Wishing all the ASB community happy holidays.

We resume classes on August 27.

Week of May 28th

June 4-8 EXAM WEEK for G6-11. Check the schedule here.  G6-8 have normal lessons after the exams. G9-11 should go home to prepare their exams, please arrange transportation accordingly.

June 12- MS/HS Art Show 3:30-6:30 pm

June 14- End of year MS/HS Concerts 9:00-11:00 am,  Athletics Awards 3:00-4:30 pm

June 20th- Grade 8 Promotion 2:00 pm-3:00 pm in the First floor (upstairs) Cafeteria. G8 parents are invited to join us in celebrating with Grade 8. 

June 21- MS/HS Award Assembly 2:00-3:00 pm

June 22- Last day of school early dismissal at 12:00 pm

Important please subscribe to the ASB events calendar. 

Recommendation of the week:  In a talk from the cutting edge of technology, OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman explores the underlying design principles of ChatGPT and demos some mind-blowing, unreleased plug-ins for the chatbot that sent shockwaves across the world. After the talk, head of TED Chris Anderson joins Brockman to dig into the timeline of ChatGPT's development and get Brockman's take on the risks, raised by many in the tech industry and beyond, of releasing such a powerful tool into the world. Check this fascinating Ted talk here. 

Week of May 21st

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS- ASB has made a substantial investment to provide musical instruments for our students. The instruments are delicate, expensive and difficult to replace or repair here in Bahrain. We are asking all students to keep their musical instruments in the appropriate areas in the music room. There should be no instruments left in corridors, cubbies or classrooms. Please remind your children about this. 

Sunday May 28 - "Ice Cream Day" - Our ASB Parent Association will be purchasing ice cream for every student in the school.  Thank you to Donya and Abrar for organizing this event!

June 1st- CONCERT! Jazz Orchestra of Bahrain in Concert with the ASB Platinum Band!

The JOB will be performing alongside our own ASB Platinum Band.

Just concluding their 1st year, the Jazz Orchestra of Bahrain has performed all over Bahrain, including the International Jazz Festival and the FoodFest at Marassi Beach. This group plays an exciting mix of jazz, movie soundtracks, and classical favourites.

The ASB Platinum Band is an ensemble featuring the school's top musicians. They have also been featured at the International Jazz Festival. They will be playing traditional marches, pop songs and movie soundtracks.

The concert is at ASB, in the Band Room. Concert starts at 6:30, and there will be light refreshments afterward. Admission is free.

June 12- MS/HS Art Show 3:30-6:30 pm

June 14- End of year MS/HS Concerts 9:00-11:00 am,  Athletics Awards 3:00-4:30 pm

June 20th- Grade 8 Promotion 2:00 pm-3:00 pm in the First floor (upstairs) Cafeteria. G8 parents are invited to join us in celebrating with Grade 8. 

June 21- MS/HS Award Assembly 2:00-3:00 pm

June 22- Last day of school early dismissal at 12:00 pm

Important please subscribe to the ASB events calendar. 

Recommendation of the week:  "By loading kids with high expectations and micromanaging their lives at every turn, parents aren't actually helping. At least, that's how Julie Lythcott-Haims sees it. With passion and wry humor, the former Dean of Freshmen at Stanford makes the case for parents to stop defining their children's success via grades and test scores. Instead, she says, they should focus on providing the oldest idea of all: unconditional love." Watch this inspirational TED talk here. 

Week of May 14th

This week we have administered the MAP tests. The test provide us with very useful information about growth in our students. It will be analyzed by staff with the help of the 'Data Analysis Team'. We will provide training to staff to better understand the reports and how we can use the data to impact learning. Please be aware MAP test results do not affect the grades students receive in term 2.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS- ASB has made a substantial investment to provide musical instruments for our students. The instruments are delicate, expensive and difficult to replace or repair here in Bahrain. We are asking all students to keep their musical instruments in the appropriate areas in the music room. There should be no instruments left in corridors, cubbies or classrooms. Please remind your children about this. 

May 21st-We will follow Tuesday (Day 3) schedule.

May 22-Next year's Experiential Week meeting for parents 5:00 -7:00 pm

May 23- Early dismissal @ 12:00 pm, please make transportation arrangements, staff will be involved in meetings and professional development. We will follow a Sunday (Day 1 ) schedule.

May 24- G11 ToK exhibition in the library 2:00- 3:00 pm

June 1st- CONCERT! Platinum band and the BCO combined 7:00-8:00 pm

June 12-13- MS/HS Art Show 3:30 -6:30 pm

June 14- End of year MS/HS Concerts 9:00 -11:00 am,  Athletics Awards 3:00-4:30 pm

June 21- MS/HS Award Assembly 2:00 -3:00 pm

June 22- Last day of school early dismissal at 12:00 pm

Important dates for parents May-June Events Calendar 

Recommendation of the week: Are you promoting reading at home. Is reading an important part of your family culture? What book are you currently reading and why? If your child doesn't see you reading, it is likely they will not see reading as important. Here some tips to promote reading with your teenager.

Week of May 7th

We were fortunate to have a fantastic accreditation team visiting the school this week. This group of experienced educators spent four days in school, visited all classrooms in school, and helped us reflect on our future, moving forward and things that we need to improve.  We will get an official report in two to three months, but their feedback was very pleasing. It is great when you get validation of your work from other sources, and this team, acting as critical friends, clarified to us our path in the near future. I was very moved to hear them say that happiness was a thread woven into the fabric of our school.  Thanks to all the people involved in this process but specially to Ms Radia Ali and Ms Bronwyn Pods for their amazing work.

May 17- Experiential learning parent meeting 5:00 -7:00 pm

May 15-18 MAP testing for G6-10. All students should bring charged computers and headphones to school.

May 23- Early dismissal @ 12:00 pm, please make transportation arrangements, staff will be involved in meetings and professional development.

ASB is looking for an additional female swim instructor.  Please let us know if you know of someone who may be interested.

Important dates for parents May-June Events Calendar 

Recommendation of the week: The disappearing computer -- and a world where you can take AI everywhere

In this TED talk former Apple designer and Humane cofounder Imran Chaudhri envisions a future where AI enables our devices to "disappear." He gives a sneak peek of his company's new product -- shown for the first time ever on the TED stage -- and explains how it could change the way we interact with tech and the world around us. Witness a stunning vision of the next leap in device design.

Week of April 30th

We embark in the final months of our school year. The community will be super busy with all kinds of events, concerts, exhibitions, testing, meetings etc. Make sure you have a look at the calendar of events linked in this newsletter. Next week ASB will be hosting a visiting team from MSA/WASC as we finalize our accreditation process. A big thank you goes to Ms Radia Ali and Ms Bronwyn Pods for their work in this important step.  Five team members from around the world will help us finalize our reflections on how we can best fulfil our Mission, Vision and make learning the center of all we do at ASB.

May 6-CAS project Rubik's cube competition at ASB.

May 7-11-MSA/WASC accreditation team visits ASB.

May 17- Experiential learning parent meeting 5:00 -7:00 pm

May 15-18 MAP testing for G6-10. All students should bring charged computers and headphones to school.

May 23- Early dismissal @ 12:00 pm, please make transportation arrangements, staff will be involved in meetings and professional development.

ASB is looking for an additional female swim instructor.  Please let us know if you know of someone who may be interested.

Important dates for parents May-June Events Calendar 

Recommendation of the week: One act of kindness a day  can change your life. Watch this inspirational TED talk here. 

Week of April 16th

Wishing all our ASB community Eid Mubarak

Talent at ASB:  Sushmita Shanmugam in G10 has entered the 'Hit Like a Girl' drumming competition here in Bahrain. Please follow the link to see her performance, and register and vote for her!

https://hitlikeagirlcontest.com/contest/sushmita-shanmugam-04-10-2023-040448/

April 23-25 Eid al-Fitr These are the dates for the Eid al-Fitr holiday. There is a chance that Eid will start on Friday, April 21 instead of Saturday, April 22. Regardless of the day, ASB will be closed April 23-25. We will resume classes on April 26 (Wednesday) following our normal schedule 7:50 am- 2:50 pm. Please make any transportation arrangements.

