IGBIS Newsletter : April 2025
April 3, 2025
April Highlights
Upcoming Events
From the Elementary School Principal
By Simon Milward
ES Assembly
What a great start to the month of April we had with our House captain’s organising and running the ‘House of Talent’ assembly. The assembly showcased the depth of talent we have in the Elementary school with individual instrumental performances, individual and group singing and dance performances and we even had a magic act, which brought the house down. What was even more impressive was the fact that we had performers from as young as Early Years all the way to Grade 5. The performers volunteered and practised in their own time to be ready for the assembly. They demonstrated they were ‘risk takers’ standing in front of their peers and a parent/teacher audience performing.
Grade 3 Camp
Our Grade 3 students had an overnight sleep at school with day trips to Selangor State Park and also Tasik Widuri, Rawang. The children enjoyed orienteering, learning to make their own fire to cook their lunch, river walking and paddleboarding.
ES Student Led Conference
It was great to see and speak with so many parents at our Student Led Conference day on Saturday 19th April. Seeing parents and students learning and participating alongside each other during the sharing sessions was pleasing to witness. I was very proud of our students as they showed confidence to share where they are currently as learners and where they still feel they can develop further. Taking ownership of their learning, reflecting on their journey is a powerful process.
Illustrator Visit - Angeline Chen
We were extremely pleased to welcome Angeline Chen to IGBIS on Wednesday 23rd April. She is an illustrator of not only books but many other uses of images from creating drinks bottle designs to creating giant colouring mats. What is more she was able to talk to the children about her ‘hidden’ disability- she is deaf. She shared what her learning journey has been, from failing in school to finding a teacher who advocated for her and showed her how she can navigate the world and how she had a goal of what she wanted to do with her life. Her first job was as an animator, bringing 2D drawings to life. Her message was, you have control over the choices you make in life, which is a marathon not a sprint. You can achieve anything if you work hard and be resilient when you are confronted with setbacks.
U9 AIMS Badminton @ IGBIS
Whenever students are representing IGBIS against other schools they try their very best to perform at their level. Sometimes this means that they get placed and win medals, other times it means they learn something about their performance and look to improve next time. What coaches also stress is that there is more to competing than just winning.
In the recent U9 badminton tournament on 24 April 2025, I was very proud of our U9 students as one of the parents from another international school approached Mr. Wilson, our athletics director, and shared that she was impressed with our students as they were so supportive of each other throughout the tournament. Winning or losing they encouraged each other. This brings a smile to my face, well done to these athletes who showed what it means to be an IGBIS student!
ES Sports Day
What a wonderful Sports Day it was. The students had a blast taking part in all of the activities running, jumping, throwing, tug of war and obstacle courses. Each event the students would earn house points for their house with the total being calculated and announced at the end of the day. The final results were as follows.
1st: Aer (Yellow): 382
2nd: Terra (Green): 378
3rd: Aqua (Blue): 368
4th: Ignis (Red): 360
Whilst the whole day ended in a final placing the emphasis was on participating to the best of their abilities and the students did a marvellous job in this respect.
Big Sing @ BSKL
The Big Sing KL was an exciting AIMS event that brought together 17 schools from across KL for a fantastic choir concert! Each school had spent weeks rehearsing the eight songs, and on Saturday, 26th of April, everyone gathered at BSKL for a full day packed with rehearsals and an unforgettable concert. The choir was made up of 350 students singing their hearts out, backed by a live band.
This year was extra special because it was the first time The Phoenix Tweeters, IGBIS’ own elementary choir, took part. A big thank you to Mr Alex Milescu for leading the choir through many rehearsals!
-Ms. Nicola Millward
PJ Movie Afternoon by the Social Council
Our Social Council comprising G3 and G4 students from both the IEAP and the PYP organised a PJ day and movie afternoon for EY to G4 on Wednesday 30th April. It was strange and fun seeing our students dressed in their PJ’s instead of their school uniforms with some of our younger learners bringing in soft cuddly toys to sit with whilst watching the movie. Our associate teachers supported the event by making popcorn for all of our students.
