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Issue 39- SY 2012-13

6 June 2013

“The Overseas School of

Colombo, an IB World School, is committed to

guiding our global community toward international and

intercultural understanding.

OSC develops the whole person as a responsible

learner, striving for personal excellence

within a culturally diverse

environment. ”

A Holistic Education for Global Success

Head of School

The last day of School! This is a big day, a happy day, a poignant day, and a fun day! We will be saying good-bye to many friends, even as we anticipate new ones coming in, in August. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to students, parents and teachers for a spectacular school year. I‟d also like to say a special thanks to our Board members for all of their work this year. Their support for the school has been constant, and their succession planning for a new Head of School ensures a smooth transition into the future. Thank you! Please note the facilities notice elsewhere in this newsletter for the summer. We will be closing the field so the grass can rejuvenate, and will also close the outdoor basketball court as we are resurfacing it. The pool will be open from July 15 only, as we will also be servicing it. Everything should therefore be in good shape when we return. May I wish all of our school families a very relaxing and safe holiday, a smooth transition into your next post and school if you are moving, and I will look forward to seeing the rest of you in August! First day of school: August 12. Areta Williams Head of School awilliams@osc.lk

Page 2 NEWSLETTER

What a year it has been! From the very first day of school in August as we welcomed new and returning students and teachers with excited faces, our OSC Geckos have demonstrated the key attributes of the Learner Profile.

Our broad and challenging academic programme generates Knowledgeable & Thinking students striving for personal excellence. Throughout the classroom experience, we see students engaging in deep learning. Outside of the classroom, this learning is extended through programmes like the Grade 6 Math night, UN Day, the Grade 12 Diploma Art Exhibition, Music makers, field trips, the Group 4 science project and many more events.

Our students are Inquirers, questioning, researching, experimenting, and testing. In Grade 10, students complete the Personal Project and in Grade 12 students complete their Extended Essays and Viva Voce presentations, key examples of inquiry.

Geckos show that they are Communicators in many ways; by written and oral course work, by friendships across language and cultural barriers and through a variety of activities like MUN, drama productions (The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza, Simply Scenes, Grade 12 production of The House is on Fire! and the Secondary Production The Night of January 16th).

The annual Week without Walls in the last week of January was a great chance for our students to be Open-minded and Risk Takers with excursions all around Sri Lanka. Other adventurous highlights of the year included the Grade 11 IBDP Orientation trip, scuba lessons, kayaking lessons and wall climbing.

There are many opportunities for our students to exhibit the traits of Balanced and Principled. Our students continue to excel in athletics, representing OSC within Sri Lanka and abroad. In October we sent teams to Dhaka and Kathmandu. Throughout the year we had active swimming, basketball, volleyball, football and track & field teams. The Track and Field meet was hosted at OSC with more than 200 students attending supported by 20 coaches.

Reflective learning through action involves all secondary students in service to others and the community. OSC is proud of its many long-standing service projects as well as a variety of interesting and challenging student initiated projects. Our students are Caring through their involvement in these service opportunities as well as many more small interactions between and among our community.

This week we have had the sad task of saying farewell to a number of students in the secondary. I would like to take the chance to wish all leaving students Good Luck! We will miss you! Also among our farewells are a number of teachers; Trina Cobbledick, Jonathan Smith, Brian Mather, Sushanthi Dissanayake, Ben Ford and Marijke Bregman. Thank you for all your hard work while at OSC and best wishes!

We recognized many student achievements this week in our end-of-year awards ceremony. They are too numerous to list here, but a big congratulations to all earners of subject awards, outstanding students and honour roll. The following special awards were also given at the assembly:

CIS International Student Grade 9-12 Harshini Karunaratne CIS International Students Grade 6-8 Grade 8 MUN US Presidents Sliver Seal 9-12 Ysobella Grieve-Darcy US President‟s Silver Seal 6-8 Mohammed Al-Ansari US President‟s Gold Seal 6-8 Nathan Omprasadham Head of School Critical Thinker Grade 6-8 Ashab Ahmed Evi Westmore Award Emily Smith MYP Community Service Award Sang Eun Lee

Have a wonderful, restful and safe holiday! Eileen Niedermann,Secondary School Principal

