EDITION 03 / 25 SEP 2020
ALL THE NEWS...
From the Director's Chair
A VIDEO MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
9b6d474e-d86e-48cc-9d68-8ea6d9699e0a.MP4From the Health Coordinators
Weekly Covid-19 Update
We have had a very positive week concerning Covid-19 with no new cases being reported in our student, or staff population. ISM remains committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment and continues to reinforce its strict procedures and protocols.
A reminder that we will continue to update the school community with any Covid-19 related information and that particular communications relating directly to a class, will only be with parents once authorised by the Monaco Health Authorities, according to the strict protocols which we are following.
The school personnel who are currently overseeing the Covid-19 protocols are available during the school day, and during the weekend and evenings should you have any concerns or information which you need to share.
We are also happy to report that a third medically trained professional with a nursing background will join our team of Health Coordinators, starting Monday 28th September. A formal introduction will be done in next week’s edition of Pulse.
In addition to the above, we remind you that your child should bring 2 masks to school, with the expectation being that students arrive at school with a clean mask, and with their second mask in a sealed plastic bag with the student’s name on the outside.
Students will be asked to change their mask after lunch break. It is important to state that students are required to take their masks off when doing physical activity and will be given some time during breaks to take their masks down, whilst keeping respectable distances.
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 starting from Monday 21st September.
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.
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School Health Coordinators:
anna.koren@ismonaco.comcindy.hamon@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 over 37.8C
- 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.
It is part of ISM's mission statement that students are safe at school. Due to the attendance of allergic/intolerant students and the severity of those reactions, ISM does not allow any nuts (peanuts, all nuts, and all tree nuts) or any nut products (ie. almond flour, hazelnut chocolate spread, etc.) in the school. This goes for food served in the cafeteria, cakes, and snacks alike. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this matter. Let's eat safely!
From the Chief Security Officer
KISS & FLY
Dear ISM Parents,
With limited space in front of the school and many students coming by car, "kiss and fly" is the most efficient way to manage the traffic flow. It is vitally important that ALL parents following rules:
Rule #1: Remain at the wheel to save time and be ready to move your vehicle with the flow.
Rule #2: Do not exceed a minute to prevent crowding the area
Rule #3: Do not arrive earlier than you need to, students are not out yet and this crowds the area
Rule #4: Do not park directly in front of the school. This is the drop off / pick up area
Please also try not to place bags in the trunk as this slows down the flow.
Many thanks for your assistance.
Happy and safe driving!
Pierre Olivier Drai
Chief Security Officer
Click below for all the news & information from your child's section of the school
From the Early Years
Dear Parents,
Strong positive relationships between children, teachers and parents are very important to an effective Educational Programme and the dedicated Team in the Early Years encourages strong relationships between home and school. It was good to see such a good attendance for our online ‘Meet the Teacher’ meetings on Wednesday afternoon and these will continue for the Kindergarten and Transition Classes next Wednesday, 30th September, in the afternoon. I thank you for your participation here. Do not hesitate to contact the teachers if you have any questions or would like further information on your child’s learning.
Please note that we are now opening up more provision for our Morning Kindergarten children to stay on for the afternoon creche. Miss Pinkie will join the afternoon Team. Your child is welcome to join during the year as he/she matures and is able to cope with staying on for lunch and the afternoon. Please contact Annabelle, on reception, if you are interested in your child staying on for a full day in school.
Our Extra Curricula Activities Programmes will now start on Monday 5th October. For the English and French homework clubs, teachers have already assigned places to those children who will benefit from attending and parents have already been informed.
As COVID 19 protocols are relaxed we may well add more activities to the Programme but at present there is an emphasis on sports-based clubs done in year groups.
The Transition Classes have their own separate ECA Programme.
Please fill in the attached form, selecting the one for your child’s year group, filling it in with your child, selecting the activities he/she would like to do. Then email the form back to Annabelle on annabelle.goncalves@ismonaco.com
You will be informed if your child is in a particular activity. If your child is unsuccessful this time around, there will be a rotation and your child will be included in the activity next term.
&
Look out our upcoming Global Citizenship project on recycled plastic bottle tops, as we continue our incentive to reduce the amount of plastic used in the Early Years. Details to follow.
Wishing you and your families a restful and enjoyable weekend,
Mrs Ragi and the Early Years Team
From Primary
Dear Parents,
This has been a busy week in Primary School with two key events marking another step towards a “normal” school year, namely the start of extra-curricular activities and the parent information meetings.
Extra-Curricular Activities
This week saw the return of extra-curricular activities and, despite the ominous weather forecast, we were able to go ahead as planned with students participating in karate, hip-hop, , football, handball, basketball, life-saving at sea, multi-sports, cheerleading, Italian and Russian clubs, with cooking and swimming lessons due to start very soon.
