Newsflash: February 7, 2025

Principal’s Corner

by Mr. Benjamin Martin, Middle and High School Principal

The Importance of the Arts in Our Lives

Every act of creation is first an act of destruction. ~ Pablo Picasso

To create one’s world in any of the arts takes courage.~ Georgia O’Keefe

As our DP students opened their exhibit this week, it is an important reminder of the role that art plays in our lives. It is not just the songs we sing along with, the movies and plays that we watch, the visual imagery that inspires us every day but also the role that artist concepts play in the very shaping of our beings and of our collective being through culture.

The arts help us to develop our personal expression and creativity. This can be seen in how we use the fundamentals of the arts to solve problems in math and science as well as develop our talents through exercise and sports. It gives us historical perspective as art reflects who we were, who we are, and who we might be. Finally, the arts unite us as a community. The arts bring us together to observe, analyse, and reflect about how we think and how we interact with each other.

Congratulations to all of our artists, from the early years to the diploma years for the efforts that they put into developing skills across the arts. We look forward to your growth and to your future success as we know the skills you learn will help you in many ways.

Upcoming events of note

• Feb 3 – 14: G11 & G12 Art Exhibition
• Feb 11 – 14: ES Week Without Walls
• Feb 14 – 21: G12 IB Mock Exams
•  Feb 18 – 21: MHS Week Without Walls
• Mon, Feb 42: Public Holiday (Cebu City Charter Day)
• Tue, Feb 25: Public Holiday (EDSA Anniversary)

Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.

CIS Open Day 2025

If you know any friends or family who are interested to join CIS next school year, please invite them to the Cebu International School Open Day!

We have two dates for this year:

📅 Friday, February 28, 2025 for Middle & High School (incoming Grades 6 to 12)
📅 Friday, March 14, 2025 for Preschool & Elementary (incoming Early Years to Grade 5)
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Cebu International School, Pit-os

The Open Day is an excellent opportunity to discover what sets CIS apart from other schools and how we can provide the best education for your child.

Prospective families and interested students will have the chance to explore our campus and facilities, and learn more about the world-class IB curriculum and what makes CIS the best choice for your family.

You will also have the opportunity to speak with current students and parents to gain insight into their experiences here at CIS.
📝 Register here: https://forms.gle/1JFvSkysNnB4RrtE7
🌐 Learn more: https://cis.edu.ph/join/open-day/

Elementary Students Dive into Net Games

by Ms. Demelyn Dargantes, PHE Teacher

Our elementary students are having an exciting time in PHE as they explore different net games! From Modified Beach Volleyball to Pongaloon to Table tennis and badminton to Volleyball, they learn new skills while connecting to their Units of Inquiry.

Check out these action shots of our young athletes in motion!

MYP Visual Arts

by Ms. Gerri Ancajas Jumao-as, Visual Arts Teacher

Grade 8 Art and Identity: Exploring Cultural Expression through Imagery and Representation

In the Gr. 8 Visual Arts unit, students investigated the concept of identity, with a particular focus on how cultural background shapes individual self-perception and expression. Through a series of engaging tasks, students explored how artists incorporate elements of their cultural heritage into their work, using art as a medium to explore personal and collective identity.

Students were encouraged to reflect on their own cultural backgrounds and how these influences have shaped their lives, values, and perspectives. They examined art forms from different cultures and analyzed how symbols, patterns, and materials communicate unique identities. This exploration helped them understand how cultural context can play a powerful role in the creation of meaningful artwork.

A key aspect of the unit was a series of formative tasks where students engaged in practical exercises such as color and symbolism, inverted drawing, drawing with a grid, and culture jar exercise.

Here are the students’ works.

Grade 9/10 Exploring Emotion Through Art: A Gr. 10 Visual Arts Unit

In a recent unit in Gr. 10 Visual Arts, students delved into the powerful connection between emotion and artistic expression. The focus of the unit was on understanding how artists use color, form, and symbols to convey deep emotional states and personal narratives.

Throughout the unit, students explored how different elements of art can evoke specific emotions. For example, they experimented with line and emotion, learning how jagged or flowing lines can create feelings of tension or calm. Students also examined the meanings of color, understanding how hues like red or blue can trigger emotional responses, from warmth and passion to tranquility or sadness.

A key aspect of the unit was a series of formative tasks where students engaged in practical exercises. In one task, students were asked to represent a chosen emotion through color, focusing on how shades and tones could communicate feelings like joy, anger, or fear. Another formative activity had students alter a simple narrative through their artwork, demonstrating how changes in visual elements could shift the emotional tone of a scene.

Here are the students’ works.

Grade 11 & 12 Visual Arts Exhibition: Impermanence

by Ms. Gerri Ancajas-Jumao-as, G11 & 12 Visual Arts Teacher

The Gr. 11-12 Visual Arts Exhibition showcased a stunning array of student work, highlighting the creativity and technical skills developed over the course of the year. The exhibition featured a wide range of styles and art forms, reflecting the diverse artistic voices of the students.

From traditional paintings and drawings to mixed media installations, digital art, and sculpture, the exhibition offered a vibrant snapshot of the students’ artistic journeys. Each piece demonstrated not only individual talent but also the ability to experiment with different techniques and mediums. 

A key focus of the exhibition was the personal themes explored by the students, with many artworks drawing on individual experiences, social issues, and cultural identities. Some students used their work to address themes of self-expression and emotional depth, while others explored contemporary issues and connections.

The exhibition runs from Feb. 3 to 14, 2025 at the Canteen Annex. Please support the students.

Here are the students works:

College & Careers Counselor Corner

by Ms. Jenny Basa, College Counselor

DATE

Parent Webinar
February 8, 2025
Saturday

EVENT

Student Webinar
February 13, 2025
Thursday

Student webinar

In our student session, Understanding Oxford: The University and Colleges explained, we will hear from the international team and current student ambassadors who will explore the University of Oxford and the unique college system.

February 16, 2025
Venue: Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu
The Global Education Fair is free!

Register here if interested.

Connect Directly with Universities and Colleges Abroad

Students will have the chance to meet face-to-face with representatives from universities and colleges in Australia, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, the US, Spain, and more. With a growing network of partner institutions, the AECC fair offers a diverse range of programs to suit every interest and aspiration.

SAT 2024-2025 Test Dates

SAT Registration Is Now Open

*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.