WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
No.586 Chinese New year Celebration 27/01/2017 NIS NIS Bulletin
Content The true colours of community shine through in challenging From Ms.Tyoschin 01 moments. This week, we were faced with an evacuation due to Important Board Information 02 fire on campus. Most importantly, everyone was safe, and school Semester One Awards Assembly 02 resumed on Wednesday. In response to this incident, I would like Grade 2 to 5 Production 03 to thank the students for their patience, their attention to all Library News 04 announcements, and their calm response to instructions. I am Middle School Parent Coffee 05 deeply grateful to our teachers, Arek Owczarek, and the Facilities Mathematics Competition Results 06 Team for their clear communication, empathetic approach, and 6th Invitational Swim Meet 07~08 swift response. I thank our parents for their support and Varsity Boys Basketball 09 communication. I was about to write that we are fortunate to be Varsity Girls Basketball 10 part of such a collaborative community; however, I think that our JV Boys Basketball 11 community has less to do with fortune, and more to do with JV Girls Basketball 12 heart, a culture that fosters trust and genuine caring for one Film Festival 13 another. Community also shines in moments of happiness. On ISTA Middle School Festival 14 Thursday, we celebrated Chinese New Year. Our two assemblies, Bursting the Bubble Activity 15 overflowing with parents and guests, showcased the talents of Talent Show 16 students and faculty alike, honouring the incoming Year of the Candy Grams 17 Rooster. Happy New Year 18 Link for Lunch Menu, Swimming Pool 新年快乐！万事如意！ Schedule & Community Events 19 PTA News 20 Have a Remarkable Year of the Rooster! International Day 21 Arden Tyoschin Quiz Night 22 ardentyoschin@nanjing-school.com Contact Information Nanjing International School, XueHeng Lu 8, Xian Lin College and University Town, Qi Xia District, Nanjing, P.R. China, 210023 www.nischina.org Tel: +86 25 8589 9111 Email: [email protected] The Upcoming Week is Important Board Information W22 Upcoming Events: Dear NIS community, Wednesday 15th Feb. PTA Meeting Yearbook Mugshots Taken According to the NIS Articles of Association, "if a board member vacates a seat on the board before completing his or her full term, [t]he board may Thursday 16th Feb. ... choose to fill vacated seats by co-opting ... members without election. ACAMIS Kids Read @ TIS Co-opted members will stand for office at the next board election." Last Thursday, Brenda Bergeron resigned from the Board. The Board has agreed Friday 17th Feb. ACAMIS Kids Read @ TIS to co-opt Conor Yang, the CFO of Tuniu Corporation and an NIS parent. I MYP/DP Awards Assembly want to thank Brenda for her service to the Board and welcome Conor who will join effective immediately. Finally, a reminder that the NIS Board has an Saturday 18th Feb. ad hoc committee charged with maintaining an active pool of potential TED @NIS candidates for Board membership. If you would like to be considered Swim meet @ OIC Changzhou please contact Monique Taylor, Governance Committee Chair, Nanjing First Lego League International School Board: [email protected] or Mobile - 182 5201 6664 Tournament Cancelled Respectfully, Julia Güsten Chair NIS Board Middle&and&Upper&School&& Semester&One&Awards&Assembly& & & & Please&come& along&and&support& our&Grade&6=12& students&as&we& celebrate&their& academic& achievement&s& & When:&Friday,&February&17th&at&8:00am& Where:&The&NIS&PAC& Who:&G6=12&students,&parents,&teachers& & See&you&there!& Juan&Saavedra:&Head&of&Upper&School&&&&&&&&&Kasson&Bratton:&Head&of&Middle&School& & & & & & & & & & & & & [email protected] [email protected]
Grades 2 to 5 Production (March 3rd, 2017)
All spoken lines, songs, song actions and dance moves should have been memorized by today (Friday 27th January).
We are continuing to video our full class’ performance pieces, and using it to help us to reflect on and develop them.
Please encourage your child/children to perform their performance pieces to you, and encourage them to practice the bits that you think that they are struggling with.
