Fortnightly Newsletter - Volume 7, Issue 12

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Fortnightly Newsletter - 11st August 2023

Volume 7, Issue 12

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Dear parents, students, friends of Adelaide International School

Message From the Principal

Resilience is one of our school values. I spoke about this word in assembly this week. Another shorter word like resilience is ‘grit’.

Embarking on a journey to study abroad is a pursuit of knowledge, personal growth, and cultural enrichment. International students leave their familiar environments, homes, and families to immerse themselves in new academic landscapes and diverse societies. This endeavor requires a unique blend of resilience and grit, traits exemplified by athletes like Derek Redmond during his iconic moment in the 1992 Olympics.

Residence in a foreign land is an experience that brings with it a spectrum of emotions. The initial excitement of stepping onto unfamiliar soil is often accompanied by challenges such as language barriers, cultural adjustments, and homesickness. This phase can test the mettle of even the most confident individuals. However, it's in moments of adversity that the true essence of resilience and grit comes to the fore.

Derek Redmond's unforgettable race in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics perfectly embodies the spirit of perseverance. In the 400-meter semifinal, Redmond, a British sprinter, tore his hamstring midway through the race. Despite immense pain and physical limitations, he refused to quit. Summoning every ounce of determination, he hobbled forward, his father rushing past security to support him. Their powerful image crossing the finish line together is etched in history as a testament to the unconquerable human spirit.

Similarly, international students encounter hurdles that can seem insurmountable. Yet, they possess an inherent resilience that enables them to adapt, learn, and grow. Language barriers might slow them down, but they persist in improving their linguistic skills. Cultural differences might make them feel like outsiders, but they actively seek connections and understanding. Academic challenges might frustrate them, but they dedicate themselves to mastering their subjects. Just like Redmond, they demonstrate that resilience isn't about avoiding difficulties, but about confronting them head-on.

Grit, often defined as the combination of passion and perseverance, becomes the cornerstone of an international student's journey. It's the unwavering commitment to their goals that keeps them moving forward. Grit is what compels them to wake up early, stay up late, and work tirelessly to achieve their dreams. It's what empowers them to push through setbacks, failures, and moments of doubt.

In the context of Derek Redmond's race, grit is palpable in his determination to complete the race regardless of the odds stacked against him. His decision to rise from the track, injured but unbroken, embodies the spirit that international students cultivate in their pursuit of education and personal growth.

Just as Redmond's unforgettable Olympic finish serves as an inspiration, the experiences of international students are a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Their journeys reflect the essence of resilience and grit, as they navigate unfamiliar territories, surmount obstacles, and carve out their paths to success. In the end, it's not merely about the destination, but the resilience and grit developed along the way that truly define the international student experience.

From the EAP for SACE Connect and Head-Start SACE Intensive English 1 - Miss Huang

In Intensive English 1, EAP for SACE Connect and Head-Start SACE students are learning about Media. They described different types of media and watched videos about digital footprints.

HS – Kieu

This world soccer text magazine is for mainly the boys and the men on the world with purpose to advertise them about the soccer match. This is because the cover of this text magazine has the words: “world soccer” and the name of 2 famous players: Messi and Barcelona that make the audience feel interesting to follow the soccer match.

HS – Sean

This text is a prohibition sign for forbidding litter within the premises of the sign location this prevents individuals from leaving behind or carelessly throwing their rubbish. As written in the sign, “Do not litter” which implies that it is forbidden to irresponsibly leave out rubbish. Additionally, the format of the sign wherein the person is inside the red circle suggests that this is an example of a sign.

