AISHK Welcomes MiG Ayesa - Australian International School Hong

DHANARA
the weekly newsletter of the Australian International School Hong Kong
Dhanara is the Aboriginal word for message stick
24 August 2011 (Term 3, week 4)
AISHK Welcomes MiG Ayesa
This week is one of the biggest weeks in this year’s events calendar as AISHK welcomes MiG Ayesa to the school, to Hong Kong and
to our bi-annual ball, A Night on Broadway.
Anyone who has been keeping up with Australia’s music scene and the world of musicals will instantly recognise the name. MiG is
one of Australia’s pre-eminent vocalists and biggest stage stars, having performed in a huge number of hit shows including Grease,
Rent, We Will Rock You and The Buddy Holly Story in Australia and around the world.
A big fan of Hong Kong and keen to support AISHK’s young performers, MiG was kind enough
take time off from his busy schedule and role in the Broadway production, Rock of Ages, to come
to Hong Kong for this very special event.
During the week, MiG has been hosting workshops at the school, giving students instruction
on, and insights into, the performing arts, working on stage and how to develop their skills as
performing artists.
The week will culminate with some of our talented singers performing live on stage with MiG at
AISHK’s Night on Broadway black tie Ball, to be held this Friday at the Grand Hyatt, where they’ll
be performing hit songs from some of the world’s biggest musicals including Phantom of the
Opera, We Will Rock You, The Boy from Oz and many more.
“Ever since I was very young, I’ve loved performing!,” says MiG, “I used to have speech problems
when I was at school, but I found that when I sang or acted out in a play, the problem would go
away. I got to love singing and being on stage. It’s where I felt alive and like a normal person.”
From this inspirational start, MiG began performing whenever he could, but it was a lucky moment
during university that gave him his first big break, a lead role playing Ritchie Valens in The Buddy
Holly Story.
“The most important thing is passion. I love what I do and I think that’s the key to success in any
occupation. The passion becomes infectious and it influences the people around you.
“Students can be trained, but training only takes you part of the way. I recommend students find a
way to do more performing. Because the more you do, the better you get. After that, it’s all about
developing your individuality; your own style. That’s what separates you from the rest.”
MiG and Allira practice ahead
of Friday’s Night on Broadway
black tie Ball
One of AISHK’s own, Allira Wilson, is doing just that, as she gets ready to take to the stage at
Friday’s ball, where she’ll be singing some of the night’s biggest songs with MiG by her side.
Already accomplished beyond her years, Allira’s soaring vocals and on stage presence will leave
audiences mesmerised. You’ll likely be seeing and hearing more from Allira, around Australia and
around the world, very very soon.
“I love theatre and I love performing,” says Allira, who graduated from AISHK as our Head
Girl in 2010, and is already planning a career in music and entertainment. She recently
completed training courses at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Sydney and
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London and is looking to study full time at NIDA very
soon.
“My dream is to have a career as a singer and be in musicals and on stage, just like MiG!”
Persistence and passion are the keys to success
MiG talks about life on stage during a
workshop & practice session.
Dhanara 24.08.2011 Page 1
Primary News
It is almost half term and swimming lessons are in full swing for our Upper Primary classes. Then in Week 7 the Year 3 and 4 classes
commence their lessons.
Some things are easier to learn than other things. The human brain is born with a pre-programmed expectation to learn a whole range
of skills such as eating, walking, talking, simple number facts, toileting, bonding and so on. The human brain, however, does not
expect to learn certain other things and therefore requires intense coaching and long periods of practice. Examples of such learning
include reading, writing, complex mathematics, playing sports, playing a musical instrument and swimming.
Whatever the brain learns it needs experience to enable the construction of memory. Neuroscientists have divided this into two
major categories; experience expectant and experience dependent. Most young children learn to talk and walk easily (experience
expectant) compared to writing their name, (experience dependent). According to John Joseph (Brainy Parents, Brainy Kids), a
young child masters grammar of a language more easily during the early years, while the vocabulary of the same language is subject
to life-long modification. Therefore, second language learners need exposure to the grammar of the language early on if they are to
speak it without an accent.
