The International School Of Penang (Uplands)

In this TouchBase:- Carols by Candlelight, photos of the night

- Cinderella, A Pantomime

- Movember 2008

- IGCSE History turns communist

- Boarders Activities, Ball Tournament results

Get TouchBase in colour at www.uplands.org

A

FO

RT

NIG

HT

LY

N

EW

SL

ET

TE

R F

OR

T

HE

S

CH

OO

L

CO

MM

UN

ITY

FRIDAY, January 23rd, 2009

TERM 2

BA

SE

TO

UC

HCarols byCandlelightin pictures, inside. H a p p y

C h i n e s e

New Year to all

who are

celebrating!

Marketing and

Events

PAGE 2 PAGE 3

Helping Your Children Make The Right Choices

As I am sure parents are aware, and our students have yet to learn, life is full of important and difficult decisions which can have far reaching consequences. Our Year 11 students are about to reach a stage in their lives when they have to make one of these important decisions; what do they do after Year 11?For a lucky few, they will already know, for example, that they want to be a doctor or a lawyer. However even they have to make an important decision about which IB subjects to study.The majority of students have a much harder decision to make; to decide which IB subjects would be suitable for the career of their choice. Of course many students may not yet have thought carefully about the type of career they would like to pursue. If they make the wrong decisions now, this can affect important career choices later.To reduce the chance of this happening the School is offering Year 11 students the chance to take part in a Career Guidance Assessment Pro-gram, called Interquest. This is a very comprehensive program which initially involves the students completing a set of aptitude tests followed by a questionnaire. This is very comprehensive and takes over 2 hours to complete. The information from these tests are then linked together to produce a 16 page report for each student. This is done at the Cambridge Occu-pational Analysts centre in the UK under the guidance of a UK based company, Step One. They are a career guidance company specializing in working with students in the international community. The report is very comprehensive and details the following:

o A priority list of broad career areas based upon the student’s initial responseso Awareness of new occupational opportunitieso Challenging previous future career ideaso Details of his or her top listed career areas and descriptions of specific occupationso Personal profile covering the student’s ambition and personal preferences identification of the correct IB subjects for future choiceso Will indicate in which area your son or daughter has the strongest abilities (numerical, verbal, perceptual or reasoning) which in turn; - Are very important to help to determine their future educational abilities - Are essential to find out if their career interests match their capabilities - Identify contrasts between potential and performance - Gives information about the student’s exam technique

This will be the third year we have run the program. The students and parents who took part last year were very impressed by the results. They commented that it did help them to make difficult and important decisions.I have been trained in the program and will be available to provide guidance and to explain the content of the report. A letter will be sent to Year 11 parents allowing them to register for this program. The program will run in February, after the mock examinations. However interested parents are encouraged to register before then to ensure they are not left out. Due to the program being run by an external company there is a charge, which will be detailed in the letter.If you have any questions regarding the program, the Step One website is www.step1.co.uk, which includes details of Interquest and a sample report. These can be accessed in the products section of the webpage.

Nigel WhittlestoneHead of Years 9,10 and 11

Uplands Singers

Uplands Chamber Orchestra

Candlelight

MC

Primary Orchestra

StaffSanta Claus drops in

German Swiss Group

Junior Choir

Primary Choir

Carols by Candlelight @ Uplands December 2008

A big thank you to :360 Financial Services for the Christmas Quiz Prizes at Carols by Candlelight 2008.

Phil Neild

MOVEMBER

November 2008 was re-named“Movember” and there were quite a few HAIRlarious sights seen throughout the Uplands’ community.

The objective of “Movember @ Uplands” was to improve the state of men’s health. Up-lands’ Movember Campaign achieved its objective by:

• Generating awareness surrounding men’s health issues, specifically prostate can-cer and depression in men• Raising funds for Mt Miriam Hospital to help fund a new cancer machine, so they may better achieve their aims and improve the state of men’s health.• Changing the way men think about, discuss and treat their own health is-sues.

It was great to see so many people putting in for charity by growing a large caterpil-lar on the upper lip. There is no better way to help out others in this tricky time of the cash and credit crises than an upper haired lip. There were 21 participants that undertook the challenge of growing the itchy and annoying, furry friend. Staff, students, board members and parents all took part and a grand total of RM10, 855 was raised.

