THE LINK Volume V Issue 4

Street Address: Rua do Rio Raraga, 266, Bairro da Costa do Sol, Maputo Postal Address: Caixa Postal 2026, Maputo Email: [email protected] Telephone: +258 2149 1994 /+258 2149 3306 / +258 2149 3359, Fax: 2149 0596 Website: http://www.aism-moz.com

VOLUME V Issue 4

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

THE LINK

Students Say Thanks to AISM Maintenance Staff

In this issue of The Link we acknowledge AISM maintenance staff whose work so often goes unnoticed. The maintenance department comprises custodians, gardeners, security guards, bus monitors, carpen-ters, cafeteria workers, electricians – all of whom are indispensable to the school’s daily operations. Many have worked at AISM for a number of years, but even our newest staff members demonstrate a strong commitment and dedication to our students, teachers and parent community. They are part of our daily life and deserve our gratitude, respect and support.

This year we asked students to suggest ways in which we could recognize maintenance staff and demon-strate our appreciation. They responded with creativity and enthusiasm. In the primary school, students are preparing ‘shoe box’ gifts for the children of our workers while secondary students are raising funds through “Wicked Wednesday” dress-up days and “Phat Friday” bake sales, organized each week by a different grade level. At the end of the semester, proceeds will be used to stock holiday food hampers for our maintenance staff.

Please join us and support your children’s efforts to show their appreciation for the people who keep our school safe, clean and secure. Mary Jo Heatherington, PhD School Director

AISM Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday 11/12/2012 @ 18h00 AISM Auditorium

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.aism-moz.com/go.asp?idlink=509


To our Wonderful Maintenance TeamTo our Wonderful Maintenance TeamTo our Wonderful Maintenance Team

THANK YOU!

For cleaning our classrooms and offices

For washing up after us

For fixing things and building things

For setting things up for all our events

For keeping the garden and grounds in great shape

For keeping our pool clean

For teaching us to weed and transplant our tomato plants

For always greeting us with smiles

For speaking English to us

For helping us learn Portuguese

For keeping us safe in the car park

For keeping our school safe and secure

For being kind, respectful and good role-models




Um MUITO Um MUITO Um MUITO

Maintenance workers

Maintenance workers

Maintenance workers

Electricians

Electricians

Electricians

Carpenters

Carpenters

Carpenters

Clean

ers

Clean

ers

Clean

ers

Security & Crossing guards



Office assistants

Office assistants

Office assistants

Gardeners

Gardeners

Gardeners

Bus drivers

Bus drivers

Bus drivers

a todo o nosso pessoal da Manutençãoa todo o nosso pessoal da Manutençãoa todo o nosso pessoal da Manutenção




Primary School

THE PRIMARY LEADERSHIP TEAM

The Primary Leadership Team is currently involved in a six-

week online IB workshop called Pedagogical Leadership. This

workshop is highlighting the need to share structure and

leadership roles with the parent community.

Primary School teachers meet every Tuesday. There is a 3-

week cycle that we rotate through – grade teams, a profes-

sional learning community and the whole team.

Each professional learning community has a leader:

ELC and K: Ms. Brooks

G1 and 2: Ms. Nancy

G3 through 5: Ms. Judith

Single Subject Teachers: Ms. Ana

Support Teachers: Ms. Diane

The leaders of these teams, along with Ms. Trina, Ms. Tania

and Ms. Karen, make up the Primary Leadership Team.

We meet every 2 weeks in our lunch hour and make all the

key decisions regarding the primary school.

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

ELC S – check out the Master Chef’s!

‘Play takes many forms and enables people to express them-

selves in different ways’.

This is the central idea of our current Unit of Inquiry, ‘How

We Express Ourselves’. As we were exploring the different

forms of play, the discussion led to games with rules, and

one of the students said he knew a game with rules and it’s

called Master Chef. Some children had an idea about Master

Chef and everyone decided it was time to play Master Chef.

The task was to make a simple omelette and sandwich with

the materials provided.

The rules:

Crack an egg into the bowl and not break the egg.

Focus on your task.

Don’t go near the stove if the teacher/adult isn’t there.