Secondary School Principal

Primary School Principal

Page 3 NEWSLETTER

Farewell – This is the last newsletter of the academic year as we head into the holidays. For some, this will be the last one you read from OSC. We would like to say good bye to all the students and families who will be leaving us today. Thank you parents; for all your support in and out of school, our OSC community would not be as vibrant, energetic and positive without your commitment and involvement. Best of luck on your new journeys, keep in touch and drop by if you are ever back in the country. Grade 5 Exhibition & Promotion – On Wednesday the Grade 5 students were recognized and honoured for all of their hard work and determination for completing the Grade 5 exhibition, as well as, the completion of OSC‟s Primary Years Programme. The event highlighted the feats and hurdles these students have accomplished and overcome throughout the year, especially over the past two months. It was also a time to recognize a few individual accomplishments. Each year two US Presidential Awards are handed out to two outstanding Grade 5 students. This year the recipients of these awards were:

Sophia Heartney - US President‟s Gold Award

for Educational Excellence

Yasmin Hung - US President‟s Silver Award for

Educational Achievement

Congratulations girls for all of your hard work, determination and dedication to your studies at OSC! At this point I would like to extend my thanks to our OSC community for your continued support, dedication and time spent organizing events for both the school and your children. This year has been a success because of the positive role you have played in your child‟s lives – building that partnership between home and school. Have a safe, relaxing and fun-filled vacation. See you all in August. Important Notices:

June 6th - Last day of school (12:15 pm dismissal)

August 12th - First day back to school for

2013-14 Have a wonderful holiday – be safe, relax and enjoy some family time! Regards, Jason Grandbois Primary School Principal jgrandbois@osc.lk

OSC ATHLETIC & AQUATIC FACILITIES VACATION OPENING HOURS

Monday 10 June to Sunday 11 August, 2013 During the coming vacation all facilities will receive important levels of maintenance or upgrade. We would appreciate your understanding and support during this important time.

FACILITY OPENING HOURS

1 SPORTS CENTRE CLOSED

2 FIELD CLOSED

3 SWIMMING POOL CLOSED until Monday July 15 (to be confirmed). Opening schedule after this date: Weekdays – 09:00 to 16:30.

4 OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURT

CLOSED

Page 4 NEWSLETTER

WHAT’S UP! A very special thank you! In a simply AWESOME 2012-13 school year, your support for our GECKO ATHLETICS PROGRAMME has been fantastic. Over 100 student athletes have trained, competed, nudged Mum or Dad and thrown piles of sweaty clothes in the wash basket! Our GECKO ATHLETICS t-shirts, jerseys and shorts are not only more visible around the school, but will undoubtedly take our name to countries around the world in the coming months. Stories of exciting performances, learning and new acquaintances will be shared with family members, friends and certainly many interested others. WHAT’S NEW for 2013-14? Our goal for the coming year is to reach well beyond the many success stories just achieved during 2012-13. Your son or daughter will undoubtedly come home talking about commitment, goal setting and the excitement of our programme. As an OSC student athlete the expectation will be that they become stronger, more aerobically fit and more knowledgeable about their chosen sport. To remain in the programme they must also meet the academic requirements set within the school. WHAT SHOULD WE DO NOW? A positive attitude to athletics participation is a WAY OF LIFE. During the holidays, students should be active for at least 20-30 minutes each day. Stretching and jogging (warm up and cool downs), family runs or swims, visits to the gym or just using one‟s own body weight during an indoor routine are a few ways to remain active. More serious athletes should design and follow appropriate body conditioning workouts, programmes that involve time indoors and outdoors. EVERY ATHLETE should spend time with a jump rope and a ball. Improved agility and hand-eye coordination are essential elements in any programme. PERSONAL ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT Gecko Athletics will continue to sell or provide many of the basic uniforms and t-shirts for each season. During your time away we STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you purchase personal items that we deem as essential for our programme and for PE classes across the school. The items below WILL BE required within the appropriate sport. A requirement for ALL athletes:

Plastic re-useable NAMED water bottle (min 750ml) with a „quick access‟ pull-drink „top‟ allowing

water to be sprayed into an open mouth! -

Sport specific items (Also encouraged for PE CLASSES)

Footwear that offers appropriate ankle, heel and arch support during activities where fast, agile

movements are required. Note these are NOT every day „around school‟ shoes.

