ISPTA Newsletter 2024-25, Term 1
What a Term Sept-Dec 2024!
As the end of Term 1 draws to a close, our reflections on the activities that ISPTA and parents have been involved in are simply overwhelmed with awe. What a term it has been!
We started the academic year by welcoming new and old parents. ISPTA continued its presence in the Parent Information Evenings where PTA representatives shared their experiences. We also continued our partnership with the school staff on parent Zoom Coffee Mornings. And we kicked off the year by expressing gratitude to our staff members with delicious egg tarts, complemented by gorgeous flowers at an ISPTA Staff Appreciation Event.
In September, we held Parent Panel Discussions for MYP & the higher years, with parents well-seasoned in Island School life sharing their experiences of supporting children on a broad spectrum of topics including exams, academics, wellbeing and navigating digital devices amongst others. These discussions were followed by our Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the Association in which the new PTA committee were elected and we reflected on projects and events for 2023-2024. It was a fantastic start to the new academic year!
Our cultural and community events were in full swing with our campus-wide celebrations and decorations. With the support of our talented and brilliant parent volunteers, the school was made festive with Diwali decorations. Them we celebrated Diwali in style,with parents coming together to organise a traditional Indian snack sale and a Bollywood dance. The inner courtyard buzzed with excitement and festivities! A big cheer to our lovely parent volunteers for bringing the spirit of Diwali celebrations to the heart of IS life.
During Quest Week, parents got together in Central for a night of drinks and camaraderie. There was a great turnout, creating a nice relaxed atmosphere for parents across younger and older year groups to bond over drinks and snacks. Upon returning to school, ISPTA organized packaged gourmet cookies for the teaching staff and Quest Week trip leaders in a gesture of Staff Appreciation, expressing heartfelt thanks for providing IS students with memorable experiences that will last a lifetime.
Just after Quest Week, our parents returned to campus to decorate for Christmas, going above and beyond by making lovely hand-made decorations this year!
We all enjoyed the beautiful decorations at the Winter Fair 2024, our largest annual event, held on November 22. It was a wildly successful and festive evening, offering something for all ages. Highlights included house-led games and activities, live performances (including the IS debut of the Beacon Hill choir), and shopping experiences with vendors, ISPTA-run sustainability stalls, and new kitchenware and bags. Our parents’ extraordinary cultural food stalls, along with the student-led art and gardening club stall, art exhibits, and an alumni stall, added to the festivities. It was truly a remarkable evening, bringing together IS students, parents, and teachers to strengthen our thriving community.
We wrapped up the term with a Coffee Morning in December to bid farewell to our out-going principal, Mr Loggie, and to thank all our parent volunteers for their support to ISPTA and school during this term.
We wish everyone a restful break, knowing there is a lot to look forward to next term. Ms. Nina Gunson, our new principal, joins us in January and we also celebrate Lunar New Year!
Please mark the following dates as we again look forward to fostering our community spirit in Term 2.
Coffee Mornings to welcome Nina Gunson
Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 parents – Friday, January 10@8:30-9:30 a.m.
Year 10, Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 parents- Tuesday, January 14@8:30-9:30 a.m.
Staff Appreciation Lunch
Friday 17 January@1:30 to 3:00 p.m
Lunar New Year Celebrations
Campus Decoration Days
Thursday, 9th January 2025 @ 15:00 – 17:00
Friday, 10th January 2025 @ 13:00 – 15:00
Snack Sale
Tuesday, 21st January during break time @ 10:30-10:50
Wednesday, 22nd January during break time @ 10:30-10:50
Parent Dance
Wednesday, 22nd January during lunch time @13:05-13:30
Last but not least, we would like to thank the ISPTA Committee for their continuous hard work, dedication and support in serving the Island School community and bringing people together. It is a display of exceptional teamwork!
Happy Holidays to everyone from ISPTA!
