Dear GIS parents 

This week, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to GISPA, and to all parents, families and staff who contributed to our World Cultures / Family First event. It was a joyful and beautiful celebration of the rich diversity that defines our community, and a powerful reminder of what makes GIS such a special place to learn and belong.

When schools truly embrace diversity, they do more than celebrate difference, they build empathy, understanding and connection. Strong communities are formed when people feel seen, valued and united by shared purpose, and this event reflected exactly that spirit.

As we continue to work together as a school community, I would also encourage you to share your voice by participating in the short questionnaire linked below particularly in relation to online learning on Fridays and Ramadan timings. Your perspectives matter, and your feedback helps inform thoughtful, balanced decisions that reflect the needs of our families.

Survey LINK

Thank you, as always, for your engagement, your partnership, and the energy you bring to our community.

Kind regards,

Nevita Pandya 

Principal/CEO

An update from the  Primary and Secondary Principals

An Update from the Primary School 

Report cards are now available on Toddle.

Along with your child’s report card, you will find an attached letter explaining some changes you may notice this year. Following our move to the English National Curriculum during the last school year, we have made adjustments to the way we teach and assess English, Mathematics, and Science. These changes are designed to better support student learning, align with international standards, and continue to reflect the philosophy of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). As a result, report cards may look a little different from those in previous years. We kindly ask that you take the time to read the full letter attached to the report card.

Update on the Vice Principal Position

As you may already be aware, Ms Aamna Thomas has informed us that she will be leaving GIS to take up a new opportunity at another school. Yesterday was her final day with us.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Ms Aamna for her dedication, care, and hard work over the past two and a half years. During her time at GIS, she made a positive contribution to our school community, and we were pleased to celebrate her service with both staff and students. We wish her every success in the next chapter of her professional journey.

Ms Aamna has also shared her gratitude with our parent community and would like to thank you for the trust you placed in her. She has felt privileged to work with your children and to be part of their learning journey.

Looking ahead, we are pleased to share that we have received a strong number of applications for the Vice Principal position and have already begun the interview process. While recruiting mid-year can be more complex, we remain fully committed to appointing a high-quality candidate who aligns with our school’s values and expectations. We will keep you informed as the process progresses.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s class teacher with any questions related to your child. If further support is needed, our Grade Level Leads are also available to assist. For general questions related to teaching and learning, our coordinators are happy to support you:

• Ms Helen Bruce – Literacy Coordinator
  h.bruce_gis@gemsedu.com

• Ms Shannon Garrett-Janes – PYP Coordinator
  s.garrettjanes_gis@gemsedu.com

• Mr Lawrence Thompson – Math Coordinator
  l.thompson_gis@gemsedu.com

• Mr Javier Lucero – Pastoral Care Coordinator
  j.lucero_gis@gemsedu.com

As always, our priority is your child’s well-being and learning. We are here to support your family, clarify any questions, and address any concerns you may have. You are also very welcome to contact Ms Tijü John t.john_gis@gemsedu.com our Primary Assistant, who will gladly guide you to the appropriate person.

Week Without Walls – Important Reminder

For students who will be travelling, we kindly remind you to submit the Parent Consent Form, Code of Conduct, and DHA form as soon as possible. These documents are essential to ensure that your child is able to attend the trip.

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support.

An Update from the Secondary School 

Semester 1 Reports Published

Semester 1 reports have been published on ManageBac and GEMS Connect on the afternoon of Friday 30 January. These reports are designed to celebrate each student’s effort, progress, and achievements, while also providing clear, positive, and actionable next steps for continued growth. This year, reports include personalised comments from subject teachers to give a richer picture of student learning and to highlight both strengths and areas to focus on in semester 2. We encourage families to review the report together with their child, acknowledging successes and setting a small number of realistic goals for Semester 2. If you would like to discuss your child’s learning in more detail, you are warmly encouraged to reach out to classroom teachers, Heads of Department, your child’s Grade Level Leader, or a member of the Secondary Leadership Team.

Washroom Review and Next Steps

This week we completed a focused review of washroom use across the Secondary school. This was prompted by a noticeable increase in the number of students out of lessons and the need to ensure washroom access is being used appropriately, safely, and consistently across the day. The review has helped us identify peak times, patterns of movement, and where supervision and routines can be strengthened. Any adjustments we make will be aimed at protecting learning time, supporting student wellbeing, and ensuring students can access facilities when needed in a calm and dignified way. As always, please feel free to reach out to a member of the team if you have questions.

The Lab Diaries - January Edition 

The January 2026 edition of The Lab Diaries  has been published and is available to the community. This issue offers a rich insight into the learning taking place across our Secondary Science laboratories, highlighting hands-on investigations, safety practices, and the behind-the-scenes work that supports high-quality practical learning. We encourage families and students to explore the newsletter and celebrate the curiosity and scientific thinking on display.

Week Without Walls – Secondary Update and Reminder

As we approach Week Without Walls, we would like to sincerely thank Rupali and all of our trip leaders for the significant time, care, and organisation that has gone into planning and leading these experiences for our students. These opportunities are an important part of our programme and reflect our commitment to learning beyond the classroom. 

For students who will be travelling, we kindly remind families to ensure that all required documentation, including the Parent Consent Form, Code of Conduct, and DHA form, has been submitted. These are essential for students to be able to participate in the trip.

We also remind the community that all students who are not attending trips, or who are not engaged in approved experiences or internships, are expected to attend school at the normal times. A structured programme of on-campus activities will be in place to ensure students continue to engage in meaningful learning throughout the week. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Warm regards,

Mirna Hafez-Farah and Aaron Kane

Primary and Secondary School Principal.

WhatsApp Channels

Primary and Secondary WhatsApp Channels for our GIS community. These Channels will run on WhatsApp, meaning you will be able to manage your own notification settings and access the updates easily.

It is important to note that only our Parent Relations Executive, Helen Gornall, will be able to post messages to

these Channels and this will only be to share announcements/updates applicable. We encourage you to check

the relevant Channels regularly to remain informed about the latest developments.

For any queries on Slices, please call or WhatsApp Andrea from Slices on 050 504 5908

Kind reminder to ensure students accounts have enough credit loaded so they do not face issues purchasing food. 

GIS Community Calendar 25/6

If you would like to subscribe to the the GIS Community Calendar, please click HERE for the link.  

This calendar will be continually updated to reflect key dates and events.