Week Fifteen - January 5th, 2024

Primary School

Whole School Newsletter

Secondary Newsletter

Kim Conlin

Head of Primary

Dear GIS Primary Families,

Happy new year and welcome back to term 2! We hope you had a restful holiday season. As we start the new year, our students have returned, ready to continue their academic journey and meet the expectations for their grade level. A warm welcome to all new families who have recently joined our school community. We are excited to have you with us and look forward to working together to support your child’s educational journey.

Our students are geared up to learn and develop the necessary skills and creative thinking required for their respective grade levels. Their commitment to progress is evident and sets a positive tone for the rest of the academic year. Mid-year written reports will be sent home next month, highlighting your child’s progress compared to mid-year expectations. These reports will provide a clear snapshot of their achievements and areas for improvement.

Our Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA's) will commence next week. These activities complement classroom learning and encourage teamwork, creativity, and personal growth outside academic studies. We encourage students to explore these opportunities to discover and develop their interests and abilities.

Your continued support and involvement in your child's education are greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Have a great weekend!

Newsletter at a Glance

In this edition you will find:

- - Announcements / Reminders / Upcoming dates
  - Peek Into Learning
  - PYP curriculum resources
  - Absence Procedure
  - Whole School Calendar

Upcoming Dates

GIS Community Calendar - subscribe by clicking

Jan 8: ECA start
Jan 11: Additional ECA sign ups in Primary
Jan 29-31 - PYP School Photos (schedule to be shared)
Jan 25 - Jan 31 - MAP Reading Assessment Window
Feb 1-2 - Parent Teacher Conferences

Announcements and Reminders:

ECA sign ups

Thank you to all parents for the enthusiasm for the ECAs we are offering. We are supporting some parents who are having a challenge to sign up. Please can you continue to use this form if you are having issues with signing into SOCS.

We are aware there was a technical glitch on some ECAs last night where dates and times weren't showing. This was fixed as soon as we discovered this, so please check that the ECA you have signed up your child for is convenient for you. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

We are pleased to say we are offering more ECAs you can sign up to on 11th January 7.00pm.

We have also got a QR code on the flyer for parents to suggest ECAs that they would like to see more of at our school.

Please ensure for morning ECAs your children arrive on time and for the afternoon ECAs your children are picked up promptly at 4.30pm.

If you have any other questions about ECAs please email: eca_gis@Gemsedu.com

Connect Ed - watch out for the entire Term 2 dates soon.

The purpose of the Connect Eds is to support our parent community with social, emotional, and academics for their children.

We have a plethora of knowledge and expertise in our Primary School Team, and they will provide practical information and strategies.

The parent community is an integral part of GIS, and we feel it is essential to make them part of our learning community.

We hope to see many of you at the Connect Eds, and closer to the time, we will send you more information on the ConnectEds in our Newsletter.

Peek into Learning: Positive Discipline

Happy New Year! As we step into a new year full of potential, our school is excited to strengthen our behavior policy with the principles of Positive Discipline. This approach not only aligns with our commitment to nurturing a respectful and encouraging environment but also lays a solid foundation for our students' long-term development.

Positive Discipline is anchored in five key criteria:

1. Kindness and Firmness: We balance respect and encouragement, ensuring students feel supported yet guided.

2. Belonging and Significance: Our approach fosters a strong sense of connection, helping children understand their important role in our school community.

3. Effectiveness in the Long-Term: While traditional punishment may work in the short term, Positive Discipline focuses on positive, long-lasting outcomes.

4. Teaching Social and Life Skills: We are committed to developing good character in our students, emphasizing respect, problem-solving, accountability, and cooperation.

5. Empowering Students: By inviting children to discover their capabilities, we encourage them to use their personal power constructively.

This month, we're dedicated to establishing these Positive Discipline routines, primarily through regular class meetings. These meetings, held 2-3 times per week for 15-20 minutes, are essential in embedding these values into our daily school life.

Looking forward, in February, our assistant heads, Sarah and Aamna, will be hosting informative parent sessions on Positive Discipline. These sessions are a great opportunity for you to learn more about our approach and how it can be applied both at school and home. We encourage your participation and are excited to work together in creating a nurturing and effective learning environment for our students. Stay tuned for more details on these sessions!

Keep up to date with what is happening in your child's class!

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.

Toddle Parent Information

Please remember that weekly updates will come to you through Toddle.

Information for new/starting families

Click here

Overview of communication platforms (PYP)

Click here

Curriculum Overview Site

Click here

Previous Parent Connect Eds

Click Here

Drop off and Pick up

Drop Off (7:50-8:10): Parents PK-G1 drop in classroom

Drop Off: (7:50-8:10) Grade 2-5 through gate 8 or gate 4

Late: any student arriving after the national anthem must get a late slip at front reception/gate 4.

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Pick up (3:05 or 11:30 on Friday): PK-G1 pick up from classroom

Pick up (3:15 or 11:40 on Friday) Pick up through gate 8 or 4

*due to crowding at gate 4, we have allocated a safe space near the pirate ship for PYP students to wait for parents. During adverse weather or lengthy waits, students will be moved to the canteen. Follow up with with a parent or guardian will take place after 30 min. We appreciate parents effort to collect children in time.

My child will be absent

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 )

My child will leave during the school day (exceptional/unavoidable cases only)

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.

Early Leave Request Form