Embedded Files
Week Two - September 8th, 2023
Kim Conlin
Head of Primary
Good afternoon parents,
I trust that everyone is settling into the routines of the new school year. Our young learners in school have settled into their classes, forming new friendships and focusing on the year ahead. Thank-you to our whole community for the smooth start to the year.
We look forward to welcoming returning and new parents to our "Back To School" evening this coming Tuesday. This event is for parents only, to learn about the upcoming year and to meet other parents in the same class. The evening sessions will begin promptly at 5:00pm, so please arrive early. Doors will open at 4:30pm.
Your child may share with you that various assessments are taking place in class. These are not high stake assessments and rather an opportunity to benchmark where students are at, and what they should learn next. The beginning of the year focuses more heavily on the assessment of skills and understanding to help us personalize the learning for each student. Assessments are both internally and externally benchmarked.
The weather has been hot so it is important that students bring a hat and a large water bottle to school. Students spend their break time indoors when the temperature is too hot to play outside.
Thank-you to all the parents that have already signed into Toddle. We have 80% of our parents now signed in, and teachers will begin sharing through toddle only from next week. Please reach out to your homeroom teachers if you are having any trouble logging in.
Please note, that ECA sign up has been postponed until Monday at 5pm. Please read below to find out about ECA's on offer this term and to ensure you have logged into your school account.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Newsletter at a Glance
Newsletter at a Glance
In this edition you will find:
Announcements / Reminders / Upcoming dates
Peek Into Learning: Igniting Curiosity
Primary Pages - link to Grade and Class pages
PYP reminders and resources
Absence Procedure
Whole School Calendar
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
September 12th - Curriculum Evening - Back to School Night
September 18- 27th - MAP Assessment Window
October 5-6th - 1:1 Parent Teacher Listening Conferences
*These are not school days for student
Extra Curricular Activities
Extra Curricular Activities
The sign up for GIS led Extra Curricular Activities will open on Monday September 11th at 5pm (new date) on SOCS and Tuesday 3.15pm on ESM (paid external provider).
All parents will receive an email with further information on how to sign up. In the meantime, please set up your parent accounts (if you have not already)in preparation for registration and review the activities with your child to consider which they may have interest in.
2) Review the Primary ECA list to decide which ECA's you would like to join. Some fill up fast as it is a first come first served registration.
Primary ECA List term 1 (2023)
Announcements and Reminders:
Announcements and Reminders:
PYP Back to School Night
PYP Back to School Night
We look forward to seeing you at PYP Curriculum night to learn important curriculum information about the upcoming year and to learn more about our programme in the PYP at GIS.
Peek into Learning:
Peek into Learning:
Igniting Curiosity: Tuning Into Our Units of Inquiry Across Grades 1-5
Igniting Curiosity: Tuning Into Our Units of Inquiry Across Grades 1-5
We're thrilled to report that grades 1-5 have embarked on their Units of Inquiry, engaging in the "Tuning In" phase. This PYP strategy is designed to tap into students' existing knowledge and pique their interest in the learning ahead.
In grade 5, students explored provocations related to their central idea, "Modern societies are shaped by individuals," sparking thoughtful conversations about individual impact on communities. Grade 4 learners delved into natural disasters' complexities and the problems requiring solutions. Grade 3 students began contemplating their central idea, "What we value and believe is a part of who we are," through activities that helped them articulate their values. Over in grade 2, students started discussing their unit focused on how "People work together to establish rules and make decisions," laying the groundwork for an understanding of teamwork and governance. In grade 1, the children are exploring the concept that "Wellbeing depends on the choices individuals make," starting off with discussions on what makes a healthy lifestyle. Stay tuned for more enriching updates as we journey deeper into these exciting topics over the next six weeks.
Keep up to date with what is happening in your child's class!
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. From next week, all information will sent through Toddle, so please inform your cklass teacher if you have any trouble registering.
Primary Class Pages
Primary Class Pages
Check out for weekly class updates
Information for new/starting families
Information for new/starting families
Drop off and Pick up
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
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)
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.
At the time of collection, please come to the Primary Reception at Gate 4.
Key Contacts
Key Contacts
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