GPS Newsletter

27th September 2024

Message from the Principal

Dear Parents

Wednesday we hosted "Coffee with Jikku" where 'Positive Parenting' was discussed. A great turnout from parents (thank you) who left happy and with new tips and techniques to help their children (more below in the Wellbeing section).

Student Council met to discuss ways to improve the school and make our activities even better. They came up with some great ideas - well done!

We finished the week with the DHA eye test for children from year 3 and up.

Next week we will hold the external assessments CAT4, Reading proficiency NGRT, Arabic and Islamic. I am confident that all will do well. Please send in your child's tablet fully charged every day. Thank you.

Save the Date:

Monday 30th September - Friday 4th October - External international standardised testing for all students (nothing to study for 😁)

Tuesday 1st October - Phonics workshops for parents with Ms Chloe (FS, Year 1 and Year 2 parents)

Thursday 10th October -FS dress up - "What I want to be when I grow up"

Friday 11th October - Year 3 and 4 Assembly on "Courage" (parents invited)

Saturday 12th October - Sunday 20th October - Half term break (yes, there is school on Friday 😀)

Thursday 31st October - "Spooks and Sparkles" day (fancy dress)

Have a lovely weekend

Ms Jan

Wellbeing

Dear Parents,

I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended our Positive Parenting Workshop! Your participation made the session a great success, and I am happy that you found the discussions and insights beneficial for your parenting journey.

For those who were unable to attend, we understand that life can get busy. To ensure you don’t miss out, we’ve made the workshop materials available online. You can access the presentation through the following link:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Bw3JQ4HpQBnuVzTE6krv9V9YXPL53ZBX/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=109543363141093509363&rtpof=true&sd=true

Additionally, I appreciate the feedback and requests for more insightful sessions on various topics that benefit both children and parents. I will certainly consider these suggestions as we plan future workshops.

Thank you once again for your engagement and commitment to enhancing your parenting skills. We look forward to seeing you at future events!

Have a lovely weekend

Warm regards,

Ms Jikku

FS 1 & 2

What we've done

This week we have been looking at who is in our family. Children have been building and extending their vocabulary looking at different members and talking about how they are special. They have been creating family portraits and labeling each members as well as writing something unique about a family member. In Maths, we have been exploring weight! we read the story The blue balloon by Mick Inkpen and used a balloon to compare the weight of different items from around the classroom using our hands. We then explored balance scales and made predictions on what items might be light or heavy. Some children made comparisons, writing down their findings, using the language heavier than, lighter than. In phonics we have learned the sounds o,c,k,ck and the high frequency words and, am, dad. the children have been using phoneme frames to practise segmenting sounds in cvc words and recognizing the initial and final sounds in a word. In Science, the children have been learning about the places that we live and talking about the materials that houses and towers are made of. the children created their own homes, identify key features of the home as well as experimenting with what makes a good roof!

Year 1

What we've done

Another fun and busy week in Year 1.

This week in maths we completed our first topic on place value within 10. We looked at the numberline and how the numbers are sequenced, the importance of zero and what the sequence means. We had a fun game where the children were split into two teams and had to race against each other to complete the task! The children were using 'more, less, fewest, least and most to compare'. Next week we will be starting addition and subtraction within 10.

In English, we started our new story 'Lost and found' by Oliver Jeffers. We discussed how the penguin would be feeling and created found posters to help him find his family. We also looked at adjectives to describe the penguins appearance and feelings. The children thoroughly enjoyed making a boat for the penguin to get back to the South pole in provision, and had fun testing to see if it would float or sink!

In Science, we continued our topic of plants and were looking at similarities and differences between garden and wild plants. We have been looking after our own plants ensuring to water them every morning. In IPC, we created a map of our school using a key for classrooms, toilets and shared spaces.

It has been lovely seeing how well the children's reading is developing and there was a great improvement this week in their weekly spelling test. Well done everyone, keep up the great work! :)

Year 2

What we've done

We have had another busy week in year 2 . This week in maths the children have been practising counting in 2s, 5s, 10s and 3s. We have also completed our unit of number and place value and will be starting addition and subtraction next week. In science, we have been comparing microhabitats, looking at how different minibeasts live in various environments and learning why they prefer certain habitats. For english, the class have been writing instructions on how to make a gingerbread man, focusing on clear steps and key vocabulary. In humanities we explored the polar regions and the children enjoyed discovering the unique features of these icy environments. We also had our first Big green lesson and learned about the legacy of late Sheikh Zayed.

