Dear Parents and Caregivers,

I can hardly believe another term has flown by! As we head into the break, I  wanted to take a moment to reflect on all the learning (and fun) we've shared together.

Celebrating Success: This term, our learners have been extremely busy. For our Y3 to Y6 learners the residential trips have been a significant highlight with the opportunity to further and develop so many of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile Attributes. As well as a full and rich unit of inquiry programme our younger years have taken part in trips to the theatre and Science Centre, stay and play activities, snack time picnics and French language trips. I’m incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that goes into ensuring such holistic learning experiences. Please take a look at the Recent Events tab for a taste of the past 2 weeks.

Farewell: For some of our learners and families, this term marks the end of their journey at Nexus. We'll miss them dearly and wish them all the best in their next chapter. Likewise we have had some wonderful temporary staff members supporting us this term. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for their dedication to our learners.

I encourage you to use the break as an opportunity for your child to relax and recharge. Here are some ideas of activities you could do together:

• Reading Challenge: Encourage them to read a certain number of books or for a set amount of time each day, reading yourself alongside them.

• Get Creative: Explore art projects, writing stories, or building with blocks.

• Outdoor Adventures: Get some fresh air with walks, bike rides, or exploring nature.

Moving forward Term 4 promises to be an exciting and positive one, we look forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday, 2 April.

Finally I want to share my thanks for your continued support. Your partnership in your child's education is invaluable. 

To our Christian families - May your Easter be filled with peace and joy. 

To our Muslim families - Ramadan Mubarak! Wishing you a blessed and reflective Ramadan.

Have a restful and enjoyable break.

Best wishes

Fiona Lewis

Head of Primary

It has been a vibrant and enriching term in Nursery, filled with exciting adventures and creative explorations. Our play-based learning approach has empowered our learners, fostering a sense of agency and independence as they actively engage in their learning journey. Through play, they express their feelings and ideas, developing new understandings and skills that will serve them well in the future.

One highlight was our unforgettable visit to the theatre to see "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" come to life on stage. The excitement was palpable as our learners boarded the bus, eager for the magical experience ahead. This outing not only sparked their imagination but also reinforced the importance of literature and the arts in our curriculum.

In our Unit of Inquiry, we have explored how play can be a powerful tool for expression and learning. Our learners have embraced their roles as inquirers, communicators, and open-minded individuals, demonstrating great curiosity and creativity along the way. Whether performing in the puppet theatre, transferring their artistic understanding to the creative and writing areas, or engrossed in the process of creation and expression, our children have truly shone this term.

Term 3 in Kindergarten has been a jam-packed time of learning, growth, and development.  There have been a number of exciting events dotted throughout the term such as Book Week, dressing up as your book favourite character, Chinese New Year a celebration of who we are and where we live, our termly Stay and Play, an Assembly and this week we enjoyed our Energy Explosion morning as part of the school wide Sports Days, a calendar highlight for the end of term.

We have enjoyed nurturing and being a part of the growing connections and relationships during this second semester at school.  There are negotiations that take place both in the playground and classroom, social nuances are at play, trading and bargaining skills are engaged.  The learners are showing a strong interest in reading and writing, with signs, cards, posters, letters, and booklets being made to enhance areas of play.  It’s been a fabulous term in Kindergarten.  Happy Holidays everyone, we hope you enjoy a well-deserved rest, and look forward to a fun and busy Term 4, see you in April.

As we bid farewell to another exhilarating term, we are filled with gratitude for the remarkable journey of learning that has unfolded over the past ten weeks. From our captivating exploration of storytelling during Book Week to the exhilarating rocket-making field trip to the science centre, it's been an enriching experience for all. Learners have shown commendable progress in their everyday self-management skills, a testament to their dedication and hard work. Witnessing learners confidently share their learning goals with parents during the learner-led conferences has been truly inspiring, showcasing their remarkable growth and development. The learning spaces were a buzz of excitement as they eagerly showed their newfound knowledge and skills to parents and caregivers. It's been heartening to see the level of engagement and enthusiasm as they demonstrated what they've learned over the past few weeks. 

Sports Day marked a fitting conclusion to a phenomenal term, with our learners displaying incredible school spirit and camaraderie. Whether cheering each other on or tackling the challenges of various events, their enthusiasm was infectious. The scooter relay, in particular, stood out as a favourite among many, with students drawing connections to our unit of inquiry on forces and the mechanics behind simple machines. As we embark on a well-deserved spring break, we encourage everyone to take the time to rest and rejuvenate. Term 4 promises to be just as vibrant and memorable, filled with exciting opportunities for growth and exploration. Wishing you all a relaxing and enjoyable break, and we look forward to welcoming you back for another fantastic term ahead.

How did we get to this point in the year so quickly?! We are three quarters of the way through Year 2 already and it is hard to believe we only have one more term until the end of the academic year! We have so much to be grateful for and to celebrate. 

Year 2 learners should be proud of themselves when they became the teachers at the Learning Conferences last week. It can be quite daunting being the only child sitting with a teacher and 1-2 family members (or more) discussing goals! The Year 2 learners demonstrated their communication skills in discussing their goals and explaining how to complete the variety of mathematics, language arts and unit of inquiry engagements. Well done Year 2!

