Week Seven - October 14th 2021

Secondary School

This week seems to have come and gone in the blink of an eye – testimony of how busy the Secondary School is.

The week commenced with the final day of the GIS Expo, which I wrote about last week. The student team responsible for this initiative did a wonderful job in having students sign up to be involved in service activities; apparently the number increased from previous years! Service as Action and CAS are integral parts of being an IB school, and we are proud of how our students embrace this aspect of their schooling.

Thanks must go to our GISPA parents for organising Pink Day again this year. Pink popcorn was enjoyed by many students, so many in fact that the supplies ran out twice! Well done and thank you for rising awareness of such an important issue.

Alumni, Louie Chami, visited our DP1 Psychology students on Thursday to give tips on how to be successful in the subject through his experience as an exemplary student. Louie is currently enrolled in University of Melbourne to pursue his higher education studies in Psychology. After sharing tips on how to be successful, Louie ran a workshop with the guidance of Ms. Mariona on Short Answer Question (SAQ) writing for Psychology Paper 1.

Our Half Term break is looming next week. To avoid any confusion, (as we are aware that some schools have their break start today), students are expected to attend classes on Oct 17th and 18th. Our break commences from Oct 19th and classes resume on Oct 24th.

As we head into our mid term break on Tuesday, there will be no Newsletter next week. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to remind the community of some important Health and safety requirements.

Digital Citizenship Agreement Form

If you have not already done so, please ensure that you complete the Digital Citizenship Form as soon as possible. Ensuring that students receive consistent guidance to safeguard their well-being, both at school and at home, is increasingly important. In this regard, we believe strongly in ensuring that parents are aware of aligned with our 'responsible use agreement'.

Gate Pass

The safety of our young people is of utmost priority for us here at GIS. Therefore, should you wish for your child to vacate the school premises without being accompanied by an adult, please apply for a Gate Pass by emailing m.dimatera_gis@gemsedu.com. As I know you can appreciate, staff will not release a child from our care to a waving adult in the distance.

Enjoy the Half Term Break next week. We look forward to students returning refreshed and ready to continue learning on Oct 24th.

Amanda Murphy

Head of Secondary

StuELT Handover

Interviews for Executive Positions began today and will continue into early next week. Good luck to all applicants!

Deputy Heads of Committee will be decided following the appointment of the Student Body President, Vice President and Heads of Committee. The deadline for applicants has now closed.

Committee Members should submit their expressions of interest by November 6th. Expressions of interest will be submitted to the appointed Heads of Committee. There is no selection process for Committee Members - we welcome all students to join their committee of choice.

Further information about the application process can be reviewed in the StuELT Handover Process.

GIS Community Calendar - subscribe by clicking

October 18th Prophet's Birthday - GIS celebrations (students and staff are invited to wear white clothing)

October 19-20th Mid-term break

October 21st Prophet's Birthday (public holiday)

October 24th Extra Curricular Activities begin (more info for sign up next week)

October 26th Inclusion Coffee Morning

October 24-28th Secondary School Spirit Week (check the gis_elt Instagram page for more information)

October 28th StuELT Handover Ceremony

October 31st October Dress-up

November 3rd UAE Flag Day (information below)

November 4th Diwali | Progress Reports Published

November 10th FCD Workshops for students and parents

November 28th GIS' UAE National Day Celebration

On Wednesday 10th November, we will welcome a prevention specialist from Prevention Solutions within the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundationfrom the FCD.

The prevention specialist will present the most up-to-date information available on the physiological and psychological effects of various drugs, and provide a forum for discussing social, cultural, and personal issues that relate to the choices people make.

One thing that makes Prevention Solutions unique is that all of the prevention specialists are in healthy recovery from their own alcohol or other drug addictions. Most prevention specialists began their own drinking and drug use during middle school and high school. They have experienced the pressures, personal issues, and social situations teens face with regard to alcohol and other drug use. They also have first-hand knowledge of the destructive aspects of drug use, and how, in their case, occasional use led to addiction.

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation believes in involving the whole school community in prevention education, not just students.

FCD Prevention Solutions_Letter to Parents.pdf

Students, do you have a question that you'd like to ask the prevention specialist?

If so, please complete this Google Form.

*Please understand that, depending on the number and quality of questions received, the prevention specialist may not directly address all questions.

From the Classroom (and beyond)

During PPS, our Career-related Programme students presented their ¨Who am I?¨ Vision Boards as a summative assessment for their Personal Development unit. Students were able to identify their strengths, share the areas they are currently working on improving, their mid-term goals, life dreams and what they want to be remembered for.

Our U19 girls basketball visited King’s School Al Barsha for a 'friendly' fixture. There was a lot of excitement leading into this game - the first in a long time!

Arabic Department Competition

Music Activities

Grade Level WhatsApp Groups

Our Grade Level WhatsApp Groups offer parents another means to remain informed key events and developments in the secondary school. Parents can join the relevant groups by scanning the QR codes below. While we have a temporary admin for the Grade 8 WhatsApp group, we are seeking a permanent replacement. If you would like to volunteer your support, please complete this brief Google Form.

More information about the roles and responsibilities of secondary school parent representatives can be found here.