Centennial Gala
Dear CIS Community,
The CIS Centennial Gala is tomorrow, June 7, 2025 at the Oakridge Pavilion!
We are excited to celebrate tomorrow night with our students, parents, alumni, faculty, and friends to honor our school’s rich history and bright future. The evening will feature meaningful reflections, entertainment, and opportunities to connect with the wider CIS family.
Event Details
Date: June 7, 2025 Saturday
Time: 6:00 PM
Venue: Oakridge Pavilion
Attire: Business / Formal
Program Overview
- Welcome & Registration
- Opening Remarks by Ms. Jenny Basa
- Centennial Address by Dr. Gwyn Underwood, CIS Superintendent
- Dinner & Social Time with raffle prizes
- Music Performance by CIS Students
- Recognition Segment 1: Mentor Legacy Award
- Centennial Reflection Segment with videos and music performances
- Recognition Segment 2: Notable Alumni Awards
- Music Performance by Class of 2025 Singer
- Closing Remarks & Centennial Toast by Chairman of the Board
- Celebration & Fellowship with live band entertainment
Gala seats are priced at Php 2,500 per adult and Php 1,250 for children aged 5 to 11. Children below 5 years old may attend for free. Kindly indicate in the comments if you are purchasing a ticket for a child.
Kindly RSVP through this link.
We look forward to have you be part of this celebration! Your presence will make this milestone even more meaningful for our community.
Principal’s Corner
by Ms. Maureen Juanson, Elementary School Principal, PYP Coordinator & Accreditation Officer
Elementary School Transition Day and Grade 5 Taster Day
On Wednesday, CIS held its much-anticipated Elementary School Transition Day and Grade 5 Taster Day, providing students with a valuable opportunity to experience what lies ahead in the next chapter of their learning journey.
From Early Years 3 to Grade 4, students spent the morning stepping into their future grade levels, getting a feel for the daily routines, exploring new learning spaces, and meeting teachers who will guide them next school year. For many, it was an exciting chance to reconnect with familiar faces or meet new mentors who will support them in their continued growth. This experience not only sparked curiosity but also built confidence and excitement about moving up.
The day was particularly special for our incoming Kinder students, who had their first taste of being part of the “big kids” in elementary. From eating snacks in the canteen to playing in the field during morning recess, the transition was both joyful and meaningful. To support this important milestone, our EY and K/G1 teachers also hosted a transition meeting with families, sharing insights into what to expect in Kindergarten and how to support children as they navigate new routines and expectations.
Meanwhile, our Grade 5 students embarked on their first full-day experience in the Middle Years Programme (MYP), a completely new environment that brought both excitement and a bit of nervous energy. They followed a typical MYP schedule, moving from one classroom to another with their bags in tow, and engaging in a range of subject-specific activities. They met many of their future teachers and had the opportunity to ask questions and share their wonderings. While some initially felt anxious, by the end of the day, there was a shared sense of accomplishment and eagerness for what lies ahead in Grade 6.
At CIS, we recognize the importance of intentional transitions in ensuring students feel safe, prepared, and excited about the future. Transition Day is one of the many ways we support our learners in developing agency, resilience, and a sense of belonging as they move forward in their educational journey.
Upcoming events of note
- Sat, Jun 7: CIS Centenary Gala
- Wed, Jun 11: Last day of School / Moving Up Ceremonies (am only)
- Jun 16 – 27: CIS Summer School Activities
- Tue, Aug 5: New Family Orientation Day – 1-3pm
- Wed, Aug 6: Holiday (Cebu Provincial Charter Day)
- Thu, Aug 7: Classes Start, Semester 1
Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.
Alumni Spotlight
CIS Summer Activities & Sports Programs 2025
We are back again with fun and exciting Summer Activities and Sports Programs this June 16-27, 2025!
Open to everyone, whether you’re from CIS or other schools. Join us for 2 weeks of creative, fun, and active learning on campus.