Football

boots or cleats with a molded soul

Volleyball & Basketball

either a specific basketball or volleyball shoe or a multi-training sports shoe.

Note RUNNING SHOES do NOT fit into this category.

Track & Field

Running shoe with appropriate cushioning

GECKO ATHLETICS

CORNER

Swim wear

Full swimming costume for the girls and swimming shorts (above the knee) for the boys

ADDITIONAL sport items which are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for committed athletes Volleyball

knee pads – white or blue Football

shin guards with additional ankle support and protection

Goalkeeper gloves Swimming

Goggles

swim cap Basketball

wrist bands Sports glasses

prescription lenses in glasses appropriate for the sport

Being suitably prepared allows all students to maximize their learning in a setting where the chance of injury is minimized. GECKO HOST PROGRAMME 2013-14 As we travel and make plans for the coming year, please remember that OSC will be the proud hosts of the following tournaments:

SAISA Boys‟ Volleyball 9-11 October 2013

SAISA Boys‟ & Girls‟ Badminton 25-27 April 2014

Families who have a son or daughter participating in, or expressing an interest in, any part of the GECKO ATHLETICS PROGRAMME are required to support this housing programme for our SAISA GUESTS at a convenient time. Further information will follow in August. Travel safely however far you may be going. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! GECKOS ROCK….. into 2013 - 14! Mark Shipley Athletic Director

Page 5 NEWSLETTER

GECKO ATHLETIC PROGRAMMES 2013-14

SEASON ONE 13 AUG – 12 OCT

Gecko Swim Club - Under 19, 15, 13, 10 Girls & Boys

Under 19 Girls Volleyball Under 19 Boys Volleyball

Under 14 Basketball - Girls & Boys

SEASON TWO 21 OCT – 08 DEC

Gecko Swim Club (Local Season) - Under 14, 12, 10 Girls & Boys

Under 19 Boys Football Under 19 Girls Basketball

Under 14 Volleyball Girls & Boys

SEASON THREE 07 JAN – 15 MAR

Gecko Track & Field - Under 19, 15, 13 Girls & boys

Under 19 Girls Football Under 19 Boys Basketball

Under 14 Badminton – Girls & Boys Under 19 Badminton – Girls & Boys*

SEASON FOUR 18 MAR – 23 MAY

Under 19 Badminton Girls & Boys*

Under 14 Football 5-a-side Girls & Boys *to be confirmed

Page 6 NEWSLETTER

GECKO INC. SERVICE GROUP FIELD TRIP TO KILINOCHCHI & MANKULAM

In early May seven members of the GECKO INC. service group travelled to two schools in Kilinochchi and Mankulam, a programme jointly organized by our OSC students and the Foundation of Goodness. This first visit to the region was considered to be a „breaking of the ice‟; an opportunity for all parties to get to know each other. Through the promotion and running of fun sporting activities, our GECKO INC. team members used their skills of communication, leadership and flexibility in bringing large groups of Grade 6 students together. Smiles, laughter and lots of movement proved to be the outcome as groups ran jumped and played with various sports equipment, items that were presented to each of the school Principals when we left. In 2013-14 GECKO INC. will continue to support schools in the Kilinochchi and Mankulam area through the Foundation of Goodness. Stay tuned for more information! Special CONGRATULATIONS to the following: Harshini Karunaratne (key coordinator between GECKO INC. and the Foundation of Goodness) Jesse Doidge, Shanthi Haaze, Kai Floto, Christiane Amare, Meagan Martin, Max Carluccio, Justin Furkhan, Hillary Setterlund, Eden De Rousse. Mark Shipley Athletics Director

Page 7 NEWSLETTER

SAISA EVENTS CALENDAR 2013-14

(SOUTH ASIA INTER-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION)

MEMBER SCHOOLS

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, CHENNAI, INDIA (AISC)

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DHAKA, BANGLADESH (AISD)

AMERICAN SCHOOL OF BOMBAY, MUMBAI, INDIA (ASB)

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (ISOI)

KARACHI AMERICAN SCHOOL, PAKISTAN (KAS)

LAHORE AMERICAN SCHOOL, PAKISTAN (LAS)

LINCOLN SCHOOL, KATHMANDU, NEPAL (LS)

MURREE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, PAKISTAN (MCS)

OVERSEAS SCHOOL OF COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (OSC)

THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MUSCAT, OMAN (TAISM)

GO GECKOS!

