IGBIS Newsletter, Issue 362.

IGBIS Newsletter, Issue 361.

January 12, 2024

IGBIS Newsletter, Issue 363.

February 2, 2024

January 19, 2024

From the Community Liaison

By Karishma McDonald

Dear parents and staff,

As part of our commitment to fostering a vibrant and engaging community at IGBIS, we are thrilled to announce a series of workshops that cater to a variety of interests. We believe these workshops will help create a sense of community and well-being. We invite all parents and staff to participate in these sessions.

A short description of what is on offer:

Zumba (1 hour) - offered by Jacinda Webb, chargeable at RM35 per class payable to provider, open to parents only.
HIIT (45 minutes) - offered twice a week by Jacinda Webb, chargeable at RM 35 per class payable to provider, open to parents & staff.
Parent Empowerment sessions (1 hour) - offered at two different times by one of our IGBIS parents, chargeable at RM 20 per session payable to provider, open to parents only. Every week we will be discussing the struggles that we do not talk about to anyone but ourselves. This workshop is a safe place where no judging or bad vibes.

Potential topics:
1. Who are you and what makes you unique — discover your real identity and how it is manifesting in everything you do
2. Managing multi-potentiality - the different roles we play everyday
3. Sustainability - powering potential yet feel peace with the decisions we make
4. Parenting — how to make your children understand your point of view without losing your cool and collective self and vice-versa
5. Mental Health — how to see the challenges as a hidden blessing rather than a glaring breakdown

Maybe in subsequent sessions, we can ask parents and have an open conversation and deep engagement about topics relevant to them.
Yoga for Beginners (1 hour) - offered by Mr Foo, chargeable at RM350 for package of 10 classes, or RM45 per drop-in session. Payable to provider, open to parents only.
Intermediate Yoga (1 hour) - offered by Mr Foo, chargeable at RM350 for package of 10 classes, or RM45 per drop-in session. Payable to provider, open to parents only.
English for Adult Learners (90 mins - 2 hours per session) - cost will depend on number of learners and number of sessions - chargeable and payable to provider (MOST LIKELY British Council), open to parents only.
Boardgames (1 hour+) - these are not your average monopoly/scrabble/ludo boardgames - come discover the world of modern tabletop gaming! Try out favourites like Wingspan, Terraforming Mars, Kingdomino, Carcassonne, Azul and more! FREE, open to parents & staff.
Craft Workshops (??) - this signup is to gauge interest. Want to learn something new? Like candle-making, watercolour art, pottery, crochet? We can form a group and find a provider together! These sessions may be held in school or at an external provider, open to parents & staff.

We are always happy to entertain requests for activities - we will make them happen if logistics allow! Please fill out the space in the form if you would like to suggest a feasible activity OR you can email me at karishma.mcdonald@igbis.edu.my with your recommendations!

Please indicate your interest(s) in the form below:

https://forms.gle/mTgLdpUSwLu3nZUe9

Parents Activities, Events & Workshops Schedule

Parents-Activities-Events-Workshops-Schedule-2-4

From the Counselling Team

Finding time to sit and write something for the weekly newsletter can be challenging. However, with this month's mental health topic of Self-Compassion, I am choosing to look at it as an exercise to practise reframing unhelpful thinking. When learning the skills connected to self compassion we need to focus on catching the negative thoughts and turning these into positive statements. Rather than thinking ‘what is the point, not many people are reading what I write’, this week I have chosen to think ‘I know that there are some people who read every part of every newsletter, every week, and these people do value what is shared.

Today at the January Coffee with the Counsellors we explored the monthly Mental Health topics of Self Compassion and Perfectionism. We explored mindfulness, self-kindness and connection as the important elements of self-compassion. We engaged in activities that build connections and learned a lot more about what it means to be mindful. So at this moment, I am choosing to be mindful and use writing this article as a form of journaling. I am happy to celebrate and share that this morning's Coffee with the Counsellors was a great learning and community-building opportunity. A very big thank you to those who were able to attend. Here is a link to the slides.

Have a great weekend!

