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

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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