Last week at GIS, we started the important process of looking at future options and planning to ensure smooth transitions in the transformative years. Collapsing the timetable for Year 11-13 gave us time and space to offer advice, guidance and support, highlighting the importance we place in ensuring our students are fully informed and prepared to take ownership of their own journeys.
Year 11 started the process of thinking about their A level options, with this involving a series of A level taster sessions and an insightful presentation by our Alumni, Farah Jabir. Year 12 were encouraged to plan forwards to ensure they are ready for higher education applications – after an inspirational talk from Alumni, Siu Min Lim, the students began exploring their interests and priorities as they look towards higher education options. Year 13 had time to finalise university choices and prepare for the exciting step that sees them gain real independence. We were delighted to have Alumni Dr Arman Rashid in attendance to speak to our Year 13 students and give advice on effective self care.
It is so important for our students to hear from alumni and visualise success through vicarious experience. We really are privileged to have an ever growing network of Alumni that are always keen and enthusiastic about sharing their personal and professional experience and who showcase what is possible with the holistic development that a GIS education provides.
Dr. Arman I Rashid, PhD MACA, Class of 1998
Keynote Speaker for Y13, Topic – Managing effective self care
Policy Analyst/Mental Health Counsellor, Researcher & Trainer, Melbourne
“I am honoured to speak on emotional wellbeing to GIS students for the third consecutive year. Every year, I am inspired to see how the GIS management and teachers give so much emphasis on the emotional wellbeing of students. The mental health of students is more important than ever now given the stressors, disruption and uncertainty facing all students during the COVID-19 period. Some of the key takeaways for students from my session this year were:
(i) the importance of mental wellbeing for achieving your full potential, performing well academically and developing a happier state of mind;
(ii) emotional awareness and acknowledgement can be the first steps in coping with pandemic stressors, including anxiety over exams, isolation from peer, etc.;
(iii) self-compassion and kindness can go a long way in reducing stress and improving performance; and, (iv) self-care is critical in coping with stressors, in particular healthy eating, exercise and sleeping. We also discussed the importance of daily routines, boundaries, meaningful engagement and breaking the stigma on mental health for the emotional well being of students.
The session was very participatory and engaging with insightful questions. It was promising for me to see how GIS Year 13 students were keen to learn strategies for improving their emotional wellbeing. I hope the students benefited from the talk and can be advocates for mental health awareness in the community. Thank you very much to GIS for the opportunity and looking forward to returning again next year. In the meantime, stay well and safe. We will emerge stronger from the pandemic – Feedback by Dr Arman”
Siu Min Lim, Class of 1999
Keynote Speaker for Y12, Topic – 5 things I would tell my 17 year old self
Head of Production at award-winning production house Double Vision
“Last week we began the process of looking forward and asking the Year 12 students to think about the next steps in their lives. As part of our Higher Education launch session, we were very privileged to be joined by GIS alumni, Min Lim, from the Class of 1999. Min Lim’s success as head of production at the award winning production house, Double Vision, certainly caught the attention of our ambitious sixth form students! Some of her credits include being Executive Producer of the highly acclaimed Asian adaptation of The Bridge, as well as award-winning sitcoms and dramas such as Cakap Melayulah and Beautiful World. Min Lim gave an incredibly engaging and inspiring keynote presentation, highlighting the 5 things that she would have told her 17 year old self. Her practical advice certainly resonated with our students and gave them plenty to consider: from how to pitch, to being resilient and kind – the students were given a refreshingly honest and open insight into what it takes to be successful in both our personal and professional lives. Min Lim received fantastic feedback from our students and many will certainly be looking to follow in her successful footsteps. It is so important for our students to see the range of opportunities and careers available to them and we are so lucky to have such a thriving alumni community that are so willing to come back and share!” – Feedback by Dr Michael Browning, GIS-Head of Sixth Form.
Farah Jabir, Class of 2016
Keynote Speaker for Y11, Topic – ‘From reception (GIS) to NYC…’
Director, writer and producer based in New York City
“To kick off the A Level Options process, our Year 11s were treated to an inspirational and heartwarming talk by GIS Alumni, Farah Jabir. Farah, now a writer, director and producer of films, based in New York City, spoke affectionately of her time at GIS. With us from EYC, Farah shared personal accounts of some of the tough decisions she faced whilst with us: choosing subjects, deciding on which universities to apply to, and agonising over the impressive offers she received. Her message is to listen to your heart. Ultimately, by following her passion and love for making films, she believes she is now far happier, more content and successful than if she had opted for the more traditional and academic route she so narrowly escaped!” – Feedback by Mr Mark Solomons, Assistant Head (KS4) / Business Studies Teacher.
A huge ‘Thank You’ to these inspiring Alumni, who generously shared their time and experiences with our students virtually, despite their busy daily schedules. If you are interested in sharing your journey post-GIS, then please get in touch with us at alumni@gardenschool.edu.my
We are always updating our page with news from the Alumni community across the continents and would love to hear from you and share your stories. Please get in touch via Facebook, LinkedIn or simply send an email to alumni@gardenschool.edu.my. We can’t wait to hear from you!