The Weekly Bulletin of

Stonehill International SchoolVolume 6, Issue 105

1 June 2018

FEATURED STORIES

Installation Art and Photography

Though the term installation art is used to describe large-scale, mixed-media constructions that are

often designed for a specific place or for a temporary period of time, we decided to do a small scale

installation that we could easily move from place to place. We were inspired by Nick Mackman, an

award winning sculptor of ceramic and bronze animal sculptures. When she starts a new piece of

art work, she makes a connection with the subject.

IMPORTANT DATES: JUNE

4th

M1 –M4 EXAMS END

5th

D1 EXAMS END

6th P3 CELEBRATION OF LEARNING

6th PTA STAFF APPRECIATION

LUNCH

8th P8 LEAVERS’ PRODUCTION

11th

MYP ARTS SHOWCASE

12th

PRIMARY AWARDS CEREMONY

13th

SECONDARY LEAVERS’

ASSEMBLY

14th

PRIMARY LEAVERS’ ASSEMBLY

CONTENTS

01/ FEATURED STORIES

04/ WHOLE SCHOOL NEWS

06/ PRIMARY NEWS

09/ SECONDARY NEWS

HIGHLIGHTS Installation Art and

Photography

Japanese Consul General

Visits Stonehill

P5 Sharing the Planet

News from the Science

Department

THE

TIGER

As seen in this image, Ms. Mackman tries to

understand the animal, its environment,

behaviour and personality. “This is the only

way to really connect with the animal on its

own level.”*

Initially, the two of us worked on individual

projects. However, after a few days we

decided we should work together and come up

with a more creative, as well as a stronger

product.

We decided to base our project on stray animals as they have been considered as major issues in

some countries. We decided that our project should showcase the suffering of stray animals, how

they struggle survive and to try to connect with viewers to make them realise the impact of

abandoning pets.

We did not have much experience in sculpture or installation art, therefore, we took a very

experimental approach. We experimented with materials and techniques, on the run – we also solved

problems on the run! In the process of working on this project, we started getting more ideas; one of

them was to add a real rail track, to the installation to make the environment look abandoned. It took

us approximately three weeks to finish this project. In the end we really liked how it turned out as the

work is detailed and had a good finish.

After that, we experimented with a camera. We placed our sculpture in different parts of the school

and used the camera at various angles and took a few photos. We hope that the people who see this

project will stop and take a moment before abandoning pets and that people will think about stray

animals in a more empathetic and kind manner.

* Source: http://nickmackmansculpture.co.uk/about

Daeun & Vanshika - M4

WHOLE SCHOOL NEWS

Japanese Consul General Visits Stonehill

On 31st May Mr. Takayuki Kitagawa, Consul General of Japan, visited Stonehill. He spent time with

Mr. Simon McCloskey, Mr. Jitendra Pandey, Mr. Anthony Hamblin, Ms. Rishika Ganapathy, Ms.

Sheeba Abraham and Mr. Mike Holland from the Embassy Group to understand how we learn at

Stonehill.

He visited Primary and Secondary Classes to see real-time learning taking place.

Mr. Kitagawa was very touched by the card presented to him depicting Japanese paper cranes

made by P5A students with the help of Mr. Ron Gresham.

Thank you to our Japanese parents Mrs. Tsubouchi and Mrs. Okuno.

PRIMARY NEWS

P5 Sharing the Planet

Exploring the transdisciplinary theme of Sharing the Planet, students inquired into the central idea

that “Over time, living things need to adapt in order to survive.” In the build-up to this, students

went on a nature walk, watched David Attenborough’s Wonderful World and made connections

with the transdisciplinary theme. We then unveiled the central idea and the lines of inquiry.

Following this, we brainstormed and discussed the big words, ‘‘habitat”, “adaptation” and

“survive’’ and recorded the ideas.

Our guest speaker, Ms. Deepa Agashe spoke to the children about the different kinds of adaptation

in animals. The children were thereby exposed to and learned more about the concept of adaptation

and were better placed to start tackling and inquiring into the subject of living things adapting to

their environment.

Through activities they were not only able to experience what adaptation felt like, but they could

also recall from their own experiences how different factors change or affect the type or duration of

adaptation.

The field trips facilitated students’ learning of how the survival of all living things are dependent on

their habitats. It was an exciting experience as the students were able to actively observe the

different habitats and contrast them to their natural and man-made homes. They could observe the

living conditions and understand in large how these can affect their survival in the long run.

From the classification of animals and different habitats, the students moved to a deeper

understanding of our responsibility towards the conservation of the environment. We reflected on

the issues of global warming, pollution, deforestation and looked at ways to reduce them. As the

students continue in their exploratory learning, they will gain insight into potential ways to conserve

the environment. They will be encouraged to be involved and responsible members of society by

contributing towards this cause.

