SECONDARY NEWSLETTER

June 2024


MESSAGE FROM THE MYP CURRICULUM COORDINATOR (MYPCC)

The MYP5 Personal Project Exhibition 24th May

The MYP5 Personal Project Exhibition took place on Friday, May 24, marking a significant event in the MYP curriculum. The Personal Project is a core component of the program, where students set a learning goal based on their personal interests or passions. They then plan and execute a project over several weeks to achieve this goal by creating a product. Throughout this process, students develop and reflect on their Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills.

This year’s projects showcased a diverse range of interests, from learning Morse code and constructing a radio-controlled car to composing and performing an R&B/hip hop track and creating a basketball skills handbook.

During the exhibition, MYP5 students presented their projects to the school community, providing them with an opportunity to display their accomplishments and enhance their presentation skills. The event also offered valuable insights for fellow MYP students about their future personal projects and helped parents gain a deeper understanding of the MYP curriculum.

Congratulations to all MYP5 students on their impressive achievements!

End of Year Assessments 28th – 31st May

End-of-Year Assessments took place from May 28 to 31. These assessments encourage effective revision, time management and exam technique as students review topics covered throughout the year. MYP4 students also experienced assessments in the format of authentic IB eAssessments, helping them become familiar with the format and content under exam conditions. These assessments aid students in identifying their strengths, weaknesses, and areas that need more focus. Ultimately, the assessments promote academic growth, critical thinking, and resilience, preparing students for future success.


MESSAGE FROM THE DP CURRICULUM COORDINATOR (DPCC)

DP and A Levels External Examinations

Our A2, AS, and DP2 candidates recently took the Cambridge and IBO external board examinations. The Cambridge A Levels began on April 17 and continued until June 13, 2024. The IBDP exams started on April 25 and concluded on May 17, 2024.

Results for these exams will be released on August 13, 2024, for Cambridge candidates, while IBDP results will be available on July 5, 2024. DP students can access their results on July 6, 2024. Detailed instructions on accessing these results will be provided to candidates and families at the end of the term.

We wish all our candidates success and a bright future as they navigate these crucial assessments.

TOK Exhibition

 On May 3, 2024, our DP1 students participated in a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) exhibition, marking the completion of their first External Assessment – IA. This event allowed students to showcase their understanding of knowledge issues through various media and formats.

During the exhibition, students analysed real-life situations, exploring questions such as “How do we know what we know?” and “To what extent can we trust our senses and reason?” They critically engaged with knowledge claims, perspectives, and assumptions, presenting their findings through interactive displays, multimedia presentations, artworks, performances, and other creative means.

Using three carefully chosen objects as avenues of exploration, students delved into complex ideas from different perspectives and ways of knowing. These objects served as tangible entry points into themes, concepts, or knowledge claims, demonstrating students’ ability to critically examine symbols, artifacts, and cultural items that shape our understanding of the world.

Through their exhibits, students showcased their capacity for critical thinking, reflection, and creativity, enhancing the audience’s understanding of the nature of knowledge. We extend our gratitude to all parents and stakeholders who attended the exhibition and supported our students.

DP1 student Reflective Journal

On February 27, our DP1 students were provided with reflective journals, aimed at fostering reflective practice to enhance meaningful learning and goal-setting. We urge parents to actively support and review their students’ reflective journals every two weeks to obtain clear status updates on their children’s learning goals and targets. This collaborative effort between parents and students will contribute significantly to the overall academic progress and personal development of the students.

DP Teacher ATTL IB Workshops

Since February 8, our DP teachers have actively participated in an IB workshop focusing on Approaches to Teaching and Learning (ATTL). This workshop forms an integral part of the school’s ongoing professional development initiatives, aimed at fostering consistent practices and strategies for the academic growth of our students. We extend our gratitude to the school administration and Directors for their unwavering commitment to the growth of our teachers, recognizing the profound impact this has on overall student learning.


FROM THE COUNSELLOR’S DESK

This academic year, our students have faced unique challenges and opportunities for growth. From adapting to new learning environments to balancing personal responsibilities with academic commitments, each challenge has served as a stepping stone towards personal development. These experiences, although demanding for some, have enriched us all and prepared us for the upcoming academic year.

Amidst the excitement of preparing for the new academic year, let’s not forget the importance of prioritising our well-being. Taking time to reflect on our experiences—both academic and personal—helps us understand ourselves better and identify areas for improvement. It’s crucial to address our mental and emotional needs, ensuring we enter the new academic year with renewed energy and focus.

By nurturing our well-being, we equip ourselves with the strength and clarity needed to excel academically and contribute positively to our school community. As we look forward to new beginnings, let’s remember that self-reflection and self-care are integral to our success and happiness.


Message from the Careers Team

We are delighted to share some exciting news from the Careers and Pathways Team at Acorns International School! Several of our dedicated students recently received offers from the universities they applied to, marking a significant milestone in their academic journeys.

The majority of our students received offers from the universities they applied to, which is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and academic excellence throughout their time at Acorns International School. These offers came from esteemed universities such as Kent, Aston University, University of Birmingham, Brighton, Nottingham Trent University, Keele University, Royal Holloway University, University of Manitoba, Oxford Brookes University, and University of West England, Bristol, among others.

Following a rigorous application process, our students had the opportunity to choose from a selection of universities that best aligned with their academic and personal aspirations. After careful consideration, they made firm and insurance choices, selecting two universities from the multiple offers they received.

