The Junction

Friday 23 June 2023

A Note From Mr Green

JAS – a school where the door of opportunity is always open

When leaving my office, many students will often ask ‘Shall I close the door?’ Quite often I will answer ‘No, you can leave it open’. With this being my final message at Jebel Ali School, it strikes me that after two years of advising, guiding, nurturing, coaxing, pushing and the occasional stern word, that in all that time the door has always been open to you all. You’ve never had to struggle to open it. You’ve never had to go searching for a key. You’ve never had to physically force the thing down.

The end of the year is usually characterised by examinations, but as I write this I am reminded that education must never be confused with examination. Our School should never be measured in A or A* grades or the 7 to 9. Our education should be about drawing the best out of individuals; about the provision of opportunity; the setting of challenges to seize those opportunities; opening those doors that would otherwise remain firmly shut.

As I embark upon my next adventure, I leave with my own challenge to the students (and staff) who I leave behind. You are talented, fortunate, privileged young people. Determine now to make a difference. I promise you that in opening doors for others, both now and in the future when you will be the leaders in our society, you will discover the true meaning of privilege.

The past two years have had both ‘ups and downs’ and sometimes, no matter how hard you knock, the door won’t open. That’s life. Sometimes the door seems so strong, so secure, so firmly locked that there seems to be no point in trying to open it. Sometimes it’s slammed so forcefully in your face that you hardly dare try the handle again. As a teacher and a father I believe implicitly that we must seek to give young people the confidence to face such failures. I urge you now, have a go. Fear of failure is the greatest impediment to opportunity that I know.

I am reminded constantly of this and of the special individuals who grasp this concept with both hands and renewed vigour in the face of adversity. Many of these were recognised this week in our annual awards ceremony. I spoke to an audience of students, parents and staff and reiterated how wonderful a feeling it is to win an award. To stand on stage and receive reward for one’s efforts. There is a genuine sense of pride not simply from the audience but from oneself. However, it is important to remember that if we believe that there is a link to motivation and winning awards in life, then we will be setting ourselves up for disappointment. My late father always instilled in me a genuine sense that the greatest of prizes was when you could look yourself in the mirror and know that you tried your absolute best. When we don’t receive awards, or don’t achieve the highest marks and grades, it is not failure; it’s a work in progress. Every student at JAS is valued and everyone has something special to offer. On a daily basis, we see hard work, we see success, we see kindness, courage and compassion. These are the characteristics of good people who make a difference. These are the characteristics of those who will not settle for confinement, restriction or the safety of a door firmly closed. Never settle for this. Open the door.

Make no mistake; this School is a special community. I am conscious of the support and goodwill that comes from so many of our extended family both in and beyond Jebel Ali School, and I am grateful beyond expression. My two years at JAS have been wonderful. You have been the reason that I’ve loved coming to work every morning - the reason that I will always feel proud and privileged to have been a teacher at this incredible place. I have no doubt that the School will continue to take advantage of the open door ahead of it. JAS belongs to everyone. It is your School. It will always provide opportunities and nurture the independent, confident and resilient learners who respond to challenge and aspire to become better than they believe themselves to be.

Stephen Green

Headteacher

Week in Review

Computer Science

Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2023

This term, students who joined the secondary Coding Club were invited by Mrs Coyle to participate in a coding competition as part of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival. Their mission was to create an arcade game centered around sustainability using special software called Microsoft MakeCode. The students had to learn and master new coding skills using Blocks and JavaScript to bring their game to life. Despite the challenges, all the students did an incredible job.

This week, the Coding Club and Computer Science students went to Expo City to show their support for the coders and watch the exciting live final of the MakeCode competition. Many schools from Dubai participated, and one of our teams, JAS Space Collectors, made it to the top five teams. They won first place in the competition!

Congratulations to Adrian, Flynn, Hadi, and Hashem. Each of them received a prize of 1000 AED for their fantastic work on their Space Collectors game, which focused on sustainability and the important task of cleaning up space debris.

MakeCode Live Final.mp4

JAS Sport

JAS Secondary Sport

Please see a reminder below of any key documents you need for any information regarding JAS Sport.

It has been a very busy week of basketball fixtures with over 14 basketball games played on Wednesday along across the primary and secondary school. Most of our leagues are coming to a close and we look forward to confirming our league positions next week to celebrate all of the success of our JAS teams across Term three.

Congratulations to all of the students who represented the school this week.

Year 9 Trip to Kenya

On June 9th a group of Year 9 students travelled to Tsavo Camp, Kenya for what one student described 'the best week of his life!'. The action pack week included a school-based community project, goat de-worming, mountain trek, bush craft skills, safari tour, learning about a local womens charity, and many opportunities to meet the local people and learn about their culture.

