Newsletter February 2020

Overseas Family SchoolMiddle School

Master Policy:To maintain a happy, safe and effective school for overseas families living in Singapore

From The Parent Association (PA) Desk

Michael LeeMiddle School Principalmichael_lee@ofs.edu.sg

Principal’s MessageWelcome back to Semester 2 everyone! This semester we have had the exciting addition of the OFS Competitive Swim Team (OFS Tigers), under the guidance of Mr. Gil Levy, our swimming consultant from ‘Swim Schooling’. Unfortunately with the recent outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus, we have been presented with many challenges such as the postponement or even cancellation of many upcoming events and a temporary suspension to our extra-curricular activities. Our school is doing its very best to take every precautionary measure to keep our school community safe. We will continue to update parents with new guidelines and practices. I would sincerely like to thank our parents for your support, understanding and cooperation during these trying times. In the meantime, I would like to remind all students to stay home if you are feeling unwell and to continue observing good hygiene practices such as frequent handwashing (with detergent or hand sanitiser), avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, etc. I wish you all good health, happiness and prosperity as we work together to keep our community safe.

Model United Nations (MUN) Club, a marvellous, noetic and unique experience Throughout Semester 1, the students of Middle School have been involved in various MUN conferences and training sessions. A group of experienced Grade 8 students carried out New Delegate Training sessions for students who were not as experienced when it came to researching and debating. They gave them a brief introduction to MUN and training on how to create resolutions. The conferences that students have taken part in, include the High School MUNOFS held at OFS over the course of three days, along with leadership workshops for students. These exposures provided all with a learning experience on a vast array of topics. MUNOFS was a truly memorable experience which allowed delegates to be part of various committees and interact with students from other schools. This conference was largely focused on the theme of sustainability of the globe and created a strong foundation for any new delegates, while still providing experienced delegates with yet another opportunity to indulge in their passion. Another one of these MUN experiences that students enjoyed was the Australian International School Conference in December. This conference gave an opportunity to students to involve themselves in a different exposure to MUN in new surroundings. As the conference had collaborated with the International Red Cross, students had a chance to contribute to society by donating to this organisation. This conference allowed delegates to expose themselves to the Joint Crisis Committee which most students had not experienced in the past. Overall, this conference was a new learning experience for the delegates and gave them a chance to contribute to society.

(Maira Gupta – Grade 8Mayall / Hanna Ucko-Neill, Jessica Purchase and Jyoti Mayall – MUN Teachers / Supervisors)

In light of the current measures to enhance protection against Wuhan coronavirus, we regret to inform that the Lion and Dragon dance and Chinese New Year Themed Coffee Morning have been postponed until further notice. We will keep you informed of any new developments as we hope to reschedule these affected events to a later date.

Stay Safe!

Overseas Family School Middle School Newsletter February 2020

Deputy Principal’s MessageOur Grade 8 students kicked off the new semester with a visit to Gardens by the Bay. This trip provided a thought-provoking introduction to the Quarter 3 MYP Global Context of ‘Globalisation and Sustainability’. The field trip allowed students to visit the Sustainability Gallery at Marina Barrage where they explored ways of tackling challenges related to waste, recycling, transport and energy. The students participated in the Green Mile at the Barrage. They were encouraged to walk or run up and around the Barrage in order to earn ‘miles’ for their class. They then visited the Cloud Forest to learn about the impacts of climate change on the environment. Students will use this information

to prepare for their Model United Nations Conference later this year, where they will look at ways in which the UN Sustainable Development Goals can be achieved. They also used stimuli from the day as inspiration to write a short story. As part of the ‘Globalisation and Sustainability’ Global Context, students will be exploring the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities, the relationship between local and global processes and how the world interconnectedness presents both opportunities and challenges.

(Hayley Brian – Middle School Deputy Principal)hayley_brian@ofs.edu.sg

Middle School Semester 1 AssemblyCyber Safety and AwarenessThe third quarter Health and Social Education (HSE) Program focuses on the theme of Cyber Safety and Awareness. This includes delving into the topics of responsible digital citizenship, cyberbullying, social media use, balancing digital media in our lives and being aware of online dangers. All the Middle School

students have had a Health and Social Education lesson in the second week of the quarter where they were given the opportunity to engage with these topics in depth. Each week, Homebases are given a new focus to explore and discuss among their classmates. In this way, digital issues are brought to the surface and responsible online practices are taught. Students will also have an opportunity to create cyberbullying posters in a Homebase competition and to share their own ‘Cyber Stories’ for display on the HSE notice board this quarter.

(Aidan Spencer – Student Advisor)

Master Policy:To maintain a happy, safe and effective school for overseas families living in Singapore

Sports NewsGet excited about the new OFS Tigers Competitive Swim Team! Gil Levy, our Swimming Consultant, has this message to share with us:

“After 3 days of trials, more than 100 students were selected to become members of the inaugural OFS Competitive Swim Team, also known as “OFS Tigers”. There is clearly some real talent and many swimmers with tremendous potential.

The OFS Tigers Swimming Program emphasizes competing at the Athletic Conference of Singapore International Schools (ACSIS) as well as competing at Singapore National Age Group Championships and Open Nationals and may feature competing in the FINA World Cup, which is reserved for athletes who have not only attained World Cup Qualification but are also committed to consistently training at the highest possible level.

Tremendous momentum has been created - it is now up to the swimmers to make the most of the opportunities being offered here at OFS.”

(Jason Lawrence – Dean of Physical Advancement)

Grade 8 Field Trip - Marina Barrage

Overseas Family School Middle School Newsletter February 2020

New StaffAARON SMALLSPP EnglishMy name is Aaron Small and I have recently joined the SPP team. I have been teaching English in Seoul, South Korea for the past 15 years and thoroughly enjoyed the liveliness of the city, the culture and the food (of course!). Prior to this, I lived in the UK and taught PE at secondary schools in London. I am from New Zealand and grew up in Ashburton, near Christchurch, in the South Island. It’s a great place to enjoy outdoor activities and I have fond memories of camping, hiking and snowboarding on the Southern Alps as a youngster. I still love to do these activities every time I get a chance to go back home. Like most young Kiwis, I grew up playing rugby and touch rugby and supporting our beloved “All Blacks” and I look forward to converting a few of our students into die-hard fans. I am eager to share aspects of New Zealand culture with our students, so feel free to ask me any questions you might have. In the short amount of time I have been here at OFS, I feel lucky to have met such enthusiastic students and welcoming staff members - I already feel right at home. I am very excited to be a part of such a multi-cultural community and I am looking forward to meeting all of our students, both in the classroom and through the great range of extra-curricular activities that OFS has to offer.

What’s the ‘Matter’?As part of the Grade 6 Inquiry into ‘Matter’ and key concept – ‘Change’, all Grade 6 students were able to experience changes occurring when Dry Ice (solid carbon dioxide) was exposed to warm conditions. Dry Ice is a very cold substance which sublimes (turns directly from a solid to a gas) when placed in a warm room.

Students were able to carry out experiments including:

• ‘Making a spoon sing’

• ‘Making ice from water’

• ‘Coloured Bubbles’

• ‘A balloon inflating by itself’

• ‘frictionless motion’

• ‘I can see a rainbow’

• and Making foaming liquids.

After making clear observations, students were asked to make inferences and draw conclusions about the particle behaviour in Dry Ice.

(Stephen Foster – SAL for Sciences)

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