From the Secondary School Principal
By Sandy van Nooten
April is always a busy month in Secondary. Gr.10 and Gr.12 have their final push before their final external IB exams. This year, we also had 2 MRISA tournaments, a ski trip, student-led conferences and lots of student run events. It is never dull. Below is a snapshot of just some of the shenanigans that have been going on this last month :). Enjoy.
MRISA HS Football @ UNIS (Hanoi)
Competing in the MRISA tournament in Hanoi was an unforgettable experience, facing tough schools like UNIS, VIS, KIS and ISPP. In the beginning our team struggled losing every game for the first two days without any goals and only conceding.
But on the final day everything clicked, our teamwork, our communication and our desire to be the first U18 boys sports team to bring back a medal, not just for the school but to create a lasting memory for the seniors. The joy of the comeback, and celebrating with my teammate will forever be remembered.
Some of the core memories of MRISA were made off the field, using the hotel amenities and rooms together as well as exploring what the beautiful city of Hanoi and what it has to offer. Creating stronger bonds with our teammates as well as getting to know our teachers on a more personal level. The memories from on and off the field and the experience as a whole is most definitely a highlight of this academic year for all of us.
We weren't at MRISA just to play football but rather it was to build bonds with the guys, and to live in the moment. This year's MRISA was amazing. I can't wait for what next year has to offer.
-Aiman & Idriss
Japan Ski Trip
Recently, 26 students and 4 teachers took part in an unforgettable journey to Japan for a week of this year's long-awaited ski trip.
On the Friday after the Hari Raya assembly, everyone packed up their things and headed straight to the airport. Soon after the long and tiring travel through the night, we arrived at Les Elfes and EdVenture campgrounds in the beautiful ski resort of Niseko, Japan.
Every morning we were up bright and early to hit the slopes. From first-timers to experienced skiers/snowboarders, everyone improved their skills incredibly quickly. Whether it was mastering parallel turns, tackling steeper runs, doing jumps in the snow park, or simply learning to stay upright.
However, the adventure wasn’t over; beyond the slopes, Les Elfes offered an extensive number of activities and challenges each day. We enjoyed activities like snowball fights, igloo making, quiz nights, and souvenir shopping that showed us Japan’s culture. And, nothing could beat Japanese cuisine! From breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert, everyone indulged in their food.
In the blink of an eye, it was time to say a dreaded goodbye. As everyone packed their suitcases, we knew we were leaving with more than just experiences. We met incredible individuals who changed our lives and brought home incredible stories, memories, inside jokes, and friendships that would last a lifetime.
Until next time, Niseko!
-Maloe
Flamenco Workshop Brings Spanish Culture to DP Classroom
As part of their experiential learning in the DP Spanish course, students recently took part in a dynamic Flamenco dance workshop. Led by the passionate and talented dance teacher, Davinia, the session offered students a rich introduction to the origins of Flamenco and its cultural significance in southern Spain.
With great motivation and curiosity, students explored basic toques (rhythmic patterns), expressive arm movements, and footwork, while also learning about the role of traditional instruments like the cajón and the use of palmas (hand clapping) to create acoustic rhythm. The workshop culminated in a fun group performance of a simple choreography, allowing students to express themselves through movement and music.
This workshop not only deepened students’ understanding of the Spanish-speaking world but also exemplified how experiential learning can make language and culture come alive in an engaging and memorable way!
Olé!!!
-Ms. Laura Hernandez
Gr.12 Visual Arts Exhibition
Paint, Psyche, and a Splash of Wow
Following this year’s theme of ‘The 8 Paragons of the Human Psyche’, the IBDP Visual Arts Exhibition was a night full of artistic surprises and serious talent. From live dress painting to a spinning dot-painting wheel, our students wowed the crowd with their creativity, commitment, and bold artistic expression.
Bravo to our Grade 12 artists!
Gr.6 Host Nation Experiential trip to FRIM
As part of the Host Nation experiential learning program, Gr.6 students visited the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) to deepen their understanding of Malaysia’s rich rainforest heritage. Through guided hikes and hands-on exploration, they showed great curiosity, enthusiasm, and respect for the natural environment.
