The Garden Pod: Recent Episodes
by Garden International School
The Garden Pod is a podcast of unscripted conversations about learning, leadership and all things education. It is recorded at Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur, one of the leading international schools in South East Asia. More information about Garden International School can be found at www.gardenschool.edu.my.
We meet our new Principal, Peter Derby-Crook, to hear about his philosophy of education and plans at GIS.
Head of World Languages, Tom Ball & Head of Spanish, Dylan Viñales talks about their popular new Spanish readers series.
Head of the Business Faculty, Simone de Souza, talks about developing critical thinking skills.
EAL Teacher, Natasha Viñales, discusses the importance of translanguaging in supporting developing linguists.
Head of Computing, James Abela, gives an update on recent AI developments and which skills are the important ones to focus on.
Head of Social Sciences, David Whitney, discusses the importance of Social Sciences for individuals and society.
Middle leaders, Hannah Granger and Rahma Sesay, talk about supporting women in leadership.
Psychology teacher and Assistant Headteacher, Catherina Carragher discusses PSHE in schools.
Child Protection Officer, Lindsay Round, talks about the role of safeguarding in schools and her journey in her role.
Athletics Director and Assistant Athletic Director, Mark Springall and Rachel Price, talk about how to make sports programmes in schools successful.
Deputy Head Primary, Etienne Visser, talks about neuroscience and how to harness our knowledge to improve student learning.
Service Learning Leaders, Alan Archer and Tijana Randelovic, discuss the role of service in education.
Tiffany Lacey-Edwards, Assistant Head Primary, talks about the importance of outdoor education and the opportunities it provides for authentic learning.
Nicola Howard, interim Head of Secondary at Alice Smith, talks to Amy Marsh about developing leadership skills in our staff.
EAL Leaders, Mike Riding and Christine Joseph, talk about how to support multilingual children.
Amy Marsh and Dan Plant talk about effective professional development programmes in schools.
Our Digital Leaders, James Wright and Alex Turner, talk about how to support students in using devices productively and positively.
Rachel Price, our Assistant Athletics Director and Interhouse Leader, provides insights into the House System in schools.
Head of Inclusion and Global Citizenship, Robbie Davies, talks about Global Citizenship education in schools.
Head of Secondary Maths, Natalie Clark, talks about Mathematics and the skills it develops.
Librarian, Roger Fortune, explains what graphic novels are and some of their benefits to readers.
Head of Drama, Joe Wyatt, talks about the role of drama in developing important skills in students.
Head of Art, Ev Abbott, demystifies the assessment process in Art and outlines the four areas that students focus on.
Secondary leaders, James Saunders and Rebecca Weeks, talk about how the memory works and how to utilise this to study effectively.
Deputy Head, Dan Plant, discusses curriculum models and the knowledge we teach our students.
English teachers Dru Goldman and Maddy Allen give advice for getting children to read and explain the benefits of reading.For more information, click here:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ukP1XPFPSPJ9vvK28wlBcEYvu97xcusX/view?usp=sharing
Secondary and Primary PE teacher, Abbie Burke, talks about the developments in the curriculum and improving PE provision for all students.
Maths Leader, Shalome Benjamin, explains the role of manipulatives in developing mathematical fluency.
Early Years Leader, Ratna Dalal, explains the importance of motor skills and how practitioners and parents can support their development.
SEL Teacher, Renie Leng, talks about the importance of adult social and emotional development for parents.
Nursery teacher and leader, Bethany Freeman, talks about Jungle School and the benefits of outdoor education for children.
Head of CCAs, David Crane, talks about the importance of extracurricular opportunities and why schools seek to offer a holistic education.
Deputy Head, Lindsay Round, talks about how we make changes in the classroom to help support a sense of belonging for all members in our community.
One of our school counsellors, Tanya Ramanah, talks about psychological flexibility and how important it is for young people and mental health.
Head of Computing, James Abela, talks about the benefits and dangers of AI, and the importance of teaching students how to use it.
Simon Mann returns as Principal of GIS. Here he speaks about his vision for education and what he hopes to achieve this year.
Members of the Primary Leadership Team, Etienne Visser, Sam Crews, and Tiffany Lacey-Edwards, discuss the Topic Curriculum and learning outside the classroom in the bumper episode of the GardenPod.
