Reminiscing Reading Week - Part 2

Assalamualaikum all!

The Idrissi International School's recent Reading Week ended with a bang as the school had one last activity - Poetry Slam! The school's poetry slam is a competition for the secondary school students where they need to showcase their talents by reciting poems they wrote themselves. Not only did this activity allow the students to be creative and put their presentation skills to test, it also enhances confidence through speaking in public and expressing themselves in the form of writing.

The Reading Week committee did a fantastic job coming up with the idea on decorating a classroom to look dramatic but at the same time cosy - the room was made to be dark, with colourful twinkling lights flowing over the ceiling. A mini stage was set up at the front of the classroom with DIY spotlights and decoration by students on the whiteboard as a background to set up a 'cafe' feel.

The setting for audience with twinkling lights

Small stage with DIY spotlights & decorated whiteboard background

All students did an amazing job with their poems - some demonstrated excellent grasp of the language through creative word play, some were able to move the audience's feelings through simple yet powerful messages, and some showed remarkable team work especially students who performed as a duo. The poetry slam was basically slamming!

We even have talented teachers and staff to be special guest poets - and boy, did they deliver!

Secondary school's Teacher Mariya 

Ustaz Ezamir - was the emcee as well as a guest poet

Even our director Puan Zaliza participated! 

The dynamic duo Ustaz Seraj & Ustaz Fawaz presented a poem in Arabic, mashaallah! 

Alhamdulillah, everyone left the event feeling inspired and pumped up - the school's very first poetry slam was a success. It was a meaningful and memorable experience for the students as they learned that expressing themselves through poetry is a powerful and peaceful communication method.

The school is indeed grateful to have this opportunity. Thank you to all the teachers and staff who have helped make the whole Reading Week a success. Thank you to all the parents who put 120%  effort and support into making the children's book parade costumes - again, the students looked AMAZING! Finally, thank you to all the students for being such good sport and participating in the Reading Week - may the school's initiative to instill the love of reading among students and teachers continue, inshaa Allah.

May Allah bless our effort and deeds.

Reminiscing Reading Week - Part 1

Assalamualaikum all!

Recently, the school had the opportunity to hold our very first Reading Week - a week to encourage students and teachers alike to read for pleasure as regularly as possible. The week was filled with meaningful (and even some quirky) activities throughout the week to instill the love of reading into students and teachers.

Preschool and primary students were encouraged to participate by wearing striped and silly/mismatched socks in conjunction with the Dr.Seuss-themed week. It was awesome to see the students participating and wearing the coolest and craziest striped socks they have :)

Can you spot the lil' kitty?

Look at this collection of awesomely mismatched socks! 

At secondary school, the students had a chance to meet up with author Pauline Loh, all the way from Singapore! The author gave great insight about writing process and how to get published. The session provided a chance for the students to be creative and crafted their own stories. 

Some of the books displayed at secondary school during Reading Week

Secondary students with author Pauline Loh

The school also had Reading Slumber Parties where students were encouraged to bring and snuggle up with their favourite books - along with pillows and blankets. It was truly an adorable sight! 

Preschool children having their Reading Slumber Party by the infamous tree <3

Some primary school boys built forts made of sturdy materials - wooden chairs and blankets! 

Yet another fort made by the primary school boys

Primary school girls reading under the tent/canopy they made in their classroom

Throughout the week, there were also Story Time sessions where teachers took turns to read stories to students every morning. Our teachers were amazing as they took the students to another world through books. It was a different story every day, and the students had such fun! We even had a guest reader to help us with this activity, alhamdulillah. 

Preschoolers and Year 1 students during Story Time

Different teachers read to the students every day

Our guest reader, also a parent volunteer - the wonderful Farrah Adeeba! 

(She was known as Aunty Bunny that day hihi)

The highlight to our Reading Week was on the last day - Book Character Parade! This was the moment all the students (and teachers) (and oh yes, parents!) were waiting for :D The Book Character Parade was meant to allow students to get their creative juices flowing by portraying their favourite book characters. 

The students looked AMAZING! 

Dinosaur!!!

Mashaallah so much effort was put into the students' costumes

Judy Hopps from Zootopia

Bob The Builder - yes we can!

Sophie from The Big Friendly Giant

A pair of Dr.Seuss :D

We even had Tony Fernandez in our school

Secondary school students in action

Book characters looking great here

A soldier, an accountant, and a pilot

Awesome costumes, ladies! 

Dressing up as a book character allowed the students to use their imagination as well as build confidence by making their own decisions. This activity also gave a strong lesson in empathy - by “living” the life of someone else, the students put themselves in another person’s shoes. Also, at the end of the day, it was super FUN! For a few hours, the students had a chance to wear outfits that depicted a little bit about themselves and their personality - and they can be silly too!