-Liyana & Rasyid
Grade 12 Farewell Assembly
The Class of 2025 was celebrated in style at our farewell assembly, packed with laughter and tears! Highlights included epic Teacher vs. Student Lip Sync Battles, heartfelt farewell messages from teachers, and a fun game where teachers tried (and sometimes failed!) to guess the baby pictures of our Grade 12 students. The energy was fabulous as students and teachers enjoyed the assembly together. The assembly also featured live music performances by talented G10-12 students, adding a special touch to the celebration. It was a day of joy, memories, and well-wishes as we bid farewell to an amazing graduating class!
Best of luck, Class of 2025—you’ll be missed! 🎓💙
Student Led Conference
On Saturday 19th April, all our students shared aspects of their learning with their parents. Approximately one third of our secondary community did their SLC at school, the rest did it from home. While we provided a general structure for the reflections, each student put their own spin and personality into their conference. I learned so much about each of my students as well as getting a lovely insight into some of their classes and experiences. Each conference was recorded and this recording will be included in the Semester 2 reports.
Phoenix Easter Arts Week
From the 21st to 25th April, the Creative Arts Society hosted the Phoenix Easter Arts Week, during which every second half of lunchtime throughout the week, their members ran different Easter-themed creative arts-related activities each day for the Secondary students and PYP community. Activities included Egg painting & decoration, Custom Bunny Ears Making, a Paper Star Collage Mural, Pin the tail on the bunny, and a Bunny hop race & Spoon egg race!
Day 1: Egg painting
Day 2: Bunny Ears Headband Making
Day 3: Paper Star Mural
Day 4: Pin the tail on the bunny
Day 5: Spoon Egg & Bunny Hop Race
MRISA JR Volleyball @ Prem, Chiang Mai
Jr Girls - At MRISA Volleyball, we had a real shot at making it to the finals and even winning third place in the cup. Although things didn’t turn out the way we hoped, we still played our hearts out and gave it everything we had. This experience taught us that winning isn’t everything—it’s about the skills you build and how you come together as a team. Honestly, the best part of MRISA wasn’t just the volleyball (even though that was super fun), but all the time we spent bonding—playing games, talking for hours, and making new friendships. We’re already excited for next year. LET’S GO PHOENIX! (By Isla)
Jr Boys - At the MRISA volleyball tournament, boys wrapped things up in 6th place. While the outcome wasn’t exactly what we were hoping for, we’re proud of the heart and effort we put in from start to finish. Over the course of the tournament, we didn’t just improve our skills individually—we also came together as a stronger, more united team. Each game, every point, and all the moments in between taught us important lessons. This experience has only fueled our growth and will serve as a stepping stone toward even bigger accomplishments in the future.
- Justin
Music Academy Concert
On Thursday, 24 April, we celebrated the Semester 2 Music Academy Concert in the IGBIS Theatre. Under the guidance of Miss Iko, Miss Irma, Miss Wong, and Mr Joshua, music students showcased their progress and talents across piano, violin, guitar, and voice. Their performances reflected not only their technical growth but also the confidence gained through focused preparation.
This concert provided students with a valuable opportunity to work toward a performance goal, culminating in the rewarding experience of sharing their music with an audience.
A heartfelt thank you to the entire team who made this event possible—including the IT department, the facilities team, and Miss Abigail—for their generous support and collaboration.
-Ms. Hadewych
Phoenix Post: Issue 5
The Newspaper Club is proud to present Issue 5: Easter Edition! This issue contains student/teacher interviews (Ms Harriet and Dan!), Easter specials, a mental health piece, a book review and more. We've worked really hard to produce a fun and intriguing paper, so do spare some time to check it out. Happy (belated) Easter; have a lovely day! (From The Newspaper Club)
Scan the QR below or open using this link
Student Achievements
Eunice (Grade 7)
Eunice won a Gold medal in the International Children Culture and Arts Development Association, an art sketching competition.
Eunice’s piece was recognised among many talented artists from countries around the world.
Samantha Chua (Grade 8)
Samantha qualified to represent Malaysia for the 2025 World Championships. The category is Cadet (U17) and Women (U20) and the equipment is Foil.
