Another outstanding feat this week was the victory of four of our students in the EDUSTREAM STEAM challenge, a national competition. After achieving runner-up status in the regionals against 55 schools, with Ms Sheeba honored as ‘Best Teacher for Innovate Automation’, the team of Ananya R and Jinu K (G7), supported by Selda G and Andy F (also G7) won the national competition, bringing the trophy for Industry Automotion back to GIS! Well done to all and thank you for representing GIS so positively.

My thanks to Mr Harry, Assistant Head of Secondary, for organizing the Programme for International School Assessments (PISA) this week, and to the 15-year-old students who participated. Our scores in this test (which cannot be memorized in ‘rote learning’ fashion) were well above all Dubai private schools last time and we hope to emulate the same this time. This emphasizes what our students are capable at the end of their MYP years. As I have mentioned before, research (NARIC, UK, 2019) has shown that the depth and breadth of questioning at MYP goes beyond GCSE. 

Looking ahead to next term, there are some really positive facility changes on the way. Thank you for your patience with the new sports hall – this is well underway and will be ready at the start of next term, which in turn means the swimming pool will be back in use. We shall also have a larger DP/CP lounge for our older students, and a new Inclusion Center for our Primary School, along with a larger Admissions space and coffee shop area, which will benefit all! We shall also have an additional small meeting room, near my office, which will be very useful for parents when you want to drop by and meet a teacher or leader and have some privacy. 

Thank you to the parents who have completed the quick survey from GEMS – we do hope you will take a few minutes to respond (I sent a short letter about this during the week). 

Finally, my thanks also for re-enrolling and placing trust in our school. I am delighted that teacher turnover is so low again this year and I really look forward to sharing our plans for next year with you. 

Kind regards and have a good weekend,