The Junction

Friday 3 March 2023

A Note From Mrs Sims

Learning made easy

This week, we as a whole school community and for the very first time in JAS history as a whole school from FS through to Year 13, have completed our very first DSIB/KHDA inspection since the COVID-19 pandemic. Every single member of the community has learnt something new during the course of the week and it has been wonderful to showcase that JAS magic.

However, learning can be hard. It can be hard at any stage of life and development, learning is not meant to be easy and at times it can seem impossible. Years 11 and 13 are examples of this. Having completed their mock examinations back in January and receiving their results before February half-term it may have been evident that learning was hard in some subjects.

Learning can be hard for a variety of reasons, including:

1. Lack of motivation: If you are not interested in the subject,  it can be difficult to focus and retain information.

2. Lack of understanding: Sometimes the material may be presented in a way that is difficult to understand, which can make learning a challenge.

3. Poor study habits: Ineffective study habits, such as procrastination, cramming, or not taking breaks, can make it difficult to retain information.

4. Overwhelm: Learning something new can feel overwhelming, especially if the subject matter is complex.

5. Fear of failure: The fear of failing can cause anxiety and make it difficult to concentrate on learning. Remember at JAS we want you to FAIL (First Attempt In Learning) - it is ok to make mistakes, it is ok to trial something out, it is ok not to feel 100% in an area; we are all human and should not be afraid to have a go.

To make learning easier, there are a list of strategies below that you can try:

1. Find your motivation: Identify why you want to learn the subject matter and focus on that motivation throughout the learning process.

2. Use different learning strategies: Experiment with different learning strategies, such as taking notes, creating diagrams, or using mnemonic devices, to find what works best for you.

3. Break the material into manageable chunks: Divide the material into smaller, more manageable chunks and take breaks between study sessions to avoid overwhelming yourself.

4. Seek help: If you are struggling to understand the material, don't hesitate to seek help from a teacher.

5. Practice, practice, practice: Practice is essential to mastering new skills, so try to apply what you have learned in real-world situations as much as possible.

6. Stay positive: Keep a positive attitude and remind yourself that learning is a process that takes time and effort. Celebrate your successes and learn from your mistakes. Success does not happen overnight, it is an ongoing process.

Outsmart your brain

Outsmarting your brain means finding ways to overcome its natural tendencies and biases in order to make better decisions and achieve your goals. Here are some tips on how to do that:

1. Identify your biases: Be aware of your own cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias or the sunk cost fallacy, and try to counteract them.

2. Use logic and reason: Don't just rely on intuition or gut feelings. Use logic and reason to make decisions based on facts and evidence.

3. Take a break: Sometimes taking a break can help you gain a fresh perspective on a problem or decision. When revising you cannot sit for hours straight. Think about your everyday lessons and your focus during the school day, when are you most alert? 

4. Get feedback: Seek out feedback from others to get a different perspective and challenge your own assumptions.

5. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, which can help you make better decisions.

6. Delay gratification: Delaying gratification can help you resist temptation and make better long-term decisions.

7. Set goals: Set specific, achievable goals to help you stay focused and motivated. Make them realistic and manageable.

8. Stay organised: Keeping track of your tasks and priorities can help you make better use of your time and avoid procrastination. Make a timetable and stick to it however make it doable and manageable.

9. Practice self-control: Self-control is like a muscle that can be strengthened through practice. Start with small challenges and gradually build up your self-control. Do you really need to look at your phone during one of your revision sessions, does that Whatsapp message have to be answered now or can it wait 40 minutes?

By implementing these strategies, you can learn to outsmart your brain and make better decisions that will help you achieve your goals.

Outsmart your brain sessions

Before we finish for spring break I will be running some sessions with Years 11 and 13 on how to outsmart their brains while preparing for their upcoming external GCSE and A level examinations. Years 10 and 12 will also have the opportunity for these sessions after the Eid break and before their End of Year examinations.

