IGBIS Newsletter, Issue 370.

IGBIS Newsletter, Issue 369.

March 15, 2024

IGB International School Partners with FirstPoint USA to Offer Unparalleled Scholarship Opportunities

March 27, 2024

March 22, 2024

From the Elementary Principal

By Simon Millward

We had a wonderful start to this week as our Grade 2s showcased their learning in the Elementary assembly. They packed a lot into a short space of time.

Context for learning is always very important and our Grade 2 students shared how they had been learning about Maths in real life. They have been learning about ‘time’ and they gave examples of what elements of time they have been learning about and why it is important.

They also shared about the importance of estimation in regards to measurement. They taught us about the different measuring tools they have been using like metre and centimetre rulers as well as trundle wheels for measuring over a larger distance- counting the clicks after each metre.

They have also been learning about money and they had the scenario of planning a grade 2 party with a budget of RM 1000 (which certainly seemed like it was going to be a great party with that much to spend!)

Going beyond measurement they have been focusing on multiplication and division within the ‘Number’ strand. It was pleasing to hear them sharing all of the strategies that they have been using to solve a variety of maths problems.

Talking about problems, but in a different context, the Grade 2s have been writing stories. They have been considering what the problems are that set the stage for their stories and considering what the solutions are.

In literacy, they have been engaging with nonfiction texts as well. They shared the features of nonfiction text and shared how these differ from fiction.

As they have been writing their own non-fiction texts they shared these as well.

The Grade 2s showed us how they can think like and be like scientists when they gave a sneak peek into their How The World Works- Forces unit. They shared their learning about buoyancy, friction, gravity and air resistance. They even sang a forces song to us!

In design, they engaged in air pressure experiments and it was amazing to see the variety of hands-on learning that is taking place to delve deeper into forces.

One of the most impactful elements of the assembly was sharing the story of ‘Bucket Filling’. The idea is to not only fill your own imaginary bucket but someone else’s too. If you say or do something kind and make someone feel special, you add to a bucket. You add to their bucket and yours, as you both feel good about what has happened, both giving and receiving. On the other hand, there may be bucket dippers, people who say or do things that are unkind. There is a misunderstanding: you cannot fill your own bucket by making someone feel sad. So rather than bucket dipping everyone should fill others buckets- this will make the world a much happier place. You can do this by smiling at someone, you could write a thank you note to someone like your teacher, you can even spend time with someone and that counts too. There are many ways to fill peoples buckets and anyone young or old can do it.

So go ahead and fill someone's bucket today!

Our Social Council organised a spring dance on Friday, 22 March 2024. This was a great way to help people smile, have fun and enjoy themselves. They were obviously trying to fill lots of buckets.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday next week. Safe travels and we will see you back to school on Monday, 01 April 2024 which is Day 3.

Stoke City FC Academy Coach Visit

We are having the Stoke City FC Academy Coach visit us in April for a week. Have fun and have skill-building football lessons during PE classes and after-school sessions, from 15 April to 19 April 2024. We have a few sessions catering for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Be on the lookout for Afternoon Demo Sessions registration, which will be available through SchoolsBuddy by then. No registration is required for PE classes, as students will have the opportunity to join during their scheduled class times.

IGBIS Partners with FirstPoint USA to Offer Scholarship Opportunities

We are proud to announce our partnership with FirstPoint USA, a scholarship agency renowned globally for its dedication to supporting student-athletes. FirstPoint USA has facilitated scholarship funding exceeding RM 1.4 billion approximately ($ 300 million USD) for more than 35,000 aspiring athletes since its establishment in 2001.

Certified by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) and boasting a vast network encompassing 2,500 colleges and universities, FirstPoint USA stands as a beacon of opportunity for individuals seeking to further their academic and athletic pursuits.

Our school became the sole school partner of FirstPoint USA in Malaysia, heralding a new era of possibilities for student-athletes in Malaysia. To mark this partnership, FirstPoint USA representatives will visit our school from 07 May to 10 May 2024 offering football trials and insightful presentations on sports scholarships to students aged 15 and above.

Tentative Visit Schedule:

Day 1 - 07 May 2024, Tuesday

Football Trial – 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm (Open only to external students)
Register for the session HERE
Swimming Scholarships at US Universities - 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Day 2 - 08 May 2024, Wednesday

Lunchtime “Drop” Session for IGBIS Students
Football Trial – 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm (Open only to IGBIS students)
Register for the session HERE
Sports Scholarships at US Universities – 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

MRISA Membership

We are thrilled to announce that IGBIS has been accepted into the Mekong River International Schools Association. MRISA is made up of schools from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and now Malaysia. One of the key reasons for our desire to gain membership in this specific conference can be understood direction through their Mission statement:

MRISA exchanges, conferences and tournaments for students will place emphasis on cooperation among students and wide participation by students, rather than on competition and winning.