April 27 - Earth Day at ASB.  Students are encouraged to dress in GREEN & BLUE.  Students will be involved in a number of activities throughout the day.  

May 1st Labour Day- Public holiday, school will be closed this day.

ASB is looking for an additional female swim instructor.  Please let us know if you know of someone who may be interested.

Important dates for parents May-June Events Calendar 

Recommendation of the week: Ted Lasso on Apple TV. Launched in 2020 during the pandemic Ted Lasso has won the hearts of people around the world. Despite being exceptionally funny (I think) there is more depth to the series than the cheesiness of the typical American v UK clash (football v soccer). For me there are  invaluable lessons in the power of collaborative leadership. Please have a look at this link, and if you read this far you might as well look at this.  If you have Apple TV, be a risk taker and give it a go. This show is for mature audiences.

Week of April 10th

Wishing all our ASB community Ramadan Kareem!

A polite reminder to all parents about Ramadan schedule drop and pick-up times. Drop off anytime after 8:10 am and before 8:30 am and pick up at 1:30 pm until 1:50 pm. 

April 23-25 Eid al-Fitr These are the dates for the Eid al-Fitr holiday. There is a chance that Eid will start on Friday, April 21 instead of Saturday, April 22. Regardless of the day, ASB will be closed from April 23-25.

April 27 - Earth Day at ASB.  Students are encouraged to dress in GREEN & BLUE.  Students will be involved in a number of activities throughout the day.  

May 1st Labour Day- Public holiday, school will be closed this day.

ASB is looking for an additional female swim instructor.  Please let us know if you know of someone who may be interested.

Week of March 26th

Wishing all our ASB community Ramadan Kareem!

Last night we celebrated Iftar with all staff. It was a night to show our gratitude for the great work our staff and administration do, and to celebrate with our colleagues and friends the special month of Ramadan.  

Tonight we celebrate Iftar with all our community. Many thanks to the PTA for organizing this event!

A polite reminder to all parents about Ramadan schedule drop and pick-up times. Drop off anytime after 8:10 am and before 8:30 am and pick up at 1:30 pm until 1:50 pm. 

April 2-9 - Mid-term break-We will resume classes on Monday April 10 @ 8:30 am following Ramadan schedule

April 23-25 Eid al-Fitr These are the most likely dates for the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

Recommendation of the week: as a non-muslim living in Bahrain I am interested in learning more about Islamic culture, traditions and  celebrations. I came about my readings with this project by  Bassam Tariq and Aman Ali. They visited 30 mosques in 30 days in different locations around the USA during Ramadan. Fascinating experience, and a better picture of tolerance and multicultural diversity. You can hear an interview with him here. There is a written article in the NY Times about the project, and you can also watch his Ted talk  "The beauty and diversity of Muslim life"  here.

Week of March 19th

Wishing all our ASB community Ramadan Kareem!

March 23 - Start of the holy month of Ramadan - Pre-KG Ramadan timing: 8:30-12:00, Grades KG1-11: 8:30-1:30. There will be no ECAs during Ramadan.

March 30 - Dress down day- last Thursday of the month. 

March 30- ASB Ramadan Family Event - With the holy month of Ramadan quickly approaching, the Parent Association thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to plan a cultural family event, open to all the ASB community. This event will encompass two main themes: 

(1) Futoor: Breaking the fasting period at sunset with a meal.

(2) Girgaoun: A celebration marking the middle of Ramadan, which includes a live musical band and lots of treats.

E-tickets are BD5 per person (BD5 per adult and BD5 per child) and will be available as follows:

1- From a sales rep starting on Wednesday the 15th of March, from 7:15AM-8:00AM and 2:15PM-3:00PM in the main reception area. Once Ramadan starts (the 22nd or 23rd of March), school timings change, so ticket sales will take place from 8:00AM-8:30AM and 1:00PM-1:30PM.

2- By filling out this pre-order form and following the payment instructions given in the form.

The deadline for buying tickets is Tuesday, March the 28th. No tickets will be sold at the event.  For more information or questions please contact the PTA @  asbpa@asb.bh .

April 2-9 - Mid-term break-We will resume classes on Monday April 10 @ 8:30 am following Ramadan schedule

Week of March 12th

As I write these lines, secondary students are finalizing their experiential trips. It has been a very busy week for trip leaders and chaperones. As there were no classes this week, teachers will update their sections in the newsletter next week. The overall feedback from all trips has been amazing and students  enjoyed, challenged themselves and made memories that will stay with them for life. I would like to thank Mr Balo and his team, trip leaders and chaperones for their hard work, Experiential Week is a monumental logistic enterprise and all has gone very smoothly. Well done!

March 19 - 3:00-4:00pm "Coffee Afternoon in the library" with Hannah Fernweh from the US. Hannah is a consultant specializing in brain research, the reading/writing process as well as  building a strong home/school connection to support literacy development.

March 21 -Secondary School Assembly at 11:15-12:00- "Creativity and Innovation" - Parents are invited to join us as we recognize our students.  Students will be dismissed at 12:00 for our March Half Day. 

March 21 - Mother's Day,  to all our AMAZING, LOVING, STRONG, HAPPY, SELFLESS, GRACEFUL mothers have a wonderful day!

March 22/23 - Start of the holy month of Ramadan - depending on the sighting of the moon, Ramadan will start on 22nd or 23rd of March. Pre-KG Ramadan timing: 8:30-12:00, Grades KG1-11: 8:30-1:30. There will be no ECAs during Ramadan.

March 30- ASB Ramadan Family Event - With the holy month of Ramadan quickly approaching, the Parent Association thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to plan a cultural family event, open to all the ASB community. This event will encompass two main themes: 

(1) Futoor: Breaking the fasting period at sunset with a meal.

(2) Girgaoun: A celebration marking the middle of Ramadan, which includes a live musical band and lots of treats.

E-tickets are BD5 per person (BD5 per adult and BD5 per child) and will be available as follows:

1- From a sales rep starting on Wednesday the 15th of March, from 7:15AM-8:00AM and 2:15PM-3:00PM in the main reception area. Once Ramadan starts (the 22nd or 23rd of March), school timings change, so ticket sales will take place from 8:00AM-8:30AM and 1:00PM-1:30PM.

2- By filling out this pre-order form and following the payment instructions given in the form.

The deadline for buying tickets is Tuesday, March the 28th. No tickets will be sold at the event.  For more information or questions please contact the PTA @  asbpa@asb.bh .

Week of March 5th

The each cleanup CAS project organized by Muath in G11 was a great success. In excess of 30 big black bags of trash were collected. This shows how much we need to do for the environment. Mita in G10 received first place in the female drumming competition 'You Hit it like a Girl' organized by the Bahrain Music Institute. We also had students participating in the Worlds Scholar Cup over the weekend and this coming Friday there is  an internal MUN happening.  As you can see, ASB continues to be busy, Go Eagles!

March 19 - 3:00-4:00pm in the Library,  Parent Workshop with Hannah Fernweh from the US. Hannah is a consultant specializing in brain research, reading/writing process as well as the building a home/school connection to support literacy development.

March 21 - Secondary  School Assembly at 11:15-12:00 - "Creativity and Innovation" - Parents are invited to join in recognizing our students.  Students will be dismissed at 12:00 for our March Half Day.  

Ramadan School hours: Beginning approximately March 22/23 to April 22, the school hours will be 8:30am-1:30pm daily for all students in G6-11. The Eid holiday is from April 23-25.

Recommendation of the week- (from Caryn Pelletier-Learning Support cpelletier@asb.bh) 

Have you ever asked yourself "Why is my kid awake half the night and won't get up in the morning?" or "Why does s/he make poor choices so often?" or "How do I get through to him/her?"

