JIS spreads the message of peace

James Kon

1
British High Commissioner Rob Fenn presents his speech.

JIS Upper School Captains James Dickinson and Yu Rong Teng.

A student throws a ball at a target as part of a game in which a bucket of water is emptied over a JIS teacher at every successful hit.

A teacher getting splashed after a hit.

JIS orchestra band members showcase their musical skills in the name of peace.

The food corner proves a big hit with the students.

 

PHOTOS; JAMES KON

The British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Rob Fenn presented a Peace Week speech yesterday at the Jerudong International School, in which he highlighted the Sultanate's contributions to such a goal.

"Brunei Darussalam, as the Abode of Peace, is becoming better known internationally as the exporter of peace, through actions such as the contribution of peacekeepers to less peaceful countries in different parts of the world like Lebanon and the Philippines," he said.

"I would like to congratulate Brunei and what the country has done for the international community in the service of peace and, I think, by starting to educate the young about peace. It's a very powerful intervention," he added.

Recalling childhood memories regarding the concept of peace, he said, "When I was eight years old and schooling in Manhattan, USA, I was asked by a classmate, 'what does your daddy make?' Most of the other kids were children of industrialists who made cars, computers and so on. I replied that my daddy made peace because he was a diplomat working in the US. This led me to follow that path."

Meanwhile, Upper School Captains James Dickinson and Yu Rong Teng, who have been pivotal in putting together the JIS Peace Week said, "The planning for the event actually started in March this year and with the help of students, parents and teachers, it was a success."

Both students also designed a T-shirt with the message, "Keep Calm and Spread Peace". When asked how they came up with the phrasing, they replied, "We wanted people to wear a message about peace, even after the event concludes. We came up with the wording after days of brainstorming."

The 500 T-shirts, which are being sold for B$10 apiece, will be used to help the Sangkheun Centre in Cambodia, where the funding will help build on the much-needed development of art and education for Cambodian children.
Shaded from the sun by specially constructed tents, students took part in a variety of fun activities to raise money for the cause, such as 'Beat The Goalie' and a cream pie throwing game.

Younger students seemed to prefer quieter activities such as face painting and henna decoration, all of which were organised by students of the JIS Upper School Council, led by James Dickinson and Yu Rong Teng.

Throughout the week, lessons will focus on the theme of peace and students will be encouraged to reflect upon how fortunate they are to enjoy life in a stable and harmonious society.

In English, students studied the Christmas Truce held during World War I, when German and English soldiers temporarily ceased fighting in order to enjoy a friendly game of football. The message across the school was clear - it is the duty of everyone to work towards an ideal of peace in which nations and peoples respect each other's differences.

The Geography Faculty examined the thorny issue of how scarcity of resources can lead to conflict. Students considered possible solutions to this problem and created fascinating displays which were placed across the school.

The school's musicians also participated by holding special concerts at various locations. In the Middle School, string-instruments filled the corridors with melodies of peace, while the Senior School saw the brass ensemble perform for an enthusiastic audience. The musical crescendo of the week was undoubtedly the whole school's orchestra performance at the Peace Fair, in which the tunes played ranged from classical music to Malay favourites such as 'Pelan-Pelan Saja' and 'Melompat Lebih Tinggi'.Lunchtimes have been no exception to the active promotion of the message of peace, where guest speakers would present special talks.

Major Dan Duell spoke to students about the nature of international peacekeeping, drawing upon his experiences in Bosnia, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.

During the week, the Deputy Head of the Middle School, Mr Eddy Moore described in detail the school's charitable work in Cambodia and reminded students that it is their duty to help those less fortunate than themselves.

JIS Principal Andrew Fowler Watt summed up the occasion by saying, "For me, the Annual Peace Week at JIS is one of the most important occasions in our school calendar. It highlights the United Nations message that we should all strive for world peace and harmony. This is so important and all young people should support it, both here in Brunei and elsewhere.

"JIS Peace Week also enables a great deal of money to be raised for the school's Cambodian charity, and allows all to fully understand and enjoy the activities that take place both in and out of the classroom," the principal added.

"I am extremely grateful to all those who have worked so hard to make the 2012 JIS Peace Week such a success."

