EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Dr Suseela Balakrishnan, Head of Design, Monitoring & Evaluation, Nina Adlan Disney, General Manager Education Development, Zulhaimi Othman, Managing Director of LeapEd and Brian John Ambrosio, Head of State Education Advisory Services)

Recently, I took some time off to attend a dialogue session titled 'Education in the 21st Century - Our Impact', which was organised by LeapEd Services (‘LeapEd’) and focused on their flagship Trust Schools Programme (TSP 1.0). It was an insightful session for all of us as we learned more about the efforts implemented for education transformation in Malaysia.

The Impact Study revealed that the programme has had an overall positive impact in Malaysia’s education sector

LeapEd was established as a Social Enterprise in 2010, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Khazanah Nasional Berhad. They’re also Malaysia's first homegrown education service provider! LeapEd aims to enrich lives through capacity-building and education transformation and has impacted over 71,000 students in 160 schools through its various intervention models
such as the District Transformation Programme- AMAN ('DTP-AMAN'), Islamic School Enhancement Programme ('ISEP'), Group-up School Transformation ('GUSTO') programme, Program Sekolah Transformasi ('PreSTasi'), as well as the nation's first Trust Schools Programme (TSP 1.0) to date. Their Education Philosophy revolves around leaners, for them to realise their innate potential. This in return will add value to their communication skills as a whole.

TSP 1.0 is LeapEd's flagship programme designed to develop holistic students with 21st century capabilities, and is carried out in collaboration with Yayasan AMIR and the Ministry of Education.

TSP 1.0 looks at improving student outcomes and revitalising school culture. Since its roll-out in 2011, the TSP 1.0 has impacted over 5,300 parents and 65,000 students in 83 schools across 12 states in Malaysia. By empowering school administration and leadership team (school management, teachers, students and parents), TSP 1.0 hopes to develop schools that embed sustainable educational practices for the future.

Speaking at the dialogue session, Managing Director of LeapEd Services Sdn Bhd, En Zulhaimi Othman said, "The Trust Schools Programme was designed with the future generations in mind. Over the past 9 years, we have worked closely with our strategic partners such as the Ministry of Education and Yayasan AMIR to develop and implement the programme across schools in Malaysia, equipping students with the critical life skills they require as well as transforming schools in a holistic manner by adapting international best practices." This recent study was conducted to review the effectiveness of TSP 1.0, identifying opportunities to further enhance the model moving forward.

Brian John Ambrosio, Head of State Education Advisory Services, speaking at the dialogue session

Increase in professional competencies

The Impact Study was carried out via mixed methodologies involving surveys, interviews and observations with over 3,000 respondents including school staff, students and parents. The study
also revealed that 95% of secondary school teachers and 76% of primary school teachers moved by at least 1 level up the scale, of Starting to Developing or Enhancing to Extending.

Moving up the scale indicates a paradigm shift in the level of knowledge, skills, thinking, pedagogy and practice, showcasing growth in the teachers’ career. In many cases, professionals may not even experience one level of shift throughout their entire career as it requires continuous self-reflection and growth mindset.

Respectively, 86% of primary and 91% of secondary Middle Leaders observed a minimum progression of 1 level. As for the Senior Leadership team, 76% of primary and 83% of secondary Senior Leaders indicated a minimum progression of 1 level. Of the 124 Middle Leaders surveyed, 8% indicated a progress of 3 levels, equivalent to a very high level of teaching excellence. The study also showed that TSP 1.0 has had a positive impact on the professional competencies of school staff, allowing them to nurture students and provide quality learning in the classrooms.

High quality teaching and learning

Over 3,139 students and parents interviewed reported that students under TSP 1.0 received quality teaching. The study also shows that parents reacted positively to the programme as they observed an increase in opportunities for students to be involved in the life of the schools, as well as an increase in the frequency and level of interaction between schools, parents and the wider community. Furthermore, school climate is both a strong influencer of students' life satisfaction, well-being and student outcomes.

TSP 2.0 Underway

The TSP 1.0 approach focuses on working collaboratively with the school management team, teachers, students, parents and the community. In order, to ensure that the programme remains sustainable and scalable, the impact study also identified opportunities to further enhance the transformation model. An area that was identified is customising interventions depending on the individual need of each school. This will allow expansion of the model to better cater to groups with specific needs such as indigenous and minority groups, students with special needs, as well as to those in rural communities.

