SDP in the Secondary Division

The Secondary SDP is divided into four main parts:

• Student Leadership – Ling Xiu;
• House;
• Creativity-Action-Service (CAS) Activities / Extra-Curricular Activities; and
• Experiential Learning Programs and Field Trips.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

The ISF Academy’s Eight virtues + One emphasize the need for us to show loyalty and commitment through 忠 (zhong) and to have a sense of responsibility via 孝 (xiao). Our own student leaders are known as Ling Xiu (領袖) and support the many public events that take place within the school year, but also extend their sphere of influence as role models to other ISF Academy students, seeking to inspire, instruct, and guide in their final years of study. The team of twelve Ling Xiu are led by four students known as Zong Ling Xiu (總領袖) and Fu Ling Xiu (副領袖), who will be the link between students and faculty. 

There are other leadership opportunities within the Secondary. The House structure (see below) provides students with another focus for vertical leadership through the positions of House Captain and Vice Captain. Students in all grade levels act as Academy ambassadors at public events such as our annual Open Day.

HOUSE

The House system (社) is an avenue for secondary students and teachers to strengthen mixed-aged bonding and more importantly, for secondary students to develop further their talents and strengths. There are five Houses named after the five Chinese elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. From Grade 6, students join a House to which they belong until they graduate from The ISF Academy. 

Each House has its own House leadership team of seven led by a House Captain and Vice Captain. These House leaders are responsible for coordinating and organizing a wide range of intra/inter – House activities, and to ensure that there is good House spirit and unity. Student House leaders must first be nominated by their homeroom peers before being considered for further leadership positions within the House. Each House is also led by a Secondary faculty member who acts as the House Mentor.

CREATIVITY-ACTION-SERVICE (CAS) ACTIVITIES / EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (ECA)

The Secondary Division offers many opportunities for students to participate in Extra-Curricular Activities. As an IB World School, the Secondary organizes extra-curricular activities under the umbrella of Creativity-Action-Service. Students are able to choose from competitive sports (i.e. Action), arts groups (i.e. Creativity), and volunteer organizations (i.e. Service), as well as clubs and much more. Students are encouraged to participate and lead within ECAs, provided this can be balanced with their academic studies. All Secondary students are expected to participate in at least one CAS/ECA activity per academic year.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAMS, FIELD TRIPS, CAMPS AND OVERSEAS STUDY TOURS

Training opportunities and events that focus on leadership, teamwork and character-building are organized for students on a regular basis. These include outdoor-adventure outings, curriculum-related field trips and summer programs for all grades, and, in addition, overnight camps and overseas study tours for Grade 6 to 10.