Around one year of age, a child has a vocabulary of around 50 words or so, (OCED, 2002), learnt primarily by pointing, labelling
and naming things. This expands to perhaps 2500 words by the age of five. The stiff-legged movements of the toddler mature in
the second year of life into running, jumping, hoping, kicking, climbing and riding. During the third year of life many children learn to
tip toe, balance on a narrow beam, catch items and even make rudimentary drawings that represent people and environments. To
develop these skills young people require play time rather than passive activity. Because young children are so active and curious,
a parent who provides lots of emotional support, love and of course time will provide the optimum environment for the young brain’s
learning.
By around four years of age most children have developed awareness of their own minds and that of others. Imaginative play is a
hallmark of the four year old. Listen in on their conversations and you can often hear your own words being used!
By around six years most children can count to 30 or more, write their name, understand the meaning of prepositions (in, on, above,
over, around, under) and many comparative states (biggest, smallest tallest, widest). Running, laughing, chattering, exploratory
young children require little formula instruction to master such learning. But they do require high levels of interacting with loving
caring adults and the scope to explore and make mistakes without criticism. The early years require above all else, the development
of emotional competencies- to be self-aware, to have self-control, the ability to resolve conflicts, to cooperate with others to delay
gratification and to seek satisfaction.
What wonderful opportunities for learning in these the “Early Years”. In fact scientists assert that young children’s brains learn better
than at any other time in their lives! Let’s make sure we value these important years and ensure we provide time for optimum learning
to occur.
Leonie Drew
Principal Primary, Co Head of School
leonie_drew@aishk.edu.hk
PRIMARY ASSEMBLIES
The Next Assembly:
Week 4: Year 3 hosting 26 Aug at 11:20am
Upcoming Assemblies:
Week 4 - 26 Aug (Year 3 hosting)
Week 5 - 02 Sep (Year 1 hosting) Early Childhood Book Week Assembly
Week 6 - 09 Sep Sports Awards Assembly at HKBU
Week 7 - 16 Sep Chinese Week Assembly
Week 8 - 23 Sep (Year 5 hosting)
Assemblies on odd weeks begin at 11:10am and even weeks at 11:20am
School-wide Notices
MTR Student Cards
Application forms for the MTR Student Travel Scheme for the upcoming year can be obtained from the Level 9 Administration Office
Reception Counter. Please note that students need to be aged 12 and above to be eligible for this scheme.
Students who do not possess a Personalised Octopus Card (with name and photo printed on the card) need to apply for a Personalised
Octopus Card with a “Student Status” endorsement. The completed form together with HK$90.00 (HK$50 for the Octopus card
deposit, a HK$20 non-refundable handling fee charge levied by Octopus Cards Limited and HK$20 usable value encoded on the
processed card) should be returned to the school office.
Students who need to activate or renew the “Student Status” on their Personalised Octopus Card should go in person to a MTR
Customer Service Centre any time from 20 October onwards. An administration fee of HK$20 will need to be paid when your card is
updated.
Application forms for applying for a Personalised Octopus Card with “Student Status” and “Activation/Renewal of “Students Status”
on a Personalised Octopus Card should be returned to the school office before 8 September. Your card will be sent to the school in
November for distribution to students. Please note that late applications cannot be accepted.
Dhanara 24.08.2011 Page 2
Secondary News
While schools across Australia continue to work towards implementing a National Curriculum there has been a major announcement
relating to the NSW curriculum for Years 7-10 as offered here in Hong Kong by AISHK.
The NSW Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli, has announced that the Year 10 School Certificate will be abolished from 2012.
“The external tests currently administered to all Year 10 students will not continue after this year. Mr Piccoli said that the decision
was made as a result of consultations between the Board of Studies and key stakeholders, including groups representing principals,
teachers, parents and all school sectors.
“The message from stakeholders was that the School Certificate no longer meets the expectations of employers. It has not responded
to changes such as the increase in the school leaving age, and the introduction of NAPLAN testing,” says Piccoli.
