1

Message from the Principal

Over the past weeks, many thoughts and
conversations have been centred on the
upcoming 2015 60th Anniversary of
Uplands. Many of these conversations
have taken place online between former
pupils and staff on a range of social
media platforms - and link Uplanders from the late
1950s to present day. I recently had the privilege to
meet Uplanders who attended the school in the
1960s and are still living here in Penang and was
given a fascinating first hand glimpse into life at the
school on top of Penang Hill.

The school is now forming a committee to plan,
arrange and organise a series of celebratory events
for the 60
th
Anniversary year under the banner 60
years of excellence, 1 year of celebrations. The
events will span the whole of 2015 and will include
sporting, artistic, charity and social events. There
will be a focussed week of activities around the
schools birthday, March 15
th
2015, including an
Alumni Dinner and Birthday Party for all children,
staff, governors and alumni. A 60
th
Anniversary Book
is also being commissioned to be part of our
celebrations.

We wish to connect with as many Uplanders; old and
young, past and present; as possible during this year
and are asking for all members of the Uplands
community to spread the word of the upcoming
celebrations. To help us connect to our alumni we
are creating an official school alumni and are asking
for all ex-Uplanders to connect with us via
[SIDEBAR TITLE]









Contents Page No
Message from The Principal 1 & 2
Secondary News 3 & 4
Retreat Week Year 11 4
Primary News 5
Chinese Story Telling 6
Trip to Taiping Zoo 6
Year 10 English Groups 7
Uplands Roar Sport 7
U15 Boys Basketball 8
Inter-House News 8
Year 10 & 11 News 8
Withdrawal Procedure 9
Uplands E-learning Access 9
UPTA Craft 10
School Calendar 11




















Uplands School
Weekly Newsletter
Term 1 Issue 7 - Friday 26th September 2014
2

alumni@uplands.org so we can create a database to enable us to communicate with them directly to
update them on the school and its news, and find out where the 1000s of Uplanders are now and what
they are doing. I am delighted to announce that this morning I received my first connection via Twitter
from an Uplander that now lives in the UK!

As we develop our 60
th
Anniversary Celebration plans we will share them with you via our newsletter,
webpage, Facebook page and Twitter etc. It is going to be another exciting year in the history of the
school!

Your sincerely,


Matthew Bristow
Principal
@ispuplands
https://twitter.com/ispuplands




























Principals Twitter QR Code
3






Secondary News

Today sees the end of Week 6 of the current academic year and it is hard to believe that it is actually the
first full week of classes we have had in the last four weeks. I have just completed a proposed calendar
for the Academic Year 2015-2016 and there has been a lot of discussion with Middle and Senior
Management on ways we can avoid such disruptions. I look forward to publishing the calendar dates for
next year very soon, as I know some families are already looking at booking their summer holidays.

I was amazed last Wednesday at 5:45pm when I was chatting to a parent in the Refectory as she was
watching her son complete his ECA. The Year 7 student had been up since 5:30am and had completed
an early morning swim session which started at 6:30am in the School pool. Being a Wednesday, he then
attended his usual nine periods of classes and followed that up with a double ECA of Basketball and then
Football. I honestly dont know where some kids get their energy from but I also strongly believe a good
balance is required with all students.

ECAs are an important part of the curriculum here at Uplands, as we take a holistic approach in
educating and nurturing our students to achieve their goals in life. Over the last two weeks I have
completed some substantial reading about the importance of students participating in ECAs as part of
their education. Many studies have shown that students greatly benefit from their experiences in such
programmes, as they learn about important skills and values; for example: time management, team
work, goal setting, commitment, work ethic and diversity. It is also very important that parents lead by
example and encourage their family to also participate in such activities. Please click on the following
three links for some more information in regards to the importance of ECA participation:
Extracurricular School Activities and the Benefits
The Importance of Extracurricular Activities and Teens
Extracurriculars Matter - To You and To Colleges

During this week we have had two very important university visits from New York University in Abu
Dhabi and also the University of Colorado in Denver. Next Tuesday we host Drake University, based in
Iowa, and they will be giving a presentation during lunchtime in B105.

This weekend sees Uplands host the Anglo-Chinese International School from Singapore (ACS) for the
third consecutive year. Our U15 boys and girls will compete against them, as well as other schools, in
football, netball and tennis, Our U13 netball girls will also be involved. Best of luck to all of the students
taking part and I am sure you will represent Uplands with great pride and passion.







4


Finally, just a quick reminder that Secondary Progress Reports will be distributed on Friday 10
th
October
and that we will be holding our first Parent-Teacher Conferences on Wednesday 15
th
October between
8:00 3:30pm. This is a very important opportunity for you to meet and also speak with your childs
teachers so please ensure you save this date in your diary. There will be more information about this in
next weeks newsletter.

