High School

MAY 2015

TEDx Youth Singapore

Surabhi Nagar, Grade 11
“A few months ago we received an invitation from Hwa Chong International School to present at the TEDx Youth Event. Three speakers from ISS were to be selected for this event. I was interested to participate the moment I heard about the invitation. TED Talks have always inspired me, educated me and made me think out-of the box on varying issues from around the world. The idea of me possibly being on this prestigious platform seemed marvelous and I wanted to make the best of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I decided to talk about income inequality, as it is an issue that I have been constantly troubled by yet feel not many people recognize it. Some of the issues I aimed to highlight through my talk were why inequality exists and how it affects us all. My talk was titled ‘Slum dogs and Millionaires’. I wanted to use this platform to inspire the young so that they can be more aware and work towards a change for a better future.

The talk was held at HCIS on 17th April. At the end of the talk, all participants received a TEDx certificate, yet that was the least of what I got out of this experience. There were eight other student speakers and two guest speakers that I had the privilege of listening to. Each talk provoked me to think in a new dimension. I was faced with an array of inspiring ideas. My personal favorite was a talk by the guest speaker why we should strive to bring about a positive change. His talk highlighted and inspired future social workers, a profession I would like to take up in the future. It was exciting to be in the environment full of young leaders, each with a unique idea blooming in their minds, wanting to change the world for the better. I was also so very honoured to have possibly inspired some people myself. Presenting to such an audience, at a TEDx platform was a dream come true. It was a wonderful experience, one I'd always proudly look back to.”

Tommy Handoko, Grade 11
"The TED event hosted by HCIS (Hwa Chong International School) was an event that I had the privilege of participating in. I heard of the event and signed up to join and was fortunate enough to be one of only three people chosen to present from ISS. I had chosen the topic of ‘Islamophobia’ as I felt that it was a growing and toxic social pandemic that was spreading around the world, broadening an idea based upon bigotry and unjustly homogenizing an entire religious group of people. This was especially personal to me coming from Indonesia, the most populated Muslim country in the world, and having been raised in a very Islam influenced country. I used this sense of duty and took the opportunity to spread the word and educate, being part of the whole idea of TED (Ideas worth spreading). Through this experience, not only did I learn more about Islam as a religion, but also the severity of ‘Islamophobia’ and the effects it brings with them, additionally, it inspired me to further better my presentation and speech giving skills. I felt very empowered to have been able to stand in front of an audience and present not only my ideas but also the principles I stand up for and share these beliefs with others. I would definitely join TEDx Youth again, if given the opportunity. This experience, nerve racking as it may be, created new memories I will not forget, from the preparation, the constant rehearsals talking to my wall, the almost compulsive editing and changing of slides and of course both the way the audience would react to what I was saying and the way I was given the opportunity to absorb the ideas of others in person and understand what it is that they stand up for. "

Yujie Tang, Grade 11
“The experience at TedEx was very valuable for me, as I always wanted to learn how to speck in public. I wanted the opportunity for me to stand up in the crowd and share my ideas. I was quite nervous since I was the only Language B student and I don’t really have any experience of speaking in public. However I wanted to give it a try; I wanted the challenge.

The process of making the presentation was really tough for me. I had to narrow down what I really wanted to say. Also since I don’t have an idea of how to make an effective presentation, I had to learn from scratch. Thanks to Mr. Jungo who never gave up on me. I rewrote my presentation three times and he never stopped me from asking, he always supported me. I also learned through watching my peers presenting and practicing. Tommy and Surabhi taught me a lot. I couldn’t really follow the common way of making the presentation; I had to say things from my own experience, not just from the Internet. The preparation time was quite short but I’ve found my own way to present. I think I’ve learned more than what I could learn through years of study.

Presenting in front of a few hundred people was never what I expected. I was very nervous but also excited. I was scared if people didn’t like my presentation but once I went on stage nothing stopped me from speaking for myself. I enjoyed myself through sharing and also listening to others. By the end of the Tedx we also did some activities with students from other schools. It was the best experience through the whole event. I was able to talk to people face to face, knowing their ideas and thoughts and realising more issues that our society is facing.

I loved the experience of participating in Tedx. It pushed me to learn, made me believe in myself and encouraged me to want to do more for my community!”

Liberty Study Award

Congratulations to Chen Duodan, Grade 10, and Maki Isetani, Grade 12, who were the recipients of the Liberty Study Award. Liberty Insurance awarded 50 students of Private Education institutions in Singapore $1000 each as part of the SG50 celebrations to recognise them for excelling in both academic and non-academic fields. The Award seeks to encourage students to reach their full potential. Unfortunately, Maki was unable to attend the award ceremony due to her IBDP Examinations, however, Duodan was there to receive his.

Graduation 2015

Congratulations to our newly graduated Class of 2015. Our most recent Alumni are now eagerly awaiting the results of their IB Diploma Examinations, which will be published in July. Best of luck in the future and do keep in touch with ISS as part of the ISS Alumni network.

Uniforms for August 2015

Please be aware that all students will need to present in the new uniform only from 11th August 2015. Students will no longer be permitted to wear the old ISS uniform to school. Middle School students will need to purchase the High School uniform, as there is a colour change. Uniforms may be purchased via:

Head Office
The Corporate Industries
11, Changi South Street 3
#04-08 Builders Shop Building
Singapore 486122

Tel: 6532 3268
Opening hours: Mon- Fri 9am-6pm

Online Purchase
Uniforms will be available to be ordered online by following these steps:

1. Log on to www.tci.sg/iss
2. Click on the uniform items to purchase and add them to your cart
3. Select option of free self collection at your designated campus or delivery to your home for a fee
of $15
4. Make payment
5. Items will be delivered to your home within the next working day. There will also be a self-pickup
service every two weeks at each campus.

Report Cards

These will be available on ManageBac for all G9-11 students by Wednesday 10th June. If you require a printed copy of these, please request one from the Records Office on records@iss.edu.sg.

Farewell

Thank you to everyone for your hard work and for making ISS the special community it is! As we come to the end of our Academic Year, we bid farewell to all students, families and staff who will be moving on next year. We wish you the best of luck for the future and hope that you will take many happy memories with you of your time at ISS.

As I too come to the end of my 14 years at ISS, I wish everyone here success and look forward to hearing about how the school progresses over the coming years with all of the exciting developments that are planned. I will also be thinking of you when winter hits in Scotland and seems indeterminably long!

To everyone who will be returning next year, travel safely over the break, enjoy your vacation time, prepare for next year and Mrs. Zulu will see you all on 11th August!