“Students who leave school before they complete their HSC deserve a credential which is modern and relevant. Just as importantly,
employers want to see a credential which is meaningful to them.”
Mr Piccoli says he has requested that the Board of Studies carry out further consultations that will enable it to put forward proposals
for an alternative accreditation. In his announcement, he also said the following:
“Stakeholder groups have given a clear view about some of the key elements that should be investigated further as the basis for a
new credential.
“A moderated credential recognising a wider range of student achievement would be more easily understood by employers, fairer
and more reliable.”
This decision means that Year 10, 2011, will be the last year level at AISHK to undertake external tests for the School Certificate.
These tests will be held as scheduled in November 2011. AISHK Teaching Staff and, I am sure, our parents look forward to hearing
more about the new accreditation and the means by which it will be obtained from 2012 onwards, when it is announced later this
year.
As always if you have any questions or concerns regarding this or any other matter relating to the Secondary Division, please do not
hesitate to contact me at the school. Until next time.
Phil Waugh
Principal Secondary, Co Head of School
phillip_waugh@aishk.edu.hk
ICAS Science Competition
High Distinction
Reena Chow 7H
Geraldine Le 7J
Michael Tan 7J
Joshua Lam 10H
Matthew Yeung 11W
Distinction
Roger Wong 7E
Kristy Lam 7H
Finn Miles 7H
Henry Feng 7J
Julia Lui 7J
Charlotte Head 7W
Benjamin Ho z8H
Joyce Lui 8J
Gordon Young 8W
Godfrey Chan 9E
Jeremy Chan 9E
Wilfred Chan 9E
Jasmin Katz 9E
Nathan Purdey 9E
Janessa Chou 9H
Rachael Chung 9H
Boyle Kir 9H
Caleb Au 9J
Jason Ng 9J
Jason Huen 9W
Jessica Archer 10H
John He 10J
Joyce Ng 10J
Bryan Yuen 11E
Victor Zhou 11H
Melissa Tan 11J
Peter Wat 12B
Jasper Chiu 12P
Credit
Bayley Cornish 7E
Bryan Tang 7E
Nicholas Yueng 7E
Sophie Archibald 7H
Nicholas Leung 7H
Rain Wu 7J
Natalie Ho 7W
Jacky Lai 7W
Chloe Lam 7W
Andre Wu 7W
Nicholas Yuan 7W
Tini Tang 8E
Daniel Archer 8H
Dominic Stitt 8H
Chi Yin Wong 8J
Billy Co 8W
Tiffany Nung 8W
Michael Leung 9E
NiNi Lu 9E
Emily Archibald 9H
Rex Choi 9H
Charlotte Morris 9H
Fergus Wong 9H
Allen Lam 9J
Adam Zhong 9J
Coco Chen 9W
Quinton Lau 9W
Jacqui Chiu 10E
Tommy Kim 10E
Jennie Liu 10E
Ruby Miles 10H
Chester Siu 10H
Alexander Tsang 10H
Catherine Yu 10H
Leo Ng 10J
Jessica Foong 10W
Forrest Ho 10W
Ryan Lee 10W
Pavin Poon 10W
Sam Ho 11J
Yolanda Tong 11W
Gerald Mok 12B
Eunice Lu 12P
Willy Wu 12P
Dhanara 24.08.2011 Page 3
School-wide Notices
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Donation Day: Tuesday 30 August
The annual Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Donation Day at AISHK will be held on Tuesday 30 August, from 10:00am - 3:30pm.
Students over the age of 16 can donate blood with parental permission. If any parents would like to donate blood on this day,
please send an email with your available times to Paul McGunnigle, Community Service Co-ordinator at paul_mcgunnigle@
aishk.edu.hk.
Guidelines for Prospective Donors
The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service needs to ensure that by accepting your blood, they do not harm you or the
patients who may receive your blood. Please note there are certain conditions which will prohibit you from giving blood or may prohibit
you from giving blood eg. if you have recently been ill with a specific ailment, travelled to certain locations during a certain period or
have recently given blood. We would like to remind you to please speak to our Blood Transfusion Staff to determine whether any of
these conditions apply to you.
