The Junction
The Junction
Embedded Files
10 June 2022
10 June 2022
A Note From Mr Green
A Note From Mr Green
Transition
Verb - To transition from one state or activity to another means to move gradually from one to the other.
Collins English Dictionary
Thursday was simply brilliant. Both Secondary and Primary schools were involved in Transition events, and you will see from this week's edition of the Junction that the joy, excitement, and anticipation for the year ahead were palpable for everyone to see, hear and feel.
Transition can be a tricky time for all children, as well as for parents. A good transition can mean the difference between finding things challenging and flourishing. It's a bit like trying to find the right exit from a highway in Dubai or a motorway in Britain, if the signposts are clear and you have a map and some driving experience, then the experience can be seamless, but in the absence of those ingredients, then a disastrous journey with lots of shouting, is likely to happen. As we know that transitions are such an important aspect of students' life journeys, at Jebel Ali we spend a lot of time and energy ensuring that we get it right. Most research into transition focuses on the move from primary to secondary settings, however, the transition can be much more than that and can crucially happen through many stages of an individual's life. Transition can place real demands on us as parents and most importantly on our children – socially, emotionally, academically, and practically. Some of us will inevitably find the transition more difficult than others, however, we can all be united in making sure that these difficulties are diminished. Whether children are moving between year groups, families moving on to pastures new, or simply adjusting to change, we can all take steps to make the transition work.
So how might we make it work? A good transition process requires time, commitment, and clear communication from everyone. When successful, the transition can strengthen and support understanding and wellbeing, whereas a rushed, surface-level transition can end up focusing just on the headline news, without considering what can be put in place to support individuals. For instance, there was considerable time and effort invested by teachers to develop a dialogue with each other which made yesterday so successful. In short, it made a difference. We had a road map and signposts. Furthermore, building relationships, rapport, and encouragement when making any transition help everyone feel secure about what comes next. For our children, we want them to feel safe, and to make new friends and it was so pleasing to see this yesterday in the multitude of experiences the children were exposed to. There are of course also practical considerations to feeling safe. Do children know how to find their lockers? Do they know their way to the science lab? Do they know what to do if there’s a problem? Do they know where they can go if they do not feel safe? Children need to know that sharing their worries, fears, or excitement is valued. Transition does not simply happen over the course of one fun-filled day. It takes time. We will provide the maps, the signposts and the driving confidence in the coming weeks and months, we will do everything we can to ensure that this happens.
Often, the transition can be a more worrying time for us as parents. I was certainly reminded of this yesterday in my conversations. Thankfully, our community is one built on trust and this provides reassurance. This trust and confidence has been built over time and for new parents, in particular, the successful transition continues past the point of yesterday. It's about keeping the lines of communication open between us all; teachers, students, and parents. It strengthens our relationships and makes us feel like we belong. Clear communication from a good navigator will always help to make a journey feel like an adventure.
Week in Review
Week in Review
Transition Day
Transition Day
120 Year 6 students joined JAS Secondary yesterday for an awe-inspiring day of enjoyment, enquiry, and creativity!
Throughout Transition Day, the students had an insight into secondary school life at JAS, and specifically the opportunity to experience Art, Design Technology, Drama, Music and Science.
The theme behind the day was based on a quote from Roald Dahl, “There are no strangers in here, just friends you haven’t met….” which included getting to know the amazing staff, the school site, and of course their fellow students. Needless to say, there were a lot of happy, smiling soon to be Year 7 students heading home from Jebel Ali School yesterday!
Maths
Maths
UKMT: Promoting a Love of Problem Solving
UKMT: Promoting a Love of Problem Solving
The Junior Mathematical Challenge is a 60-minute, multiple-choice Challenge.
It encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems.
The problems on the Junior Mathematical Challenge are designed to make students think. Most are accessible, yet still challenge those with more experience.
Well done to all year 7-9 students who volunteered to take part in the challenge and congratulations to those students who managed to achieve a certificate. Special mention to the following students who achieved the best in their year:
Year 7 - Magnus 7CM
Year 8 - Basheer 8ES (also best in the school)
Year 9 - Elliott 9JBr
Charlotte Baker
Head of Maths
In Art, the Year 9s have finished working on their ink paintings, based on the art of Emirati artist Abdul Qader Al Rais. The combination of complementary colours and architectural drawings has resulted in some stunning outcomes. Well done Year 9!
GCSE Art and Photography Exhibition
GCSE Art and Photography Exhibition
Arabic A
Arabic A
This week the Year 9, 10 and 12 Arabic A students are working on their presentations of their future businesses. Well done!