SEASON SAISA EVENT HOSTING SCHOOL TOURNAMENT

DATES

ONE

Boys Volleyball OSC October 9-11, 2013

Swimming ASB October 9-11, 2013

Girls Volleyball AISC October 9-11, 2013

TWO

Boys Soccer TAISM Dec. 5-7, 2013

Girls Basketball AISD Dec. 5-7, 2013

THREE

Boys Basketball AISC March 12-14, 2014

Girls Soccer LS March 12-14, 2014

Track & Field AISD March 12-14, 2014

FOUR Badminton OSC April 25-27

Page 8 NEWSLETTER

Page 9 NEWSLETTER

PTA NEWS

PTA Mission Statement:

“Together we build a cohesive school community to enrich our children’s education”

This year has just flown past! Another year watching our children grow. This year‟s PTA committee is handing over to next year‟s committee and we still have many vacant positions left that need to be filled, as you will see on the chart below. No one has stepped up to take over my position as chair yet. I urge you to give up some time, please. We will not be in a position to cover all the events we have undertaken in the past without the support of the whole community. If this is the case, it is the children who lose out.

PTA Survey Many thanks to all parents who completed the survey. The PTA survey revealed some interesting facts with parents commenting on the canteen and other issues. Madelyn will be on the canteen committee, but it will be great to have another parent on that committee too. A background in nutrition or food technology maybe a bonus. If you require change – help, by voicing your opinion and be involved.

PTA Events We covered many events this year and our biggest achievement this year was the PTA Fire and Ice Masquerade Ball. We are very proud of the funds we managed to raise, thanks again to all our generous sponsors and to everyone who attended. We all had such a good time and received lots of positive feedback. It will be up to the next year‟s committee to decide which events they undertake. A big thank you again, to the „Ball‟ sub committee, Stephanie, Mia, Vanessa, Latika, Vibeke and Hawwa, for volunteering time to make the evening a resounding success.

PTA Executive Committee – Many Thanks As I step down as Chair of the PTA, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all members of the committee for their hard work, enthusiasm, constant encouragement, support and above all your dedication and team spirit. “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going”, and yes we definitely pulled out all the stops and got going! Cune, Vibeke, Nive, Arabella, Kathleen, Renu, Hawwa, Mia and Vanessa, I cannot express in words my sincere appreciation for all your efforts. It has been a great honour and a privilege working with such a dedicated team. Although it may have

PTA CONTACT DETAILS: Chair Rukshana Nelson 0777374197 mobile Email: ptachair@osc.lk

Vice Chair Cune Bednar 0777443269 mobile Email: ptavicechair@osc.lk

Secretary Nive Raitz von Frentz 0770710343 mobile Email: ptasecretary@osc.lk

Treasurer Vibeke Munk 0777385145 mobile Email: ptatreasurer@osc.lk

Primary Support Parents Coordinator - Arabella Poston 0771827875 mobile Email: ptaprimarysupport@osc.lk

Secondary Support Parents Coordinator - Kathleen Pawley 0775195662 mobile Email: ptasecondarysupport@osc.lk

National Reps Coordinators Renu Haaze 0772457341 mobile Email: ptanationalrep@osc.lk

Hawwa Zahira 0771261441 mobile Email: ptanationalrep@osc.lk

Events Coordinators Mia Hyun 0772648028 mobile Email: ptaeventscoordinator@osc.lk

Vanessa Lenzlinger-Roubin 0771001891 Mobile Email: ptaeventscoordinator@osc.lk

Gecko Coordinators Cune Bednar 0777443269 mobile Email: ptabluegecko@osc.lk

Vibeke Munk 0777385145 mobile Email: ptabluegecko@osc.lk

Parents Teachers Association

Page 10 NEWSLETTER

seemed rather daunting at the beginning, all our hard work paid off and we achieved our goals as a team. I will miss you all. Thank you and all the best.