No doubt about it, teenagers are complex human beings. Believe it or not, they aren't (usually) behaving in these manners on purpose or to intentionally make their families and teachers crazy. Dr. Frances Jenson's book, The Teenage Brain, explains typical brain development with a focus on the teen years in easy-to-understand language. She breaks down the why's and offers suggestions for approaching your own teens.

Week of February 26th

G10 & 11 sat their CAT4 tests this week. We are finalizing a report to share the results with parents and students. 

We celebrated International Day today. It was a multicultural and multicolored event  organized by the PTA. Many thanks to all the parents and students who participated and made the event a success. Let's hope this becomes a tradition at ASB.

Suhail,  Arabic name for the star Canopus, is the name of the 'fifth' crew member in the UAE's space mission to the International Space Station. Dr Sultan Al Neyadi is leading the crew. Suhail is a stuff toy and is the indicator of 'zero' gravity, it is his second mission! Congratulations to the UAE for this milestone for the region.

Friday March 3 - ASB Beach Clean-Up (Grades 1-11) - Will take place in Amwaj at 9:00-10:30 just off of Road 5722 before you get to the Art Rotana, here is the location.  Please sign-up using "School Buddy".  This is Muath's Grade 11 CAS project.  Gloves and bags will be provided. We thank you for helping us keep Bahrain clean! 

March 5-7 - ASB Classroom Photos - Please click this link for a schedule Class Photo Schedule

March 8 International Women's Day - We would like to recognize and celebrate all of our ASB women: staff, students and parents!

March 8- World Math's Day-ASB will be participating in World Math's Day. Students will be joining activities online and participating and competing with students around the world. More information from Mr Nader in his section.

March 19 - 3:00-4:00pm in the Library,  Parent Workshop with Hannah Fernweh from the US. Hannah is a consultant specializing in brain research, reading/writing process as well as the building a home/school connection to support literacy development.

Ramadan School hours: Beginning approximately March 22/23 to April 22, the school hours will be 8:30am-1:30pm daily for all students in G6-11. The Eid holiday is from April 23-25.

Recommendation of the week- I am looking for recommendations from the community to share in this space. In the past I have recommended books, articles, blogs, TED talks and documentaries. Do you have something you think it is worth recommending? Please drop me an email and let's share experiences.

Week of February 19th

February 26-28 CAT-4 examinations G10 & 11. It is essential that students  bring  a pen/pencil, charged laptop and earphones for their exams. There are three different parts to the CAT 4 exams each lasting 45 minutes. Exams start promptly at 8:00 am in the first floor cafeteria. Students will have normal classes after their CAT 4 exams.

Thursday March 2 - ASB International Day - Activities, food and traditional items will be shared at booths from around the world.  This activity is sponsored by the ASB Parents' Association (ASBPA). Please see the link for more information. International Day Information 

Friday March 3 - ASB Beach Clean-Up (Grades 1-11) - Will take place in Amwaj at 9:00-10:30 just off of Road 5722 before you get to the Art Rotana, here is the location.  Please sign-up using "School Buddy" and look for Elementary School Events.  This is Muath's Grade 11 CAS project.  Gloves and bags will be provided. We thank you for helping us keep Bahrain clean! 

March 5-7 - ASB Classroom Photos - Please click this link for a schedule Class Photo Schedule

March 19 - 3:00-4:00pm in the Library,  Parent Workshop with Hannah Fernweh from the US. Hannah is a consultant specializing in brain research, reading/writing process as well as the building a home/school connection to support literacy development.

Recommendation of the week- continuing with the theme of Social Media I can recommend you watch the documentary "The Social Dillemma". The documentary examines how social media's design nurtures addiction to maximize profit and its ability to manipulate people's views, emotions, and behavior and spread conspiracy theories and disinformation. Warning this is not for the younger audience.

Week of February 5th

Reports were made accessible to parents yesterday. You can download the reports directly from Power School portal. Here are the instructions on how to access the report. If you have any trouble accessing the reports please contact ITsupport@asb.bh for assistance. I recommend that you keep a PDF copy of your child's report. Parent Teacher Conferences (PTC) will happen on February 22 & 23. This is the Wednesday and Thursday of the week following our break. You can also book appointments to see teachers from February 19th, a separate email will go out with reminders of how to do this. If your child's teacher requests a meeting you will receive an email from our system inviting you to book your appointment earlier (during the break).

Today we had our MS/HS Sports Day. It was great to see the students participating in activities, showing their house spirit and  building our community. A big thanks to Mr Iga and all the PE staff for their hard work and meticulous organization of the event.

Feb 12-16 Mid Term break. The school is closed this week. We will resume classes on February 19.

February 22 & 23 Parent teacher conferences. More information on how to schedule appointments to come. We strongly encourage students to attend the conferences with their parents.

February 26-28 CAT-4 examinations G10 & 11. It is essential that students bring their charged laptop for their exams.

March 2 - ASB International Day - Activities, food and traditional items will be shared at booths from around the world.  This activity is sponsored by the ASB Parents' Association (ASBPA).

Recommendation of the week Talking to our children about Social Media is very important. In this website you can find some tips on how to talk to them about social media. Though each family has different limits and practices regarding the use of social media it is essential that we show respect and consideration with all. Please have a look here. 

Week of January 29

At ASB we are constantly improving our understanding on how children learn best. This is reflected in Professional Development for our staff. In a recent staff meeting a member of staff was reflecting on a recent workshop she attended... "There is no perfect assessment, that is why research continues, books are written and studies are performed". 

We will be setting the CAT-4 exams  with G10 & 11. The Cat-4 exams provide a unique profile of students’ strengths and areas for development. CAT-4 is an assessment of developed abilities in areas known to make a difference to learning and achievement – namely verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning – and will provide us with an accurate analysis of potential student achievement. Standardised on 25,000 students and verified every year based on analysis of a quarter of a million students, CAT-4 provides us with valuable baselining data. It also gives reliable indicators for national tests and examinations, including  the International Baccalaureate.  So why are we doing CAT-4s? Because unlike MAP testing that measures attainment, the CAT-4 measures ability. More information will be shared with students, there is no preparation for the test, it runs completely on their devices. The test has three 45 minute sessions and we are planning to deliver them on February 26-28.

February 6 ASB Coffee Morning will be Monday from 8:00am-10:00am.  We will have a registered Holistic Nutritionist and Life Coach, Naz Al Abrawi, to discuss "Family Wellness".  We look forward to seeing you in the elementary library.

February 8 Term 1 Report cards will be available on the PowerSchool Parent Portal on February 8 at 4:00pm. Parent/Teachers conferences will take place after the mid term break on February 22 & 23. If, for some reason, you have not been able to logon to the Power School Parent Portal, please contact ITsupport@asb.bh for assistance.

Feb 9 Bahrain Sports day at ASB MS/HS. More information to come. February 9th is also a half day dismissal at 12:00 pm. Please make transportation arrangements.

Feb 12-16 Mid Term break. The school is closed this week we  we will resume classes on February 19.

February 22 & 23 Parent teacher conferences. More information on how to schedule appointments to come. We strongly encourage students to attend the conferences with their parents.

February 26-28 CAT-4 examinations G10 & 11. It is essential that students bring their charged laptop for their exams.

Week of January 22nd

Social Media and teenagers will be the topic of a coffee morning for parents coming soon. The date is yet to be determined, please watch this space for the announcement. Here is something to pique your curiosity..." The three most popular social media platforms among teens are YouTube (used by 85% of teens, according to Pew Research Center’s 2018 survey), Instagram (72%) and SnapChat (69%). The percentage of teens who report using Facebook declined to 51% in 2018 from 71%, according to a 2014-2015 teen survey." (https://onlinedegrees.unr.edu/online-master-of-public-health/impact-of-social-media-on-youth-mental-health/)

January 31 will be an early dismissal day (12:00 noon). Please make the necessary transportation arrangements. Staff will be involved in meetings and training. This day is also "Crazy Socks Day". We will follow the schedule for Day 5. Normal schedule for ECAs.

February 2 we will the follow schedule for Day 3. (Please be aware ECAs run on a normal schedule!)