Best Regards

The Counselling Team

John Schuster (ES) john.schuster@igbis.edu.my

Leanne Harvey (MS) leanne.harvey@igbis.edu.my

Amanda Lopez (HS) amanda.lopez@igbis.edu.my

IGBIS STEM Magazine - Issue 1

This is Chloe Lee from Grade 10, and I am delighted to announce that the official first issue of the IGBIS STEM Magazine has been published!

The STEM Magazine club was created to bring the scientific minds of IGBIS together while allowing student members to foster their love for science and talent for writing. The magazine aims to cultivate the MYP community’s interest in STEM fields and spread awareness of how significant STEM truly is to our society.

From the start of the first semester until December, student members of the STEM Magazine club wrote articles on the theme of “We”, focusing on the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics that surround us in daily life that we have never questioned.

The first Issue can be read here, and the link to the STEM Magazine website is here. After you read, the issue, it would be extremely helpful if you fill out this form to make the magazine even better.

If you want to join us in our STEM journey, please sign up for the STEM Magazine club on Wednesday afternoons!

Terry Fox Run 2024

Hi everyone!

It’s Maloé and Wen Yi, and we are back for the Terry Fox Run 2024!!

We held this run at the beginning of the year, and we will be doing so again on the 16 February 2024 (Friday). This year the run will be a little different as it will be held in the evening from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

For those of you who were not here during the first run. The Terry Fox Run is an event in which you run/walk 3.2 km (8 laps) around the field. All the money that we raise goes to Cancer Research Malaysia, which is a company that is in liaison with the Terry Fox Foundation. At the end of our run last year, we managed to raise RM9,650! This year we are planning to raise the same amount or even more!

To join the run, you have to place a donation. You can donate as much as you want, but if you donate anything over RM35, you will receive a shirt designed by Ryan Reynolds from the Terry Fox Foundation.

Please sign up with this link, and any donation is greatly appreciated.

Here are some other links that you may find helpful:

IGBIS Terry Fox Run Websites

Terry Fox Foundation

Cancer Research Malaysia

IGBIS Aquathlon 2023

On 14 December 2023, cheers of “Go Aer," " Ignis," "Terra!” and “Aqua!” echoed through the school campus. Students from Grade 6 all the way to Grade 12 participated in an internal annual tradition that the IGBIS community has come to love: the Aquathlon. The Aquathlon, an event dedicated to showcasing students’ athletic abilities and promoting fitness and wellness, is comprised of a range of events: the short course, a 50-metre swim and a lap of the car park; the middle course, a 100-meter swim and 2 laps of the car park; and the long course, a jaw-dropping 200-metre swim and 3 laps of the car park. Whilst winning will never come above the importance of team spirit and the promotion of fitness, we would like to congratulate Terra on coming first, barely edging out Aqua for the win.

As the Aquathlon for 2023/2024 comes to an end, we would like to congratulate every student who has participated. Lastly, we would like to give our most sincere gratitude to Ms.Powell and her P.H.E. team for organising and running this wonderful event.

Written by Russell Ooi, a Grade 12 student

Future Planning Weekly Update

Highlights of the Week

SAVE THE DATES: Upcoming Events

Wednesday, 31 January 2024: What’s Next? Wednesday Session: The Undeclared & The Gap Year - Is your student lost on what course or major to study? This session will highlight different locations around the world that love undecided students, as well as ways to support you and your student & that lost feeling. As an extension to being “undecided” we will also explore the idea of taking a Gap year - what it actually is, and how it might be the best fit for you and your student.
University Fair hosted by UKEC:

- Tuesday, 23 January 2024
- 9:30 am - 10:00 am
- MYP and DP/CP Lounge

Parents are always welcome and encouraged to attend! Join us as we host 11 Universities from the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong and Macau

A very big thank you to UKEC for coordinating this event for IGBIS! A list of attending universities is HERE.

For Grade 12s

A Reminder About Semester Grades vs. Anticipated Grades

The semester grade indicates how you have done in the past semester.

The anticipated grade is a projection of what the teacher thinks one will score on the final IB exam.

