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ISK NEWSLETTER Heritage of Fine Schooling

November 2015

International School of Kuantan Page 1

November Highlights

ISK Welcomes New High School English

Teacher

Mr. Kristen Welsh

“Education is the kindling

of a flame, not the filling

of a vessel.”

- Socrates

World National Holidays in December:

05 - The King’s Birthday

(Thailand)

10 - Constitution Day

(Thailand)

16 - Bijoy Dibosh

(Bangladesh)

23 - The Emperor’s Birth-

day (Japan)

24 - Joint Holiday

(Indonesia)

24 - Prophet Muhammad’s

Birthday

25 - Christmas Day

26 - Boxing Day

26 - Rizal Day

(Philippines)

Hello, my name is Kris, and I am very happy to be working here at ISK. I am from Melbourne, Australia, which is just an 8 hour flight from Kuala Lumpur. I am now teaching grade 9, 11/12, ESL, and AP English.

I originally left Australia to become an English teacher back in 2007 in Japan. I taught at several language centers and Pri-mary schools over 3 and a half years in the northern areas there before moving to Vietnam in late 2011. Then, after teach-ing in Kindergartens, Primary schools, and Language schools I decided to go back to Australia to finally complete my educa-tion degree, so that I could gain more opportunities in educa-tion. So, I'm not quite a new teacher, but I am new here, and I'm excited to get to know you all.

I also have a strong interest in table tennis, tennis, formula 1 racing and in my spare time I make meditation videos for YouTube. Please come down to the gym after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays if you want to have a bit of table tennis and learn some new techniques.

ISK Newsletter

International School of Kuantan Page 2

November 2015

ISK’s Student Council organized a Costume Party on

October 30, 2015. There was a good turnout that night as

students from ISK and other schools joined in on the fun.

Students and guests were barely recognizable in their creative and imaginative

costumes and makeup. There were games, movies, and a haunted house. Food

was provided by guests and students which made for a great feast. Three of the

best individual or ensemble costumes received gift baskets as prizes. It was a

spine-chilling, scary, yet fun-filled night at ISK.

Well done ISK Student Council on an awesome Costume Party!!

Student Council Costume Party

ISK Newsletter

International School of Kuantan Page 3

Handover Ceremony

November 2015

An auspicious event was marked on ISK’s calendar on October 29, 2015. It was the mo-

ment of the handing over of the principalship from ISK’s mentor Dato’ Dr. Abu Tahir to the new

principal, Mr. Benjamin M. Tamte. Dato’ Dr. Abu Tahir in his speech said “ISK has an American

principal now”. He continued by welcoming Mr. Benjamin to the ISK family and expressed his

hope that Mr. Benjamin will continue his legacy and take ISK to greater heights.

Mr. Benjamin in his message thanked Dato’ for accepting him as the principal at ISK and he

said he will do his utmost to spearhead ISK while continuing to provide ISK’s exceptional learning

environment, as well as striving to make ISK the preeminent school for international education

not only locally, but globally as well. At the same time, he expressed his sincere hope that the

ISK community would assist him along the way.

During the ceremony Dato’ Dr. Abu Tahir also relinquished his position as the Chief Execu-

tive Officer to a vibrant young man; Mr. Mohd. Razif bin Ramzan. Mr. Razif was previously the

Marketing & HR Manager of the company. Mr. Razif in his short speech sought the support from

all staff to take ISK to the forefront in Malaysia, and the global frontier.

- by Mohanambal Seenivasagam

ISK Newsletter

International School of Kuantan Page 4

November 2015

On November 7th and 8th of this year, ISK’s Deputy Principal Dr. Nurita, Principal Mr. Benjamin, and new IT Administrator Mr Robert attended a regional summit in Kuala Lumpur for Google Apps for Education or GAFE. The purpose of the conference was to inspire teachers and school leaders to increase the use of Google Apps in their schools.

November PTA Meetings

On November 19 and 21, 2015 the Parent Teacher Association

(PTA) hosted an informational meeting led by Ms. June (PTA Presi-

dent), and Mr. Benjamin (Principal). There was a great turn-out on

November 21st and we hope that parents’ interest and participation

will continue to grow in years to come.

Dr. Nurita, Mr. Benjamin, and Mr. Robert learned answers to some very interesting questions, including: how to create online surveys and quizzes, how to create classroom webpages, how to make quiz-zes grade themselves and send students their scores, how to travel anywhere in the world or beyond with Google Cardboard, how best communicate with other teachers, parents, and students, as well as how to make Chrome, Docs, Forms, Sheets, and Slides better with add-ons and extensions.

The Kuala Lumpur Summit also served as a catalyst for implementing greater use of Google Apps for Education at ISK. In November, all students were is-sued ISK domain emails, granting them access to a number of school-based applications and feeds such as Classroom and ISK email. The @isk.edu.my domain is a protected environment and one in which we will share greater infor-mation about in the near future. Needless to say, ISK is giddy for Google! For more information about Google Apps for Education check out the following: https://support.google.com/a/answer/139019?hl=en

- by Benjamin M. Tamte

A new innovation from

Google: https://

developers.google.com/

ISK Newsletter

International School of Kuantan Page 5

What’s Happening in December at ISK

November 2015

Important Dates in

December

Dec-09 High school educational field trip to Bukit Gam

bang Safari Park

Dec-10 Middle & elementary school educational field trip

to Bukit Gambang Safari Park

Dec-12 “A Night to Remember” Music and Fashion Talent

Show

Dec-15 First day of the ISK Forensics Tournament

Dec-17 Last day of the ISK Forensics Tournament

Dec-18 Holiday Party organized by the Student Council

Students

Suhaib

Dennis

Wei Yee

Zulhasnan

Jemma

Staff

Mr. Devan

Ms. Rozana

Mr. Arsalan

Mr. Rosmaizi

Birthdays in December

Important Reminders

Please return the Chil-

dren’s Online Privacy

Protection Act (COPPA)

and privacy statement

consent form to the ISK

administration office by

December 1st, 2015

Please return the paren-

tal consent form for the

Bukit Gambang Safari

Park field trip by Novem-

ber 27, 2015.

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Dear members of the ISK Community,

you are invited to the

ISK Music and Fashion Talent Show

“A Night to Remember”

December 12, 2015

Time: Soon to be announced Venue: ISK Multipurpose Hall

Admission is FREE!

So bring your family and friends, come and enjoy

with us this December!

Mr. Rikki’s music and moral studies classes will showcase their talents in music and fashion design using recycled ma-

terials.

ISK Newsletter

International School of Kuantan Page 6

Important Con-

tacts

Admission inquiries:

Mr. Mohd. Razif

admission@isk.edu.my

Bus service & Admin-

istration inquiries:

Pn. Jannah

admin@isk.edu.my

Tel: +609 - 573 6010

Fax: +609 - 573 6023

For more information

on ISK, please visit:

Update contact info

Parents/Guardians are reminded to inform the school if contact de-

tails change. Please email admin@isk.edu.my with any change of

address, telephone number, email etc. We are concerned that

letters will not arrive to your home and e-mail correspondence will

not be received.

November 2015

www.facebook.com/

InternationalSchoolKuantan

Newsletter Editor:

Dr. Nurita Abu Tahir

A member of

Accredited by

International School of

Kuantan

is

Parent Teacher Association

If you are interested in assisting the PTA with fundraising or fun-

filled, family activities, contact Ms. June Mokhsin at:

junebakley@gmail.com