Registration form: https://go.cis.edu.ph/summer
More information: https://go.cis.edu.ph/summer-info
Grade 2 & 3: Music Class
by Ms. Marie Vic Briones, PYP Music Teacher
In our Grade 2/3 music unit, our young musicians explored how music can help us express ourselves when words aren’t enough. Under the theme How We Express Ourselves, they learned how melodies tell stories, show feelings, and help us connect. The young inquirers asked questions like, “What makes up a melody?” Why do movies need music? Where do musical ideas come from?
The students discovered that pitch helps us hear if a sound is high or low, and that melodies can move in steps, skips, or leaps. We explored motifs (short musical ideas) and phrases (musical sentences), and how these come together to make a theme—the main idea of a piece of music. Just like authors use words to tell a story, musicians use melodies.
To strengthen their understanding, students listened to music from read-along books and animations, asking questions like: What makes this music match the scene? How does this melody make me feel? By comparing different pieces, they discovered how musical choices influence storytelling and emotion.
Using Chrome Music Lab, our young composers created their own short scores to match a scene or story that they’re writing in Homeroom class. Some stories of adventure have action-packed scenes like:
As part of the third line of inquiry, under the Specified Concept of Perspective, students explored how the same emotion or scene, like being nervous or being happy, can sound completely different depending on the composer. These big emotional moments offered a perfect way for learners to connect to the transdisciplinary theme How We Express Ourselves, showing how each G2/3 learner’s unique perspective gave rise to a variety of musical expressions.
Throughout this journey, the class grew as Communicators, confidently sharing their musical ideas; as Inquirers, eagerly asking how and why music affects us; and as Thinkers, making meaningful connections between sound and story.
Grade 12: Physics
by Maria Rosandee Tabada, DP Physics Teacher
The Grade 11 students have made an early start toward completing the Internal Assessment (IA) component of the DP Physics course. This important task requires each student to carry out one scientific investigation, an open-ended inquiry in which they collect and analyze data to answer their own research question.
Their work will be assessed against four criteria: Research Design, Data Analysis, Conclusion, and Evaluation. To ensure they are well-prepared, students have engaged in practical activities throughout the year, including a mini-IA during Quarter 3 that explored factors affecting the motion of a ball.
It is important to note that the choice of topic and experimental design for the IA does not need to be complex. In fact, straightforward investigations often produce focused data and support in-depth analysis, effective modelling of results, and thoughtful reflection.
Below are some of the variables being explored by Grade 11 students for their Physics Internal Assessments, accompanied by images of their experimental setups:
SAT Update
SAT Registration Is Now Open
| Test Dates | Registration Deadlines | Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation and Late Registration Deadlines* |
| June 7, 2025 | May 22, 2025 | May 27, 2025 |
*Additional Fees apply
To register for the SAT, you may click on this link. If you need assistance or have any questions, please feel free to email Ms. Jenny Basa at jbasa@cis.edu.ph.
Dear reader, we invite you to join our students in meaningful reflection by asking yourselves these questions:
Exciting things are happening in the MYP Design classroom! From Grade 6 to Grade 10, students are taking on the challenge of thinking critically, planning effectively, and creating innovative solutions.
It means we are actively teaching our students how to find balance in their digital lives, how to protect their personal information, how to communicate respectfully, and how to think critically about what they see and share online. These are essential life skills that will help our learners thrive not just at school, but at home and in the wider world.
As we navigate transitions, it’s crucial to address the emotions involved to manage any related stress effectively. Unaddressed, these emotions can lead to an unhappy transition and poor reintegration into new environments. This is especially true for students, as it can significantly impact their social and academic achievements.
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate Cebu International School’s 100 years of learning, community, and connection at the Oakridge Pavilion this Saturday, June 7, 2025.
“Yes to Study Abroad” is an intensive, hands-on course that equips high school students with the knowledge and skills to apply to universities across various countries and systems.
We are proud to share that our school has been recognized as a 
This month of April, Cebu International School had the pleasure of welcoming teams of educators from 
We look forward to continuing this dialogue with SAIS as they build momentum in their IB journey and with and IS CDO as they explore and strengthen inquiry-based approaches to teaching and learning. Both schools expressed sincere appreciation to the CIS community for our openness in sharing practice and for our ongoing support.