So, these are NOT the same grades in what they are representing and communicating.

They may be the same number, for example, a 6 on the Semester Report and a 6 for the anticipated grade, but what each number measures and indicates is very different.

January anticipated grades will be made available to students via Unifrog today! Friday, 19 January 2024.

University Applications in January

UCAS - applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Note that any applications paid for and submitted on 31 January, which is the UCAS deadline, are not guaranteed to be processed on the same day, which means your application will not be submitted on time. Please remember, there is one of me and 26 of you, and it takes time to process each application.

US/Common Application Mid-Year Reports

All mid-year reports have been submitted as of today, Friday, 15 December 2024 - yay!

I Want to Celebrate YOU

Students, as you receive university acceptances, PLEASE let me know! I want to celebrate you!

Grades 9, 10 and 11 Future Planning Sessions

Grade 9 - Our Grade 9 Future Planning Session will begin on Wednesday, 31 January 2024 in Grade 9 Core & Study Hall. Our first session will kick off with a review of credits, and students will complete a credit check. Starting in February, students will be onboarded to Unifrog, and we will begin our future planning research!
Grade 10 - Our next lesson will be on Monday, 22 January 2024
Grade 11 - We had our 4th lesson this past Tuesday during AMP. YOu can find the slides HERE.
- Our next lesson will run through Study Block on 01 February, 02 February and 06 February 2024

Unifrog Stuff

Upcoming opportunities for your students

Global Citizen Year - A gap year with a purpose! Global Citizen Year runs learning programmes for young people around the world, making an impact working alongside organisations advancing human rights issues. Your students are invited to apply for the first programme, which lasts for one semester based in Cape Town, South Africa. Learn about the programme (view platform as a student)
University College Leuven-Limburg (30 January 2024) - Join this online webinar to learn about studying Business Management & Computer Science at UCLL in Leuven - voted European Capital of Innovation '20, European City of Sport '21, and Top 40 Best Student Cities in the World for International Students '24. Meet staff, current students, and alumni to find out about English-taught bachelor programmes and future international career opportunities. Share webinar with your students.
Breda University of Applied Sciences (08 February 2024) - Learn what it's like to study in the Netherlands and at BUas on their Digital Discovery Day. Find out about their bachelor's programmes in Built Environment, Data Science and AI, Facility, Games, Hotel, Leisure and Events, Logistics, Media, and Tourism. Share webinar with your students.
Studying in the Netherlands (23 January 2024) - Your students are invited to this joint webinar hosted by Avans, BUas, Fontys, HZ, and Saxion to learn about the different types of universities in the Netherlands. Share webinar with your students.

And a reminder to check out the new Courses tool!

Info, Opportunities, & Resources

Ritsumeikan University Virtual Info Session:

Did you know that Ritsumeikan University offers 5 English-medium undergraduate programs in the fields of Liberal Arts, Asia-Pacific Affairs, International Relations, Policy Science, and Information Science and Engineering. In 2025, we are scheduled to launch a new program in Gastronomy Management.

Join our webinar to learn more and get answers about the University and the application process.

27 Januray 2024, 12:00 pm

Open Days and Admission at Windesheim, the Netherlands

During the coming months, we organise several (online) activities for your students, so they can learn more about our English-taught bachelor's programmes in (sustainable) business.

Our business programmes include internships, study abroad, group work, practical assignments and small classes (20 students).

International Business for students with a broad interest in business, with lots of freedom to specialise.
Global Project and Change Management: a business programme focusing on sustainability (the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations are the core of the programme).

