EAGLE TRACTS
CORNERSTONE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
Dear Eagle Family
I hope you are well-rested and rejuvenated from the break and we are happy to have all students and staff back in good health.
It is always great to see our students return from a break with a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm. As we resume our learning engagements and school activities, I would like to remind you to stay positive and proactive to experience the adventure of learning journey .
Our IB Learner Profile focus for the month is Principled. Being principled means acting with integrity, honesty, and a sense of fairness and justice in all aspects of academic and personal life. It means being responsible and accountable for one's actions and decisions and treating others with respect and kindness.
I encourage all the students, staff and parents to practice the act of being principled as well as prioritize their well-being and self-care. It is important that we all take care of ourselves to maintain mental and emotional health for a successful academic year.
Finally, I encourage all students to make the most of your time here at school. Participate in extracurricular activities, engage in discussions with your facilitators and peers, and take advantage of the many resources available to you. Your time here is precious, and I hope you will look back on it with fondness and pride.
Have an amazing month.
Sincerely,
Mr. Joseph Paulraj
Human Resources Manager
WHAT IB SAYS ABOUT BEING PRINCIPLED
Being principled means adhering to a set of ethical or moral principles, and exhibiting principles in one's actions and behavior. Overall, exhibiting principles requires a strong commitment to ethical and moral values, consistency, and a willingness to act on those values even when it is difficult or unpopular. Here are some ways to exhibit being principled:
WHAT DOES IB SAY ABOUT THE LEARNER PROFILE ATTRIBUTES?
The IB learner profile is a set of ten attributes that the International Baccalaureate (IB) organization believes students should strive to embody throughout their education and beyond.
IB IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
A visit by our IB World School Manager-Ms. Proserpina Dhlamini Fisher
It was such an honor to have received a senior personnel from the International Baccalaureate on a working visit.
Ms. Proserpina was at our school on April 12, 2023, and welcomed by some students and staff. We had meaningful interactions about the IB implementation in our school and ways to promote the IB Learner Profile within our school community.
It was great sharing our learning and journey with our guest.
Commemorating Independence Day is an important event in many schools. It provides an opportunity for students to learn about their country's history and the sacrifices made by their forefathers to achieve freedom. It is an excellent way for schools to foster patriotism, promote cultural harmony, and educate students about their country's history and values. Students of Cornerstone International Academy were not left out of this celebration. Students engaged in different activities such as flag hoisting, match pass, patriotic speeches and poems, special assembly and many more on March 3, 2023.
Opening Address for the PYP Exhibition Launch by our PYP Coordinator to Fifth Grade Students
I am thrilled to be here with you today for the launch of the PYP Exhibition 2023 on an important theme that affects not only us but also the world we live in.
The theme for this year PYP Exhibition 2023 is "Attaining a sustainable world through creative solutions". As students of C.I.A. you are already on the right path towards making a positive impact on the world.
You may have heard of the term "SDG," which stands for Sustainable Development Goals. These are a set of 17 goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to help create a sustainable future for all. The SDGs cover a range of topics, including poverty, inequality, climate change, education, and more. By working towards achieving these goals, we can help create a world that is more equitable, just, and sustainable.
How can you, final year students in the PYP, contribute to attaining a sustainable world? The answer is simple - through creative solutions. You have unique talents, skills, and perspectives that can help address some of the world's most pressing problems. Whether it's reducing your carbon footprint, volunteering in your community, or spreading awareness about important issues, every action you take can make a difference.
Let us take a look at some examples of creative solutions that students like you have implemented:
• In India, a group of students created a machine that converts plastic waste into fuel. This not only helps reduce plastic waste but also creates a source of renewable energy.
• In the United States, a group of high school students created an app called "Food for All" that helps reduce food waste by connecting restaurants and grocery stores with people who are in need of food.
• In Australia, a group of students created an initiative called "Plastic Free Tuesdays," where they encourage people to go plastic-free for one day a week. This initiative has now spread to other countries, and many people are now participating in plastic-free days.
These are just a few examples of how students like you are making a positive impact on the world through creative solutions. You can start by identifying a problem that you care about and brainstorming creative solutions to address it. Remember, no idea is too small, and every action counts.
Attaining a sustainable world requires all of us to work together towards a common goal. During this PYP Exhibition, you have the power to make a positive impact on the world through your creativity, passion, and dedication.
Let us work together to create a better, more sustainable future for all.
May our theme: Attaining a sustainable world through creative solutions come to reality.
Thank you.
Sincerely
Mr. William Gyamfi
Mentor Mentee Meetings
Power start! This year's exhibition has already started with a lot going on. Mentors are working with students on the identification of problems and outlining of solutions in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Students are showing the spirit of inquiry as they begin this important learning journey.
Sports Day is an excellent opportunity for students to participate in physical activities, showcase their sports skills and team spirit, and foster a sense of healthy competition. Our grade five students displayed their football skills and sportsmanship as they took on the different roles within a football team, such as being coaches, football players, first/aid members etc.
As part of the Solar System unit, grade two students modeled the eight planets in the celestial body using recyclable materials such as cardboard and play dough. Students also created art to depict changes in times and seasons.
