Principal’s Corner
by Mr. Andrew Powell, EY-12 Principal
STEM week was launched on Monday with a whole school assembly that featured performances, presentations, and interactive activities from a variety of grade levels. The term STEM refers to Science, Technology, 
Engineering and Math and is an important feature of our academic programs. The skills gained from STEM education extend beyond those needed to be successful in those specific fields. We are fortunate to have another of Jim Doran-Webb’s sculptures on campus this week and this provided students with the perfect provocation with which to consider the engineering required to transport and set it up as an art installation in a variety of locations, conditions and environments.
Each STEM component brings a valuable contribution to a well-rounded education and encompasses a range of experiences and skills. Science gives learners an in-depth understanding of the world around us. It helps them to become better at research and critical thinking. Technology prepares young people to work in an environment full of high-
tech innovations. Engineering allows students to enhance problem-solving skills and apply knowledge in new projects. Mathematics enables people to analyze information, eliminate errors, and make conscious decisions when designing solutions. STEM education links these disciplines into a cohesive system. Our hope is that it inspires and prepares our students with the ability to transform society with innovative and sustainable solutions.
As our students have engaged in various experiences this week our teachers have purposefully provided them with activities that spark their curiosity and imagination. They have been placed in situations that require them to work collaboratively to solve and complete complex problems. This has promoted active listening, open-mindedness and required them to give and receive constructive feedback. The real-world applications that students have been involved in have enhanced the need for students to actively engage with the material to understand the issue at hand and require logic rather than memorization to solve problems.
It was also apt that during the week the world celebrated International Women’s Day. This provided an opportunity to focus on the significant contribution that women have through their engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. It is also important that in addition to honoring these women’s accomplishments that we focus on supporting and positioning our young women for careers in this field.
Upcoming events of note
- Mar 14: Regular CIS Corporation Meeting – 7 pm, virtual (invites will be sent to corporation members only)
- Mar 16: End of third quarter; HAD 3 (AM)/Faculty PD (PM); No classes in PM
- Mar. 17 – School Holiday (end of term 3)
- Mar 20-Apr 3 IB Art Exhibition @ CIS
- Mar 21: G10-12 Parent Meeting
“How is your child supported through the College Application process?” (8-9 am, Annex) - Mar 28: Parent Coffee Meeting
“Reviewing the CIS Guiding Statements” (8-9 am, Annex)
Please refer to the CIS Event Calendar for the complete calendar of school events.
Philippine Language & Culture Class
by Ms. Freshal Abcede, PLC Teacher
Endemic Plants and Animals of the Philippines
What is endemic? Do you know some of the endemic plants and animals in the Philippines that became endangered? The Grade 4 and 5 students were introduced to the term endemic, which means native or unique to a particular place or region. We kicked off our inquiry by exploring various endemic plants and animals under the transdisciplinary theme of Sharing the Planet.
As we identified and familiarized ourselves with some common endemic species, we applied our research and thinking skills to look into human actions in the local community, such as deforestation, disturbance, pollution, poaching, trading, and hunting that threatened their survival.
The fourth and fifth graders worked hard to create informative posters to share what they learned, discovered, and understood from this unit.
As global citizens, they came up with various ways to show empathy and help protect and conserve our country’s plants and animals.
MYP & DP Spanish
by Mr. Antonio Melgar, Spanish Teacher
Grades 8 and 9 have been engaged in practicing their speaking skills and demonstrating how teamwork helps them to succeed. They pretended to be travelers in a foreign country dealing with issues of buying a flight ticket, ordering food in a restaurant, doing some currency exchanges and deciding what to wear, and what activities to do, when and where.
Grade 11 Spanish Language B
The class has also been reading and analyzing the work of Colombian Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez through the text Relato de un náufrago (The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor). In addition to looking at the work from a literary perspective, students have also been examining some of the key concepts such as censorship, deception and corruption.
