IGBIS Newsletter, Issue 366.
February 23, 2024IGBIS Newsletter, Issue 368.
March 8, 2024From the Head of School
By Dr Gregory Brunton
Ìý
Dear Parents,Ìý
I hope all is well with you and your families.
We love having everyone in our community, but being a part of an international school means that people sometimes move on in their international journeys.ÌýÌý
If you are intending to withdraw your child by the end of Semester 2, 2023/24, we kindly request that you submit the completed and to our Admissions Department by Friday, March 15th, 2024.
Adhering to this deadline is imperative to facilitate a smooth and timely processing of your withdrawal request. It is particularly important to note that submitting the required forms by the specified date will guarantee a full refund of your deposit.
We understand the significance of these procedures, and we appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a seamless transition. Should you have any inquiries or require further clarification, please feel free to reach out to our Admissions Team via admissions@igbis.edu.my.
Ìý
All the best to you and your family,
Dr. Gregory Brunton
Parents Activities, Events & Workshops Schedule
Future Planning Weekly Update
Highlights of the Week
SAVE THE DATES:
International Women’s Day - Friday, 08 March 2024
The IGBIS Community is invited to participate in 2 ways:
- Students, staff, teachers, and the community are invited to make a donation of 5myr (or more) and wear purple on Friday, 8 March. is the form to sign up to participate. The funds raised will go to Greater Action, Malaysia.Ìý
- Craft & Information Fair: 9:30 am - 10:30 am in the MYP Lounge; crafts from the women artisans from Greater Action will be on display and for sale, an interactive gallery display recognising and celebrating women and the contribution of women, and a writing station where participants can add to the interactive gallery.Ìý

University Fair
Parents and students are invited! See the visiting universities and more information .
Thursday, 14 March 2024, 9:35 am - 10:00 am, MYP Lounge
Ìý
Coffee with the Counsellors: March - Persistence & PerseveranceÌý
Friday, 15 March 2024, 8:15 am - 9:15 am, PVO
Ìý
What’s Next? Wednesday Session: Not Just Rankings - 14 Criteria to Find a Good Fit
This session will explore criteria that help you and your student find their best fit beyond rankings and name brands.Ìý
Wednesday, 20 March 2024, 8:15 am - 9:15 am, PVO
Ìý
Past Presentations & Coffee Mornings
Parents and students can access all past information sessions and coffee mornings .Ìý
For Grade 12s
Uni Decisions Rolling In!
Students, as you receive university decisions, PLEASE let me know!Ìý
And PLEASE UPDATE YOUR UNIFROG
Whether the decisions are a decline, deferral, or an acceptance, I would like to celebrate you for all of your bravery and hard work.Ìý

Grades 9, 10 and 11 Future Planning Sessions
- Grade 9 - Our Unifrog on-boarding session will take place on Tuesday, 05 March 2024 during Study Hall.
- Grade 10 - Course selections are done! Our next session will be on 08 May 2024 and we will begin planning for Grade 11!!!
- Grade 11 - We had our and lessons this week. Our next lesson will be on Tuesday, 12 March 2024 during AMP, and we will be looking at our activities list and application CVs!
Ìý
Worth a Read
Ìý
Unifrog Stuff:
Unifrog Parent Access - From the What's Next? session last Wednesday, a couple of parents asked for the Unifrog Parent Access. If you would like to have a parent account on Unifrog, please follow the steps below:
- Go toÌý
- On the right side of the page look for the grey box that says "Been given a Sign up Code" - click on that
- The Sign-up Code is IGBIS_parent
- Then complete the remaining information
- Accept the Terms and Agreements
- Choose if you want to sign up to receive the Parent Newsletter (I suggest you do, it is always got good stuff). If you do select yes, you will then indicate the grade level(s) of your student(s)
- You are in!
Ìý
Info, Opportunities, & Resources
Ìý
University of Michigan Continues Test Optional Admissions
University of Michigan will continue to let applicants choose if they would like to submit standardised test scores (ACT/SAT) as part of their application.