Please note that all of the song lyrics, choreography, lines and stage directions are all available on the PYP Performing Arts edublog http://share.nanjing-school.com/pypperformingarts
Ms. Heidi (Director) [email protected] Ms. Grace (Assistant Director) gracekang@nanjing- school.com
3 school weeks to go! The NIS Library introduces-
Digital magazines for the NIS Community
The NIS Library is proud to launch its new digital magazine service, Flipster. Our small but growing collection has something for all ages and interests. You can access the magazines on your computer or mobile device.
For information on getting set up, visit the NIS LibGuides at:
MYP/DP: http://libguides.nanjing-school.com/mypdp/flipster PYP: http://libguides.nanjing-school.com/pyp/flipster
[email protected] Where Do Marks Come From?
Middle School Parent Coffee Tuesday, February 14th 8:15-9:20am
Come hear about all things marking & reporting in our Middle School:
-What is the purpose of marks at NIS? -How do we arrive at those criterion and achievement levels? -How do academic awards work in the Middle School? -Exciting new reporting options with Veracross!
See you there! [email protected]
[email protected] Mathematics
Online Mathematics - Individual Competition Results: January 18th, 2017
World data Grade 5/6 Grade 7/8
no. participants 6970 7106
Top 5% Jonas, Saeim Seunghun, Jiahui, Xiaoxiao
Top 10% Yuki, Andy Donghwi, Jaewoo, Hyunjun, Woojin, Paul, Andy Top 20% Donggeum, Seo-Hyun Yuran, Yunchae, Luigi, Yoonji Seungyoub
Online Mathematics - Team Competition Results: January 17th, 2017
Team Result Grade Members
NIS81 equal 2nd place 6 - 8 Yoonji, Jaewoo, Yunchae
NIS82 equal 2nd place 9 - 10 Yuran, Xiaoxiao, Jiahui
NIS73 equal 2nd place 6 - 8 Donghwi, Seunghun, Edwin, Michael
Vertices 3rd place 4 - 5 Siya, Anna, Dayeon, Jennifer
Upcoming Events: North East Asian Mathematics Competition (NEAMC) Tokyo: 2-4th March
Caribou - round 4: Feb 15th. Highfour - round 6: Feb 16th.
[email protected] JANUARY 14&15, 2017
6TH ANNUAL SWIM INVITATIONAL@NIS SATURDAY & SUNDAY JANUARY 14&15
Anyone entering NIS during the above two days would have been consumed by the loud and excited cheers that spilled out of the pool and into the hallways. Our sixth annual swim invitational certainly proved to be a really competitive and exciting event, one that was enjoyed by all.
Twenty Shanghai or Beijing based teams participated in this year’s event. The entry of nearly 700 swimmers provided a wealth of competition for swimmers across all of the five different age groups.
This year 67 NIS swimmers entered the event. In the Under 8 age group Iris and Eric Z were making their representative debut whilst Lenard and Kijana J. were rejoining the team after a two-year absence. In contrast two swimmers Angela Y. and Jun-Hwan Y. were making their final appearances in the light of upcoming final year exams or moves away.
Our home team swimmers provided some strong early performances. Highlights included the NIS Over 15 Boys 200m Freestyle & 200m IM relay team of Alex C. Julian K. Willy W. and Sasha T. being run away winners in both events. Individually, Sofia S. placed 1st in the 100m Freestyle, Sofia B. placed 2nd in the Backstroke and Butterfly events. Lilli-Anna M. Leanna H. Megan R. Anselma E. and Lucas S. gained early placements in the top 10 for one or more of their age group events. Similarly, Matti B. Maxim R. and Winston Z. placed in the top 20 for at least one event in their age group.
