27 November 2019 - Congratulations Class of 2019! - TISKL In Touch - 27 November 2019

The final day of the 2019 school calendar was the graduation ceremony to farewell our Year 11 students from Taylor’s International School, Kuala Lumpur.

An Enriching Journey - Ruhani Roy, 7T

After a whole year of studies and assignments, our reward came as we were learnt where we were heading to for Enrichment Week. Year 7 was heading for a 3 days - 2 nights trip to Marina Bay Island, Lumut & Pangkor Island. 121 students and 12 teachers opted to go for the trip. The itinerary looked as much fun as it sounded adventurous. Everyone was eager and excited.

Our first stop was a 400 million-year-old limestone cave, Gua Tempurung in Gopeng, Perak. After an initial briefing, we set off in two large groups geared with helmets and headlamps. We then headed inside, to explore the glorious cave with our guide. The dry route was well-lit for visitors to observe the large stalagmites, stalactites, and other distinct shapes carved naturally. In contrast, the wet route offered much more challenge and physical effort, worth the thrill and perseverance. There was a river flowing through the cave, making the entire experience breathtaking.

The next day, after a team-building session, we went to play at the water park. It was an inflated water obstacle course that needed determination, teamwork, strength, and strategy to succeed. After a great time, then a delicious lunch, we took a short trip on the bus and a ferry took us to the picture-perfect and serene Pangkor Island.

On the third day, we ate breakfast and checked out of the resort. We first went to Teluk Batik Beach. We were to help make the beach spotless.

We finally reached Taylor's, knowing our journey has finally come to an end.

Year 8 Enrichment - Taman Negara Trip

Seventy-one Year 8 students and six teachers were away at Mutiara, Taman Negara in Pahang from 11th to 14th November, for a 4 day - 3 night, adventurous time away.

The activities were enriching and created memorable opportunities for students to practice their social skills through experiential learning. They met with the local indigenous community and learnt about survival in the jungle as well as water-based skills.

At school, around 30 students were involved in hands-on activities such as collage making, telematch and cooking competitions, which captured the interest of the students.

15th November marked the final roll-up of our Enrichment Week and it witnessed the success celebration of Year 8 students for 2019. Every student was acknowledged and celebrated for their involvement and active participation. Students created slides about their activities during the Enrichment and added that with a cheer performance and prize giving.

Overall, this week was a busy but very fruitful week for both Year 8 students and teachers.

Year 9 Enrichment Week to Pulau Langkawi

Day 1
40 students with 4 teachers (Ms Hamsa Vahini, Mr Gan Hock Kiam, Pn Siti Norbaya and Ms Parveen Roshan) assembled in the courtyard at 8:00 a.m. We departed at 8:30 a.m. with excitement filling the air. Upon arriving at the beautiful island of Langkawi, we were whisked off for a sumptuous dinner and following that checked into the designated hotel, Hotel Adya.

Day 2
Next morning we proceeded to Skytrex Adventure. After we geared up, we climbed from tree to tree on ladders, crumpled up nets, over suspended bridges and swinging logs, and flew down zip lines. The whole adventure of walking through the woods was thrilling and challenging. This outdoor activity tested our physical and mental strength, agility, balance, and flexibility. After having lunch, we took a cable car ride up to the Sky Bridge. The ride up was an extraordinary and fun experience. We saw amazing views of mountains and waterfalls. As we walked on the sky bridge, we soaked in the beautiful sight of Langkawi and exhilarating views of the mountains and the sea below. Later, we visited the Eagle Square and took a group photo. Besides offering beautiful views of Kuah Bay, Dataran Lang has an amazing miniature fountain, terraces, and bridges.

Day 3
After breakfast, we explored the Mangrove forest by a boat that travelled down the twists and turns of the Kilim river. As the boat was traveling, we observed a good variety of wildlife from monitor lizards, eagles to monkeys and tree crabs hiding amongst the thick mangroves. Then, we visited the Bat Cave and saw hundreds of bats hanging on the cave ceiling, which was an exciting experience. We went to a floating fish farm, where we could hand feed stingrays, archerfish and other kinds of fish. After lunch, we headed to Laman Padi and we were able to learn a lot through the exhibitions at the Paddy Museum and Herbs Garden. In addition, we were able to participate in uprooting and planting and mussel finding, which was very interesting and enjoyable.

Day 4
It was time to head back to school after an enjoyable and exciting few days in Langkawi.

Activities at School (11th - 15th November 2019)

We played sports (basketball & badminton), learned new board games, took part in a scavenger hunt (Ms Cheryll), did some puzzle (Ms Audrey) and even cooked and baked a little! It was fun because although many of my friends were in Langkawi, I was able to bond more with the people who were around me. I started new friendships and strengthened others!

Not only that, but we were also able to learn new things. On Thursday, we baked cupcakes with Ms Sheila, Mrs Andrew and Ms. Meena in groups of three. It was really fun because it's not everyday you get to bake with your friends and teachers! We also helped assemble curry puffs, the batter and filling ready-made by Ms Sheila. We all had a blast, and I'm sure I don't speak for myself when I say that those cupcakes and curry puffs were worth the effort.

