EDITION 10 / 20 NOV 2020
ALL THE NEWS...
From the Director's Chair
I am writing to let you know that our Head of Admissions and Public Relations, and Member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team, Mrs Angela Godfrey, will be leaving at the end of this term after eighteen years of loyal and devoted service to ISM.
Angela will be known to all of you, not least because she has met virtually every child currently in the school, from Kindergarten to Class 13, during their admissions process. She is certainly one of ISM’s most familiar faces!
Angela joined ISM in 2002 and has overseen admissions during a period in which the school has almost trebled in size. She has enrolled more than 1700 students which, in itself, is an incredible feat; what is even more impressive, however, is the care and personal attention given to each and every one of those students and their families. She says she personally remembers all of them and that her greatest joy has been to see some of the youngest children she welcomed go on to graduate from ISM.
Indeed, speaking of graduations, Angela has been responsible for organizing no less than seventeen formal graduation ceremonies, and been part of the organizing committees of three very high profile fundraising galas. She has professionalised the schools marketing and public relations efforts, helping to raise the profile of the school in the wider community, and recently added our social media accounts to her busy workload. Whether it be supporting creative arts projects or our Careers Day events, her commitment has been total, and her discretion much appreciated by all of us.
As Angela moves on to the next stage of her life I am sure you will join me in thanking her for all that she has done, and in wishing her, and her family, the very best for the future.
Julian Thomas
Director
Angela Godfrey
** PLEASE READ**
Dear Parents
It has been brought to my attention that there is concern among parents due to reports of an attempted kidnapping of school children in Menton. There are a number of different variations of this story being reported around social media.
I am writing to reassure you that we have been in contact with the Police and they have stated that there is no substance to these rumours. It shows once again how quickly a false story can spread unchecked in the age of social media and message groups.
This story reminds us nevertheless of the needs to be constantly vigilant. We are fortunate that Monaco's Police Maritime and ISM's security team keep a close watch around the school at the beginning and end of the school day. They ensure that anyone coming in the vicinity of the school is identified. To help them keep their line of sights and overall vision clear, please avoid congregating in front of the school and use the designated areas to drop off your children.
If you notice something suspicious, or just anything that just doesn’t “feel” right, please report it immediately.
My thanks to you all for your help to keep the children of ISM safe and secure.
Julian Thomas
Director
From the Health Coordinators
Weekly Covid-19 Update
Please refer to the letter which was sent to all ISM parents this week, reminding parents of our current protocols and procedures, inline with Monaco Health Authorities. Read here
We continue to be rigorous with our protocols, and our health and sanitary measures continue to be monitored daily within school. We thank our whole school community for their respect and regard for these protocols which includes mask wearing, regular hand cleansing and general courtesies such as following one-way systems and bubbles.
May we please remind you that if any parent, or person you have been in close contact with, tests positive, that you inform the school directly without delay. This in turn allows us to react accordingly and to ensure risk is always at a minimum for the school population.
Please note that the Health team remains fully contactable during the weekend.
Please email healthcoordinators@ismonaco.com or lindsay.wright@ismonaco.com for anything Covid related.
As a continued reminder:
Please note that Distance Learning is only in place for Covid-related reasons which have been authorised by the Head of Wellbeing, or a Head of School. The Distance Learning programme is not an opt-in, opt-out option, but there to support our students who are obliged to be out of school for specific reasons related to Covid. If a student is out of school for any other reasons, including a medical reason unrelated to Covid, they will not be granted permission to be on the Distance Learning programme.
Students should be bringing 2 masks to school
Communications relating to a class, will only be sent to parents once authorised by the Monaco Health Authorities and according to the strict protocols we are following
To check your child's temperature before arriving at school.
***
In addition to the school support, Monaco has a call centre (available in French and English) which you can call 7/7 days between the hours of 8.00am and 8.00pm.
Monaco also has a dedicated testing centre at L’Espace Leo Ferre in Fontvieille which is open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 4.00pm. A prescription from your Doctor is obligatory and you must make an appointment by calling 92.05.55.00.
Further information can also be found on the dedicated Covid-19 website set up by the Monaco Government.