As part of the month of awareness all male students from Yr 10 – 13 listened to a health talk given by doctors from Adventist Hospital. A big thank you to Nurse Sarah for organizing the informa-tive presentation.

The main event (which over one hundred people attended throughout the night) was the very enjoy-able MO-Party, which took place at Shenanigan’s Irish Bar and Restaurant in the form of a Trivia Night. Business Teacher, Phil Neild, spent numerous hours writing and organizing the successful evening, and without his efforts the night would not have gone ahead. Numerous local business and friends of the Uplands community donated some wonderful prizes (please see the list below). A big thank you to Year 13 students – Ben Prodinger, Aaron Korpal and Seb Burrell – who also worked hard to forward the suc-cess of the trivia night (and throughout the entire Movemeber Campaign.)

A big thank-you to everyone who participated in MOVEMBER in some shape or form. Whether you grew (or attempted to grow) the moustache, if you sponsored someone, or if you attended the Trivia Night, it all counts. THANK YOU!! Congratulations to the six participants who individually raised over RM1000 each (in order from highest to lowest):

• Kingsley Charles• Craig Skinner (with thanks to the Royal Australian Air Force @ The Hostie)• Dave Green (with thanks to the Penang International Hash Hounds)• Ian Kerr• Craig Marcombe• Sean Davis

We look forward to a bigger and better Movember in 2009. Sponsors of the MO-Party Trivia Night were:• Shenanigans Irish Pub & Restaurant• The Eclectic Lounge & Restaurant• Jen Heal Photography• Torch Bar• Uplands Parent Teacher Association• Craig Skinner• Mikk Towers• The Kerr Family

Craig SkinnerCAS Coordinator

PAGE 2 PAGE 3

PAGE 4 PAGE 5

Just Plain Fun!

One of the parents came to me at intermission on open-ing night of CINDERELLA and said, “I have to tell you, I hate watching plays and was really dreading having to come to this show, but this has been just plain fun.”

I think that pretty much sums up our production of CINDERELLA. From de-sign, to rehearsals, to production meet-ings, to prop and costume construction parties and certainly to each night of the show. CINDERELLA was just plain fun. Our students grew from the process; improving their skills as performers, increasing their knowledge of theatre tradition and certainly experiencing en-semble first hand but maybe more im-portantly they learned that hard work can be full of laughter and fun. Each performance, as I listened to the MPH fill with laughter and saw on the faces of the audience the proof of their enjoyment of the evening, I smiled to myself knowing that all of us who worked on the play had just as good a time in the process as they did watch-ing the show. The Performing Arts department could not have done this production on its own and would like to offer this col-lections of photo memories of the show not only for your enjoyment but also as a thank you to the many Uplands teach-ers and staff members, PTA members, star sponsor: Park Royal Hotel Penang, parents and certainly the students that contributed to making a successful pro-duction, “just plain fun!”

Randy Moss, Head of Department, Per-forming Arts

APantomime

PAGE 4 PAGE 5

Fortunately there were no accordion playing supporters in tow on the day! Thanks to the many teachers and students (willing or not) who took part in this fun and educational experience. Happy Chinese New Year.

Nicholas Klar, History

Red Guards and Counter - Revolutionaries It began as any normal school day, but what were all these posters up all around the school? - “Smash the Bourgeois!”, “Rid the school of counter-revolutionar-ies!”, “Capitalism – we can do better”.

Then just before the lunch the commotion began. Year Eleven Red Guards barged into classrooms making accusations against teachers and hauling them away for trial. Ms. Hanaway was accused of stock-ing anti-revolutionary texts in the school library. Some senior students were also arrested as conspirators. And, at the very last, Mr. Henni-gan was chased down and arrested. These unfortunates were then paraded around the school and humiliated for their ‘crimes’. Finally

‘Chairman Pao’ (or his spirit) delivered a stirring speech to the massed proletariat congratulating them on their revolutionary fervour. What was it all about? The Year 11 historians are now at the end of their in depth study on Communist China and whilst studying the Cultural Revolution they were invited to consider how they would think and act today if called upon to be Red Guards. They constructed the posters and drawings making ‘accusations’ against various parties which were posted up around the school then followed that up with action. It gave all Uplands students (especially the very enthusiastic junior primary ‘guards’) a chance for a very small insight into that fateful time in China .