February 6: ASB Coffee Morning will be Monday from 8:00am-10:00am.  We will have a registered Holistic Nutritionist and Life Coach, Naz Al Abrawi, to discuss "Family Wellness".  We look forward to seeing you in the elementary library.

February 8 Term 1 Report cards will be available on the PowerSchool Parent Portal on February 8 at 4:00pm. Parent/Teachers conferences will take place after the mid term break on February 22 & 23. If, for some reason, you have not been able to logon to the Power School Parent Portal, please contact ITsupport@asb.bh for assistance.

Feb 9 Bahrain Sports day at ASB MS/HS. More information to come. February 9th is also a half day dismissal at 12:00 pm. Please make transportation arrangements.

Feb 12-16 Mid Term break. The school is closed this week we  we will resume classes on February 19.

February 22 & 23 Parent teacher conferences. More information on how to schedule appointments to come. We strongly encourage students to attend the conferences with their parents.

Recommendation of the week

"Good study habits don’t always come easily or naturally. Most teens need to be taught how to develop them". Here is a good article that might help you help your child.

Week of January 22th

Social Media and teenagers will be the topic of a coffee morning for parents coming soon. The date is yet to be determined, please watch this space for the announcement. Here is something to pique your curiosity..."The three most popular social media platforms among teens are YouTube (used by 85% of teens, according to Pew Research Center’s 2018 survey), Instagram (72%) and SnapChat (69%). The percentage of teens who report using Facebook declined to 51% in 2018 from 71%, according to a 2014-2015 teen survey." (https://onlinedegrees.unr.edu/online-master-of-public-health/impact-of-social-media-on-youth-mental-health/)

January 31 will be an early dismissal day (12:00 noon). Please make the necessary transportation arrangements. Staff will be involved in meetings and training. This day is also "Crazy Socks Day". We will follow the schedule for Day 5. Normal schedule for ECAs.

February 2 we will the follow schedule for Day 3. (Please be aware ECAs run on a normal schedule!)

February 3 All ASB families and staff are invited to a beach clean-up at 9:00-10:30am in Amwaj.  This community activity is being organized by one of grade 11 IB students, Muath, as part of his CAS project.  We will meet in a parking area off of Road 5722.  A pin drop will be shared in late January.  We hope you are able to come and support this very worthwhile cause.

February 6: ASB Coffee Morning will be Monday from 8:00am-10:00am.  We will have a registered Holistic Nutritionist and Life Coach, Naz Al Abrawi, to discuss "Family Wellness".  We look forward to seeing you in the elementary library.

February 8 Term 1 Report cards will be available on the PowerSchool Parent Portal on February 8 at 4:00pm. Parent/Teachers conferences will take place after the mid term break on February 22 & 23. If, for some reason, you have not been able to logon to the Power School Parent Portal, please contact ITsupport@asb.bh for assistance.

Feb 9 Bahrain Sports day at ASB MS/HS. More information to come. February 9th is also a half day dismissal at 12:00 pm. Please make transportation arrangements.

Feb 12-16 Mid Term break. The school is closed this week we  we will resume classes on February 19.

February 22 & 23 Parent teacher conferences. More information on how to schedule appointments to come. We strongly encourage students to attend the conferences with their parents.

Recommendation of the week

"Good study habits don’t always come easily or naturally. Most teens need to be taught how to develop them". Here is a good article that might help you help your child.

Week of January 15th

We have finished our exam week successfully. Teachers will take some time to get exams back to students. This feedback is essential, however, please be mindful of the volume of marking at this time and be patient. Feedback may be  delayed as some students are making up for missed exams. Though important, exams are just one data point in time and are not the only assessments happening. Exams, however, can point at areas for development or concepts that have been misunderstood or missed by the students. 

UK University representatives visit ASB, January 22nd

A group of 12 UK university representatives will visit ASB on January 22. 

January 22-26 ASB Literacy Week : Here is a flyer for some of the events happening during that week Literacy Week . Students in ECE and Primary will dress-up as their favourite book character. 

January 31 will be an early dismissal day (12:00 noon). Please make the necessary transportation arrangements. Staff will be involved in meetings and training. This day is also "Crazy Socks Day".

February 6: ASB Coffee Morning will be Monday from 8:00am-10:00am.  We will have a registered Holistic Nutritionist and Life Coach, Naz Al Abrawi, to discuss "Family Wellness".  We look forward to seeing you in the elementary library.

February 8 Term 1 Report cards will be available on the PowerSchool Parent Portal on February 8 at 4:00pm. Parent/Teachers conferences will take place after the mid term break on February 22 & 23. If, for some reason, you have not been able to logon to the Power School Parent Portal, please contact ITsupport@asb.bh for assistance.

Recommendation of the week

Are we using technology to do old work with new tools? Watch this talk by author and educator Alan November. His insights are spot on. You can watch his talk here. 

Week of January 8th

"Today's students are visual learners, and a field trip lets them touch, feel and listen to what they're learning about, which helps them build on classroom instruction, gain a better understanding of topics, build cultural understanding and tolerance, and expose them to worlds outside their own.”  (You can read more on the benefits of Field trips here. ) We would like to broaden the Field Trip opportunities for our students so we have created a survey for parents to fill out and share their knowledge, experience and connections within Bahrain and beyond. We appreciate your feedback: Field Trip Survey 

Exams January 15-19

Exams will take place in school for grades 6-11 during the week of January 15-19.

Last year students were allowed back home after exams , this was because of COVID. This year G6-10 will have normal classes after exams. Students in G11 are allowed home after exams, they may have two exams in a day in line with IB preparation. Please make transportation arrangements accordingly. The exam schedule has been shared with students and teachers have communicated revision guidelines and special instructions. 

UK University representatives visit ASB, January 22nd

A group of 12 UK university representatives will visit ASB on January 22. 

January 22-26 ASB Literacy Week : Here is a flyer for some of the events happening during that week Literacy Week . Students in ECE and Primary will dress-up as their favourite book character. 

January 31 will be an early dismissal day (12:00 noon). Please make the necessary transportation arrangements. Staff will be involved in meetings and training.

Homeroom reorganization

After exams, all staff will meet to discuss if any movement between homerooms and classes is needed. We take into consideration academics, student performance, classroom climate and emotional support. We do not envision moving many students.

February 6: ASB Coffee Morning will be Monday from 8:00am-10:00am.  We will have a registered Holistic Nutritionist and Life Coach, Naz Al Abrawi, to discuss "Family Wellness".  We look forward to seeing you in the elementary library.

February 8 Term 1 Report cards will be available on the PowerSchool Parent Portal on February 8 at 4:00pm. Parent/Teachers conferences will take place after the mid term break on February 22 & 23.

Recommendation of the week

Start with the why.

In his inspirational TedTalk, Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership -- starting with a golden circle and the question: "Why?"  You can watch his Tedtalk here. 

Week of January 2nd

Welcome back to school! We start the year refreshed and ready for lots of learning. I hope you all have had a restful holiday and whether here or abroad have had time with family and friends. The main focus for school administration this semester lies on the accreditation process. Surveys have been shared with all the stakeholders in the community. These surveys are an important tool to better understand  our needs as a learning institution and how we are perceived by our students and parents. They also show us areas for improvement. Thanks for your cooperation.

School uniforms

House of Uniforms has full stock for any needs. A reminder that students should have hoodies or jackets that are ASB branded. No other items of clothing are allowed. It is ok to wear a different raincoat to come to school , but once in the building the students should be wearing full school uniform.

Exams January 15-19

Exams will happen in school for grades 6-11 in the week of January 15-19.

Last year students were allowed back home after exams , this was because of COVID. This year there there will have normal classes after exams for grades 6-10. Students in G11 are allowed home after exams, they may have two exams in a day in line with IB preparation. Please make transportation arrangements accordingly. The exam schedule has been shared with students and teachers have communicated revision guidelines and special instructions. 

