The TPIS LEADER Program
PROGRAMS
TPIS’s signature LEADER program is aimed to develop literacies, aptitudes and leadership capacities for both Primary and Secondary students.
The TPIS program emphasizes:
Transformation
Performance
Interpersonal and
Society Building
Focusing on literacies and competencies, students explore the self, others, and the community in student-centred classes that focus on relevant topics across five main domains:
Health and Sciences
Society and Culture
Economics and Finance
Arts and Literature
Language and Communication
The LEADER program offers Secondary students many opportunities to gain leadership experience and develop key academic and entrepreneurial aptitudes, while considering ethical dimensions in their work. The program explores issues organized in to the five main strands:
Social Sciences
Physical and Life Sciences
Art and Design
Humanities
Business and Entrepreneurship
TPIS feels that an interdisciplinary development program allows young students to reflect on many new ideas and participate in diverse experiences, facilitating growth, self-confidence, literacy and 21st century collaborative skills. Students in the TPIS program gain skills, knowledge and abilities about many important aspects of life and become more curious, aware and communicative about the world around them through guided activities that build strengths of both mind and character.
The LEADER program emphasizes:
Leadership
Ethics
Aptitude
Development
Entrepreneurship; and
Responsive learning
While students will participate in activities across all these disciplines throughout the program, they are also expected to choose a strand and develop a research project throughout the year. Choosing from a variety of Capstone projects, students may conduct qualitative and quantitative research in the fields of social science, physical science, life science, humanities, or, they may choose to produce reports and portfolios about internship experiences in media, art and design and business. These Capstone projects will be supervised by a faculty member or sponsor from the community.
Students need opportunities to strengthen self-efficacy, become self-directed, and think creatively, while gaining experience with project-oriented work that prepares them for challenges ahead. The LEADER program empowers, inspires and motivates students to be at the centre of learning.
TPIS recognizes our role as facilitators of innovation and development, but we also value student-led learning. The Social Club program gives students opportunities to become leaders in group activities that are fun, peer-centred and participatory.
Many of our Social Clubs were created on demand, as we have listened to what students want, and have tried to accommodate these special interests. While each Social Club is overseen by a member of our faculty, teachers are meant to play a supportive role in these activities. Each Social Club forms a leadership committee, and we try to encourage student collaboration and self-direction.
Social Clubs are meant to be, first and foremost, fun, lively and entertaining. However, many learning opportunities and teachable moments arise during these activities.
Some of the most popular, ongoing Social Clubs in our Primary school are: Taekwondo, Language, Sports & Fitness, Cooking, Dance, Choir, Painting, Game and Computer Clubs.
Secondary students enjoy: Cooking, Sport & Fitness, Dance, Mass Communication, Football, Design, Painting, Guitar and our Outdoor Adventures Club
We are constantly adding new Social Clubs and considering new ways to facilitate them, and yet ultimately, we encourage clubs to develop naturally, building on the dynamics, energies and talents of Club members.
Social Clubs are a way that students can create learning opportunities and exchange ideas. TPIS sees the Social Club program as offering opportunities for students to become leaders and learn how to work together in collaborative groups, co-creating, imagining and evolving together
One of the most common challenges among international schools using English-based curriculums is the mixed language ability. Although young students typically learn English quickly, incoming English Language Learners (ELLs) may struggle at first to gain a footing in a new program. TPIS students are culturally and linguistically diverse, and thus, we recognize the importance of providing an English Enhancement Program for those who need additional language support.
The English Enhancement Program (EEP) answers the call, providing English beginners opportunities to acquire the new language in a focused, intimate, often one-on-one environment. Our ESL specialists provide special lessons for incoming ELLs so that they can quickly adjust and succeed in the classroom.
Led by students in the English Language Club (ELC), The Voice of TPIS will emerge at end of the year. The Voice, a triannual publication, gives TPIS students experiences in journalism, graphic design and publishing. Articles cover a range of student-focused topics and concerns, about campus life, the community and the world.
The Voice is a student-led, faculty-assisted joint endeavour meant to encourage freedom of expression, build communication skills and foster a sense of community and campus life. Student journalists, editors, graphic designers and editorial columnists build media literacy, learn new skills and practice effective communication. Most of all, TPIS students have fun in an active, project-oriented activity that builds leadership and culture on campus.
In keeping with our commitment to nurturing future leaders, TPIS’ Student Representative Council (SRC) gives students opportunities to get politically involved in campus life. Each year, TPIS holds general elections for SRC leadership. Candidates organize and administer political campaigns, give speeches and rally support. The student body elects a President, Vice-President and Treasurer. The elected administration plays an important leadership role throughout the year, hosting events, fundraisers and functioning as delegates and spokespeople for TPIS events.