Mrs Lindsay Mackenzie-Wright - Deputy Director - Wellbeing
School Health Coordinators:
healthcoordinators@ismonaco.comDeputy Director (Wellbeing):
lindsay.wright@ismonaco.comSymptoms to stay home for and alert the school for an absence COVID RELATED SYMPTOMS are:
- Cough, difficulty breathing, rapid breathing rate
- Temperature of 38C or over
- Loss of sense of smell and/or taste
- Diarrhea
If a PCR test has been ordered for your child, the child needs to stay home until the result has been received. Once you have the result, please forward it to the School Health Coordinators and await further instructions from them on when to come back to school.
Click below for all the news & information from your child's section of the school
From the Early Years
Dear Parents,
Teaching children the value of kindness empowers children with the mindset that ‘we can help, we can make a difference’ and these principles are embedded in the education that children receive, here in the Early Years.
Our finale to ‘Kindness Week’, in today’s assembly, demonstrated that we care for each other and feel good doing nice things for others. We celebrated acts of kindness, witnessed this week, and children came out to tell us what they had done.
We have used ‘kindness trees’ to encourage and acknowledge acts of kindness.
It’s a heartwarming way to help foster kind, supportive relationships amongst one another. Seeing all the lovely thoughts, pictures and messages written on the trees help create positive and uplifting feelings and behaviour, making it a highly effective way to build character and reduce bullying. Our ‘Early Years’ Bear Family’ have gone home for the weekend with well deserving children who have been kind all week.
Assembly and Picture of Bears and children
Red and White Day
It was wonderful seeing all our boys and girls dressed in red and white, in school today, as we celebrate the Fete du Prince or Monaco’s National Day. Allegra and Jacob, from School Council gave a little presentation on the background to this tradition and all classes took class photographs.
We also made a lovely display of the Palace.
Seesaw
As you know, we are using Seesaw as our digital learning platform for your child’s portfolio of work. We will also use it as a learning task assignment where your child will be able to complete a learning task through the use of video, audio, drawing or text.
You will be able to see your child’s work through the Seesaw Family app. We will be ready to share your child’s work on Seesaw from mid-December.
In preparation for this could you please do the following:
Update your child’s Seesaw Class app on your device
Download the Seesaw Family app
Please click on this link to learn more about how to make the most of Seesaw For Families and information regarding what you need to do next
If you need a translation feature please check out this link
You will receive your child’s Seesaw log in details from your child’s teacher in December.
If you have any queries or would like more information, please contact Vip Sharma on vipula.sharma@ismonaco.com
Parent Conferences for the Transition Classes
These online Parent/Teacher meetings will take place on Wednesday 25th November, in the afternoon. Your class teacher will contact you directly.
Early Years reception
We thank Annabelle for these last four months of hard work and professionalism on the Early Years reception …but it is not ‘goodbye’! She will join Pinkie in the afternoon Creche, four days per week!
Fayanne is now back with us and please now direct all your emails to fayanne.harper@ismonaco.com
That’s it for now!
Have a lovely weekend!
Best regards from,
Mrs Ragi and the Early Years Team
From Primary
Dear Parents,
This has been an eventful week and one that the students have appeared to really enjoy. After the unfortunate news that all sporting activities were to be suspended throughout the month of November, it was great to see so many students begin new extra-curricular activities run by the teachers. The excellent level of student attendance in the Primary School has meant that teachers have not had to devote too much additional time to students on distance learning and therefore we have been able to expand our programme.
Students have begun participating in a wide range of enriching activities, including chess, debating, student newspaper, origami, engineering, science, art, coding and photography. This is such a key part to a student’s learning as it enables them to discover new interests and/or further develop existing talents beyond the scope of the classroom curriculum. As we approach the end of this month, we hope to shortly find out if and when we can recommence with sporting activities in school and as part of our ECA programme. The school will keep you updated with regard to any developments in this area.
Anti-Bullying Week
With an introduction and overview of exciting activities in store, our Anti-Bullying Week got off to a positive start in the Primary School during our virtual assembly on Friday 13th November, which just happened to be World Kindness Day!
The theme for Anti-Bullying Week this year was “United Against Bullying” which perfectly complemented the work we have been carrying out in our PSHE lessons this term on teamwork and class unity. Monday’s task involved reflecting on how we can all contribute to our anti-bullying ethos: each student decided on one action (or more!) that s/he would pledge to carry out in school. These actions were noted on a puzzle piece which, when joined to other puzzle pieces, form a very effective visual reminder of our united stance against bullying, complete with very real and practical responses.
