Newsletter #9

This week’s newsletter reflects the wide range of opportunities our students continue to embrace both inside and outside the classroom. From achievements in Mathematics competitions to participation in the Asia World Model United Nations Conference, it has been wonderful to see students challenging themselves, developing confidence and representing the school with pride on larger platforms.

As a whole school community, we also focused on wellbeing and personal development through our Teenage Brain Coffee Morning, Online Grooming Awareness initiatives and Teachers’ Day celebrations. Alongside this, students have continued to build communication, collaboration and creative thinking skills through events such as the AIMS Language Competition, the TIS Maths Challenge Day and the Secondary CCA Internal Exhibition and Competition.

Learning beyond the classroom has remained an important feature of school life, with secondary students visiting the National Art Gallery and Year 9 students beginning important conversations around their Personal Pathways choices. In Primary, our Year 6 students demonstrated excellent teamwork, resilience and problem-solving during the AIMS Maths Challenge, representing TISPC superbly throughout the event.

Please also take the time to read this week’s important notices carefully, including updates regarding new service providers for Term 3, revised bus bay arrangements effective from next week, surveys regarding transport and cafeteria services, and information about the upcoming Amazing Family Race.

Please note that next week there will be no school on Wednesday 27th May (Hari Raya Haji public holiday) and the following week, there will be no school on Monday 1st June (Agong's birthday) and Tuesday 2nd June (Hari Gawai).

Best wishes,

Jane

Lucas (8P)

Lucas recently participated in the Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad (TIMO) and was awarded a Bronze medal for his performance.

This marked Lucas’s first time representing the school in the competition, making the accomplishment even more meaningful. His achievement reflects his dedication, perseverance, and growing interest in Mathematics, as well as his willingness to challenge himself in an international academic competition.

Participating in events such as TIMO provides students with valuable learning experiences and opportunities to develop their confidence and problem-solving skills.

We congratulate Lucas on this wonderful achievement and look forward to seeing him continue to grow and excel in future competitions.

Jun Ning (10O)

From 16 to 20 April 2026, Jun Ning proudly represented the school at the Asia World Model United Nations XIII 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. Competing alongside 300 delegates from 25 countries, she demonstrated diplomacy, leadership and critical thinking skills throughout the conference.

Representing the United Kingdom in the UNESCO Council, she participated in debates and negotiations on the topic, “Preservation of Tangible and Intangible Heritage Amid Wars and Political Instability.”

Despite competing in a rigorous and internationally diverse council of delegates aged 15 to 25, Jun Ning earned the Best Delegate Award, the highest honour within the council.

Teacher’s Day!

This week, our school community came together to celebrate Teacher’s Day and Staff Appreciation Week as a heartfelt reminder of how much we value and appreciate our dedicated teachers and staff. Their care, commitment and passion continue to shape the learning journey and wellbeing of our students each day.

To make the celebration even more meaningful, our staff were treated to little moments of pampering throughout the week, including coffee, nail spa sessions and shoulder massages in between their busy schedules.

A big thank you to our Teacher’s Day Committee for putting together such thoughtful moments throughout the week. Students enjoyed adding their messages and wishes to the Thank You Board. The Student Council also took the opportunity to make some special paper crafts and delivered them personally to their teachers to show their appreciation for the teachers. We ended the week on a wonderful note with a lively Teacher’s Day Assembly filled with student performances in appreciation of their teachers.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our wonderful Class Parents Committee for the generous gifts prepared for all teachers. Your kindness, support and appreciation meant so much to our staff and helped make the week feel even more special.

Wellbeing CPD for Teachers

This term, our leaders held a special masterclass session in Teacher Wellbeing. Each teacher got to select an activity to engage with other teachers outside of their departments and build team spirit.

We offered Netball, Gym sessions, Popcorn and Movies, Classroom Warriors, Mafia, Plant your Calm & Rummy Mahjong.

Thanks to our team leaders: Haliza, Mark, Pavi, Wendy, Sandya, Yen Wey & Viviane, Ms. Dhaanyah & Ms Ezzerina, Kohgi & Komathi, Boey & Michelle.