As part of their 3 day project at Murungu school, students made bricks that will be used to finish the school kitchen, plastered the external walls of one of the main school buildings, and completed reconditioned an old classroom including clearing, cleaning, and painting. In between working hard, they have the opportunity to play and interact with the Primary school children.

Mr Parnell, Miss Yates and Mr Sonsin were so impressed with how all of the students got stuck into the work, and their eagerness to engage with the locals. Their Swahili language skills have also improved thanks to Mr Sonsin!

Truly a lifechanging experience.

Inclusion Insights

https://sites.google.com/jebelalischool.org/term-3-2023/home

David Blunkett - Politics Q&A

From BBC Question Time last week to Jebel Ali Question Time this week, Lord David Blunkett very kindly engaged in a live Q&A session with our Secondary students.

David was a Labour Member of Parliament for 28 years, and most notably served as a Minister and right-hand man beside Tony Blair. As Education Minister, David was responsible for carrying out the famous “Education, Education, Education” policies. As Home Office Minister, David was sat at the COBRA security meetings on the day of the 9/11 attack and was directly involved in the decision to controversially invade Iraq in 2003 which drew 1 million protesters on the streets in London.

Our students took full advantage of the session, asking pertinent questions on his opinions on the current state of British politics, his decisions when in office and importantly for our aspiring politicians he imparted words of wisdom on getting started in a career in politics.

Living in the Online World

Looking Ahead

Residentials & Trips 2023-2024 Summary

We are extremely excited to share with you the upcoming international and residential trips for the 2022-2023 academic year. These experiences are subject to the number of students who sign-up. Below you will find the dates, a brief description, and approximate costs. Further information will follow.

Summer Camps by Infinite Sports

Dubai Esports and Games Festival

https://www.dubaiesportsfestival.com/en/free-ticket

Helpful Hints

Helpful Hints on Assessment and Reporting

As we come to the end of term, our students will be receiving their end-of-year reports and exam results. Like most students, you will skip over 99% of the exam feedback or the written comment from the teacher on your report to look over your final grade.

In class, there will be a cacophony of noise as students ask each other how they got on. The more vocal students brag over their grades and the quiet student sits in the corner hoping nobody asks for their score as they have not done as well as they had hoped.

At home, one sibling may proudly pin their report card to the fridge, whilst the other scurries away to their room, not wanting to disappoint their parents with a less impressive set of grades. This was my experience growing up. The end-of-term results and reports defined my definition of whether the year had been a success. BUT, this is not how we or a progressive educational system should work. It does not fit the JAS value of growth-mindedness.

My first message to everyone, when you open a school report, is to initially ignore the grades. Unless you are a student in Year 11 or Year 13 then you are on another part of a journey, you are not at the final destination. Worrying about grades that have already been awarded is a bit like sitting on a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.

Some students find school easier, it has always been this way. You cannot control this. You can, however, take full ownership of your ‘Attitude to Learning' scores. Every single student should be aiming for a minimum of a ‘Good’ with many ‘Excellent’ comments in this section. If your school report is full of ‘Excellent’ attitude grades, then you should be proud of the effort you have put into your studies and maintain this mindset for the next year.

Eventually, everyone reaches a level of education where they will find learning difficult. This may be from Year 1, Year 7, your GCSEs, your A-Levels, or even at university. The student with the exemplary attitude towards their learning, the student that has learned the value of resilience and growth-mindedness, will always go further than the student that has always found it easy.

If you are already working to the best of your ability, but not getting the grades you would like, the summer may be an excellent time to review how you are studying and try some new strategies to ensure you reach your full potential next year. Start planning now to make sure you are the best version of yourself for 2023-24.

The following tips are amended from Harvard Business School for High School Students;

1. Don’t Cram!

It might be tempting to leave all your studying for that big exam up until the last minute, but research suggests that cramming does not improve longer-term learning.

Students may perform well on a test for which they’ve crammed, but that doesn’t mean they’ve truly learned the material, says an article from the American Psychological Association. Instead of cramming, studies have shown that studying with the goal of long-term retention is best for learning overall.

2. Plan Ahead—and Stick To It!

Having a study plan with set goals can help you feel more prepared and can give you a roadmap to follow. Set yourself a study schedule ahead of time and stick to it.

3. Ask for Help

You don’t have to struggle through difficult material on your own. Many students are not used to seeking help. Be proactive about identifying areas where you need assistance and seek out that assistance immediately. The longer you wait, the more difficult it becomes to catch up.

