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Week Thirty Three - April 29th 2022
Again, another week has come and gone so quickly.
This week marks a major milestone for our Grade 12 students with the commencement of the DP exams. They have been preparing for these for many years, but particularly since joining the DP as Grade 11 students. Physics and Business Management are now complete and students have a small break next week for Eid prior to the exams starting again on Thursday May 5th. Good luck everyone.
Stu Williamson photography was on campus all week taking class and individual photos to commemorate the school year. For those students who may have been absent and missed the photo shoot, Stu will be returning next month to capture their images. Dates will be shared closer to the time.
Thank you to all parents and students who attended the Community Iftar earlier this week. As someone relatively new to the region, it was my very first Iftar and what a lovely event to experience. Thank you to all staff and students who were involved in making it such a memorable affair.
We have had a welcome addition to our morning routine with the StuELT joining staff in the Secondary foyer to greet our students as the arrive each morning. StuELT will take the opportunity to remind students of upcoming events and to answer any questions students may have. Thank you team!
With that, please see a message from Jhanavi and Jeeya regarding the Donation Drive. With the Donation Drive having ended today, the Service Committee and PYP Student Council would like to extend a huge thank you to the GIS community for their support and enthusiasm in helping us donate to the Dar Al Ber Society. We had set a goal of collecting 1,000 clothes and pairs of shoes in total by the end of the Donation Drive, and I am proud to say that the GIS community has helped us exceed that amount by more than 250 items! The results demonstrate to us how caring and compassionate GIS truly is, and we hope you will show as much exuberance in future Service Committee events as you did with this one. Once again, thank you for all of your contributions, they have truly made a difference!"
On that note, I would like to wish our whole community Ramadan Kareem. Enjoy this special time with family and we look forward to seeing students back on campus on May 9th.
Amanda Murphy
Head of Secondary School
Malavika Ram's Comic book!
Malavika Ram's Comic book!
Grade 9
Grade 9
What Makes You Smile?
What Makes You Smile?
smiless.mp4Thank you to the Smiles4Zayed team for spreading joy in our community!
Thank you to the Smiles4Zayed team for spreading joy in our community!
PYP to MYP Transition
PYP to MYP Transition
Grade 5 students have attended the first of a series of workshops to support their smooth transition to the MYP at GIS. Last week's session, led by Ms. Alisha (Grade 6 Leader) and student volunteers, introduced Grade 5 students to some of the similarities and changes to expect between the programmes, as well as useful tips about how to prepare for life and thrive as MYP students.
A big thank you and well done to our student volunteers - Aashrit Prathap (6C), Asma Sameer (6D), Ved Nakhwa (7E) and Avery McWhorter (7A) - who offered valuable and engaging insights!
During this week's session, Ms. Daania (MYP Counselor) was supported by Ms. Carolina (PYP Counselor) and addressed the feelings and emotions that Grade 5 students may experience as they embark on their MYP journey. Ms. Daania reassured students that all feelings are okay and that support will always be available (from a variety of sources) to navigate these feelings and emotions, which are entirely normal when entering into new environments, situations or experiences.
You will begin to notice a gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions as we receive permission to do so. Thermal camera's have been removed from school entrances. Social distancing, masks, vaccinations and limited access to school facilities remain in place. We will continue with the same protocols for entrance and dismissal gates for the time being. An important update last month is the discontinuation of remote learning by KHDA. Any student accessing remote learning school sessions must provide the necessary medical documentation and the school must submit a report on their behalf to avoid fines. Please understand that GIS does not have authority to permit remote learning without KHDA approval. Regular processes apply for students that will be absent from school (shared at the end of the newsletter). For more information on how to apply for exemption to on campus learning, contact our clinic at GIS_MedicalAlert@GEMSEdu.com
Upcoming Dates
Upcoming Dates
May 2-6th Eid public holiday
May 9th MAP Testing begins
May 10th TIMSS 2023 Field Trial
May 11th PISA Testing
May 12th USEG College Fair (Grades 9-11; MPH 08:30 - 09:30)
May 19th Gulf EDU Tours Fair (Grades 9-11; MPH 08:30 - 09:30)
May 30th - June 3rd Secondary Assessment Week
June 22nd Secondary Sports Awards
June 29th Secondary School Awards Ceremony
July 1st Last day of school
Normal timings to resume from May 9th
Normal timings to resume from May 9th
Monday - Thursday
Monday - Thursday
Friday
Friday
TIMSS 2023 Field Trial
TIMSS 2023 Field Trial
TIMSSDubai has been a regular participant in IEA's Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study since 2007. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has confirmed the participation of Dubai again for the fifth cycle of TIMSS in 2023.
Important to note:
Schools have been randomly selected as part of Dubai Sample for TIMSS 2023 Field Trail. Two Grade 4/year 5 and two Grade 8/Year 9 random classes will be selected to participate in the assessment from each of the selected schools.
Information will be shared, in due course, with the families of those students to be tested.
PISA
PISA
"PISA is the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment. PISA measures 15-year-olds’ ability to use their reading, mathematics and science knowledge and skills to meet real-life challenges" (https://www.oecd.org/pisa/).
Student Eligibility Criteria
All 15-year-old students who are enrolled in Grade 7 or higher, who were born between 1st January 2006 and 31st December 2006 are eligible to participate in the PISA 2022 MS assessment.
Following receipt of the list of eligible students from the school, the International Assessments Team (KHDA/SAGE), a sample of up to 53 students will be randomly selected (using specific sampling procedures which have been standardized for all countries participating in PISA), for the PISA 2022 MS.
Information will be shared, in due course, with the families of those students to be tested.
MAP Testing
MAP Testing
MAP Letter to Families_Spring '22.pdfUniversity Fairs
University Fairs
GIS is excited to welcome back the U.S. Education Group and Gulf EDU Tours for university fairs on May 12th and May 19th. All students in Grades 9-11 will be invited to participate.