Zulhaimi added, "We believe that investing in education is the smartest decision one can make. Education provides opportunity which in turn empowers people, cultivates creativity and improves confidences and self-belief. Through the Impact Study, we have seen how the Trust School Programme has positively impacted the lives of teachers, students and parents. Leveraging on the success and learnings of this programme, we are committed to continue working with our partners to implement a new and enhanced model, TSP 2.0, which will be aligned to global trends and national aspirations."

The TSP 1.0 transformation approach focuses on  public-private partnership ('PPP') outreach model, working collaboratively with school leadership teams, teachers, students, parents and the community. 

To ensure that the programme remains transformative, sustainable and scalable, the research also identified opportunities to further enhance the programme. Some of the areas identified including customising interventions, depending on the individuals needs of schools. This will allow expansion of the model to better cater to groups with specific needs such as indigenous and other minority groups, students with special needs, as well as rural and under-enrolled schools.

Hence, TSP 2.0 is the next evolution of LeapEd's Trust School Programme, which leverages on the success and learnings of TSP 1.0 Designed as a model that is both sustainable and scalable, TSP 2.0 has been launched in 2019 in selected Malaysian public schools.

Zulhaimi added, "We believe that investing in education is the smartest decision one can make. Education provides opportunity which in turn empowers people, cultivates creativity and improves confidences and self-belief. Through the Impact Study, we have seen how the Trust School Programme has positively impacted the lives of teachers, students and parents. Leveraging on the success and learnings of this programme, we are committed to continue working with our partners to implement a new and enhanced model, TSP 2.0, which will be aligned to global trends and national aspirations."

With TSP 1.0, students will be able to thrive in the 21st century global environment through five critical life skills of confidence, communication, creativity, critical thinking and co-existence.
 This intervention model sees school administration teams, teachers and parents work together towards developing the potential of every learner. I sincerely hope that more corporations would come onboard and support this transformation journey as funds are very much needed in this public-private partnership. If you’re interested to find out more, do check out their website: www.leapservices.com

No Matter White/Black, I choose the best quality

Everyone has got busy lifestyle, and it didn't stop me from caring for my sons. It's school holidays school and we know that need to shop for school shoes and back to school stationery. That's not all, busy lifestyle whenever I see there's sales and good deal I would grab the chance to shop.

Now the heat question about whether white shoes or black shoes to wear. Just to let you know that the children will get start to wear black shoes enforce for school only start in the year 2021. All this while we busy using the white color school shoes, I prefer the white shoes because white looks clean and presentable. White color heat dispersion, as you can see even our school uniform are white in color. Yes, White colors win my heart as white shoes hygiene, reduce the risk of mosquitoes bites, and gives the heat dispersion. When my son's shoes get wet, they are easily dry up too!

Talking about school shoes, sharing is caring check out the Pallas School Shoes. If I get to decide the shoes color that we are going to wear in future, I would choose white as it's been many years. Every weekend we would wash the white shoes, white color reduce the risk of mosquitoes bites.

I know some of my friends would prefer black in color, as they told me that they no need wash the shoes often. Black color shoes, though get dirty but it's still black. This may give them excuses to avoid washing the shoes often. Unlike white shoes, once it's get dirty its obvious. Well no matter black or white, I still like white! Don't forget that no matter white or black, it's important to wash the shoes to give it hygiene.

My son will be Standard Two next year and Velcro type is suitable for him as the shoes are Velcro strap design, it has the cooling feet with the unique ventilation system designed. I like about these shoes because it has 'superlight' weight, I am sure parents didn't want to have their children wearing heavy weight shoes. My son long hour at school but still can keep his feet air ventilation and not smelly. This pair of Pallas white shoes provide good ventilation and most important they don't feel the heat as it give their feet Air Flow! The raining season parents would be worry of the shoes not fast dry but no worry as the Pallas shoes are designed for Quick Dry, sometimes rainy days we not able to put under the sun we can keep the shoes indoor but fan turn on for the shoes to Quick Dry.

For primary school students Standard 1 to Standard 6, they are suitable to wear Velcro type shoes. As for secondary school students, it's mostly likely to wear lace shoes. Most of teenager would prefer the Pallas Jazz Star Low Cut Shoe Lace than Velcro as they are growing up. My eldest son will be Form 1 next year and there's Velcro type available and also the Pallas Jass Star Low Cut Shoe Lace, the shoes rubber insole for better rebound (insole not easy to collapse), it is more comfy and it has New fitting (broader fitting).

With wide range of shoes choice at Pallas, you can find the suitable school shoes for your children. The new black school shoes will only be enforced beginning of year 2021.

