Last week we once again found ourselves, with all other schools, dealing with haze conditions. A directed closure, by the Ministry of Education for two days, caused understandable frustration when the conditions improved significantly by Friday. We had hoped the Ministry would leave it to individual schools to make the decision for that day. We are of course aware that most government schools regrettably do not have the same working environment as we enjoy, and we can understand the reluctance

to acknowledge that, with separate considerations for individual schools. We had comparisons made with the responses of other schools; it may come as a surprise to some to learn that the principals in Penang are in constant communication - all are aware of each other’s positions, current status and intended actions.

Some may overlook that we have a boarding community - most of whom are unable to leave the school at such times and are perfectly safe. Moreover, staff offered activities and extra tuition to assist them. The inconsistency this demonstrates is easy to see.

Perhaps the most obvious problem was that a directive to invite parents to collect children if they wished on Wednesday, led to chaos. We routinely take the utmost care about releasing students from school during the day, having a duty of care for safeguarding their well being. Yet a number of parents and students imagined in this circumstance they would simply walk out. It was interesting that whilst a small number created this quite unnecessary mayhem in the foyer, the majority of the school was congratulating itself on its far more sensible reaction in the auditorium, for our weekly assembly! We enjoyed some outstanding entertainment and the majority of the school found remaining a couple of

hours longer in air conditioned comfort for their regular bus both sensible and not life threatening…..

One other dimension was particularly regrettable. A reassuring post was placed on the school Facebook page, following difficulties (not experienced before) with sending our mass communication to parents. This drew immediate abuse from two parents, which was quickly and mindlessly picked up be others, clearly with little concern for the impact of deliberate denigration of the school in the public arena. What is the lesson from this? Our continual and determined efforts to teach our students to use social media responsibly may need a wider audience.

Notwithstanding the unprecedented disruptions to the start of the year with public holidays and the haze issues, we are off to a good start this term. Our new students and staff at the time of writing have yet to experience a full week, but hopefully as you read this there may have actually been one! We are getting messages from last year’s year13 leavers who have arrived at their universities in UK and the US, delighted by the Autumn colours; one commented, ‘the leaves are PINK!!’ There is life beyond a few days of air pollution.

27 SEPTEMBER 2019ISSUE 67 WWW.POWIIS.EDU.MY

From the PrincipalMr Simon Leese

Click here for POWIIS Facebook page and website

POWIIS Open Week 2019 POWIIS Open Week 2019 is ready for registration! Date: 5, 7-11 October 2019

Register your interest with us now by following the link here. Hope to see you there.

THE PULSE | 27 SEPTEMBER 201902

This weekend Ms Richardson had the privilege of representing the school in Kuala Lumpur for the annual Pearson Edexcel Outstanding Learner Awards ceremony for the exam series of 2018. POWIIS was delighted to have 2 outstanding students receive their awards. Nicholas Suresh was awarded the highest mark in Malaysia for IGCSE Biology and Physics. Wei Yi Tee was awarded the

highest mark in Malaysia for Advanced Level Mathematics and Physics. This is an amazing achievement for them both, reflecting all the hard work and time they applied to their studies. The award ceremony was attended by 35 other schools and colleges in Malaysia celebrating the success of the students in their examinations.

After a brief absence last year, AS/A Level Geography has returned to POWIIS for 2019/20. Advanced Level geography is a mix of social and physical sciences, combining study of the planet’s dynamic physical properties with human societies and their interactions. Aside from equipping students with current knowledge and understanding of global places and contemporary geopolitical events, AS/A Level geography also develops a student’s ability to handle and evaluate different types and sources of information. Given its emphasis on contemporary global

issues and advanced analytical skills, it is no surprise that many AS/A Level geographers pursue higher education in fields such as engineering, environmental sciences and law. Our advanced geographers are currently learning about water management and distribution systems and the impact of human activities on the flows and stores of fresh water. Only 2.5–2.75% of water on Earth is fresh water, of that 1.75–2% is currently frozen in glaciers or stored as ice and snow. Understanding how to manage our limited fresh water resources is therefore crucial to economic and social development. To demonstrate the impact of different rock and soil types on water management, students in Year 12 were recently tasked with creating a practical demonstration on the impact of permeability and porosity on infiltration and overland flow. I am pleased to report that Rachel Poh, Elizabeth Lau a Tae Su Kim all gave excellent demonstrations.

