SCHOOL BULLETIN MR MARTIN SHELLEY EDITION 31:2022/2023 Campus Principal Dear parents, caregivers, students, and staff, I cannot believe we are here at the end of year already! The last term has absolutely flown by, with so much going on all the time, the end of the year really sneaks up on us all. I would like to offer a huge thank you to the whole school community for your continued support of the school, hard work in helping us to all get better and your relentless focus on the most important thing of all, in any school – the learning. I use the term community very specifically – a school is made up of students, teachers and administrative staff of course, but it is the families, parents, cousins, siblings, grandparents etc that make a school much more – together are a community and one that has grown very quickly and is flourishing, and I am incredibly proud. I hope everyone gets plenty of rest and opportunities to relax over the break and also spend quality time with friends and family and that you all come back for August ready to have another fantastic year. We have exciting plans for next year and many improvements are taking place over the holiday and there are more in store for 2023-24. Best wishes everyone and stay safe out there.
MRS MADELEINE BRITTON Head of Primary I hope that you receive this newsletter in good health, as we gradually ease into the summer holiday period. Students, staff and parents will appreciate the break and enjoy the timely opportunity to relax, reflect on the school year and think ahead to the next one. It has been a busy year for all of us at Tenby SEH, and we have made substantial strides at getting better in all areas, as highlighted in our Best Practice Network Inspection Report. We will continue to develop as a school community, and we thank you for your contributions along the way. As a school community, we have grown so much, but there are still areas of development for us to address and work on together; more on that in due course, as we set out our plans for further improvements in the next academic year. We are proud of the achievements of our Year 6 children throughout the year and know that we send them on to their new secondary schools and classes having had some wonderful, memorable learning experiences, with strong basic skills well developed. We value many things here at Tenby SEH, but not all are measurable – sporting, music, linguistic and citizenship skills are embedded in our curriculum and celebrated widely, as well as our Learner Attributes and the academic aspects of course. Well done to Viyohen Vinayagamoorthy Gunaseelan from 6T for his well-deserved Head Teacer’s Award, it has been a pleasure to have him in our primary school. Also Anna Teng Yong Qing from 3T and Nia Amadrya from 6N who have achieved the Tenby Junior Citizen Awards. Our over all house point winner this year is Beverly Faith Kennedy from 4E, well done Beverley. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the teachers and support staff for all of their hard work and dedication. I would also like to thank you once again for your support and for placing your trust in us to look after and educate your children. Finally, thank you to the children for all of their efforts and for making this such a wonderful school. I hope that our children keep themselves and their brains active over the holiday period, by exercising and reading at least one good book!
Dear Tenby Parents and Guardians, We have made it to the end of the academic school year, a year that has seen so many challenges, achievements, and successes. This was our first full year back on campus since the beginning of the covid pandemic and the students have done a wonderful job of reminding us how there is no replacement for learning in the classroom. This year has been full of so many exciting events; from the cultural events of Deepavali, Hari Raya and Chinese New Year to the PTA led events including Trunk or Treat and the Eco Carnival. From across the board, all stakeholders of the school community including teachers, parents and students have come together to make this the amazing year it has been. In addition, with a week of school to still go we are very excited about the esports event this coming Wednesday and the Art Auction which will be held in the Event Hall on July 7th. On a more academic note, the Secondary Parent-Teacher Conferences this past week were a great success and it was wonderful to see so many parents on campus. The students have made outstanding progress this term, however there is always room for improvement, and the PTC was an excellent opportunity to identify those next steps to be taken in the coming academic year. Finally, we have thoroughly enjoyed some of our Year 11 students return to campus to attend the A Level trial classes. Our A-Level programme will be expanding into 4 new subjects after the success of the first year and we are very excited to having a number of our Year 11 students returning to complete their learning journey at Tenby SEH before attending university. From myself and all the teachers in Secondary, have a wonderful summer ahead with friends and family. MR JEFFREY ELLIOTT Head of Secondary
EARLY YEARS
NURSERY Hand-eye coordination is very important for multitasking, which is applicable in other areas like using a fork and spoon or throwing and catching a ball. When the children learned to use one-handed tools such as scissors, they will learn to cut paper and use the tools with their hands, and they also need to see where they are cutting. Besides, using scissors requires fine motor skills, which involve the control, coordination, and strength of the hands and fingers. Scissor-cutting practice helps to strengthen the fingers and the hands of a child. The scissors use the entire hand and all of the hand muscles. It is a good exercise that helps to improve children’s fine motor skills. This makes it easier for them to learn writing, colouring, painting, and brushing. This week during our fine motor skills activity, the children learned to use scissors to cut along some simple dotted lines. The children showed good struggle while practicing cutting.