May Students of the Month
May Students of the Month
Congratulations to the winners of each year group and Izzy 12KC who won the 100AED Vox cinema voucher.
Peer Coaches
Peer Coaches
Meet Malak and Poorna, our Year 12 student Peer Coaches featuring in this week's 'Meet the Coaches'.
Our Peer Coaching Programme exists to serve the school community, providing younger students with the opportunity to speak to senior students who are trained to listen, support and encourage their peers through difficult times.
The Sixth Form Coaches have had to develop and strengthen their own skill base through the Peer Coaching Training Course. The course is available to all our Sixth Form students as part of their personal development.
MFL
MFL
We'd like to showcase our French students as they come to the end of the academic year. They're working independently and using a variety of resources to find solutions themselves and celebrating the end of their assessments for the year.
Anne Taylor
MFL Teacher
JAS Sport
JAS Sport
This week we saw our water polo teams back in the pool competing in the DASSA leagues, congratulations to the U15 girls team who won their game against Kent College. Our basketball teams have been out in full force with six teams competing across Key Stage 3. All of the students have been matching the athleticism, physicality and aggression of their competitors with a close defeat for the U13 boys against WSO 25-27 and a win for the U14 girls against the DC B team 16-11. Don't forget to check the sports website with all the latest team sheets, schedules and results coming up in the next few weeks.
U12 Boys Basketball
U12 Girls Basketball
U13 Boys Basketball
U13 Girls Basketball
U14 Girls Basketball
U15 Boys Water Polo
U15 Girls Water Polo
Platinum Jubilee
Platinum Jubilee
JAS students and staff looked the part as they commemorate the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee.
JAS International Day
JAS International Day
On Thursday 23 June, JAS is excited to present International Day. Students can come to school in their national dress or the colours of their flag. Performances, food stalls and a flag parade will feature, celebrating all the nationalities we are lucky to have in our school.
Students - we need you! Please complete this form outlining any music you wish to hear on the day.
Thank you!
The Student Council
Spelling Bee Competition
Spelling Bee Competition
A huge thank you to the PTA and VOX cinemas for securing great prizes for the Spelling Bee Final on Wednesday 22 June 2022. More details will be sent to all the finalists soon.
Happy spelling and good luck to all the finalists!
Book Review for Older Readers
Book Review for Older Readers
Charlotte Says
Charlotte Says
By Alex Bell
By Alex Bell
Charlotte Says is about a girl called Sophie who starts working at Dunvegan School for girls to escape her troubling and traumatising past. When she arrives she meets a certain someone from her past and falls in love. She creates a bond with one of the students but it is soon broken as she realises something is not quite as it seems, things start to go wrong, horribly wrong. It only takes her a few weeks to realise that all the traumatising things from her past are still there, standing right in front of her.
This novel is suitable for ages: 13 years +, it is part of a series called Frozen Charlotte. Genre: Mystery/Horror
My favourite part of the novel is that there are lots of cliff-hangers at the end of the chapters, it hooks you in and makes you want to read it more and more. I like horror and mystery which is why I loved this novel so much.
By Darcy 7GS
If you are a keen reader and would like to write a review of a novel you have read, please submit an entry of around 150 words, including who you would recommend the novel for and we will feature it in The Junction!
We will be accepting reviews from year 5 and year 6 students and you can either email them to Mrs Horsham lhorsham@jebelalischool.org or Mrs Free vfree@jebelalischool.org.
Happy reading!
Online Safety
Online Safety
Looking Ahead
Looking Ahead
Tuesday 14 June Virtual Year 9 Coffee Morning 8.25am - 9.20am
Thursday 23 June International Day
Apple Devices
Apple Devices
From September 2022, all students at Jebel Ali School from years 3 to 11 will be required to have an Apple device for learning. This means we are phasing out the use of Chromebook across the school. Please see the below links for more information:
If you have any specific questions regarding Apple Devices please get in touch via jasbyod@jebelalischool.org.
Health Awareness
Health Awareness
Helpful Hints
Helpful Hints
Tips for Parents During Exam Period
Tips for Parents During Exam Period
It can be an anxious time for students and parents alike! The normal teenage crankiness and anxiety turn into house-wide tension. Here are some small tips for parents to get the family through the next couple of weeks.
Choose your battles:
Perhaps loosen up on the smaller matters. Less of pestering about emptying the dishwasher and provide more time to focus on their exam revision timetable. Once the exams have lifted, you can resume normal chores!
Talk about exam nerves and realistic expectations:
Ask your child how they feel? Perhaps ask them if there is anything that can make them feel better? Showing support almost always lifts their spirits and builds their confidence.
