Dear Parents,

Welcome back! I hope you had a very enjoyable holiday and that your children are looking forward to their learning over the next few months. It will certainly be an exciting time. Most classes have had the entry points to their new topics this week and I have been most interested to join in with some of them. I was on the beach digging for treasure with P2 on Tuesday and then taking a cruise down the river with P7 and P8 on Wednesday. Unfortunately, I missed the chocolate tasting in P5 but enjoyed shopping with the P1s!

This term also holds some annual events, which you will have seen on the calendar that Mr. Nic sent out earlier this week. Just a reminder that swimming starts next week and then the clubs begin the following week. Don’t forget that we shall be closed for the Public Holiday on 1st May.

As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, our school will be having a review and seeking accreditation in the delivery of the International Primary Curriculum during the week beginning 4th May. The Review Team will be headed up by Howard Marshall, who has visited the school on previous reviews and with whom you may be familiar. They are keen to talk to you about the education your children receive here and would like to invite you to a meeting on Monday 4th May at 7pm in the School Hall. I do hope you will be able to attend, as it is important that the team get a cross section of views from as many parents as possible. They would also like you to fill out the attached questionnaire and return this to school by the end of next week (Thursday 30th April), in an envelope addressed to the Review Team.

Over the past term a number of questions were asked about class sizes for next year. I have been liaising with Abang-Azahari (EP Malaysia HR Manager and Board member for the school) for some time, as I am aware that some of you are moving on or that teams are being relocated. I firmly believe in the importance of keeping class sizes small to enhance learning at Piasau School but on the other hand we want to ensure there are enough children in each class so that they have opportunities to develop their social skills and personal goals. From my recent survey, “becoming socially competent” was one
of the top 5 characteristics you wanted to see developed in your children, so I know that this is something you will be concerned about.  It would help me considerably if you could let me know how long you think you will be staying at Piasau School.  Some of you may know this already whilst some may find this harder. Even a rough prediction would help guide the class allocations for next year. Any information you give us will be treated in confidence. Parents in P6 and P7 need not return the form as I have already received yours.

I know some of you have been asking about the IT facilities in the new school. You will be pleased to know that after a long tendering programme and complicated short-listing process the order has now been placed. I am not sure how long this order will take to arrive but at least we are nearing the finishing line! In the meantime classes in the new wing will continue to receive additional time in the ICT room.

I must extend a huge thank you to all those parents who have created such an interesting culture display for New Zealand at the old school entrance. If you have time make sure you pass down that corridor as you will also see a display showing how we develop in the children the top 5 characteristics you voted on (confidence, socially competence, responsibility, good communicators and independence) and also the ones the staff highlighted.

Have you seen our work in progress in the AV/Assembly room (next to Mr. Dave’s classroom)? If not try to have a peak. Mr. Neil’s wife, Helen, has been busy painting a mural, which reflects where we live in Malaysia. As it progresses we will be incorporating into the design the things Piasau School stands for including our personal goals, our international mindedness definition and our golden rules. A huge thank you to Helen for such a fantastic job!

As always, our doors are always open. Please pop in and see any of us if you have any comments or queries.

Yvette