Year 3

What we've done

Another fantastic week completed by Year 3!

In English this week we focused on conjunctions, first person and emotive language to ensure that they are ready to include all these features of a diary for their write up next week.

In Maths we started our new topic of addition and subtraction and focused looking at ones, tens and hundreds using different methods such as place value charts and number bonds.

Whereas in Science we took a deeper dive into skeletons and its movement. The children learnt about two different types of joints (ball and socket joint and hinge joints) and understood the purpose of them and how they help movement in the bones.

While in place of IPC we started our Big Green Lessons which was assigned by the UAE government to implement positive change to create a lasting legacy, we had our first lesson which looked into the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed.

Creating a 'ball and socket joint' in Science.

Year 4

What we've done

Another fantastic week full of learning in Year 4!

We have consolidated our understanding of place value this week, exploring numbers up to 10,000. We continue to work on our mental math skills, however this week we played a fun game of ‘Around the World’ testing our knowledge. Next week we'll begin our topic of addition and subtraction by completing engaging activities that strengthen their knowledge and boost confidence, setting the foundation for more advanced mathematical skills.

In English we focused on our grammar and punctuation skills. We looked at the different language and features of a play script before moving onto comparing two types of text.

In Science we completed our hot task of electricity and will be moving onto our new topic very soon! In IPC, we used Google Maps and the different landmarks around the UAE. This has helped us gather ideas for our promotional poster enticing people to visit Dubai!

In Geography we looked at the Big Green Legacy and looked at how Sheikh Zayed’ legacy has impacted and benefited us today.

Have a lovely weekend.

Year 5

What we've done

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” — B.B. King

A great week of learning! In English, the children have flourished and were able to write a diary entry from the BFG's point of view independently. I was impressed with all the features they included.

As mathematicians, the children partitioned numbers up to 1,000,000 and explored different ways to do so. Additionally, they worked on identifying intervals on various number lines, determining the scale, and placing missing numbers correctly. Lastly, the children have begun comparing and ordering numbers up to 100,000. We will continue with this on Monday.

In MSC, we have been engaging with a unit titled 'Compassion and Empathy'. The children examined respectful and disrespectful behaviour. This week, we focused on sympathy and empathy, and the children successfully defined both terms and provided their own examples.

As scientists, we explored lifecycles, beginning with the lifecycle of mammals, such as rabbits and kangaroos. The children were disappointed that the planted sunflower seeds did not germinate. However, we planted vegetable seeds, and fingers crossed, we will be able to observe them grow!

In IPC, we have begun lessons on 'The Big Green Legacy' with lesson one focusing on the late Sheikh Zayed's legacy.

Reading each other's diary entry!

Observing our planted seeds.

Exploring the lyrics to the COP28 Legacy Song.

Engaging minds with math games on the interactive board!

Discovering the impact of Sheikh Zayed's legacy on our world today!

Year 6

What we've done

An exciting week of learning with hot tasks and cold tasks too! We've started our new topics in Maths and English after having completed our hot tasks.

During English we finished our diary entries and completed a couple chapters on Charlie and the chocolate factory before starting a cold task on instructional writing. The children learnt about the features by identifying them and followed instructions of their own choosing to make an Origami.

In maths after we completed place value Hot task, we dove right into the cold task for Addition, subtraction, division and multiplication having completed addition and subtraction of any integers.

During Science we had an exciting week of learning all about blood vessels, their features and functions. We then reinforced our learning by partaking in a practical activity involving some bottles and cereals to recreate what a blood vessels looks like and what it contains.

During humanities we looked into the chinese dynasties and completed a comprehension and research task on this. While in place of IPC we started our Big green lessons assigned by the government to implement positive change and looking into the lesson of legacy and the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed

Arabic and Islamic

What we've done

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

يسرني أن أقدّم نفسي لكم الأستاذة أسماء عبدالظاهر الشربيني، رئيسة قسم اللغة العربية في مدرسة الغاف. يشرفني التعاون مع فريق المعلمين المتميزين في المدرسة لتقديم أعلى مستويات التعليم في مواد اللغة العربية والتربية الإسلامية، بما يساهم في تعزيز الهوية الثقافية والدينية لطلابنا. نسعى دائمًا إلى تنمية مهارات الطلاب في القراءة والكتابة والفهم، وتعزيز قيمهم الإسلامية بما يتماشى مع رؤيتنا التربوية
Arabic A