HS – Kieu

HS – Sean

SC2 – Bella
The video titled Digital Footprint by Ruby Cornish is a broadcast media, published on Tuesday 2011. The presenter indicates that we leave digital footprints whenever we are active online, whether it be googling some topics or purchasing items using our cards. While digital technology makes it convenient for us to connect with people and proves advantageous for jobs like finding out criminals, it sometimes tramps on our privacy through hacking. Thus, we should be cautious of such circumstances and try to make our digital footprints as small as possible while enjoying the benefits of technology.
https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/digital-footprint/10534346

SC2 – An
This is a video titled Digital footprint by Ruby Cornish broadcasted in 2019. It’s an example video for how digital footprint affects our future life via finding a job. This video shows that when uploading bad posts in the internet can be a bad consequence for our lives. Digital footprint video is a warning for us to think carefully before uploading something.
https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/digital-footprint/11118760

From The Director of Teaching and Learning

Term 3 is well underway, and our school cohort has expanded significantly due to the end of the academic year in the northern hemisphere. Year 12 is working to complete the SACE Stage 2 courses and prepare for their end of year examinations. Year 11 is beginning their new Semester 2 SACE subjects and, in the language or English for Academic Purposes programs, students are working to develop their language in topics from the ACARA Curriculum in subjects from a variety of the learning areas.

The beginning of term saw students settling into the school, finding their way around Adelaide and for many, learning about their new homestay families. This is a time of great experiences for our young people: great change, new people and places and wonderful opportunity. We encourage our students to be kind to themselves because some will adjust readily, and others will take some time to warm up. Please always know, we are here to talk with you if ever you need. Your wellbeing teacher is the first person to call or email if you need. In addition,

[email protected] can help with questions about subjects, year 11 and 12, SACE Credit recognition and senior schooling.

[email protected] can help with general wellbeing concerns

[email protected] can help you with questions about destination schools.

[email protected] can help with day-to-day questions. You also let her know if your child or homestay will be absent, giving the reason for absence.

We enjoy being part of your educational journey!

We strongly encourage you to help your child establish connections with their new classmates, as this connection is an essential part of ongoing wellbeing.

In teaching and learning, the primary classes are loving experiential learning with their visits to Clealand, and the Seniors, Headstart SACE and SACE Connect classes are thinking about their futures after the viist to the International Student University Open Day at the University of South Australia, City West Campus. There, students gathered information about courses and scholarships for tertiary studies. In the coming weeks, the Headstart SACE and Seniors will be travelling to our National Park to interact with the natural environment, including native animals.

Parent Teacher Information Meetings

Over the next few weeks, you are invited to meet with our teachers, either online or face-to-face.

These meetings are for one-on-one feedback about the progress of your child. You can enquire about making an appointment with your child’s teachers any time from now. We encourage you to use your education agent to join the meeting to assist with translation or request a translator from us if you need. Your child is very welcome to attend this meeting.

To get in early, please email: [email protected] to request an interview with any of the following teachers in the table

Class	Teacher(s)
Junior Primary	Mia WU Jing LIU (Maths)
Upper Primary	Clare YEATES Jing LIU (Maths)
Middle Years	Sarah NAYAGAM (English, Humanities, PLP) Jing LIU (Maths)
SACE Connect 1 & 2	Maliza Huang (English) Sally XU (Maths) Vincent HERMANN (PLP and Humanities Angus WHEATON (Science)
Headstart SACE	Jing LIU (Maths) Maliza Huang (English 1) Sarah NAYAGAM (Intensive English 2) Sally Xu (PLP) Vincent HERMANN (Humanities) Angus WHEATON (Science)
Senior SACE	Maliza Huang (Year 11 EAL) Jing LIU (Year 11 Essential Maths) Sally XU (Year 11 Pre-Math Methods and Pre-Spec Maths) Zara Phillips Year 11 Health and Wellbeing Zara Phillips Year 11 Nutrition Zara Phillips (Year 12 EAL) Sally Xu (Year 12 Math Methods) Zara Phillips (Year 12 Research Project) Zara Phillips (Year 12 Health and Wellbeing)

International Student Tertiary Expo

On the morning of August 1, 2023, senior students went to the International Student Tertiary Expo at Uni SA. There, we were very excited because we heard presentations about universities and their courses to high school students about to go to college, especially international students like us. The first university was Uni SA. The school with an impressive logo, diverse study programs and many international students is an attraction for students who are intending to study in Australia. Next is The University Of Adelaide. The school has an investment in campus and architecture with a high ranking on the university map worldwide at 89. The third school is TAFE SA. An institution with a milder curriculum than other universities. The last university that impressed me the most was Flinders University. Like the universities above, Flinders University offers students a variety of programs to enhance their professional qualifications. The most attractive thing is the 30% scholarship program for students with an ATAR of 85 or higher. For me, it doesn't matter which university I go to, what matters is what I learn and experience what and how to apply the knowledge learned in life is important.

