Sixth Form News

What started as an idea and a dream became a reality when the Year 12 and 13 Biology Group embarked on a Field Trip to Borneo. From river safari, being eaten by leeches, gazing at the orangutans, smelling the ammonia and body surfing in the rapids, it was a thrill a second.

“This trip was simply AMAZING!!! It got us all so close together that its gonna be so hard to say goodbye to you when you leave. Thank you for it all. I have not had this much fun in my life and in such a short amount of time Thanks for all the support and care you gave throughout the trip.Lots of love,”

Tara
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“It was the best trip ever! We had so much fun laughing at Scott’s stupid jokes! It was a great experience and the things we saw like the orangutans were amazing. I so wish we had stated for longer! Thank you so so so very much! And I’m really going to miss you.
Take care!”

-Lynn
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It was really cool, an unforgettable experience filled with fond memories”

-Sam
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A big thank you to all our sponsors and supporters for helping to make our Trip of a Lifetime!

Every year we have a number of visitors from overseas to provide information about studying abroad. In the past we have representatives from UK , eg LSE and Warwick giving a broad introduction to the institutions and its courses as well as life there . We have had representatives from Mauritius; IDP has visited every year for the past 4 years with information about Australian Universities, visa applications as well as the IELTS tests. Ms Louise Bland visited us to deliver information on the The Holmsglen Institution in Melbourne, Australia in particular to promote its TAFE programmes, The DCDM Business School in Mauritius visited as did a representative from USA.

So this month we were very happy to welcome Mr. Rod Hardingham, the Principal of London Hotel School. Currently we have two students there and they encouraged Mr Hardingham to visit Seychelles and our school. The presentation was very interesting and informative and highlighted the possibilities for students wishing to embark on a course related to hotel management.

London Hotel School Mission Statement

The London Hotel School offers its students the knowledge and work experience enabling them to develop and build a successful career in only two years.

London Hotel School’s combination of qualified and hospitality experienced lecturers, UK government recognized qualifications and the best work experience placements available in the UK make a winning combination for students who want to qualify and be offered jobs in some of the best hotels in the world.

Hospitality is a people business and the most important thing you need to succeed is good social skills so you can well with guests and colleagues. We work with you to develop your people skills through class, hotel and leisure activities which will build your self confidence and social expertise.”

Some more information can be obtained from the following web sites:
www.idp.com
www.austudy-africa.com
www.international.holmesglen.vic.edu.au
www.londonhotelschool.com

“We were very fortunate to have the presentation, not just on the growing tourism and hospitality industry but more importantly on how to be a part of it. Many students here are interested in the Tourism and Hospitality industry. He also made it all possible with information about the Hotel School and what it could offer its students.
The presentation was very interesting and well received by the students, who were also given an opportunity to ask questions, a one hour session turned into two hours as question and answers flew back and forth. There was a lot of interest, some just curious to find out more.
Overall it was really helpful and informative and also gave some students the opportunity to consider alternative routs to achieve their goals. We are very lucky that we have visitors to the school who can open up so many possibilities. Thank you Mr. Hardington!”
Natalie Lai Lam

The event at Banyan Tree was organized to celebrate the World Wetlands Day and celebrate the opening of the newly constructed boardwalk across the marshland at Banyan Tree, Intendance. The scheme is to restore and maintain a level of cleanliness in the environment of the marshland at Banyan Tree Resort in a collaborative effort between the Department of Environment and the Takamaka community. The activities organized to mark Wetlands Day were stretched over two days and were held under the theme ‘Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People’.

Many sponsors of the event, ministers and students and staff from schools were invited to the opening.

‘After waiting for the bus for at least an hour we finally got on and headed off to the luxurious 5 star Hotel- banyan Tree, Seychelles. It was a big event where students from many schools were invited to celebrate the day so we stopped off along the way to pick up staff and students from other schools.

