 Beginning in January, we welcome a new faculty member to our teaching team. Sarah Bewley will be joining us as the new Grade 1 teacher. With the growing numbers in Grade 1, we are looking forward to expanding the section. Here is Sarah’s welcome letter to the community:
My name is Sarah Bewley and I am a Primary School Teacher from Australia. I have always loved traveling and exploring new places and have strong ties to Spain and England as my parents were born there. I am the youngest of 6 children which means I have lots of nieces and nephews to love and adore – 15 in fact! I have spent the last four years homeschooling a family who run a Safari Camp in South Luangwa. This has allowed me to live and teach between Lusaka, South Luangwa, Sweden, Australia and Spain. I was all set to return to my school and home in Australia when Covid hit and Australia was forced to close its borders. It is true that every cloud has a silver lining and mine is AISL. I am looking forward to officially moving to Zambia and am thrilled to be joining the AISL community.
The Giving Tree   Save the Date - MAY BALLThe PTA are pleased to announce plans to hold a black tie ball next spring. Dig out your sequins and dinner jackets and save 21st May. Tickets are limited, and for AISL parents and staff only. They will be available for purchase in the new year.  Thank you to all of the parents who came to watch one of the Primary Open Swim sessions last week. We were so fortunate to have beautiful weather all week, permitting every lesson to go ahead as planned. It has been a very successful swimming season. A special thanks to our swimming coaches: Isaac, Antonio, Allen and Mike for supporting our swimmers these past few months. Swimming sessions will continue until Friday, 17 December.  Dear AISL Community,
The disappointment of discovering, at the weekend, the news that most of us will not be able to travel home to see loved ones for the festive season has hit everyone very hard. In case anyone missed it, this Community Travel Communication update went out on Tuesday. We remain empathetic to our community’s needs and are here to help in any way we can. And on that note... Parents on Campus It has come to our attention that some parents have not been allowed campus access during the school day. We have instructed the security guards at the school gates to allow all parents in. Please remember to have your parent badge with you. If you have an appointment, please go directly to that location. If you do not have an appointment, please check in at the main office where we will be able to assist you. In any case, please know that you are welcome! For anyone who has not received this, here is the latest from the Zambian Ministry of Health. Planning Ahead (as best we can in these continued fluid times) Here again is the link to next year’s calendar: AISL School Calendar 2022-2023. If any of you have any concerns or questions about the school, please feel free to reach out to me at otooher@aislusaka.org. I am always a listening ear, open to suggestions and eager to meet more of the community. Time for Entertainment! This evening (Thursday) at 5.30 pm the AISL Bands will perform in the Tiyende Pamodzi Theatre As numbers are restricted, the live audience is only for parents. We invite you to join us virtually and enjoy. Here is the link to the live stream event as well as the digital program With kind regards, Dr. Oli Tooher-Hancock Director American International School of Lusaka  Education sponsorship program
As a lot of you probably know, access to education is an issue that is impacting the entire world. This topic is such a serious matter that it is one of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals as it seeks to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Intending to tackle this issue, the Global Issues Network of AISL will be beginning an Education sponsorship program to help the Matero Hope Orphanage. While this orphanage is the home of 60 kids, only 35 of them have the chance to go to school due to their limited economic conditions. Although, if there is something hard to believe is that the school fee of a child for an entire year is only 800K for students in Grade 7 through Grade 9 or 1200K for students in Grade 11 and Grade 12 since they have to take their exams. The cost of a large family dinner in a restaurant is a year's worth of education for a child. Taking this into account, with the help of the community, we believe that we could provide an education for 25 kids by January. This opportunity would allow them to develop some essential life skills that will increase their chances of having a bright future. Over the next few weeks, we will therefore be initiating the program with the hope that anybody that can contribute will. Even the smallest contribution could completely change the lives of those children. If you would like to help in providing an education for the children of the orphanage, please contact globalissuesnetworkaisl@gmail.com Jeanne (Grade 11)  University of Sussex, UK Last week, following interviews, Rosie received her first university acceptance. This is to study for the Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Primary and Early years Education at the University of Sussex. This degree course confers Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The University of Sussex has a history of innovation for its teaching courses: 45 years ago it pioneered the model of school-based teacher training, which has now been adopted by all training providers