Arusha Campus News – 18 Aug 18

In spite of the chilly weather in Arusha, there has been plenty to warm the heart at ISMAC this week. Our new students and teachers have found their feet and it already seems like we have been back for ages. Co-Curricular Activities (CCA’s) start next week and I would like to thank Mr Ratsakatika, our new Head of PE, for getting the CCA sign-up accomplished so smoothly. Also a big thank you to our CCA leaders who have volunteered to run activities this quarter.

My word for the year which I shared at the opening assembly was Responsibility and in this formative year in ISM’s history (boarding and UWC potentially being introduced to Arusha Campus) I think that if we can demonstrate this attribute, we won’t go too far wrong. Yesterday’s share time (pictured above) involved a very public telling off to Martin, Dalida, Zarine, Finn and Mr Phil by Miss Amanda for demonstrating IR-responsible behaviour. We must do better!

Miss Liz taught us about how to be responsible with our litter and showed us which bins to use for which waste products. Hopefully we won’t produce too much waste in the first place!

Finally, an appeal. Each month, our fabulous PTA organise the end of month Friday market at ISMAC. However, fewer and fewer parents and teachers have been attending and the continuation of this event is in doubt. I think that would be a shame as our market has come to be more than just a market but also a social get-together which is goof for our community. So, if you don’t want the event to die, PLEASE come along on Friday 31st for our next market and support our vendors and PTA – they do a fabulous job!

Have a super weekend!

Phil

We have successfully navigated our way through the first week of the 2018-19 academic year. It has been a busy week, with lots of activities and getting back into school routines.

Primary Focus

The primary school has some new, and familiar, faces this year. Our primary teaching team for 2018-19 are below. Listed below are also the times for the P1-P6 welcome meetings which will take place this coming week:
EC – Liz Acomb, who is also PYP Coordinator
P1 – Alley Weston (Thursday 23 August @ 08.00)
P2 – Carmen Maarschalk (Friday 24 August @ 08.00)
P3 – Marcel Gulpers – new to ISM this year and also teaching Dutch (Friday 24 August @ 08.00)
P4/5 – Shaheen Suleman – new to ISM this year (Friday 24 August @ 08.40)
P5/6 – Amanda Bowen (Tuesday 21 August @ 08.00)

The class teachers will be ready to welcome your children in their classrooms each day from 07.45, with the school day starting at 08.00.

If you have questions regarding academic aspects within the PYP (EC-P6) please contact Liz Acomb via liza@ismac.ac.tz. Liz has her office next to the school nurse.
Please remember to ensure that your child(ren) have all they need for school on Monday, including their ISM t-shirt, water bottle and hat.

Secondary Focus

In Secondary we also have some new staff joining us:

Chris Haske – MYP & DP Art and MYP Design
Ruth Haske – Whole school SEN
Tanya Ellis – MYP Science and DP Biology
David Ratsakatika – MYP PE and CCAs
Evans Temi – MYP Individuals & Societies
Peter Schutte – MYP & DP Mathematics

We wish them well as they start the new academic year.

This week has been busy for all, not least our new D1 students. We have fifteen students in D1, with eight of these being new to ISM. We hope that they all settle quickly into their courses and into life at ISM.

In MYP Design, students have been working in groups to build the tallest structures they can with limited materials (see picture above). At their disposal they have 20 pieces of spaghetti, 1 meter of tape, 1 meter of string, and one marshmallow. The structure that can hold the marshmallow the highest will be the all time reigning champion of the world. We are part way through the challenge; we will announce the winners next week.

Darren

On Tuesday 21 August, there will be an MYP information session after school.

At 2:30 pm, there is a general MYP information session for families new to the MYP. Everyone is welcome but this session is mainly for M1 parents and new families in M2-M5.
From 3:00 to 3:40 pm, parents will have an opportunity to meet with teachers and tutors.
At 3:40 pm, there is an eAssessment information session at 3:40 pm which is for M5 students and M5 parents.

Please see the full schedule for this information session below:

The start of the new year has brought many changes to our Early Childhood environment. Not only do we have our first cohort of two year olds, we also have two new areas in our playground. The bicycle track has been a real hit this week, with the students discussing the “Rules of the track” and they have started plans to make the area even better.

We also created a fundi workshop with real tools (see picture below). The work that has been going on in this area has been great to watch: – planning their designs, using the tools and using great communication and cooperation skills. We look forward to observing what happens in the coming months.

If anyone has any old sit on vehicles, bicycles or scooters they would like to donate please see Liz Acomb or email her on

liza@ismac.ac.tz

Thank you

Kajuni (right) takes a break from academics to take the scooter out for a spin on the new track!

Our Outdoor Pursuits programme will start soon for the new school year. In Quarter 1, we start with our introductory levels which will allow students to get the required experience before continuing with the higher levels. Following the success of the trial of the mountain biking trips last year, we will continue offering mountain biking as part of the OP programme. We encourage everyone to get involved in this longstanding ISM programme.  OP trips for Quarter 2 will be presented shortly.

Mesula Organic Fruit and Vegetables are regular vendors at our Friday Market at ISMAC. The good news is that Mesula have agreed to come to ISMAC EVERY MONDAY and Friday with fruit and veg. Please come along and purchase your greens for the week from 1.30pm on the grass at the front of school. This new service starts Monday 20th August.
Karibuni Wote.