Dear parents

This week the Grade 12 World Exams finally came to a close. Our oldest students can, at long last relax, and put away the books for a few months, prior to heading off to college. In asking a student what they were going to do to celebrate, they responded with “Sleep Miss, I’m going to catch up on sleep!” We look forward to welcoming the cohort back onto campus next Friday for their Graduation Ceremony – plenty of time to catch up in sleep between now and then!

Ms Sandy, MYP Coordinator, has addressed all Grade 8 and 9 students this week regarding their subject selection for next year. If your sons or daughters are in these two grades, you should have received an email recently which included a link to the Grade 9 & 10 Handbook. We encourage you to read this with your child in coming days. All students have been given a subject selection form to complete. This needs to be returned to school no later than Wednesday May 25^th to ensure that your child receives their subject choices.

Students in Grades 9 & 10 had the opportunity to visit the second GIS university fair in as many weeks held at the school. These events are extremely valuable in exposing our students to the endless possibilities available to them when they graduate from GIS. Thank you to Ms Malin for coordinating the various colleges and universities, as always, your efforts are so very much appreciated.

GIS had the pleasure of hosting a DASSA swim meet this week. Thank you to Ms Hadeel and all other swim coaches for the work on this event. Four schools took part in this competition, which saw many students create a personal best (14 in total!) GIS had much success on the day winning the U13 female medley relay, U13 male medley relay, and U15 male Freestyle relay. We came second in U15 female medley relay, U13 female freestyle relay, and U13 male freestyle relay. And took home bronze in in the U15 male medley relay, U15 male freestyle relay and cannon relay. Special mention must go to Arman S (10 D) for winning both 50 m freestyle and butterfly; and Edward D (7E) for also winning 50m butterfly. These excellent results saw GIS claim second spot overall in the competition – well done everyone.

Finally, this week, I would like to share a fantastic experience I had the pleasure of being involved in. Members of the StuELT organized the inaugural GIS Gourmet! Teams of students have put their culinary skills to the test in recent weeks, crafting cookies, developing rice dishes and serving up sliders! It all came to a head this week with the Grand Finale. Mr Simon and I were invited as guest judges where the teams had 1 ½ hours to generate a gourmet breakfast dish. I must say, the final dishes we were served could have come from any of the top restaurant kitchens in Dubai! Wow! What talented students we have. Well done to all of the students involved, but especially to our winning team of Saya (Sara B and Aya A Grade 11) who served up a dish of freshly baked Irish soda bread, with smashed avocado, turkey bacon, tomatoes and topped with a fried egg. This was accompanied with mango and strawberry chia seed pot, with freshly squeezed orange juice, on the side. Congratulations to our runners up, The Masterchefs (Afra and Maryam from Grade 6) wand third place winners, the Supa Hot Fire (Radin T and Jalen C from Grade 11). I can’t wait for this competition next year!

Enjoy the week ahead

Amanda Murphy

Head of Secondary School

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:

1. Food deliveries will not be permitted from external restaurants/catering services.

2. 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.

3. Food orders will be delivered to the students' classroom.

4. 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.