RECEPTION In PBL, the children have been looking at the sub-topic of “living things” as part of our “Splash” unit. The children explored in detail as to why plants need water. They also looked at how to care for a plant such as giving it enough water, putting it in a place where it can get sunlight etc. For the activity, the children planted their own seeds. They added soil and seeds into a container. They then poured in some water and left them under the sun. The children monitored and cared for their plants for an entire week! Well done, RE!
PRIMARY
YEAR 2 As part of our 'Land Ahoy' unit, we have learned about the pirate's diet. The pirates ate a hardtack biscuit. We made the biscuits out of salt, wheat, and water. Although there was not much flavour, the children were clearly enjoying it! Amazing learning children!
YEAR 3 In PBL, the students carried out independent research about significant figures from various fields of expertise. They then used their IT skills to create impressive PowerPoint presentations. They are working hard to improve their presentation skills for the upcoming ALF.
BAHASA AIMS LANGUAGE COMPETITION The AIMS Language Competition was held on the 1st June 2023 at Sri KDU International School, Kota Damansara. Our team was represented by Muhammad Thaqif from 2N, Khoo Ki Zen from 3T and Muhammad Fayyad from 5N. We won two gold medals and a trophy. Thaqif won gold for KS1 First Language (Malay) category as well as Khoo Ki Zen for KS2 (A) (Malay) category. We also won a trophy for third place overall in the Bahasa Melayu category. I would like to thank Ms. Madeleine, the participants and also the parents who have given encouragement, support, and effort for this competition. For 2024, this competition will be held at Garden International School, Mont Kiara. I hope there are many more students who can represent Tenby Ecohill School in this competition. Congratulations once again to the participants and winners.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Students in Nursery worked on their freestyle kicking. With only a little instruction, they were able to practice their kicking using the pool noodles. Additionally, most of them can now bubble properly. They enjoyed the 5 minutes of free time to boost their confidence levels while walking in the pool. Well done, Nursery!
SECONDARY
CREATIVE & PERFORMING ARTS Each music class or rehearsal we have the goal of fostering student skill and understanding to ultimately create even greater enjoyment of music and music-making. When we equip students with a better understanding of things, like how to properly read and feel rhythms, how to apply key signatures and accidentals, how to play specific musical styles, how to balance melody and accompaniment, how to listen for good intonation, and a host of other concepts that good into strong musical performances, we empower them to apply this knowledge to other musical settings much more quickly. As a result, we are able to prepare music for performance much more efficiently.