We congratulate Joshua Lau (Year 11) who secured first place in his performance of Scriabin’s Fantasie in B minor at the Malaysian Piano Competition 2019 held in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. This national competition saw high level playing from many competitors. His win in the Age 17 and below category proved that he is certainly one of the top pianists in the country. Prior to the competition, he made full use of the opportunities provided to him performing his competition piece for an audience at the previous TLP and a personal practice session on the Steinway.

Vishal Chopra (Year 13) participated in RockFest over the summer holiday and he won several prizes across different categories. His band won the Champion in the Teen Band Category and he also won the 3rd prize acoustic guitar and also electric guitar.

Joshua Lau (Year 11)Mr Victor Kam

Vishal Chopra (Year 13)Mr Ben Lim

Pearson High Achiever AwardMs Laura Richardson

AS/A Level GeographyMr Nicholas Umpleby

PIAF - 2020

A visit has been arranged in February 2020 to attend the Perth International Arts Festival in Australia.

This is an extra-curricular CULTURAL event where the invitation has been issued to POWIIS sixth form and IGCSE students, particularly those who study Drama, Art, or Music or those who want to encounter a cultural experience. Perth’s International Arts Festival has always gained a lot of interest and thousands of people visit eachyear.

This trip will provide an opportunity of attending live theatre productions, dance performances, interactive art instillations, cultural galleries, museums, and musical episodes, as well as a trip to the local university and a historical gaol dated to British Colonial times and maybe even the zoo!

If your senior student is interested in the trip and would like further information, please see Mr Boyd or email db@powiis.edu.my

Over the weekend three young men from POWIIS Boarding took part in the Colourful Run, Run with the Deaf 4.0 in Georgetown supporting the Penang Deaf Association. Sadly, as a result of the haze the event was cancelled ten minutes before the race was to begin. All participants were given their medals on the condition that they run the 5K indoors, all the boys did so on the treadmill in the school gym once they returned to school. However, they would not share their times!!!!!

Well done to Arfanov Rajendra, Muhammad Faris and Yusei Ishii for supporting the Penang Deaf Community.

THE PULSE | 27 SEPTEMBER 201903

It has been great to get the Term 1 sports teams up and running with matches taking place already for the Senior O15 Boys Football, U13 Boys Football & U13 Girls Football last week. The U15 Boys and Girls Basketball seasons will be starting next week, as will the O15 Senior Girls Football squad.

We have also started additional “Late Practices” from 4.30-5.45pm for Boys Basketball (Mondays) and Girls Football (Thursdays) - which are open to students of all ages - please can children needing the late bus service at 6.00pm on either day please register at the school reception.

In school each Friday, the termly “House Cup” has started with Boys Football, Girls Netball and mixed Volleyball for both Junior and Seniors...

Trials and preparations for the U15 FOBISIA Games Phuket (November), Singapore Netball & Breakers Cup Girls Basketball Phuket trips (both in December) are already underway. We are looking forward to bringing back stories from all 3 at the end of term...For further information please contact Matt Deegan (Director of Sport) at m.deegan@powiis.edu.my.

POWIIS Term 1 Sports Round Up!Mr Matthew Deegan

Perth International Arts FestivalMr Dylan Boyd

Colourful Run, Run With The Deaf 4.0Mr Matthew Peak

THE PULSE | 27 SEPTEMBER 201904

POWIIS SCHOLARS’ SUCCESS AT THE WSC MANILA GLOBAL ROUND, 5-12 SEPTEMBER 2019

Our delegation of 22-strong was among 1,500 finalists, who in turn are among 10,000 who qualified for one of several Global Rounds. This followed rigorous local rounds involving nearly 40,000 students in over 150 cities. If these numbers are staggering, certainly the experience provided by the world’s largest academic decathlon is arresting and eye-opening as it is enriching and invigorating.

