38SwissClubRoad●Singapore288140 +6564682117●info@swiss-school.edu.sg

Singapore,2October2019

Minutesofthe1stMeetingoftheParentsforum–Schoolyear2019/2020–

DateandTime September9,2019,8.30–11.00am

SwissClub,RifleLounge,SingaporeMinuteswrittenby JudithOlligParticipantsParents BeatricHeyneck-Maurer,MariaLuisaArtiles,Barbara

Rodriguez,SabineKiyose-Angerer,MarenDobbertin,SilkeWolter,BiancaDistler,YingZheng,MarisaWrjaya,CocoSuatChooMorena,AndreaTrindler,JennyNeuse,NinaWitt,AnkeUnger,ChristinKos,VanessaKoller,LucianaBecker,JoelleEricsson,JudithOllig,BonnieHaas,MariePan

ParticipantsSchool MarkusPallmann,JohannesItenTopic Description ResponsiblePurpose,goalsandtasksoftheParentsforum

TheParentsforum• facilitatescommunicationandunderstanding

betweenparents,teachersandtheschool,therebystrengtheningthepositivelearningenvironment

• encouragesco-operationbetweenallinvolvedpartiesattheschool

• supportstheschoolinextracurricularoffers(charity,events,WelcomeTeam,schooluniforms,etc.)

• supportstheteachersattheschool• aimsatrepresentingandpromotingthe

interestsofparents• presentstheinterestsofallclassesandgrades• supports,helpsandorganizeseventsforthe

schoolandparents• formsworkinggroupsontopicssuchas

events,parenttalks,WelcomeTeam,charity,etc.

• supportstheschoolandteachersinclassandschoolprojects

PresentedbyBeatricHeyneck-Maurer

38SwissClubRoad●Singapore288140 +6564682117●info@swiss-school.edu.sg

Overviewofevents,workgroupsandotheractivitiesorganizedorsupportedbytheParentsforum/-board

FamilyDay,Fleamarket/CharityEvent,Parents’Talks,AppreciationLunch,TeachersDay,FruitCuttingSportsDay,WelcomeCommittee,Carnival,Mothers’DayFlowerWorkshop,FocusGroupsonvarioustopics

PresentedbyJudithOllig

GeneraloverviewoftheworkoftheParentsforumandParentsboard

Parentsforum• Isopentoallparents,notonlyclass

representatives• Meets4xperyear• Engagesinorganizingevents• Engagesinworkgroupsonjointlydefined

topics• RotatingassignmentsParentsboard• Consistof3-4memberselectedbythe

Parentsforum• Meets4xperyear• CollectsinputfromtheParentsforum• Definesprojects,events,workgroups,

calendarandassignsresponsibilities• Istheinterfacetoschoolmanagementand

committee• IsresponsibleforPettyCash

PresentedbyJudithOllig

Whatisnewre.theworkoftheParentsforum/-board?

NewasdecidedinthelastParentsforumMeeting(03.06.2019):• TheParentsforumisnowopentoallparents,

notonlyclassrepresentatives• FocusgroupswithintheParentsforumwill

workonjointlydefinedtopicsaimingattheimprovementandfurtherdevelopmentofschoollifeintheinterestoftheparents,students,teachers,managementandschoolcommittee

PresentedbyJudithOllig

38SwissClubRoad●Singapore288140 +6564682117●info@swiss-school.edu.sg

WhatdowewanttochangewithrespecttotheworkoftheParentsforum/-board?

ChangestheParentsboardwouldliketoproposetotheParentsforumare:• Parentsboard:sharedresponsibilitiesand

tasks,androtatingjobsinsteadofelectingaPresidentoftheBoard

• Charity:Focusallcharityeffortsononeevent-theFleaMarket,additionallypermanentdonationspossiblewithDonationBoxplacedattheSSiSreceptionandatallevents(forfurtherdetailsre.CharityseeSchoolwebpage)

• AppreciationLunch:Organizinga“Potluck”attheschoolinsteadofholdingtheAppreciationLunchattheSwissClub.Thusno“AppreciationFund”neededanymore,i.e.nocollectionof5SGDeveryschoolyearfromallparents

