Mr. Jonathan Earle, Vice Consul of the American Embassy to the Philippines, delivers the keynote speech in Southville International School and Colleges' annual "Parade of Nations" on October 19, 2009 from 8:00-11:00 A.M. in its main gymnasium.

Vice Consul Earle, who was previously a long-time Peace Corps volunteer and a holder of an MBA in International Business, touched on the theme of the program, "Living and Learning in One World through the 5Cs," in his 20-minute speech in front of a crowd of over a thousand students, teachers, and guests in the Monarchs' Gymnasium of its main campus. The 5Cs, as it is collectively known in Southville, is the school's line-up of values integrated in all its activities, to wit: competence, character, collaboration, creativity, and commitment to achieve.

In his keynote, Vice Consul Earle affirmed his country's support for the promotion of cultural diversity and tolerance and encouraged the students to always be at their best regarding this endeavor.

The Parade of Nations traditionally opens the festivities for the school's International Week, which is timed to coincide with United Nations Day. In it, students dress up in the national costume of their assigned country for a grand parade with cultural presentations representing the 6 inhabited continents following thereafter.

Southville also announced that this year's Parade of Nations is meant to show support to the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations with particular focus given to the continent of Africa. Students have prepared wishes for the problem-ridden continent which will then be attached to white balloons. These balloons will be released at the end of the program for a symbolic show of support to the disparaged people of Africa.

Southville International School and Colleges' Annual Pep Rally last August 13, 2009 was made even more exciting by the presence of RP Youth National Team Member and former Chelsea player, Philip Younghusband, as its Guest Speaker. Younghusband, whose experience in international football leagues propelled him to be one of the best football players that the Philippines has produced, shared with the students the essence of teamwork and sacrifice. The crowd was also highly entertained by daring floor gymnastic stunts performed by the Philipping Parkour and Running Association. The students celebrated their varsity teams in Football, Basketball and Volleyball across all divisions.

Developing academically competent children with a heart may sound challenging to some but not to Mr. and Mrs. Arcos, parents of Rianna Janine and Enrico Jose, grade six and grade three students, respectively, of Southville International School and Colleges (SISC), who both devised their own way of raising funds to donate to the Poor Urban Child (Po.U.Ch.) program of the school.

 For every high score that they get in class, Rianna and Enrico are rewarded a certain amount of money by their parents which they save until they have enough to adopt a Po.u.Ch. According to Program Director Ms. Floribel Ferrer, Php 1, 500. 00 is enough to sponsor one child for a whole year.

The practice, which the children started two weeks ago, has encouraged both of them to excel more in their academics because it means being able to help more kids.

 "I felt that they (Po.U.ch.) are not as lucky as I am and my other classmates. It's not that fair because we have more than them and I know, we should help them in a way," Rihanna said. She added, "We should all help the Po.U.Ch by at least donating our old stuff or saving money to sponsor even one child." She also appealed to the parents of her classmates and schoolmates, "I hope that parents encourage their children to learn how to save money, not just to buy the things that they want, but also to help other people."

SISC's outreach program was recognized by the Department of Education (Dep-Ed) last November, 2007. Now on its 17^th year, the Save a P.O.U.C.H. of SISC has helped about 300 students every year totaling to around 5,000 children. The program provides beneficiaries with tuition subsidy, medical and dental assistance, school supplies and feeding program. The kids are treated to gift giving during Christmas. Each level from grade 3 to grade 11 SISC holds a special P.O.U.C.H. day where each student adopts a P.O.U.C.H. for a day and interacts with a beneficiary.

You too can save a P.O.U.C.H.! Adopt a P.O.U.C.H now. Contact Ms. Floribel Ferrer at 825-6374 loc 105.

Proving once again that Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) students not only excel in the areas of academics and sports, but also in artistry and pageantry, Ms. Joan Jelsma was recently named the Ms. Star Model Teen 2009 in a grand ceremony held at the Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City last May 22, 2009.