The World Scholar’s Cup involves researching and exploring the challenging syllabus of “A World on the Margins” over the past year. Young scholars lived up to their name by delivering engaging debates and wrote thought-provoking and touching essays that reflected their comprehension of marginalisation. The scholars broke barriers of language, ethnicity and social background to celebrate diversity through the various cultural events. New friendships were forged and memories made as our students persevered through the challenges and enjoyed the many fun activities that brought them together.

While the team achieved outstandingly, the opportunity to develop new lasting friendships across continents and create vivid memories competing, working and living together as a “POWIIS family” are certainly priceless takeaways that our Scholars will cherish in the years ahead. We thank co-coaches Mr Darren Lim and Mr Daniel Alexander, as well as our chaperone Ms Krisztina Mezosi. We look forward to the Tournament of Champions, at Yale University this November!

If you are excited about the prospect of being a part of this programme, our POWIIS Scholars are currently recruiting for the new season. For details, please contact Mr Darren Lim

Key achievements for the 2019 WSC Manila Global Round:

WSC Manila Global RoundMr Darren Lim

JUNIOR CATEGORY

Team Quiz Bowl 10th place Ian Lim, Villace Chan, Leo Ronot

Individual Science Challenge 6th place Muhammad Atif Yushri

Team Bowl 14th place Grace Liew

Individual Writing 18th place Ping Xuan Loh

Team Writing 26th place Ruben Bahr, Aditya Kumar, Ping Xuan Loh

Overall Teams 34th place Grace Liew

Overall Teams 36th place Ian Lim, Villace Chan, Leo Ronot

Team Writing Gold Medal Ian Lim, Villace Chan, Leo Ronot

Vincy Khor, Alicia H’ng, Xin Liang Goay

Kaya Sights, Muhammad Atif Yushri, Min Eeo

Bryan Lim, Natalie Gritsch, Arthur Cheong

Team Debate Silver Medal Vincy Khor, Alicia H’ng,Xin Liang Goay

Ian Lim, Villace Chan, Leo Ronot

Wei Yi Yeoh, Edmund Lee, Mark Wee

Quiz Bowl Silver Medal Wei Yi Yeoh, Edmund Lee, Mark Wee

Challenge 3 Gold Medals Wei Yi Yeoh

Writing Gold Medal Wei Yi Yeoh

Individual Debate Gold Medal Wei Yi Yeoh

School Top Scorer Wei Yi Yeoh

SENIOR CATEGORY

Team Writing 43rd place Nicholas Low, Dylan Yeo, Steven Xi

Team Debate 50th place Nicholas Low, Dylan Yeo, Steven Xi

Overall Team Silver Medal Nicholas Low, Dylan Yeo, Steven Xi

Individual Debater 31st place Nicholas Low

Individual Writing 34th place Dylan Yeo

THE PULSE | 27 SEPTEMBER 201905

Important Dates for September & October

30th September O15 Boys Football vs Uplands @Uplands

30th September O15 Girls Football vs Dalat @POWIIS

30th September U13 Girls Football vs Uplands and Dalat @POWIIS

1st October U13 Boys vs Uplands & GEMS @Uplands

2nd October O15 Boys Football vs Dalat @ College General

4th October PSAC U13 Girls Football Tournament @ Uplands

5th October POWIIS School Open Day

5th October PSAC U13 Boys Football Tournament @ POWIIS

7th - 11th October POWIIS Open Week

7th October O15 Boys Football vs Dalat @ POWIIS

8th October U13 Boys Football vs Tenby @ Tenby

8th October U15 Boys Basketball vs Tenby @ Tenby

10th October PSAC U15 Boys Basketball Tournament @ Dalat

10th October Boys Football vs Uplands & Dalat @ POWIIS

11th October O15 Girls Football PSAC Tournament @ Uplands

11th October Entrance Assessment Day

Click here for full school calendar

Entrance assessments are still possible by special arrangement and subject to available spaces. Please mention to friends and contacts who may wish to be included. Contact Michelle Goh at admissions@powiis.edu.my

As part of our ongoing investment in computer system upgrades, the library will be operating a new system - one facility of which is the management of overdue books.Coming shortly - a fine for overdue returns of 20c per day (1MYR per school week, not

including weekends). All money raised in this way will be given to a charity of the student body’s choice.Get your books back on time!

Library System UpgradeThe Library

The Handphone“Closer to those far away and further from those nearby”