SPORTS DAY
March 28th, 2023 featured a fun-filled MYP Sports Day as students participated in competitive sports and games. Students competed against themselves in houses namely; Excellence, Unity, Magnificence, and Visionary. The competitions on that day included track events like 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters relay, and soccer.
This exciting day was kicked-started with an opening ceremony where the sod was cut by the Principal Mrs. Vani Joseph. Following the inauguration of the event, MYP’s gymnastics team displayed an amazing performance to officially mark the beginning of the sporting events.
The day was filled with excitement and cheering from all the houses and the parents who were able to attend the event. In between the competitions, cheerleading teams from the different houses displayed special performances to entertain and cheer the houses on. Getting to the end of the day, parents and facilitators competed in a football match and had much fun doing so.
In the end, the MYP’s Sports Day fostered togetherness, love, and a positive sense of sportsmanship among students, facilitators, and parents. We can’t wait for the next Sports Day!
TIE AND DYE PRODUCTION
MYP YEAR 1 FIELD TRIP
Along the inquiry journey of MYP Year 1 PHE, students went on a field trip to the Adringanor Community Park to practice their learning. Students were learning about track events, the types, and their role in the community. Thus, students chose the 100-meter dash as the track event to try out on the field. In their attempt, students realized how difficult and exciting the 100m dash could be. They became aware of how long 100 meters was in real life and how it felt while running to cover that distance.
MYP YEAR 2 FIELD TRIP
On Monday March 27, 2023, students from Cornerstone International School embarked on an educational trip to Multimedia Group Ltd. following our unit’s lesson on Media and Mass Communication. Prior to the trip, students had discussed media and mass communication, types of news, elements that make the news, and some television personalities who had made an impact on various media platforms.
Students had the opportunity of seeing the teleprompters, and large television screens, just to mention a few. In addition, students went to the radio production room and learned how journalists transmit information on the radio to our various homes.
MYP YEAR 3 FIELD TRIP
MYP Year 3 students visited Accra Medical University on March 23, 2023, to consolidate their learning into the human skeleton, anatomy, and respiration. They were warmly received by the management of the university on arrival and went through a brief introduction from the team. Students went on to meet a few of the school staff and saw some lecture rooms.
From there, students visited the University’s anatomy and dry laboratories. In the anatomy laboratories, they saw and interacted with plastinated anatomy and a virtual human anatomy device. Students were able to view into detail human organs and the skeletal system. They also had the chance to learn more about the human system.
THE JUNK ART
Junk art is a form of art that involves creating sculptures, collages, or installations using discarded or found materials such as old machinery, broken household items, and scrap metal. The practice of junk art gained popularity during the 20th century as artists sought to make statements about consumerism and waste. In junk art, the materials used often retain their original form, but they are rearranged and combined in unconventional ways to create new forms and meanings.
Artists who work with junk often have a knack for seeing the potential in overlooked and discarded objects and turning them into something beautiful and meaningful. In light of this, students conducted a group study on the most effective ways to turn waste into essence. In an effort to aid in the fight against pollution in Ghana, the student chose waste fabrics that could have been dumped in landfills and turned them into sculptures. The students' project turned out well, and they were able to grasp the significance of using trash art as a method to reduce environmental pollution.
THE ART BOOK DESIGN
Students focused on the art of book design. As part of the summative assessment task, students were required to create a travel guide of a region, city, or country of choice. They were also required to provide practical information and personal recommendations along with appropriate visuals in the form of drawings and maps. The task aimed to showcase their creativity while educating the audience about potential travel destinations.
COMMUNITY PROJECT
We are excited and happy as we count down the days to the implementation of MYP Community project at the end of April 2023. Our teachers and students are full of enthusiasm and positive energy as they go through the process of community project to offer lasting solutions to the community.
MYP’s community project underlies our bigger school project known as ACleanGhana Project. In this month, this project is focusing on maintaining an environment that is clean and supports the growth of green plants in our communities.
The project is expected to end and climax in an exhibition on April 26, 2023 during the student-led conference.
ACleanGhana is a safe and prosperous Ghana
FACILITATORS’ WORKSHOP
MYP facilitators participated in a two-day IB workshop on March 24 and 25, 2023 titled ‘Developing MYP’ with Monique Palmer, a seasoned IB Coordinator, and workshop leader. This workshop training was scheduled for facilitators in line with the school’s continuous effort to make teaching and learning more student-centered, engaging, and relevant for students.
The sessions were packed with information on conceptual teaching and learning, Approaches to Learning skills, service learning (service-as-action and community project), personal project, and E-assessment. The leader used countless hands-on and collaborative teaching techniques to transfer understanding.
The training was super helpful to, especially new facilitators. Going forward, teaching and learning couldn’t be more fun!
GET IN TOUCH
Email: correspondence@mail.cia.edu.gh
Website: https://www.cia.edu.gh
Location: No.2. Harare Street, Off Mensah Wood Avenue, East Legon, Accra-Ghana
Phone: 0265055439 0202068221
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cia.pyp.5/
Twitter: @CIA_Ghana