Have a great weekend

Craig Skinner
Head of Secondary School
craig.skinner@uplands.org
http://blogs.uplands.org/hos/
Follow us on Twitter: @UplandsSecSch








Retreat Week - Year 11 in Langkawi

This years residential trip to Langkawi was truly an amazing and unique experience. It had a vast mix of
educational and leisure activities, enabling us to learn more about the Island but still keeping it fun and
exciting. The members of the Jungle Walla team taught us a great deal about the different wildlife and
forests all around Langkawi and they were very kind supervisors.
My personal favourite activity was the Amazing Race which the supervisors had organised for us. It
consisted of several smaller cultural activities such as: local traditional fishing, weaving, learning and
understanding the history of farming in Langkawi and a short role play of a legend story set on the
island. Another great experience was the mangrove tour which is very popular amongst tourists visiting
Langkawi. It showed us a part of the different types of wildlife in Langkawi and how they adapt to their
environment. Overall I have significantly enjoyed this trip and hope to go back very soon.

Vanessa Gehrig 11i











Secondary Twitter QR Code
5


Primary News

It has been another busy week for both students and teachers in Primary. Our first Sharing assembly for
this academic year was hosted by Year 2 on Monday afternoon. Congratulations to all the children who
contributed. I was impressed by the confidence they showed when speaking in front of a large audience.
Well done! On Tuesday Kim Sir entertained Year 5 Mandarin students with his captivating story-telling
and on Wednesday a group of 16 teachers from Kedah visited Primary classes to observe good teaching
practice. On Wednesday evening parents with children in our Reception class were invited to school to
learn about phonics and reading programmes. Year 6 students tried their hand at batik making on
Thursday along with the parents who joined this trip. We look forward to seeing the completed
products!

As October approaches, the calendar continues to be filled with many events.

Swimming: On Wednesday 1 October, there is a swim meet at Uplands between 3:30 5:30pm. On
Friday afternoon, 3 October our swimmers will travel to KL to take part in a swim meet hosted by ISKL.

Hari Raya Haji: On Monday, 6 October School will be closed in lieu of Hari Raya Haji which falls on
Sunday, 5 October.

An Introduction to the PYP: For those parents who are new to the International Baccalaureate Primary
Years Programme, an introductory information session will be presented by Ms Zeynep Dincer, our PYP
Coordinator, on the evening of Wednesday, 8 October. This will begin at 7:00pm in the Primary Drama
on the first floor E101. The session will last approximately one hour and be followed by light
refreshments. We hope that parents who are new to Uplands will join us to learn more about our
Primary Programme.

Primary Halloween Party: This much enjoyed annual party will be celebrated on Thursday, 30 October
on the campus between 5:30pm and 7:30pm. All Primary children and their parents are invited as we
celebrate in style! More information to follow but please mark this date on your calendar!


Ali Nicholson
Head of Primary












6


Chinese Story Telling















When the story teller walked in, I was very excited. He then told us that he was going to tell us a story in
Mandarin! I was shocked because I do not understand much Mandarin! He made it easy and interesting
with his expressive actions and repetition of words. It was very fun and we all enjoyed it very much.
Izdya 5s


My Adventure to the Taiping Zoo by Elli Mason, Year 3i

I arrived at school very excited about our trip
to the zoo.

We all boarded the bus and started on our way.

Two hours later we arrived at the zoo.

We saw lots of
animals.

My favourite animal was the swimming tiger and the
scariest was the crocodile.

I enjoyed the trip very much.

It was awesome!!

Thank you Miss Sylvia and Miss Sharmila for this fantastic adventure.
7


Year 10 English Groups

Due to the unprecedented demand for places at Uplands, an extra Year 10 English class will be opened
from Monday. This will mean that there are five, rather than four, sets in Year 10. Smaller groups will
mean more individual attention for students, and will also ensure that any new students to the school
can be placed in the correct ability group.

In order to facilitate the change, some students will move from their current English group. I appreciate
that some may feel that they are being moved to a lower ability group, and have therefore failed. This is
not the case: the moves are for logistical purposes, and to ensure a better teacher: student ratio.
Students will still be entered for the same two IGCSE courses - First Language and Literature - as in their
previous group. I am sure that the students will settle quickly in their new groups, and continue to
progress in English.

James Allen
Head of English Faculty


Uplands Roar Sport

This week has seen a range of teams in action; O15 Football (Boys & Girls)
U15 Basketball (Boys & Girls) and U13 Netball. This has seen almost 70 of our students tasting
competitive action.