Forty minutes later we had arrived and were being welcomed by the very friendly staff; handing us glasses of refreshing iced tea (yummy!!!) and a white T shirt (very nice indeed) with details about the event and the sponsors of the event. The T shirt has a beautiful design on the front.
Once everyone had arrived there was a welcome speech by the manager and then speeches by representatives from the various ministries.

The overall message being the importance of sustainable management and the conservation of marshlands and its inhabitants. The habitat is home for many varieties of plants and animals.

Each school was given a questionnaire to fill in based on the of the wetlands day event. After the boardwalk was officially opened we all walked around in small groups with a guide who gave us additional information and pointed out the information points along the way.

It was very interesting and we learnt that the boardwalk was made of recycled plastic! We read and listened, discussed and filled in the answers as we walked along.

Despite the rainy weather, the year 13 Biology group saw some never seen before animals and different species of tortoise and terrapins for example.

After the walk we had a few minutes to mingle with everyone while the questionnaires were being assessed. Winners received prizes and then thank yous were said before we were indulged with fish and chips, mango filled pancakes and the cutest little brownies…yummmm!!

Seychelles is exceptional in its beauty and diversity of habitats and species. We are very lucky to have these at our door step and it’s encouraging to see that so much is being done to preserve it and more importantly made accessible to everyone…especially students!

Thank you Banyan Tree for hosting the event!”
Zarine, Angeleah, Elizabeth and Scott.

Every year the year 13 students have to go through the exciting yet stressful time of applying to universities. The destinations are many and the courses……. so many it really is a minefield out there!
The process began in year 12 where we researched the many universities around the world, checking through websites and prospectuses, courses available and admission criteria.

We also prepared our personal statements and prepared for the IELTS (International English language testing system) to be taken in September….. Don’t think that A levels are all you’re going to need, there are Language tests, SATS, STEP Papers LNAT tests and UKCAT tests!!! Increasingly universities are asking for more and more so be prepared- it’s a tough journey but its all possible and we have Mrs. Kennedy who helps, advises and guides us through it.
 International School has a 100% record in terms of students getting into universities.
So here are a few experiences…………..

‘I have applied to a university in USA which means that apart from the IGCSE and Advanced Level qualifications, I have had to sit for the SATS. (Standard Aptitude Tests)in a Mathematics and English This involves responding to Multiple choice questions , each section marked out of 800 points, with a maximum of 2400 points. But marks are deducted for wrong answers and if answers are left blank. I have applied for a course related to Marine life and engineering. I had to apply on line and send copies of my qualifications and a personal statement. Now I have to secure good grades at A level.’
Benjamin Berke.

‘Last month three of us went to Mauritius to sit for the SATs, as Seychelles isn’t a SAT test Centre yet.The experience of being in a foreign country, anew school where we sat the tests and surrounded by quite unfriendly faces was a little intimidating. We had prepared ourselves at school and found the tests not too difficult, however trying to keep within the time limit proved challenging. Due to the flight schedules we left Seychelles on Thursday and sat for the test on the Saturday before getting back on Monday. This also meant that when we returned we had to catch up on two days work! Despite all these factors, our results were commendable and the overall experience was a positive one.
W e are now awaiting offers from Universities in USA, and we are busy preparing for the final examinations in May.’
Linda Essandoh, Elizabeth Camille and Mallika Goel.

‘I am really struggling with my application to France especially as all the information is in French, But I am getting a lot of help at school, especially from Mrs Tirant the French teacher’
Angeleah Torrin.

The Assist Programme is a chance for Sixth Form students to work with younger students in the school.
Year 12 students are assigned to a class by the class teacher in either the Early Childhood or Junior Section. The teacher then decides upon the activities which require assistance. It may be reading, helping out with class work, playing educational games as well as IT and Mathematics!

How does everyone benefit?

Year 12 students develop a number of skills which they may not have realised they had. They certainly enjoy the sessions (read more on that later) In addition it provides additional information for their personal statements when applying to universities.
Staff enjoy the support and interaction with older students and often comment on the range of new and interesting ideas and skills that the students bring to the sessions.
Younger students…just love having older ones helping…they cant get enough!