UK University representatives visit ASB, January 22nd

A group of 12 UK university representatives will visit ASB on January 22. More details from Mrs Natalie B, our university counselor, in her section on this newsletter.

Literacy Week January 22-26

Please have a look at this flyer and see all the events planned for this week.

January 31st: Early Dismissal: Early dismissal at noon. Please remember to pick your child up from school no later than 12:15pm. Staff will be involved in meetings and professional development sessions in the afternoon.

Week of December 11th

It is very evident that Bahrain National Day is approaching. Throughout ASB the colour red and white is dominant, flags are displayed and our ASB National Day celebrations highlight the pride we all take in being part of this beautiful country we call Bahrain.

As we come to the end of 2022, I want to thank you all for your support and wish you all a prosperous and happy 2023.

One of the highlights of the holiday season is the extra time we have to spend with our loved ones and to celebrate the meaning of family and friends.

The ASB Senior Leadership team wishes you all a peaceful holiday filled with love, joy and good health.

WE RESUME CLASSES ON JANUARY 2nd

Week of December 4th

Next week we break  for our holiday. It has been a long stretch since the October break. Whether you are traveling or staying in Bahrain my sincere wishes for a prosperous 2023. A reminder Thursday December 15 is a half-day. We resume classes on January 2nd at our normal time.

ASB Winter Concert

We had our Winter Concert today. The gym was packed! It is incredible to see the progress in such a short period. Our musical director Mr Scott  should be very proud. Well done! As the concert finished, it was so uplifting to see such smiles and happy faces amongst the performers. They were (and rightly so) very proud of their achievements. One of our Learning Profile attributes is 'Appreciation of the Arts'. I am proud to work at ASB.

December 14 National Colours Day

Students and staff are encouraged to wear the football colours/t-shirts of their countries.

December 15 last day of school

 “National Day Celebration” at ASB until 12:00pm.  A list of activities will be shared with you. All staff and students are encouraged to wear traditional Bahraini Attire. 

Experiential Week March 11/12 - March 16/17

Our ASB Experience Week sign ups have started.  We have had very good numbers so far in our International trips as well as our local trips.  Thank you to all of you who have signed up your children so far.

The deadline to sign your child up is Sunday, December 11th.  Please note all students must participate in either the international trip for their grade or a local trip as there will be no regular classes happening at ASB during Experiential Learning Week.  

Deposits for your child's trip (local or international) should be made by Tuesday, December 13, 2022.  The balance will be due in January once we have final costings.  The deposit amount is listed on the chart below for each trip.  Note, the final price will only be determined when sign ups are final.

Please contact Mr Balo (mbalo@asb.bh)  for additional information.

Exam week January 15-19 

This is an advanced notice about exam week. A final schedule will be published on Tuesday next week and shared with students and parents. Exams will be 60 minutes (G6-8), 80 minutes (G9-10 ) and 120 minutes (G11). After exams G6-10 will resume normal classes. The exams for G11 will be under the same conditions of the IB exams and are an important preparation for our G11 cohort. More information will be shred with all next week.

Homeroom reorganization

After exams, all staff will meet to discuss if any movement between homerooms and classes is needed. We take into consideration academics, student performance, classroom climate and emotional support. Though we will listen to and analyze any suggestions from parents, please be aware the final decision is my responsibility and not the homeroom or subject teachers. We do not envision moving many students.

Upcoming: December 2022

• 8th December: Winter Band Concert

• 15th December: National Day Celebration (Early dismissal)

• 20th December - 31st December: Winter Break

• 2nd January: First day of school after Winter Break

ASB Academic Calendar

Week of November 27th

As we approach the break for our holidays, I have always felt there is an underlying excitement amongst the community. There are also a lot of tired minds as the work since September weighs on both teachers and students. I have noticed as well,  a drop in discipline. Tempers are high, some friends might be moving to different countries, something that is normal in international schools. Please bare this in mind, breathe and count to ten, do not answer emails with a hot head, allow yourself time to think.

Experiential Week March 11/12-March 16/17

Our ASB Experience Week sign ups have started.  We have had very good numbers so far in our International trips as well as our local trips.  Thank you to all of you who have signed up your children so far.

The deadline to sign your child up is Sunday, December 11th.  Please note all students must participate in either the international trip for their grade or a local trip as there will be no regular classes happening at ASB during Experiential Learning Week.  

Deposits for your child's trip (local or international) should be made by Tuesday, December 13, 2022.  The balance will be due in January once we have final costings.  The deposit amount is listed on the chart below for each trip.  Note, the final price will only be determined when sign ups are final.

Please contact Mr Balo (mbalo@asb.bh)  for additional information.

ASB at the JAZZ Festival

A reminder to our community that the platinum band will be participating at the Bahrain Jazz Festival this Friday, December 2nd at the Rugby Club. Get your tickets and please show our band your support. For more information please visit the Jazz Festival's website here. 

Recommendation of the week:

The work of Carol Ann Tomlinson has always inspired my generation of educators. I had the priviledge of attending one of her keynotes when she came to the school I was working for in China. She is and advocate for differentiation in schools, something we strive to do here at ASB. All members of staff have a toolkit of strategies to support learning of all students.

If you would like to read more about her or her work on differentiation a good starting point is this website.

Week of November 20th

As part of our accreditation we have been working on defining the ASB Student Profile. The ASB Student Profile reflects those attributes that ASB endeavours to develop and promote in its students, regardless of their grade level or how long they stay at ASB. The Mission and Vision statements, ASB Pillars, and ASB Student Profile are the foundations on which the culture of ASB is built. Last week I wrote about happiness, one of the pillars of our school and how we value and promote it in our community which is tied to our ongoing message of kindness. Happiness, is as such one of the attributes of the student profile. Today I would like to talk about the second attribute being a lifelong learner. "Lifelong learning can be best defined as self-initiated education that is focused on personal development. Generally, lifelong learning has been referred to as the learning that occurs outside of a formal educational institute, such as a school, university or corporate training. Lifelong learning does not necessarily have to restrict itself to informal learning. However, it is best described as being voluntary with the purpose of achieving personal fulfillment."  The means to achieve this could result in informal or formal education. Lifelong learning is very important. Whether pursuing personal interests and passions or chasing professional ambitions, lifelong learning can help us to achieve personal fulfillment and satisfaction. It recognizes that humans have a natural drive to explore, learn and grow and encourages us to improve our own quality of life and sense of self-worth by paying attention to the ideas and goals that inspire us. This ties in perfectly with our school's mission: "At American School of Bahrain, our mission is to provide a challenging American and international education that inspires students to pursue their passions, achieve their goals and become responsible global citizens." We cannot pursue our passions without being lifelong learners. When learning stops, so does intellectual and personal growth.

PTC

We had our PTCs on November 23 & 24. It was great to see teachers and parents in meaningful conversations about the learning happening at school. Please if you have any feedback on the conferences drop me a line.

CAS PROJECT

Several CAS students will be putting together a Bake Sale on Sunday, 27th November, in the ground Floor Cafeteria. This will take place during lunchtime. The price range for a cake is 500 fils - 5BD.  Money raised will be put forward to items such as dog leads, food, and the like. The items will be donated to the BARC Shelter after that. 

World Scholars Cup at Yale University in New Haven Connecticut (November 9-19, 2022)

We would like to recognize these young adults who have been wonderful ambassadors for ASB. We’re so proud of their achievements, their outstanding behavior, their camaraderie with their teammates and their ability to inspire and befriend other students from all over the world. It was so much more than the medals. These young adults have learned about a wide variety of academia, about themselves and about perseverance and resilience. I truly believe they have all matured and become more focused on their future goals. We would like to thank our coach, Ms. Caroline, for her love, patience and support. We are building ASB traditions every day.