ماذا تعلمنا
:خلال الأسبوع الماضي، تم تقديم العديد من المواضيع والأنشطة التعليمية الشيقة للطلاب في الصفوف التالية

، الرَّوْضّة: لقد كانت بداية رائعة للتدرب على بعض العبارات العربية ليقدم الطفل نفسه بشكل سليم مع شخصية راشد ونورة (مرحبا، اسمي.....، كيف حالك؟). كما قضينا وقتاً ممتعاً في تعلم الألوان من خلال "أغنية الألوان" وقمنا بعمل مراجعة للألوان التي انهيناها، كما تعلمنا عن أجزاء الجسم ( رأس - عين - أذن - فم - أنف )ولعبنا بعض الأنشطة والألعاب الممتعة

الصف الثاني:
الصف الرابع:

Arabic B

KG: It was a great start to practicing some Arabic phrases for the children to introduce themselves properly with the characters Rashid and Noura (Hello, my name is..., How are you?). We also had a fun time learning the colors through the "Colors Song," and we reviewed the colors we had finished. Additionally, we learned about the parts of the body (head, eye, ear, mouth, nose), and played some fun activities and games.

Gr 1: It was a wonderful start to our week as we began our lesson by practicing some Arabic phrases so the children can introduce themselves correctly with the characters Rashid and Noura (Hello, how are you? My name is..., which grade are you in?). We also had a fun time reviewing the colors and numbers the students mastered, and the alphabet song. We studied about the family, and the students learned the following words (family, my mother, my father, my brother, my sister). We also practiced writing Arabic letters with short vowels (fatha and dhamma).

Gr 2:It was a great start to our week as we began our lesson by practicing some Arabic phrases so the children can correctly introduce themselves to the characters Rashid and Noura (Hello, how are you? My name is..., this is a girl / this is a boy - What grade are you in? / What school are you in?). We also had a wonderful time reviewing the colors and numbers the students mastered, and we did some fun activities, worksheets, and games. The students made flags of their countries and practiced well on introducing themselves in Arabic (Where are you from? I am from Russia / I am from Germany / I am from Ukraine, and so on). The students also practiced writing Arabic letters with short vowels (fatha, dhamma, and kasra).

Gr 3: In grade 3 for Arabic B we started our lessons with greeting students and teaching them how to greet each other in Arabic by saying hello and good morning in Arabic. we continued lessons by learning the basics of Arabic language starting from the letters names, shapes and sounds. we had funny time learning the letters sounds. we studied some letters and are going on forward. we are going forward with students teaching them colors, numbers and body parts.

Gr 4: We began our lessons by greeting the students and teaching them how to greet each other in Arabic by saying "Hello" and "Good morning," as well as how to introduce themselves in Arabic. We continued with the basics of the Arabic language, including letter names, shapes, and sounds, along with short and long vowels. We had a wonderful time learning the sounds of the letters. We practiced writing many words, short sentences, and important verbs that can be used to build sentences. I see noticeable improvement in all the students' writing and correct pronunciation of Arabic. Well done, my dear students!

Gr 5:In grade 5 Arabic was so funny as we started studying recognizing the Arabic letters students learnt the short and long vowels and, they started to read comprehension skills through regular reading practice. We focus on enhancing their ability to understand texts and grasp the finer details of phonetic structures. Building up on the fore rules students learnt we are completing our work. students good at practicing and understanding and we can help them a lot. We also started this week learning the colors, numbers and everything about myself.

Gr 6:In our wonderful class, we learned the letters "Alef" (أ) and "Baa" (ب), and we explored how to write and pronounce each letter at the beginning, middle, and end of a word. We also learned several words containing the letters. We used these words in sentences of our own creation to enhance our understanding and correct usage. Additionally, we learned how to use Arabic greetings in different situations and how to respond appropriately. Please practice reading the words and sentences, and use these greetings regularly to improve your language and communication skills.

Islamic A

الصّف الثاني:
الصّف الرابع:

Islamic B

How wonderful week that one we learnt alot about our religion, we learnt about Allah the Almighty and His messenger Muhammad(s.a.a.w).

Gr 2: In year 2 we started greeting students and teaching them how to reply to this greeting in Islamic it was so fantastic to start our lesson Allah is my Lord and the meanings of the key words therein. We are working diligently and actively on reviewing Surat Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, An-Nas, and Al-Falaq, with a focus on practicing surat al-fatihah, as we encourage students to review and practice them at home to enhance their memorization and mastery. We are currently discussing the pillars of Islam. We are keen to create an atmosphere of interaction and dialogue to simplify ideas and deepen students’ understanding of Islamic teachings. In the coming period, we will continue to build a deeper understanding of the surahs and verses through simplified explanations and activities that help students relate to their daily lives.