Director of Professional Learning, Amy Marsh, speaks to teacher-librarian Roger Fortune about modern children’s literature, its relatability and realism, and concerns for parents.
Lindsay Round speaks with the leaders of our anti-racism working party, Al Archer and Dave Whitney, about our strategic work on Belonging and the culture of schools.
Director of Professional Learning, Amy Marsh, speaks to CEO of Sea Change Mentoring, Ellen Mahoney, about developing social and emotional competencies.
Director of Professional Learning, Amy Marsh, speaks to language experts Tom Ball, Paloma Lozano, and Alan Robertson about the importance of language learning for everyone.
Director of Professional Learning, Amy Marsh, speaks to Head of Secondary Computing, James Abela, about his pioneering work in supporting all learners, for which he was nominated for a Trailblazer in Inclusion award
Deputy Head in Primary, Kelly Hersey, speaks to LS teacher Trish Henderson about how we use data in school to support students’ well-being and personalised learning for each child.
Deputy Head in Primary, Etienne Visser, and Assistant Headteacher, Antonia Confalone, discuss how learning through play supports brain and child development and how this can extend to the home.
Deputy Head of Secondary, Lindsay Round, and Deputy Head of Primary, Etienne Visser, discuss strategic work around intercultural learning they have been involved in, and why Belonging is a key strategic focus at GIS this year.
Director of Learning, Damian Graizevsky, speaks to Kkabir Bhalla from the Learning Strand of our Student Leadership about the GIS Learner Skills and awards. This episode of the Gardenpod will be of particular interest to GIS parents and students.
Head of Secondary LS Rebecca Weeks discusses executive functioning with Amy Marsh, This is a set of skills that include organisation, attention and task initiation. This podcast is particularly relevant for parents.
Deputy Head in Primary, Kelly Hersey, speaks to our innovation lead, James Wright, about his groundbreaking work with data and PowerBI to make vast amounts of data accessible and useful to educators.
Director of Learning Damian Graizevsky speaks to Liza Phillips about the importance of service learning and the skills students develop by being authentically involved in service.
SEL: Amy Marsh talks with Noriza Idrus, SEL coordinator in the secondary school, about the important role parents and other adults play in developing healthy social and emotional competencies in children.
Amy Marsh and Damian Graizevsky will be discussing the research around the importance of sleep and how to get more of it. This podcast is aimed at parents although it will be relevant to anybody and everybody.
Amy Marsh, Director of Professional Learning, and Roger Fortune, Whole School Librarian, discuss supporting children in developing their reading. What is a genre, and how can you use genre to help support children in their reading? How can you help your child choose a suitable book they will enjoy? And how do you know if their reading is improving? This podcast is aimed at parents and focuses on practical advice around reading.
Nicola Nelson, Head of Primary and Neil Bowker, Deputy Head of Primary in conversation about the new curriculum that is launching in the Primary School in August 2021.
In this podcast, Nicola speaks with Maybelline Wong. Maybelline is a professional dancer and Head of Babel Dance studio here in KL. She has had an amazing career to date, working as a professional dancer and teacher. She is a strong advocate of dancing for empowerment and enjoyment and wants to encourage positive messages about body image and confidence in women.
Women in Leadership #3 Navigating Life as Mumpreneur with Malisse Tan
'Welcome to our Women in Leadership podcasts*, a monthly networking series for women to connect, listen, learn, and be inspired by a wide range of amazing female role models.
In our latest podcast, we talk with Malisse Tan, GIS alumni, as she shares about herself, her career, and the life lessons she has learned along the way. Slightly longer than our usual podcasts but well worth a listen. Sit back, tune in and enjoy.
'Welcome to our Intercultural Learning Podcast Series through the GardenPod*, a series for all members of our community - educators, parents and students alike - to connect, listen and explore issues relating to global citizenship, belonging and learning.
In our first podcast of the series, we talk with David Whitney and Nicola Nelson, and discuss what we mean by global citizenship, consider if teaching & learning can be culturally neutral and explore how we can create an environment where all members of the community feel as if they belong through the taught and wider curriculum. Sit back, tune in and enjoy!'