Lovely Langkawi!
The adventures of TISKL’s year 10s during Enrichment week.

On November 11th to 14th, TISKL’s year 10s went for an Enrichment Week trip to Langkawi Island, which was planned by Mr Lim Chong Seng (Year 10 coordinator). The trip consisted of 14 students and 2 teachers. Throughout our 4 days stay, we had the chance to experience Langkawi Island almost to its fullest by visiting significant sites and participating in extreme activities some wouldn’t even think of.

Once we arrived, we were given the chance to pay a visit to the famous giant eagle that would be the symbol of Langkawi Island itself! The sheer beauty of the sculpture overlooking the sunset was breath-taking, to say the least, along with the duty-free centre next to it! After the photo-op session, we went for dinner and proceeded to check-in to our hotel rooms.

On the second day of our trip, we went up Langkawi’s highest peak! We had to take the world’s steepest cable car ride to reach Mat Chinchang Mountain’s peak. After reaching the top, we had to hike for about 10 minutes to reach the Skybridge, we got to see the whole island as if we were in the heavens! Right after, we went to Langkawi’s Skytrex, which was kind of an extreme park that requires us to test and push the very limits of our physical and mental abilities in order to complete the course.

On our third day, we went for island hopping around Langkawi, but the highlight of the session was Dayang Bunting Island! Which translates to ‘Pregnant Maiden Island’, it’s here that we had loads of fun. The island has a freshwater lake in it that provided us with kayaks and paddle-boats, along with a swimming area, where we spent about an hour and a half just having a ‘splash’. After the island hopping, we went back to the hotel and prepared to check-out and leave first thing the next day.

Year 10 Enrichment Programme At School

Mindvalley
Students participated in a transformative trip that took place in Mindvalley Headquarters on the 12th and 13th of November. These two days have introduced to our students unconventional techniques of learning and self-improvement through meditation. Not only did this experience allow the students to interact and help each other with their personal growth through group discussions, but it has also inspired and motivated these bright minds to grab hold of their ideas and allow for them to flourish by knowing that they can control the situations around them. Besides this, the students were given a great opportunity to tour Mindvalley’s office which has been voted one of the world’s top ten most beautiful offices. They were beyond ecstatic to have witnessed adorning and innovative architecture that has challenged their expectations about the world of work. This experience in Mindvalley has been an unforgettable one for all of the students that took part in the trip and we hope that there are more lessons to be taught by Mindvalley in the future.

Year 10 Science Challenge

Twelve teams competed in the Year 10 Science Challenge. The students were enthused and tackled each of the 5 challenges with zeal and zest. They needed brainpower to solve puzzles, creativity to make science memes and mimes, design and hands-on skills to make an egg transporter as well as leg muscles to complete a science amazing race. It was a close fight right to the end and the final standing was determined by a Science Bowl where they needed to dig deep to answer science trivia questions as well as some lateral thinking questions. Congratulations to the winning team comprising Danish Khairi, Ashar Azhaan, Brandon Cheng and Megat Alif. They were followed closely by the team consisting of Candice Ong, Ashley Tan, Michelle Lee and Stefanie Khor, who lost by a mere 6 points. Safe to say, all the participants had an enjoyable and enriching day of fun science.

Year 10 Dodgeball match

Students participated in a dodgeball match. Fueled by the lively commentators, the competitive spirit was sky-high. The champion for the match was the 10A and followed by 10R.

Student Celebration Evening

Secondary students from across Year 7 to 11 were nominated to receive the RECIPE award. RECIPE (which stands for Respect, Excellence, Communication, Integrity, Passion and Enjoyable) is the acronym for the core values of TISKL, which help build character in our students. These core values are evident in many areas of student life.

Each department showcased some of the students’ work that had been created throughout 2019. The students’ work was indeed creative and very well done. Consequently, it was very gratifying to show parents the hard work that had been done by the students.

Alongside that, parents were able to experience fun hands-on learning that students have been exposed to in secondary.

The evening was concluded with the Awards ceremony, which featured performances by our own Performing Arts Students. In between performances, the award recipients for the RECIPE were revealed. At the end of the evening, winners were able to collect their certificates and have photos taken.

Congratulations to all of the award recipients!

Goodbye Year 11

The final day of the 2019 school calendar was the graduation ceremony to farewell our Year 11 students from Taylor’s International School, Kuala Lumpur. Distinguished guest Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato Haji Alimuddin Bin Haji Mohd. Dom, Chairman of the Board of Governors for Taylor’s International School, Kuala Lumpur was joined by Mr. Stefano Piumatti, Principal TIS Puchong, Mr Peter Wells, Principal TIS Kuala Lumpur, Mr Rajeev Sharma, Head of Secondary TIS Kuala Lumpur and guest speaker Mr Ezekiel Vicente form Mindvalley.

There were mixed emotions evident in all the speeches, which were a combination of reflection of years gone by as well as advice for the future. Performances showcased the school’s talented musicians and actors and brought some humour to the fore.

For the class of 2019, we wish you all the best for your future endeavors and encourage you all to drop by to let us know what is happening in your lives.