Thank you There a few other people I would like to thank for their unconditional, consistent help throughout the year…

Ms Areta Williams, thank you for your support and commitment to the PTA. You listened to our

requests and took it all on board. Working with you has been truly refreshing and an absolute pleasure.

To all our dedicated faculty staff, thanks for your support.

Thank you also to all our parents who took on other roles, such as class support parents and country

reps. You worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Your efforts really brought the children and the whole community together.

To all our wonderful admin staff, thanks for backing us up and coming to our rescue when we needed

it and always with a smile. I would like to say, we won‟t bother you too much next year, but you know I will be lying!

Chitra, Bemal, and all the service and security staff that comply and help us with all our requests for

various events and projects. The OSC campus would not feel so welcoming if not for your efforts to keep the place, secure, clean and tidy. Thank you. Your hard work is always appreciated.

To the whole community at school, thank you for helping us to achieve our goals, as we could not

have done it without you.

New Executive Committee 2013-2014 The new committee will take over in August, beginning with the New Parent Orientation. They are already planning exciting events for next year, but remember without a chair and a full committee; they may not be able to achieve their goals.

Many thanks to Veronica, Madelyn, Danielle, Tracy and Aisha for volunteering to take on roles on the new PTA committee, for next year. Fresh ideas and a different perspective is an amazing bonus to any committee. We still have vacant positions so please think of joining us and making a difference in our children‟s lives at school.

Please sacrifice some time, have courage and be determined to make that commitment. We are all very approachable so please contact us, as without the help of the whole community we may not have a full PTA committee for next year and we need that. PTA Executive Committee - 2013 -2014

Chair Vice Chair Treasurer - Kathleen Secretary - Tracy Primary Support Parent - Vanessa Secondary Support Parent - Danielle National Rep Coordinators - Hawwa + 1 position vacant Events Coordinators - Mia, Aisha & Veronica Blue Gecko Coordinators - Loan

UPCOMING EVENTS/MEETINGS..

6 June - Last day for students (12.15 pm dismissal). Secondary Awards Assembly 7 June - Last day for teachers

SY 2013-14 5-7 August - Full Faculty Orientation 8 August - New Student and Parent Orientation 12 August - First Day of School

Page 11 NEWSLETTER

Bon Voyage and All The Best Finally, Bon Voyage to all the staff and families who are leaving our sunny shores this year. The PTA committee wish you all the best and hope where ever you may go next, you will form similar bonds and great friendships. I am sure you will carry along fond memories of all the happy times you spent at OSC. To all the staff and families returning in August, hope you have a well-deserved break and come back refreshed and energised for the year ahead. Please remember to extend a very warm OSC welcome to all new families and staff who will be joining us in August.

Don’t cry because it is over, Smile because it happened

The PTA would like to thank you all for your ongoing support and we hope you all have a great holiday. Rukshana Nelson PTA Chair For the PTA Team

Page 12 NEWSLETTER

The Overseas School of Colombo Pelawatte, P.O. Box 9 Battaramulla, Sri Lanka Tel: (94-11) 2784920-2 Fax: (94-11) 2784999 Email: admin@osc.lk Web: www.osc.lk

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A GOOD HOUSE KEEPER? SEARCH NO MORE!! Saroja who as been working with us since summer 2011 will become available in June 2013 since we are

leaving Sri Lanka. She is discreet, reliable and hardworking. Contact her directly 0771 302147

..........................................................................................................................................................................

GARDENER / POOL GUY!! Sampath is available and looking for a new position since we are leaving Sri

Lanka. Very reliable, good mechanic, understands English (if written). SMS him on 0715 198602

..........................................................................................................................................................................

CLEANING LADY & DRIVER....hardworking and reliable live-out cleaning lady & a punctual driver that knows his way around town. Both available mid June. Many years of experience. Driver Ranjith 077

8691011

Cleaning lady Chandani 077 0808794

..........................................................................................................................................................................

HOUSEKEEPER Nilanthi is looking for a housekeeper/maid position. Many years of experience with expat. Families.

Excellent references. Contact 077 6043649