The Teenage Brain: What’s Really Going On? A Parents’ Guide

The recent parent talk (8th May 2026) explored the fascinating and often challenging world of adolescent development. The session aimed to help parents better understand why teenagers think, feel, and behave the way they do, while also equipping them with practical strategies to strengthen connection and communication at home.

Parents were introduced to the science behind the teenage brain, particularly the ongoing development of the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, planning, impulse control and emotional regulation. As this area is still developing well into the mid-20s, teenagers often rely more heavily on the emotional part of the brain, which can result in mood swings, impulsive reactions, heightened sensitivity and risk-taking behaviour.

The talk also highlighted the impact of today’s digital world on adolescents. Discussions centred around screen time, social media, dopamine-driven digital engagement and the challenges of raising teens in a world of constant connectivity. Parents were encouraged to reflect on their own technology habits and explore ways to create healthier digital boundaries at home through co-created screen rules, tech-free times, and maintaining open conversations rather than using fear or punishment.

Practical parenting tools formed a major part of the session. Parents explored communication approaches that help build trust and reduce conflict, including listening before lecturing, validating emotions, staying calm during disagreements and choosing connection over correction. The presentation also addressed why teenagers argue with parents, reminding families that conflict during adolescence is often linked to growing independence, identity formation and ongoing brain development, not simply defiance.

Interactive activities throughout the session allowed parents to reflect on their own teenage experiences, discuss real-life scenarios and practice responding to common parenting challenges in calmer and more intentional ways. The session also highlighted important red flags in teenage behaviour, including persistent

sadness, excessive worry, withdrawal, major changes in sleep or appetite and sudden declines in academic or social functioning, encouraging parents to seek support when needed.

The talk concluded with an important reminder: parenting teenagers can be incredibly demanding, but parents do not have to navigate it alone. By staying connected, modelling emotional regulation and responding with empathy and consistency, parents can play a powerful role in helping their teenagers grow into resilient and emotionally healthy adults.

Below are the slides for reference.

The Teenage Brain

AIMS Language Competition

On 9th May, selected students from primary and secondary proudly represented the school at the 2026 AIMS Language Competition, held at The International School @ ParkCity. Competing in individual categories for both Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia (BM), our students delivered well-prepared speeches that showcased their language fluency, confidence, and public speaking skills.

The event brought together vibrant young speakers from AIMS member schools across Malaysia, offering a wonderful opportunity to celebrate multilingualism and cultural expression.

We are thrilled to announce that several of our students shone brightly, earning top honours for their outstanding performances

Congratulations to the following prize winners:

William (2P) Bronze Award Winner, MP1 BM First language

Jun Ning (10O), Silver Award Winner, KS4 Malay First Language

He S. (10P), Bronze Award Winner, KS4 Mandarin First Language

We are incredibly proud of all our participants for their courage and effort in taking the stage. Special thanks to our Mandarin and BM teachers for their dedication in mentoring and preparing the students for this competition.

Well done to all, and may your voices continue to inspire!

Secondary CCA Internal Exhibition and Internal Competition

The Secondary CCA Internal Exhibition and Competition, held on 10th April, was a meaningful highlight that provided students with the opportunity to celebrate and showcase their achievements within their respective clubs. The event created a platform for members to either present their completed works or take part in friendly competition, sharing their learning experiences with fellow club members in a supportive environment.

Throughout the sessions, students confidently explained their ideas, processes, and the skills they had developed over the term. The exhibition and competition highlighted the dedication and effort invested in their work, while fostering peer learning, collaboration, and a stronger sense of community within each club.

We are proud of our students for their enthusiasm and commitment, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth and creativity in the coming terms.

Educational Excursion to the National Art Gallery

On 7th May, IGCSE Art students in Years 10 and 11 took part in an educational excursion to the National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, to observe a variety of artworks. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to see works of art not only in person but also to develop an understanding of the art-making process outside the classroom.

During their visit, students had the chance to experience paintings, sculptures, multimedia, installations and contemporary art from both local and international artists. Many students commented on the many ways artists utilise materials, methods, textures and presentation to express thoughts, feelings and experiences. The experience of viewing actual artwork allowed students to observe and develop an appreciation for many details that cannot be observed through textbooks or pictures online.

