Embedded Files
Week Nineteen - February 4th 2021
From the Head of School's Desk
From the Head of School's Desk
Dear Parents,
I hope that you are all well. Today I walked through our schools with a visitor from KHDA, who was viewing our practices and classrooms, to check that social distancing and appropriate mask wearing guidance are being adhered to. I am pleased to say that our students are complying really well and I thank our staff for their constant efforts to maintain a safe and healthy campus. Our visitor was pleased with what she saw.
Respect, trust and ambition are at the heart of a GIS education, as you are aware. When these values are in place in all classrooms, along with fulfilling, challenging, purposeful and personalized teaching and learning, our students will excel. Of course, it is crucial that we offer all our students the right pathways to success. I am therefore delighted to inform you that GIS has been accepted as a candidate school for the IB Career-related Programme. This will run alongside our Diploma Programme, as an equal, complimentary and dynamic alternative for the students who opt for it. The latest news is very positive and it does look as though our application will be very well considered. Our Secondary School Team will be presenting to Grade 10 families very soon.
I would also urge Secondary School parents to view the relevant pages of this newsletter, with regard to forthcoming timetable changes. Mr Lee and his team, particularly Ms Benson, have worked tirelessly to ensure that the new changes benefit students. The rationale behind the changes, explained by Mr Lee in a letter to parents today, is strong and student focused.
On the subject of the Secondary School, I am delighted to tell you that Mrs Amanda Murphy, one of our final three candidates for the Head of Secondary position from August 2021 (see last week’s newsletter) has been offered the role and has accepted. I am grateful to all the panels involved in the final interview process: students, parents and staff. Thank you for the time you gave to this crucial piece of recruitment. Mrs Murphy, currently Vice-Principal at Oeiras International School in Portugal, is looking forward to meeting more of our community in due course.
Wednesday was ‘World Read Aloud Day’ and GIS teachers and staff enjoyed reading to our younger students. Along with many others, my assistant Ms Shamah and I both participated and came back exhausted! Ms Shamah read to Grade 4 children and I read to Grade 1C, who were a lively and fun audience. It was lovely to read a story and answer the children’s questions. The highlight for many was Mr John (one of our wonderful security guards) reading ‘Four Feet, Two Sandals’, a story of refugee children, which linked perfectly to Grade 4’s theme of migration. Thank you to all involved. We encourage parents to read aloud to your children – it is so good for wellbeing, listening skills and bonding and does not need to stop as children grow!
Finally, my highlight on Thursday was linking in remotely with Ms Huma’s class and awarding a Head of School’s Commendation to Padma S (Grade 5) for her kindness. Padma has demonstrated this GIS value by helping a new student, also a remote learner, to integrate and feel settled into GIS. We discovered that Padma has been helping this student, who is working through a second language, by translating for him and supporting with vocabulary. Well done Padma - a great example!
Have a good weekend.
Kind Regards,
Simon Herbert
Click here for Primary School News
Click here for Primary School News
Click here for Secondary School News
Click here for Secondary School News
Registration for academic year 2021/2022 is now open for sibling priority.
Registration for academic year 2021/2022 is now open for sibling priority.
Click HERE to begin the application process.
Click HERE to begin the application process.
Gate 8 (side gate) will close promptly at 8:15am each morning after the National Anthem has played.
Gate 8 (side gate) will close promptly at 8:15am each morning after the National Anthem has played.
Late students will be asked to sign in.
Late students will be asked to sign in.
Update From GISPA
Hi everyone!
The last few weeks and months have been a busy time for us all.
Behind the scenes we have been working and brainstorming about many different things! And of course you might have seen us during the pre-loved Uniform Sale! This was a huge success!
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, unfortunately there are a lot of events and activities that cannot proceed or be celebrated as they have been in previous years.
You may also be wondering why we never came back onto the planned coffee morning about International Day. We (school, students and GISPA) are looking into various ideas on how to celebrate all of our different nationalities during this pandemic.
Hopefully we can give you an update soon - watch this space!
GIS Community Calendar 20/21
GIS Community Calendar 20/21
If you would like to subscribe to the the GIS Community Calendar, please click HERE for the link.
If you would like to subscribe to the the GIS Community Calendar, please click HERE for the link.
This calendar will be continually updated to reflect key dates and events.
This calendar will be continually updated to reflect key dates and events.
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