MEF International School, Istanbul
Weekly Newsletter
Meet the Teacher
Our Meet the Teachers Parent and Teacher event took place on Wednesday evening at Neşedabad, Kuruçeşme. Thank you to the Parent Teacher Association for organising such a wonderful event at a fantastic venue. All our teachers and administrators were in attendance, and we thank the parents who attended this event.
Fire Drill
The school year is up and running and we have already had our first fire drill - conducted on Thursday, 20th September at 10:00. We successfully emptied the international school building quickly, safely and quietly. We are proud of our students for keeping calm and quiet during the evacuation. After attendance was taken and the all clear was given our students returned back to their lessons and learning.
Training for Gursel Bus Drivers and Hostesses
Our MEF IS primary school counselor Ms. Pelin and the head of counseling department of MEF national led an interactive seminar for GURSEL's bus drivers and hostesses on Thursday. The social-emotional development and needs of the children from preschool to high school, positive communication skills and problem solving skills, essentials of child protection; good touch and bad touch, security on the bus and expectations of the parents were the main focuses of the training. Some English phrases to use in communication with the English speaking community were given to the drivers and hostesses who work with the international school students.
Yıldız Park Field Trip
Our first field trip of the year had our Grade 4 classes visiting Yildiz Park as part of the International Clean Up Day, where they picked up rubbish and analysed the types of things people throw away. This experience helped them reflect on our responsibility to be good stewards of our precious world, and was a lot of fun along the way.
Play based learning in the ECC
Upcoming enhancements in the PYP include shifting the early years approach to learning to a more play based approach. This year we will be experimenting with what this might look like for us here at MEF IS. We have upcoming professional development on Play Based Learning towards the end of September. In the meantime our students are having a lot of fun learning as they play.
Activities in the Secondary
Students are provided with experiences in and outside the classroom. Classroom learning is essential. To appeal to the various learning styles, we offer experiences related to classes outside the classroom. There are clubs related to sports, the arts, and intellectual pursuits. Sports teams are kicking off new seasons. Information will soon be sent about after-school activities. Field trips supporting the curriculum have commenced. Grades 9-10 students improved leadership skills at a mountain retreat in Bolu, and Grade 11 students are attending a leadership camp near Bolu.
Ross Jennings, First Piper
On Tuesday we had Ross Jennings, First Piper, visit the school. He started the day for us by piping the primary school students in from the playground into school. Ross has a dream to be the first person to have played the bagpipes in every country of the world. He visited all the Early Years classes, and shared about himself and his dream at assemblies for our Grade 1-5 students, and our middle school and high school students. He had a great message about trying new things, taking risks, making mistakes and being ready to learn from them.
Secondary Bolu Trip
On 13-15 September, 2018, Grade 9 and 10 students extended their learning experience outside the classroom on a trip to Mountrain adventure camp in Bolu, Turkey. While participating in Mountrain’s unique group challenges, the students developed their skills in teamwork, problem-solving and communication, and they took advantage of opportunities to take risks and practice leadership in a supportive environment. Through rain and sunshine, they enjoyed the peaceful mountain environment and took time for self-reflection as well as strengthening friendships.
Important Dates
Sept 25 PTA General Assembly (15:45-16:45)
Sept 26 Skills Day (Secondary)
Sept 27-28 - Professional Development Days, NO SCHOOL for students
Oct 2 ACE Community Workshop
Oct 5 - Sports Day
Oct 13 - Parent Teacher Conferences
Oct 13 University & IB presentations plus IGCSE & Field Trip Information Session (Secondary)
Oct 18 - 19, 22 - 23 Exam Week 1 (Secondary)
Oct 23 Mole Day
Oct 24 - Parade of Nations
Oct 29 - Republic Day, NO SCHOOL
Oct 30 - Nov. 2 - Autumn Break, NO SCHOOL
OUR MISSION
We inspire, nurture and challenge our learners to realise their unique potential.