Happenings in IGCSE History

UPLANDS SCHOOL SONG by Fiona Fox ‘05 - ‘Happy Respect Week’ 19th - 23rd January 2009

Respect for self, it’s how we grow; Respect for others, we’ve come to know

A blend of backgrounds, a range of beliefs; Learning together in harmony

We hope the world sees us; As we stand proud and tall… full of

Respect for self, others and all…

As we learn of the world and its ways; We learn more of ourselves, from day to day

Sharing of passions, meeting of lives; All with an everlasting Uplands pride

We hope the world sees us ; As we stand proud and tall…full of

Respect for self, others and all!

PAGE 6 PAGE 7

BOARD talk …As this is the first issue of TouchBase this term, the Board would like to take the opportunity to say “welcome back” to all members of the school community. We hope your Christmas holiday was a happy and peaceful one. We would also like to welcome all families new to the school. We hope you are happy here in Penang and that you will enjoy being a part of the Uplands community.

As the recruitment process for a new Principal is still ongoing, Trustee Committee members were busy throughout December. During this time, the committee met with and interviewed a number of short-listed candidates (some in person and others via the internet), and as a result of these interviews they were able to narrow the search even further. As some of you will be aware, one of the short-listed candi-dates was brought to the school and met with the Board, members of staff and the PTA. There will be a full Board meeting later this month and the Board will then consider any recommendations put forward by the Trustee Committee. We will keep you updated on progress.

As I was travelling overseas in early December I was unable to at-tend any of the performances of the pantomime “Cinderella”. Since my return I have heard many positive comments about it from people who were fortunate enough to watch it. Mr Ian Kerr, a fellow Board member has kindly contributed the following:

‘Unfortunately not all the Governors of the School were able to see the performances of “Cinderella” but those who were in town and could make it, enjoyed themselves thoroughly. At Christmas-time in Brit-ain, Pantomimes, based on well-loved stories, are part of the festivities and it was good for the Uplands’ youngsters and the Community’s young-at-heart to be allowed this treat. Great fun and hysterically performed by the students of our school it joins the catalogue of won-derful achievements – the artistic expression, sporting victories and academic results that gives the International School Of Penang (Up-lands) its fine reputation. The Board would like to congratulate Randy

Moss (Director), Leong Dee Yin (Musical Director) and the whole team of Stage Crew, Musicians, Actors and Produc-tion Supporters. The delights of the evening were enhanced by the antics of the Teachers who dazzled us with “There Is Nothing Like A Dame” – and we must not forget the Audi-ence, who contributed to the atmosphere by hissing the vil-lains, cheering the good guys, singing along and laughing out loud. Well done everyone.’

‘There Is Nothing Like A Dame’ by Uplands Staff

The new term started with mock examinations for our Y11 and Y13 students. We wish them all well and hope these trial exams will help them to better prepare for final examinations in May and June.

Finally, the Board would like to take this opportunity to wish all who celebrate a happy, peaceful and prosperous Chinese New Year, GONG XI FA CAI.

Susan Leefor and on behalf of the ISP Board

December 2008 - Namrata Chandra who lives in Nepal, is the 12 year old daughter of our Security Supervisor Bal Chan-dra, she recently suffered a fractured backbone when the bus she was riding in had a head-on collision with another bus.

Bal’s employer immediatly granted him leave for one month to return to Nepal to visit his family and to ensure that Namrata gets good medical treatment but he could not get a confirmed seat on any flight until only a few days later. Understanding the wish of a very distraught father, Ms. Ravita (assistant to the Director of Administration), through her contacts managed to secure a seat for Bal on the next flight to Katmandu.