Everyone with busy lifestyle, but there is Internet access we can online shopping for shoes. To know more about Pallas shoes, do visit their website:  https://www.pallas.com.my/
There is Facebook Pallas: https://www.facebook.com/PallasMalaysia/
If you like to know the measurement check out https://www.wow2wee.com/w2w-measurement-guide

FOOTBALL FEVER AT KIDZANIA SPORTZ 2018!

The June School Holidays just ended, where did you spend your school holidays with kids during that time? I know now is the season of Football, everyone is talking about it and also watching on TV! Now listen up the biggest football event of the year is just around the corner, and KidZania Kuala Lumpur welcomes fans to a football haven for Malaysian kids! You may think it is over but it is not as it started from 9 June to 8 July, KidZania SportZ 2018 initiates the joy of playing football and celebrates the world’s most popular game. Activities range from daily sessions of futsal, foosball and table-top football phenomenon Subbuteo, while highlights include special appearances from the Malaysia Blind Football Team and an exclusive workshop led by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) Grassroots team.

I know the school always encourage children to take part together as team, this give them chance to learn and builds confidence and cooperation with one another. So there's time that parent needs to send their children to classmate's home to do their school's projects. 

“With the current spotlight on football, it’s the perfect time to get kids excited about playing sports and being active,” said Shahrul Nizar Ahmad, Mayor of KidZania Kuala Lumpur. “Sports is more than a healthy pastime, it improves coordination, builds confidence and helps develop social skills. Games can also teach kids about cooperation and teamwork; these are important aspects of growing up and we are proud to present ‘KidZania SportZ’ for the second time, giving children more opportunities to ‘Learn Life Today’.

KidZania Urbano team up with team to play Football

"We are happy to provide our support to encourage greater interest in football among children through programmes like KidZania SportZ, elevating their appreciation of the game and inspiring more children to play. Every journey in Football begins at the Grassroots." said YBhg Dato' Hamidin bin Hj Mohd Amin, General-Secretary of the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM).

Foosball

There's till plenty of time to plan your family time. Children needs break fro studies, and KidZania is where you find Edutainment and learn at the same time. Families who visit KidZania Kuala Lumpur will be able to learn more about Blind Football and try scoring goals while being blindfolded in a special session with Malaysia Blind Football Team, and join football experts from FAM Grassroots as they provide an exclusive coaching session at the establishment.


Other Football-themed Highlights at KidZania SportZ 2018:
* Futsal: Practice dribbling skills in a 2V2 match, or try to score a goal while blindfolded!
* Foosball: This intense game puts hand-eye coordination to the test. Great for all ages!
* Subbuteo: Try the new table-top football phenomenon!
* Football Video Game: This virtual challenge brings the game to life in a different way!

Great fun for kids as well as their parents, KidZania SportZ 2018 also features a range of other activities such as bike training, table tennis robot training, archery and even finger skateboarding! My children always find it nice play to learn and plan, every time they go they would be excited about it. It's also great bonding time for their childhood with siblings. Don't just read here, you can encourage your kids to take part and it's good also that they be hands off the gadgets while having the good time at KidZania Kuala Lumpur.

Children think watch and play!

Sunny Shalesh, Coach of Malaysia Blind Football Team added, “This is a great opportunity for us to work with children and show them what they can accomplish despite challenges like blindness. Our team is an example that adversity can be overcome and we hope to pass on this valuable lesson to the children.

Coach briefing before starting to play

Let's make no more excuse and give our children a great time to experience the Football Fever at KidZania Sportz, there's time to plan of it as 8 July 2018 is the last day to participate. Parents can relax and enjoy at Parent's lounge where children are not allow to enter.Now both my sons having their KidZania Pazzport, they can't wait to go back to earn more stamps and KidZos.

 

Don’t miss the chance to experience football and more at KidZania SportZ 2018, 

from 9 June to 8 July 2018! Book tickets online and get a 

20% discount off admission tickets with the promo code
. 
If you are not able to view the code please check the comment session.

Besides loving to go KidZania Sportz, my son at home also likes to play football.

KidZania SportZ 2018 is proudly supported by the Malaysia Blind Football Team, Football Association of Malaysia, Decathlon, Spritzer, Arrouha Archery Malaysia and The Positibo Fingerboard. 

For more information about activities and events at KidZania Kuala Lumpur, visit www.kidzania.com.my or www.facebook.com/KidZaniaKualaLumpur, or 

call the KidZania Careline 1300 88 KIDZ (5439) 

from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Sunday.