Student Health Enrolment
Last Friday forms were sent
home to both Primary (Year
1-6) and Secondary (Year 7-11)
via your child in regard to the
Government Health Scheme.
Primary students are also eligible
to enroll in the Government
Dental Scheme, which has a
$20.00 charge.
Please return this signed
enrolment form (with fee
if applicable) to the 9/F
Administration Office not later
than Monday 5 September, 2011
if you wish to enrol your child.
Forms submitted after this date
will not be accepted.
Career News
Year 12 students considering study in Australia are able to begin the process online through each
state’s Universities Admission Centre, for example in NSW and ACT using www.uac.edu.au. The
on time application deadline is 30 September. After the application process has begun, students
will still be able to change their preferences and course choices up to the start of 2012.
The British Council is holding their annual UK education exhibition this weekend on 20 and 21
of August, from 1:00pm to 7:00pm in Hall 3G, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre,
Wanchai. Students looking to study in the UK in the coming academic year, or who are planning
their applications for early deadlines for the next year, should not miss this opportunity to:
• meet with 60 UK schools, colleges and universities
• attend a series of seminars including How to choose the right course and University
• find out about new scholarship opportunities
• look for UK courses offered in Hong Kong
For more detail see their website http://www.educationuk.org/hongkong .
For more information related to career development please contact me.
Feona Crawford - Careers Advisor / email: feona_crawford@aishk.edu.hk
Extra Tickets Available
Uniform Survey for Parents
Due to last minute withdrawals
Australian International School Hong Kong we have a small number of tickets
Presents
available for Friday’s Night on
Broadway. Six (6) are located at one
table, two (2) are located at another.
If you are interested in purchasing
these tickets please contact Tracey
Manning at 2194 3808.
We will be closing the uniform survey at the end of this week, so
if you haven’t taken the opportunity to respond, please consider
doing so. This can be done by going on to the OLP, via your
child’s OLP log-on and accessing the page labelled ‘Uniform
Survey for Parents’.
There were some earlier connection problems for families above
Year 3, but these have been rectified and we look forward to
reading your responses.
Parent Association
Preparatory Family Day Out
Inspiration Lake, Lantau Island
Sunday, 18 September from 9:00am
Please bring your own picnic basket
Paddle boat, bike hire and snack bar are
available
There is also a playground and room for kids to
run around in
Please be advised that parking is very LIMITED
so we highly recommend catching the MTR
RSVP to Narelle: coops1971@hotmail.com or
Sally: salbabe@hotmail.com
http://www.hkdlsource.com/resort/inspirationlake
Hope to see you there!
Preparatory Parents Drinks Meet Up
Where: HUSH bar and lounge
Ground Floor, 2 Glenealy St Central, Hong Kong
When: Friday, September 2, 2011 Drinks from 8pm.
Please RSVP to Narelle or Sally by 30 August 2011 (sorry for the short notice)
Australian International School Hong
Kong
New Parents’ Coffee Morning
The AISHK Parent Association Welcome
Committee cordially invites you to our
New Parents’ Coffee Morning
Day: Tuesday 30 August 2011
Time: 9:30am
Where: House 35, “Manderly Garden”
48 Deep Water Bay Rd, Shouson Hill
(parking is available)
RSVP: Linda Rogers at
lindajrogers@gmail.com
New to AISHK and
Hong Kong?
Successful Transitions
Successful Students
2 sessions of “New to AISHK &
HK” workshops remain for parents
new to AISHK & HK.
When: Wednesdays: 31 August &
7 September 8:30am -10:00am
Where: Library Conference
Room: 5th Floor, AISHK
Contact:
isobel_cweakley@aishk.edu.hk
Phone: 2304 6078
Dhanara 24.08.2011 Page 4
A Night on Broadway
Australian International School Hong Kong
Presents
Catch MiG’s New Album
More Than Ever
Don’t forget, you’ll
be able to pick up a
copy of the new CD
this Friday at AISHK’s
Night on Broadway ball
or, if stocks last, next
week at the 9th Floor
Admininistration Office
Dhanara 24.08.2011 Page 5