The sports programme at IGBIS shares this mission to get as many students involved as possible, with winning being only a small part of the greater picture of what kids learn through competition.

Historically, MRISA has been made up of 6 schools, and their desire to expand to 8 schools has provided the opportunity for IGBIS to be voted in as a member. Schools rotate hosting sporting events at both the High School and Middle School level in basketball, football and volleyball. Additionally one school hosts an Art Exchange each year, with plans to offer an additional event next year.

Being a part of this conference will provide our students the opportunity to travel to Southeast Asian countries to compete in sports and take part in the Arts exchange. More importantly is the chance for our kids to expand their cultural horizons while meeting kids from other schools and various countries, making new friends and strengthening bonds with their own teammates.

Want more information about MRISA? Come join us at the PVO room on Friday, 05 April 2024 from 8:15 am to 9:15 am, where we will provide further details of the conference, how we will choose travel teams, travel expectations, and answer any questions you might have. Hope to see you there!

MCF - IGBIS National Inter School Team Chess Championship 2024

Partnering with the Malaysian Chess Federation (MFC), we are thrilled to announce that our school is hosting the National Inter School Team Chess Championship 2024 on 11 May and 12 May 2024. This historic event, aligned with FIDE's World School Team Championship, aims to crown Malaysia's top Primary and Secondary Chess Schools.

Team Composition and Eligibility Criteria:

The tournament welcomes all registered Malaysian schools
Primary schools - players must be under the age of 12 years old
Secondary schools - players must be under the age of 18 years old
Each school is allowed to field a team of at least 4 main players, with a maximum of 2 reserve players
Co-ed schools - at least 1 main player must be of the opposite gender

Fees Payment:

State team - RM 250 per team (to be submitted by state association)
Open entries - RM 50 (required for schools to submit their forms), non-refundable
Selected team - additional RM 350 (when the application is accepted to enter the tournament)

Tournament Details:

Limited to 64 primary and 64 secondary school teams
IGBIS(our school) is given a slot each
Each state chess association can nominate up to 2 primary and 2 secondary schools
The remaining slots (33 each) are filled through open entries
Open-entry teams are selected based on the top 33 average rating points of the best 4 players
Unrated players are assigned a default rating of 1400
Additional open slots are possible if state associations nominate fewer teams

The prize fund for each school category is RM3,000 in total. The champion receives RM1,000, the runner-up gets RM800, and the third-place team gets RM600. Additionally, there's a special prize of RM600 for the top all-girls chess team in the tournament.

There are limited slots available, so hurry to register by 26 April 2024. The final list of playing schools will be selected and announced by 01 May 2024.

Scan the QR codes below for the tournament’s Overview, Rules & Regulations, and Registration Form.

Parents Activities, Events & Workshops Schedule

Parents-Activities-Events-Workshops-Schedule-1-1

Future Planning Weekly Update

Highlights of the Week

It has been 2 weeks since our last “Weekly” update - thank you for your patience and grace as Ms. Amanda has been out on professional development.

Save the Dates for April Counselor Events

Friday, 19 April 2024 - Coffee with the Counsellors: April Edition - Transitions

Wednesday, 24 April 2024 - What’s Next? Sessions: How to Apply to University

Past Presentations & Coffee Mornings

Our March What’s Next? Session took place this past Wednesday, 20 March 2024. Access the slides here.

Parents and students can access all past information sessions and coffee mornings HERE.

For Grade 12s

University Decisions Rolling In!

Students, as you receive university decisions, PLEASE let me know!

And PLEASE UPDATE YOUR UNIFROG

Whether the decisions are a decline, deferral, or acceptance, I would like to celebrate you for all of your bravery and hard work.

How to Prepare for Exams Unifrog Webinar

Exams can be daunting, but effective revision can help cure some exam nerves and set you up for success! Join this webinar to hear some top tips from a Cambridge student, plus our very own Wellbeing Officer, Charlotte, on how to revise effectively and excel in exam season.

Monday, 25 March 2024 @ 5:00 pm UK time - Sign up & attend in your Unifrog Account.

