The third week of school has brought focus and excitement as students continue to settle into their routines and dive deeper into their learning. Teachers are guiding students into rich activities that spark curiosity and encourage collaboration. Students are building strong habits, forming connections, and enjoying their classes as they engage more deeply with their studies and develop a sense of momentum for the year ahead.
Parent Information Evening
We truly enjoyed Parent Night and seeing so many of you on campus. Thank you for filling out the surveys and sharing your thoughts. Your feedback helps guide us as we continue to grow and improve.
Inclement Weather Update⚡☂️
We also want to thank you for your patience and flexibility in switching to online learning today due to the storm. The timing was challenging, hitting right at morning pick-up and halting the trains, but the quick shift to online classes went smoothly thanks to everyone’s cooperation.
What to Look Out For
Details about the Secondary Camp grades 6-10 will be coming out soon. We are excited for this experience and will share more information shortly.
Coffee morning☕ schedule coming soon!
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)
It has been wonderful to see our students return with energy and enthusiasm. Our Grade 12s have begun submitting assessments that contribute to their final IB grades, an exciting step as they move closer to graduation. At the same time, our Grade 11s are finding their rhythm in the Diploma Programme, getting used to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
We will also begin hosting morning coffee meetings in the next couple of weeks. If you have any questions, please send them in advance, and we will be happy to address them during these gatherings. We look forward to supporting both year levels as they grow and thrive this year.
MYP (Middle Years Programme)
Thank you very much to all the parents and guardians who attended our Parent Information Night last Friday evening. We hope you had the opportunity to meet our amazing teachers here at HIS and that you know how to stay connected to your child’s learning as the year progresses. Your role is quite important even in the middle years program, so please use our Toddle Family platform or email to keep up on your child’s learning. Together, we can help your child grow their knowledge and skills this year!
PYP (Primary Years Programme)
As we close out this week, I would like to share a few reflections from across our Primary Years Programme.
The weather has been rather inconsistent, shifting from sunshine to sudden rain showers and finally an online learning day. Our students have handled these changes with positivity, demonstrating adaptability and showing the Learner Profile attribute of being balanced as they adjusted smoothly between indoor, outdoor, and home routines. It is a pleasant reminder of how these experiences provide opportunities to build resilience.
During this week’s assembly, we intended to introduce our Student Council, which will be led by our Grade 5 students and supported by a representative from each class. This is an exciting opportunity for learners to practice leadership while also developing other important skills. Those who step forward will strengthen their communication and collaborative skills , along with learning to take responsibility and be principled. We look forward to seeing how our students’ voices will shape our school community through this initiative and can’t wait to address this at our next assembly.
Looking ahead, please note that next week will be a shorter week. There will be no school on Monday, the 15th, so we wish you a restful and enjoyable long weekend with your families.
Warm regards,
Taylor Neilson
PYP Coordinator
Counseling Corner
This week in our SEE Learning curriculum, students across all age groups began exploring the theme of Kindness. We discussed what kindness looks like in everyday interactions and how it can shape the culture of a classroom.
As part of this, students helped co-create their classroom agreements, grounding them in mutual respect, inclusivity, and kindness. These agreements are now being used as a daily reminder of how we want to treat one another and build safe, supportive spaces for learning.
You can extend this conversation at home by asking:
- What’s one kind thing someone did for you this week?
- What’s one way you showed kindness today, even in a small way?
College & Career Counseling Update
As university application season picks up, here are some helpful resources for Grade 12 students and families working on personal statements:
Writing Resources:
- The Common App: A How-to Guide
- Writing Your Personal Statement – UCAS
- Statements of Purpose – Japanese Universities, English-medium programs
- Sample document from University of Tsukuba
Ask:
- What story are you trying to tell about yourself?
- What do you want universities to understand about you beyond your grades?
For Grade 11 Students:
Now is the time to explore university options and begin building a balanced list. Here are two resources to get started:
Try asking your child:
- What kind of learning environment helps you thrive?
- Are there programs that align with your interests or goals?
- What matters most to you in a university experience?
Let’s keep the conversations going, both about emotional growth and future planning. If you have questions or want to schedule a check-in, feel free to reach out. 💛
Save the Date: 📆
- September 23- No School
- September 15- 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.
Crane Photo Album
Please follow the link to view the photos.