Interacting directly with actual artworks enabled students to develop their observational and analytical skills, since they could sketch, take notes and document ideas from the exhibitions for use in their own IGCSE coursework and final projects. Several students expressed a desire to try some of the new techniques or compositions used by the artists they saw at the exhibition.

Visiting the gallery also assisted students with their confidence in discussing and interpreting artwork. By engaging in discussions about artwork and the artwork they viewed at the galleries, students learned to appreciate how artists communicate through images about culture, identity, nature, society, and their own personal experiences through visual images.

Secondary Online Grooming Awareness Talk

On 8th May, all students from Year 7 through to Year 11 gathered for an incredibly vital and eye-opening session focused on Online Grooming Awareness. The school was privileged to host Dr. Jaganraj and Dr. Ambikai from Taylor's University, who shared their expertise on a subject that is increasingly critical in our children's digital lives.

The session was highly informative and interactive, providing our students with a clear understanding of online risks and practical strategies to handle them. Many students initially thought online grooming was something obvious or immediate. The speakers quickly dispelled this myth, explaining that grooming is a gradual process built entirely on gaining a young person's trust. It typically follows a pattern: targeting a student, gaining their trust, building a relationship and enforcing secrecy before exploitation occurs. They highlighted that this often starts innocently in daily spaces like gaming lobbies, Discord servers, or Instagram, where adults pretend to be the student's age or offer a sympathetic ear.

Through realistic Malaysian case studies involving online gaming and social media modelling offers, the students learned to identify warning signs such as moving chats to private platforms or being asked for personal photos. The doctors gave the students a definitive, three-step action plan to use if an online interaction ever feels uncomfortable:

STOP: Trust your instincts. Do not send photos or share personal information and never agree to keep online secrets.
BLOCK: Cut off communication immediately and use the built-in "Block" and "Report" features on apps like TikTok or Instagram.
TELL: Speak up immediately to a parent, a teacher, or a counsellor. The doctors emphasised that there is absolutely no shame or judgment in seeking help.

To reassure the students, the speakers also briefly highlighted that relevant legal acts exist to protect underage children in Malaysia, helping to bring greater awareness to the strict legal boundaries and consequences surrounding cybercrimes against minors. Our Year 7 to 11 students showed great maturity during the session, actively participating in quizzes and case study discussions. However, a single talk in the school hall is just the beginning.

We strongly encourage parents to use this write-up as a conversation starter at home this week. Ask your children about the warning signs or the "STOP–BLOCK–TELL" rule they learned from Dr. Jaganraj and Dr. Ambikai. Keeping an open, supportive, and non-judgmental line of communication at home is the absolute best defence we can give our young people as they navigate the digital world.

2026 TIS Maths Challenge Day

On 12th May, we proudly hosted the sixth TIS Maths Challenge Day, welcoming 72 Year 9 students from Taylor’s International School Puchong (TISPC) and Taylor’s International School Kuala Lumpur (TISKL).

Now in its sixth edition, the TIS Maths Challenge Day continues to strengthen the partnership between the two campuses by providing students with a meaningful platform to collaborate, compete and celebrate their shared passion for Mathematics. The event aims to deepen students’ problem-solving skills, broaden their competition experience, and encourage them to strive for excellence.

Students competed in three exciting rounds:

Individual Round
Code Breaker Round
Dragon Maths Round

Throughout the day, participants demonstrated impressive mathematical reasoning, teamwork, resilience, and enthusiasm as they tackled a variety of challenging problems.

Competition Results

Individual Round

Gold: Shin
Silver: Jayden T.

Code Breaker Individual

Gold: Jayden T.
Silver: Endric
Bronze: Yuyang

Code Breaker Round (Team)

Gold: Jing Hin, Endric, Yuyang
Silver: Wang Ji, Mika, Jayden T.
Bronze: Sin Ni, Chloe, Khai Yee

Dragon Maths Round (Team)

Gold: Shin, Dong Yul, Nai Xuan
Silver: Jing Hin, Endric, Yuyang
Bronze: Sin Ni, Chloe, Khai Yee

The Formula Behind the Success

The strong performances seen during the competition were the result of sustained preparation and commitment. Students benefited from:

Additional training sessions conducted after school
Exposure to challenging, higher-order mathematical problems during lessons
Regular participation in the Maths Challenge Club held every Friday during CCA
Determination, perseverance, and a genuine love for problem-solving

Appreciation

The event was jointly organised by the mathematics teachers and the Maths Council student leaders. We extend our sincere appreciation to all members of the Maths Council and the student helpers whose dedication and hard work ensured that the competition ran smoothly and successfully.