Present the cooked omelette in a creative way.

Everyone was enthusiastic, engaged, in pursuit of excellence

AND had so much fun. It was a perfect way to start our unit!

ELC K - the rules of the game…

In these pictures students are playing the ‘Tom and Jerry’

game. They wondered ‘would the game be different if they

played with no rules?’ Some of them concluded that it

would not be fun because they might end up in trouble. Oth-

ers thought it was fun, because they could express them-

selves freely. That is the beauty of different perspectives!




Primary School

4F OUT OF THE BOX!

Finally all the boxes we’ve been

waiting for have arrived. And what

better way to make use of them than

as a provocation for writing? The

students of 4F were so curious to

know what was inside that we took

the model we had been looking at in

Writer’s Workshop of the ekphrastic

poem (poetry inspired by art), and

got inspired by boxes instead!

Ekphrastic poems are often written from different perspec-

tives (one of our key concepts in this unit of inquiry into How

We Express Ourselves), and it wasn’t long before the children

were taking the perspective of the box itself or of whatever

was inside the box. Even Ms Fiona joined in. In the end, the

poetry writing was probably more exciting than actually

opening the boxes!

ACTION IN THE PYP

Action is one of the five essential elements in the PYP. It is

viewed as an important part of students‘ active participation

in their own learning and often happens beyond the class-

room. Effective action doesn’t have to be grandiose, though,

it begins within the self and the family. Think about what

your child displays differently at home. Does your child DO,

THINK, FEEL, SAY anything different? Feedback to teachers is

critical when action is evident at home.

TEACHING ASSISTANTS LEARN TOO

Teaching Assistants in the Primary School are completing a

series of workshops on the PYP. They are working together

as a team to build their understanding so they can assist both

students and teachers with the implementation of the pro-

gramme.

Have a lovely week,

Karen

TANIA RIBEIRO

PRIMARY COUNSELOR TEASINGTEASINGTEASING

How to talk to your child about it:

Be yourself : Reinforce that everyone is different (even brothers/siblings/relatives) and that is what makes us unique and special Think positive : Think about a trait that characterises your child and reinforce that trait. (e.g. Ask your child to tell you something he likes about himself and reinforce that) Stick with friends : Build a circle of peers who are friendly and ask your child to stay close to those friends and Ask for help : If anything happens, seek help from your friends or adults around you (teachers/parents) Use humor : Make fun about the situation Use Kelso’s Choices with particular focus on: .. Ignoring .. Walking away .. Waiting and cooling off (calm down and stay relaxed; don’t respond in an upset manner, be-cause that increases teasing) Keep in mind that it’s not about you : Explain that teasing has to do with the teaser. When children are aware that the teaser is the one with the problem, it helps them hold on to their self-esteem Last but not least, teasing happens : Although children can’t always control teasing, they can control the way they react (reinforce the ideas above)

Sources: Book: Lonczak, Heather (2007) Mookey the Monkey gets over being teased. Magination Press Kelso’s Choices: http://www.kelsoschoice.net/aboutkc.html



http://www.kelsoschoice.net/aboutkc.html


Primary Arts Week

Primary Arts Week is a week once a year when we connect the arts of Mozambique to the learning pro-gramme here at AISM. Each grade completes 4 lessons with a local artist to learn skills directly related to the local arts scene.

Grade 5: Dance

Kindergarten: Water colour

Grade 2: Mozambican games Grade 3: Capulana Crafts

Grade 4: Painting

Grade 1: Drumming

This year we culminated the week with dancers from XindinoXindinoXindino.

This professional troop has both adult and child dancers. They were spine-tinglingly brilliant! We were all in absolute awe of the children’s skill and ability to express themselves.




Every year Grade 5 students visit Xefina Island as a part of

their unit on Exploration. This year the intrepid explorers

survived mangrove mud and insects in order to traverse

the unfriendly terrain. Tired, dirty explorers returned to

school with many stories to tell!

Grade 5 Exploration Project Exhibition

Culminating activity/Summative Assessment

As a part of their Exploration unit, Grade 5 students have to

complete an inquiry into an area of interest. This year the

subjects chosen by the students were varied and interesting,

from a cat’s behaviour, to cooking an Italian feast, to the Ma-

puto Railway Station.