Junior Individual Debates

Tala and Clara - Silver

Anna - Gold

Senior Individual Debates

Mita, Justin, Jenan, Cristina – Silver

Yousif BSB hybrid team - Silver

Jamie - Gold

Scholars Bowl

Junior

Tala, Clara & Anna -  Silver

Senior

Lily, Mita & Liza - Silver

Justin, Jamie & Cristina - Silver

Yousif BSB Hybrid team - Gold

Writing

Tala - Silver medal

Clara - Silver medal

Senior

Cristina - Silver medal

Mita - Silver medal

Justin - Silver medal

Challenge Subjects

Cristina Social Studies - Silver

Mita Special Area - Silver

Justin Science - Silver

Team Debate

Juniors

Tala, Clara & Anna - Gold

Seniors

Justin, Jamie & Cristina - Silver

Yousif BSB hybrid team - Gold

Team Writing

Yousif BSB hybrid team – Silver

Top teams of the region:

Yousif BSB hybrid teams

Top Team Overall

Yousif BSB hybrid - Silver

Recommendation of the week:

In this passionate  TED talk Anita Collins makes a case for music education as an indispensable part of school curricula. She describes how learning to play music is the neurological equivalent of a workout. At ASB we agree with her.  Have a look at the TED talk here.

Upcoming: November and December 2022

• 27th November: CAS Student Bake Sale

• 8th December: Winter Band Concert

• 15th December: National Day Celebration (Early dismissal)

• 20th December - 31st December: Winter Break

• 2nd January: First day of school after Winter Break

ASB Academic Calendar

Week of November 13th

This week we had an assembly to celebrate one of our pillars: Happiness. We value happiness and at ASB we know we learn better if we are happy and we work better if we are happy. Tied to our continuous reminder of kindness we see ASB as a happy environment where everyone should be happy and kind to each other. We will continue to spread this message and hope our community embraces happiness and kindness.

Progress reports and PTC

Reports were released on PowerSchool this morning at around 8:00 am. You should have received an email with instructions on how to open the reports. You will need an active PowerSchool account to see the reports and to book slots to see teachers at the PTC on Nov 23 - 24. There are no classes on these two days. We strongly encourage you to attend the conferences with your child. You can access instructions on how to open reports from PowerSchool here.  If you have experienced problems with PowerSchool or have been unable to open the reports or book slots to see a teacher during the PTC please contact our IT office (itsupport@asb.bh).

Uniforms/Dress Code/Mobile phones

With all our branded uniforms/sports wear available from House of Uniforms, we will be monitoring closely that students are in appropriate dress code from Monday. Students will receive notes for not wearing the approved clothes, please make sure you check they are wearing the correct school attire before they leave home. 

Mobile phones should be locked away in lockers or bags between 7:50 am and 2:50 pm. Using the phone at any time during school day (apart for paying for food at the cafeteria) is not allowed. This includes breaks, lunches and between classes. Mobile phones confiscated will be returned the day after confiscation at 2:50 pm. Please be aware if the phone is confiscated on Thursday it will be returned the following Sunday.

Science Curriculum

The office of the curriculum coordinator and the science department are working on aligning the science curriculum to better prepare our students for the IB Diploma. As such, some changes have been made to units and there are  some changes in the course outline shared by teachers at the beginning of the year.

World Scholar's Cup (WSC)

Our WSC team will be back at ASB on Sunday after a trip that will provide a lifetime of memories. Eleven students along with Mr. Steve and Mrs. Caroline Oversier, spent a very productive week at Yale University participating in morning, afternoon and evening competitions, activities and events. There was not a lot of sleep involved as the schedule started most days with a 6 am wake up and ended close to midnight on some nights. They may all look a little sleepy when you see them on Sunday. 

They also had the opportunity to take a day trip to Boston and tour this historic city along with stops at Harvard and MIT. Perhaps someone from this group will be a student at one of these world class schools in the not too distant future. To cap the trip off in style they drove to New York City and prior to flying out took in   a performance of the acclaimed musical, Hamilton. 

They will all come back tired but with a treasure trove of experiences, memories and new life long friends that will be a part of them for the rest of their lives. Oh, and a whole bunch of silver and gold medals and trophies. These are extremely well coached very talented students.

Thanks to Mr. Steve for supervising, participating and chaperoning the past 10 days. You will come back a bit sleepy as well. But the whole ASB team wants to send a special shout out and huge thank you to Caroline Oversier. Caroline is the Mom of five ASB students so I think we can safely say she has her hands full. Caroline approached Mr. Dave at the start of the 2021-22 school year and asked him if we could see if there were enough students to start a World Scholars Cup team. Mr. Dave had heard of WSC but didn’t have a lot of information. Not someone to sit around for long Caroline met with a couple of willing ASB teachers who said they would run an ECA for WSC. After six weeks they had no idea just how big this “WSC Thing” is. It got to the point that the teachers simply couldn’t keep up with the demands of practice, rehearsal, preparation and everything that was required to truly prepare these students. They had their own classes and at one point we weren’t sure if we were going to be able to continue. But in jumps Caroline, feet first. She organized specialized ASB teachers and trainers to work with the students, and in a sense went back to school herself to make sure she could also keep the expectation and quality of work high. Similar to Mr. Dave, Caroline is not interested in average.

One year later these eleven students are coming back to Bahrain, quite literally different young men and women due to this incredible experience. None of this would have happened without the selfless determination, hundreds and hundreds of hours of organization, teaching, counselling, and loving these students for the past year. And all this on top of raising her five children with Rolf. 

Caroline, on behalf of the entire ASB community we send you our heartfelt thanks for all you have done these past 12 months for the WSC students and the ASB community as a whole.

Recommendation of the week:

As part of our kindness message we have been working with students on different projects. We also shared a video that we think is worth watching as a family and discussing. You can see the video here. 

Week of November 6th

Literacy is one of our curriculum's backbones. We cannot stress the importance of literacy for our learners and the pivotal role it has in all other areas of the curriculum. This week we had the privilege of working with Erin Kent and Cailin Minor. They both worked with our Language Arts teacher in Primary and Middle School. I moved through the school and popped in for some of the sessions. I was pleased to see professionals engaged in their own learning and open to new ideas, strategies and tools. The training doesn't stop today, there will be follow-up sessions with all teachers via zoom where Erin and her team will polish the work started this week and support the teachers in their journey. 

PowerSchool Parent Portal

Please make sure you check your email for communication on how to set up your PowerSchool accounts. You will need an active PowerSchool account to book appointments for Parent Teacher Conferences (PTC).

World Scholars Cup

The first delegation of ASB to the World Scholars Cup left Bahrain yesterday. Many thanks to Mr Steve and the mothers accompanying the trip. We wish them luck, I know they will make us proud.  If you would like to know more about the event you can find more information here. These are the students attending the event:

Anna Sofie Vinter

Clara Joan Riiber O'Reilly

Liza George

Cristina Isabel Perez Rodriguez

Tala Tabbara

Jenan Al-Alawi

Grace Irene Oversier

Sushmita Shanmugam

Yousif Aymen M Abukhamseen

Jamie Arthur Oversier

Justin Gerrit Oversier

Progress Reports & Parent Teacher Conferences

Progress reports will be available to parents on November 17. Parent Teacher Conferences will happen on November 23 & 24.

Uniforms/Dress Code

With all our branded clothes available for House of Uniforms, we will be monitoring closely that students are in appropriate dress code from Monday. Students will receive notes for not wearing the approved clothes, please make sure you check they are wearing the correct school attire before they leave home. Many thanks for your support.

Recommendation of the week:

Find the time to cook with your family. It gives you quality time together to chat about their day. Sharing the experience of cooking a family dinner once a week can become a powerful ritual and will bring your family together. If you are not comfortable in the kitchen, be a risk taker, research some easy recipes on youtube or goole and get cooking! There are some interesting websites on the value of cooking together as a family. The websites provide ideas , recipes and more. Cooking is a skill that will be essential when they go to university and will save them money and keep them healthy when they are away from home. Here some websites to look for help:

Healthy Children 

Teenagers in the Kitchen 

Cooking with your teen 

Week of October 30th

Wellness week was a great success. We had many activities that involved students, parents and staff. It was great to see ASB spirit and community in action. Never underestimate the impact that you can have on others. As teachers, we are role models and as such, it is great for students to see us being active and promoting healthy choices. What did I see this week? Walkathons, zumba, mindfulness,  yoga, pin-pong, badminton, volleyball, chats about safeguarding, organization and Unifrog. There was certainly something for everyone. A BIG thank you to Mr. Balo and his team for putting this together.

