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Week Thirty Three - May 26th, 2023
Dear Parents & Guardians,
This week, our Grade 11 students commenced their end of year exams, which will continue until June 2nd. These exams are important for not only practicing answering lengthy timed assessments in examination conditions; but also as they provide a very good indicator of what subjects and concepts students need to direct their attention to in coming months.
Looking ahead to the next academic year, our Grade 8 and 9 students were recently asked to submit their subject selection preferences for next year. If your son or daughter has yet to submit, we encourage them to do so as places are filling up fast.
Finally, I would like to express my utmost congratulations to our Grade 12 students who graduated today! It was wonderful to see our students arrive at the Fairmont hotel this morning supported by very proud parents and family. It is always an emotional time for students, staff and parents. Many years of hard work are recognized and celebrated as students head off to various locations and universities around the world. Nourhan Ibrahim, the Student Representative, gave a tremendous speech which was aspirational and very fitting for such a group. The ceremony was followed by canapes and tonight, students get to gather for one final time for their Prom. Well done to each and every one of our graduates – Your parents and teachers are very proud of your achievements!
History was also made this morning, with the first GIS cohort of Career-related Progamme students graduating! This is such a tremendous achievement for the staff and students. GIS has recently made the Which Schools Advisor short list for our Post 16 pathways, so it is timely to recognize and celebrate our first CP graduating class. Congratulations to all involved.
Best wishes
Amanda Murphy
Approved Uniform
Approved Uniform
MYP
- GIS light blue shirt, with school logo, fully buttoned
- Regulation dark grey trousers, shorts (boys) or skirt (girls)
- Regulation tie with school logo
- Plain black shoes or plain black trainers
- Black belt (when required)
- GIS jumper with school logo (optional)
- GIS zip jacket with school logo (optional)
CP/DP
- GIS white shirt, with school logo, fully buttoned
- Regulation navy blue trousers or skirt
- Royal blue tie
- Black shoes
- Black belt (when required)
- GIS jumper with school logo (optional)
- GIS zip jacket with logo (optional)
- GIS Senior years jacket (optional)
PHE
- GIS PE shirt
- GIS PE shorts
- GIS swimsuit
- Sports trainers with non-marking soles and heels
- GIS teamwear is permitted in PE lessons
Not Approved
Not Approved
MYP/CP/DP
- denim, leggings or sweatpants
- white/colored detail or laces shoes
- Hoodies (including www)
- Shoes/slides that have open toe or do not fully cover the foot securely e.g. crocs
- Items that are not official GIS uniform
PHE
- Leggings which are not plain black
IMPORTANT DATES FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS
April 19 Last day for Grade 12 students
April 20 Grade 12 study leave begins
April 27 to May 19 IB World Exams
April 29 Spring Carnival
May 5 Grade 11 TOK Exhibition
May 18-19 Grade 11 study leave
May 22 to June 2 Grade 11 Exams
May 29 to June 2 GIS Arts Week
June 5 CP2 and DP2 courses begin for all Grade 11 students
June 21 Secondary School Academic Awards (Grade 6-8: 2:30-4:00pm | Grade 9-11: 5:00 - 7:00pm)
June 22 Secondary School Sports Awards (4-5:30pm)
June 26 Last day of school
Secondary School ConnectEd Workshops
Secondary School ConnectEd Workshops
Term 1 Presentations
Term 1 Presentations
Term 2 Presentations
Term 2 Presentations
Term 3 Presentations
Term 3 Presentations
GIS Student Voice
GIS Student Voice
Last year, the amazing Student ELT launched the Secondary Student Hub for secondary students. This is an ongoing collaborative project between the Student ELT, Inclusion Team & Grade Leaders.
The Secondary Student Hub will remain the students access point for the new social groups and peer mentoring, as well as signing up for the already established peer tutoring programme.
Students will also be able to find links to ECAs, student voice initiative, counsellor referral forms, mindset matters and homeroom information. We are really proud of the work that the Student ELT have put in to this so far and look forward to seeing their expansion of the site.
*Students must be logged into their gemsisak gmail account to access the site.
From the Classroom (and beyond)
From the Classroom (and beyond)
Jaguars Updates
Jaguars Updates
Throughout the year, you will be able to review information about the week's sports results and scorers, in addition to action photos, match reports, sports news and much more on our Jaguar Sports website.
Throughout the year, you will be able to review information about the week's sports results and scorers, in addition to action photos, match reports, sports news and much more on our Jaguar Sports website.
Language Stars of the Week
May 22-26
G6
Maryam Kauser, Michael Faiz, Jennifer Tohme, Luna Moya Aleman, Madalena Ferreira, Mohamed Jr Abdulhussein, Ameli Abzhanova
G7
Noah Memon, Maliha Pathan, Maryam Ibrahim, Termah Ghorbany, Lea Al Beainy, Sidonie Roux
G8
Haluk Kocer, Rebecca Sanna, Tobias Madsen, Tamara Algebori, Yalda Ahmadi¸ Can Ozgoren, Yasseen Negm, Abdurrahman Khawar
G9
Riccardo Fabretti, Kareen Elskaf, Jashan Tejani, Lara Borges, Yassin Hamroush, Zina Ben Mousa
G10
Kyraa Lulla, Nigora Alisherovna, Gabriele Simo, Sarra Bouzambou, Chahine Ouchari, Yusuf Ergasev
'GIS Speaks' in Arabic!
'GIS Speaks' in Arabic!
We are thrilled to announce the release of Episode 2 of "GIS Speaks" in Arabic, our delightful program that highlights the most important events happening at Gems International School (GIS). Kindly view the episode here.