The visual presentations took a variety of forms, from Power-

Point to poster, and parents and staff were invited to the

library to view them and listen to the student’s well-prepared

verbal presentations. Well done to grade 5 students!




Middle Years Program

Speech Night 2012 On October 25th, Mrs Kannan’s Public Speaking Elective class held its first ‘Speech Night’ where students presented their persuasive speeches to their parents . Each student urged the audience to adopt the qualities outlined in the IB Learner Profile. Nerves jangled as students waited to deliver the speeches they had worked hard on since the be-ginning of the year, but their effort and determination paid off when they stood up in front of their parents, teachers and peers. The all demonstrated skill, confidence and eloquence that belied their nerves, making Mrs Kannan and their parents very proud.

Ever since October 31st, Wednesdays for AISM students have been a little wacky! Each week a different grade selects a theme and students pay 20 Mtn to dress up accordingly. There’s a catch: if they fail to dress up they are FINED 50Mtn! It’s all

for a good cause. We are raising money for Christmas hampers for the Maintenance staff and we’re well on our way to our goal of 70 baskets.

SHAKESPEARE EVENING On the evening of November 2nd, Grades 8, 9 and the IB Drama students worked together to present a magical evening supper theatre in the AISM courtyard. In homage to The Bard and his times, there was courtly dancing, the singing of madrigals and cameo extracts from some of his plays. Jesters roamed the audience, quizzing them on their Shakespearean knowledge, and sending them to the stocks if it was found wanting! A buffet dinner concluded an excellent evening which showcased our multi-talented student body. Many thanks to the teachers involved: Ms Colleen, Ms Jacquie, Ms Carol, Mr Pike and the project designer, Ms Whyman. Also many thanks to the parent volunteers who gave of their time in support of this event.




Secondary School

Striking a Balance at AISM

A C A D E M I C S T O R I E S O T H E R S T O R I E S

Speech Night

Extended Essay Night

Shakespeare Evening

Exam Preparation Trimester Assessments Soccer & Volleyball Tournaments

Swim Gala Service Learning Day

Habitat For Humanity

From time to time we need to stop and reflect on whether we are, in fact, achieving balance between the academic

challenges of our program and the physical activity necessary for healthy living. We need to take a look at whether or

not we are sleeping enough, and eating well enough to sustain us through the rigours of our daily program. I took a

look at what we did, as a school, over the past month, to assess the balance.

So how can students learn to keep the balance? • Set priorities. • Do not be an over-achiever (being a participant and well-rounded is more important than over achievement in one area only) • Set realistic goals. • Acknowledge your feelings: remember to fit in healthy eating, exercise and enough sleep. • Schedule time for yourself. Students are most stressed by: • Homework and school work (grades, tests and college applications) • Family expectations • Social issues

It is important to encourage our teens to lead a healthy balanced life, in which they recognise their talents and strengths and feel good about their accomplishments.

http://www.pamf.org/teen/life/stress/lifebalance.html

Balance, peace and joy are the fruit of a successful life.

It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them.

~THOMAS KINKADE

Colleen Fletcher

Secondary Principal



http://www.pamf.org/teen/life/stress/lifebalance.html


Susan Rhodes

Secondary School

The Extended Essay is a 4,000-word research paper written as part of the requirements for an IB diploma. It is assessed exter-nally and the students must pass in order to be eligible for the IB Diploma. A good grade on the Extended Essay allows the student to obtain extra points towards his or her final Diploma score.

On the 31 October, thirty-six Grade 12 students formally handed their Extended Essays over to Ms Rhodes, and received a Certifi-cate of Completion from Ms Fletcher and Dr Heatherington.

Before doing so, students presented their research questions, gave brief summaries of the scope of their investigations, and presented their conclusions. The range of topics studied was astonishing!

After all students received their certificates a number of them dispensed advice to the Grade 11’s who were in attendance.