!1 JANUARY 14&15, 2017
Over the one and half days of competition more than half of our Sea Lion team were NEW SCHOOL RECORD either heat winners or student athletes with new personal bests. Those listed below set Ages 15 & Over new school records or achieved a top 3 age group placement medal. Congratulations to all. GIRLS EVENTS BOYS th In the final points tally our NIS team placed 5 Sofia SA 30.73 50 Free Sasha 26.46 overall. A creditable performance for a young developing team. 100 Free Alex 57.52
Once again our post event feedback has been 50 Breast Sasha 32.69 very complimentary. Such outcomes can only be accredited to the efforts of over 65 50 Fly Alex 28.46 students, staff and parents who worked long hours in a very busy programme. You truly are a very special group. Sincere thanks to you all.
Participating schools:
British International School Puxi Concordia Phoenix Swim Club Dulwich College Shanghai Dulwich College Suzhou Firepower Swimming Club Beijing Kang Chiao International School Lycée Français School Nanjing International School Nord Anglia International School Sailfish Swimming Club Beijing Shanghai American School Puxi Shanghai American School Pudong Shanghai Community International School Shanghai Pinghe Bilingual School Shanghai YKPao School SMIC Private School Suzhou Singapore International School Wellington College International School Western International School of Shanghai Yew Chung International School
Mark Shipley [email protected]
!2 12 Varsity Boys’ Basketball
!
This year's Varsity team was parallel to that of the 1992 Dream Team, as we went soaring with an undefeated record (15-0). In the ACAMIS tournament, the smallest score difference was nine points while the largest
was 34 points. As 90% of the team was in their senior year, it was a great way to go out on top. On behalf of the ACAMIS Boys' Varsity Basketball team, we'd like to say thank you to Coach Bratton, Ms. Anna, Coach Ray, Mr. Clarke, and everyone else for their support and help throughout the season. From myself, I'd like to thank all my teammates, coaches, and the school for the wonderful five years of ACAMIS basketball. – Captain Joe W.
Varsity Girls’ Basketball
!
With only 8 members, the Varsity Girls Basketball team showed just as much fire and skill as any of the other 10 player squads. We finished in 3rd place for ACAMIS tournament and the same team finished 2nd in the Division 1 SISAC tournament just the week before in Shanghai. Throughout the season we all improved and played the final game with the poise
and composure of a much more experienced team. As a senior, I felt proud to have been a part of such a determined team of athletes who also happen to be some of the clumsiest, funniest people I know. I think I can speak for all of the Varsity Girls when I say thank you to Coach Barder, a truly dedicated coach, for his music-filled morning practices and inspirational videos. We would also like to recognize Mr. Clarke and Ms. Anna for all of the hard-work and organization that goes into the tournament. Thank you for such an amazing last season for the seniors and, to the juniors, we have no doubt you will get them next year! -Captain Sophia R.
12 JV Boys’ Basketball !
We are the Junior Varsity Boys’ Team. We practiced very hard and improved a lot throughout the season. In the ACAMIS tournament, we played a total of six games. We were the youngest team at the tournament
and we finished in 5th place! We won the final game. It was difficult to play against grade 11s and 12s but it was a good experience for us. Before the next tournament we will work even harder and try to follow the varsity team to earn not 1 but 2 first place champion trophies. – Captain Hyunseo L. 12 JV Girls’ Basketball !
This year, NIS had a JV team attend ACAMIS basketball. With a group of amazing, talented girls, we all worked really hard together to do as well as we could in the games. Coming from a very successful SISAC D2 tournament in Shanghai the week before, ACAMIS hit us with some challenges. We were the
youngest team at the tournament and we finished with a win! We were thrilled to place 5th overall. On behalf of our amazing JV team we’d like to say how happy and grateful we are for the help we got from our coaches Mr. Hornell and Mr. Barder, Super manager Anna, Mr. Clarke and everyone else who supported us along the way. Next year, the NIS Lions will continue to fight strong and hard but most importantly have fun! - Captain Eliza F.
Congratulations to Jiayi (G12), Kevin and Erika (alumnus and alumna) and Shuyue (Yuki) (G6) for winning Best Picture, Best Cinematography and Best Actress respectively at the South China Student Film Festival in Guangzhou earlier this month.
