Crane 19 September 2025

We have had a wonderful four-day week, and it feels like autumn might finally be arriving with a break from the heat and humidity.

We are excited to share that HIS has partnered with Shudo University. Over the next 10 weeks, some of their students will join us every Friday to learn what it takes to be a teacher. We are happy to welcome them into our community.

A quick reminder about drop-off and pick-up: please be mindful of the buses during these busy times. They need full access, so please make sure that the cones and front entrance are not blocked. Feel free to pull up, and we will assist the students exiting the vehicle.

Upcoming Parent Coffees:

Wednesday, September 24, 7:00 pm
G11 Parent Coffee, DPC and Math, online-Google Meets

  • Who it is for: Grade 11 families
  • Focus: IB Diploma overview for Grade 11, assessment calendar, Extended Essay launch, math pathways and expectations
  • Join: Online link will be sent out to 11th grade families

Thursday, September 25, 8:45 am
PYP Overview, in person, Library

  • Who it is for: EC to Grade 5 families
  • Focus: How inquiry works in the PYP, units of inquiry this term, literacy and numeracy foundations, portfolios and reporting
  • Location: Library

Thursday, September 25, 7:00 pm
G12 Parent Coffee, DPC and University Counseling Office, online Google Meets

  • Who it is for: Grade 12 families
  • Focus: Final IB deadlines, predicted grades, university application timelines, recommendations, testing, financial aid basics
  • Join: Online link will be sent to 12th grade families

Thursday, September 25, 7:00 pm
G10 Personal Project, online

  • Who it is for: Grade 10 families
  • Focus: What the Personal Project is, timeline and checkpoints, assessment criteria, how parents can support without taking over
  • Join: Online link will be sent to 10th grade families

Friday, September 26, 8:45 am
MYP Overview and Grading, in person, Library

  • Who it is for: Grades 6 to 10 families
  • Focus: How MYP criteria and 1–7 grades work, semester reports, ATL skills, how feedback supports growth
  • Location: Library


What to Look Out For

Sign up for conferences coming out the week of September 29. All Secondary students are required to attend the conferences with their parents.

Accreditation

HIS will host a CIS/IB accreditation visit from November 15–25. Ten visitors will spend time with us to see what makes HIS unique. Parents and students will play an important role during this process, and we will share more information soon on how you can get involved.

Programme Updates

DP (Diploma Programme)
Last Friday’s shift to online classes was not without its challenges, but DP students showed patience and flexibility. They stayed engaged in their lessons, adapted quickly to the situation, and supported one another along the way. It was uplifting to see how well they coped, especially at this early stage of the programme. As DP students continue their journey through the Diploma Programme, support at home remains so important. Simple moments like checking in with them, celebrating their efforts, and helping them keep balance in their routines can give them the confidence to move forward. With school and families working together, students can meet the challenges of the programme and feel proud of how much they are growing along the way. The DP Coffee Corner meeting next week will be a chance for parents to connect, share updates, and have questions addressed. Parents are encouraged to send in questions ahead of time so the discussion can be as useful as possible. The encouragement and care families give each day makes a real difference in helping DP students thrive.

MYP (Middle Years Programme)
We are pleased to invite our HIS parents, guardians, and community to join our upcoming MYP Coffee Mornings. Families interested in learning more about the MYP Personal Project can join our online talk beginning at 7:00pm on Thursday September 25, 2025. On Friday, September 26, beginning at 8:45 in the HIS library, we will be discussing an overview of the Middle Years Program, answering your questions relating to grading and providing some guidelines of your role in your child’s MYP life. To provide you with a customized experience, we invite your questions by filling in this form , which we can then answer during our talks. Many thanks to those who have already responded, and we look forward to your attendance at these two information sessions.

PYP (Primary Years Programme)

It has been wonderful to have our students back on campus this week after last Friday’s online learning day. Even though it was a shorter week, the joy of seeing everyone in person again has been clear in the classrooms and hallways. A sincere thank you to all parents for the support and assistance you provided to help your children access their learning during those unexpected circumstances. I would also like to extend a big thank you to our teachers for their adaptability and flexibility.

At school, our classes have continued to engage deeply with their Units of Inquiry. Grades 3 and 4 have been working on their first presentations of the year, while Grade 5 are digging into the history of ancient civilizations. It is exciting to see such diverse interests and real student agency as learners select the civilizations they are most curious about.

In Grades 1 and 2, we are seeing excellent growth both academically and socially. The students have made impressive progress in their hallway behaviors, and this commitment to positive actions is clearly reflected in their classroom learning. We are proud of how quickly they have set high expectations for themselves and each other.

In our EC/KG classrooms, kindness and friendship continue to shine at the heart of everything they do. It has been heart-warming to watch our youngest learners step up as leaders by helping new classmates settle into life at HIS. With kindness as a strong focus, EC/KG are setting a powerful example for our whole community.

Looking ahead, please note that next week will once again be a four-day week, with Tuesday as a no-school day. We wish you a restful long weekend and look forward to another week of joyful learning together.

Student Highlights

Well done to our Girls Volleyball