--- Thi Quynh Nhi Nguyen and Thi Lam My Tran

Welcome to the Junior Primary Miss Wu’s class. It's been an exciting and productive week in our classroom, filled with learning, creativity, and collaboration. Here's a glimpse into what we've been up to:

English Adventures:

Learning phonics and sight words

Our focus this week is the phonemes "e”, “h”, “r”, “m”, “d" and some sight words. Not only have we identified these phonemes to practicing their unique sounds in different positions within words, our phonics explorers also have been blending consonant-vowel-consonant words.

Science Exploration: Australian animals

Our young scientists have been diving into the study of animals and plants. This week, we focused on Australian animals and their habitats. Students engaged in hands-on activities, scientific experiments and educational games to understand Australian animal habitats, and each of them was given opportunities to make a short presentation about their work in front of the whole class.

The Adelaide International School 5 Pillars Infographic

The School places great emphasis on virtue ethics, this originates from classical Greece and the work of Plato and Aristotle. The idea is that through good habituation and virtue practice, young people can make wise decisions and wise choices, choices that benefit the self but importantly choices that help others. With practice an individual always makes the best choice for any given situation. Since being a global citizen lies at the heart of what we do at AIS, we want all of our students to master the five virtues (or inner strengths) of integrity, gratitude, aspiration, resilience and inclusion.

The AIS infographic

The AIS infographic shows the five pillars (core virtues) in blue. These are the inner strengths that AIS nurtures in every student. Good virtue knowledge and good virtue practice equips our students with the ability to project the external skills of forming positive relationships, making ethical decisions and developing a learning culture. In this way each AIS student can flourish, and they have become the best version of themselves. They are true global citizens and fully embrace what that means.

I would like to thank our staff for working on these infographics and also to our Student Representative Council who also provided feedback and comment.

Best wishes

Shaun

List of our Staff

Name	Role	Email
Oakey, Shaun	Principal	[email protected]
Phillips, Zara	Director of T&L & SACE Coordinator	[email protected]
Rosie, Broderick	AISA Business Development Manager	[email protected]
Huang, Maliza	EAP&EPET Teacher	[email protected]
Liu, Jing	EAP&SACE Teacher	[email protected]
Nayagam, Sarah	EAP Middle Years Teacher	[email protected]
Xu, Sally	SACE Teacher	[email protected]
Yeates, Clare	Primary Teacher	[email protected]
Wu, Mia	Primary Teacher	[email protected]
Chan, Tom	ICT Support (Intern)	[email protected]
Gao, Grace	Education Support officer	[email protected]
Huang, Chris	ICT Support	[email protected]
Karem, Sam	ICT Developer & Analyst	[email protected]
Rhothjirathanin, Grin	Digital Marketing & Communication	[email protected]
Sha, Lola	ICT Support	[email protected]
Shao, Kitty	Student Support Officer-Level 4 – reception; absentees daily; first-aid officer;	[email protected]
Du, Meijia	Student Support Officer-Level 4 – reception; absentees daily	[email protected]
So, Catherine	Student Support Officer-Level 5 – admissions	[email protected]
Sun, Leo	IT and Facility Manager-Level 5	[email protected]
Zhang, Jessica	Student Recruitment Manager	[email protected]

Have the best weekend. Do reach out and contact Shaun Oakey on [email protected] if you need our support.

Yours sincerely

Shaun Oakey, Principal AIS

Adelaide International School
Level 4, 127 Rundle Mall
Adelaide, South Australia, 5000

Mail: P.O. Box 3332
Rundle Mall, SA, 5000
Phone: +61 8 8123 1786
Email: [email protected]

Visit us on the web at www.ais.edu.au
CRICOS Provider Number: 03133G | School Number: 398

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