                Joan, who also received the night's Star Model Search 2009 and Ms. Popularity awards, is on her senior year in SISC and is well-known among her peers as an avid lover of the arts and a young woman of wit, beauty, and grace. Highly active in school activities, Joan is a member of the Girls' Basketball varsity team and is the incumbent vice-president of the Student Council.

                After being declared as the Ms. Starmodel Teen 2009 by the prestigious StarHorizon Management & Production Center, Joan took time to share her thoughts on her experience. "At first I was really nervous because we just practiced for the event that morning and the night before...during the middle half of the competition, I wasn't [nervous] anymore." said Joan.

                Joan's steady nerve amidst the crowd of spectators and flashing bulbs attests to her firm and resolute SISC training, where she is honed to always rise above the odds.

                High School Principal Mr. Anthony Paul Calado remarks that "Joan's crowning achievement is a vindication of the Southville spirit. Joan exemplifies the school's goal to mold well-balanced students who are academically-excellent, values-oriented, and gifted in the arts."

                Joan, for her win, not only received a modeling contract, an extensive workshop scholarship for acting and modeling, but also the adoration and respect of her peers as well as of her newfound friends.

"Nursing is caring..." This was what Dr. Rozzano C. Locsin, a distinguished Professor of the College of Nursing of Florida Atlantic University and the newest member of the Board of Advisers of the College of Nursing of Southville International School & Colleges, said as he summed up what Nursing is to be.

In his visit to SISC last week, Dr. Locsin further clarified that "Caring is not just holding your patient's hand but yet unable to explain or interpret what his ECG is showing. He said that caring is being competent and knowing. Caring, in this age, also means understanding and making use of technology.

As author, researcher and academician, Dr. Locsin advocates the development of middle-range theories in the field of nursing practice and education. He encourages academic institutions to give premium on faculty researches. Dean Carmelita Villegas of the College of Nursing expressed delight and is looking forward to a collaborative exchange of ideas to heighten interest in undergraduate as well as post-graduate researches.

Dr. Locsin is joined by other equally distinguished Board of Advisers for the College of Nursing, namely-Dr. Teresita Barcelo, current President of the Philippine Nurses Association: Dr. Domingo Nuñez, Senior Professor of the graduate school of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila & President of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Montalban: Mrs. Ester Romano, Director of Patient Care Services of Asian Hospital & Medical Center and Dr. Corazon Soqueño, Director of Nursing of Las Piñas Doctors Hospital.

English Language is learned best when students are surrounded with people who are fluent speakers, thus, starting Academic Year 2009-2010, Non-English speaking students enrolled at Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) will not be attending classes in the International Learning Center (ILC) anymore but rather will be placed in a regular class together with students who have good command of the English language. They will only be pulled out during their English classes to attend the special class for English.

The move was welcomed by several Korean parents and students who expressed support in the said action recognizing the fact that most of them study in the Philippines because they wanted to learn the English language well and putting Korean students in a classroom with fluent speakers will not only make them understand the English language but will also inspire them to think in English and eventually, confidently speak in English. As what a linguist has said, the absolute way of learning English is to surround one's self with English.

Apart from turning non-English speakers to becoming fluent communicators, SISC aims that through placing Korean students and other Non-English speaking nationalities in a regular class, intercultural understanding despite diversity will be better realized. Being an international school, SISC has been home not only to Filipinos but also to Indians, Japanese, Chinese, Thais, Germans, Americans, Nigerians, Europeans and other expatriates. Truly an institution of international character, as recognized by the Philippine Government through R.A. 9493 and by accreditations like Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Southville International School and Colleges has been committed to coming up with programs that are truly innovative like mainstreaming non-English speakers. Visit www.southville.edu.ph and call 825-6374, 829-1675 and 820-8702 for admissions queries.

      Current students and recent graduates of the Information Technology course at Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) have recently gained the prestigious Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification on the implementation and maintenance of Microsoft Databases (SQL Server 2005). The exam takers recorded a 100% passing rate for all the undergraduate students of Southville and also a 100% passing rate for all the Southville scholars.

