#WeRGIS Weekly
#WeRGIS Weekly
Embedded Files
Week Twenty Six - April 19th, 2024
From the Head of School's Desk
From the Head of School's Desk
Dear Parents,
This week’s newsletter has taken a very different turn to what I had expected to write.
I sincerely hope that you and your families are all safe and well. The worst storm to hit the Gulf region in 7 decades has really had some impact, and my first thought is for your safety. Some families, including our staff, have suffered through the flooding to their homes and we do what we can as a community to support each other.
At difficult times, the best communities rally and go ‘above and beyond’ to help and support others. This has been the case with our school, and I really wish to thank our cleaners and support staff for all they have done to make the school ready for our students on Monday. They have really done an incredible job, when one considers just how many areas were affected. Four cleaners actually walked from Al Quoz to get to the school, knee deep in water, when they realized the roads were impassable by car. They appear in one of the photos below. Our security team (also in a photo below) actually worked for 24 straight hours when they could not be relieved by the next shift. This type of selfless action is symptomatic of the attitude and teamwork at GIS.
I also thank our staff for the rapid switch to online teaching and learning and our students for adapting so well and our parents for your support. As a parent myself, I know how parental input and tasks increase during online learning, and I am grateful to you. Thank you for staying in touch with the school and
Although it seems the distant past now, Monday was a lovely first day back, particularly when we were greeted in wonderful fashion by our Islamic teams and the Eid Al Fitr welcome.
I am pleased to say that the KHDA inspection report is now available and the inspection team have commended the school in the following areas:
• Students’ attitudes, behaviour and work ethic, and their understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture.
• The care, welfare and safeguarding of the whole school community.
• The inclusivity of the school and its support for all.
• The curriculum pathways offered in DP and the subsequent improvement in achievement.
If I could have chosen areas to be commended on, it would be the above four, given that we are striving to offer the most holistic and personalised education for your children and this recognition is welcome. Together with the Schools Compared Top Schools award for Best School in UAE for STEAM, and finalists for Best IB School in UAE over the last two years, we are well placed to go from strength to strength. We shall not, however, be complacent and we shall look to continue to improve. We have a strategy underway which includes ‘challenge and ambition for all’ and we shall continue to focus on this.
Our staff turnover this year is extremely low again, at only 12%, which is less than half the international school average and will be one of the lowest in GEMS for the second year running. I make this as a point of reassurance for some parents who have not heard the correct information. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions.
Finally, I sincerely hope to welcome all students back to on-campus learning on Monday. Our school will be ready and I have informed our colleagues at KHDA of this. We hope, of course, that the road situation from your homes is also significantly improved and that journeys will not be too disrupted. I shall be in touch on Sunday.
Kindest regards,
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the safety and efficiency of our school dismissal process, we are implementing some changes that will take effect starting Monday April 22.
The health and safety of all students is paramount, and therefore students cannot remain on school premises after 3.30pm unless supervised by school staff (such as ECAs). We are therefore providing a safe place: the Ground Floor Canteen. Any student waiting for a sibling must now wait in the designated area within the Ground Floor Canteen. We also ask that after 3.30pm any parent who is not engaged in watching squads train at the football pitch, also wait in the designated area of the Ground Floor Canteen.
Thank you for your understanding.
GEMS International School
Family First
If anyone is interested in becoming a champion to represent GIS for Family First, or if anyone has a story they would like to share with the community, please feel free to email me at: pre_gis@gemsedu.com
We would love to hear from you!
A note from GISPA...
A note from GISPA...
Jaguars Corner
Jaguars Corner
Please see below the current Slices menu.
There is also information regarding PYP Classroom Delivery Service. For any queries on Slices, please call or WhatsApp Kervin 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 - CLASSROOM DELIVERY DETAILS.pdfLIVE STATION MENU.pdfGIS Community Calendar 23/24
GIS Community Calendar 23/24
This calendar will be continually updated to reflect key dates and events.
This calendar will be continually updated to reflect key dates and events.
GIS School Calendar 23-24 - Parent version 23-24 calendar.pdfUPDATED Parent Version GIS School Calendar 24-25.pdfPage updated
Report abuse