Continuing the Partnership

The TIS Maths Challenge Day has become a valued tradition that brings students and teachers from both campuses together through healthy competition and collaborative learning. We are delighted that this partnership will continue, with Taylor’s International School Kuala Lumpur (TISKL) set to host the 2027 TIS Maths Challenge Day.

We look forward to another memorable event as students continue to learn, compete, and achieve excellence together.

The TIS Maths Challenge Day remains an inspiring platform for students to challenge themselves, build confidence, and develop a deeper appreciation for Mathematics.

Year 9 Personal Pathways: “Options for the Future” Forum

The Counselling Department was honoured to invite four special guests from the school community to share their career journeys with the Year 9 students during their Personal Pathways lesson on 15th May. The guest speakers included Ms Patricia, Assistant Head and Acting Head of the Primary Section; Mr Gladwin, Secondary Teacher and Exam Officer; and Ms Irene and Mr Farid, Manager and Assistant Manager from the Operations Department.

The inspiring forum focused on the guests’ personal experiences, career pathways and the important decisions they made throughout their professional journeys. Through the sharing session, students were encouraged to reflect on several key aspects of career exploration:

Knowing ourselves and the career market – Understanding personal strengths, interests and opportunities in the working world.
Exploration and adaptability – Finding the right path often comes through exploration and experience. There is no single “best” choice, and change is a natural part of the journey.
Balancing dreams and reality – While dream careers are important, practical considerations and real-world challenges also play a role in decision-making.
Parental influence – Parents can have both direct and indirect influences on career choices.
Lifelong learning – Career growth and changes are possible when individuals embrace continuous learning and adaptability.

Beyond learning about the guests’ professional experiences, students also gained insight into the personal side of their journeys, making the session more relatable and engaging. The guests openly shared the values, mindsets and life experiences that shaped them and helped them grow into better individuals within their respective fields.

The forum provided students with meaningful perspectives on career development and encouraged them to approach their future pathways with openness, curiosity, and resilience.

Y6 AIMS Maths Challenge

This year, we were proud to host the Y6 AIMS Maths Challenge 2026, welcoming 42 teams from 21 different schools across Malaysia for two exciting days of mathematical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Students took part in a wide variety of rounds including: Individual Paper, Mental Maths, Relay, Maths Trail, Codebreaker, Construction, and Number Crunch challenges. Throughout the competition, students were encouraged to think critically, apply mathematical reasoning, work collaboratively, and persevere through challenging tasks in both team and individual events.

The atmosphere across the event was incredibly positive, with students fully engaged and showing great enthusiasm, resilience, and teamwork throughout every round. Feedback from visiting schools and teachers was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on how enjoyable, well-organised, and engaging the event was.

We are especially proud of our own students, who represented the school exceptionally well throughout the competition. They demonstrated excellent teamwork, determination, sportsmanship, and maturity, whilst showing confidence and enthusiasm in every challenge. They were fantastic ambassadors for our school and should be very proud of their efforts and achievements.

A huge thank you also goes to all staff, volunteers and supporting teams who helped make the event such a success.

Island Music Across Cultures

“Don’t Worry, About a Thing, ’Cause Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright…!” Does that ring a bell?

Our Year 6 students have been exploring different styles of island music, linking beautifully with our IPC topic, Earth as an Island. Over the past few weeks, the children have been embracing cultures from around the world while discovering how music reflects the identity and traditions of island communities.

We will be diving deeper into music from places such as Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Bali, the Floating Islands of the Uros and Hawaii. Through this journey, learners will explore the unique rhythms, instruments, dances and stories behind each culture’s music.

If you know of any island music or cultural songs, we would love to learn about them too! Feel free to share them with us on Seesaw, or encourage your children to share what they know with the class.

New Parents Coffee & Connect

Our recent New Families Session was a wonderful opportunity to warmly welcome parents and students into our school community. The session was appreciated with families engaging positively and sharing thoughtful questions as they begin their journey with us.

