Week Thirteen - November 29th, 2024
Sarah McLean
Head of Primary
Dear GIS Primary Families,
What an incredible week it has been at GIS Primary! Together, we’ve experienced a vibrant mix of events, celebrations, and learning opportunities that have brought our community closer.
On Monday we celebrated UAE National Day on Monday. Our students wore traditional attire, participated in cultural activities, and enjoyed performances that highlighted the rich heritage and unity of our nation. A huge thank you to our Emirati Community for their contributions. It was a truly special day.
Then on Tuesday PYP Sports Week began! Our students demonstrated amazing teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship throughout Sports Week. From obstacle courses to relay races, it was wonderful to see our learners embrace the IB Learner Profile, especially being risk-takers and communicators on the field. Thank you to our PE team, teachers and parents for making the week so much fun.
The Grade 4 parents and teachers came together Friday for a delightful potluck, showcasing an incredible variety of dishes from our diverse school family. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this heartwarming event. We’re looking forward to continuing the tradition with Grade 3’s Potluck next week! Below are some pictures from the G5 Potluck from last week!
Lastly, we hosted some special assemblies that focused on celebrating the Arabic Language with a rendition of Alaadin in Dubia and others that focused on important themes, including celebrating diversity, fostering inclusivity, and standing against racism. These sessions provided our students with meaningful discussions and reflections.
Some reminders about upcoming initiatives and events:
Arabic Language and Culture Week is next week and our students will be in the beauty of the Arabic language and culture. Through storytelling, crafts, and traditional games, they’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the region's heritage.
Finding Nemo Auditions will begin before winter break! and a wave of excitement swept through the school as our young performers saw the scripts for Finding Nemo. We can’t wait to see their talents come to life in what promises to be a fantastic production.
We will host our annual book fair in the last week of school before winter break which is a fantastic opportunity to stock up on books for the winter break. More details are on the poster below.
And finally, during the last week of school before winter break, we will host the PYP Student Leadership Spirit Week! Get ready to show your school spirit in the last week of term! From silly socks to sparkle and flash, there’s something for everyone. Check out the poster below for the full schedule.
Please remember that Friday marks the beginning of a long weekend in honor of UAE National Day. We will see students back at school on Wednesday, December 4th. We hope everyone enjoys the recent public holiday, taking time to relax and recharge. Thank you for your continued support in making GIS a place where our students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Have a restful long weekend, and we look forward to seeing everyone next week for more exciting learning.
Warm regards,
Sarah McLean
Parents have all received a notification to sign up for the Toddle platform. This is an exciting enhancement to our parent communication, and this year you will receive weekly updates through the Toddle platform.
This IB affiliated platform will offer opportunities for parents to remain up to date with their child's academic progress.
The below class pages will host resources for parents and will no longer have weekly messages. All information will be sent through Toddle, so please inform your class teacher if you have any trouble registering.
Any absence (whether it is planned or unplanned ) must be communicated via email to the homeroom teacher and gis_primaryleaverequest@gemsedu.com by 8:00 AM. STS/bus users must also copy the STS manger on the email. vijesh.kumar@sts-group.com
A planned or extended absence beyond 2 days requires the completion of an absence request form.
Absence for more than 3 days requires prior approval if planned or a doctors clearance for illness related leave (in some cases a medical certificate is requested )
Parents are urged to schedule medical, dental and other appointments after school hours or during vacations.
A request must be submitted before a child can be released once in school for health and safety and reasons.
Filling in the form 24hrs in advance is expected where possible.
At the time of collection, please come to the Primary Reception at Gate 4.