Beginning with the application for the winter 2025 and then the fall 2025 terms, the university will be test-optional, meaning that students can submit ACT/SAT scores as part of their application if they’d like, but it's not required. Other test scores (AP, IB, PSAT), which applicants may have available, will no longer be considered in their place. The university will review the policy on an ongoing basis.
We will share specific details in advance of the application for the next admissions cycle becoming available on 01 August 2024 — . We hope that sharing our test-optional policy now, for future admissions cycles, gives students the opportunity to consider all factors when determining plans for testing.
Ìý
3 tips for your students as they plan their summer - from Johns Hopkins University
Summer is a great time for students to set themselves up for a successful college search and application process. Below we have included some resources your students can use as they plan their summer break. We encourage you to share these tips with your students and their families.
Start the college search by reviewing college admissions websites. Your students can explore these websites to see a quick overview of each college’s academics, community, and admissions process.
- Hopkins offers application workshops, including , where students can learn how to identify which college characteristics are most important to them.
- Our has resources for your students to help them navigate the college search process, craft their strongest applications, and make decisions that are right for them and their families.
- For students who want additional support and meet the income eligibility requirements, is a free program where they can virtually connect with an undergraduate advisor on all aspects of the college and financial aid application process.
Ìý
Emphasise the importance of getting involved. Your students can consider ways to extend their impact beyond school like volunteering in their community, working a summer job, or participating in college summer programs. Hopkins offers several programs, including and , where they can meet like-minded peers and dig deeper into their interests.
Ìý
Participation in a summer programme at Hopkins does not give an advantage to applicants during the admissions process.
Ìý
Encourage your students to attend virtual or on-campus events. Hearing directly from an admissions counsellor or current college students can help high school students get a sense of what the university values and what kind of students thrive in their community.
- : Students can join us on campus to dive deep into all things Hopkins. This two-hour program includes an information session, student panel, and campus tour.
- : If your students aren’t sure where to start, this virtual session provides a comprehensive introduction to Hopkins. A member of our admissions committee will go over academics, student life, financial aid, and the application review process.
- : Your students can get all their questions answered in this open session with an admissions committee member. We’ll share requirements and deadlines and how transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation, and other pieces of their application come together in our process.
Ìý
SUNY Korea March 2024 Virtual Information Session
Virtual Information Session - 4:00 pm (KST) on 15 March 2024
Join us on Zoom for an informative session where we will cover the following topics:
- Introduction to SUNY Korea and its Departments
- Insights into Stony Brook University and the Fashion Institute of Technology programs
- Admissions Process
- Tuition Fees
- Scholarship and Financial Aid
- School Facilities
- Campus Life
This session will be conducted in English, and it's an excellent opportunity to get answers to any questions or inquiries you might have about SUNY Korea and our programs. Your active participation is highly encouraged.
Voice of History Makers - 5:00 pm (KST) on 15 March 2024
Our "Voice of History Makers" event is an exciting opportunity to connect with our Student Ambassadors from Stony Brook University, alongside an Admissions Officer. During this session, we will delve into various aspects of college life, academic programs, and life in Korea. You'll get a firsthand perspective on what it is like to be a student at SUNY Korea. Mark your calendars and be sure not to miss this incredible opportunity.
Both of these events will be held on 15 March 2024, making it a perfect day to immerse yourself in the SUNY Korea experience:
Ìý
Virtual Information Session: Friday, 15 March 2024, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Registration link:
Ìý
Voice of History Makers: Friday, 15 March 2024, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Registration link: You are more than welcome to attend both events to gain a comprehensive understanding of what SUNY Korea has to offer.
Ìý
Hidden Gems Webinar Series
At the University of Essex we are proud to provide a diverse education for our students from around the world – including subjects and courses many young learners haven’t heard of before starting their journey with us! If you have any students that are not sure about their next steps or what subject they are most passionate about, we’re reaching out to introduce them to some of our more unique courses.