Gr 3: In year 3 we as usual started with teaching students to greet others with Islamic greeting and to reply to it. We started the lesson The Prophet PBUH loves to work.We have reviewed Surahs Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, An-Nas, and Al-Falaq, and we are currently working on memorizing and contemplating surat al-asr, as we encourage students to practice them at home to enhance their memorization and mastery of their recitation. We studied the story of the revelation, which added a deep understanding of the meanings of the verses and made the students live with the moments of the revelation of the Holy Quran to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. We use interactive activities and open-ended dialogues to simplify concepts and enhance students' understanding of the values learned from the lessons, helping them to relate deeply to the teachings of their religion and apply them in their daily lives.

Gr 4: In Islamic this week it was fantastic to see those good students. we started revising pillars of islam and pillars of Iman. We started the lesson The Revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).We have reviewed Surahs Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, An-Nas, and Al-Falaq, and we are currently working on memorizing and contemplating verses 1 to 12 of Surat Al-Alaq, as we encourage students to practice them at home to enhance their memorization and mastery of their recitation. We studied the story of the revelation, which added a deep understanding of the meanings of the verses and made the students live with the moments of the revelation of the Holy Quran to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. We use interactive activities and open-ended dialogues to simplify concepts and enhance students' understanding of the values learned from the lessons, helping them to relate deeply to the teachings of their religion and apply them in their daily lives.

Gr 5: we started this week studying the lesson some of rules of Tajweed.We also revised some important islamic concepts like pillars of islam and pillars of iman and prayers. We have reviewed Surahs Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, An-Nas, and Al-Falaq, and we are currently working on memorizing and contemplating verses 1 to 10 of Surat alBuruj, as we encourage students to practice them at home to enhance their memorization and mastery of their recitation. We studied the story of the revelation, which added a deep understanding of the meanings of the verses and made the students live with the moments of the revelation of the Holy Quran to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. We use interactive activities and open-ended dialogues to simplify concepts and enhance students' understanding of the values learned from the lessons, helping them to relate deeply to the teachings of their religion and apply them in their daily lives.

Gr 6: we started this week studying the lesson Echo Letter

(Qalqalah).We revised some important islamic concepts like resources of shari'ah, pillars of islam and pillars of iman and prayers. We have reviewed Surahs Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, An-Nas, and Al-Falaq, and we are currently working on memorizing and contemplating verses 1 to 12 of Surat al-Ifitar, as we encourage students to practice them at home to enhance their memorization and mastery of their recitation. We studied the story of the revelation, which added a deep understanding of the meanings of the verses and made the students live with the moments of the revelation of the Holy Quran to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. We use interactive activities and open-ended dialogues to simplify concepts and enhance students' understanding of the values learned from the lessons, helping
them to relate deeply to the teachings of their religion and apply them in their daily lives.

Y1

Y4

ESPAÑOL

What we've done

Hola todos,

Another wonderful week in Spanish Mundo (World) ! This week Students learnt different concept in Spanish and some activity based on those concepts . In Year 1 and 2 student learnt about Numeros(0-10) and MI Introduccion (My Introduction) in which students practice short sentences to describe about themselves like Me llamo , Vivo en Dubai , Tengo ____ años and Me gusta _______ along with that students played Kahoot to improvise their concept in Spanish . In year 3 and 4 students practice Mi Introduccion and Spanish Speaking countries with their capitals by doing reasearch work and Kahoot based on it . In Year 5 and 6 students practice on listening and writing work in Spanish which was based on Describe about me , Saludos and La Comida Española. Muchas Gracias for support .

Hasta Luego

Feliz fin de Seamana .

Mr. Radhey

STREAM

What we've done.

It's another fun week for everyone in our STREAM class in GPS! The children in FS learnt 2D shapes and created abstract art using colourful paper shapes. Year 1 drew a poster on how they can help save the planet while year 2 finished their project building a well using painted, crumpled recycled papers. This week, years 3 and 4 have been busy drafting the designs and details of their posters for The Big Green Legacy Poster Making Contest. The best poster will receive a STREAM award. Year 5 was busy finishing their 3D sculpture of the Arabian Oryx. Year 6 made a board display where the other students posted a note that tells how they can help continue the Big Green Legacy.