Sonnet 147 by William Shakespeare is a poignant poem about the poet’s all-consuming love for his beloved – who is extremely dark and unhealthy for him. In the end, his inability to walk away from this relationship sends him to the brink of insanity. By analysing the evidence found in this poem, the Year 8, students debated whether Shakespeare should be sympathized with and seen as the victim in this relationship; or should he be seen as the predator and should not be sympathized with at all. After analysing the evidence, the students, using PEE stucture, presented their arguments and rebutted their opponents’ arguments clearly, powerfully, and meaningfully. An amazing repertoire of personal and insightful ideas, opinions, and responses were witnessed that day. It was breathtakingly exciting. Congratulations, Year 8s! ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
We are thrilled to share the exciting progress of our Year 10 students (Advanced & Intermediate group) who recently sat for the IGCSE Malay examination in May 2023. Following their success in Malay IGCSE examination, our students have embarked on a captivating learning journey centered around Malaysian Cultural Studies. This immersive exploration aims to deepen their understanding of the rich heritage and traditions of Malaysia. In their quest to unravel the cultural tapestry, our students have delved into the enchanting world of Malay folk stories and hikayat tales. They have been captivated by the mesmerizing narratives that have been passed down through generations, connecting them to the roots of Malaysian culture. However, the highlight of their cultural studies has been their culinary adventure, where they have embarked on an exciting journey through the flavors of Malaysia. With hands-on experiences, they have learned to prepare a range of delectable Malaysian delicacies, each representing a unique aspect of the country's diverse culinary heritage. Our budding chefs have mastered the art of cooking iconic dishes such as Murtabak, Sagu Gula Melaka, Popia, Roti John, and Nasi Goreng. The aroma of spices fills our classrooms as they work together, demonstrating exemplary cooperation, effective communication, and leadership skills. We are immensely proud of their dedication and enthusiasm as they embraced the culinary traditions of Malaysia. Their eagerness to learn and experiment in the kitchen has created an atmosphere of excitement and camaraderie among the students. The immersive nature of their cultural studies has not only broadened their knowledge but has also instilled a sense of appreciation for the diverse heritage that defines Malaysia. Through these experiences, they are not only nourishing their minds and taste buds but also fostering a deeper connection with the country they call home. LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
Revel in Engaging Debate on Future Career Challenges! The classroom was abuzz with energy as students recently took part in a captivating debate on the challenges of future careers. Passionate and enthusiastic, our students dove headfirst into an exhilarating exchange of ideas, thoroughly enjoying this thought-provoking activity. The debate explored a wide range of compelling topics, including emerging technologies, the impact of automation, the influence of globalization, and the crucial skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing job market. With each speaker presenting their unique perspectives, the atmosphere was alive with intellectual curiosity and respectful discourse. Through this interactive experience, they gained valuable insights into the challenges that await them in their future careers. The opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from one another's experiences further enriched their understanding of the dynamic professional world that lies ahead. LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
Students were required to perform pair work to solve the questions in the rotation worksheet. Collaboration was practiced between the students. It was a great task, and the students were able to learn from each other. MATHS DEPARTMENT
The reason I chose Mahmoud Dariwsh as the poet to focus on was because I had seen many of his works before and I thought they were so beautifully written. I researched his life and found that he was a strong advocate for Palestine. Many of his poems were written about Palestine and he was clearly fighting for it so instead of focusing on his poems of love, I was compelled to learn more about his poems that may have been in relation to Palestine. Having to analyse the poems was hard. I believe that my analysis skills aren’t bad but when I read the first poem I had to analyse, I was stumped. However, with a lot of effort and time I managed to come up with my own analysis of the poems without any online help. I am pleased with my analysis because poetry and literature is flexible, and any interpretation is correct as long as it is justified. The last part of my project was something I had been particularly interested in, and that was the effect of translations. What was difficult for me in this part was having to find the original Arabic versions of the poems. I already had them in English, but since I needed the original Arabic for my questions to be answered, I had to scour the entire internet to find them. After more than an hour of searching, I was able to find it and sent it to my friend who knew people that knew Arabic. I thought that was hard, but what was even harder was getting the responses to my questions. However, after waiting for an extended amount of time, I was able to get the responses I needed. It was a hard journey for me but eye opening in the best way. SLLP The topic I chose for my SLLP was Arabic poetry, specifically on the poet Mahmoud Darwish. For me, it was quite a tedious task to do because it was difficult to find information on the subject, especially since I do not understand Arabic. I started my journey with researching the history of Arabic poetry to find out how important it was and how it played a role in a historical context. From the very beginning of its history, after the pre-Islamic time, most poetry written was religious. Now in the modern day, most poetry is written for advocating political change.
SLLP
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Sports play a big role here at school and our students routinely join the MSSS & MSSD competitions in various disciplines. This time around we had our Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Table tennis, Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Archery and an Artistic Gymnastic team from both side primary and secondary school. We are all very proud of their teamwork and game play! Let's go Tenby Gladiators!!
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Congratulations to our U15 boys’ and girls’ basketball team for giving 100% effort in the interschool basketball friendly match held at our sports complex, also known as our "Colosseum", home of Gladiators! The players showed great commitment and perseverance throughout the match, displaying their exceptional skills on the court. We are proud of your hard work and dedication which has paid off in such a fantastic way!!