Cheryl Joannides talks to Nicola Nelson about her exciting journey working for Estee Lauder for the past 25 years which has included working in South Africa, Singapore, the UK and now here in Malaysia. The conversation covers 'faking it until you make it'; the importance of work life harmonization and how to be a servant leader. We also talk about how we have all had to be more agile in our professional lives during the world wide pandemic.
Welcome to our Woman in Leadership Podcast Series, a monthly networking series for women to connect, listen, learn and be inspired by a wide range of amazing female role models. In our first podcast of the series, we talk with Shikeen Halibulah about her childhood and educational journey through an intercultural backdrop, how she became the CEO of a refugee school in her spare time, and strategies we can all use to support our own well-being. Sit back, tune in and be inspired!
Our GIS panel of speakers spanning our GIS community participated in a Eurocham BizTalk Webinar, which examined how we have responded, as a community, to the Covid 19 Pandemic. This session focused on the changing landscape over the last 7 months, and looked at our lessons learned, challenges faced and successes achieved!
Robert Stitch joins Bel and JD on the 'Growning Pains' segment of #TheLITEBreakfast radio looking at how can we prepare our student to be future-ready in this changing world
Intended Audience: Parents
In this podcast we will be discussing continuous learning, the continuous learning website that Garden International has produced and the help you can get to support your child at home.
Link: https://sites.google.com/gardenschool.edu.my/gis-continuous-learning/
Audience: Parents, students and teachers interesting in higher education.
Description: Our Higher Education team discuss how you can choose a university and the support we provide in school
UK: The UniGuide: www.theuniguide.co.uk
USA: College Board Big Future College Search: bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
Netherlands: StudyFinder - www.studyfinder.nl
Canada: EduCanada: www.educanada.ca/programs-programmes/index.aspx?lang=eng
Australia: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/English/Australian-Education/Universities-Higher-Education/list-of-australian-universities
MIT, Applying Sideways: https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways/
Webinar Aggregation Website: shanghaiuniversity.wixsite.com/chinawebinar
Cialfo Online College Fair: www.bit.ly/rsvpstu
Guest(s): Damian Graizevsky Presenter: James Abela Producer: David James
Intended audience: Parents & teachers interested in research
Description: In the book, The Science of Learning, Bradley Busch and Edward Watson have identified the most influential and important findings around education and cognitive psychology. The book suggests what the practical steps are to help your child learn more effectively. Today we are discussing the book and its ideas.
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Science-Learning-Studies-Every-Teacher/dp/1138617709
Guest(s): Carlota Viguer Serina Presenter: James Abela Producer: David James
Intended Audience: parents & teachers supporting home reading Themes Explored: In this podcast, we will explore the importance of reading to and with children and the advantages of doing so.
Links The Big Read: https://soundcloud.com/thegardenpod/25-sara-sheldon-the-big-read Save The Children Reading Aloud video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH2MuT86LOY
Guest(s): Michael Riding & Claudia Campbell-Pegg Presenter: James Abela Producer: David James
Intended Audience: parents & teachers interested in home-learning, inclusion and English as an additional language
Themes explored/blurb: The most commonly asked question by parents of students we work with is “how can we help our child at home?” Therefore, the premise of the podcast is to provide parents with some tips for how they can support their students at home. The podcast is aimed at Secondary School students but could be applicable for primary students.
Links: * Newsela - https://newsela.com/ * smiling minds - https://www.smilingmind.com.au/ * Calm - https://www.calm.com/ *Academic Conversations (Book) -https://www.amazon.co.uk/Academic-Conversations-Classroom-Critical-Understanding/dp/157110884X/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=jeff+zwiers&qid=1581480116&sr=8-2
Guest(s): David James Presenter: James Abela Intended Audience: teachers interested in reflective practice and strategic development of teachers Themes explored/blurb: In this short interview with David James we look at how professional learning works in Garden International and the vision behind this.
GIS Teaching and Learning - https://www.gardenschool.edu.my/teaching-learning
Guest(s): Hector Cook Presenters: James Abela and Mark Solomons
Intended Audience: Geography Teachers, teachers interested in community events, GIS parents, project based learning and teachers interested in coding games.