Seniors Present Their Extended EssaysSeniors Present Their Extended EssaysSeniors Present Their Extended Essays

Chelsea Dullea

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS

Safe and Savvy: Tips for Managing your Children’s Social Lives

On Monday last week, parents and teachers of Grade 6-8 students gathered to discuss the social lives of early ado-lescents and some of the inherent risks they face.

On Wednesday last week, parents and teachers of Grade 9-12 students met with Henk Son, a security expert, and Pedro Couto, a lawyer, who briefed us on Mozambican laws that relate specifically to teenagers in Mozambique.

During both discussions, participants exchanged ideas and offered suggestions to better manage our children’s social lives and keep them safe. Key information that emerged from the 2 discussions was: ALWAYS have your cell phone on when your children are out. Families should organize a ‘Responsibility/Support’ structure among themselves: Designate a parent or family to be in charge of a group of children each evening. That person should keep his/her phone on and nearby and also assume responsibility for drop-offs, collection, and periodic phone calls or text messages during the night. When going out, the ‘group’ must always stay together. NEVER separate from the group. If one person wants to hang out at a friend’s house, then the whole group goes together. If the police want to take one person to the police station, the whole group goes to the police station. If your children find themselves in a high risk situation such as the use of alcohol or drugs at a party, ask your children to use a “code word” to signify (by phone or by text message) that they would like you to come and collect them. It’s helpful to have a reliable taxi driver that you and your child can call to organize a ride home. If you do not know the parents of the person your child is hanging out with or who is having the party, CALL THEM. Parent phone numbers are listed on the AISM secure site.

It is necessary anywhere, not only Maputo, to prepare children to be socially safe and savvy, while still allowing them to have fun. Communication is key. Parents need to talk to each other and their children. Ask questions, find out where they are going and with whom. AISM will continue to provide information and support to both parents and children.

For more detailed information on what was discussed, please e-mail me at [email protected].

Chelsea Secondary School Counselor





Gabriel Limaverde SERVICE LEARNING

Spotlight on ...

ARCOARCOARCO---IRISIRISIRIS

On November 8, secondary school students all headed out to their projects on their third Service Learning Day this year. This month we shine a spotlight on our newest project in the Community Partnership Program, orphanage Ministério Arco-Iris. Grade 12 student, Laetitia Boon, introduced AISM to this project through her extra-curricular work at the orphanage Arco-Iris holds tremendous promise as a en-riching partnership with AISM. Our students spent the morning play-ing with children, finger-painting, face-painting, playing soccer and doing paper crafts. It was remarkable and heart-warming to see all the children entirely comfortable and happy. We look forward to a long and enjoyable partnership with Arco-Iris.

TTTHHHLLLAAANNNGGGAAANNNIIISSSAAA returns to AISM 15th - 17th February

This annual festival aims to make connections with young people in Mozambique through the Arts. All students bene-

fit from the multi-cultural learning experiences. Participating AISM students each sponsor a visiting student who

would otherwise not be able to enjoy this type of experience. The program consists of 10 different workshops, each

running for a total of 9 hours over the course of the weekend, with a culminating performance on the Sunday.

We are recruiting enthusiastic, hardworking, organized individuals to help plan and run this festival. If you are will-

ing to assist, please contact Student Team Leader, Beatriz Martins. Mobile: 84 205 2694 / Email: beat-

[email protected]

Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

Logistics; Transportation; Marketing / Sponsorship; Food & Beverages; Communication; Social / Workshops

Laetitia Boon






STUDENTS

HABITAT FOR HUMAN- Donna Spisso

AISM Students Build in Gaza Province

Mrs Spisso and eleven student volunteers travelled to Gaza Province earlier this month to par-ticipate in AISM’s 3rd Habitat For Humanity build in 8 months. Having raised enough money

through our donations to pay all of the expenses for the house ($3,000), our students worked energetically on the build in spite of the searing heat. They learned how to mix cement and lay bricks, and at the same time enjoyed the opportunity to interact with the people of the

village. The grateful recipient of the new home, Anabelle, is a single mother of three.

The next and FINAL build of the school year will be April 18-21 (the last Service Learning day, and following weekend).

The goal is to send TWO teams (14 students and two chaperones). The optimum number to

build one house is 8 of us who work with 3 skilled laborers and the Habitat For Humanity rep-resentative. We will leave Wednesday April 17, after school.