On hearing of the child’s condition, Maria Juls (Head of Boarding) persuaded Bal to accept some money for Namrata’s treatment, followed by a fund raising drive that was initiated in the school. Staff and students of Uplands donated RM2,684.30 within very short notice. When I handed him the money Bal choked with emotion and in his words, “I didn’t think many staff, teachers and students are so very kind. Thank you very much”. Yes, Uplands is a school of caring families and we proved it again. Bal has used the money for Namrata’s treatment and the balance has been deposited in her bank account for her school needs. Before he left, he said that he wished to return to work here, to which his employer agreed and I gave him the assurance that we will keep his position vacant. While he was away he kept in touch with his colleagues and also contacted me a few times updating us about his daughter’s condition and enquiring about the School. Although he is an employee of a contracted service provider, he is indeed committed and very at-tached to Uplands. Bal has since returned to work while Namrata is still in bed at home with plaster cast around her lower torso, waist and right leg. She has sensa-tion in her toes and can move them and her left leg. Bal has said that Namrata does not have much pain now, looks normal and according to the doctor, the plaster cast will be removed soon. In his e-mail to staff and students, Bal said he is happy to be back at work but keeps thinking of his daughter and the rest of the family. He also thanks everyone for their kindness and generous donations and conveys his family’s utmost gratitude and thankfulness to all at Uplands. They were touched beyond words by the School community’s kindness. He said that it has also meant a lot to Namrata who will remember it all her life. Uplands community shall continue to be positive and pray for Namrata’s full recovery.

Thank you, - Kingsley Charles, Director of Administration

Bal Chandra (center) with some of his colleagues

PAGE 6 PAGE 7

Cinderella, A Student’s Perspective

Cinderella was a huge hit with the students, teachers and par-ents of Uplands. The actors were well cast and profession-ally trained.

The set was so realistic that you actually felt like you were attending the Royal Ball. The two ugly stepsisters, Aphis and Mil-lipede, were played by boys instead of girls which made them look even more gruesome. They were both obsessed with their looks and dresses, although they had a very interesting style. “All frills” was their motto.Briar Rose (Cinderella) was just as beau-tiful as in all versions of Cinderella and she sang very beautifully. Her father was a disorganized man, and was often bossed around by Aphis and Millipede. The fairy godmother was as magical as before, but she wasn’t as ‘bibbity bobbity boo’ as always, this time she had a rock and roll style. Of course there was an ending - a happi-ly ever after one - and all of the children listening to the story got up and cheered. The actors’ singing was very good. Cinderella is a pantomime that is good for the whole family because it’s funny for everyone!

Julia Bursey, 7B

December 4th,5th &6th 2008

Tips from the School Library

Useful Internet Facts: Doing Effective Research

- Many students mistakenly believe that “everything” is available on the Internet. Whilst there is much valuable informa-tion out there consider that there are over 4 billion unique, publicly accessible websites Only 6% of these have educational content.

- The average life of a webpage is 75 days. Google, the largest search engine, has indexed less than 18% of the available pages. - A great deal of the Internet is not able to be indexed by traditional search engines, and remains hidden from them. This is known as the Invisible, or Deep Web. - Anyone can publish a web page - no-one checks that the information is correct, current or able to be authenticated. - Yes, there are unpleasant sites on the Internet although these make up less than 1% of all web pages.

Consider comparing the above list with the resources in the school library. The resources have all been individually selected by a trained professional to cater specifically to the school’s educational programs. A catalogue of the library resources exists, so that anyone can find everything in the library. As the Teacher Librarian is a qualified teacher, as well as a trained librarian, there is always someone on hand to help find the information, interpret difficult concepts, and locate information from beyond the physical library.

The Internet is an incredibly powerful research aid, but can be time-consuming, frustrating, or misleading. The school librar-ian can guide students in evaluating a website and will show students other strategies to use that are efficient. Everyone has heard of Google, but it is useful to try METACRAWLER.COM, your librarian’s favorite search engine.

There are many advantages to using the Internet for research, such as the ability to access the very latest information. Library books take time to order, access and be available on the shelves. Being able to communicate directly with subject experts by email is an excellent way to gain reliable information. Whilst stu-dents can phone local experts, or write to distant ones, electronic communication allows fast, and cheap, answers to questions. Respected Internet websites provide lists of subject experts who have indicated that they will answer these types of questions from students.

