Olympiad

Mike Simpson
Secondary School Principal
February 14, 2025
On Tuesday, we came together in our Chinthe Communities for an Olympiad. Students from Grade 2 to 12 worked together in their communities to participate in fun physical activities and challenges. They earned Chinthe Points along the way for winning those challenges and also for teamwork and collaboration, sportsmanship and respect, leadership and initiative, and effort and perseverance.
Our Parent Association very generously matched each Chinthe Point with 5,000 kyat. 7,000,000 kyat was raised and this money will be used to vaccinate the children of our Chinthe Fund partners through MCHP, an ISY student service learning group.
A major goal of our Chinthe Communities is to strengthen our students’ sense of belonging and connection to this special ISY community that we all belong to. They create smaller, close-knit communities within the school, where students can build meaningful relationships across grades. Younger students gain mentors and role models, while older students develop leadership skills and empathy as students of all ages work together for a common purpose.
It is our belief, supported by neuroscience, that students who feel connected to a strong community which supports and values them will experience a greater sense of self-efficacy and agency. That is, they will feel more capable and in control of their lives – academically and otherwise.
We will continue to organize events like Olympiads and our upcoming Family Sports Day for students to contribute to our community. However, it is important for our students to recognize that through their everyday actions, they have the power to strengthen and celebrate the values that make our community thrive. This ability to positively shape their environment is a powerful reminder of the impact each individual can have in creating a compassionate and connected community.

CAS at ISY: Grades 6 to 12
In support of ISY’s strategic themes around belonging and learning, beginning the 2025-26 school year there will be a CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirement for all secondary school students:
- Grade 11 and 12 students already have this as a requirement for graduation.
- Grades 6 to 10 students will now be required to meet CAS requirements for completion of each academic semester.
This will involve engaging in a range of creative, athletic, and service experiences outside of the classroom.
Secondary School Events
This Week:
Wednesday:
- Class of 2025 Graduation Photo from 7:10am at ISY
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HS Basketball at YIS
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MS Football at YIS
Thursday:
- Junior (Grade 11) University Night: 5:30pm to 6:30pm in the Multi-Purpose Room (see below for details)
Saturday:
- Family Sports Day (see below for details)
ISY in the news: Service Learning in Action
We’re thrilled to be featured in the EARCOS Triannual (ET) Journal Winter 2025 issue. Don’t miss this inspiring feature that puts the spotlight on our community’s dedication to shaping a better world. Here’s to the power of service and education at ISY! Check out the article here.

Activities & Athletics
Here is a link to Ms.Rebekka Jensen’s Athletics and Activities Blog for up-to-date information regarding Activities and Athletics at ISY.

ISY Leading Child Safety in Yangon
ISY takes great pride in being a leader in the educational community when it comes to child safety, placing the well-being of our students at the forefront of our mission. Our child protection policy, in place since 2016 and updated annually, adheres to best practices and incorporates progressive strategies to ensure a safe learning environment. This comprehensive policy includes regular training for all employees, thorough background checks and reference screenings, a personal safety curriculum for students, clear reporting procedures, and a robust code of conduct. Each component of the policy is designed with a student-centered approach, reinforcing our unwavering commitment to child protection. This year, ISY is partnering with a respected child protection community leader to review and enhance our policy, further affirming our dedication to providing the highest standard of care and safeguarding for our students. The complete policy can be found here and on our website in both English and Myanmar.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact the ISY counselors, Patty Amundson-Geisel at escounselor@isyedu.org or Mick Amundson-Geisel at mamundson@isyedu.org.
Junior (Grade 11) University Night!
Attention Juniors (Grade 11) and Parents! Join us on Thursday, February 20 at 5:30 PM in the MPR for Junior University Night, an essential session designed to help students navigate the university admissions process with confidence.
During this session, we will discuss:
- The steps students will take throughout the rest of junior year to prepare for university applications.
- How to research and build a balanced university list.
- Key insights into the university admissions process.
This is a great opportunity to get a clear roadmap for the journey ahead. We encourage all juniors and their families to attend!
Join Us for Tuesday Talks – Your Guide to University Admissions!
Are you starting to think about university applications? Join us for Tuesday Talks, a series of informative presentations designed to help students and families navigate the university admissions process.
When: Tuesdays at 5:30 PM
Where: MPR
Each week, we’ll explore key topics, including university admissions in different countries, scholarships, and career pathways. This is a great opportunity to gain insider tips and get your questions answered!
Please refer to the




ISY Legacy Page
This dedicated page showcases our rich history, key milestones, and the incredible stories that make ISY the vibrant community it is today. Take a moment to explore the page and join us in celebrating our legacy, starting with the official kick-off at tomorrow’s Family Fun Fair.
Let’s honor our past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a bright future together! Visit the page here: ISY Legacy Page
The International School Yangon
20 Shwe Taungyar Street
Bahan Township
Yangon, Myanmar
+95 (0) 9 880 441 040