Week Twelve - November 26th 2020
We are into the home stretch of this term and the break is on the horizon for everyone. And, in the same way as we finish a race, we have to finish strong with a burst of energy; or at least commit to maintaining our pace. We do have a short break coming up next week so that should help to energize us all for the final week.
We will be honoring National Day next week and national dress of UAE related clothing is permitted on Sunday to align with this. We haven't been able to confirm this until this late as we have needed to tread careful in regard to what is permitted and when. Our students and teachers will be focusing on connections with local context, culture, heritage and history during lessons next week where possible in recognition of National Day as we cannot 'celebrate' in the way that we usually would.
With only Sunday and Monday in school next week, there will not be a newsletter so please see the later sections that relate to the final week and final day of school.
It was also nice to receive such positive feedback about our ConnectEd this week with Mr Rafael (the recording has been provided below). I'm certain you will enjoy watching the session back if you were unable to attend. We have already received requests to adjust the timing of our remote ConnectEd sessions in the future to allow families to get back home following the morning school run so we will keep this in mind for future sessions.
I encourage you all to read the student leadership section of the newsletter this week to review the numerous activities and projects that are running. There are more activities kicking off weekly and your child could be missing out; the first step into an activity is always the hardest but most rewarding one.
Throughout these 4 years of my staying in GIS, I’ve had only wonderful experiences. From the time of when I received warm welcomes to the present.
However, I have also faced many challenges in my MYP journey. Here is one challenge that I figure many new students to the MYP system will face:
Making sure to meet the first deadlines of Grade 6 - In my first few months of grade 6, I have noticed that the workload from PYP and MYP are 2 completely different things: since we are preparing to go to DP, the deadlines are shorter, and the quality expected is much higher (although later into the year I have slowly adapted to these challenges).
However, as I’ve already stated before, I have had only wonderful moments in this school. The moment I’d like to share with you is the way that teachers and students welcome you - in my first week of PYP, I’ve received an immeasurable amount of warm welcomes from both teachers and students (which deliberately made you want to go to school just to see your friends again).
Final words: I would like to thank everyone on this wonderful journey in this truly amazing school.
UAE National Day recognition
We will be respecting UAE National Day next week under the guidelines of the UAE government. Unfortunately, this does mean then the gala aspect of the day will not take place so no stalls, food, shows etc. will take place.
We will be looking at connections to local heritage, culture, history and the contemporary life of UAE residences within lessons on both Sunday and Monday (29th & 30th).
Staff and students are invited to come to school wearing UAE national dress or clothing that clearly connects to the UAE.
Last day of school - Thursday December 10th
As we have done in previous years, the school will release early on the last day of the term and classes will end at 12:00pm. Please ensure you adjust collection plans for your children.
In class, our StuELT social and student life committees are working to develop social distancing appropriate activities for homeroom groups to enjoy and the teachers are putting together a whole school quiz for homerooms to compete in.
Students are also invited to bring in a 'party lunch' on the last day. Unfortunately, homeroom potluck lunches are not permitted but students could consider their favourite party foods for their own packed lunch.
Festive dress down in the Secondary School
As we approach the winter break, we also approach Christmas. In recognition of this, we invite students and staff to take part in a festive dress down on the last day of school.
Students are invited to share your ideas about acknowledgements and rewards for earning house points. Please complete this Google Form to share your ideas.
It was so impressive to see the work of our Grade 10 French B students this week. Not only did they produce wonderful pieces of writing; they also demonstrated the development of their research skills and commitment to academic integrity via the use of citation and referencing. We also saw the Grade 10 students developing their understanding of the United Nations Sustainability Goals (UN SDGs) with a particular focus on SDG16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions during their Individuals & Societies (I&S) lessons with Mr Rooney. They have been studying the Cold War and looking at ways we can ensure SDG number 16 is met in the future by learning from mistakes of the past.
Also in I&S, grade 7 were looking at the structure of the earth as part of their Natural Hazards unit; this week they investigated plate tectonics. A clever use of Oreo cookies supported the learning about Divergent, Convergent and Transform boundaries with Ms Alisha. Grade 6 completed their assessment for their "What makes me Unique" unit. This involved the students presenting their posters in which they identified key ideas of what makes each of them unique; a great connection to their time in PYP completing the UOI "who we are".
Kindly be reminded that students are required to wear GIS school uniform at all times, unless otherwise communicated.
Exceptions include PHE days (when students should wear GIS PE kit) and scheduled dress-down days.
Masks are to be worn at all times, except while eating or drinking - in which case, students should be sat at their desks.
Social distancing is to be observed and respected at all times.
Students must avoid group gatherings in classrooms, hallways, washrooms and outdoor spaces.
The sharing and exchanging of personal belongings (such as laptops) is not permitted.
Visits to the canteen are heavily restricted to avoid mixing of students across different grade levels.
Students are expected to:
Bring a packed lunch to school (including enough water for the whole day), or
Place food orders with Slices
Please refer to the Order Process for guidance.
Our DPC takes the tweet of the week crown this week (he puts enough tweets out there so there's no wonder really). Sarah is one of our highest attaining students in DP and the Head of our Student Life committee in the StuELT. We're sure she'll knock her Extended Essay out of the park but there's some hard yards to be covered over the next 12 months or so.
Thank you to the parents listed below, who have volunteered to administrate our grade level WhatsApp groups. All GIS parents are invited to join the groups that are pertinent to your family. To do so, click on the links provided. We hope that these groups facilitate enhanced communication and understanding of community developments.
Please can we remind families that they must make contact with the absence email address on days where their child is sick and staying home from school.
Any absence that is 3 days or more requires a doctors certificate to be considered as authorised absence.
We please ask that parents remember to honor social distancing during pick up in the afternoons.
This is particularly important on Tuesday pick up as this is a busier period.
It is important that all adults in the lives of young people role model what we expect of them on a day to day basis.
Link below - click on the button
Link below - click on the button
As many of you will be aware the student magazine, TheLink, was set up by students a few years ago. This year has seen a great deal of expansion begin on this project with the introduction of TheLinkTV and TheLinkPodcast as well as TheLinkMagazine also going fully digital. With these developments, TheLink team have now developed a website to house all of these projects. You can visit this website via hyperlinked image here.
This site is a work in progress and will develop organically but please offer your support by visiting regularly to see the project unfold.
Please click on any of the images below to be redirected