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT This term, the Year 7E eco warriors tried something non-conventional by planting groundnuts instead of the fast-growing vegetables like water spinach, okra, and tomato. Students sowed the seeds in April 2023 and waited patiently while taking good care of the germinating seeds. After almost 3 months of waiting students collaboratively harvested the peanuts. Students were excited and content to see the bunch of nuts grown underground. Then, students washed and cleaned the nuts, and distributed them equally among the class, and they brought them home to be cooked and eaten. It was an amazing learning journey for the students, as they learned that not all plants grow within the same duration and that periodic watering and fertilizing are key points to nurture healthy plants. Besides that, by learning gardening skills, students will be motivated to grow their own food which is crucial to lead a sustainable lifestyle.
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT FIELD TRIP Field Trip to UNM Engineering Taster Day On the 5th of July, forty Year 10 students delved into the exciting world of engineering on the Engineering Taster Day organised by the University of Nottingham Malaysia. This was an event engaging our students with hands-on experiences and a glimpse into the wonders of this dynamic field. Kelsey and Ryan Ho from Year 10 shared their thoughts about the trip here. “The Nottingham engineering taster day for me was fascinating, seeing all the different tools and equipment that engineers are familiar with is just an eye opener. Their professionalism yet passion for their work was awe-inspiring, and I hope to one day experience the same.” Ryan Ho The trip to Nottingham University was incredibly enlightening for me. We completed an experiment involving mechanical engineering where we created a smoke alarm using chemicals that reacted to the alarms according to the opaqueness of their smoke colour. We then enjoyed some light refreshments and we attended a very informative briefing about the different kinds of engineering, the requirements, the benefits, and the cons. We then were given a tour of the lab with an introduction to each machine and were shown a room with 3D printers that created all kinds of cool objects. We even had the opportunity to use the machines and learn how it works firsthand. After that, we were taken to a computer lab where we played a game of Kahoot to test the knowledge of our learning. Finally, we toured the beautiful and enormous campus as we walked to the canteen where a delectable lunch was provided for us before heading home. Kelsey Hong
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT FIELD TRIP UNM Social Science Fair 2023 A group of 56 Year 9 students from our school visited the Social Science Fair 2023, organised by the University of Nottingham. It was a fun trip full of new hands-on learning experiences in humanities and languages subjects. The students worked collaboratively on their assigned tasks. Throughout the event, they learned about teaching and learning skills, cosplaying, poem composition, and some insights about inflation and financial trading. Apart from typical activities, there was a live Chinese Orchestra performance, languages, and cultural games, and a fun psychological test for our students to explore.
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT FIELD TRIP
A-LEVELS In the recent A level Physics Taster Day students were engaged in various activities in the Physics class. Through interactive demonstrations, thought-provoking discussions, and hands-on experiments, the students gained some insights into key areas such as measuring skills, experiment skills, and kinematics.
A-LEVELS A-Level Students Delight in Dumpling Making The aroma of delectable flavors filled the air as our A-Level students embarked on a delightful journey into the heart of Chinese traditional food culture. With great enthusiasm and a hunger for knowledge, our students embraced the opportunity to learn about Chinese culinary traditions through a hands-on experience of making dumplings in our home economics class. During the activity, our students explored the history and symbolism behind these delectable treats, gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese traditions and the communal aspect of sharing dumplings with loved ones. Through this immersive experience, our students not only honed their culinary skills but also developed a profound appreciation for the cultural heritage of Chinese cuisine. The joy and laughter that filled the room as they shared their culinary creations showcased the bonds formed through food and the power of cultural exploration.
Accepting ourselves Being Kind to ourselves Within our control Positive Focus Understanding and managing our stress 01 03 05 02 04 Setting exciting, meaningful and motivating goals to work towards. To continue learning and developing ourselves. Learning about what triggers us, understanding what is challenging to us. Understand how stress affects us and exploring different ways to cope with our stress. Learning to be gentle with ourselves and to speak kindly to ourselves. Practice self-care regularly. Learning to recognise what is 'within our control' and focusing on working on that to minimise the feelings of 'loss of control' which contributes to stress. Acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses. Accepting our differences. Understanding our limitations (in our thoughts and our actions). Learning to laugh at ourself and not be too hard on ourselves. Developing a Positive Mental Health
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