In further support of professional collaboration, CIS also hosted the 
As Evan explained:
Anyone who listens to, watches, or reads the news probably has at least a little anxiety about how the world seems to be creating more divisions rather than making more connections. Though misunderstandings, differences in ideology, and conflict have existed since the beginning of time, the statistics have shown us that in the last fifty years, the world has created more alliances and had fewer large scale conflicts. This is because many people and countries had been working more diligently to find some common ground in spite of our cultural differences. The fear these days is that there has been a sudden shift and the world may be regressing in terms of understanding and developing the cultural competence necessary to maintain peace and prosperity.
Recently, words like “inclusion” and “diversity” are being twisted and perverted into political ideological debates. I think it is important to remember to focus on the definitions of these words. “Inclusion”, “justice”, “equity”, and “diversity” are all words when we look at the definitions that are designed to celebrate and enrich our cultures and not words designed to divide them. Having cultural competency does not mean we give up our own values or beliefs. What it does mean is that we are more aware of different perspectives and strive to look more deeply into what is causing cultural divides. It means that we strive to find ways to connect in spite of our differences rather than exclude and isolate others because they don’t fit into our personal ideologies. It is up to us to grow and develop this competency as culture matters. In fact, I believe that culture doesn’t only matter but it often is the most important aspect of being human. In the words of the famous author and poet TS Elliot, “Culture may even be described simply as that which makes life worth living.”
Their journey began with a critical exploration of 
Here are a few practical ways to help at home:
Further Reading
The Early Years explorers recently wrapped up their unit under the theme “Sharing the Planet: Living Things Depend Upon Each Other for Survival” with a vibrant and heartwarming Celebration of Learning. It was a day filled with excitement, wonder, and pride as the young learners showcased their newfound knowledge and passion for the world around them.
peaked as they encountered the Van de Graaff Generator—some for the very first time! While a few students were a little nervous, most were eager to volunteer and explore the effects of static electricity firsthand.
Beyond the fun, students reflected on how much their confidence in understanding Static Electricity has grown. While the experience was thrilling in elementary school, they now appreciate the science behind it even more, making this revisit both engaging and educational. They emphasized their favorite parts: seeing the Van de Graaff Generator in action and learning more about static electricity itself.
exploration activities, hands-on investigations, and class discussions, especially as they familiarized themselves with the assessment criteria for MYP 1 Mathematics.
They also worked independently to present their mathematical knowledge in their preferred method—whether through drawing diagrams, creating models online, or verbal explanations. When solving and 
Students in Grades 2-4 participated in the Measures for Academic Progress (MAP) assessments, which gauge their current learning levels and future learning expectations in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.
Students in Grades 5, 8, and 10 took part in the annual ISA (International Schools’ Assessment) Testing. These assessments covered Math, Language, and Writing, with an added focus on Scientific Literacy for Grade 10 students.
As we enter the last quarter of the school year, many students face unique challenges. Some feel pressured to achieve the goals they set for themselves, while others struggle to maintain focus. For some, the uncertainty of upcoming transitions brings anxiety. At this time of year, our students need our support more than ever, and through the power of our words, we can provide just that.
For Teachers: Applying Intentional Language in the Classroom
In our latest unit, “Sharing the Planet”, Kindergarten and Grade 1 students have been investigating the impact of waste on the environment and how we can manage it responsibly. With the central idea, 
the newly designed Extended Essay process. While the changes are not radical or extensive, the IB is putting renewed emphasis on students’ academic integrity because of AI and on allowing them to shape topics that they can be passionate about while remaining connected to their IB class syllabuses.
As the rains came last week in the middle of our outdoor experiences, it gave our students not just a challenge but an opportunity to grow. How would they respond? How would they adapt? How would they pivot during the present and prepare for the future? Luckily most did exceptionally well and showed resilience, perseverance, and grit, skills that they will need throughout their lives.
Tickets are now available! Bring your family, friends, and loved ones—this is a show you won’t want to miss!
Our Early Years learners have been deeply engaged in their 
DP1 Students & Parents Breakfast and College Talk