Grades 9, 10 and 11 Future Planning Sessions

Grade 9 - Our Unifrog onboarding session took place on Tuesday, 5 March 2024 during Study Hall. Access the slides HERE.
Grade 10 - Course selections are done! Our next session will be on 8 May 2024 and we will begin planning for Grade 11!
Grade 11 - Our 8th lesson was held on Tuesday, 12 March 2024 during AMP, and we took a hard, and reflective look at our activities list and CVs in preparation for uni applications. Access the slides and information HERE.

Worth a Read

Reinstating Tests Is a Step Back for Access

Unifrog Stuff

Unifrog Parent Access - From the What's Next? session last Wednesday, a couple of parents asked for Unifrog Parent Access. If you would like to have a parent account on Unifrog, please follow the steps below:

Go to www.unifrog.org/code
On the right side of the page look for the grey box that says "Been given a Sign-up Code" - click on that
The Sign-up Code is IGBIS_parent
Then complete the remaining information
Accept the Terms and Agreements
Choose if you want to sign up to receive the Parent Newsletter (I suggest you do, it's always got good stuff). If you do select yes, you will then indicate the grade level(s) of your student(s)
You are in!

Unifrog University Fair

A free virtual event taking place on Wednesday, 24 April 2024, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Hong Kong Time, exclusively for students in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, here's a reminder of what to expect at this virtual event.

What they will learn

How to choose the right university - Attend live sessions on studying in the US, Canada or UK, scholarship opportunities, and societies and extracurricular activities.
How to choose the right subject - Panellists will share what it's really like to study subjects including computer science, engineering, and business.
How to apply successfully - Expert tips on Common App essays for US colleges, personal statements for UK universities, and how to get into selective universities.

Who they will meet

Your students can connect directly with international universities including Imperial College London (UK), Breda University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), John Cabot University (Italy), University of Illinois, Springfield (USA), Middlesex University (Dubai), and Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

From The College Essay Guy

March Resources

9th-graders

Four-year course planner: Sign up for sophomore-year classes, and remember that you’re developing a long-term plan for the next three years. Ask your counsellor about dual-enrollment opportunities with your local community college.
Identify some summer programs you’re interested in: Browse through options for day programs, residential programs, and online options that match an interest you would like to pursue.

10th-graders

College App & Admissions Timeline: These resources and calendars will help you stay on track.
Sign up for junior year classes: Remember that you want to challenge and balance.

11th-graders

How to Create a College List (with tracking spreadsheet): It’s go-time. This is a perfect time to pick up the pace on building your college list with these resources.
Keep building your college list:
- College List Building Resources for FGLI students
- ScholarMatcher: Awesome search tool for low-income/first-gen students
- The Hundred-Seven and College Equity Index: Excellent resources for Black students
- College Advising for Undocumented Students
- I’m First: Resource for first-generation college students and their families
- Tips and Campus Pride: Resources for the LGBTQ+ community
- Women’s colleges: Seven reasons you should consider a single-sex school
- HBCUs and TCUs: Essential tips when considering one of these institutions committed to serving underrepresented students
- American Indian College Fund: List and descriptions of tribal colleges and universities
- AICAD: List of 42 colleges of art and design that allows you to search by major and by region.

12th-graders

How to understand your financial aid award letters: Make a spreadsheet to compare financial aid packages from multiple schools.
Appealing financial aid: If you’ve been accepted to college but the financial aid package isn’t what you’d hoped, read through this guide and listen to this podcast as you plan your appeal.
Making your final college choice: Plan visits to colleges where you’re accepted (if needed) in order to make your final college choice. And revisit your original Corsava preferences to see how your college options measure up.
What to do if you’re deferred or waitlisted: Review your application and determine whether you want to write a letter of continued interest.

What Colleges are Looking for in 2024, How Admissions Decisions are Made, College Admissions Timeline, & more

As we head into spring, here is some fresh new content inspired by our new What Colleges Want podcast series.

What College Admissions Looks Like in 2024, Part 1

What College Admissions Looks Like in 2024, Part 2

The Real Reason Students Get into Selective Colleges

Applying to Highly Selective Colleges & Universities with the College Essay Guy

With Tom Campbell (former Pomona College Admissions Officer)

When: 11 April - 25 April (or watch On Demand)

Here is a peek at what we're covering:

What are selective colleges looking for?
Why might students consider applying to a highly selective college?
Why are they so competitive, and how can students stand out?
How different are the application processes and priorities at these schools?
How much do the different application components (courses, grades, test scores, activities, recommendations) matter?
How do colleges make decisions on similarly qualified applicants?
How much do “hooks” matter at highly selective colleges? And if I don’t have a hook, what should I do?
What types of scholarships are available at highly selective colleges?
What role do essays play at highly selective colleges?
How many of these schools should students apply to, and how do they juggle all the work that comes along with the application process?
Is test-optional legit at highly selective colleges? Won't students be at a disadvantage if they do not submit scores?
Lots more

More information and registration HERE.