Support your child by doing a little light exercise together:
A very early morning or late evening walk together? A walk, drink and chat in the mall? Some exercise can clear the mind and allow time for family conversations.
You get back what you put in:
Remind your child that the effort they put in now will come out as a gain in the long run. Always put forward your best, so that no one has any regrets.
Do you need to put undue pressure on your child?:
Sometimes exam preparedness comes naturally. Perhaps added nagging is having an adverse effect on them. Check what they are working on. Do they look sufficiently organised and are they preparing and sticking to the timetabled plan?
Have a plan for the summer:
Talk about the plans in order to keep them motivated and positive!
Nahla Osman
Head of Year 7
Article of Interest
Article of Interest
As the IGCSE Examinations are coming to a close and the summer holidays are drawing nearer, I think it is important to reflect on the importance of seizing opportunities. In the wake of this thought, here is an article of interest I stumbled upon, which sums up why it is important that you seize every opportunity life gives you. Replace career or ‘professional life’ in the blog post with ‘school life’, and you will find that this resonates with you, as much as it does with the adults in your life.
Lucy Horsham
Teacher of English
The Importance of Seizing Opportunities
The Importance of Seizing Opportunities
Marie-Christin Anthony 8/10/2019
Recently, I have been reflecting on the opportunities I have seized and the amazing outcomes that have resulted. In my personal life, I have seized the opportunities that provided me many growth opportunities like moving to new cities or countries. And in my professional life, I have been able to work on amazing projects that have helped me grow.
In this blog post, we will explore what it means to seize opportunities and also discuss five reasons why you should pursue and seize those amazing opportunities.
What does it mean to seize opportunities?
To accept or pursue an opportunity (to do something) with alacrity or conviction.
To take advantage of an opportunity when offered.
When you seize an opportunity, you take advantage of it and do something that you want to do.
Act quickly to use the opportunity while available.
5 reasons why you should seize opportunities
1: Opportunities come and go
When an opportunity presents itself, knowing that it may not come back helps you stay vigilant and aware. You need to continually be on the lookout for great opportunities that you want to take advantage of.
Questions to consider
Are you looking out for opportunities in your personal and professional life?
Are you pursuing the opportunities that present themselves?
2: You will look back and appreciate them
Think back on those times when you went out of your comfort zone and pursued an opportunity. I am so proud of the opportunities I have seized on my journey. Especially the ones that I had to find for myself.
Questions to consider
What opportunities have you seized that have been worth it?
What made these opportunities special to you?
3: You are stretching yourself and growing
Part of having a growth mindset is to believe that learning is crucial. Those times when you don't feel 100% confident that you can do something, but you still go out and seize the opportunity are very rewarding.
Questions to consider
What lessons have you learned from the opportunities you took advantage of?
What new skillsets are you looking to develop?
4: You develop the skills of identifying excellent opportunities for yourself
When you get into the habit of pursuing the opportunities you want, you develop an eye for it. You spend a lot of time thinking about what you want and how you can get what you want.
Questions to consider
What are your selection criteria for new opportunities you want to pursue?
What did you learn about yourself?
5: You are setting a good example
Every day, I remind myself that my actions are bigger than me and serve as my legacy. There are many lessons that I would like to pass to the next generation, and this is one of them. Don't wait for things to happen to you; pursue what you want.
Questions to consider
What legacy would you like to leave behind?
What lessons would you like to pass down to the next generation?
Call to action
What opportunities have you seized in the past that have been amazing? Write them down.
What opportunities have presented themselves for you that you didn't take? Reflect on what held you back.
Final Thoughts
Let's wrap up this post with some great quotes about seizing opportunities
“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.” –William Arthur Ward
“Opportunities? They are all around us… There is power lying latent everywhere waiting for the observant eye to discover it.” –Orison Swett Marden
“Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.” –Napoleon Hill
Staff Profile
Staff Profile
Laura Secker - Head of Business and Economics
Laura Secker - Head of Business and Economics
No stranger to expat life, Laura attended secondary school in Singapore before moving back to the UK and completing her B.Ed Business degree in 1998. She went on to teach in excellent schools in both Cumbria and Cheshire before deciding to move to Dubai in 2002. Laura enjoyed many years working at The English College and during this time got married and had a daughter who attended Jebel Ali School. She quickly realised this was the school for her and was thrilled to start working at JAS in 2018; teaching Business and Economics.
Laura loves JAS and is delighted to see the Business and Economics department thriving as the school grows. In her free time Laura loves travelling and would ideally be found on a cruise ship. She also enjoys watching the Apprentice and Dragons Den and attempting to make her millions on social trading apps!
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