in England. Sussex is proud of its strong partnerships with local schools, and together, ensures that all aspects of the course prepare students well for a future career in teaching. Students learn from experts who are advising governments nationally and internationally, shaping policy, and improving practice. They receive personalised support from established classroom practitioners across a range of professional practice placements. On this course, students also develop their academic skills, research expertise, and the ability to analyse issues critically. This helps them to follow best practice when they graduate. www.sussex.ac.uk  Rosie has also received an offer to study at the University of Reading. The University’s BA (Hons) Primary Education (QTS) programme is specifically designed to enable students to develop a strong identity as a primary teacher. This course offers the option to study a range of modules within the disciplines of art, English, mathematics, and music. Additionally, they will have the option to undertake modules from contemporary issues in education, thus providing a broad and deep understanding of education in the twenty-first century.  Teacher training students put their skills and knowledge into practice through professional placements, which take place throughout the course. Additionally they study professional legal requirements, and investigate the role of the teacher and how children develop. www.reading.ac.uk  Rajman has received prompt decisions from two of the universities to which he applied to study for the Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Geography. University of Manchester, UK The University of Manchester is part of the prestigious Russell Group of universities, with outstanding facilities and the widest range of courses. It is highly respected across the globe as a centre of teaching excellence and innovative research. With 25 Nobel Prize winners among its current and former staff and students, Manchester has a history of world firsts and brilliant discoveries, from splitting the atom to giving the world graphene. The Geography degree course that Rajman has been accepted to attend includes a year of international study in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, or the USA. www.manchester.ac.uk   University of Southampton, UK The University of Southampton is situated in a city famous for its maritime activities, The city is on the south coast of England and has some of the best weather in the UK. Rich in history, but full of lively and modern art, culture, restaurants and nightlife, it’s a safe, friendly, and walkable place. The Bachelor of Arts degree at Southampton leads students to discover how social, economic, political and cultural processes shape our world. Students explore human-environment relations and the challenges of living across our interconnected planet. They develop the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to global issues like inequality, migration and climate change. Geography graduates are prepared for work across a wide range of fields, including research, consultancy, and public policy. www.southampton.ac.uk  In recent weeks, Maggie has received acceptance notifications from four universities in the United States to study for a Bachelor of Arts or Science in Elementary Education. Each of the universities has also provided Maggie with a scholarship to attend. The various scholarships include a President’s Scholarship from Lenoir-Rhyne University, and merit scholarships and grants from the other three universities.  Johnson University, TN, USA Maggie has been offered admission to Johnson University’s Tennessee campus, which sits on the banks of the French Broad River in south Knoxville. Students enjoy the rolling hills of this rural campus combined with close proximity to the fun and culture of downtown Knoxville and the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. Through the Elementary Education degree program, students receive instruction in lesson preparation and presentation, classroom management, integration of a biblical worldview and application of biblical knowledge to the teaching profession, development and implementation of curriculum, and current trends in education. www.johnsonu.edu  Campbell University, NC, USA Campbell University has accepted Maggie’s application. Campbell University is located in the heart of North Carolina, in the prestigious ‘Research Triangle’ area. The region is a nexus of businesses, educational institutions, and governmental organizations that give Campbell's students quick access to plenty of internship, research, and networking opportunities, as well as cultural and social outlets. Campbell University’s Education Program is built upon the foundation of project-based learning within the context of small class-sizes with caring professors. Students not only receive a solid academic foundation, but they directly apply what they have learned through meaningful projects and other hands-on experiences. The mission of Campbell University is to graduate students with exemplary academic and professional skills who are prepared for purposeful lives and meaningful service. The University is informed and inspired by its Baptist heritage. www.campbell.edu  Western Carolina University, NC, USA Maggie can also choose to study Elementary Education at Western Carolina University. As the westernmost institution in the University of North Carolina System, WCU attracts students from around the globe for its nationally ranked programs, affordability