In this episode, our Secondary students take center stage once again to bring you the latest updates on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and important announcements. Their enthusiasm and dedication are sure to leave you feeling inspired and proud of our school community.
But that's not all! We have prepared some surprises to brighten your day. This episode is designed to bring joy and laughter, leaving a smile on your face from start to finish.
Don't forget to participate in our "As the Proverb Says" segment. Share your interpretation of the featured Arabic proverb by leaving a comment, and you might just win a special prize!
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. We hope you enjoy Episode 2 of "GIS Speaks" in Arabic.
English Language and Literature
English Language and Literature
Grade 6-10
As the end of year MAP Reading test is just around the corner (June 5th), we wanted to celebrate the achievements of some of our top performing students and those who made the biggest improvements in the previous MAP test. Attached are a few photos of some of the students who received those awards.
Language Acquisition
Language Acquisition
Grades 6
As their Criterion D summative approaches, languages students have to turn a blank piece of paper into any text type, a menu, an email, a social media post, an article. These G6 students did a great job of making their blank paper look like each individual text type
Integrated Humanities
Integrated Humanities
Grade 6
This week Mr Zulk’s grade 6B, 6E and 6G students worked on a group presentation in I&S for the unit ‘Ancient Civilizations’ focusing on one ancient site. This was for their criterion D formative assessment where they were encouraged to communicate information effectively to give an opinion. Each team was assigned a leader who was tasked with leading their team to a victorious finish! Grade 6 students conducted extensive research for their chosen ancient site and worked tremendously well in their groups. Well done grade 6, carry on being great IB learners!
Music
Music
Grade 6
Last week, students in Miss Ellisia’s Music class performed their pieces for their Summative Assessment. Students had to create their own pieces in groups that reflected one of four different stories. They then worked to recreate this story using percussion instruments and created a graphic score to go alongside their performances. The students did a fantastic job and each class thoroughly enjoyed watching each others performances!
Arabic B
Arabic B
Grade 6
Grade 6 students worked collaboratively to demonstrate their understanding of the text by using the Round Robin strategy and creating a mind map as a technique that organizes information around the text.Students show their work and get feedback from their classmates based on specific rubrics.
Mathematics
Mathematics
Grade 6
This week, our grade 6 students started with a new unit on Data Management. In this unit, students will learn how to collect, classify and represent information that is gathered from a variety of sources as they explore the global context of identities and relationships. In some classes, students took turns, rotating per group, to choose which type of data representation their group would like to work on.
Mathematics
Mathematics
Grade 7
This week, our grade 7 students were investigating rates of change, determining if the rates of change in different scenarios are constant or not. Some students were working on their ‘puppy project’, using given data to determine what the mass of each of their puppies were at birth. Some students worked online (EP), completing tables and graphs involving rates of change. A few students were doing coloring-in activities: their answers determined which color they should use.
Lexonic
Lexonic
Grade 6 and 8
We have started the last round of the 6-week Lexonik Advance programme for the year. This programme is offered to selected students in grade 6 and 8. Through this programme, students rapidly improve reading, spelling, vocabulary and comprehension, with average reading age gains of 27 months in just six weekly one-hour sessions. Looking forward to seeing which group can read 74 syllables in 60 seconds!
IDU Project Samples
IDU Project Samples
Moroccan Tour
Moroccan Tour
Sensational Saudi
Sensational Saudi
Secret Book Storage box (advertisement)
Secret Book Storage box (advertisement)
HydroFlo
HydroFlo
Morning Drop-off and Pick-up Arrangements
Morning Drop-off and Pick-up Arrangements
Morning Drop-off
Morning Drop-off
Students are to be dropped off between 7:50 - 8:05am.
Students are to be dropped off between 7:50 - 8:05am.
Homeroom begins at 8:10am, following the UAE national anthem.
students are considered late if they arrive to class after the anthem.
Dismissal
Dismissal
Monday to Thursday: 3:15pm
Friday: 11:40am
Please arrange for students to be collected promptly after dismissal. Secondary students are not permitted to gather inside the Main Reception or Slices Cafeteria while awaiting collection. They may wait in the adjacent courtyard or the outdoor area at the front of the school, being careful not to block doorways.
*Parents may enter the school campus via Gate 4, Gate 6 and Gate 8.
Parent WhatsApp Groups
Parent WhatsApp Groups
Scan the QR Codes to Join
Keeping Our Children Safe Online
Keeping Our Children Safe Online
Digital devices, such as smartphones and tablets, make online platforms and content easily accessible. And, while there are many benefits of seamless accessibility and connectivity, there are also many potential risks - to the health, well-being and even the safety of young people - that must be considered by young people themselves, as well as by parents and schools. Technological advances are faster than ever and new online platforms are released at a rapid rate, making it challenging to effectively monitor and control (for their own well-being) the online activity of the young people in our care.
Young people will, at times, seek out and/or be inadvertently exposed to inappropriate online content. If and when this is the case, it is important that they feel comfortable and confident to disclose and discuss the matter with trusted adults. While banning smart devices may not be practical (or desirable), implementing agreements around device usage (for instance) is a healthy and productive approach to online media balance and safety. There are a number of useful tips and strategies available to support healthy and well-informed approaches to media use. Please take some time to explore the E-safety: Parent Guidance, which has been created to support GIS parents in this regard.
Useful Links
Useful Links
Please click on any of the images below to be redirected
School meal processes
Email bus Services
Travel declaration form
Secondary School Handbook
Parent Portal for fee payment, updating details etc.
Email IT support (password reset etc.)
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