We have concluded the Sharing the planet unit of inquiry with a focus on human impact on habitats. When learning about climate change, learners identified human activities and actions that have a positive and a negative impact on the environment. The learners then decided on choices within their own control such as turning the lights/electricity off when not needed, taking public transport or cycling/scootering rather than going in a car, reducing the use of plastic items and recycling glass, plastic and paper products. Many learners made connections with a previous persuasive writing unit, suggesting a way to take action is to create posters to persuade others to make better, sustainable, choices. We are extremely proud of how the learners demonstrated agency in this unit and know that this is just the beginning of developing changemakers in our future leaders and global citizens. 

Celebrating the Awesomeness of Term 3

Term 3 has been an action-packed term for Year 3. After returning from the break, we had an amazing celebration for Lunar New Year. Our learners had an immersive experience, diving into Chinese culture while welcoming the Year of the Dragon. It was a fantastic way to kick off the term!

Shortly after, our focus shifted to the Year 3 Residential. We explored different systems at home and at school, brainstorming how we could apply this knowledge during our camp. The "getting ready for bed" systems were a particular favourite! But the true highlight was the emotional growth that occurred during camp. Every learner returned with newfound confidence and self-belief. They faced new challenges and embraced developing their own independence. It was a huge success, and we're still buzzing from the experience!

In Year 3, we quickly switched gears, eagerly anticipating the Learner-led Conferences. The first part of the conference involved learners sharing their ATL goals. We believe these skills are just as important, if not more important, than their Language Arts and Maths' goals. It was truly impressive to see our learners reflect on their self-management and social skills, describing who they are as individuals. Many set goals related to thinking and research skills, which align perfectly with our upcoming Unit of Inquiry. In Term 4, we'll be researching various landforms and presenting our findings to parents at the Year 3 Exhibitions. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

Sports Week was another highlight this term. We focused on building resilience and maintaining an open-minded attitude. Despite the heat and exhaustion, our kids pushed through and achieved great success! Additionally, this week, our learners will test their thinking skills as they venture home from the Marina Barrage field trip via the MRT. This, like the Year 3 Camp, presents an exciting opportunity for further growth and independence (each small group will be accompanied by an adult!).

As promised, Term 3 and 4 are when we witness our once-little Year 2's blossom into self-sufficient, capable learners who will be emotionally and mentally prepared for the challenges of Year 4. It's bittersweet to see them grow up so much, but being a part of this beautiful experience is truly rewarding!

There has been a lot to celebrate this term. We have witnessed our Year 4 learners develop their resilience, their independence, their sense of responsibility and their confidence. It has been a pleasure to see learners rise to challenges and strive to give their best.

Term 3 started with Book Week during which Year 4 met two established authors, Neil Humphreys and John Patrick Green (InvestiGators series). Since then we have enjoyed the Chinese New Year celebrations, our class assemblies, Sports Day and our Learner-led Conferences. The highlight of the term for many of us was our Residential trip to Pasir Ris during which a host of new experiences, new challenges and a huge number of personal achievements were concentrated into two very busy days by the sea. 

In our homerooms this term Year 4 had focused on two Units of Inquiry, both with a sustainable theme. We have explored the wonders of through the central idea, 'water is an essential resource' and then moved on to investigate the central idea, 'clothing choices can express people's values.' Over the last two weeks, we have reviewed ways to reuse, upcycle, and recycle clothes to reduce waste within the clothing industry. This week, through a Google Meet we interviewed Ms. Stephanie's brother who runs a vintage clothing company in New Zealand that buys and sells pre-worn clothes to give garments a longer life. 

Thank you Year 4 for all your effort, enthusiasm, energy and commitment that each one of you has put into your learning and school life this term. Have a wonderful holiday!

Congratulations to Year 5 on an amazing term. Our weeks have been full to the brim with exciting opportunities and experiences. A highlight would be the support, compassion and encouragement that each learner has provided for each other in a variety of ways. Whether from the top of the climbing wall in Loola or the Sports Day sidelines as house members sprinted to the finish line.

Our How the World Works science exhibition and our Loola residential trip are great memories from this term. Each of these authentic experiences provided opportunities for personal growth and learning. Often learners begin by feeling a little nervous and unsure of what lays ahead of them. However, by embracing our learner profiles, they quickly grow in confidence and achieve challenges that may have initially been outside of their comfort zone. Some of these include: speaking in front of an audience, collaborating with new friends, self organisation, sleeping away from home or jumping from a height that seemed way too high!

Learners have applied their critical and creative thinking skills in all areas of their learning. From designing their stress response tool kits using canva, to reflecting on their cultural clay sculptures in art and writing expressive poetry in language arts. Learners are constantly displaying agency through their decision making and commitment to learning. 

Term 4 seems to be very near now and we look forward to continuing to support your children in their final term of Year 5. We wish everyone a restful and relaxing holiday break. 

The week began with great enthusiasm as our learners participated in the annual Sports Day event. It was a day filled with friendly competition, team spirit, and cheering for their teams, showcasing their talents and sportsmanship.

On Wednesday, we embarked on an educational excursion to the Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve. Learners had the opportunity to explore the wonders of nature, learning about the rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems of the wetlands, observing wildlife in their natural habitats, and gaining valuable insights into environmental conservation.

We are also excited to invite you to the kickoff of our upcoming exhibition on Tuesday, April 9th, 2024! This event provides you with an exclusive sneak peek into what our Year 6 learners will be focusing on during Term 4 for their PYP. Your presence at this event will undoubtedly encourage and support our learners.

• Time: 8:30 am

• Venue: Auditorium

Finally, we wish everyone a fantastic break filled with relaxation and fun! See you all refreshed and ready for Term 4 on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024.

Warm regards,

The Year 6 Team