Their films can be viewed here:
Never Too Old To Be Young (Jiayi): https://vimeo.com/166760874
Evolution (Kevin & Erika): https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Si9jEYuI83E
Flying Dream (Yuki): https://www.youtube.com/watch? list=PLhBRzD6G6DMS0dvtPQtQQeaDfF5ereh4o&v=zMp79FEG7Fk
[email protected] [email protected] Bixie (ᬗᮐ) in Ganjiaxiang (ኚਹ ૭) between Yaohuamen and Qixia at the *Liang family tombs: dated 526 A.D. Directions: Outside NIS catch a bus e.g. #322 to Yaohuamen then change to a bus to Ganjiaxiang e.g. #197. You may continue on to Qixia shan and then catch #138 back to NIS.
Tombs around Nanjing: These Bixie (ᬗᮐ) mark the tombs of the *Liang Royal family and some have some the oldest examples of Bixie (to ward off evil spirits). These magnificent winged beasts, which are closely associated with Nanjing have their heads thrown back and chests bulging forward displaying an air of ferocity and pride, were the former mascots of NIS until a name change in 2009 - to Lions ရѺےရ҅ሁৼےရ - Now ሁৼےရ҅ᬗᮐےThen ᬗᮐ
A Bixie with babies - possibly placed for support.
About 600m further along road on the left is a school (Ganjiaxiang Primary) with relics of *Xiao Xiu’s (younger brother of the Emperor) tomb inside the school gate - one of the earliest and best preserved tomb alleys (A.D. 518) in China
Robin Hutchison, Activities Office
* Till, B. (1984) “In Search of Old Nanjing” (1984) A Bursting the Bubble Activity Joint Publishing Company, Hong Kong. Translations by Robin Hutchison [email protected] [email protected] The Student Council wishes you a Happy New Year
[email protected] Lunch Menu http://www.nischina.org/page.cfm?p=571
Community Events http://www.nischina.org/page.cfm?p=534
Swimming Pool Calendar http://www.nischina.org/page.cfm?p=585 PTA News
Chinese New Year is now upon us and PTA wishes all our community a very happy and healthy Year of the “Fire” Rooster….
After the holidays, PTA have the following key events to note:
•Coffee Morning on 15 February 2017 at 8:15am - please note: this is a Wednesday and as scheduled in the NIS calendar;
•Teacher Appreciation Day on 21 February 2017 - this is a chance for the community to show thanks to our teachers at NIS. We will be supplying morning tea in the teachers’ lounge and covering their morning break duties. Parents - please can you either donate baked items, snacks, fruit etc. for morning tea or help cover morning duty so as our teachers can enjoy this annual treat. Please email PTA with your choice and we will confirm details...
•
[email protected] International Day
Dear Community, Let me introduce myself. My name is Anna Mathias. I also do all the scenery and set design, working alongside a team to create sets etc. most recent being Peter Pan. My daughter is in Grade 12, so this is my last year ever with PTA. So I have volunteered to coordinate the International Day event, which is on March 18. This year, as a team, we have decided to be different to previous years. We wish to lessen the load on the country volunteers, both financial and time. So it’s time for countries to choose your team coordinators and let me know who that is, as soon as possible. We plan to put the focus on the youth performances and interactions. Plus have a ecologically friendly event. In doing this we wish to:- •Ask the booths for Photo Opportunities for selfies/photos. This could be, a backdrop, a frame, dressing up in costume, props, etc. •Invite shows from your country, a dance, sketch, reading, etc. •Encourage a policy of no food or drinks in the booths. The PTA will coordinate that. •Passport idea to include a scavenger hunt from each country and on bags. •No give aways from the country, but a prize from the PTA for getting most of the scavenger right. So please do not feel that you need to bring anything to give away back from the holidays.
Please can each country have a coordinator for the booths and let me know, as soon as possible. Thank you,
Yours, Anna Mathias [email protected] Coordinator for International Day PTA -
17th February 7:30 Start Jackson’s Bar at Royal Family Gardens (RFG)
This quiz is meant for adults in the community so no students please.
This is a non smoking event.
Cost: 200rmb per team of four or less
Proceeds go