Newsletter of International School Suva
The last day for our IB students
Ta l a n o a Counselors Corner
Do you remember your last day at school? It is such a significant event and yet the IB examinations which begin today are th e focus and for most of our Year 12 students leaving school does not seem quite real yet. It
06 June, 2014
Volume 4
25 May 2012
Electronic copy available at http://www.international.school.fj/docs/talanoa.pdf Electronic copy available at http://www.international.school.fj/docs/talanoa.pdf
Volume 8
Inside This Issue: * Principal’s Report * International Assembly * National Swim Competition * Hockey Competition
* Chair of Council`s Report * Outdoor Education Trip * Primary PYP * Year 11 & 12 Business Trip
* ISS Production * ISS Library * Primary Perspective * PTFA Articles
Principal’s Report Welcome to the second issue of Talanoa for the term. We are getting to halfway through the year and the school remains as busy as ever. Your school newsletter, the Talanoa comes out twice a term and gives an overview of the highlights throughout the year. This term we were all delighted by the recent school production of The Creepy Addams. Over 100 students took part in the production both in and off stage. This original play, written by our very own Luke Fuller, had us laughing at the dysfunctional Creep and Addams families and their lives became increasingly tangled. Whilst teachers mentor students throughout the production, this is a truly student-led event and I know the students learn a lot about leadership and team work throughout the process. To see them working together is a delight and reminds us all not to underestimate young people. Our thanks go to all the teacher mentors: Alex Karountzos, Angela Mahoney, Ceyen No, Kate Reimann, Neelam Raj, Linda Rushon, Jennifer Liew, Arieta Tora, Regina Mastapha, Michael Khelan, Luke Fuller and Carol Yao. In addition to the two nights of the school production, the school also hosted our International Day Assembly and the PTFA held their annual Quiz and Curry Night this term. The International Day Assembly highlighted the truly international nature of our school community and gave us all a chance to learn a little more about each other, I thank the organizers for this wonderful event. Much fun was had by all at the Quiz and Curry Night with parents and friends of the school coming together to pit themselves against one another. This year this PTFA event was led by Gina Bartlett and we thank her for making it such a fun, and educational, evening. It is with great sadness that I inform you that we will be losing two of our primary teachers early next term. Both Mereoni Rosova and Dinaulu Neilako will be leaving ISS on 25 th July, that is the end of week two in term three, to take up positions in the UAE. Mereoni joined ISS in January 2010 and quickly became known for her creativity and for involving the arts throughout her teaching. Her warm and caring nature have endeared her to the many junior primary students that have passed through her classroom. Dinaulu arrived two years later, in January 2012, from International School Nadi and it was obvious from the beginning that we had employed a teacher well-versed in the IB Primary Years Programme. I would often call into Miss Di’s class and find her surrounded by some of our youngest students reading, singing or working on the whiteboard. Both Mereoni and Dinaulu will be greatly missed by everyone at ISS and on behalf of the entire school I wish them well in this new chapter in their life. Recruitment to fill their positions has already started. Finally, looking forward. Our building is growing and we are now entering a very exciting phase of the construction. It is during this phase that we can see changes taking place daily. The construction team continues to work with absolute respect for the school and the students and all of the ISS-employed construction staff, under the leadership of Ram Bali and Ramesh Narayan, are committed to keep the site clean and safe. We are still planning to open the building in March next year and I am sure this will be associated with a big celebration. On the last day of term, 20th June, at 1.40 pm we will be holding our World Environment Day Assembly in the MPH and next term we will celebrate Fun Day on 2nd August. Preparations for both of these events are well underway. The Council Meet and Greet will be another highlight of the third term and this is planned for 7 pm on 24 th July in the MPH. This will be an informal opportunity for all parents to come and meet the International School Suva School Council.
Anna Marsden Principal