¿Cuál es el valor sociológico de la obra? Porque la historia, Relato de un náufrago por Gabriel García Márquez es una mezcla de ficción y realidad, hay muchas implicaciones sobre que significa la historia y cómo podemos entender su contenido. La obra ha cambiado depende al tiempo y la opinión de Gabriel Garcia Márquez añade más contexto a la situación. Adicionalmente, cuando la audiencia aprende sobre el rol de la corrupción del gobierno Columbiano en la historia, más se revela en relación con la dictadura militar del general Gustavo Rojas Pinilla. El debate de la censura es importante también y el uso de periodismo en la historia. Nosotros no podemos estar seguros en el contenido de la historia y hay sensación de misterio a su alrededor. Por lo tanto, nos dice un mensaje más profundo sobre nuestro sociedad y cómo historias pueden afectarnos. Con influencias políticas, fantásticas y reales, el libro, Relato de un náufrago, es un caso interesante donde es dificil ver la verdad. Sin embargo, este libro es muy popular y ha hecho un gran impacto en el mundo Latinoamericano.
¿De qué va el podcast?
El podcast es sobre la naufragio experimentado por Luis Alejandro Velasco y el libro de Gabriel Garcia Marquez. El podcast sigue la investigación periodística en Colombia y España. Xavi Ayén y Nelson Fredy Padilla lideraron la investigación. Relato de un náufrago es el primero libro de Gabriel Garcia Marquez que es basada en realidad. Hasta entonces, el fue un escritor de ficción. En 2016, había una adaptación teatral de la obra, dirigida por Marc Montserrat-Drukker.
The students have also been examining migration as part of a global context and this concept features in the work that they do in their orals and their essay writing. The following are excerpts from students in the class as they grapple with issues associated with migration and how governments may respond to the challenges associated with it.
Student Excerpts
Lorenzo, G12
Buenos días para usted, nuestro estimado alcalde.
He escrito esta carta porque estoy preocupado con el aumento de migrantes internacionales, especialmente los migrantes africanos. ¡Hay tantos de ellos! Es una causa de preocupación. No quiero que los saquen a los migrantes del país, pero yo creo que hay muchas acciones necesarias para la continuación de nuestra forma de vivir. La afluencia de mucha gente en nuestro país es beneficiosa para nosotros, pero hay tres necesidades para los migrantes ahora. La ciudad necesita proporcionar viviendas funcionales. Esto incluye plomería funcional e higiénicos básicos, servicios higiénicos, en la forma del artículo de tocador. Adicionalmente, los recursos básicos, por ejemplo agua potable y comida saludable.
El gobierno también tiene una responsabilidad por la salud de los migrantes y los ciudadanos. Los migrantes deben ser concedidos acceso a un hospital o forma de atención médica. Esta es una protección para todos grupos, porque sería muy fácil que las enfermedades se propagaran con tanta gente llegando a la vez.
Finalmente, los migrantes necesitan algún tipo de forma de protección financiera. Hay muchas razones y causas para la migración, pero la primera entre todos es la oportunidad por dinero y una mejor forma de vida. Pero es muy fácil para los empleadores aprovecharse de los migrantes, a menudo los migrantes no tienen el apoyo necesario para protegerlos como trabajadores. En este caso, es necesario que el gobierno implemente nuevas leyes legislativas en el tema de los migrantes.
No puedo reclamar que soy un profesional en el campo de financieras o políticas, pero soy un ciudadano preocupado con la salud de mi país, y la salud de sus gentes.
Gracias por el tiempo,
Lorenzo
Natalie, G11
Hola alcaldesa de africa, buenas tardes
La migración africana es el movimiento de personas del continente africano a otras partes del mundo. Este movimiento puede ser voluntario o forzado, y puede involucrar a personas de cualquier edad, género o clase social. La migración africana ha estado ocurriendo durante siglos y está impulsada por una variedad de factores, incluidos los económicos, políticos y ambientales. Los migrantes africanos a menudo enfrentan desafíos importantes en sus nuevos países, incluidos el racismo, la xenofobia y las dificultades económicas.Me preocupa que esta crisis sea demasiado para el país y me gustaría saber cómo resolverán este problema.
¡Gracias por tu tiempo!