As previously mentioned, we are running a reduced programme at present in accordance with the Covid-19 safety measures that we have in place, however, this will be reviewed at the end of the first half term and, where possible we will extend the programme to provide greater choice.
You can find out more about our Primary School Extra-Curricular Programme by clicking HERE.
Curriculum Information and “Meet the Teacher” Meetings
This week saw the Primary School team joining parents online for question and answer sessions about the curriculum and daily life in the Primary School. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this year saw a new format for the meetings with video presentations from the teachers posted on the parents’ website last week and followed up by video-conference sessions this week.
The feedback from both teachers and parents was very positive with the video presentations proving particularly helpful to parents. A summary of the key questions and the responses given can be HERE.
Primary School Parents’ Website
This new website has been up and running for the past two weeks and is regularly updated. It contains key information about what your children are learning as well as key dates, information and downloadable school communications and forms
Please do take the time to visit the website and remember to bookmark us. You will be informed about important updates to the site via sms groupcall messages sent by the school.
Attendance
Student attendance has now reached 90% per day, with the few absences being due to a small number of authorised students following distance learning as well as a handful of students with short-term medical absences due to the expected seasonal sickness(non Covid-related) that can be found across all schools at this time of year.
We are now back to what I would refer to as “normal” school with masks and additional sanitary measures. Whilst we all long for the day when we can fully return to normal, we are truly back to business and busy ensuring students make up for any gaps in learning and that we can move forwards in providing all students with a high-quality, international education.
Football and Multi-Sports at Cap d’Ail with FMC
Our partnership with FMC Elite Football Academy has gone from strength to strength over the past few years with around half of all Primary students taking part in one or more of the weekly activities they offer.
Some students have already selected an FMC activity on the enrolment form that was sent out last week, however, you must ensure that you confirm this by booking directly with them.
All enrolments for their activities must be made directly through their website:
The extra-curricular activities currently on offer to Primary School students are as follows:
Mondays – Year 3/4 football -15:45-17:00
Tuesdays – Multi-Sports – 15:45-17:00
Thursdays – Multi Sports – 16:00-17:15
Fridays – Year 5/6 football – 15:45-17:00
If you have any questions regarding these activities, please do not hesitate to contact FMC at info@fmcelite.com or by phone: +33 643912560
All activities take place at the Cap d’Ail stadium.
Kind Regards,
Chris Benson
Head of Primary School and Deputy Director
From Secondary
Dear Secondary Parents (Class 7-13),
It’s been great to have another relatively settled week and to see students enjoying their learning in classes and during events such as the community sports events.
I have received a number of curriculum based questions from parents over the last few weeks. This is a good thing and demonstrative of the care and attention parents are devoting to their children's pathway through school. It is sometimes the case that these questions are based on misunderstanding or inaccurate information circulated in discussions. This is normal enough and part of any community as large as ours. A good recent example of this is a parent who strongly believed that students could not study both History and Geography at IGCSE level - they can.
The SECONDARY PARENT ROOM website is there to help you quickly find accurate and useful information. The LEARNING SECTION is a good place to start as it provides information on all of the pathways and subjects available. In the STUDENT EXPECTATIONS section you will find information on behaviours, sanctions and rewards.
Enjoy exploring!
This weeks Learning Principle:
It’s been great to have another relatively settled week and to see students enjoying their learning in classes and during events such as the community sports events.
“Learners feel safe and valued as part of a
learning focused environment”
This principle represents the first job of any school. Creating the right environment for students to learn and to feel happy and comfortable in school. The safety refers to both the physical safety of students in the building and perhaps the more challenging area of mental health and safety. The COVID pandemic has tested our ability and agility across all of the principles but perhaps this one more than any other. Staying physically safe in schools has become a major focus of schools all over the world and the possible consequences of safety measures on the mental wellbeing of young people cannot be ignored.
Feeling valued is tremendously important to all of us and for students in school. This means having the opportunity to be heard. That might be sharing a thought in class right through to leading a whole school change project. This principle asks teachers to seek opportunities for this to happen. Alongside this runs the importance we must place on the use of praise. Being recognised for doing something well or trying really hard can make a big difference in the day of a child. Our merit system aims to celebrate this.