USEG’s Al Jamiat U.S. University Roadshow will feature 15 American universities, and the fair will be held in the MPH from 8:30-9:30 on Thursday, May 12th.
Gulf EDU Tours will bring 18 universities from Europe, Canada, US and UAE to GIS for a 8:30-9:30 fair in the MPH on Thursday, May 19th.
Please see the below posters for lists of participating universities. We hope students will take advantage of the opportunity to engage with the visiting university reps and ask questions about university pathways, career outcomes, campus life and admissions criteria.
University RoadShow.pdfUniversity Fair.pdfOur Student Voice
Our Student Voice
This week, the amazing Student ELT launched the Secondary Student Hub to the MYP students during Advisory. This is an ongoing collaborative project between the Student ELT, Inclusion Team & Grade Leaders.
The Secondary Student Hub will be 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.
From the Classroom (and beyond)
From the Classroom (and beyond)
Please find results, scorers, action photos, match reports, Sports News and much more on our Jaguar Sports website
Please find results, scorers, action photos, match reports, Sports News and much more on our Jaguar Sports website
You can also read reviews of the latest GIS sporting action via the GIS PHE site, curtesy of our Head of Sports Committee, Cigdem Kavcar
You can also read reviews of the latest GIS sporting action via the GIS PHE site, curtesy of our Head of Sports Committee, Cigdem Kavcar
Stars of the Week!
Stars of the Week!
Nelia Mjanger, Maliha Pathan, Hannah Anderson, Sebastian Merila, Afra Saiyara, Adem Zhukov, Mazin Bayoumi, Alwy Badawy, Dhruv Joshi, Chayce Van Deventer, Ananya Tanna, Bhadra Rakendu, Rachid Hirane, Taha Makan, Pranay Neeraj, Riti Paghdar, Shiv Sood, Rehan Habibi, Boitumelo Kganyago, Hajrah Khawar, Sanjna Tanna, Layal Mustafa, Aalia Khan, Dhruv Agarwal, Sarah Ayyash, Kalash Parekh, Nima Klintell & James Labans
Islamic Studies
Islamic Studies
The GIS community Iftar was held in the Grand Millennium Hotel and was well attended by our community of students, parents and staff, who thoroughly enjoyed the evening - especially the games and quizzes! The evening ended with a live performance given by the ‘Swahili Islamic Band’ singing Islamic Nasheeds or 'prayer songs' to praise Allah and Prophet Muhamamd PBUH. You can enjoy the spirit of the evening in the video - GIS Iftar Montage.
In the adjacent images, GIS Muslim students who volunteered to participate in the Ramadan Celebrations are being awarded certificates of excellence for their dedication and courage. Thank you all for being risk-takers!
Well done GIS!
This ‘Welcome Ramadan Montage’ was created by G11 student, Roshanak Harichian. Enjoy!
Individuals and Societies
Individuals and Societies
Grade 7 students are currently studying a unit called ‘Islamic Civilizations’ which takes a look at the rise of the first Islamic Empire in this region during the 7th century CE. This unit incorporates the ‘Global interactions’ and ‘Identity’ IB concepts, looking at elements such as people, places, culture and traditions. This week, Mr Zulk’s 7B and 7D classes worked together to complete a snakes and ladders type of board game based on how well students could survive in the desert. Grade 7 students enjoyed taking part in this game and collaborated well together in teams. Well done grade 7, carry on being great IB learners!
Ms. Sandy’s 7A’s played the same game and great fun was had by all!
Mathematics
Mathematics
Grade 7 students have finished their previous unit on a high note, submitting their tasks, Buying a car in Dubai, in which they showed how their skills have developed when working with simple interest. This week, we started with our new unit, Patterns in nature. In our first lesson, students have revised lines of symmetry and order of rotational symmetry. Most students have enjoyed linking Math and Art.
Spanish Ab Initio
Spanish Ab Initio
In recent weeks students have been learning to compare different Hispanic celebrations with festivities from their own countries, under the IB theme of experiences. To conclude the unit students were asked to research into a Hispanic festival of their choice and present their findings to the class.
Advisory
Advisory
This week in Grade 6 Advisory Session students participated in the ECO-Challenge designed by the STuELT. Have a look at the great collaboration and their creations below!
French
French
In the last couple of weeks, grade 9 students have been learning new vocabulary and grammar structures to talk about the environment and how to protect our planet. The students were asked to create posters to give advice and to say what we should and should not do to save our planet from different environmental issues.
Eid Al Fitr article .pdfService Learning
Service Learning
As part of a Service Learning project, Mehdi Abbas, Obay Tahir, Saidmumin Amirov and Ali Elnefeidi have prepared this informative article to support community understanding about Eid Al Fitr.
Thank you and Eid Mubarak!
Pre-order Food Through Slices
Pre-order Food Through Slices
Students are encouraged to bring a packed lunch to school - particularly while COVID-19 restrictions are in place - as it ensures that they are able to eat and drink as required throughout the school day.
If you wish to make use of the Slices catering service, please note that:
Food deliveries will not be permitted from external restaurants/catering services.
Food orders must be ordered through Slices in advance by completing this GOOGLE FORM.
Orders for following weeks must be placed by 10am each Friday.
Orders must be placed in advance for the full week (Monday to Thursday).
Same-day orders/deliveries will not be possible.
Food orders will be delivered to the students' classroom.
Students will not be permitted to visit the canteen in order to purchase water or snacks throughout the day.
Please consider an appropriate quantity and variety of foods to sustain your child for the duration of the school day.
Students are encouraged to bring sufficient water with them to school to sustain them throughout the day.
Useful Links
Useful Links
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