MEF International School, Istanbul

Weekly Newsletter

Professional Development for Teachers

Thursday and Friday this week our primary teachers and support staff took part in professional development workshops run by the International Baccalaureate. One group learned all about Investigating Inquiry and the role of Action in the cycle. A different group investigated Play Based Learning and how curiosity and exploration make wonderful motivators for learning for our little ones. One of our appraisal goals for the year will be based on this PD that we have done, by applying the theory into practice to improve our student outcomes.

PYP Parent Talk

This week we had our first MEF IS parent talk with over twenty parents attending. The topic was An Inquiry into the Learner Profile and Attitudes. The very collaborative and interactive workshop was lead by Ms Evelyn, the primary PYP coordinator, and Ms Pelin, the primary counsellor. If you missed this most important talk we will be repeating it at our parent teacher conference day October 13, and we will also be running our second talk: An Inquiry into the Elements of the PYP and Student Agency. Keep an eye out for times and venues for these two talks.

Artist Amir Zainorin

We were very fortunate to have the Malaysian artist Amir Zainorin, who now lives in Denmark, visit the primary school this week. His art is created from found materials and garbage. He shared with the children what motivates him, what techniques he uses to create his work, and some of the social activism that he has promoted as action with his art.

Scene from a session on 'wellness' during Skills Day

Skills translate to academic success in mathematics

Skills Day

To be academically successful, strong foundations of skills as well as cognitive and affective attributes are needed. Particular skills are prerequisites for different types of learning. Without mental awareness and motivation, overarching ideas are missed. It is for these reasons we held a Skills Day on September 26.Teachers shared various 'skills' to help students transfer learning to the classroom. Some of the different sessions included cross-cultural communication, public speaking, team building, mindfulness and stress reduction, art in math, and dance.

G11 Leadership Camp

On 20-22 September, 2018, Grade 11 students extended their learning experience outside the classroom on a class retreat at a beautiful mountain camp called Sakintepe in Bolu, Turkey. The overarching themes of the trip were opportunity, strategy and empathy as well as the CAS components of creativity, activity, and service. Students experienced challenges and practiced supporting each other on an epic mountain hike; they learned new skills and practiced teamwork while playing strategic games and cooking meals for the whole group; and they took risks and developed their communication skills during several unique listening and reflective activities. The teachers were very proud of the courage, empathy and enthusiasm shown by these students, and we hope they continue to bring these things to the MEF community for the next two years.

Important Dates

Oct 5 - Sports Day

Oct 13 - Parent Teacher Conferences including MEF IS PYP parent talks

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.

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