Learn more about our programmes and join an (online) Open Day, Webinar, or make a personal appointment on your preferred date (for international students only). Our options:

Open Day on Campus: Friday, 26 January 2024 >> Book your place
Webinar, organised by our partner Begin Group >> Register here
Online Open Day, Tuesday, 09 April 2024. Registration will open as of 1 February
Open Day on Campus: Friday, 12 April 2024. Registration will open as of 1 February
Chat with our current students: contact one of our students to learn about their experiences. They are happy to tell you everything about their study programme, living in Zwolle, and the Dutch culture.
Personal appointment: contact ib@windesheim.nl (for students interested in International Business) or honourscollege@windesheim.nl (for students interested in Global Project and Change Management)

Students Speak: Discover Your Path in Creative Arts at HKBU

In the School of Creative Arts, there is a wide range of programmes across various majors that enable students to develop their professional skill set and cultivate their unique style. Join us in this session as we will bring you firsthand experiences and insights from students who have embarked on their creative arts journey at HKBU. Discover their stories and the unique opportunities they have encountered along the way, and be inspired to find your own path in this dynamic field.

Date: Thursday, 25 January 2024

Time: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm (Hong Kong time) (show in your time zone)

Format: Online via Zoom

Language: English

Registration:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6517047661760/WN_jJX-s9-RSZWZJQtErkpbCg

iCLA's Upcoming Virtual Open Campus

It is with great pleasure that I am writing to invite you and your students to iCLA's upcoming virtual open campus event for international students on Saturday, 03 February 2024.

As part of our interactive online open campus, your students can:

Take part in a live demo lesson with Global Business and Economics Professor Dachen Sheng.
Take a campus tour
Hear directly from iCLA students about life on campus
Get information on applying to iCLA

Pre-registration is required and can be completed by heading to this page.

We are running two sessions on the day, from 10:00 am - 11:45 am and 2:00 pm - 3:45 pm Japan time (+9 GMT).

We are very excited to be holding this event as applications are open now for our Fall 2024 intake. Please see below for the deadline:

Fall 2024 intake (September start)

Application deadline Monday, 15 April 2024.

EICAR Online Open House / Saturday, 20 January 2024 - 3:00 pm (French time)

Access the Open House HERE.

From the Sunny Jain Newsletter - For undergraduate and postgraduate applicants (ages 12 - 25):

Harvard: The History of Foreign-Trained Physicians in the US: This is an event that is perfect for both Medical and History students. Learning how Physicians from around the world applied their practices and learnt in the US is a fascinating topic and could provide insights that medicine students would likely not find in a textbook. It is free to sign up and is being hosted online by a Harvard PhD expert. The name alone is enough to command attention on a CV. 18 January 2024, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm.

Oxford AI Ethics Seminar: Taking place during standard lunch hours, this is a phenomenal opportunity for those interested in Philosophy, Computer Science or Politics. Providing a deep dive into how states are using technology, including AI to break down borders, whilst also potentially violating human rights. If you want to see where this field is going this is an opportunity to talk and listen to people who are well beyond the basics. If students want to push themselves, this is the way to do it. 24 January 2024, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm.

LSE Solidarity Economics Panel: For those who are interested in social sciences, this is the standout event for you to attend this month. This talk is by definition rebellious- it is challenging the standard economic status quo about people acting selfishly. If you want to extend your knowledge beyond what is taught in the classroom, this is a great place to start. With authors and professors suggesting a bold vision for the future, this is also a great way to express interest in a career based on helping others. 23 January 2024, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Best Video Highlights:

Entrance Exams for UK universities: We know that a whole new wave of students is starting to look into courses and university choices for their 2024 application. We also understand that this is a stressful process. In this video, we discuss something that a lot of students overlook: entrance exams. Whilst most courses do not require entrance tests, additional exams have been slowly increased for certain universities beyond Oxford, Cambridge and Medicine courses. In this video, I introduce these tests and discuss what students need to do to prepare.

IB Exam Preparation: Many final-year students will be doing their IB exams in a matter of months. In this video, we run through the best ways to prepare for these exams. Implementing some of these tips now can save students hours of work and stress in the long run. We run over learning concepts such as the revision curve and discuss when and how you should start revision.

Choices, Choice Choices: In this video, we discuss some of the fundamental things students need to consider when picking which UK universities they should apply to. While some people might think it is as simple as just looking at the league table, this leaves out some fundamental factors students should think about. We extend the discussion by talking about things such as clearing, grade requirements and so much more.

EducationUSA Malaysia

As the NEW calendar year begins, we are excited to be working with you and your students again.

