Middle Years / Secondary Teacher

About Sakhalin International School

Sakhalin International School links around 150 children from the ages of 3 to 13 to bigger and better learning in an international environment. We share learning with over 30 nationalities, developing reflective thinkers through personal qualities, academic rigour and international mindedness to support the kinds of children we are helping to develop.

In 2016, we became the first school world-wide to be accredited by the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) at Mastering Level, using the 2nd Edition IPC Self Review protocol. The IPC, along with the National Curriculum for England mathematics and Language programmes of study, guides learning to the age of 11 at our school where we integrate themed learning across subjects as much as possible whilst keeping subjects separate. For further information, please visit: www.greatlearning.com/ipc

The Middle Years section of our school (ages 11-13) opened in 2013-14. Students in this age-group are guided by the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) and National Curriculum for England mathematics and Language programmes of study. For further information, please visit: www.greatlearning.com/imyc

Following our accreditation, the school identified key areas that could link its learning community to even bigger and better learning in future: Technology, Learning About Learning, Wider Community, Culture, Independent Yet Interdependent [subjects]. Groups of teachers lead these areas, using research and the community around them to be innovative.

As we support children and students in developing personal qualities and international mindedness, the Wider Community group supports links to more learning within our locality. We collaborate in learning with three local schools through various cultural events and community projects: team building, learning about famous Russian people, ‘Winter Sports’ and reduce-reuse-recycle projects. Links with local coaches now offer a wide range of after school activities and we facilitate more real and relevant learning within the Yuzhno Sakhalinsk area and beyond.

Each classroom uses technology to support learning, including iPads and laptops. The Technology Team supports the development of ICT to support learning across the school as we integrate ICT across all subjects to support our long-term vision.

To support improved learning opportunities for children staff ’Collaborate, Cooperate and Negotiate’ to maintain a shared, team approach to learning professionally. The Learning About Learning group reviews research and guides the team on new learning journeys that support our vision long term. Learning and Reflective Thinking is supported through visible thinking tools, big questions and provocations and learners working in teams.

Parents are very much encouraged to be partners in their child’s learning and information evenings, open afternoons and newsletters share the school’s philosophy, ethos and culture, providing parents with new learning to support their child(ren).

Location

Sakhalin International School is located on the Zima Highlands camp in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, an island off the east coast of Russia, near to Japan. Flights are daily into Sakhalin from Moscow (and other Russian cities) and Seoul. Commercial flights are also scheduled between Japan and Sakhalin.

Zima Highlands hosts the school, Swimming Pool, Sports Centre, The Hub (bar, restaurant, DVD and book library), playgrounds and residences. Outside of Zima is the city of Yuzhno Sakhalinsk, a growing city with many amenities including shopping malls, theatres, ice rinks, restaurants (great variety), bars and markets. Occasionally overseas bands, theatre or dance groups come and play in the venues of Sakhalin.

The climate varies from summer to winter and provides different opportunities to explore and experience the beauty of the island in different ways. In the summer, when temperatures can reach mid to late twenties (centigrade), people explore the islands beaches and forests to swim, walk, fish or barbecue. People in the community often coordinate road trips, hikes, weekly mountain bike rides, beach barbecues and trips to watch salmon swimming upstream in September.

In the winter, temperatures can drop to minus thirty (centigrade) but with blue skies, bright sunshine and good clothing there is much to explore also. Within 10 minutes’ drive of camp is a ski slope with several runs to challenge snowboarders and skiers. Some people venture off-piste, hiking to different hills and making their own tracks, or cross-country skiing from one location to the other. Around Yuzhno are several ice skating venues (all year) including outdoor ones in the winter months. With the changing temperature so the scenery changes new opportunities arise e.g. a walk on the frozen sea or barbecues in the snow.

Sakhalin International School is a friendly and caring international learning community for 3-13 year olds in which everyone is valued and included. For further details, please visit the school website: www.sakhalinschool.net