Useful Reminder: Plagiarism

Research conducted via the Internet allows a “cut and paste” paradigm, whereby students do not engage effectively with the text. Although the opportunity exists for note-making, the ease with which large chunks of text can be formed into a collage of information leads the less committed student to shortcuts - where wordage is not proportional to learning. If the student accessed the authoritative, current and accessible information via material held in the school’s library, there is a greater chance that a more valid educational outcome would be reached. Failure to apply academic honesty in one’s work results in a loss of credit and serious sanctions by ISP as well as all institutions of higher learning.The school library provides instruction not only on locating material in any library, but also effective use of information. These skills not only support post-compulsory education, but also life-long learning.

Carol Hanaway, School Librarian

British Council Coming to Uplands

In collaboration with The International School Of Penang (Uplands), the British Council will be conducting English classes for adult students within the Uplands School campus in the near future. Adults aged 18 and above who use English as a second language will definitely find the classes beneficial. We will also be offering placement tests to be held at the School for your convenience. Watch this space for more developments.This collaboration has been initiated to provide the Uplands community with easier access for English learning with the British Council. To find more about the courses and how you can register, please email the the School’s Marketing Manager, Bram Tan at bram@uplands.org. For more information on British Council and the English courses we provide, please visit www.britishcouncil.org.my

3 Weld Quay, Georgetown10300 PenangTel (04) 263 0330penang.enquiries@britishcouncil.org.mywww.britishcouncil.org.my

PAGE 8 PAGE 9

Ball TournamentBoarding recently held a

ballsports competition. The story was featured in the pre-vious issue of TouchBase and here are the results...

Third PlaceBlue Team

Second Place

Red Team

First PlaceGreen Team

Retired from the boarding house.

A final farewell to Matron Viv-ian who was presented with a bouquet of flowers during

Final Assembly last term.

CHARITY RACe NIGHT

Race to the E&O on Friday 6th Febuary in sup-

port of the charity - RelAY foR lIfe

- Happy-hour price all night- Sponsor and name your own horse for RM20, first

race 8pm.- It’s ladies night at the

races, dress your best to impress!

for more details visit: thepenangdirectory.

com

Water Aerobics Dear Parents and Staff, Would you like to have some fun as you exercise in the pool?

A water aerobics session is being offered to all in-terested staff and Uplands community members. This may be of particular interest to those par-ents waiting for students to finish ECA sessions on Wednesday. Wednesday 3.45 until 4.30 in school pool Qualified instructor. Cost RM10, Just turn up or email reply to: hteese@uplands.org For those who need it, the exercise may help re-move some of the evidence of Christmas Cheer be-fore starting again for Chinese New Year! It is great fun and good exercise and you do not need to be able to swim. See you there.

Helen TEESE, Teacher

PAGE 8 PAGE 9

The International School Of Penang (Uplands)

Jalan Sungai Satu, Batu Feringgi, 11100 Penang, Malaysia. Tel: 04 881 9777 Fax: 04 881 9778

www.uplands.org

TouchBase is published every Friday fortnightly during the school year as a service to the Uplands community. A colour PDF version can be downloaded from the School website: www.uplands.org - Go to ‘Events/ News’ and then click on ‘TouchBase Newsletter’. It is produced by the School, and is meant only for internal circulation.TouchBase is distributed to each family by way of youngest enrolled child of each Uplands family.All information must be e-mailed (bram@uplands.org) to reach the School by 10am on the Monday prior to the following week’s publication.TouchBase encourages every member of the Uplands community to contribute to the publication. However, we reserve the right to edit or reject any article or information.For advertising enquiries, please contact the School.

•

•

•

•

•

•

TOUCHBASE - General Information

Closing thought...

“Teachers open the door, you enter by yourself.”

~ Chinese Proverb

������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

����� � ������������������������������������������

���� � ��������������������������������������� � �������

����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

ADinnerShowwith

�One-Act

Plays

PenangPlayers

presents

�������

����

�����

���

�����

����

����

����

�����

���

��������������

��������������������We Care

���������

Don’t Forget - Buffet and Adventure Zone Vouchers donated by our Cinderella Pantomime sponsors, Park Royal Hotel & Golden Sands Resort are still available. These can be bought from Ms. Kartini at Reception.Buffet Dinner for two at Tamarind Brasserie, (Park Royal Hotel , Penang): Only RM180 nett (20% discount)2 hour Adventure Zone session (Golden Sands Resort, Penang) at only RM20 (33% discount) - They are going fast!

Marketing & Events