The SRC is a student-led, faculty-advised organization that meets regularly throughout the academic year. Our faculty advisors serve to guide, inform, encourage initiatives and facilitate opportunities both on and off campus.
Student leaders in SRC learn how to host and lead meetings, negotiate and make decisions. They can enhance the quality of life on campus and build school culture through collaboration, debate and discussion. SRC also gives leaders opportunities to build credentials, credibility and capacities for future endeavours and challenges.
Annually, the TPIS Yearbook Committee, composed of faculty, staff and students of TPIS, publishes a Yearbook that commemorates the year. Although the TPIS Yearbook is organized by the Mass Communication Club (MCC) but all interested students are encouraged to join the Yearbook Committee.
The TPIS Yearbook is more than a nostalgic keepsake. TPIS considers it a learning opportunity, where students can work with graphic design professionals and create something valuable for the TPIS community.
TPIS supports creativity and imagination by putting Arts-and-Crafts at the centre of our curriculum. We aim to build a strong, recognized Arts Program that encourages innovation and self-expression.
Our art teachers are experienced and knowledgeable, and we have dedicated a Creativity Corner at TPIS with a fully equipped Arts Studio. TPIS students work on a variety of visual arts-and-crafts projects throughout the week, during Social Club sessions, after school and during special events.
Learning Arts-and-Crafts has kinetic, socioemotional and cognitive functions as young people mature. Primary students develop fine motor skills, improve dexterity and practice hand-eye coordination. Simple actions such as performing brushstrokes, colouring within lines, or cutting and pasting will develop physical and mental capacities. Arts-and-Crafts enhance self-expression, encourage creativity and allow young students to socialize with peers. Art also has therapeutic value, and can boost self-confidence. Art sharpens decision-making, improves memory and encourages visual learning.
Secondary art students generally work on more complex types of projects, as our program incorporates elements of graphic and mixed media design. While more complex projects are more challenging, students also learn the process of taking conceptual ideas to a final product.
The TPIS Studio Arts program is constantly developing and refining, and yet, success of the Studio Arts program depends largely on the students themselves. TPIS aims to foster creativity and innovation, and a strong arts program is one way that students can develop these valued skills.
The TPIS Music Program is lively, energetic and performance-orienting, adding considerable value to the Curriculum, Social Clubs, Special Events and Co-Curricular activities.
Students at TPIS show great enthusiasm for music, and we recognize the importance of providing some understanding, experience and foundational music knowledge to all students. The main goals of the TPIS Music Program are to develop music appreciation, improve verbal and non-verbal language confidence, and to produce musically literate students.
The Primary curriculum focuses on traditional, multicultural, folk and popular songs, while introducing percussion and basic instruments like the recorder. However, we also offer opportunities for specialized music training in co-curricular activities in our Choir and Guitar Social Clubs. From an ethnocultural perspective, we want students to understand how rooted music is in culture, and how we can understand a tremendous amount about a culture through music.
At the Secondary level, students have opportunities to follow their passion with music on deeper levels. The School is accommodating to students with special talents and interest in pursuing music. We have a fine music recital room in our Creativity Corner, and our music teachers are experienced and supportive, offering experience and opportunities for students to explore, grow and learn.
EVENTS
With students and families from over thirty countries, TPIS recognizes the value of intercultural exchange and the many opportunities that diversity affords. Every year, we host a Multicultural Day, a gala event reflecting the many cultures, languages and traditions here at TPIS. Food, music and dance are at the centre of this annual tradition, and we invite the entire TPIS community to participate in setting up country booths, cooking food, sharing cultural artifacts and supporting cultural performances.
As the world trends towards globalization, it is more important than ever to celebrate the rich array of cultural resources and practices. Culture represents a big part of what makes each of us unique culture from all over the world, from Southeast and North Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Africa, Europe and Central Eurasia and the Americas.
Multicultural Day is a chance for all of us to come together and share our unique heritages, traditions and cultural practices in an atmosphere of harmony and mutual support
The TPIS Arts Festival is a weeklong event that celebrates creativity and human expression. TPIS puts student self-expression at the centre of its program because supporting the arts facilitates innovation and self-development, while also providing students opportunities to challenge themselves in new ways.
During our week-long program, TPIS conducts a number of full and half-day workshops and practice sessions focusing on arts and crafts, design and visual arts, music, modern and traditional dance, and other dramatic performances. The Arts Festival is structured semi-competitively, to motivate students to take risks, express themselves through different mediums and find their voices. The atmosphere is inclusive, nourishing and supportive, allowing the students’ natural abilities to shine.