PresentedbyJudithOlligAllthreeproposalswereapprovedbytheparticipants

Dates/assignmentofeventsandprojects

FamilyDay,12.10.2019,2–6pm,LabradorPark(detailswillfollow)

JennyNeuse,ChristinKos,SabineKiyose-Angerer,JudithOllig

WelcomeCoffeeMorning,12.02.2020,SwissClub AnkeUngerLucianeBecker

Carnival,22.02.2020,SwissSchool NinaWitt,SabineKiyose-Angerer,MariePan

AppreciationLunch,22.04.2020,SwissSchool CocoSuatChooMorena,AnkeUnger

Mothers’DayFlowerWorkshop,09.05.2020,SwissSchool

RahelPallmann

FleaMarket/CharityEvent,16.05.2020,SwissSchool

BarbaraRodrigues,MarisaWrjaya,MariaPan,BiancaDistler

FruitCuttingforSportsDay,20.05.2020(newdate!),SwissSchool

JennyNeuse

ParentsTalks,2–4talksperschoolyear,SwissSchool

ChristinKos,NinaWitt

38SwissClubRoad●Singapore288140 +6564682117●info@swiss-school.edu.sg

ElectionoftheParentsboardforthecurrentschoolyear

BeatricHeyneck-Maurerwillleavetheboard.Upforelectionare:• ChristinKos(memberoftheParentsboard

sinceschoolyear2018/19)• VanessaKoller(memberoftheParentsboard

sinceschoolyear2018/19)• JudithOllig(memberoftheParentsboard

sinceschoolyear2018/19)• JennyNeuse(new)• SabineKiyose-Angerer(new)

PresentedbyBeatricHeyneckElectedbyallparticipants

InformationSSiS Parentseveningsalltookplace.Therewasingeneralaverygoodatmosphereanditwasagoodstartofthenewschoolyear.TheSportsDayneededtobeshiftedfromSept.8,2019toMay20,2020duetodifferentreasons,e.g.theOktoberfest.Asalreadycommunicatedbye-mailtoallparents,thecontractsofMarkusandJohannesareendingin2020.TheybothdecidedtoleavetheSSiSnextyear.Itisagoodmomenttohandovertoanewmanagementteam.TheSSiSisingoodshapewithrisingstudentnumbers.Possiblecandidateswillbevisitingtheschoolinthenextmonths.Therewillbeearlycommunicationandanopenprocesstoavoidspreadingofrumors.Ifthereareanyquestions,allparentsarewelcometocontactJohannesorMarkusdirectly.

PresentedbyJohannesItenandMarkusPallmann

FocusGroup“SchoolValues”

ThecurrentmissionstatementandvisionoftheSSiSwasdefined10yearsago.Manythingschangedsincethenandthereforeanupdateisnecessaryandwasalsorecommendedinthecourseofanexternalevaluationconductedin2018.ThereforetheschoolmanagementandschoolcommitteeoftheSSiSsetupaprojecttoredefinetheSchoolMission,VisionandValues.Inthecourseofthenextweeks/monthstheinputofallstakeholdersoftheschoolwillbecollected,i.e.students,parents,staff.ThereforetheschoolmanagementapproachedtheParentsforumtodefineschoolvaluesthatareimportantfromaparents’perspective.AllparentsarewelcometoapproachMarkusseparatelywithideasandinputonthistopic.

PresentedbyMarkusPallmann(forfurtherdetailsseetheattachedchart)

38SwissClubRoad●Singapore288140 +6564682117●info@swiss-school.edu.sg

TheParentsforumFocusGrouppreparedtheattendeesoftheParentsforumforaworkingsessionon“schoolvalues”.Thepurposeoftheworkingsessionistocollectideasfromparentsabouttheschoolvaluesasaninputforthelargerschoolwidevaluesproject.TheresultwillbehandedovertoMarkusPallmanninaseparatemeeting.TherewillbeareviewonNov.1,2019withanexternalconsultantwhereallschool-wideinputswillbeconsideredbytheSSiSprojectteam.NewschoolvalueswillbesharedduringthenextParentsforummtginNovember.