Our Hidden Gems webinar series is an opportunity for students to widen their horizons, explore their options and discover courses that they might have not heard of or considered choosing before. The series includes 12 different sessions that will run in the week commencing Monday, 04 March 2023, so we hope that every student has the opportunity to find something that might interest and inspire them.
Each session will incorporate a taster session delivered by an academic from the department, an overview of the course and careers opportunities that this course can lead to. There will also be time for students to ask questions. You can find a brief overview of the schedule below including links to register, but for the full details of all sessions go to .
Ìý

Career of the Week: Geo-Environmental EngineerÌý
Step into the world of Geo-Environmental Engineering, where science meets sustainability, and you play a vital role in safeguarding our planet!Ìý
Ìý
Overview:
Geo-Environmental Engineers focus on understanding the interaction between the environment and engineering projects. From assessing soil quality to managing contamination, they contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection.
Ìý
Skills Needed:
- Environmental science and engineering knowledge
- Site investigation and data analysis skills
- Project management for environmental remediation
- Collaboration with diverse teams for sustainable solutions
Ìý
Universities Offering Related Programmes:
- University of Portsmouth (UK): BEng Environmental Engineering with Geotechnics
- Tampere University (Finland): MSc Geoengineering
- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Malaysia): Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Geo-Environment)
Ìý
Why Geo-Environmental Engineering?
- Make a positive impact on the environment through sustainable engineering practices
- Dynamic career with a wide range of applications in construction, waste management, and more
- Collaborate on projects that address global environmental challenges
Ìý
University of the Week: International Women’s Day Addition - Barnard CollegeÌý
Throughout March we celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women around the world. In honour of this day and month, let's shine a spotlight on a remarkable institution empowering women: Barnard College!Ìý
Ìý
About Barnard College:
- Location: New York City, USA
- Founded: 1889
- Affiliation: Women's liberal arts college affiliated with Columbia University
Ìý
Key Features:
- Empowering Women: Barnard is dedicated to providing a world-class education to women, fostering leadership, and promoting gender equality.
- Academic Excellence: Renowned for its rigorous liberal arts education, offering a diverse range of majors and programmes.
- New York Advantage: Located in the heart of NYC, students have access to endless cultural, professional, and networking opportunities.
Ìý
Notable Programmes:
- Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Political Science
- Economics
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Ìý
Impactful Alumnae:
- Greta Gerwig (Academy Award-nominated filmmaker)
- Zora Neale Hurston (Renowned author and anthropologist)
- Martha Stewart (Entrepreneur and lifestyle guru)
Ìý
Why Barnard?
- An environment that celebrates and supports women's achievements.
- Access to resources and opportunities through its partnership with Columbia University.
- A close-knit community that fosters intellectual growth and personal development.
Ìý
Let's celebrate the strength and brilliance of women on International Women's Day! Here is to empowering education and the incredible women who shape the world.Ìý
Ìý
#InternationalWomensDay #BarnardCollege #WomenEmpowerment
Ìý
And last but not leastÌý
Ìý
We are still looking for a forever home for Milo.Ìý
If you are interested in adopting, please reach out to Amanda (amanda.lopez@igbis.edu.my)Ìý
If you cannot adopt, please share.Ìý

Popular Resources and FAQs
Questions, Support, and Help
Amanda Lopez - Grades 9 - 12 Universities Counselling & Social/Personal Counselling
To schedule an appointment -Ìý
- Parents - Ìý
- Students -
- Email - amanda.lopez@igbis.edu.myÌý
Follow Us on Instagram, Facebook and our In-house Counselling Website
It’s about time we joined Social Media, so please follow us!
The IGBIS Counselling Team is now on social media and we will highlight all things counselling, which includes future planning information, resources, and events coverage.Ìý
Follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook - @igbiscounselling and on our in-house Google .