4. Use the Buddy System

Your fellow students are likely going through the same struggles that you are. Reach out to classmates and form a study group to go over material together, brainstorm, and support each other through challenges.

Having other people to study with means you can explain the material to one another, quiz each other, and build a network you can rely on.

5. Find Your Learning Style

It might take a bit of time (and trial and error!) to figure out what study methods work best for you. There are a variety of ways to test your knowledge beyond simply reviewing your notes or flashcards.

Try different strategies through the process of metacognition. Metacognition involves thinking about your own cognitive processes and can help you figure out what study methods are most effective for you.

Before you start a new topic, review what you already know about the topic and what you’re expecting to learn. As you read or listen, take additional notes about new information, such as related topics the material reminds you of or potential connections to other courses. Also, note down questions you have.

Afterward, try to summarise what you’ve learned and seek out answers to your remaining questions.

6. Take Breaks

The brain can only absorb so much information at a time. According to the National Institutes of Health, research has shown that taking breaks in between study sessions boosts retention.

Studies have shown that wakeful rest plays just as important a role as practice in learning a new skill. Rest allows our brains to compress and consolidate memories of what we just practiced.

Make sure that you are allowing enough time, relaxation, and sleep between study sessions so your brain will be refreshed and ready to accept new information.

7. Cultivate a Productive Space

Where you study can be just as important as how you study.

Find a space that is free of distractions and has all the materials and supplies you need on hand. Eat a snack and have a water bottle close by so you’re properly fueled for your study session.

8. Reward Yourself

Studying can be mentally and emotionally exhausting and keeping your stamina up can be challenging.

Studies have shown that giving yourself a reward during your work can increase enjoyment and interest in a given task.

According to an article for Science Daily, studies have shown small rewards throughout the process can help keep up motivation, rather than saving it all until the end. Next time you finish a particularly challenging study session, treat yourself to an ice cream or an episode of your favorite show.

9. Review, Review, Review

Practicing the information you’ve learned is the best way to retain information.

One common analogy is weightlifting—you have to actually exercise those muscles in order to ultimately strengthen your memories.

10. Set Specific Goals

Setting specific goals along the way of your studying journey can show how much progress you’ve made. Psychology Today recommends using the SMART method:

Specific: Set specific goals with an actionable plan, such as “I will study every day between 4 and 6 p.m. at the library.”

Measurable: Plan to study a certain number of hours or raise your exam score by a certain percentage to give you a measurable benchmark.

Attainable/Realistic: It’s important that your goals be realistic so you don’t get discouraged. For example, if you currently study two hours per week, increase the time you spend to three or four hours rather than 10.

Time-specific: Keep your goals consistent with your academic calendar and your other responsibilities.

However you have done this year, have a wonderful and restful summer. Reflect on everything that you have achieved and we look forward to seeing you all next year. Summer should be a time to relax and recharge your batteries, but please do not forget about school completely. Ensure that you plan a few study sessions so that you are not coming back in August completely cold and you will find yourself in a much better position to start the next academic year.

Stay safe and enjoy the summer break.

Mr Brown

Deputy Headteacher - Academic

Article of Interest

As an Arabic teacher at Jebel Ali School, I am excited to explore the captivating world of the Arabic language and share some surprising facts about this ancient linguistic treasure. Arabic holds a significant place in our multicultural society in the UAE, and I am delighted to provide you with intriguing insights into its wonders. In this edition of the School Weekly Junction, we will delve into the enlightening discoveries from the British Council website, uncovering the unique aspects of Arabic. Join us on this journey of unravelling mysteries and deepening our appreciation for this extraordinary language, which resonates with history, culture, and vibrant expression.

A few surprisng facts about the Arabic language

‘The most common word for love in Arabic, ‘hubb’, comes from the same root as the word ‘seed’ – that which has the potential to grow into something beautiful.’ Image © Chris Tompkins Design

Do you know how many Arabic words there are for 'love'? The British Council's Faraan Sayed shares some lesser-known facts about the language.

There are more than 300 million Arabic speakers in the world.

Arabic is the official language of the 22 countries that form the Arab League. There are more than 300 million Arabic speakers across the world, though they predominantly live in the region stretching across the Middle East and North Africa. It is also one of the six official languages of the United Nations (UN). Yet, in the UK, only one per cent of the adult population can hold a basic conversation in Arabic.

Arabic has different forms depending on the context in which it's used.

Arabic is a Central Semitic language, closely related to Aramaic and Hebrew. Standard or Classical Arabic – Fusha – is the distinct form of the language used in media, newspapers, literature and other formal settings. ‘Aamiya, which is colloquial (spoken) Arabic, has many forms that are used in ordinary conversation, and it varies from country to country, and even town to town. The different forms are used side by side to serve different functions in society.