On Tuesday, we held our now traditional Odd Socks Day. The students had fun showing off their unconventional sock choices to represent how individual differences are something to be celebrated!
On Wednesday, students reflected on the ambiance of an anti-bullying programme. Each student was encouraged to think of a colour, a symbol and an image which would best represent our dedication to being united against bullying. Following some very philosophical discussions, a huge variety of thoughtful ideas were shared.
Anti-Bullying Week in the Primary School was brought to a close with our weekly virtual assembly, where we had the pleasure of hearing about Mr Athauda’s experiences in Asia. Continuing our Global Citizenship study of Identity and Diversity, Mr Athauda highlighted the importance of learning about different cultures in order to be more open and tolerant of difference.
Celebrating Anti-Bullying Week provides an excellent opportunity to highlight and explore in more depth the subject of healthy, positive relationships, but it is only truly meaningful if these conversations and actions continue throughout the months and years to come. At ISM, we are committed to ensuring that this is the case, and we know that you will join us as we stand “United Against Bullying”.
Red and White Day
Yesterday marked a very important day in the Monégasque calendar, La Fête Nationale. As is customary in Monégasque schools, students and staff recognise this occasion by dressing in the Monaco colours of red and white. Although the Covid-19 pandemic meant that yesterday’s celebrations looked very different to what we have grown accustomed to, in school we were greeted by a sea of red and white and we discussed the importance of this occasion in our weekly assembly.
Warmest Regards,
Chris Benson
From Secondary
Dear Secondary Parents (Class 7-13),
I write this following Monaco National Day and I hope that you were able to enjoy the sunshine and the muted celebrations. I have been fortunate to live all around the world and whether it be in the Middle East, Asia or Africa all of the countries I have lived in have had National Days. Curiously, the only exception to this is my country of birth - England.
Nationalism is generally not seen as a positive word. Internationalism always is. This too is interesting. Patriotism is generally viewed as positive and cosmopolitan (to be a citizen of the world or cosmos) is very positive but perhaps surprisingly it is rarely used.
These words are important and are great for starting conversations with children. Monaco National Day is a chance to celebrate the history, traditions and culture of the place that we live and work. It is a positive day that helps us to identify with and understand the place we call home. It’s fair to say that Monaco National Day is not a symptom of Nationalism. Young people should understand this difference. Nationalism is when a country looks inwards at the expense and exclusion of non nationals. This is dangerous.
Exploring this language and these ideas with children helps them to understand the true value of being internationally minded or cosmopolitan. The importance of understanding and celebrating our own national cultures, experiences and backgrounds whilst also looking outward and seeking to understand and celebrate the richness that comes with embracing other national identities. This leads us towards the ultimate goal of helping our children to become interculturally competent. We need more people in the world who are.
Have a lovely weekend,
James Wellings
UNIVERSITY NEWS
COLLECTION OF IGCSE & EXAMINATION CERTIFICATES
NEW: YR 11-13 COFFEE BAR
HOT OFF THE PRESS: Y7 TO 9 MATHS CLINIC
HUB OPENING TO Y7 TO 9 STUDENTS
From the Board of Trustees
Reminder: Zoom Briefing Session about Board Membership on Tuesday, November 24th at 10 am
Dear Parents,
If you are considering standing for the ISM Board Elections in February 2021 and are interested in learning more about the role and responsibilities of a Board Member, please complete this form to sign up for a briefing session with our Board Advisor, Mrs. Eileen Barnes-Vachell.
(Note: You must have been an ISM parent since September 2018 to be eligible to become a Board Member in February. However, all parents are welcome to attend this briefing session. If you are interested in joining one of the seven ISM Committees, please contact Eileen at eileen@barnesvachell.com.)
Kind regards,
The Board of Trustees
HOT OFF THE PRESS
MEET TANIA LEYLAND
This is my second year at ISM and I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to implement and coordinate the new International Baccalaureate Careers-related Programme. My subject specialism is Business Management, which I have been teaching in one form or another since 2005.