Info, Opportunities, & Resources

Joint admissions tests for the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London for 2025 entry

If you/your student is planning to apply to Cambridge and/or Imperial College London, this information is for you. Access the slides & information here.

Test-optional policy extended through 2024-25 for Penn

Penn Admissions will remain test optional and will not require ACT or SAT test results for the 2024-25 application cycle. Students who are unable or choose not to submit test scores will not be at a disadvantage in the admissions process. We will continue to evaluate all components of an individual's application through our comprehensive review process.

For more information on this announcement and what it means for your students, please refer to our test-optional update on the Penn Admissions Blog.

As always, thank you for your partnership, and please get in touch with our team directly if questions arise.

iCLA will be launching a new Interdisciplinary Data Science major in September 2024

We are proud to announce that we will be launching a new Interdisciplinary Data Science major from September 2024. Data Science has been increasingly popular as an elective with our students and has synergised excellently with our Business, Economics, and Social Science courses. iCLA's Interdisciplinary Data Science major will build on these strengths by offering pathways in Data Science for Finance, Data Science for Political Economy, and Data Science for Psychology.

These pathways are designed to give our students hands-on, practical experience of using data analytics and research techniques throughout their degree to ensure they are job-ready for their chosen field.

You can read more about our new major on our website.

Toronto Metropolitan University Preview

Do you want to experience what it is like to be an undergraduate student at Toronto Metropolitan University?

You are in luck! Get a closer look into what your time as a TMU student can look like at the upcoming TMU Preview event series. At TMU Preview, you'll attend faculty sample lectures, interact with current international students, and hear more about the international student experience here in the big city.

Don't miss out on this unique event series where you'll get a sneak peek into the life that awaits you at Toronto Metropolitan University! Visit the International Events web page for a list of all upcoming in-person and virtual events.

TMU Preview: The Creative School Day in the Life

TMU Preview: Engineering Showcase

TMU Preview: Ted Rogers School of Management Faculty Panel

TMU Preview: Faculty of Arts Sample Lecture

TMU Preview: Faculty of Community Services Student Panel

Webster Geneva

Our goal is to provide an option for your pupils wishing to receive a first-class student experience in Switzerland.

Take a virtual tour

Learn about our programmes

Tuition, Fees, and Scholarships

Career of the Week: Speech-Language Pathologist

Ever considered a career where you can make a profound impact on people's lives? Explore the rewarding field of Speech-Language Pathology!

Overview:

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) are healthcare professionals who assess, diagnose, and treat communication and swallowing disorders. They work with individuals of all ages, from children with developmental delays to adults recovering from stroke.

Skills Needed:

Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and psychology of speech and language
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to assess and analyse speech and language disorders
Patience, empathy, and a passion for helping others

Universities Offering Related Programmes:

University of Central Florida (USA): Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Canterbury (New Zealand): Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
University of Essex (UK): BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Therapy

Why Speech-Language Pathology?

Make a difference in people's lives by helping them communicate effectively.
Varied career opportunities in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres, and private practice.
Fulfilling work that combines science, education, and compassion.

University of the Week: Women’s Month Addition - Wellesley College

Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts, USA
Founded: 1870
Affiliation: Women's liberal arts college

Key Features:

Empowering Women: Wellesley is committed to providing a transformative education that empowers women to become leaders and changemakers in their communities.
Academic Excellence: Renowned for its rigorous academic programs, small class sizes, and dedicated faculty who foster critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.
Global Perspective: Embracing diversity and inclusion, Wellesley offers opportunities for cross-cultural learning and engagement with global issues.

Notable Programmes:

Humanities: English, History, Philosophy
Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Social Sciences: Economics, Political Science, Psychology
Interdisciplinary Studies: Women's and Gender Studies, Environmental Studies

Impactful Alumnae:

Hillary Rodham Clinton (Former U.S. Secretary of State)
Madeleine Albright (Former U.S. Secretary of State)
Nora Ephron (Acclaimed filmmaker and writer)

Why Wellesley?

A supportive and empowering community dedicated to women's education and leadership development.
Opportunities for research, internships, and study abroad experiences that enrich the academic journey.
A lifelong network of passionate and accomplished alumnae who continue to make a difference in the world.

And last but not least -

We are still looking for a forever home for Milo.

If you are interested in adopting, please reach out to Amanda (amanda.lopez@igbis.edu.my)

If you can’t adopt, please share.

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’s 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.