Year 11 - Tuesday 14th & Tuesday 21st March

Year 13 - Wednesday 15th & Wednesday 22nd March

Year 10 - Tuesday 2nd May & Tuesday 16th May

Year 12 - Tuesday 25th April & Tuesday 9th May

Wishing you all a pleasant and relaxing weekend,

Mrs J Sims

Secondary Assistant Headteacher for Learning & Teaching

Secondary Production

Oliver! 2023 - Week 17 in Rehearsals 

17 DAYS TO GO! 

TICKETS!

Tickets are selling FAST. With over 25% of tickets already gone, our Auditorium is quickly filling.

A polite reminder that every rehearsal from this time onwards is of high importance in order to be able to prepare for the show. Please avoid any unnecessary absences or appointments and contact schoolproduction@jebelalischool to notify us if your child cannot make a rehearsal. 

Additional Rehearsals

All Cast, Crew & Band members will be needed all day on the following:

Friday 10th March - Crew Only till 4pm*

Thursday 16th March (till 3.30pm)

Friday 17th March (till 4.30pm*)

Monday 20th March (DRESS REHEARSAL)

Please avoid booking appointments during the school day on these dates.

*Students attending Friday Prayer are able to leave but please notify us in advance.

Weekend Rehearsal dates:

Saturday 11th March - Band only

Sunday 12th March - All Cast and Crew

Sunday 19th March. - All Cast, Crew and Band (TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL)

*All weekend rehearsals will take place between 9.30am-4pm. Production T-shirts will need to be worn for ALL of the above dates. Students will need to bring a packed lunch, snacks and plenty of water. They will not be allowed off-site.

Attendance on the above dates is of high importance. If there is a reason as to why a cast/crew/band member is unable to make any of the above, please notify us as soon as possible via  schoolproduction@jebelalischool.org

Cast List

Director - Ms. R Channon

Musical Director - Mr. A Laird

Assistant Director - Miss. K Hansford

Choreographer - Mr. S Sonsin

Stage Manager - Yasmina Habib (Year 11)

If you need to contact any of the Production Team please do so via schoolproduction@jebelalischool.org

Secondary Production Google Classroom: Aztar5o (students only)

Rehearsal schedule is updated on GC every Friday afternoon for the following week. Please check this weekly to see when you are needed in rehearsal.

CAST Rehearsal Times

Monday 12.50pm-13.15pm

Wednesday 3.30pm-5.00pm

Thursday 06.50am-7.20am

Living in the Online World

Helpful Hints

Four Ways Successful People Spend Their Free Time

How we spend our free time is important to living a positive and successful life. Reseach conducted with a number of successful people has identified a number of key features:  

1. They Exercise. Physical exercise is important for both physical and mental health. Believe it or not, exercise works in the same way sleep does. It can focus your state of mind, helping you to clear your head and boost your brain power in between study sessions. Taking a half hour of exercise 3 to 5 times a week can get your blood pumping, build muscle, burn calories, and oxygenate your brain. 

2. They Read. Reading is a lifelong skill, and successful people never stop reading new books. Whether it's fiction or nonfiction, books help give you a greater understanding of the world around you. They introduce you to new ideas, and might even help you build new skills. 

3. They Have Hobbies. Finding and pursuing a hobby helps you feel better. Not all hobbies are play though, some hobbies like writing, designing or learning a new language can keep you productive and instil you with a sense of purpose while having fun.  The more time you devote to become immersed in your hobby, the more satisfaction and sense of achievement you can get out of it. A hobby should be something you enjoy doing, so pick up a creative activity that doesn’t have any goals attached.

4. They Spend Time With Friends and Family.  Our family is the biggest asset that one could ask for, hence it is important to spend time with loved ones. Spending good time with your family will help strengthen relationships with one another. When you spend time with your family, you obviously discuss new things. This is the best way to share interesting information, news, or simply, hold engaging conversations.  Meeting up with friends is similarily important and is an easy thing to do. Simply walking, talking, going to to the cinema or just chilling out somewhere calm can work wonders. 

So how are you going to use your free time this weekend?

Nasr Dwedari

Head of Arabic - Secondary

Staff Profile