Themes explored/blurb: In this podcast we discuss 1 use plastics and the school’s year long campaign to reduce its use. This has culminated in a green event that will be a showcase for the whole GIS community.
Event: Wednesday 15th May, 2:30-4:30pm in the main foyer
Recent article on our Green Team: https://www.gardenschool.edu.my/blog/gis-going-plastic-bottle-free/
Guest(s): EconplusDal Intended Audience: Teachers and anyone interested in flipping Themes explored/blurb: Flipping learning, using videos and economic education Presenter: Mark Solomons and James Abela
Useful notes and links: EconplusDal’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/EconplusDal/playlists EconplusDal’s twitter account: https://twitter.com/econplusdal
Interviewee: Dr. Hayley Wood Interviewer: James A Audience: Higher Education advisors, 6th form students Description: Learn about the process of applying to US Universities and how taking A-levels actually gives you a substantial advantage. Useful Link: https://www.collegeboard.org/
Guest(s): Jack Campbell, Isabel Richards
Intended Audience: Sixth form students, parents and teachers interested in higher education.
Themes explored/blurb: Learn about what it takes to get into the top 2 universities in the UK and what life is like in these universities.
Presenter: James Abela
Useful notes and links: Filling in your UCAS application: https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-to-university
Guide to Cambridge Colleges: https://thetab.com/uk/cambridge/2017/09/28/the-tabs-comprehensive-guide-to-the-cambridge-colleges-97976
Guide to Oxford Colleges: http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/colleges
Interviewees: Zoe Griffiths, Amy Marsh & Urvi Interviewer: Tine Audience: school leaders, teachers, students Description: A little chat with Zoe Griffiths from ThinMaths and Head of Maths Amy Marsh dicussing women in stem.
You might also enjoy: https://soundcloud.com/thegardenpod/22-code-week-female-coders
Guest(s): Rachel Gibbons and Vanessa Lee (Yr13 students)
Intended Audience: Everyone - especially students and parents
Themes explored/blurb: Sleep - the most underrated recipe for success
Presenter: Mark Solomons and Tine Pendred
Useful notes and links: “Why We Sleep” - Matthew Walker Youtube Talk - Matthew Walker
https://www.calm.com/ & https://www.headspace.com/ - recommended by Rachel
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/you-cant-catch-sleep - mentioned by Vanessa
Guest(s): David Whitney Presenter: Tine Intended Audience: Teachers interested in Project Based Learning & Enquiry Themes explored/blurb: In this podcast we look at how David developed Project Based Learning in London and the lessons he's learnt along the way.
This Podcast talks about Garden's Large Scale Enquiry where students have had 5 days off timetable to develop a project based on their passion. In this podcast Tine interviews students and staff to get their thoughts on the process and how it went for them. Students were put into vertical groups with up to 3 year groups working together. Its suitable for educators interested in project based learning.
In celebration of code week we gather together the very best Female Computer Science teachers and students to discuss how to encourage more women to do computer science.
Joe Wyatt talks about our school production and the benefits that a show like Hairspray can bring to the students involved.
Luke Lesson shares how slam poetry can be a great motivator for students to write more.
Gabe shows us magic cubes and what they can do for your classroom! Find the resources at: https://sites.google.com/view/gabehaydu/resources
In This Podcast we introduce the KL Teachmeet, which encourages teachers from different schools to meet up and learn the latest classroom tips and ideas. Sign up to the Teachmeet at https://goo.gl/forms/YLhxv5gI5X7kebTb2 on Thursday 22nd November!
We introduce the new cast of presenters to the Garden Pod! James, Tine & Mark and tell you about our upcoming podcasts!
GREAT FOR EYC PARENTS AND PROSPECTIVE PARENTS. This week the GardanPod talks members of our Early Years Centre about the thought, care, planning and rigour that sits behind learning through play.
GREAT FOR PARENTS. In this shorter than usual Podcast, our Digital Learning Coaches provide some advice on games, social media, tech security, and safety. Useful stuff for all
GREAT FOR TEACHERS & PARENTS. Joanne Stockbridge is a child psychologist and safe guarding consultant from Scotland. She has been working with teachers and leaders at GIS to help us assess and improve what we do to keep all of our children safe and happy.