And the weekend is no less busy with our Uplands Invitationals taking place. This is our 2nd year of
hosting these tournaments with this year U16/U14 Netball, U15 Boys Football and Tennis taking place.
With ACS Singapore, and other schools from Penang taking part, it is a great chance for our students to
taste some early season competition. Thanks in advance to all the coaches, student volunteers and the
UPTA for their assistance in making this event possible.

For more detail regarding our competitive sport programme please go to:
www.uplandsroarsport.webs.com

And/or follow us via twitter; @UplandsSport

Dean Metcalf
Head of PE Faculty







Sport Twitter QR Code
8


U15 Boys Basketball

The U15 Boys basketball team played a training/friendly match against Straits International School on
Tuesday. The boys were fantastic ambassadors for the school helping the Straits students to learn how
to shoot both set shots and lay-ups before playing a match.

Having won the tip-off and scoring within a few seconds, the boys took it upon themselves to practice
their skills whilst still offering Straits a challenging game by not piling on the points. Some great team
work from the boys allowed them to try new defensive strategies as well as a few new set plays in
attack.

More pleasing however, was the spirit in which the game was played with both teams acknowldeging
moments of invididual brilliance and showing great sportmanship throughout.

The boys are now looking forward to their first competitive fixture of the season next Tuesday against
POWIIS. Tip-off is at 5pm and the game will be finished at approximately 6pm. Students will need to
make their own way home after this game.


Inter-House news

The inter-House competitions really took off this week as all year groups had the opportunity to be
involved in sport. The Year 7 & 8 boys played out a fierce football competition in which saw all Houses
win one match and lose the other. The winners on goal difference were Hill House, 2nd were Crag and
in third place, school.

In the Year 9 & 10 basketball, Crag stole the title after a narrow 1 point win against School in the final
match which saw School House secure 2nd spot. Hill House came third.

Next week, the Year 7 & 8 girls have a chance to show off their Netball skills whilst the Year 9 & 10 boys
play football and the Year 11 - 13s play basketball. Good luck to everyone!


Year 10 and 11 News

This week students spent time during the PSHE lesson on Monday morning working through their new
Academic Log Books. The Log Book is aimed at supporting the students in planning S.M.A.R.T. targets as
well as helping to organise their time by outlining coursework deadline and other school events. Please
encourage your child(ren) to go through their targets with you as the more support they receive, the
more they will benefit from this process.

I would like to congratulate Oliver M, Vanessa G, Jasmin, Isobel, Jens, Kengo, Oliver R, Mahon,
Amandeep, Shinta, Jia Wen & Karen who have all been selected to represent Uplands at the Phuket
Football tournament in November. Well done!


9

Congratulations also go out to both Amandeep and Omar who came joint 3rd at last weekends Tennis
Championships. A fantastic achievement of which you should both be very proud!

Ian Driscoll
Head of Year 10 & 11 + Secondary PE


Withdrawal Procedure

Admissions would like to remind families who may be relocating in the near future to take note of the
School's withdrawal procedure for refunds. Prior notice, in writing, stating the date of leaving must be
given to the Admissions Office via email atadmissions@uplands.org or completion of the online
withdrawal notice form at http://www.uplands.org/UPLANDS/Withdrawal-Notice-Procedure. The form
must be filled in according to the following dates for students not returning:

24th October 2014 for students not returning in January 2015
24th April 2015 for students not returning in August 2015

The School will send an acknowledgement once we receive the Notice of Withdrawal. If you do not hear
from us within two days of your submission, please contact the Admissions Office at extension 106.

Janie Chung
Admissions


Uplands E-learning Access

Upland School e-learning Portal
Access all subjects from one address
Study any time, any where, with any devices

Please bookmark this address on your home computer
http://blogs.uplands.org/
and
Scan this code into your smart phone


Robin Liao
Head of ICT

10






















11


School Calendar

Mid-term break School is closed for half-term break between 19 26 October. Normal classes resume
on Monday, 27 October.

Upcoming Fixtures/Events
Saturday 27th September - Uplands Invitationals (Football, Netball & Tennis) 8am to 2:30pm
Tuesday 30th September - U15 Boys Basketball vs POWIIS
Wednesday 1st October - Primary Swim Meet
Wednesday 1st October - O15 'B' Boys Football @ Dalat (General College)
Thursday 2nd October - O15 'A' Boys vs POWIIS
Thursday 2nd October - O15 'B' Girls @ POWIIS
Friday 3rd October - U11/U10 Football vs Dalat
Saturday 4th October - ISKL Swim Meet4


Primary Events
Primary Sharing Assembly Monday, 27 October, hosted by Year 5
Primary Curriculum Evening Wednesday, 5 November.
Year 6 Langkawi Residential 18 21 November
Primary Christmas Concert Wednesday, 17 December






Calendar Twitter QR Code