PowerSchool Parent Portal

Please make sure you check your email for communication on how to set up your PowerSchool accounts. You will need an active PowerSchool account to book appointments for Parent Teacher Conferences (PTC).

Erin Kent is visiting ASB

Next week Erin Kent will be visiting school with her colleague Cailin Minor. They will be supporting our Language Arts departments in literacy. 

Parents help (substitute teachers)

ASB is looking for parents who have some teaching experience and who would like to work as a substitute teacher.  Please send your CV to Ms. Casey, Mr. Steve or Mr. Juan.

Recommendation of the week:

The importance of the arts and art appreciation. In all the schools I have worked for one of my favourite classrooms are the arts classrooms. Why? Because I see facets of the students that are not evident in other classrooms. I feel I can peak a little into their worlds and see them from a different perspective. I am also in awe of the talent we have in schools. I think that appreciation of the arts is one of the most important things we can teach our students. When done conscientiously, art appreciation will give the students tools to better understand the world, make sense of it and work towards a better planet for all. Please have a read and let me know what you think... Art appreciation 

Upcoming: November 2022

• 6th - 10th November: Erin Kent Visits ASB

• 17th November: Progress Reports sent home

• 23rd - 24th November: Parent Teacher Conferences

ASB Academic Calendar

Week of October 22nd

This has been a week with lots of interesting things happening. We had professional development for all staff on Differentiation. This is part of our ongoing initiatives. We have several early dismissal days during the year where staff have some extra time to meet and discuss educational topics. The MS/HS choir is on the way and they delighting the staff during their meeting this week. Many thanks to Miss Alicia and her singers for making our afternoon one to remember. On Thursday as you read this the Trunk or Treat celebrations are happening in the school car park. As we look forward we will have a visiting consultant to help us develop our literacy teaching skills in grades K-8. Her name is Erin Kent. you can read more about her work here. 

WhatsApp Parent groups

The MS/HS WhatsApp parent groups are up and running. If you are not part of this group and would like to be added please email Miss Bronwyn Pods (bpods@asb.bh ) and she will be able to add your name to the list.

PowerSchool Parent Portal

You will be receiving an email from our IT services inviting you to join the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please make sure you follow the instructions to correctly set up this portal and link all your children under one account. This portal will also be used to book appointments for the Parent teacher Conferences on November 23rd & 24th.

Recommendation of the week:

What makes high-achievers different? Sometimes we pay too much attention to who the high-achiever are and less attention to where they come from. In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell gives us a highly entertaining explanation for success and why some people seem to achieve it and other s not. Here some interesting quotes from the book to spike your interest. 

“Who we are cannot be separated from where we’re from.” 

“Achievement is talent plus preparation.”

“Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.”

I have read several of his books this one is my favourite. I would also  recommend his podcast 'Revisionist History'.

Week of October 16th

It was very hard to be away from school. I was off for three days attending the IB Global Conference in The Hague, we then had a mid-term break which was followed by me being out for two days with COVID. So it definitely seemed like I was away for a long time. 

Our volleyball teams continue to make progress. I am very impressed with their performances. 

MAP testing was conducted on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We had make-up sessions today and again on Sunday for students who were absent. 

You have probably seen many of us wearing pink ribbons in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. We support this charity in school. 

Costume day will be on the 27th October along with the "Trunk or Treat" celebration in the car park after school.

MAP testing FAQ

A message was sent this week with a presentation on MAP FAQs. In case you missed it, here is the link .

From the IB Global Conference:

As mentioned last week, a delegation of ASB attended the IB Global Conference in The Hague. It was a very pleasant surprise to meet the IB Director General Mr Olli-Pekka Heinonen. Mr Heinonen made a fantastic keynote speech where he explained the focus of the IB. This was refreshing news, to see an educator of his caliber in such an important role.  A drive to better understand, train staff and come up with educational solutions for the mental health issues in teenagers (a pandemic, as he describes it) will be one of the areas of focus. Staff training and facilitating cooperation between IB staff around the world (IB Exchange- a new platform for IB Educators) and the move to online assessments for the IB are other areas of focus. Please read more about Mr Heinonen here. 

Recommendation of the week:

What motivates us? Daniel Pink in this short TED Talk makes a case for what motivates workers in the 21st century. Spoiler alert, it is not rewards... He mentions three key pieces to solve the puzzle of motivation-autonomy, mastery and purpose. Please have a look at the TED Talk here.  I am happy to discuss how can this be applied to education and our school.

Upcoming: October 2022

• 20th & 23rd October: MAP Testing make-up sessions

• 25th October: Early dismissal 12:00pm. 

• 27th October: Costume Day

ASB Academic Calendar

Upcoming: October 2022

• 20th & 23rd October: MAP Testing make-up sessions

• 25th October: Early dismissal 12:00pm. 

• 27th October: Costume Day

ASB Academic Calendar

Week of October 2nd

Learn, learn, learn... As you receive this newsletter a delegation from ASB is attending the IB Global Conference in The Hague. In my previous newsletter I shared some of the workshops I was planning to attend. Professional development for staff (and leadership ) is essential for the school's growth. Keeping up to date with educational trends and making sure we are providing the best practices is essential for ASB's success. A reflection of ASB's vision is to have leadership that engages in their own learning. As lifelong learners... we love to learn!

MAP testing (action needed): all students in G6-10 will be sitting MAP tests on October 17-19. For the listening part of the test students are required to use headphones. Please make sure your child brings headphones to school (I can't believe I am saying this!!) on the MAP testing dates. If the headphones are wireless a reminder they must be charged. Thanks for your cooperation.  Please be aware G11 will have normal classes and during MAP testing.

Mid term break please we aware we have our mid-term break October 7-15. Last day of classes is October 6, we resume classes on Sunday October 16.

Recommendation of the week: I try to be at the school entrance everyday to greet students. Why? Well in the same way that you that you would greet your guests when they arrive home, saying good morning to students as they come to school builds community. it also allows me to make eye contact, build trust and send a message to all our students..I know who you are , you are important!  Unlike Mr Steve (who already knows all students names by now) I am still working on this, but will often greet them with a 'How are you , please remind me your name.' There is research-based evidence for this. Teachers who greet their students at the classroom door will also see added benefits. Please have a look at this article. 

Costume Day:

All students and staff are encouraged to participate in this annual event.  In the spirit of sustainability, our parent groups will be organizing a "Gently Used Costume Sale" on October 18 at 8:00am & 2:30pm in the ground floor cafeteria.  We know many families have numerous costumes sitting in closets that are now too small.  We also know costumes are not easy to find in Bahrain.  If you would like to donate costumes, they can be dropped off in the main or ECE reception on Sunday & Monday October 16 & 17.

All proceeds will go to the schools' Think Pink fundraising campaign.

Week of September 25th

This has been a busy week for MS/HS. We seem to be in top gear now and lots of things are happening. We have our sports season on the way with games happening at home and away. We had the first win of the season with Girls U13 volleyball... well done! 

Peter Daly from ESOL education is on campus visiting and helping us put together the necessary documentation for a successful BQA inspection. I have been visiting lessons with Peter and have seen many examples of great practice around the school.

Dave, Radia and myself are attending the IB Conference next week. We will be representing the school at the IB Global conference in The Hague, and will leave on Tuesday. This is an important event for all IB schools and an opportunity to expand our network, present our school to the wider IB community and attend workshops related to leadership and the IB Diploma Programme specifically. Some of the workshops I will be attending include: How multilingually-minded is your school?,  The big disconnects -cultural aspects and leaders, DP curriculum update: a focus on upcoming science courses, Building empathy and kindness across cultures: Educational practices for 21st century leaders. I am looking forward to the event. During my absence Mr Mike Balo (mbalo@asb.bh), our Athletics Director, will be deputizing as MS/HS Principal.

