Monthly update from the Northbridge Parent Council

Monthly update from the Northbridge Parent Council Welcome to the monthly update from the Northbridge International School Cambodia Parent Council. First of all, we would like to express our sincere thanks to all parents who were involved in this year's Cultural Day celebrations. You helped make this wonderful event for the whole school a huge success by contributing both amazing performances and fantastic food.

By Parent Council Chair Natashia Ma

Welcome to the monthly update from the Northbridge International School Cambodia Parent Council. First of all, we would like to express our sincere thanks to all parents who were involved in this year's Cultural Day celebrations. You helped make this wonderful event for the whole school a huge success by contributing both amazing performances and fantastic food.

Managebac Assistance

Mr Alirio is available every Thursday morning from 8am to 8.30am in the Primary Multipurpose Room (3116) to assist parents on how to log in and access information on Managebac. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to see Mr Alirio.

Digital ID Card System

As you are aware, the new digital ID Card system has already started trialling. Parents will receive an e-mail informing them when the new parent ID cards are ready for collection. When you receive this, please bring your existing card to exchange for the new one.

YAPP Participation

Some parents in Primary commented on the one week registration period before YAPP tournaments, expressing concern that children sometimes attend YAPP without knowing who else is attending, or even how to play a particular sport.

However, Mr Richard explained that the main purpose of YAPP is to encourage kids to get involved and have fun with their friends and peers from other schools. It gives Primary children the chance to explore different kinds of sports or games without stress, and find out their real interests.

Tournament Dress Code

Parents are happy that Northbridge is hosting so many international sports events this year. However, they strongly encourage all our school referees and student helpers to dress appropriately during tournaments to leave a positive impression on our guests.

PE Uniform, School Hat & Water Bottle

When every new school year starts, the school gives every student 1 water bottle, 1 school hat and either 2 sets of PE uniform for new students, or 1 set of PE uniform for returning students. The PE kit has already been distributed, but the hat and water bottle have not yet been given out as both have a new and improved design. The order will arrive soon.

Café Blends

Parents gave feedback that Café Blends sometimes sells food that contains chocolate and sugars before 3pm, which is against the regulations. As such, the Parent Council hopes the school can look into this, and provide more healthy food varieties in Café Blends. 

Mr Richard took this chance to explain that Café Blends is run by a group of our Secondary students with supervision from teachers. The profits that Café Blends makes go towards supporting school activities such as school trips (eg. the Tanzanian trip last month), and food provided in some school events, or even as charity for some local organizations.

Digital Device Usage

Some parents requested the school ban students from bringing mobile devices to school, however Mr Richard explained to parents that in a digital world, rather than banning them we should learn to embrace them. The advancement of digital technology has brought profound benefits and efficiencies to people, though it does have negative impacts as well. 

That's why learning how to balance their lives in the digital world is very necessary for every student, requiring education and supervision from the school, and guidance from parents. The Parent Council has suggested the school organize workshops for parents on how to protect their children, and also proposed ideas such as Digital-Talk Day, Digital Free Zone and No Digital Day to remind us on how digital devices can impact us all.

Christmas Fair

The annual Northbridge Christmas Fair will be on 11 December! If you are a parent interested in taking part in this event, please contact Natashia at pc@nisc.edu.kh

Next Meeting

The Parent Council meets at 8am on the first Tuesday of each month in the Hub Meeting Room. The dates are marked in the school calendar, and you can also see the listing on the school Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/187292561993062/

If you have any topics or concerns that you would like to discuss among our parent group, please feel free to join the meetings or send an e-mail with details to pc@nisc.edu.kh