Natalia
CIS Students Enter 2023 Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition
by Ms. Emily Cornet, IB DP Coordinator
Over the past few weeks, two groups of Grade 11 students have been working on their entries for the prestigious Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition. Open to high school students from around the world, the students work in groups to identify a problem in the world, design a product to meet that need, and prepare a virtual pitch. Students utilized knowledge from their DP Business Management course, as well as a mini-course on the Blue Ocean Strategy provided by the competition.
This year, over 5200 students from 146 countries submitted their pitch by the February 18 deadline. The next step for our students is to make it through the judging round, where the top 100 pitches will be identified by the panel of judges to then be presented on the Blue Ocean Competition webpage for public vote and further scrutiny by the judges.
Here are the videos from our two groups:
Good luck in the next rounds of the competition!
CIS Touch Rugby
by Mr. Damon Freeman, MYP/DP Teacher & Touch Rugby Coach
After a few intense training sessions it was finally the chance for our CIS Touch Rugby team to test ourselves against Cebu’s best young rugby talent this past Sunday at Abellana Sports Complex. It was a particularly exciting challenge as it was all the CIS players` first ever rugby match! The day started sensationally with Fitz scoring off the first touch of the first play of the first game of the day, what a debut!
We have emphasized promoting rugby values: Integrity, Respect, Solidarity, Passion and Discipline. It was pleasing to see all our players representing their school so proudly and upholding these core rugby values. We are very proud of you all!
Thank you to our dedicated parents for their support and Coach Jay for coming to cheer the team. Thank you also to Ms. Healy for coaching and her immense work done organizing the team for the event.
After this valuable experience we look forward to our next tournament in April. All are welcome to come play or support.
Dragon’s Print
In February, CIS held its annual Art Exhibit, featuring artworks made by the Grade 11s and 12s. Come along with Dragon’s Print as we interview some of the students on their artworks!
Read more here: http://dragonsprint.cis.
College/Careers Counselor Corner
by Ms. Jenny Basa, College/Careers Counselor Corner
Alumni Spotlight:
How does a CIS alumnus live the school’s mission and vision?
College Events (Virtual and Face to Face)
DATE
March 21
Tuesday
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Canteen Annex
Open to Grade 10-12 parents
EVENT
How is your child supported through the College Application process?
A session with the College Counselor for parents to understand what their child needs to do in the College Application process and how parents can support them.
March 23
Thursday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex
For all Grade 11 students
Writing a College Essay
March 24
Friday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Dragon’s Dome
All students from Grade 9-11 are invited
College Fair on Campus – Meet university representatives from different universities from Australia, Canada and the UK. Click on the countries below for participating institutions. Parents encouraged to attend!
List of Participating Institutions
Canada
Bow Valley College
Capilano University
Centennial College
Georgian College
Lakehead University
Loyalist College
Manitoba Institute of Trades & Technology
Niagara College Toronto
North Island College
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Ontario Tech University
Red River College Polytechnic
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Sheridan College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
University Canada West
University of Lethbridge
University of New Brunswick
University of the Fraser Valley
Vancouver Community College
Australia
Acknowledge Education (Stott’s College & Front Cooking School)
Adelaide Education Group
Australian Catholic University
Australian College of the Arts
Canterbury Institute of Management
Deakin College
Deakin University
Federation University of Australia
Flinders University
Griffith University
International College of Management, Sydney
James Cook University
University of Adelaide
University of Adelaide College
University of Canberra
University of Newcastle, Australia
University of Tasmania
University of Woolongong
Western Sydney University
April 18
Wednesday
9:15 – 10:00 AM
Canteen Annex
Nagoya University of Commerce & Business (Japan)
An info session with the university rep. He will talk about the admissions process, the programs they offer and what it is like to study in Japan.
SAT Update for 2022-2023
| SAT Test Date | Deadline for Registration, Changes and Regular Cancellation |
| May 6, 2023 (Digital) | April 21, 2023 |
| June 3, 2023 (Digital) | May 19, 2023 |
Test dates labeled Digital means that students will bring a device to the test center and take the exam using their device. The College Board may provide devices for test-takers who do not have access to a device. All test-takers for Digital SATs are still required to report physically to the test center to take the test.
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.