As our students sit their exams, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to each one of them on their outstanding achievements thus far. We commend their resilience, determination, and commitment to excellence, and we do not doubt that they will continue to shine brightly as they embark on this next chapter of their academic journey.

To our students: as you navigate your exams, remember that your hard work and dedication have brought you this far. Trust in your abilities, stay focused and believe in yourself. We wish you all the best in your ongoing exams, and may success follow you every step of the way.


MESSAGE FROM THE SERVICE COORDINATOR

As we near the end of the academic year, it’s exciting to reflect on our remarkable achievements. Among our notable successes are celebrating our inaugural Gold participants and having the privilege of meeting Prince Edward, the Prince of Edinburgh.

Here’s a detailed overview of our accomplishments this term in service learning and CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service):

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

The Duke of Edinburgh program empowers young people by helping them learn new skills, overcome obstacles, and build confidence and resilience. This year marked our first Gold participants celebration in the program. We eagerly anticipate welcoming our current MYP 3 students into the Duke’s programme in the upcoming academic year.

Clubs

Photography and Film Club: Students collaborated on a film project titled “The Travel,” depicting a scientist’s quest to save his son by sending him into the distant past using an untested machine to avert a catastrophic event threatening all life on Earth.

  • Israel put the final touches on the video using Adobe Premiere editing software.
  • Jotham worked on text that will be added to the credits.
  • Raphael captured the sound using the boom microphone and the Zoom F-6 field recorder.
  • Moses played the time traveller, with a scene set in 2024.
  • Showcased the TREE YOGA pose for a group photo during a warm-up session.
  • Took a group photo after doing the “Barbie dance challenge.”
  • Reflected on their collaborative efforts to create the choreography for the “Barbie dance challenge.”

  • Students learned defensive skills.
  • Engaged in pad work.
  • Conducted their own warm-up sessions.

  • Milan served for a singles match.
  • Students learned strategies for doubles matches.

Community Project

Our students successfully completed their community project in Katoogo Village, Mukono district. They conducted bake sales and crafted bracelets to raise funds. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the entire AIS community for their unwavering support during the fundraising efforts.

World Scholars Cup

Our students proudly represented our school at the recent World Scholars Cup, winning two trophies and multiple medals. Below are testimonials from our participants:

Prisha Patel: “I enjoyed my World Scholars experience, gaining experience, social skills, and enjoying various events. It built skills that will benefit me in the future and allowed me to meet students from around the region, learning about different cultures and perspectives.”

Faaziya Babwani: “The World Scholars Cup is an academic program where students from different schools participate in events like team debates, collaborative writing, and the scholar’s bowl. It helped me become more confident in public speaking and interacting with diverse groups.”

Jyodhi Karunya: “The World Scholars Cup is a challenging yet thrilling experience. It’s an opportunity to showcase debate skills and extensive knowledge, improving my abilities and confidence.”

Divya Nayee: “Participating in the World Scholars Cup for the second year enriched my intercultural understanding and enhanced essential skills for personal and academic growth. It bolstered my social and communication skills, improved public speaking confidence, and developed critical thinking skills.”

IB Global Youth Action Fund

The Global Action Youth Fund (GAYF) is an IB initiative encouraging innovation among IB MYP students to achieve the UN SDGs. Our students’ team adopted “Using innovative ideas to provide hot meals to learners during a school day – addressing SDG 2: Zero Hunger.”

We are elated to be selected for the Youth Action Fund and were granted $2,500 for our Greenhouse project. Our school and project will be highlighted on the Festival of Hope website. The GYAF student orientation will take place on June 16th from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST, and it is mandatory for the respective students to be in school.

CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service)

Alishbah Naveed: “Balancing CAS with academic commitments posed challenges, but I accomplished tasks like baking, completing a 1000-piece puzzle, and mastering online courses. CAS fostered diverse interests, and I look forward to exploring new activities in the future.”

Casey Egesa: “CAS activities improved my teamwork, resilience, creativity, planning, and time management. Despite challenges, my CAS experience transformed me into a more rounded individual, ready to face future challenges with confidence.”

Jessica Barigye: “CAS activities, from service projects to sports and creative pursuits, fostered personal growth and self-discovery. These experiences instilled a newfound purpose and commitment to societal betterment.”

Leen Ahmad: “Organising prom, fundraising for the Mukisa Foundation, and taking a tattoo course enhanced my problem-solving, organisational, and creative skills. CAS enriched me with communication, collaborative, and time-management skills, fulfilling all learning outcomes.”

Colour Fest

Our DP1 students orchestrated a vibrant Colour Fest fundraiser to support the Prom. Throughout the planning and execution phases, students developed marketing, communication, self-management, and critical thinking skills, showcasing their abilities to organise and execute an engaging event while supporting a meaningful cause.

Movie Day

Our DP1 students demonstrated their organisational prowess by arranging a movie night for MYP 1, featuring “Spider-Man.” From ticket sales to room setup and concessions, students exhibited commitment, courage, and ethical consideration, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable event for the younger students.

Wishing everyone a delightful summer break! Make time for your passions, cherish moments with loved ones, and remember you have the power to initiate positive change. Let’s all strive to make a meaningful impact in our interactions with the broader community. Enjoy your well-deserved break!