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Week Eleven - November 11th 2022
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Dear Parents & Guardians,
This week saw the return of Week Without Walls in the Secondary School. I would firstly, like to thank all staff who accompanied our students on day, residential or international trips. We had students in the UK, Japan, Nepal, USA, France, Dibba, Fujairah, as well as Dubai. Teacher's need to have a heightened awareness when taking students on a field trip. However taking students to a foreign country or away for an evening adds another layer to this already stressful event. Our dedicated staff willingly gave up time with their own families to accompany our students, so that they could grow and develop life skills outside of the school environment. For this I will be forever grateful.
We do hope that students, whatever activity they were involved in this week, learned something new, about the world and about themselves; and had a wonderful time. We are looking forward to having everyone back in school next week.
To ensure that our Grade 12 students are well prepared for the World Exams in May, they were busy this week working on the Core. They did manage a short mini-break in Dibba last weekend, but then back to the books upon their return. We did celebrate our Grade 12 parents today and it was wonderful to see so many of you attend the Parent Appreciation brunch. It is important, as the end of formal education looms for our oldest students, that they have a chance to express their appreciation to you, their parents for the sacrifices made, support provided and guidance offered.
Please enjoy a small selection of pictures from this week's events below!
Enjoy your week ahead.
Amanda Murphy
Head of Secondary School
Week Without Walls
Footwear that cannot be worn to school
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS
November 19 GISPA Car Boot Sale
December 9 Term 1 Report published | End of term 1
GISPA_Car_Boot_Sale_Nov.22_(1).pdf
Secondary ConnectEd Schedule
Secondary ConnectEd Schedule
ConnectEd Presentations
ConnectEd Presentations
Keeping Our Children Safe Online
Keeping Our Children Safe Online
Digital devices, such as smartphones and tablets, make online platforms and content easily accessible. And, while there are many benefits of seamless accessibility and connectivity, there are also many potential risks - to the health, well-being and even the safety of young people - that must be considered by young people themselves, as well as by parents and schools. Technological advances are faster than ever and new online platforms are released at a rapid rate, making it challenging to effectively monitor and control (for their own well-being) the online activity of the young people in our care.
Young people will, at times, seek out and/or be inadvertently exposed to inappropriate online content. If and when this is the case, it is important that they feel comfortable and confident to disclose and discuss the matter with trusted adults. While banning smart devices may not be practical (or desirable), implementing agreements around device usage (for instance) is a healthy and productive approach to online media balance and safety. There are a number of useful tips and strategies available to support healthy and well-informed approaches to media use. Please take some time to explore the E-safety: Parent Guidance, which has been created to support GIS parents in this regard.
GIS Student Voice
GIS Student Voice
Last year, the amazing Student ELT launched the Secondary Student Hub for secondary students. This is an ongoing collaborative project between the Student ELT, Inclusion Team & Grade Leaders.
The Secondary Student Hub will remain the students access point for the new social groups and peer mentoring, as well as signing up for the already established peer tutoring programme.
Students will also be able to find links to ECAs, student voice initiative, counsellor referral forms, mindset matters and homeroom information. We are really proud of the work that the Student ELT have put in to this so far and look forward to seeing their expansion of the site.
*Students must be logged into their gemsisak gmail account to access the site.
Parent WhatsApp Groups
Parent WhatsApp Groups
Scan the QR code(s) to join our
Scan the QR code(s) to join our
Grade Level Parent WhatsApp Groups
Grade Level Parent WhatsApp Groups
From the Classroom (and beyond)
From the Classroom (and beyond)
Jaguars Updates
Jaguars Updates
Throughout the year, you will be able to review information about the week's sports results and scorers, in addition to action photos, match reports, sports news and much more on our Jaguar Sports website.
Throughout the year, you will be able to review information about the week's sports results and scorers, in addition to action photos, match reports, sports news and much more on our Jaguar Sports website.