Ms. Abira Mukherjee and Ms. Lisa Fernandes

P5 Class Teachers

Important Upcoming Primary Dates

● Wednesday 6th June - P3 Celebration of Learning at 1:15pm in the Primary Hall (followed by a

Pot-Luck Celebration Snack)

● Wednesday 6th June - P7 Entrepreneur Day

● Wednesday 6th June - PTA Staff Appreciation Lunch

● Friday 8th June - P8 Leavers Production at 2:10pm

● Tuesday 12th June - PYP Celebration of Learning Awards at 2:10pm

● Thursday 14th June - Last day of School. 12:40pm finish for all students.

● Thursday 14th June - End Semester Two reports issued

SECONDARY NEWS

Graduation Ceremony

The Graduation ceremony for the Class of 2018 was held last Saturday, 26th May. It was a

poignant ceremony with words of wisdom from Mr. Jitu Virwani, Dr. Beverly Sortland, Ms.

Manpreet Kaur, and myself. We are very proud of our graduating students for their hard work and

dedication to the IB Diploma Programme these past two years, despite the challenges that they

have had to face. On behalf of the school, I wish them the very best for their future endeavours.

Semester 2 Examinations

The M1 – M4 examinations commenced on 31s May and will end on 4th June. The D1

examinations commenced on 30th May and will end on 5th June.

Leaving Families

Secondary Parents who already know that their children will be leaving Stonehill at the end of the

academic year are asked to contact Ms. Saathi Vinay (saathi.vinay@stonehill.in) if their

son/daughter requires a recommendation letter, an academic transcript (M4 to D1 students only).

Please understand that it takes a few days to prepare such documents, so if you require any of

these please contact us as soon as possible.

Leavers Assembly

All parents are warmly invited to attend the Secondary School Leavers’ Assembly that will take

place at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, 13th June in the Multi-Purpose Hall. The assembly is run by the

Student Council to recognise and thank those students and staff who are leaving Stonehill at the

end of the academic year, and to wish them all the best.

Secondary Awards Ceremony

To celebrate the significant achievements of our students this academic year, parents are cordially

invited to attend the Secondary School Awards Ceremony on Thursday, 14th June at 10:30 am.

We hope that you can join us for this important celebration.

Semester 2 Reports

The Secondary Semester 2 reports will be issued electronically on Thursday, 14th June at

12:00pm. Please note that the last day of school for students is 14th June and all buses will

depart for home at 12:15pm.

Upcoming Secondary Events

Date Event

30th May – 5th June D1 Exams

31st May, 1st & 4th

June

M1-M4 Exams

7th June (PM) SIS Talks (12:30 – 3:00pm) M5

– D1

11th June MYP Arts Show Case

8th June Group 4 Project (D1)

11th June MYP Arts Show Case (M1-M5)

Group 4 Project (D1)

12th June MUN Day

13th June Secondary School Leavers

Assembly (Lesson 6)

14th June Secondary Awards Ceremony

(10:30am – 12:00pm)

Semester 2 reports released

Last day of school for

students; buses leave at

12:15pm

Warm regards,

Narendra Mehrotra

Secondary Principal

narendra.mehrotra@stonehill.in

News from the Science Department

It is hard to believe how quickly the school year has gone by! In the last few weeks, the Science

classrooms have been bustling with a variety of exciting activities. Here is a closer look at what our

Secondary students have been up to in Science in the last few weeks.

M1 students have been busy reviewing and preparing for their exams. They have planned an

investigation on phase changes in water and wax.

If you find yourself walking through the MYP courtyard, do not be too surprised if you come across

excited students engaged in activities that may seem unusual. Our M2 students have been carrying

out their personal investigations on factors affecting the potential energy of an object. Here, you

can see them in action.

Biology has been the buzz word for M3 students in the last two months. They have been engaged

in learning about the science behind puberty and the changes occurring in and around them.

M4 students are getting ready to ‘catch some waves’ by learning about heat, light and sound

waves. In the picture below you can see them investigating ‘Reflection’, ‘Refraction’ and ‘Total

Internal Reflection’ of light.

While M4 students have also been engaged in

Biology classes, their focus of study has been the

body’s ability to fight diseases. They worked in

small groups to create posters of their learning on

the subject, giving us a glimpse of how their

unique learning process.

In Physics, M5 students took on the roles of a nuclear scientist, environmental specialist, politician

and a science news reporter to express their views on the implications of using nuclear science in

the various spheres of life.

The M5s completed their IB e-Assessments at the beginning of May and are currently exploring the

world of science in the Diploma Programme. Below, you can see them tinkering with measuring

instruments that they will be using in future.

For the past few weeks, our D1 students have been busy

trying to complete the data collection for their individual

investigations and getting ready for their last leg of their

Secondary School journey next year – the D2!

Here’s wishing you all a fantastic summer break!

Ms. Maitreyee Banerjee

HoD – Science

Stonehill International

School

Tarahunise Post Jala Hobli Contacting the School: Bangalore North 562157 India Admissions Ms. Rishika Ganapathy T + 91 8043418300 Primary School Ms. Nijika Bhardwaj + 91 8043418318 Secondary School Ms. Saathi Vinay M + 91 9008307684 Transport Mr. Rahul. I E info@stonehill.in Head Nurse Ms Charlette Macdonald