      This particular certification is highly valued worldwide due to the difficulty in exam preparation. Training kits and preparation guides are typically over 1000 pages in length.

      SISC Operations Director and Microsoft Certified Trainer Rex Wallen Tan comments, "We set lofty goals knowing that the SQL Server certification usually takes 2-3 months of preparation for experienced professionals and we're astounded that our students did so well.  We chose certifications based on SQL Server since Databases are present in all modern businesses. The majority of corporations outside of the IT sector run databases, and even SAP runs on SQL Server! I graduated from the top university for technology in Europe and I can assure all my students that their credentials are recognized worldwide."

      The IT industry is very volatile and demands a very high quality of professionals, preferably those who are internationally certified by I.T. giants like, Microsoft Corp, Cisco Systems, SAP, Sun Microsystems, Oracle Corporation etc.  Southville is the only school in the Philippines running such a globally-recognized IT brand certification program.

      Mr. Tan adds, "One year ago, we launched the Microsoft IT Academy since we realized that the old curriculum caters to computer scientists and researchers, and not technology professionals. Our new curriculum reflects industry standards from Microsoft instead of the more traditional computer theory."

      There is still a skills shortage in both the UK and the USA for highly skilled technology professionals despite the global recession. The earning power of these professionals abroad is significantly higher than the wages of the more traditional professions (Nursing, Hotel and Restaurant staff, etc). The average salary in the UK for technology professionals is around 42,000 pounds per year or 3.2 million pesos. 
 

Many are claiming to be international schools, but only a few have got the real deal.

As Dep-Ed Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Ramon C. Bacani said, "Real international schools catering primarily to foreign students are few since they can be established only by legislation if not presidential orders."

Southville International School and Colleges (SISC), now on its 19^th year, is one of only two international schools in the Philippines created by legislation.

On July 24, 2006, the Philippine Senate and the House of Representatives then headed by Sen. Manny Villar (Senate President) and Cong. Jose de Venecia, Jr. (Speaker of the House of Representatives) respectively, enacted into law Republic Act 9493, "recognizing Southville International School as an educational institution of international character, granting certain prerogatives to hasten its growth as such and for other purposes."

A truly historic milestone for Southville International School and Colleges, Republic Act 9493 is one of the highlights of the school's 18+ years of brilliant educational services. Anchored on the school's constant pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, and community services, SISC has always been using an international curriculum which earned it an accreditation by the American Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).  From Preschool to Upper School, the English curriculum is mainly patterned after the McREL International Model (Mid-continent Regional Educational Laboratory, U.S.A.) standards which offer a comprehensive guide to assessment standards and benchmarks for state and local educators. The Math and Science curriculum, on the other hand, is a fusion of the US-based National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Singaporean curriculum as has been inked and stamped by their Ministry of Education.

On the heels of RA 9493, Southville also received authorization from the very prestigious Geneva-based International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program as a fitting post-High School two-year course that leads to a college qualification recognized by leading universities in 128 countries around the world, for a fee that competitively begs to differ from the other "real" international schools.

That's right. Operative word - "differ" - because actually, speaking of fees, a few calls to these handful of "real" international schools will reveal that Southville is the most competitively priced among them across all year levels.

And speaking of competitiveness, Southville went even further as opening a College Division that offers courses in the most sought-after global professions today, such us, Nursing, Tourism, Psychology, Human Resource, Education, Communications and Media, Fashion Design, Business and Entrepreneurship, and Information Technology with Microsoft Certification Program integrated in all levels of the curriculum.

Perhaps 18+ years is but a fledgling life in the history of international schools in this country. But looking the other way now, having started with just 2 students and 5 teachers, 18 years with a Republic Act, WASC accreditation, IB authorization and Microsoft Certification all under its belt of international credentials is quite a big feat in such a short time. Now, that's what you call "making a difference."

Admissions are on-going for all levels. For details, please call 825-6374, 829-1675 and 820-8702 or email pr@southville.edu.ph. You may also visit the website-www.southville.edu.ph.