Australian International School Malaysia (AISM) Recognised as First Visible Learning School in the World

Being mom of two boys, I know the important of education and glad to have take time out to attend this private event on last Thursday' morning. Education today is no longer about the consumption of knowledge. Schools today are preparing their students for challenges in real life and imparting skills that they would use in a highly competitive 21^st century. With that, the role of a teacher in moulding citizens of the future is an ever important one and the learning approach in schools needs to change to reflect the needs of the future.

  

AISM celebrates being the First Certified Visible Learning School in the World.

The Australian International School Malaysia, a part of Taylor’s Schools, knows how the delivery of an international curriculum is and has invested in equipping its teachers and students with a new teaching and learning method called the Visible Learning approach alongside the Australian curriculum. The school which has offered an Australian education in Malaysia for the past 17 years, held a launch ceremony on 12 October to announce that it is the first Certified Visible Learning School in the world. This is testimony to its commitment to deliver outstanding teaching and learning practices at its campus in Seri Kembangan. 

"The number one thing that differentiates an impactful teacher from others is passion about children's learning, a teacher who has taken time and effort to build up trust between themselves and the student. We are working hard to ensure this is our schools," says BK Gan, President of Taylors Schools. 

Visible Learning is an evidence-based approach to teaching and learning researched and developed by Professor John Hattie of the University of Melbourne. Professor John Hattie's Visible Learning practices have influenced teaching practices and form the basis of teacher training courses for many years in schools from New Zealand to Scandinavia and United States. It was only recently that Visible Learning School Awards were being awarded, and because of the commitment of our teachers and leaders towards Visible Learning practices that AISM have become the first school worldwide to revive such an accolade. 

The private event was attended by a 150-strong audience, including representatives from the Australian High Commission and Malaysian Ministry of Education and Department of Education, members of influential business associations and organisations, AISM parents and staff, as well as members of the media. The event was proudly sponsored by AISM’s neighbouring property developer BRDB Developments, Australian property company Central Equity, Jasons Food Hall, Brandt Malaysia and Cezar’s Kitchen Sdn Bhd.

The highlight of the ceremony was an appearance by the recently crowned Australia Masterchef  Winner 2017, Diana Chan, who was not only invited to show off her culinary skills in an exclusive cooking demonstration with a student, she also shared her MasterChef journey of trials and challenges and how she used Visible Learning attributes towards her success. It's the day that I get to meet Diana Chan in person, she's friendly and has a good skill in cooking, she can cook while answer questions of the guests at the event.

Diana Chan, Masterchef Australia Winner 2017 speaks about her Masterchef journey and how she achieved her goals

“I am so impressed by the Australian International School Malaysia and the way they are preparing their students to be successful in life as well as successful in their academic studies. It is impressive to see children learning how to set high goals, recognising the importance of listening to feedback and giving good feedback as well as learning how to reflect on mistakes. I hope my children in the future can go to a school like AISM,” says Diana Chan, the Malaysian-born Melbourne-based accountant by profession.

 

Diana Chan, Masterchef Australia Winner 2017 in a live-cook out with AISM student, Annabelle Bateman

Diana also supports charitable causes, one of which is Beyond Blue, an Australian, independent non-profit organization which addresses issues with depression, anxiety disorders and related mental disorders. The school donated money and raised funds during the event towards this organisation. Diana also participated in a live cook-out session, assisted by a AISM Year 11 student, Annabelle Bateman, who had emerged as winner in an all-student cooking competition organised by AISM for its students, prior to the launch ceremony.

The guests were later taken on a Visible Learning classroom tour where they saw students being taught with clear learning intentions and success criteria. Students seemed to know exactly what they needed to do and what success”looked like”.

 

AISM Principal, Dr Deborah Priest is presented the Visible Learning Certificate by Tan Sri Dato' Alimuddin, Chariman and Board of Governor of AISM.

“At AISM, we have been excited to see the benefits of Visible Learning for our students.  Our students, even those in the lower Junior School, are noticeably changing. They are all creating, editing and re-setting learning goals throughout the year and they are all enjoying and taking more independence and responsibility for their own learning. From an academic perspective, we have seen significant tangible improvements in diagnostic testing data and student engagement, and as students progress through the school, we anticipate that the pre-university results will also continue to improve,“ adds AISM Principal, Dr Deborah Priest.  

 

AISM celebrates being the First Certified Visible Learning School in the World.

As a Visible Learning School, AISM students and teachers share a common language of learning. As a result, their students are adaptable and effective communicators, collaborators and creative thinkers. 

 

I am up close and personal with MasterChef Australia Winner 2017, Diana Chan in a Live-Cookout session in conjunction with the Visible Learning Certification Launch.

