January 2016
Middle School News 1
Middle School News
Before the half-term break, I would just like to take this opportunity to highlight some important dates, and some interesting learning which has been taking place in the Middle School. As always, Middle School is a hive of activity with students engaging in collaborative learning, independent research projects, and community events. With the ever-competitive world around us, we hope by giving our students a well-balanced and culturally rich learning environment, that they will develop into open-minded learners, who think about the creative process of acquiring new skills and knowledge, asking questions along the way. The aim of our Careers Day on the 9th March is to expose students to as many different professions and professionals to enable them to think about possible careers and most importantly, we wish to inspire the future generation to take command, in an evolving and challenging world. From Medicine, Science, Sustainability and Finance, to Sport, Law and Event Management, to name but a few of the seminars students can enjoy during this day.
Enjoy your half-term break, and we look forward to welcoming all students back on Monday 22nd February. Mrs L Mackenzie-Wright, Head of Middle School
Important Dates
Mid-term Report - available to view – Friday 5th February Les Enfants du Frankie Community Event – Wednesday 2nd March Careers Day – Wednesday 9th March Parent/Teacher conferences – Wednesday 9th and 16th March Book Week – 14th-18th March Arts Festival – 23rd March CIE Cambridge Checkpoint Exams (class 9 only)
• English – Wednesday 20th April • Maths – Thursday 21st April • Science – Friday 22nd April
Middle School MUN conference – 27th April iGCSE French exam (some of class 9)
• Listening – Monday 9th May PM • Writing – Monday 9th May PM • Reading – Friday 13th May PM
Exam Week – Wednesday 8th June – Friday 17th June
January 2016
Middle School News 2
Zumba comes to ISM! As from Tuesday 1st March, Middle School students will
have the possibility to participate in extra-curricular Zumba lessons.
What is Zumba? Zumba Fitness is a Latin-inspired cardio-dance workout that uses music and choreographed steps to form a fitness party atmosphere. While many of the types of dance and music
featured in the program are Latin American inspired, classes can also contain everything from Jazz to African beats to
country to hip-hop and pop. It appeals to all ages. ...It's a blast—and a calorie-burner, too!!
Classes will be 10euros, payable on a weekly basis.
Class 8 CSM visit Class 8 had a guided tour of the Centre Scientifique de Monaco as part of their Science curriculum. Topics of
discussion included cell activity in marine organisms, along with the research of cancer cells. Students showed a good prior knowledge level before their visit and therefore
asked thoughtful and insightful questions during their visit. Students were asked to complete a reflection after their
visit, highlighting new learning which took place. A number of students commented that the visit has inspired them to
become Scientists later in life!
Class 7 were part of a live feed from the International Space Station on Tuesday 2nd February. Organised by the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency, Dr Kevin Fong linked with the ISS and talked to Tim Peake, the British Astronaut who is completing a 6 month mission. This was a wonderful way to bring much of the wonders of space to life for the class 7 students, who watched Tim Peake drink water, touch his toes and spin around whilst entertaining people all over the globe! Tim also answered questions from students, similar in age to ours, so all in all, this engaging experience inspired our students to learn more!
Boy’s football The Middle School boys football team has qualified
for the semi-final of the UNSS Monaco inter-schools tournament. They will play against College Charles III on Wednesday 24th February at the Stade
Moneghetti. If they win this game, they will play the winners of the other semi-final game.
Alexis Keusseoglou will be ‘Jeune Officiel’ (referee) for other matches during the afternoon.
We wish all the boys the very best of luck!
January 2016
Middle School News 3
Year 9 Homeroom reflect on the Refugee crisis. Never since World War 2 has there been so many refugees across the world. Over 50 million! Not just Syria. Not just Afghanistan. Not just Eritrea. Not just Somalia. Not just Sudan. The list grows longer every month. This issue is in the spotlight right now, and our class 9’s have led an investigation into the reasons and the results of this crisis. History is being made in Europe right now, and our class 9’s do not intend to sit idly by without taking a long look at why this is being let happen. We have looked at the difficulties faced by people who have been displaced. Not people far removed from us, but doctors, teachers, lawyers. What do you take with you? Do you pay people smugglers or go it alone? Do you risk staying, for example in Syria, and risk your family being killed as the terrorist groups move closer to your neighborhood? Class 9 realize these are not simply questions on a piece of paper, they are real life decisions being made right now by families across the world. We research into how we believe the international community should respond when poverty and conflict combine to create a crisis. We also study the difference between migrants and refugees, and why risking death in the Mediterranean is the best option for so many; this potential fatal crossing holds no fear for so many when they are escaping tyranny, hunger and violence. Our class 9’s next step; How can we help?
Student Council The Student Council continues to meet weekly to discuss school issues, and also projects which involve the wider school community. Their commitment and enthusiasm engages the group together in a positive spirit, with each student sharing a common goal of reaching out, and making a difference. This month, students are focusing on their organisation for our afternoon of fun for ‘Les Enfants du Frankie’, and their upcoming visits to the retirement home ‘A Qietudine’. They have also organised ISM’s first Movie Night, and are continuing to engage themselves in the Philanthropy and CAS group with Secondary students. Our Student Council President, Mara Gindorf, will present to the PTA in the coming weeks.
January 2016
Middle School News 4
Follow us on Twitter
Class 7 - @Year7ISM
Class 8 - @Year8ISM
Class 9 - @Year9ISM
Community Events
The Community Captains, Co-Captains and Junior Captains organised a Lyp Sync contest on the last day of
the first trimester. This event showcased much talent amongst our students (and teachers!), and created a
wonderfully positive environment before everyone left for their Christmas vacation.
The Community Captains collect the points on a weekly basis, and these are displayed on the school notice board. Our next Community event will be in conjunction with Book Week, in which a Spelling Bee will be organised to bring the Middle School together for an entertaining and
challenging event.
Class 7 Drama Students in class 7 Drama are working on a unit called ‘Radio Play’. In this unit, students are exploring the use of the voice, how sound is produced, storytelling and it will result in students creating their own Radio Play. Every week, students have been set tongue-‐twister challenges to allow students to explore how the mouth creates the different vowel and consonant sounds. Challenge yourself to complete all 10. Focus on accuracy over speed, and pay attention to which part of the mouth is creating which sound (it will help!)
1. Fluffy Puppy, Floppy Feet (repeat 3 times) 2. Peggy Babcock (repeat 3 times) 3. Her Hair Hangs High Above Her Head 4. I Thought A Thought, But The Thought I Thought Wasn’t The Thought I Thought. 5. Round The Rugged Rock The Ragged Rascal Ran 6. Gnats Are Not Now Gnawing On The Nuts At Night 7. Kit’s Kite Kits (repeat 3 times) 8. Tacky Tractor Trailer Trucks 9. A Gentle Judge Judges Justly 10. Sheep On Ship Slipped On A Sheet Of Sleet
KEY: a – as in “more” a – as in “away” or “cinema” a – as is “arm” or “father” a – as in “apple” ai – as in “tray” ai – as in “chair”
e – as in “elephant” e or o – as in “the” or “her” e or ea – as in “head” or “said” y or ee – as in “need” i – as in “sit” i -‐ as in “eye”
o – as in “hut” o or ou – as in “cow” u – as in “cup” or “luck” ou – as in “thought” or “bought” ue or e – silent vowels sounds
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