Before coming to work here I spent nine years working in International schools in Togo, Malawi and Thailand. These were very exciting times for me as I was able to engage with so many different cultures and develop my international mindedness which I feel has added another dimension to my teaching. They say that travel is good for your soul and I would wholeheartedly agree. I have seen some amazing things, some harrowing things and some bizarre things, all of which have contributed to the way I engage with the world around me and how I approach life, both inside and outside of school. My educational philosophy is centred around the phrase of ‘every child, every day’, and although not very innovative or unique, it reminds me that my engagements with the young people I meet and work with have the potential to shape who they become. At the end of the day, for me, that is why I became a teacher. Preparing young people for an unknown world in which they will need to take risks, think creatively and be responsive to change is the best gift we can give.
Whilst I have an almost geeky interest in educational pedagogy and spend a lot of time researching, planning and developing ways to engage students; I also have a healthy work-life balance. I am a mum to four children and a nan to eight grandchildren, all of whom keep me on my toes in one way or another. I am a keen collector of ‘outside’ art, have an eclectic collection of vinyl records and like nothing more than to lose myself in a renovation or gardening project during the school holidays, when I get the chance to escape to my farmhouse near Le Mans.
We are still welcoming applications for House Captains (Years 12 and 13) and House Representatives (remainder of the school) for our newly launched houses, and we have decided to extend the deadline until Wednesday 25th November to allow time for students to complete their letters or videos. Anyone interested in one of these prestigious roles can find out more by asking their homeroom teacher for details.
*ALUMNI STORIES*
We are delighted to share with you some recent news of our Alumni.
This week with a focus on science ...
Federica Re, Class of 2014, obtained a BSc in Global Health and Social Medicine from King's College London (2017), focusing primarily on the interactions between population health and pathology. This inspired her to pursue an MSc in Epidemiology and Statistics at Oxford University (2018), which has been very topical recently! After obtaining her MSc, Federica started working in analysis and management in the National Health Service (NHS) in London. When the COVID-19 pandemic started, Federica was redeployed into a national role within the emergency preparation team at NHS England. This mainly focused on the UK’s response to COVID-19 at hospital-preparedness level. Federica, however, always had her heart set on medicine. In September (2020), she started on the Graduate-Entry Medicine course at Oxford University (Worcester College). This is an accelerated four-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (BM BCh) degree for postgraduate students who have previously obtained a science-focused degree.
Philipp Chvetsov, Class of 2015, took his undergraduate degree at McGill University in Canada, obtaining his B.Eng. in Materials Engineering. At McGill, Philipp interned in oil and gas, biomaterials and solar energy, all of which rely heavily on technology. This led to an interest in software and programming; he studied Python online (programming software) and is currently working in data science/developer role at a financial technology startup CoinFlex.
Luke McLaughlin, Class of 2015, studied Natural Sciences at University College London, graduating with a Master’s (First class honours) in 2020. Always passionate about science and maths, the flexibility of the Natural Sciences course enabled him to major in chemistry for his undergraduate degree and focus on physics for his Master’s. Currently a network analyst at Eco Energy World, Luke is now studying for an additional Master's qualification in Environmental Systems Engineering. He plans to apply his skills in developing sustainable technology systems, especially organic photovoltaics.
Luke has also developed a very exciting clothing line White Lotus Life showing that a passion for science can be combined with a spirit of entrepreneurship !
HOMEROOM CHESS
In 1972 Fischer and Kasparov went head to head in the Match of the Century, displaying focus, creativity, and humility. On Wednesday morning, these same attributes radiated from room M11 as 8A were engrossed in a homeroom chess tournament. Janibek unravelled all of his challengers, including his tutor, Mr Ross. Students of 8A displayed ISM Values of Learning and Integrity as they stretched their chess skills with friendly competition against their classmates.
WE TAKE YOUR CONCERNS SERIOUSLY
We have received concerns from Parents regarding the smell coming from the disposal area at the back of the Early Years Building. Measures have been taken to correct and prevent this odor nuisance.
Here is the summary of the actions carried out:
We have engage a cleaning company to disinfect the zone every Wednesday.
The area will be washed every Monday afternoon by our local team.
We have put locks on the bins to prevent strangers from leaving their garbage there.
ISM has asked SMA to double the regularity of the cleaning of all the containers.
Finally, we have asked the DAU (Dept. for Public Works) for permission to close the aisle in order to prevent bulky items / garbage from being stored there. We are waiting for their answer on this subject.