Language Stars of the Week
G6
Lucy Lawrens, Ishana Sane, Moutaz Duwaji, Talia Hany, Vedant Rajpurohit¸Omar Malkawi & Maatrika Shaw
G7
Christian Bendstan, Adam Elbeyaly¸Zahra Parambath¸Mohammad Almandalavi¸Asma Sameer & Foteini Fasoula
G8
Andre Sousa, Ashaz Aslam, Vlad Ghergescu, Fredrika Klintell, Lois Benschop & Victoria Saintpierre
G9
Yassin Elashafie¸Ayla Fardifand¸Peniel Gebreyesus, Tia Sarrouh & Omar Alsamarai
G10
Ayaan Abbasi¸Ezra Dsouza¸Sardar Said¸Muhammed Moeen, Chahine Ouchari & Leonardo Patane
Youth Podcast Program
Youth Podcast Program
Grade 12
The Youth Podcast Program is a 10 week program where students learn how to produce podcasts after school on Fridays.
Last week, Yonden Frank’s (GIS Grade 12 CP student) group (that included four students from other GEMS schools) from came first place for “Best Podcast 2022” in their podcast production. By the end of November, their podcast will be available on Spotify or Argami.
Congratulations!
Week Without Walls - Dibba
Week Without Walls - Dibba
Grade 12
Last weekend, our Grade 12 students had the opportunity to travel to Dibba in Oman to participate in a range of activities that not only helped strengthen their bonds as a cohort by showing kindness and being principled, but also challenge themselves personally by becoming risk takers.
Students collaborated in a beach cleanup and collected 14 industrial sized garbage bags of waste, leaving Dibba a better place from when they arrived. Students had the opportunity to reflect and think critically on our practices as a society and how we can take more sustainable steps to avoid littering ecosystems.
Furthermore, students were able to hike up Dibba Peak, a 2 hour excursion that encouraged students to motivate each other and support each other in this physical challenge. Upon reaching the top and contemplating the beautiful scenery, saw the benefits of being resilient and persevering.
Amongst other physical activities such as archery and survival, students were also able to connect with their peers around the campfire and enjoy marshmallows while playing team building games. It was impressive to see their singing skills and their knowledgeable repertoire in the theme song group competition.
Morning Drop-off and Pick-up Arrangements
Morning Drop-off and Pick-up Arrangements
Morning Drop-off
Morning Drop-off
Students are to be dropped off between 7:50 - 8:05am.
Students are to be dropped off between 7:50 - 8:05am.
Homeroom begins at 8:10am, following the UAE national anthem.
students are considered late if they arrive to class after the anthem.
Dismissal
Dismissal
Monday to Thursday: 3:15pm
Friday: 11:40am
Please arrange for students to be collected promptly after dismissal. Secondary students are not permitted to gather inside the Main Reception or Slices Cafeteria while awaiting collection. They may wait in the adjacent courtyard or the outdoor area at the front of the school, being careful not to block doorways.
*Parents may enter the school campus via Gate 4, Gate 6 and Gate 8.
Pre-order Food Through Slices
Pre-order Food Through Slices
Students are encouraged to bring a packed lunch to school - particularly while COVID-19 restrictions are in place - as it ensures that they are able to eat and drink as required throughout the school day.
If you wish to make use of the Slices catering service, please note that:
Food deliveries will not be permitted from external restaurants/catering services.
Food orders must be ordered through Slices in advance by completing this GOOGLE FORM.
Orders for following weeks must be placed by 10am each Friday.
Orders must be placed in advance for the full week (Monday to Thursday).
Same-day orders/deliveries will not be possible.
Food orders will be delivered to the students' classroom.
Students will not be permitted to visit the canteen in order to purchase water or snacks throughout the day.
Please consider an appropriate quantity and variety of foods to sustain your child for the duration of the school day.
Students are encouraged to bring sufficient water with them to school to sustain them throughout the day.
COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Update
Any student accessing remote learning school sessions must provide the necessary medical documentation and the school must submit a report on their behalf to avoid fines. Please understand that GIS does not have authority to permit remote learning without KHDA approval.
For more information on how to apply for exemption to on campus learning, contact our clinic at GIS_MedicalAlert@GEMSEdu.com
Useful Links
Useful Links
Please click on any of the images below to be redirected
School meal processes
Email bus Services
Travel declaration form
Secondary School Handbook
Parent Portal for fee payment, updating details etc.
Email IT support (password reset etc.)
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