Special thanks to AISM for inviting me to their private event at Seri Kembangan. Once again Congratulations to Australian International School Malaysia (AISM) Recognised as First Visible Learning School in the World. 

About AISM

The Australian International School Malaysia (AISM), a member of the Taylor’s Education Group, is the only International School in Malaysia offering the New South Wales (NSW) Australian curriculum taught by highly qualified international teachers, predominantly Australian trained and experienced.The Australian curriculum offers seamless transition into education pathways in Australia and provides an international qualification recognised by top universities around the world. Growing steadily over the years since its inception in 2000, the school caters for children from age 3 (Pre-school) to age 18 (Pre-University). Located in a secure gated community in Seri Kembangan, AISM overlooks the picturesque South Lake of Mines Resort City, a short drive from Kuala Lumpur City Centre. The school houses its Junior, Middle, and Senior schools on one campus and has more than 650 students represented by over 37 different nationalities.


The school is a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS) and was recognised again with the prestigious 5-Star Excellence Awards from the Ministry of Education Malaysia.

If you like to know more about AISM, you can also visit the Facebook, click on the link to visit. 

Coala Gibb Spine- Care Bag

Being mom of two boys, I am always on the go because of my sons. I am also a concern parent about my kids's education especially the school bags that they are using. We need to find suitable backpack for children as this bag is suitable for them because it is ergonomically designed for child's back comfort. Being parents we not just concern of their education but health too, I am glad my sons are happy with the bag of Coala Gibb Spine - Care Bag. The bag is made in Hong Kong, it used material Oxford Textile and waterproof material.

 How often do we find that bag that has name card with it? This bag has got a name card that we can slot in the bag for the child's name, class and school. My little one who is going to be Standard One next year has just started using this bag, as you can see below photo of his books, pencil box, color pencil box, tumbler and breakfast box. Yeah the compartment of the zip outside bag can fit the breakfast box.

nicely fit in books and exercise books, pencil box and color pencil box and breakfast box in bag.

Besides that, if you didn't want to put the breakfast box you can put in tissues inside. It has a cute Coala's logo on the bag shoulder.

 Are you a parent like me that would check on children's bag on whether they still have enough tissues in the bag or not. As I know son's school didn't have tissue provide in the restroom. There's another compartment on bag that we can place wet tissues inside. You view the video above to see.

 With top compartments you can see on the above photo, it has two zippers. It is convenient and easy to use, easy to zip the bag. There's guarantee on this zipper which the seller will check on the condition of the bag.

 Write your child's name, class and school's name on the card for the bag. This is important as there was time that my son told me that it happened in school someone using the same bag and they have mistook it home and they have no idea whose bag it belong too though there's name on the book.

 The bag used material Oxford Textile, and waterproof material. Safety buckle keeps the bag intact. The back of the bag has got the ergonomically designed for child's back and my son says he doesn't feel sweaty or hot when using the bag.

Tumbler can easily place at side of the bag, there's another one pocket on the other side of the bag.

The spacious compartments in the bag, which allow you to neatly organize the books and stationery.
Below picture is where my Standard 5 son used for his school, it consists of 30 exercise books and other text books and files.

The bag is not like other normal bags that I have bought for my son. This bag has ergonomically designed for child's back comfort and my son feels the difference after using the bag. He says it's light and suitable for him to use for daily schooling. Even his brother is using it at Kindergarten.

The bag is 40cm x 16cm x 30cm, it maybe difference by 1cm due to handmade. Now you can check out their website for the purchase of this bag if you have interest to shop for child's bag.

You can view my video below on Unboxing the Big Box, yeah this is big box, contained of  two bags  Coala Gibb Spine - Care Bag.

Smarter Pack: One Coala Gibb Spine - Care Bag is RM179.90
Smart Pack: Two Coala Gibb Spine- Care Bag is RM339.90.

There's other colors available which are Pink and Yellow Colour. Pink color is nice gift for school girls, Yellow color can be nice for the boys. It is up to you on desire of Pink color or Yellow color, do visit their website Coala Gibb Spine - Care Bag for more details, click the link to purchase. With purchase of two items and above you are entitle for Free Shipping in Malaysia.

To my readers, you can enjoy RM20 off using the promo code: SHERRYxGB to shop online. Hurry grab this deal now as the promo code only valid for a month starting from 16 October 2017.

My sons are happy with the bags and Sean who is going to be Standard 6 next year, he says that one day it rained and bag was waterproof. Little bro is happy too using the bag for his final preschool, next year he's going to be Standard One same school as his big brother.

Now if you are looking for presents or Christmas gift ideas, why not consider this for them.