, long jump and gymnastics. We even had a paddle in the sea and enjoyed taking in the beautiful scenery.

Sihanoukville has a collection of other sights to explore including a large Khmer market and a Pagoda. Students and staff enjoyed touring around the local area in a coach and being given the opportunity to sample some of the local snacks.

On the final evening, we had a good old sing along by the pool and enjoyed eating pizzas and clapping the trip certificate winners.

Thank you to all the staff involved in making this trip possible. Thank you to the Principal, Mr Peter, for giving the Year 8 and Year 9 students the opportunity to take part in this worthwhile expedition.

Finally, thank you to our brilliant students for being fantastic ISSR High School ambassadors, you are a credit to the School and to yourselves.

End of term excursion Students in Years 9 -11 had a relaxing end to the year with a few rounds of mini-golf at Angkor Putt. Mr. Max

Year 7 Trip

The Year 7 students had their camp in Battambang from Sunday 18thto Tuesday 20th June 2018.

Day 1:

On arrival in Battambang the students were booked into the Vimean Sovannaphoum Resort and had

lunch at the Green Orange Café. After lunch students went kayaking down Stung Sangke River and in

the evening they visited the Phare Ponleu Selpak Circus where they enjoyed the show.

Day 2:

Students went on an excursion to Kamping Puoy Reservoir where they did some exploring and had

lunch. They then travelled on to Phnom Sampov to visit the Natural History Museum and Bat Cave.

Day 3:

On the last day students travelled to the famous Bamboo Train Ride followed by lunch at Three Flats Restaurant

before returning to Siem Reap.

The students had a great time and big thank you goes to Dr. Len, Masa and Evelien for taking the students on

the trip.

ECA Program Students were introduced to the extra-curricular programme on August 17th, and once again our talented teachers have offered to run a series of new and interesting ECAs. The aim of extra-curricular activities is to achieve a balance between academic abilities and personal skills and attributes. The teachers in charge of each ECA gave a brief description of the content and value of the activities being offered. ECAs are in four blocks of eight weeks and students are expected to choose a different activity for each block ensuring that they experience at least one ECA under each of the headings of communication, creativity and community. The activities available for Term 1 / Block 1 are as follows: Yoga and Pilates – Ms. Claudine, Photography – Ms. Giulia, International Cookery – Mr. Joseph, Model United nations – Mr. Michael, Chess Club – Dr. Rao, Dance Club – Ms. Liwei, Tai Chi Chuan – Mr. Jonathan, Art in the Open – Mr. Taliv, NGO/Charities Club – Ms, Aurore, High School Band – Mr. Ray, Drama – Ms. Coral. The ECA programme began on August 24th.

International School of Siem Reap

#051, Salakamreuk St., Tropeang Treng Village, Salakamreuk Commune.

PO Box 93169, Siem Reap. Siem Reap Province Cambodia Tel/fax: +855 (0)63 964 983

H/P: +855 (0)12 87 87 82 H/P: +855 (0)81 87 87 82

E-mail: admin@issrcambodia.com www.issrcambodia.com