Year Leaders from all year groups were present to support families, answer questions, and help address any settling-in concerns for their children. Parents appreciated the opportunity to connect directly with staff, gain a clearer understanding of school routines and expectations and feel reassured that support is always available throughout the transition process.

As a school, we remain committed to ensuring every new family feels welcomed, valued and cared for from the very beginning. Alongside these sessions, we continue to support students through classroom buddy systems, regular teacher check-ins, pastoral support and open communication with families to help every child settle confidently into school life. We look forward to continuing this initiative every term for new families joining our community.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Introduction of New Service Providers in Term 3

We would like to inform you of two new service providers that will be supporting the school community from Term 3, 2026 onwards.

eBookstore Operator

TEK Bookmart has been appointed as the school’s new eBookstore operator and will commence services from 21st November, 2026. Further details regarding the purchasing process and platform usage will be shared in due course.

Recommended Transporter

Kavines Travel & Tours has been appointed as an additional recommended transporter and will begin providing services from Term 3, 2026. Further information regarding their services and contact details will be shared in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Revised Bus Bay Arrangements - Effective Next Week (25.05.26)

Following a recent review of Bus Bay usage, revised arrangements will be introduced from next week to help improve traffic flow, safety and efficiency during dismissal times.

Two placard categories will now operate:

• Purple Placards: Primary student pick-up only from 3.00pm
• Orange Placards: Secondary only or Primary and Secondary pick-up from 3.15pm onwards

Please note that vehicles with Orange Placards arriving before 3.15pm will be turned away and asked to return later. After ECA pick-up remains permitted for both categories.

New placards will be sent home this week via the youngest registered child. Private transporters have picked up their placard from the main office Reception. Please also note that the Bus Bay has now reached full capacity and no additional placards will be issued for the remainder of this term.

The Bus Bay remains strictly for pick-up and drop-off only. Parking or waiting is not permitted and only vehicles displaying newly issued authorised placards may enter.

As part of ongoing traffic management planning and the introduction of an additional transporter provider in Term 3, the school will continue reviewing Bus Bay capacity and arrangements. Further changes may be required should demand continue to exceed safe operating limits.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support as we work to improve the safety and efficiency of the dismissal process.

Bus Service Satisfaction Survey

We’re always looking for ways to improve our school transport, and your feedback plays a big role. This short survey is designed to:

Measure your satisfaction with the current bus service
Collect helpful feedback for our bus operators
Support decisions that improve the overall bus experience

Your input will help us make the service safer, smoother and more reliable for all students. Please complete the survey by Friday 12th June, 12 noon. Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts!

Bus Survey Link

Cafeteria Services Survey 2026

We would like to gather feedback from you regarding the school cafeteria services, including food quality, portion sizes, variety of food choices, pricing, cleanliness and overall dining experience. Your opinions and suggestions are important and will help the school and cafeteria team to improve the services provided to you.

Please answer the questions honestly based on your personal experience. There are no right or wrong answers — we simply want to understand your views and preferences better.

We appreciate your participation and thank you for helping us create a better cafeteria experience for everyone. Please complete the survey by Friday 12th June, 12 noon. Internally, we will run this survey at school for students respond

Cafeteria Survey Link

🌙✨ Celebrate Eid al-Adha with a Special Festive Lunch! ✨🌙

In conjunction with the joyous celebration of Eid al-Adha (Hari Raya Haji), our cafeteria is delighted to present a delicious traditional Malaysian menu for everyone to enjoy!

📅 Monday 25 May, 2026

Nasi Kandar Special

🍚 Nasi with Dalca
🍗 Ayam Masak Bawang
🥚 Telur Masin
🥬 Bendi

📅 Tuesday, 26 May 2026

🍽️ Special Eid Haji Menu

🥘 Kambing Masak Ros

🍚 Nasi Tomato

🥗 Acar Jelatah

🥠 Papadom

Join us for this flavorful festive feast and experience the rich taste of one of Malaysia’s most beloved celebration dishes. Don’t miss this special opportunity to enjoy a hearty and authentic Eid Haji meal with your friends and teachers!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha! 🌙🐑

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