through NC Promise, and exceptional student support. Recognized as a top adventure college and surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, students can explore the region's vast natural diversity through unrivalled experiential learning and recreational activities. The Education program at WCU combines challenging academic coursework with numerous opportunities for students to engage in field experiences in area public schools. All students complete a capstone experience that includes a year-long internship in a participating public school. With successful completion of the program, graduates earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and are recommended to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for K-6 initial licensure. www.wcu.edu  Lenoir-Rhyne University, NC, USA Maggie has also been selected to attend Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. Founded in 1891, LR is a co-educational, private liberal arts institution with 50+ undergraduate degree programs and 20+ graduate degree programs. LR enrolls nearly 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students. LR’s mission is to develop the whole person, to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build a sense of community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. education. The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at LR places a strong emphasis on the critical importance of serving students with disabilities and other exceptionalities within the regular and special education classrooms. As such, all elementary education majors have the opportunity to earn teacher licensure in both elementary education and special education. www.lr.edu  Our Personal and Social Education (PSE) curriculum supports our students in developing their social and emotional well-being and is part of the Advisory program and classroom lessons. Our Grade 11-12 students have the following PSE lessons planned during Advisory lessons:
Quarter 2 - Grade 12 No upcoming PSE classes. Quarter 2 - Grade 11 6th December: PSE #4: Sexual Assault, Abuse, Violence, & Harassment (Advisor & Counselor) Parents can reinforce learning at home by sharing what they know about these subjects. They can share their family’s, culture’s, and religion’s perspective on these aspects of Personal and Social Education. If you would like your child to opt out of any of these lessons, just send an e-mail to your child’s Advisor and make sure your child knows. If you have any questions, you can contact your child’s Advisor. The listed PSE lessons will be led by our Advisors, Counselor, and Biology teachers. Our Personal and Social Education curriculum integrates the IB’s beliefs about PSE together with the Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education 3rd Edition from the Sexuality-Information and Education Council of the United States in order to provide a well-balanced program for our students. You can find our Personal and Social Education Handbook here.  Grade 11 students are in the process of creating both 1st and 2nd choice EE proposals to submit to departments. Their due date is Sunday 5 December at midnight. This timeline will allow all departments to review proposals, allocate supervisors, and provide feedback on research questions.
Choosing a topic that is manageable and that students are genuinely interested in is key to success. Parents/Guardians, we encourage you to discuss your child’s EE proposal with them. Here are some sample EE proposals to help guide the discussion, if you’d like a closer look! Grade 8 Community Project:  Grade 8 students are presenting their community projects in advisory. Two groups presented in assembly this last week. Please find their presentations linked below: Here is the link to Katie’s website where she has made available to us her mum’s simple Chinese recipes. I think even I can manage them! Whoop! Here is the link to Diego/Kwame and Nina’s motivational website. A great deal of lovely thinking and meditating here! ATLs: Managing our reactions and emotions:  Recent developments around COVID have seen many of us expressing our emotions not always in healthy ways. We know that it is healthy to express emotions but we need to be careful of when and how we do this. We have all experienced times when people react in ways that make us embarrassed or frightened. Or we ourselves have felt so strongly about something that we did not react in a way that we were proud of. Feelings of anxiety, anger and frustration are sometimes hard to control. Managing emotions and reactions are skills that are part of a group of skills we call emotional intelligence and we need to develop and practice these skills. This takes time and we need help sometimes and that’s ok. Tips: when we feel negative emotions we need to
There are many websites to read up about this subject. Here are just a few: KidsHealth Healthline Skillsyouneed Helpguide Visible Thinking at AISL:  Leslie Jeffrey and Ingrid Turner presented an information session on Visible Thinking on Tuesday 30 November. These routines enable students to access higher level thinking. The hope is that they transfer these thinking moves to their own lives outside of school. Thank you to all who attended this session.
Here are some important links for you: Visible Thinking Presentation Tips for Parents: Apps for Parents The routines are 1 of 8 cultural forces: Cultures of Thinking Access information and routines on the Project Zero Website |
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