Our team has a series of events planned throughout the year that we look forward to sharing in the coming months. Beginning this Saturday, 20 January 2024 from 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm, EducationUSA is introducing its Weekend Info Session, covering the intricacies of pursuing higher education in the United States. Topics include:

Navigating the U.S. College Admissions Process (20 January 2024)
Student Visa Process and Preparing for Student Life in the U.S. (17 February 2024)
Career Planning and Opportunities for International Students (16 March 2024)

For registration and more information, please visit https://mereka.io/experience/edusa_weekend

On 07 March 2024, we will be hosting a "Study in Wisconsin" session in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. More details to come.

Join Virtual Open Week at Constructor University (Germany)

Your students and their families are invited to the Constructor University Virtual Open Week next week starting on Monday, 22 January 2024!

What is Virtual Open Week?

From 22 January 2024 to 24 January 2024, students and their families will get the chance to connect with recruitment counsellors, meet current students, attend a faculty lecture, and even explore Constructor University and Bremen from the comfort of home!

Join us for info sessions via Zoom with our knowledgeable recruitment counsellors who can answer questions, no matter if it is big or small.

And be sure to follow us on Instagram so you can get a notification when we are live for our Bremen city tour and Campus tours!

From UKEC

Worth a Read…

This article on how to deal with disappointment

University of the Week

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), South Africa

Embark on a unique educational journey with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)!

University Overview: Located in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, NMMU is a vibrant South African institution that embraces diversity, innovation, and community engagement. Despite being lesser known globally, it stands out for its commitment to excellence and social impact.

Key Features:

Diverse Student Community: NMMU boasts a multicultural campus, bringing together students from various backgrounds and fostering a global learning environment.
Cutting-Edge Facilities: State-of-the-art laboratories, research centers, and collaborative spaces enhance the academic experience.
Focus on Sustainability: The university actively promotes environmental sustainability and community development through its initiatives.

Why NMMU?

Explore a wide range of programs, from Arts and Sciences to Business and Engineering.
Engage in community service projects and make a positive impact on society.
Embrace a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Notable Programmes:

Bachelor of Environmental Science
Bachelor of Arts in Media, Communication, and Culture
Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics

Ready to discover academic excellence in South Africa? Unlock the potential of a lesser-known gem and broaden your horizons with NMMU!

#UniversitySpotlight #NMMUSouthAfrica

Career of the Week

Ethnobotanist

Ever dreamt of a career exploring the fascinating relationship between plants and cultures? Dive into the world of Ethnobotany!

Overview:

Ethnobotanists study the connections between plants and people, delving into traditional knowledge, medicinal uses, and cultural significance. They play a crucial role in conservation, sustainable practices, and understanding the biodiversity of our planet.

Skills Needed:

Passion for plants and cultural diversity
Research and analytical skills
Knowledge of ecology and traditional medicine
Continuous learning and collaboration

Universities Offering Related Programmes:

University of Kent (UK): Ethnobotany MSc
University of Hawaii at Manoa (USA): Ethnobotany Certificate Program
University of the Ryukyus (Japan): Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology Course

Why Ethnobotany?

Bridge science and culture, contributing to global biodiversity conservation
Explore traditional plant uses and medicinal properties
Opportunities for fieldwork and collaboration with indigenous communities

Ready to uncover the secrets of our botanical heritage? Embark on a lesser-known but impactful career as an Ethnobotanist!

#CareerSpotlight #Ethnobotany

Popular Resources and FAQs

Questions, Support, and Help

Amanda Lopez

Grades 9 - 12 Universities Counselling & Social/Personal Counselling

To schedule an appointment -

Parents - https://calendly.com/lopez-igbis/parent-community-meeting

Students - https://bit.ly/IGBHSCounselor

Email - amanda.lopez@igbis.edu.my

Follow Us on Instagram, Facebook and our In-house Counselling Website

It is about time we joined Social Media, so please follow us!

The IGBIS Counselling Team is now on social media and we will highlight all things counselling, which includes future planning information, resources, and events coverage.