The six Grade 11 students and Pastor Abraham Cho left the Philippines last May 31st for a three-week Asean Vision Adventure (AVA) that will last until June 21st. As part of the USI extracurricular activities, the students are scheduled to travel to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
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This AVA is a great opportunity for these students to travel and explore significant and historical places, to be able to interact and conduct Christian fellowship with the local people and to discover and experience their culture. They are also tasked to teach, perform, entertain, play, and most of all, a chance to reach out to the less fortunate children. Indeed, it’s a very fulfilling and productive experience that will surely enlighten and broaden their perspective and that will give them a clearer vision of life.

1. VIETNAM(Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon City Hall, Buu Dien, Saigon Central Post Office)
2. CAMBODIA(Ankor Wat Temple)
3. THAILAND(Sanctuary of Truth Temple in Pattaya,  Wat Pho Temple in Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew)
4. Malaysia(Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Malaysia Tourism Centre and Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur)

​Union School International’s 19th Commissioning and Completion Ceremony was held last Friday, May 26 at the Fourth floor Function Hall of Brentwood Apartelle, Baguio City. There are 2 completers for Grade 10, 4 elementary graduates, and 11 high school graduates.
 
Finally, we get to conduct a face-to-face ceremony for this school year 2022-2023 since we had the last one in 2019. The USI Praise Team led the praise and worship service together with Ptr. Ruth P. Camacho of Yeongsan Ministries who shared an inspirational message for the graduates. Ptr. Abraham Cho (International Director) and Ms. Jennifer M. Bogayong (School Head) awarded the certificates for completion, special awards, medals and diploma, assisted by the class advisers. Dixen Ashlee H. Roque of Grade 6 led the pledge of loyalty and Hajun Lee of Grade 12 delivered his valedictory address. The USI Chamber Orchestra also played the School Hymn live for this event.

​As tribute and expression of gratitude by the completers and graduates for their parents, mentors, and companions, they sang the song entitled “You have made a difference” and as reminder that it’s time for them too to pay it forward.  They also sang the song “The World’s greatest” as their commissioning song.
 
Truly, it’s not yet the end but a new beginning for another journey of our completers and graduates.  Once again, congratulations batch 2023. Soar high! To God be the glory!

May 18 and 19 (Thursday-Friday) was the fourth quarter examination of USI students. This was also their last and final effort to show what they have learned and try to prove that they deserve to get high grades.  Indeed, it’s another milestone for everybody for surpassing all the academic challenges they have encountered as well as the learnings and experiences that taught them to be a better person.

​On May 5, 2023, students of Union School International (Elementary, Junior and Senior high school) exhibited their science projects for competition.
These projects will expose and help the students understand the environment and the impact on it, which is essential for making smart decisions about how to use natural resources. It can also help them find solutions to problems, such as climate change and pollution, and improve the quality of life for all people.

All entries were demonstrated and defended by the students and individually evaluated by our invited judges, Mr. Viliu P. Buya, Ms.Cecilia B. Samonte, and Ms. Rhea S. Lazo who are science educators in other high school and university.
In elementary, Izaak Agaustin P. Batoyog won the Young Scientist of the Year Award and Sophia Beatrice P. Garcia won the Best Science Project award.

In Junior high school,  Rian Jared M. Dominong  won the Young Scientist of the Year Award and  Ma. Dennisse C. Aquino won the Best Science Project award and for Senior high school, Giofranco E. Soriano won the Young Scientist of the Year Award and Althea Margarette Q. Gonzales won the Best Science Project award.

Teachers do encourage the parents and guardians to attend this conference for them to keep track and be informed of their child’s progress in school. During the said conference, teachers get to communicate closely to the parents and discuss specific concerns regarding their child’s academic performance, social and emotional issues, as well as behavioral challenges.

This is also a call for continuous support and trust to the school in honing and developing the students’ critical thinking and creative skills.  Here at USI, we believe that the success of every student is a collaboration and partnership of both the school(teachers) and the parents.

First, the Asian Vision Adventure (AVA) trip is scheduled on March 18th  to April 2nd  2023 to four Asian countries namely Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia.  This trip aims to spread the good news to young people and experience Christ’s love and saving grace.

Second, they will have a chance to explore the northern and southern Europe while increasing the bond and camaraderie among them as classmates, friends, and family. This graduation trip will run on April 3 to 30 which will give them vast opportunity to observe and see things closely. From the flat landscape of canals and tulip fields of the Netherlands to medieval towns, and Renaissance architecture of Belgium, then to the classical art and romantic streets of France and to experience the rich culture of Spain and Monaco. Also, to visit the Roman territory of Italy, and the Vatican City.
​Then, continue to explore and wonder in a train journey from Switzerland, to Austria, to Czech Republic, to Germany and back to the Netherlands before finally returning to Union School Philippines.

“Traveling is an opportunity to appreciate and be grateful to all the greatness of our maker and provider.”

It took them two days to check and test what they have learned for the whole term. Now, while the teachers are busy checking papers and computing grades, the students are having their academic break. The foreign students are in Riverview Hot Spring Resort to enjoy before the start of the fourth term period.

​Especially, ​Grade 11 students showcased their musical and kinesthetic talents through their Music, Arts, & Physical Education & Health (MAPEH) classes.

And, ​Grade 8 students demonstrate practical lessons in "Hand Spa" through their Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) classes.

Last Tuesday, March 14, the USI teachers had the chance to have a preview of the new campus intended for the next school year, which will start on August 2023. It is situated at Youngsan Mission Center, Balacbac, Baguio City.

It has a three-storey building for classrooms and a chapel/function hall at the top floor. There is another church across the building, a separate space for cafeteria with overlooking terraces and verandas, a secured entrance gate, a parking lot, a wide open-spaced sports facilities(basketball, volleyball, badminton, etc.), playground for children, a soccer field and dormitory (soon-to-rise) in some vacant lot within the Mission Center compound.

​Although it is still under renovation, the faculty are very excited and thankful for all the blessings and grace that God had bestowed the school.

  On Thursday, March 9, 2023, Union School International (Baguio City) joined the 1st Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill.

  The students, teachers and other personnel signify their support for the measure that the Department of Education (DepEd) instructed all schools to participate.
The drill was spearheaded by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Conducted across the nation quarterly, the measure seeks to educate people and at the same time increase the nation’s disaster response competency.