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I would like to begin this week’s newsletter by thanking all members of our community for their strong support of our school throughout the course of the 2007-8 school year. This has been a challenging year in many regards, filled with wonderful achievements and successes but unfortunately also with personal tragedies and disappointments. However, the heart of our community is big indeed and through the synergistic efforts of us all we have risen to every challenge and we end the school year with much to be thankful for and much to look forward to when we return in September.

Yesterday morning each student in the school was issued with their copy of the 2007-8 Yearbook. Once again we have been spoiled with a delightful publication which will act as a wonderful record and memento of our year together as a school and community. I am sure that you will delight in sharing the pages of this wonderful book with your children and friends and family again and again in future years and that it will bring you back to this special time at IST and in our host city of Tianjin.

The past week has been as busy as ever here at school and once again the highlight was the graduation of our Grade 12 class. A wonderful ceremony marked this special transition for our seniors, from the supportive arms that have marked their lives within their schools and families to the excitement and challenges of adulthood. On behalf of all members of our community I wish our most recent graduates every success as they follow their dreams beyond IST as truly internationally educated world citizens.

As we begin the summer vacation I would like to thank all of our teaching and support staff for their hard work over the year and especially those members of our support staff who will remain at school throughout the vacation working hard to ensure that the school is ready for our return at the start of the new school year.

On Sunday 14th September after our long summer holidays, Grade 10 and the PFO will hold a ‘Run for Earthquake Relief’ and Picnic at the school. The purpose is to help the people in Si Chuan, where they had a devastating earthquake about 3 weeks ago. Therefore, we are trying to raise money for the Si Chuan people who are suffering everyday.

Please come and enjoy the Run for Earthquake Relief and Picnic. We would really appreciate your help and generous donations.

Kyoung Nam Park and Suang Jin Lee (on behalf of next year’s Grade 10 and the PFO)

The IST Annual Secondary Creative Writing Competition for Prose and Poetry is now in its fifth year, with increasing numbers of entries each year. Well done, to all those who enjoy the creative side of writing and who had a go this year. It really is a great opportunity for those students interested in pursuing their talents with writing, and this certainly includes those whose second language is English as well as native speakers.

The judging is based on age/grade level as well as categories of poetry or prose. Importantly, each entry is coded so that it is anonymous. The judge adjudicates on the ideas, entertainment value, crafting and general creativity. This year’s topic was ‘Choice’ and there were many, many fine entries for this year’s judge, Mr Michael Conway. We look forward to continued interest from our young writers next June.

It will be all systems go for “The King and I” as soon as the new school year starts in September. Auditions for principal roles will take place during the first week of term with full rehearsals starting as soon as the show has been cast. Members of the band have already had their auditions and the various teams dealing with costumes, props, lighting, sound and the rest are already being drawn up.

Around one hundred students are involved in what promises to be a tremendous production. Any parents who would like to lend a hand should contact Mr Grierson by e-mail: david_grierson@istianjin.net In the meantime, make sure you have the performance dates in your diary: 27th, 28th, 29th November.

The end of a school year is a wonderful time filled with excitement about new adventures ahead and long sunny holidays. Sadly it is also the time to bid farewell to friends and colleagues, and some of our wonderful students and their families. I would also like to thank all of the students, parents, and staff members who now leaving IST for enriching our school and our lives during their time with us. We are a school with a big heart and while we are saddened by your leaving, we are consoled by the fact that you will always be members of our IST school family. Best wishes and safe travels to you all.

Just before the May Day holiday, the Chinese Ministry of Health reported a serious outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by the Enterovirus 71 (EV71) in the city of Fuyang, Anhui Province. Recent reports indicate that the outbreak has now spread to Beijing. IST is now taking steps to ensure that the health and well-being of our students in maintained.
The disease
Some parents might be familiar with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). It is actually a common contagious infection that typically occurs among infants and children. It is present worldwide, in virtually all countries. We would like to share some information provided by International SOS Clinic, so parents will know what to be aware of and how to prevent it.
The disease is spread from person-to-person via contact with infected secretions such as saliva, fluid from blisters, or stools. There is no vaccine. Strict hygiene measures must be followed to prevent the infection from spreading.
People infected with HFMD generally develop an illness that includes fever, painful ulcers in the mouth, and a non-itchy rash that causes small blisters to appear on the hands, feet and buttocks. Children usually recover without specific treatment in 7 to 10 days. Occasionally, the E71 virus can cause a severe illness in which patients may develop meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The encephalitis may be fatal.
International SOS advises all travelers to China to maintain a high level of hygiene.

Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
Don't share food, drinks or eating utensils.
Avoid close contact such as kissing and hugging.
Disinfect contaminated surfaces and items by washing with a diluted chlorine-containing product.

Keep them at home.
Maintain adequate fluid intake.
Seek medical attention if there is persistent high fever or vomiting, or at any time if you are worried.

Meetings will be held with all teachers, all local employees and students to inform them about HFMD and the steps necessary to avoid contracting or spreading it
Entry to the school buildings will be restricted to IST employees, families and contracted workers. Personal drivers etc must collect students from the student entrances and may not enter the buildings
Hygiene measures have been stepped up, including even more frequent disinfecting of surfaces etc
All employees and students will be required to wash hands upon arrival at school and regularly throughout the school day
Greater vigilance will be given to ensure that students do not share food, drinks or eating utensils
NPK students will be closely monitored by the school nurse for possible symptoms
All visitors, including parents, will be required to wash their hands upon arrival at the school

The school will aim to keep parents informed of the latest developments and will enact procedures to ensure that our school and community remain healthy. Should the outbreak spread considerably, the school may consider closing some of the junior classrooms; however, this decision will not be made without consultation between the school and parents, and will be based upon medical advice received by the school.
Your close attention and support of the school’s efforts is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to contact the school nurse, Ying Yang, or me, should you have any information to share or any questions or concerns.

6th June 2008