GREAT FOR EVERYONE. Elizabeth Jarman is a leading expert on learning spaces. In this podcast she discusses the importance of space, the research that tells us why we should be thinking more about it and how we should approach design and development. Elizabeth's website is http://www.elizabethjarmantraining.co.uk/ and the video referred to in the podcast can be found under the "videos" heading on the website.
GREAT FOR TEACHERS & PARENTS INTERESTED IN PERONALISING LEARNING. This week we have conversation with Isabel Richards, James Abel and Chris Koelma who have been exploring how to effectively personalize learning for students in their classes. This is an honest discussion around what this looks like when done well but also what they have found some of the pitfalls to be.
GREAT FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS INTERESTED IN HOW WE TALKS ABOUT ISSUES SURROUND DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE. Kari Yuen works for the FCD and travels around the world helping teachers, parents and children to live a heathy life and make healthy choices. She provides advice and support on how we should act and talk to kids when it comes to issues surrounding drugs and alcohol. For on more information and resources on the work of FCD please visit https://fcd.org/
GREAT FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS INTERESTED IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND REFLECTIVE PRACTICE. This weeks GardenPod is a discussion with GIS Director of Professional Learning, David James. We talk about the professional learning program at GIS and explore the purpose and value of reflection.
GREAT FOR TEACHERS AND PARENTS INTERESTED IN MATHS. Liz Gibbs is a Maths consultant based in the UK who has worked with many of the biggest schools in SE Asia. More information about her work can be found at www.thebusylizzie.co.uk. In this podcast we discuss maths in the classroom and at home, the much vaunted Singapore maths program and we learn how to be a maths dad. This weeks GardenPod is co-hosted by GIS maths teacher Kerry Conlon.
GREAT FOR EDUCATORS AND PARENTS INTERESTED IN CURRICULUM, UNIT AND LESSON PLANNING. UBD stands for Understanding by Design and represents a process for planning and mapping learning in a school. Matt Corbett and Ashley Cornfoot take us through what it means, how it works and how we can do it.
GREAT FOR EVERYONE. A discussion with GIS sixth former Mythily Nair on becoming agents of change and a chat around cultural norms in South India around family, marriage, education, work and love.
THIS ONE IS GREAT FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS INTERESTED IN LEARNING CONVERSATIONS DAY AND THE WIDER IDEAS BEHIND IT. The first Learning Conversations Day is happening on Wednesday 21st February 2018. This is all about that.
GREAT FOR TEACHERS INTERESTED IN EDUCATIONAL DEBATE (AND WHO HAVE A BIT OF PATIENCE). A conversation with Jack Campbell. Jack is a Maths teacher at GIS who also writes a blog on education. During the podcast we discuss issues around Enquiry learning and direct instruction as well as the wisdom of some leadership driven initiatives in schools. The latter was inspired by a blog that Jack wrote and James responded to. For anyone interested that blog post can be found at: https://goo.gl/WWKEQ9
The podcast was one of our first. It's a little raw and far too long. In the spirit of good learning here is the edited version. It cuts off abruptly at the end. Onwards.
GREAT FOR EVERYONE - After a winter break the Garden Pod returns with an exploration of the Danish concept of Hygge. The word does not translate directly into English but it's definitely worth listening to find out more.
GREAT FOR TEACHERS AND ANYONE INTERESTED IN EDUCATION A conversation with Dan Norbury and Etienne Visser around how we can effectively help students to develop a set of skills, qualities and competencies that prepare them for success both in and beyond school.
GREAT FOR PARENTS & TEACHERS
A conversation with Tine Pendred around the challenges that exist for parents within a technology rich world. Tine raises common issues and offers some solutions and advice that we can all benefit from.
GREAT FOR TEACHERS & SCHOOL LEADERS
A conversation with Matthew Savage from the 21st Century Learning Conference in Hong Kong. Matthew discusses the importance of using data for both progress well-being and how to effectively triangulate attitude, aptitude and attainment data.
Learn more about Mathew and his work at www.monalisaeffect.me
More information about Garden International School can be found at www.gardenschool.edu.my or you can follow us on twitter @GIS_GardenPod