JIS spreads the message of peace

James Kon

British High Commissioner Rob Fenn presents his speech.

JIS Upper School Captains James Dickinson and Yu Rong Teng.

A student throws a ball at a target as part of a game in which a bucket of water is emptied over a JIS teacher at every successful hit.

A teacher getting splashed after a hit.

JIS orchestra band members showcase their musical skills in the name of peace.

The food corner proves a big hit with the students. - PHOTOS; JAMES KON

The British High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Rob Fenn presented a Peace Week speech yesterday at the Jerudong International School, in which he highlighted the Sultanate's contributions to such a goal.

"Brunei Darussalam, as the Abode of Peace, is becoming better known internationally as the exporter of peace, through actions such as the contribution of peacekeepers to less peaceful countries in different parts of the world like Lebanon and the Philippines," he said.

"I would like to congratulate Brunei and what the country has done for the international community in the service of peace and, I think, by starting to educate the young about peace. It's a very powerful intervention," he added.

Recalling childhood memories regarding the concept of peace, he said, "When I was eight years old and schooling in Manhattan, USA, I was asked by a classmate, 'what does your daddy make?' Most of the other kids were children of industrialists who made cars, computers and so on. I replied that my daddy made peace because he was a diplomat working in the US. This led me to follow that path."

Meanwhile, Upper School Captains James Dickinson and Yu Rong Teng, who have been pivotal in putting together the JIS Peace Week said, "The planning for the event actually started in March this year and with the help of students, parents and teachers, it was a success."

Both students also designed a T-shirt with the message, "Keep Calm and Spread Peace". When asked how they came up with the phrasing, they replied, "We wanted people to wear a message about peace, even after the event concludes. We came up with the wording after days of brainstorming."

The 500 T-shirts, which are being sold for B$10 apiece, will be used to help the Sangkheun Centre in Cambodia, where the funding will help build on the much-needed development of art and education for Cambodian children.

Shaded from the sun by specially constructed tents, students took part in a variety of fun activities to raise money for the cause, such as 'Beat The Goalie' and a cream pie throwing game.

Younger students seemed to prefer quieter activities such as face painting and henna decoration, all of which were organised by students of the JIS Upper School Council, led by James Dickinson and Yu Rong Teng.

Throughout the week, lessons will focus on the theme of peace and students will be encouraged to reflect upon how fortunate they are to enjoy life in a stable and harmonious society.

In English, students studied the Christmas Truce held during World War I, when German and English soldiers temporarily ceased fighting in order to enjoy a friendly game of football. The message across the school was clear - it is the duty of everyone to work towards an ideal of peace in which nations and peoples respect each other's differences.

The Geography Faculty examined the thorny issue of how scarcity of resources can lead to conflict. Students considered possible solutions to this problem and created fascinating displays which were placed across the school.

The school's musicians also participated by holding special concerts at various locations. In the Middle School, string-instruments filled the corridors with melodies of peace, while the Senior School saw the brass ensemble perform for an enthusiastic audience. The musical crescendo of the week was undoubtedly the whole school's orchestra performance at the Peace Fair, in which the tunes played ranged from classical music to Malay favourites such as 'Pelan-Pelan Saja' and 'Melompat Lebih Tinggi'.

Lunchtimes have been no exception to the active promotion of the message of peace, where guest speakers would present special talks.

Major Dan Duell spoke to students about the nature of international peacekeeping, drawing upon his experiences in Bosnia, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.

During the week, the Deputy Head of the Middle School, Mr Eddy Moore described in detail the school's charitable work in Cambodia and reminded students that it is their duty to help those less fortunate than themselves.

JIS Principal Andrew Fowler Watt summed up the occasion by saying, "For me, the Annual Peace Week at JIS is one of the most important occasions in our school calendar. It highlights the United Nations message that we should all strive for world peace and harmony. This is so important and all young people should support it, both here in Brunei and elsewhere.

"JIS Peace Week also enables a great deal of money to be raised for the school's Cambodian charity, and allows all to fully understand and enjoy the activities that take place both in and out of the classroom," the principal added.

"I am extremely grateful to all those who have worked so hard to make the 2012 JIS Peace Week such a success."