Gabriel Limaverde SERVICE LEARNING

GISS 2013

AISM is offering students from Grade 8-12 the opportunity to attend the Global Issues Service Summit (GISS) 2013 this year in February in Nairobi, Kenya.

Students wishing to participate must be prepared to present a workshop on a project or project idea that they have. For more information please con-tact Gabriel Limaverde or view www.aisa-giss.org.

TWO THUMBS UP!

Two thumbs up for Laetitia Boon, who

has passed her final Trinity Guildhall

Grade 8 piano exam with Merit!




Lee Clagnaz

SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

AISM Hosts Soccer and Volleyball Tournament

A record 30 teams took part in AISM’s Annual Soccer & Volleyball Tournament on November 2-4.

VOLLEYBALL

Varsity Girls Volleyball took 4th place out of 7 teams.

Junior Varsity Girls Volleyball managed an exciting 3-set victory over the French School.

Varsity Boys fought through a field of 8 teams to reach the championship final before falling to Triunfo.

Junior Varsity Boys took 3rd Place. Overall - a successful weekend for boys’ volleyball!

SOCCER

The Varsity Boys finished in 4th place out of a field of 10 teams.

Junior Varsity Boys fell in key matches to Trichardt, Portuguese School and Mafalala.

The Varsity Girls took 3rd place in a very tough field of 5 teams.

Our Junior Varsity Girls fell to all the other teams in the field. Better luck next time girls.

Mafalala eventually won the championship, so our congratulations go to them.

We will have to work hard to get them next time!

Special thanks go to all the parent volunteers who helped keep the athletes well-hydrated and fed, and to

Ms. Denise, Ms. Kellyann, and Mr. Nergio for their organization and hard work.

U-8, U-10, U-12 SOCCER ACTION

AISM hosted a primary school soccer event on 10 November with 13 teams competing.

* U-8 team won two matches against French School Teams 1&2, and lost one to Inter Maputo.

* U-10 team stole the show winning all of their games against the French and Portuguese schools,

and Inter Maputo.

* U-12 team took two wins out of four matches against the Portuguese and Inter Maputo.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCCER AT THE FRENCH SCHOOL

On 10 November AISM Middle School Boys went to play at the French School. Playing in an older age

group, our boys did their best, but lost their three matches against the Portuguese and French schools,

and Inter Maputo.

VARSITY SOCCER SCORES:

AISM Varsity Girls 3-0 Inter Maputo 10 Nov

AISM Varsity Boys 5-4 Maputo International School 16 Nov

AISM Swim Team vs. Golfinhos and Tubaroes




Andre Keenoy

MABUKWINI The House at Sugar Beach by Helene Cooper

Helene Cooper is "Congo," a descendant of two Liberian dynasties --

traced back to the first ship of freemen that set sail from New York in 1820

to found Monrovia. Helene grew up at Sugar Beach, a twenty-two-room

mansion by the sea. Her childhood was filled with servants, flashy cars, and

a villa in Spain. It was also an African childhood, filled with knock foot

games and hot pepper soup, heartmen and neegee. When Helene was

eight, the Coopers took in a foster child -- a common custom among the

Liberian elite. Eunice, a Bassa girl, suddenly became known as "Mrs.

Cooper's daughter."

For years the Cooper daughters -- Helene, her sister Marlene, and Eunice --

blissfully enjoyed the trappings of wealth and advantage. But Liberia was

like an unwatched pot of water left boiling on the stove… [Google Books]

BOOK OF THE MONTH

MONSTER FUN!

Go WILD for Edible Books 2012!

Bake a cake or create something edible that is:

* inspired by a favourite tale or character,

* a play on words or a pun on a book title,

* shaped like a book or scroll.

Bring your entries to AISM Library Thursday January 31st at 8am.

JUDGING: 12h00 - 13h00

AWARDS: 13h00

Primary Librarian

Nikki Jayne

LEE CLAGNAZ Sports Director

Hats off to our Sports Director, Mr Lee Clagnaz!