WhatsApp parent class groups: Please see the Google consent form. Participation in the WhatsApp groups is voluntary. In the form there are clear expectations and rules regarding the groups. ASB Whatsapp Parent Group Consent 

MAP testing (action needed): all students in G6-10 will be sitting MAP tests on October 17-19. For the listening part of the test students require to use headphones. Please make sure your child brings headphones to school (I can't believe I am saying this!!) on the MAP testing dates. If the headphones are wireless a reminder they must be charged. Thanks for your cooperation.

Mid term break please we aware we have our mid-term break October 7-15. Last day of classes is October 6, we resume classes on Sunday October 16.

Recommendation of the week: Carol Dweck is a world-renowned Stanford University  psychologist and has been talking about mindset and particularly growth mindset for years. She mentions that "People with a fixed mindset — those who believe that abilities are fixed — are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset — those who believe that abilities can be developed. " Please have a look at this TED talk, it has been viewed by over 14 million people, and stop me in the corridor to chat about it.

Week of September 18th

We had our first Curriculum Night (Meet the teacher night) on Tuesday. I was very impressed with the professionalism of our staff and the questions from parents regarding our educational programmes. The conversations between school and home need to be frequent, open, sincere and invite to reflection on both sides. We all learn for each other we all have strengths and areas for improvement. Your feed back is appreciated, drop me a line. What went well, what would you like to see next time, how can we improve the experience.

WhatsApp parent class groups: I am excited to communicate we have officially started the G6-11 WhatsApp Parent groups. We had a meeting before Curriculum Night (Meet the Teacher) with the volunteers to moderate these groups. Please see the Google consent form. Participation in the WhatsApp groups is voluntary. In the form there are clear expectations and rules regarding the groups. ASB Whatsapp Parent Group Consent

MAP testing (action needed): all students in G6-10 will be sitting MAP tests on October 17-19. For the listening part of the test students require to use headphones. Please make sure your child brings headphones to school (I can't believe I am saying this!!) on the MAP testing dates. If the headphones are wireless a reminder they must be charged. Thanks for your cooperation

Recommendation of the week: I have been very fortunate to see many inspirational speakers in leadership conferences.  I have seen Sir John Jones twice, in Kuala Lumpur and and Macao. He is probably one of the best speakers I have seen. "Students will probably forget what you teach them, but they will never forget how you made them feel." The first time I heard this, it provoked so much thought I have included it in my educational philosophy, a document I shared with future employers during recruiting. His book ‘The Magic-Weaving Business’, describes how powerful an impact teachers have on young people and how learning can make a profound difference in their lives. I have ordered it for the library. Please take a minute to read 'Preparing our children for a world that does not exist' , I am, as always, happy to chat about this.

Week of September 11th

We have had a great second week in school. ECAs will start next week; we have had this week the trials for competitive sports. It is great to see students enjoying their passions or trying something new. This week in my walks around school I particularly enjoyed visiting the Visual Arts class. I was so impressed by the work that is already being produced by our young artists.  Students in History we designing and building models of traditional tipis (I learned today you call spell it tepee, teepee or tipi); Science G8  were building models of molecules. A student in G11 shared with me  her summer IB Diploma Visual Arts journal. It was amazing to see the details of her reflections and how these will guide her journey of discovery into the arts. 

Counselor's Corner: We are excited to launch today in our news letter a section run by our counselors. Please click on the top left of this page to access the Counselor's Corner, there is important information for all of us to read and digest.

Vaping: Vaping has become a problem for teenagers around the world; the US Surgeon General  declared it an epidemic in December 2018. An estimated 1 in 5 children age 10 or above have tried it at least once. I urge you to have an honest conversation about vaping and its risks. If you would like to have some facts please see the links below. Our counselors and my office will continue to talk to students about its dangers, if you would like to talk to us please drop by for a chat. Vaping (or bringing vaping equipment on campus) is not allowed anywhere at ASB, offenders will face disciplinary consequences.

CDC quick Facts

Teen Vaping: What you need to know.

WhatsApp parent class groups: we are missing parent volunteers for 6B and 8B. Please drop me a line if you would like to volunteer.

Media Consent Form:  If you haven’t done so already, please complete the ASB Media Consent Form to indicate your preference with regards to using your child's photos/videos on the school's media platforms. Parents who do not complete this form by Sunday, September 18th, will be automatically added to the group of parents who gave their approval.

Mobile phones:  this is a reminder that mobiles phones should not be used by students between 7:50 am and 2:50 pm. This includes changes between classes and break and lunch. Mobile phones should be in their lockers. 

Heavy traffic: this is to reassure families that until the traffic situation settles and we all know best routes and the right time to leave home (to be on time at school), we will not be marking students late.

Recommendation of the week: Let's have an open discussion about the value of homework. This can be a tricky one as different parents can lie on opposite sides of the continuum. Some would like more homework and some less... However, if your perception of the value of homework is based on your own experience as a student... well think again. 

Homework should not just be busy work to keep students occupied  after school. It is meant to be meaningful, relevant and an extension of learning. As such it is best referred to as practice. Have a look at this video on the value of homework by international educator Rick Wormeli.  I am happy to chat about this.

Week of September 4th

We have had an amazing first week at school, I am so excited about the year ahead. As I walked through school and lessons this past week I have seen lots of smiles and lots of learning happening. The grade 11 IB English class had a guest speaker to talk about Ireland, they are reading the Irish poet Seamus Heaney, I saw G7 drawing sketches of their hands and favourite objects in Art, G9 History were studying the 13 colonies, in music lessons they were working in groups and testing their listening skills with a very clever quiz.

Please make sure you are asking your child what has he/she learned in school today and initiate conversations about this learning. 

In this page I would communicate about things to come in the next week. These are whole school events, changes to schedules. coffee mornings, etc. I will also try, every now and then to spike your curiosity with links to articles I consider worth reading. Teachers on the other-hand, will communicate  what was done during the past week. Find your child's teacher by navigating the menu on the top left of the page.

Mobile phones: students in G6-11 are allowed to bring their phones to school but the devices should be in their lockers between 7:50 am-2:50 pm. Some teachers can ask them to bring them to class if they are using them for particular learning activities or as a substitute to a faulty or missing device. This is entirely at the teachers' discretion. We understand as parents you communicate with your child using the phone, we ask that during the day emergency messages are communicated through the front office. Misuse of mobile phones will be dealt with through my office. I will keep the devices for one day for first offenders.

Uniforms: all uniforms in all sizes are now available at HOU (House of Uniforms), please ensure that your child is wearing their school uniform next week.

MacBooks: throughout this coming week our IT department will continue to release devices that are set up and ready. Learning continues to happen without devices, teachers are aware some students are still missing their MacBooks.

Heavy traffic: we have all experienced delays this week as traffic increases. Be aware all schools in Bahrain are now open and there are no virtual classes anywhere. Please plan your trips accordingly. I am new to Bahrain but now know 15 minutes can make a difference...

WhatsApp parent class groups: this initiative started last year and we would like to continue it this year. The aim of the parent group is to improve communication. Clear rules from the administration of the group (common to all groups in school) are set. We are missing parent volunteers to administer the groups in 6B, 7B, 8B, 9 A&B, 10 A&B. Please email me if you would like to help.

Recommendation of the week: Through my years at international schools many times I have come across interesting presentations in TED talks. Released in 2006, Sir Ken Robinson's "Do school kill creativity?", was at the time the most watched TED talk ever. Sadly, Sir Ken died in 2020, but his legacy for us educators (and parents!) continues. Please watch it  and let me know your thoughts.  

Watch video here

Upcoming: September 2022

• 6th - 14th September: ECA signups (for more details please email activities@asb.bh)

• 18th September: Term 1 ECA's Begin 

• 20th September: "Meet the Teacher" night 5:00 pm-7:00 pm (more details next week)

• 27th September: Early dismissal 12:00pm. 

ASB Academic Calendar