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Cambodian Christmas Cracker sponsored by iFS (1 December)
Cambodian Christmas Cracker sponsored by iFS (1 December)
A huge thank you to all parents that contributed by donating prize/ auction items (or cash) to the teachers' appeal for Cambodian street children and orphans. The iFS sponsored event on 1 December was a huge success and we are delighted to announce that to date, we have raised $13,337. This wonderful sum will make a real difference to the lives of many children. We wish the 18 Nexus colleagues and their families the very best of luck for when they travel to Cambodia in February next year.
The teachers would like to take this opportunity to say a final thank you to our generous sponsors: iFS (International Financial Services), The Repair Hospital and Allied Pickfords - THANKS TO ALL!!
It should be noted that whilst everyone here at Nexus thinks that the teachers are doing an amazing thing, this event and appeal are being conducted independently, and not through Nexus International School (Singapore).
MSF Mapathon, 2 December
MSF Mapathon, 2 December
On Saturday afternoon, eleven Year 12/13 learners met up at Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine to take part in the Medecins Sans Frontieres Missing Maps Mapathon. This event was setup by MSF to get people involved adding information from satellite imagery to Open Street Map. The idea is to create up to date, accurate maps that can be used in remote areas to help MSF organise relief efforts in an efficient and effective way.
After watching a short video explaining some of the work that MSF does around the world, Nexus learners received some training in how to identify features (buildings, roads etc.) on satellite imagery and then add them to the Open Street Map. Once the training was finished. It was straight into the work of finding unmapped areas and adding information to the database.
Our learners attended the afternoon session of the event. The morning session saw over 3000 buildings identified by the participants so the pressure was on! Hard work from the afternoon crew paid off and they were able to beat the morning session’s record. No doubt helped a lot by Sarah being the top identifier of buildings! The map work was followed by a couple of talks on Cyclone Nargis and the recovery work following an earthquake. Teachers and learners alike found the talks inspiring.
Team Nexus
Back: Siena, Suu, Rachel, Trisha, Ardhan, Allyster, Simon
Front: Shanaya, Shubhangi, Sarah & Natsuki
A massive thanks to the eleven learners who took time out on a weekend to participate in a totally worthwhile event. Big thanks also to Mr Hughes for helping out!
Tony Hall, Geography Teacher
R U OK? Week, 20 - 25 November
R U OK? Week, 20 - 25 November
Our inaugural week of activities to bring an awareness of Mental Health issues for the whole school has enjoyed excellent attendance from both primary and secondary learners. School staff have also supported our Support 65 group of Year 12/13 learners (with a new Year 10 learner just joining us this week) demonstrating the climate of collegiality we have in our school.
The learners discussed the issues around Mental Health and then developed activities that matched the feelings they wanted to air. The film “Inside Out’ became our central reference and out of the film we picked SADNESS, ANXIETY/STRESS, ANGER, LOVE and JOY and develop key messages around these emotions. We divided the group up and each group developed a relevant activity. They were assisted by our fabulous Marketing Department who were enthusiastic about the group’s approach to the week.
We want to thank all members of the Support 65 group for their efforts to produce a unique and rich experience for the whole school.
SADNESS - We put on the movie “Inside Out”
ANXIETY/STRESS - Free Hugs
ANGER - pinata (before and after)
ANGER generated Art Installation (Before and after)!
LOVE
JOY
To end the week the whole community held hands to form a giant circle throughout the entire school site. Here is a sped up version of the entire circle:
NYAA Overnight Camp
NYAA Overnight Camp
(The Duke of Edinburgh International Award here in Singapore)
Six Year 10 learners recently successfully completed the qualifying expedition at Bronze Level at the end of November. After enjoying lunch together in Changi Point we took the Bumboat for the short trip to Pulau Ubin, which is a beautiful, laid back part of Singapore. Despite being so close to the mainland, it offers an insight into traditional Kampong life.
Before the trip, learners had planned their route, meals and equipment during school based training sessions. During the trip they put these into practice, working effectively as a group and knocking up some quite impressive meals in the dark at the end of what was a sweaty, long walk! Their small camp fire was put out by the rain which, thankfully stayed away for much of the trip.
After waking early, cooking breakfast and striking camp, they spent a long morning navigating, discovered the boardwalk and wetlands as well as various viewpoints before finishing at the agreed point on time.
They are now completing the other sections of the Award; Service, Skill and Physical Recreation. Most are on track to complete the Award by June. Some are also already in the process of registering for the Silver Award.
Does your son or daughter want to get involved?
If your son or daughter is in Years 9 or 10 and would like to take part in the Bronze Level of the Award next Semester, they should email NYAA@nexus.edu.sg initially. Please note, the deadline for the completion of the registration form will be Friday, 26th January.
Sonya Bretschneider, Andy Jefferson, Delphine Touron
Year 10 History Trip to The National Museum, 28 November
Year 10 History Trip to The National Museum, 28 November
Our Year 10 Historians visited the new exhibition ‘Witness to War’ at the National Museum to further develop their understanding of the ways the Second World War impacted the lives of ordinary people. They got to read, hear and watch accounts of Singaporeans who lived through those difficult years.
The exhibition contained a large amount of primary historical source material which learners had to also evaluate for its historical value. Back in school our learners compared these experiences with those of people from around the world. The trip was a worthwhile and thought-provoking learning experience for all.
Ms Vicky Holdcroft,
Learning Area Leader, Humanities
Learning English in Year 10
Learning English in Year 10
As part of the Year 10 English as a Second Language unit called Hobbies and Interests, our learners prepared a short persuasive speech and poster campaign about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and presented this week to our Year 6 learners. It was wonderful to watch them share their knowledge about how a healthy body can lead to a healthy mind, practise speaking in English and gain confidence through the vibrant interactions with the younger learners. It was evident that all the learners really valued the chance to engage in a respectful and creative learning opportunity.
Michele Newman and Aine Gibbons - Year 10 English Teaching Team
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