Issue No. 19 (24 April 2020)

We know that distance learning has been a challenge for our students and staff alike (and for our parents too) – and yet, there have nonetheless been some excellent learning outcomes.These range from successful projects completed in class, through our Digital Leaders’ first podcast, to the Mental Health Awareness Week initiative from our students.

We wanted to celebrate some of these positive distance learning outcomes this week, and we hope that you also enjoy reading about them below.

With best wishes,

Tom Vignoles

Principal

South Island School

We hope that all of you are doing well and staying safe during the current situation around the world. As you may know, this week the students and staff are participating in a Mental Health Awareness Week in collaboration with the local charity OCD and Anxiety Support HK. 

The founder and CEO of this charity, Minal Mahtani, conducted an online webinar via zoom to students and staff regarding wellbeing, mental health and the current situation on Thursday, 23rd April. This was a great opportunity to learn more about the science behind mental health issues as well as practical strategies to help. Here is a link to a padlet which shares what we learnt from the seminar. Padlet

OCD and Anxiety Support HK is an organisation which aims to provide quality services and opportunities for people who suffer from OCD and Anxiety disorders. They are dedicated to improving the lives of those who are experiencing mental health issues by providing support through regular group meetings and activities, hoping to create an environment where they are met with compassion, empathy and kindness. 

OCD and Anxiety Support HK is a non-profit organisation; all of the raised proceeds go back to their services in order to provide for individuals who do not have access to or cannot afford treatment. We would greatly appreciate it if you can take some time to consider donating to them; this can be your way of making a difference towards the local community, especially during such difficult times. Any amount is much welcomed and appreciated. 

Link for donations: https://www.ocdanxietyhk.org/donate-index-impact

*Receipts and tax exemption will be granted for any donation higher than $100HKD*

If you’d like to know more about what we have done during the week, please take a look at some of the resources we prepared for Tuesday and Friday’s tutor time. The links are as attached below: 

Tuesday Tutor time (Year 7-9s)

Tuesday Tutor time (Year 11-13s)

Friday Tutor time presentation

Best regards, 

Natalie Cheung, Sandrine Ma, Ananya Kannan and Ms Purves

(Organisers of SIS Mental Health Awareness Week)

Within the context of distance learning, The Digital Leadership Council (DLC) has been keen to innovate and struck upon the idea of creating a new podcast series, focused on all things tech related. Episode 1 (click here) was recorded using Zoom shortly before the Easter holiday and focused on the emergence of the DLC in recent years including digital leaders, past and present. Joining the host, Mr Williamson, for episode 1 is Zaid Syed (University of California, Berkeley), Shannon Hui (Barnard College, Columbia University), Sam Bonnekamp (13N1), Karina Au (13N2), Justin Man (12M2) and Phoebe Leung (12B2). 

Episode 2 will be out soon and will focus on wellbeing and technology featuring several SIS students as well as Ms Purves! We would love to hear from students with any feedback you may have or questions, topics for future episodes. Please write to digileaders@webmail.sis.edu.hk

Students have been developing their computer aided design skills by using TinkerCAD during e-learning. This will enable them to produce digital design drawings of their product design ideas in the product design unit of inquiry.  To practise their skills they have designed a creative house. 

Some super useful advice and tips on how to lead a healthy balanced lifestyle from Esther Au Yeung (7K1) and a yummy healthy snack and smoothie from Riya Girish (9C2).  Recipes here, enjoy!

Ruth Varnell’s (09B1) 3D set design work for ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ to go along with what the class has been doing with the musical.

Well done to our Y7 students who created their 1st interview page, while interviewing celebrities about their personal life in French!

Year9 InSoc students spent Term 2 working on the statement of inquiry: “wars happen for different reasons and are fought in different ways – however the most obvious consequences of war are widespread death and destruction”. During this they were introduced to details of World War 1 and a Global Politics theory regarding wars, known as the “Just War Theory”:

• JUS AD BELLUM (The reasons for going to war are morally right, e.g to defend yourself, to protect civilians from violence, human rights abuses, humanitarian disaster. The choice to go to war was a last resort)
• JUS IN BELLO (The war is fought in an ethical way. Only appropriate levels of force are used. Only military targets are attacked. Civilians are protected. Chemical and biological weapons are not used)
• JUS POST BELLUM (When the war is over there is a process of building sustainable peace and reconciliation)

Our students took their new knowledge of this theory, applied it to World War 1 and were asked to work collaboratively in groups to apply it to a different conflict or war.

These included:

As part of their assessment they had to create an artefact or prop that depicted an aspect of the war they studied which was symbolic to them. Here are their examples:

During this period of distance learning, some unexpected opportunities have arisen as students, parents and teachers come to terms with the new online environment.  The Geography department would like to share some of these gems so that you can enjoy, share and support your learning outside of school.  You don’t need to be studying Geography to enjoy these free resources and no prior learning is required in most cases.

• BBC “the biggest education offering in the BBC’s history”.  Most notable is Sir Richard teaching climate change lessons  https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/dailylessons
• The Geographical Association has designed “Geography from home with quizzes, games and investigations around the house. https://www.geography.org.uk/geography-from-home

Any further help you require, please contact the geography department who will be happy to help.