At its core, Arabic developed through a predominantly oral and poetic tradition that flourished in the Arabian Peninsula before the emergence of Islam and a codified Arabic script. The Arabic script is widely used in art through calligraphy, and it is now common to see more modern and contemporary Arabic art being produced; some of it uses a fusion of calligraphy and graffiti, known as 'calligraffiti'.

Arabic constructs words from basic roots

As in other Semitic languages, Arabic has a complex and unusual method of constructing words from a basic root. This means that a pattern of three letters such as ‘k-t-b’, will always be the foundation of words that have the semantic field of ‘writing’, such as the work ‘kitaab’ which means ‘a book’ and ‘maktab’ which means ‘a desk or office’. Using the root system means that direct translation, particularly of poetic texts, is often difficult – the root of a word may contain a meaning that could take a few sentences to translate. However, this can be beneficial, and the beauty of it is that it conveys a depth of both meaning and emotion unmatched by many languages.

There are at least 11 words for 'love' and hundreds of words for 'camel'

Arabic has at least 11 words for love and each of them conveys a different stage in the process of falling in love. The word 'hawa', for example, describes the initial attraction or inclining of the soul or mind towards another. The term comes from the root word ‘h-w-a’ - a transient wind that can rise and fall.

'Alaaqa', which comes from the root word (‘a-l-q) which means ‘to cling on to’ describes the next stage when the heart begins to attach itself to the beloved, before evolving into a blind desire 'ishq' and all-consuming love 'shaghaf'. The final stage of falling in love, 'huyum', describes the complete loss of reason.

Interestingly, the most common word for love in Arabic, 'hubb', comes from the same root as the word ‘seed’ – that which has the potential to grow into something beautiful.

The word for heart, ‘qalb’, comes from the root word (q-l-b), meaning to flip or turn something over. Although the word refers to the physical heart, spiritually the root word becomes appropriate when we think of our hearts as something constantly turning over emotions, decisions and opinions. Be careful to pronounce the first letter correctly as the word 'kalb' translates as ‘dog', and is very insulting.

This expansive vocabulary is not just limited to the world of poetry and literature, but also practical life. Arabic is said to have hundreds of words for ‘camel’. For example, ‘Al-Jafool’ means a camel that is frightened by anything; ‘Al-Harib’ is a female camel that walks ahead of the others by a great distance so that it appears to be fleeing.

‘Trust in God, but tie up your camel’ is a great (and practical) Arabic proverb used to express the nature of destiny and personal responsibility. The matter of destiny is also very much embedded within everyday Arabic phrases such as ‘Insha’Allah’ (If God wills). The expression can be used so fervently that, when asking someone’s name, I was once given the response ‘Ahmed, Insha’Allah’.

Arabic has sounds that don't exist in other languages

There are many differences between Arabic and English, the most obvious one being that it is written from right to left. There are also a few sounds that don’t exist in other languages, such as 'ح' , which is a ‘h’ sound as in ‘hubb’ (love). To get an idea of how this is pronounced, imagine breathing on a window pane to create a mist.

English has many words of Arabic origin.

English has many words acquired either directly from Arabic or indirectly from Arabic words that have entered into Romance languages before passing into English. Examples include: racquet, alchemy, alcohol, algebra, algorithm, alkaline, (the article ‘al’ in Arabic denotes ‘the’), amber, arsenal, candy, coffee, cotton, ghoul, hazard, lemon, loofah, magazine, sherbet, sofa, tariff – and many more.

The algebraic letter ‘x’ that represents an unknown number, originates from the Arabic word ‘shay’ (thing), which eventually became translated to ‘xay’ in Spain, leading to its final abbreviation and use in algebra as ‘x’.

Even the number system used today was introduced to Europeans by Arab merchants.

https://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/surprising-facts-about-arabic-language

Mrs Shallah

Teacher of Arabic

Staff Profile

Sattawat Sonsin - Head of Year 11 and Teacher of Maths

Sattawat is a passionate Mathematics teacher and current Head of Year 11 who joined Jebel Ali School in September 2018. In his 10 years of teaching, he has taught in the UK, Abu Dhabi and Dubai alongside summers of volunteering in South Africa, Ghana and Tanzania teaching Mathematics and Physics in rural and township areas.

He graduated from the University of Warwick with a Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Degree and can be found outside of school either traveling, on a Badminton court or on stage with a Musical Theatre company.

Sattawat is equally passionate about teaching Mathematics as he is with inspiring students to become worldly citizens and showing that there is no limit to their greatness, in and out of the classroom.

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