The Arts Festival culminates in a celebratory performance where the entire TPIS community is invited to come together and celebrate the arts, view our community art gallery and share the common values of artistic expression in all its variety and sparks.
Our annual Fun Hiking gives the TPIS community a chance to get out, breathe in some fresh air and exercise together. Held at Templer Park Jungle, students and parents are encouraged to join in a day dedicated to healthy bodies, healthy minds and challenging physical feats. With foods and refreshments served under the cool shade of tents, a festive atmosphere of warm-up activities and Zumba dance, the Fun Run kicks off in style in the mid-morning.
Although prizes are given for the fastest kids per age group, and even to speedy parents and faculty, the event is meant to bring the entire TPIS community together. Whatever athletic ability is on display, the Fun Hiking is simply a day for friends, family and fitness in a wonderful outdoor setting.
The TPIS Sports Carnival is an annual athletic event where individual and group competitions are held in the spirit of intramural fun., the TPIS Sports Carnival is an opportunity for students to show off their athletic prowess, but also to practice teamwork, camaraderie and sportsmanship.
Prior to the Carnival, students are grouped in different Houses denoted by colour. During the opening ceremonies, each House demonstrates unity through choreographed marches. When the Games begin, a number of track-and-field sports and team competitions are performed. Students compete in various sporting events, such as football, long and short distance running, netball, long jump, tug-a-rope and others.
During the closing ceremony, individual, group and Houses are awarded. TPIS Sports Carnival is a memorable event that students and families love, and it is a good opportunity to strengthen connections within the community and to build tradition.
Green Day is celebrated annually to promote solidarity for efforts to protect the environment.
TPIS values the idea of clean air, clean water and the protection of biodiversity. We also find that celebrating Green Day offers many opportunities for students to learn about life sciences and environmental ethics. While a sense of responsibility for our planet should be part of everyday practice, Green Day reminds us of the value of all creatures and life forms, great and small.
Green Day gives our community a chance to reflect on nature, our own place on earth and future sustainability living. TPIS participates in many different activities related to ecology, conservation and environmental awareness.
The STEM fields are in greater demand today than they ever were. Some of the best compensated and most desired occupations are STEM-related. While TPIS integrates STEM skills and core competencies into our Curriculum, we also host an annual full day workshop dedicated to projects related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This provides students opportunities to learn STEM concepts, and to connect them to real life.
Adopting the STEM framework, students investigate problems, experiment, research and produce working projects and models from across the four disciplines. TPIS encourages and facilitates innovation and special interests, at the same time providing many guided activities throughout the day, to challenge, excite and ignite passions for STEM. TPIS recognizes that the STEM fields are the drivers of economies and that we have an obligation to provide opportunities for students to develop capacity and understanding of this key domain.
At TPIS, we feel that it is important that students explore recreational and educational opportunities in the greater community. Field trips are important features of our yearly program. Although every excursion is different, typically, we aim for one educational field trip and one strictly fun-oriented field trip. Both field trips give students occasion to learn and explore. In the past, we have chosen to go to botanical gardens, wildlife parks, museums, science centres, amusement parks and manufacturing centres. Students enjoy traveling off campus together, discovering new interests and participating in group learning activities.
Field trips benefits students in at least four ways:
Expanding Access: Students experience environments and tools that may not be available at school. Students access learning laboratories and connect with others in the community who possess knowledge, insight and skills in specialized areas.
Real World Experience: Experiential learning connects theory to praxis. When students go outside the comfort-zone of the classroom, they may be able to see how the knowledge they are learning in class ties to real world issues and problems.
Field Based Learning: Students engage with content in new ways, through different mediums, contexts and modalities. Field trips activate and enrich experience through multisensory learning experiences.
Socioemotional Growth: Field trips expand the mind and can create more empathy and understanding in students, as well as critical thinking skills. For instance, a field trip to a museum may enhance a child’s sensitivity or appreciation for history, art or the natural world.
Each year, TPIS selects a number of students who exhibit promising leadership aptitudes to attend a leadership retreat. This experience builds confidence, skills and competencies, leading to personal growth and social responsibility.
Leadership camps are known to increase self-awareness. Students learn to recognize their values and monitor their motivations, developing a growth mindset, resilience and collaborative abilities. They learn to trust themselves in new ways, which enables them to take calculated risks and embrace new challenges.
Students learn important interpersonal social skills and competencies, and better understand how to empower others and themselves. They have opportunities to make connections with role models and learn to be role models themselves.
Leadership camps improve creativity and courageousness. Students learn that they can make a difference in the community and become more socially active. These abilities directly transfer to campus life, as our student-leaders return to TPIS with a new sense of empowerment.
Students learn to be more affective public speakers, how to set goals and manage time in new ways, and get opportunities to network.