Everyone involved in the programme enjoys the interaction, contributions and development of relationships within the school.

….Staff Feedback.

The Early Childhood Section looks forward every year to having ASSIST students from the Sixth Form Section of the school. The children who volunteer to work with young children have been highly motivated and seem genuinely to enjoy the experience aiding, in the teaching of Maths and Language and helping out with reading and writing. The more artistic of the ASSIST programme participants have brought new ideas to our daily art sessions. There is always a scramble to be chosen to work with the ASSIST mentors and I am sure that the ASSIST programme benefits all involved. Many thanks for all their hard work in the Early Childhood section.
Ms Susan Ansell
Head of Early Childhood

ASSIST programme – Year Five

This year, 5H have had the assistance of Cyrus, one of our year twelve students. Cyrus is a keen mathematician and offered to help the students during their numeracy hour. Cyrus leads whole groups through their activities with patience and care. He is very popular and well respected among the class. The children are encouraged by Cyrus’s enthusiasm and look forward to his weekly visits. As the teacher of the class I have found Cyrus’s help invaluable. He has shown himself to be dependable, diligent and a good communicator, personal skills that will serve him well. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his hard work and wish him all the best for the future.

Mr Herron 5H

“ I believe the ASSIST programme is invaluable in developing the skills of Sixth Form students in supporting younger children within the school. The children who are supported by the students also benefit as they are guided by a good role model who is an older role model in the school.
Sixth form student, Natalie Lai Lam supports year 4 children aged 8-9 years in Literacy activities including reading, writing and role play. The children respond very positively to Natalie and are motivated by the support she gives them.
This programme has helped Natalie in developing a good relationship with all of the children within the class. Through this programme she has demonstrated that she is a reliable and conscientious student who takes this role seriously and is enthusiaistic in supporting the children in any task requested of her.
May I take this opportunity to thanks Natalie for giving up her time each week to support the children within my class”
Bernadette Marchetti.

The ASSIST Programme:

“We are very fortunate to have four sections in the school and it’s an ideal opportunity for students from the Sixth Form to interact with much younger students. It also enables them to develop a number of skills, as well as discover new ones they didn’t realize they had. The staff form the other Sections also get a helping hand and again see the students in a different role. Many of the staff have commented on the support received during the sessions and have valued the input from the students.
I think it’s great, and there’s nothing better then to walk in the playground and see very young students clamped to the legs of the Sixth Form students!
Keep up the great work my Sixth Formers!
Mrs Kennedy.

The ASSIST Program: Student’s perspectives

‘I think ASSIST is one the best things in the Sixth form. Its really fun and more often than not amusing. I also am more aware of the mistakes that young children make and how to go about ensuring they learn from that. I really enjoy my ASSIST times and look forward to it every week.’

Amirthavalli Pillay.
“As part of the extra curricular activities, the Sixth Form takes part in the ASSIST programme. We are each assigned a class at a specific time on a specific day every week.

We assist the students with their learning. In my case, I have been working with the reception class. And the programme has been the bearer of many good fruits. It has taught me to be patient (which you have to have to be with younger students) and to be responsible. But, above all, the programme is a fun experience; the children are very cute and loveable and give so much back in return. I love it!”
Marie Helene Lai Lam

“When I started the ASSIST programme I found myself really comfortable with the younger kids and I was really delighted because I never thought that I could come to adore such little kids!! Over time I have established a good relationship with them and the teacher. I am really happy helping and hope to continue with it a bit longer”
Carlos Larue.

“ Every week I have dedicated one hour of my time to the programme. This opportunity allows me to interact with the younger students and staff who normally I would have no contact with in the other sections. It has been really enjoyable though exhausting requiring much in the way of patience and personal responsibility. I’ve really enjoyed it!”
Ivan Leong

“I am still relatively new to the ASSIST programme but what I’ve experienced so far is promising. It is an entirely new experience and I look forward to every session”
 Samuel Ramkalawan
“I help the Yr 5 children with mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. It has really helped me to develop patience and social skills.”
 Cyrus Karkaria