Ying Ern (Grade 8)
Pleased to update that Ying Ern in MSSS for Selangor state and schools came in silver ranked no. 2 in overall competition. Gold in vault and silver in bars, beam and floor. This confirms her placement into the Selangor team's top 6 for entry to the national MSSM coming in May, competing with other state teams.
Ariq (Grade 4)
Ariq recently showcased his football talents on the international stage, participating in two major youth tournaments: the locally organised KL Cup and the internationally acclaimed JSSL tournament in Singapore. He proudly represented Cfour Warrior, the competitive name for the grassroots team Akademi Tunas Setia Alam (ATSA), under the Under-10 category. Based in Shah Alam, ATSA is a grassroots football team under Malaysia's National Football Development Program (NFDP), an initiative fully sponsored by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia. Entry into ATSA is no small feat—players must undergo multiple levels of selection, making Ariq’s achievement all the more commendable.
Shakira (Grade 6)
Shakira has also made waves in the youth football scene, participating in the KL Cup and JSSL tournament in Singapore, representing the Velocity Under-12 Girls Team. This team is the competitive extension of Akademi Tunas Wanita Selangor (ATWS), a grassroots program dedicated to developing young female football talent. ATWS is part of the National Football Development Program (NFDP) under the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, offering government-sponsored training to selected youth. Just like ATSA, ATWS upholds a strict selection process, making Shakira’s inclusion a testament to her skill and dedication to the sport.
Upcoming Events
May Parent Workshops
Our parent sessions are designed to equip you with practical tips and valuable insights to support your child’s growth and learning. It’s also a great chance to connect with other parents in our community!
👉 Register here: https://sites.google.com/igbis.edu.my/pvo/workshops-events?authuser=0
2025 IGBIS Summer School and Everton Summer Camp
Get ready for an unforgettable summer at IGBIS! This year, we’re bringing you not one but two exciting camps — IGBIS Summer School 2025 and the Everton Summer Camp, packed with even more opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun in a vibrant, inspiring environment.
Enroll in either camps, or both, and enjoy a 10% discount exclusively for IGBIS students. Scan the QR code to learn more and secure your spot today!
-Marketing Department
IGBIS Early Years Exploration Day
See your child’s world open up - right before your eyes.
At our Early Years Exploration Day, share a special moment of curiosity, creativity, and wonder with your child as you:🌈
Connect with your child through play-driven, hands-on experiences
Gain expert tips on nurturing their early learning journey
Enjoy a 100% enrolment fee waiver
Take a guided tour of our vibrant, purpose-built learning spaces
Parent Info Session
📅 Thursday, 15 May | 10:00am – 11:15am
Discover how our inquiry-based approach allows young minds develop into confident and happy children
Playdate in the Classroom
📅 Wednesday, 21 May | 10:15am – 11:15am
Step into your child’s shoes and experience learning through their eyes.
For families with children aged 3-6. Sign up now at https://igbis.edu.my/elementary/eyexploration/
-Marketing Department
Summer Holiday Camp - Third Party Provider
[Third-Party Provider]
🎉 PrimeCamps360 Holiday Camps are coming to IGBIS this Holiday!
Date: June 30th – July 4th, 2025 / Location: IGB International School / Time: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
🔥 Operated by PrimeCamps360 ! Visit www.primecamps360.com .
🚎 Bus route addition available - (registration depending)
👦 Camp IGNITE (Ages 5–11): Fun, active, creative learning through activities & exploration in education
🧑🔬 Camp EDGE (Ages 12–16): Challenge-based learning with activities, leadership, and real-world skills & subjects
💥 Special offer for IGBIS families:
🎓 IGBIS students get 20% OFF with code: IGBIS360
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🤝 Referral Bonus for IGBIS parents!
-After signing up, IGBIS parents will receive a referral code to share with friends.
-Friends (non-IGBIS) get 10% OFF when they use your code
-You (IGBIS parent) get 5% cash-back for every referred student -
reimbursed upon camp completion! (Unlimited uses!)
-Sam France