Mr Clagnaz not only put together our amazing

Weeks Without Walls earlier this semester, but has

worked tirelessly, often 7 days a week, coaching

competitive sports and organizing Primary and Sec-

ondary sports and after-school activities.

Mr Clagnaz, you are an inspiration … and a

“snappy dresser”!




Sue Lindsay-Rea

HEALTHWISE

AISM’s annual Health Day for maintenance workers was held on Saturday October 27. This event is open to all staff members and their partners and continues to be well-attended. Participants spent the morning engaged in activities designed to increase their knowledge and awareness of certain health issues and assist them in making informed decisions about their health. These activities included an aerobics session, a small theatrical piece on the im-portance of Family Planning and a talk from two women who are HIV positive. Staff members were also able to have their blood pressure and blood sugar levels tested.

Stands set up outside the auditorium offered information on hy-giene and water treatment, nutrition and family planning and PSI was there offering voluntary HIV testing.

The morning closed with a healthy lunch. Many thanks go to Mary Jo Heatherington for her continued support in maintaining a Health Program for the maintenance team.

Wedding Bells have being ringing for

AISM staff members!

Congratulations

Lucia & Acacia who married on

19 October 2012.

Leonel & Sesaltina who married on

November 10, 2012 LEONEL & SESALTINA LUCIA & ACACIA

Next PTA meeting: Wednesday 5 December 7h30 in staff lounge ALL WELCOME

The PTA would like to

thank all the parents

and staff who volun-

teered their time to help

make our Brit Fest a suc-

cess. Your help was

very much appreciated!

Grateful thanks to our

sponsors, the British

High Commission, Coca

Cola, Africom, Southern

Sun, CDM, A&D Hold-

ing Lda, Cupcakes, Bali,

Ricardo Catering, Cafe

Sol, Celandia Jewelry,

Campo di Fiori and Pick

n Pay.




Wed 28 Nov Wicked Wednesday

Wed 28 Nov Primary School Family Literacy Night (17:30 - 18:30)

Fri 30 Nov After School Activities End (Season 1)

Fri 30 Nov Phat Fri-Day Bake Sale (09:00 Snack Shack)

December 2012

Sat 1 Dec Primary & Secondary MISSA Swimming Gala (AISM)

Sat 1 Dec Middle School Dance (18:30 - 21:30 Auditorium)

Wed 5 Dec Wicked Wednesday

Wed 5 Dec PTA Meeting (07:30 Staff Lounge)

Wed 5 Dec 6th Grade Parent Evening (18:00 - 19:00 Auditorium)

Thu 6 Dec Primary School Production (6 & 7 Dec Auditorium)

Fri 7 Dec Exams (Grades 11 - 12)

Fri 7 Dec Community Time (07:30 - 08:00 Auditorium)

Fri 7 Dec Primary School Coffee Morning

(6 Traits of Writing and Writers’ Workshop) (08:00 Staff Lounge)

Fri 7 Dec Phat Fri-Day Bake Sale (09:00 Snack Shack)

Sat 8 Dec Dutch School: St. Nicholas Festival

(09:30 - 13:00 Primary School Play Area)

Mon 10 Dec Exams (Grades 11 - 12) (10 - 12 Dec)

Tue 11 Dec Primary School Parent Information Session

(6 Traits of Writing and Writers’ Workshop) (18:00 Primary School Library)

Tue 11 Dec Board Meeting, AISM Auditorium, 18h00

Wed 12 Dec Primary School Report Cards

Wed 12 Dec Wicked Wednesday

Wed 12 Dec Primary School Library Night (17:30 - 18:30 Primary School Library)

Fri 14 Dec End of Second Quarter

Fri 14 Dec Last day of School/Report Cards/Early Dismissal

Fri 14 Dec Secondary School Assembly (11:00 - 11:30 Auditorium)

Sat 15 Dec Semester Break (15 Dec - 14 Jan)

Sat 15 Dec Workers’ Picnic (Campus Closed) (08:00 - 18:00 AISM)

January 2013

Mon 14 Jan Teacher Work Day

Calendar



THE LINK Volume V Issue 4

Documents

Transcript of THE LINK Volume V Issue 4