PresentedbyChristinKos(seesummaryofworkgroupsattached)

MISSIONInternalandexternalguidelines

Whatistheassignment/purposeofourschool?

VISIONDesirableidealimageDescribeswhatwewanttoachieveDirectionalcharacterWhatarewetryingtoachieve?

WhatweDOnow:PRINCIPLESDefinesvalues,basicprinciplesandwayof

implementationofvisionandmissionProvidestheframeworkforstrategyand

operationalaction

StrategyuYearGoalsuProjects

QualityReport Surveys

CodeofConduct

IntegrityandDignity

ManagementPrinciples

ParentsforumInputonValues-FromSeptember9thmeeting

SummaryNotes:

• Valuesneedtobelivedandbreathed(thereislotsofopportunitytointegratethemintoSSiS)• Theyneedtobefewandsuccinctsotheyareeasilyremembered• Allstakeholdersneedtoupholdvalues(parents,teachers,bushelpers,students,etc)

• Valuesshouldreflectouradvantagesanduniqueofferings:

- Lessdistraction,less“overloading”inanextremefastmoving,busyandcomplexworld- Smallandsafeplace->kidscanbemoreindependent,becausetheyknowtheschoolarea

verywell,nofeartogetlostforthesmallerones- Personalrelationships->everyoneknowseveryone- Lessbureaucracy,shortdecisionpaths,fastreactiontime- Small,butinternationalcommunity- Kidscanbesupportedindividually

• Parentsseelotsofgoodexamplesofvaluesintheschool,andyetitisnotconsistent.o e.g.summernightrecycletheme,yetplasticisusedforservingluncho e.g.somechildrenwillcometogethertowelcomeanewstudent,yetbullyingisa

consistentproblem

• Concernsneedforeducationarounddigitization/grooming/mobbing,transparencyinschooldecisionmakingandcommunicationwithparentsaroundhardissuescameupconsistently

• Manysuggestions:createacultureoftrust,formalcommunicationchannelwithdatabaseddecision-making,accommodatedifferences/findbalancewiththeSwisswayandtheinternationalway

SpecificValues

• Community-build-onourclose-knit,inclusivecommunityoflearning• Respect-respectourdifferences,individualsandthecommunity• Excellence-committobeinganddoingourbest• Sustainability/Environment-beinnatureandintegrateenvironmentaleducationinto

curriculumandschoollife• Healthandself-care–knowinghowtocareforourselvesandtakingresponsibilitytodoso• Joy-lovelearning• Curiosity-createanopenenvironmentthatfostersinquiry• Future-FitContributors-preparestudentswithskillstobepositivechange-makersinourword

ValuesWorkingGroup1

Value Negativeexample StatusquoandfurtherideasWelcomingCulture Newparentsarebeingwelcomedbythe

parent’scommunityNewstudentsarebeingwelcomedandintegratedquicklybytheirclassmatesàcontinue,keepencouraging

Exposuretonature/environment

NotenoughtimeoutsideNotenoughappreciationofourenvironmentandhowtoprotectit

ClassoutingstoNatureReserveMenschuUmweltlessonsinthenaturesometimes“HikingDay”or“JungleDay”insteadofSportsday

Respect Bullying Keepencouragingstudentsofrespectfultreatmentofeachother,teachers,staff,building,groundsetc.aspartofdailyschoollifeBringinexternalspeakertoaddressbullying,childgrooming

CloseknitSchoolCommunity

NotapproachableWallbetweenschoolandparents

Verycloseknitandopencommunitybetweenmanagement,teachers,parents,students.Everybodyisequallyapproachable.Fosterandcontinuethisimmensevalue

ValuesWorkingGroup2

Value Negativeexample PositiveexampleCommunity Impersonal

AnonymousEventsinvolvethestudents,familiesandteachersLiveourvalues

Approachability “Parentsarenotourfriends”

OpendoorforteachersandadministratorsSchoolisapartofouridentityStudentswelcomestudents

GoodQuality/Fitforthefuture

KnowledgebasededucationOnlyonewaytolearn

StructureisclearInternationalstandardSkillfocusedManywaystolearnChildrenlearnfromoneanotherMixedclasses

