31 January 2023 Read & Answer! (Group 5a)

MESSAGE FROM THE WHISTLER HOUSEMASTER

On the first day of Term One. August 2021, all 71 girls logged onto their first virtual lesson on time, no fuss, no dramas. That included 15 Whistler girls who had never set foot in a JIS senior school classroom. I could not have been more impressed. This academic year has been unprec edented in the challenges it has presented the students with and am glad to say that the Whistler girls have greeted the challenges in an exemplary manner showing courage and compassion throughout.

Mr McCulloch, the outgoing Head of Whistler started last year's Whistler report with "we have been very much shel- tered from the worst effects of the global pandemic.. I am afraid this year has been rather different. Brunei, IIS and Whistler House have all felt the effects of this cruel pandemic This has been illustrated by Mia. Vivi, Chantelle, Jasmine, Allison, Ariele and Alexus, who spent Terms' One and Two being entirely educated online. Whilst I applauded their com mitment to learning, my heart went out to these girls. They are in many ways the extreme examples of what all our girls have experienced this year. It was fantastic to welcome all the Whistler girls back to school in Term Three.

The Whistler Council led by Anushka and her two Deputies Jasmeen and Zuyyin have excelled themselves in reaching out into the homes of Whistler girls this year. They showed originality and commitment throughout and I am very thankful to be working with them through this unique time.

International Day saw students and tutors alike dancing away in their bedrooms with their peers, in a fashion that will bring a smile to many faces for some time to come. Ms Marquez and her tutees seem to be the divas of dance but there were serious moves from Year 7 to Year 13.

Syasya and Wafiyyah, the event's organisers excelled themselves as the likes of Amelia, Vivi. Ayla, Sabrina, Shireen, Suzanne, Beatrice and many more besides baked and decorated furiously in their kitchens at home. I could almost smell the cakes through the monitor! They were also responsible for an interactive games session that led some of the older tutors to scratch their heads as to how it worked. Covid has at times highlighted the technological divide between our generations.

Chloe and Aliah, along with a raft of fellow yogis produced a beautiful yoga session for our girls when we all needed a bit more mindfulness and to be flexible in more ways than one. It is a great shame that our leading sports stars have been unable to show their prowess

this year. hope the girls can compete again really soon.

The Eco-Reps, Munirah and Akshayaa, have some great plans for the House and are already working with our brother House Argus, to solidify a green business. They have attended seminars on COP27 and when we reconvene in earnest they have proposals for the House. Their drive and passion is evident to see.

One thing is for sure, the BUGTAW tower in the library is colossal. The council in con- junction with Amiera (charity leader), Sienna and the rest of the Holmes family have managed to drive a campaign that will see hundreds of books being donated to locations all over Brunei,

Whistler House has been busy throughout the year and as I write the Year 12's have just participated in a leadership afternoon in conjunction with Argus. We are in the process of choosing the leaders of Whistler House for next year and they will have large shoes to fill as our current Year 13's get their heads down for the final examination push. I would like to express my gratitude to the Year 13's for rising to a challenge that there was no rule book for. I am sure the adaptability they have shown will stand them in good stead in their lives. The whole of Whistler House is behind our girls this summer and we wish you every success and true happiness.

Whistler House is nurtured and cajoled along all day, every day by the fantastic tutors we have. Mrs Omar, Mr Drake. Miss Williams, Miss Marquez, Mr McCulloch, and Mrs Hanks are the first people the girls see every day and through virtual schooling that throws up some interesting scenarios. Some of these situations are more comical than others and as a new Head of House, I have been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by a team who are consummate professionals but who also add a sprinkling of something very special in what they do. Thank you.

Ed Lockyer Whistler Housemaster

1. Who wrote this message?
-
2. When did all 71 girls logged onto their first virtual lesson on time?
-
3. Who was the outgoing Head of Whistler that started last year's Whistler report?
-
4. Who led the Whistler council?
-
5. Who produced a beautiful yoga session?
-

1. Ed Lockyer Whistler Housemaster

2. On the first day of Term One. August 2021

3. Mr McCulloch

4. Anushka and her two Deputies Jasmeen and Zuyyin

5. Chloe and Aliah, along with a raft of fellow yogis