As we approach the end of a busy and successful term, I would like to thank you all for the very warm welcome that I have received during my first few months at Jebel Ali School. It is an honour and a privilege to have been welcomed into the JAS family, where I have found a harmonious, hardworking and ambitious community that is determined to do the very best for all students. We have made great progress this term and I look forward to continuing success in the New Year.

Jebel Ali School is at the heart of the community and community is at the heart of what we do. In the promotion of our core values of ‘Belong, Believe, Become’, we encourage our staff and students to get involved and to actively support in-school activities, community work, charity work and other opportunities. It has been a pleasure to see so many students participate in a whole variety of different activities this term – at lunchtime, before and after school and also in the trips and excursions that have now returned. Academic success is important but we also recognise the value of the many character-building opportunities we offer at school to ensure that the talents and interests of all students are developed and supported.

This final week of term has, again, been a busy one. Year 9 have had their Options Evening, Expo Young Stars have had their rehearsals, our ‘online’ winter concert has been watched and enjoyed, students have competed in cross country races and our Formula One teams have had the opportunity to visit the Yas Marina Circuit and Pit lanes for the finale of the Formula One World Championship. As I write this, we are looking forward to our final day assemblies and festivities before breaking up at 12.30 pm.

We say goodbye this term to a couple of members of staff whose families are relocating. First to Mrs Edgecombe who, in such a short time, has forged great relationships and brought fresh perspectives and thinking to the Maths department. We also say farewell to Mrs Birch, our Learning Support Assistant who will be sadly missed from the school and the department for the professionalism and enthusiasm that she has brought. We are fortunate to be able to announce that Mrs Edgecombe will be replaced by Mrs Patel, a mathematician of considerable experience and expertise and Mrs Mooney, an experienced languages teacher, will be joining the Learning Support team. I am sure you will join me in welcoming them to the school when they join on Monday 3 January 2022. In addition, I would like to formally announce that Miss Bullock will be joining our Pastoral Team as our new Head of Year 9 from next term. Miss Bullock joined us this year from the UK and brings strong and astute pastoral experience. Miss Bullock will be replacing Mr Persechino who is stepping down from this role and I would like to thank him for his hard work and commitment to the Year 9 students over the course of this term.

Lastly, I would like to extend my thanks to Mr Toni Hughes, Chairperson of the PTA, the PTA committee and the ever-present set of volunteers. Certainly, one of the highlights of this term was the recent and most magnificent Festive Fayre which was enjoyed by children and parents alike. We are much indebted to these wonderful parents for organizing such a fabulous community event for us all.

I wish you and your family a peaceful festive season and a Happy New Year.

With very best wishes,

Stephen Green

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Article of Interest

The mental health benefits of physical activity

You already know that exercise is good for your body. But did you know it can also boost your mood, improve your sleep, and help you deal with depression, anxiety, stress, and more?

People who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of well-being. They feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. And it’s also a powerful medicine for many common mental health challenges.

Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, and ADHD. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood. And you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to reap the benefits. Research indicates that modest amounts of exercise can make a real difference. No matter your age or fitness level, you can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to deal with mental health problems, improve your energy and outlook, and get more out of life.

Other mental health benefits of exercise

Even if you’re not suffering from a mental health problem, regular physical activity can still offer a welcome boost to your mood, outlook, and mental well-being.

Exercise can help provide:

Sharper memory and thinking

The same endorphins that make you feel better also help you concentrate and feel mentally sharp for tasks at hand. Exercise also stimulates the growth of new brain cells and helps prevent age-related decline.

Higher self-esteem

Regular activity is an investment in your mind, body, and soul. When it becomes a habit, it can foster your sense of self-worth and make you feel strong and powerful. You’ll feel better about your appearance and, by meeting even small exercise goals, you’ll feel a sense of achievement.

Better sleep

Even short bursts of exercise in the morning or afternoon can help regulate your sleep patterns. If you prefer to exercise at night, relaxing exercises such as yoga or gentle stretching can help promote sleep.

More energy

Increasing your heart rate several times a week will give you more get-up-and-go. Start off with just a few minutes of exercise per day, and increase your workout as you feel more energized.

Stronger resilience

When faced with mental or emotional challenges in life, exercise can help you build resilience and cope in a healthy way, instead of resorting to alcohol, drugs, or other negative behaviors that ultimately only make your symptoms worse. Regular exercise can also help boost your immune system and reduce the impact of stress.

You don’t need to devote hours out of your busy day to train at the gym, sweat buckets, or run mile after monotonous mile to reap all the physical and mental health benefits of exercise. Just thirty minutes of moderate exercise five times a week is enough. And even that can be broken down into two fifteen-minute or even three ten-minute exercise sessions if that’s easier.

Even a little bit of activity is better than nothing

If you don’t have time for fifteen or thirty minutes of exercise, or if your body tells you to take a break after five or ten minutes, for example, that’s okay, too. Start with five or ten- minute sessions and slowly increase your time. The more you exercise, the more energy you’ll have, so eventually you’ll feel ready for a little more. The key is to commit to some moderate physical activity—however little—on most days. As exercising becomes a habit, you can slowly add extra minutes or try different types of activities. If you keep at it, the benefits of exercise will begin to pay off.

Article contains quotes from Lawrence Robinson, Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Melinda Smith, M.A; Exercise and Fitness; The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise.