The second week of school has been filled with energy💥 and focus as students settle into their routines and dive deeper into their learning. Classes are moving beyond introductions into meaningful work, and students are starting to develop the habits and connections that will guide them through a successful year. We were also fortunate that the recent typhoon🌀 was not very strong💪. As we move through the year, please review the school’s inclement weather notice to familiarize yourself with our procedures.
Parent Information Evening
Thank you to all who are attending Parent Night. It will be wonderful to see everyone and to share more about the year ahead. We appreciate your support and look forward to working together to make this a great school year for your children.
What to Look Out For
The updated Student/Parent Handbook– this was sent out. Please review with your child.
Coffee Mornings ☕ Thank you for filling out the survey. We will adjust our coffees to meet your needs and send them out next week.
Toddle– ALL communication will be done via Toddle- please make sure you have joined and are receiving communications. Please ask the office if you need support.
Photo 📷 permission forms– Please fill out this form by Monday, September 8, 2025.
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)
DP students moved beyond introductions and began engaging more deeply with course content. Teachers start assigning meaningful tasks and discussions that connect to the subject’s core concepts, while students practice applying skills like critical thinking and inquiry. They also begin to balance academic demands with managing their CAS activities and study routines. This week is about building momentum, strengthening classroom communities, and developing habits that will support success throughout the Diploma Programme.
MYP (Middle Years Programme)
The MYP students have had a busy first week. Last Thursday (August 28), all students in Grades 6-10 gathered in the gym and engaged in a reflective activity about the learner profile. You can now see their posters communicating ways to improve in these areas when you visit the hallway outside of the secondary 2 classroom (main building, second floor, hallway across from the library). Parents/ Guardians, please ask your MYP child about the learner profiles they feel are their strengths and areas to improve this year, and please take a look at their posters when you visit HIS during our Parent Information Night!
PYP (Primary Years Programme)
Welcome back to our first full week of school! It has been wonderful to see our students settling into routines and enthusiastically engaging in their learning. Across all year levels, learners have been diving into their Units of Inquiry, asking thoughtful questions, and exploring ideas with curiosity and energy. In Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning (SEE Learning) this week, classes have been discussing kindness, including what it looks like, how it feels to show it, and the impact it can have on others. I encourage you to continue this conversation at home and reinforce the same message with your child, helping them to recognize and celebrate acts of kindness in everyday life. With kindness as our focus, it was particularly pleasing to see Sumiha (Grade 1) and Aoi (Grade 4) go above and beyond in caring for their peers and helping to clean the sandbox. For their efforts, they received the first certificates of the year for being caring and responsible students. Well done, Sumiha and Aoi! Let’s all continue to work together to build a community where kindness is not only encouraged but celebrated. Wishing everyone a restful weekend,
Taylor Neilson PYP Coordinator
Student Highlights
Volleyball Boys and Girls have started their season! They have games on Saturday! The Boys are playing at HIS- come and watch! Starting at 10:00am!
Counseling Corner
This year, we’re taking a new approach to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) by introducing the SEE Learning curriculum developed by Emory University.
In the Primary School, students will take part in daily morning circles, where they’ll build key skills in areas like emotional regulation, social problem-solving, and decision-making.
In Secondary, SEE lessons will be integrated into advisory time, giving students regular space to reflect, connect, and develop their social-emotional toolkits in age-appropriate ways.
College & Career Counseling Update
I’m also stepping into the role of College Counselor for the DP program this year, and I’ll also be working with late Middle School students as they start exploring future pathways.
Grade 12 students should be using September to finalize personal statements, collect teacher recommendation letters, and submit document requests. The goal is to have applications ready to go by October.
Grade 11 students should begin researching universities and building their initial list of options. I’ll be visiting their classrooms starting in November to support them in the early stages of the process.
If parents or students have any questions about SEL or university planning, please feel free to reach out. Looking forward to a focused and supportive year ahead!
Save the Date: 📆
- September 15- No School
- September 23- No School
- October 10 and 13- Parent Teacher Conferences
- October 15-17- Secondary Camp
- October 20-24- October Break
- October 31- Halloween
PTA Wolfpack
We are excited to get the year going. The first event is Halloween! Please stay tuned for details.
The Crane Photo Album
Follow the link to view.