The effort everyone put in to make their costumes and props was phenomenal - a round of applause to all of the students! 

That's all for Reminiscing Reading Week - Part 1. Inshaa Allah stay tuned for Part 2 of the Reading Week - an epic end to an epic week. 

May Allah bless our efforts and deeds. 

Coming Up - A Reading Adventure!

Assalamualaikum all!

Alhamdulillah, we are now in a new school term, and students have started lessons as usual. The school is now gearing up and getting ready for the next event - Reading Week!

We are very excited to have our very first Reading Week at Idrissi School! The aim of Reading Week is to encourage students and teachers alike to read for pleasure as regularly as possible. We have some wacky and exciting activities planned for the week. We hope that these activities will help to encourage your children to continue to have a love of books and reading.

One of the posters around school :)

Our Reading Week theme for the Primary School and Pre-School is ‘Dr. Seuss’ and each year group will be reading a variety of different books written by Dr. Seuss in class. The theme for Secondary School is 'One World, Many Stories' each year group will have the chance to read and write their own stories in class.

For Primary School, we will be holding a competition for children to create their very own book character during class time. Students will also have a chance to snuggle up with books in class. Students are encouraged to bring a small pillow and/or blanket to school, as well as their favourite book.

Primary School Reading Week

For Secondary School, students will have the chance to read stories and poetry written by their peers. Students’ work will be on display throughout the week. Author Pauline Loh will also make a visit to the school and talk to the students about the writing process and how to get published. The week will culminate in a Poetry Slam competition! Finalists, who will be selected in class, will have the chance to perform their poems in front of their schoolmates in our very own poetry “Café.”

Secondary School Reading Week

Besides activities planned by the school, the awesome team from Scholastic will be setting up a booth filled with books for browsing. All classes will have the opportunity to visit the booth. Each student will be given an order form to bring home and together you may choose the titles you would like to purchase. Parents are welcome to visit the booth from 3PM onwards.

So let's get ready for a week of reading - let your imagination run free and your creativity flourish. Inshaa Allah, we hope the students will continue to grow their love for reading.

May Allah bless our efforts and deeds.

Our Very First Sports Day

Assalamualaikum all!

Alhamdulillah, it has been such an amazing month. For the past few weeks, the school has been working very hard to prepare towards the sports day. The school teachers and staff members have been putting in 200% effort in ensuring that the students' sports day goes well...

...and masyaallah, what a tremendous sports day we had!

A sporting affair with friends, teachers, and families!

The event was at the Panasonic National Sports Centre, Shah Alam. Registration of students started at 7AM in the morning, and the students then straight away proceeded to get ready for the marching event by respective houses - Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Winter.

The venue was nicely set up for the big day

It was a beautiful sunny morning and the sports day started off extremely well. The students and teachers marched into the stadium according to sports houses, clad in creatively hand-made costumes and props while chanting motivational cheers.

Team Summer - We Are Bright!

Team Spring - We Are Fresh! 

Team Autumn - We Are Bold! 

Team Winter - We Are Cool! (and hello Sister Nina!)

Once the marching is done, students sang the national and state anthems. This was then followed by a speech by the school director, sports day pledge, and an awesome performance by the secondary school boys, and then all four teams showcased their house performance.

Everyone standing up singing Negaraku

Electrifying performance by secondary school boys

Family members enjoying the day, alhamdulillah :)

After a 10-minute break, it was time for some finals for athletics and also telematch for the smaller students. Now let the games begin!

Girls running for finals

The younger students competing in the telematch games

Go go go! 

Alhamdulillah, the games went very very well - the students have given their best and performed tremendously well in all events. Results were calculated and prizes were given to winners and participants.

Winners of telematch games. 

KS3 boys posing for photos

KS3 girls happily smiling - you are winners! 

At the end of the day, everyone had a great time - it was an event that brought the staff members, teachers, students, and the community together. Everyone held a stronger bond with each other by going through good times and hard times - and it united the school, inshaa Allah.

The boys just before competing against each other

The ustaz's just before competing against the fathers

The people behind the event - thank you all! 

On behalf of everyone in Idrissi School, we would like to thank everybody involved directly and indirectly in making the sports day a success:

- Thank you to all our generous sponsors - be it schools, suppliers, companies, or fellow parents - as your contribution to the school and the event is very much appreciated. May Allah shower you with health and wealth, inshaa Allah.

- Thank you to all the hardworking staff members and school teachers who dedicated their time to help organize and plan the sports day activities/events - truly, the event would not have come alive without your contribution.

- Thank you to all our supportive parents and family members for your undying cooperation and understanding - you guys are awesome! You have made the sports day super fun and exciting with your cheers and colourful banners.

- Finally, thank you very much to our beloved students - you guys are the BEST! You have trained so hard in your sports events and were able to show that learning never stops. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

May Allah bless all our efforts and deeds.