The final part of the principle asks us to keep student learning at the front and centre of our minds. To create a physical and emotional environment that fosters learning in all its forms. This can range from a thought provoking display in a corridor through to a teacher student conversation on an engaging topic. Lots of little interactions and experiences added together create an environment that places learning in all its forms at the forefront of life at ISM
Have a lovely weekend
James Wellings
Head of Secondary
CLICK FOR MORE NEWS FROM SECONDARY REGARDING:
CLASS 7-9 - IPAD SETTINGS
Y13 MOCK EXAM FEEDBACK
UNIVERSITY NEWS
WHOLE SCHOOL: TEDx Youth Event
IGCSE Drama - Class 11 Coursework recordings
From the Deputy Director Academic
5 easy ways to support your child's learning at home
1. Talk. Talking and listening to your child will have a big impact on their success at school. They will therefore pick up language, gain in confidence talking in lessons, as well as be trained to listen and follow directions in class. It is also important to show your child that you are interested in what they have to say.
2. Make sure homework gets done. You shouldn't help complete the homework, but you can help your child stay focused and finish it. Remove all distractions, such as TV, mobile phones or other social platforms. You could set up a special place for them to study and have a set time for completing homework. It is also important to check what they are doing, and help them to go over their teachers' comments in their exercise books/on Google classroom.
3. Monitor your child's internet, television and video game use. Children spend more time watching TV, on the internet or playing video games than they do completing their homework or doing other school activities. Here are some tips to monitor screen time.
4. Demonstrate a positive attitude towards education and learning. Showing our children that we both value education and use it in our daily lives provides them with powerful models and contributes greatly to their success in school. Showing interest in your child's school work and education can also spark enthusiasm - showing that learning is enjoyable as well as rewarding!
5. Encourage active learning. This involves asking and answering questions, solving problems and exploring interests. In order to promote this, listen to your child's ideas and respond to them and let them jump in with comments and questions when you are reading a book, for example.
From The Board of Trustees
We kindly ask that you visit the Board of Trustees website for important information about our upcoming General Assembly.
From the Head of Creative Arts
Dear parents,
Is your child interested in taking instrumental/singing lessons at ISM? If so, look no further.
In the attached letter, you will find all of the information about lessons offered at ISM, including examination opportunities. However, all required lessons must be registered via the link below. This will make it easier for those of you who are away from a printer to sign up so you do not miss the deadline of Sunday 27th September 2020.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there is a staggered start to Instrumental lessons. This means that Early Years lessons will start on Monday 28th September.
Please click on the link below and complete all details requested. It is important that you provide us with an email address that you check regularly to inform you of lessons. Please note that we do try to accommodate all day/time requests, but this is not always possible. Instrumental lessons are available for those in classes 1 - 13, with singing lessons available from classes 5 - 13.
Instrumental Lessons Google Form Sign-Up
Instrumental Lessons Information Letter
Thank you.
Kind regards,
Ms Zoë-Laura DINA
From Head of Libraries and Media
We would be grateful if the parents could remind their children to bring back any library books they still have at home which they had borrowed from last academic year.
Thanks.
Kind regards,
Jenny Abbott
Head of Libraries and Media
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Parent Survey
We are very keen to get your feedback on all aspects of school life so that we can nurture areas of strength and address any areas requiring development. Please find below a link to the survey which should take around three minutes for each of your children. We will consider the results very carefully. The deadline for the survey to be completed is Friday 2nd October.
Thank you for your assistance.
MEET MATT ATHAUDA: Our Early Years EAL Teacher
Hello, I'm Matt and I'm delighted to be one of the newest members of the ISM Early Years Team. It gives me great pleasure to work with such a friendly, diverse group of people whose primary focus is the success of the children. As an EAL teacher, I'll be mainly working with children who speak other languages to acquire English literacy skills and help them become comfortable using English as quickly as possible. In my short time here so far, I've been extremely impressed with everyone's dedication and commitment to helping the children stay safe and achieve all they can in a happy, caring and collaborative environment.
It's a pleasure to be here!
Well done to Anastasia Nielsen, Class 10 for winning in several categories in the recent jumping competition at GORLA MINORE Italy !
Congratulations Oliver Goethe !
ISMonaco is proud of its student Oliver Goethe for runner up in the weekend's Formula 4 race at Jerez de la Frontera in Spain.
Successfully combining studies with his passion for motor sport !
During lockdown, over 250 students and members of the ISM community participated in the ISM Virtual Sports Day 2020. On their return to school, students were presented with their medals. The photograph shows three Year 8 students who were proud to receive their medals.
Year 4 PE at Cap D'ail Street Field
Students enjoyed learning Invasion Games
Year 7 -Year 9 Wellbeing
Every other week during Homeroom lessons, students from Year 7 - Year 9 work together in their houses to participate in a range of activities. This week, the wellbeing group enjoyed a yoga and relaxation session on the Digue and a mindful walk along the coast.
It was a beautiful start to the day!
Year 7 - Year 9 at Volleyball Club
0d962b94-9023-4596-80d6-b88683b28473.MP4Year 5 PE at Tennis Padel Soleil
12e09833-6051-4b6f-a3c3-14a4d1f1c204.MP4