Respect Bullying StrongpracticedlisteningskillsWedowhatwesaywewilldoAppreciatedifferencesTreatoneanotherfairly

ValuesWorkingGroup3

GeneralaspectsaboutSchoolValuesattheSwissSchool:

• Emphasizehowstudentsbenefitfromasmallschool:- Lessdistraction,less“overloading”inanextremefastmoving,busyandcomplexworld- Smallandsafeplace->kidscanbemoreindependent,becausetheyknowtheschoolarea

verywell,nofeartogetlostforthesmallerones- Personalrelationships->everyoneknowseveryone- Lessbureaucracy,shortdecisionpaths,fastreactiontime- Small,butinternationalcommunity- Kidscanbesupportedindividually

• SchoolSong:Schoolvaluesshouldbereflectedintheschoolsong,identitywiththeschool,kids

caneasilymemorizeit

• Schoolvaluesnotonlyatextontheschoolwebsite,butputintoactionandintegratedinschoollife

SpecificValues

Value Comments/Suggestions

Environment/Sustainability

Savingtheenvironmentshouldbecomeaschoolvalue.Butitshouldbeimplementedinthedailyschoollifeandatevents

e.g.zero-plasticapproachforschoolevents(lastsummernighteventunderthemottoofpollutionoftheoceans,wherethekidsmenuwasservedwithdisposabletableware)

e.g.takepartororganizebeachcleaningevents

Mittagstisch:toomuchleftover->wasteoffood->re-calculatefoodaccordingtodemandmoreregular

Individual Schoolshouldpreparekidsforlife

Notonlyacademiceducation,butinafastmovingworldalsodevelopandencouragelifeskillsliketheabilitytoconcentrate&focus,creativity,self-drivenness,theabilitytocopewithchange&uncertainty,curiosity,passion,persistence,…

E.g.broadenofferofECAsbyMeditation,Yoga,creativeclasses

E.g.integrateyogaintoregularsportsclasses

Community/Society Whatcanwegivebacktothecommunity/society?

Charityshouldmoveupfromaparent’sprojecttobeoneoftheschoolvalues

Notonlytheowncareermatters,butsupportingunder-privilegedpeopleisaresponsibilityforeveryoneinsociety

Involvementofstudentsincharitableprojects/activities,e.g.organizingcharityruns

Digitalworld Embracetheadvantagesthatthedigitalworldhastoofferandintegrateitintotheeducation/stayup-to-date,butalsoasaschoolsetboundariesandeducatekidshowtoresponsiblyuseit

E.g.strictrulesfortheusageofsmartphonesattheschoolandduringtheschoolbreaks

ValuesWorkingGroup4

Value Comments/Description

Communication Createaforum/communicationchanneltoincludeallstakeholderswhenachangeinpolicyisbeingconsideredandtoagreeonthebenefitsonfuturechangesthataffectanyofthefamiliesoftheschoolcommunity.Allareasincludingsafety,sizeofclassroom,mixedclassesetc.Createaplanforthelengthofthenewpolicy(iftrial)andprovidedatabasedfeedbackonhowthenewpolicyisworking.-Digitizeandprovidecontinuousassessmentofeachstudenttosupportlearning

Partnership Parents,teachers,studentsandschoolcommittee:CreateacultureofTrust,equalityandmutualrespectbetweenallstakeholderstakingintoaccountdiversityoffamiliesandtheirneeds,RespectofdifferenceculturesEducationalfocusmustincludeskillsofthefutureforchildren,addressmobbing,studentsowninterests

Transparency Createacultureoftransparencywherefeedbackisshared(positiveandnegative)andbereadytoremoveoldpoliciesthatareold(i.e.whenparentsareunhappyaboutthecurrentlunchservice,anewcontractshouldbeputupfor-renegotiation)andintegratenewpoliciesthatimprovethequalityofeducation,wellbeingandsafetyofchildren

EnvironmentalFocus IntegrateEnvironmentalEducationandresponsibilityintotheeverydayfunctioningoftheschool