Weekly Newsletter
This Week At LOTS: 18-22 Nov 2024
Term 1 | Week 12
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Weekly Newsletter
This Week At LOTS: 18-22 Nov 2024
Term 1 | Week 12
Access LOTS Community Hub Visit - hub.lusakaoaktree.school
“The individual had always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.” - Nietzsche.
Dear Parents,
Need i say more? Individuals make societies, and not the other way round. Which is why we at LOTs are so intent on creating leaders. Leadership, in its purest form, shorn of all pomp and pageantry, is simply the ability to take strong decisions and do the right thing - against all odds.
Leaders need to be able to communicate. Hence the thrust on TEDx, Inter house debate, the student anthology student project. Leaders need to be able to face the crowd and embrace the spotlight. Hence the annual productions. Leaders need to be able to experience life situations and master the tools of problem solving. Hence the Leadership Camps and the leadership classes. Leaders need to be able to coordinate and collaborate. Hence the team sports and collaborative projects. Leaders need to develop empathy. Hence the community outreach projects. Leaders need to be able to carry the skills and the understanding that fosters mental and physical well being. Hence the mentor groups and the mentorship and wellness program.
Leaders also need to possess the power of language and the power of imagination and the power of knowing enough of world cultures to be able to make informed choices. Hence the special thrust and impetus on reading by choice and reading for pleasure.
Because this is what good books do -
Warm regards,
Shouquot Hussain
Head of School
IGCSE 2 and A-level 2 parents, please note that registration for exams has started and the deadline is 21 February. Students must get C and above in terms of grades to qualify for registration for exams.
To support our students, there will be 2 weeks of Special Support Classes from 9th December to 20th December for all IGCSE 2 and A-level 2 students. We are expecting 100 percent attendance from all students of these grades. A schedule will be shared soon on class WhatsApp groups.
Also, please do not miss the PTCs as these interactions will shape how productively the students use this longish December and early January break.Face to face engagements across the table between the parent and the teacher - with the child present - is the best way.
MENTORSHIP
Our small mentorship program is now in recess. This allows our students ample time to prepare for their end of term one assessment. On Monday students were guided on how to tackle examinations as a way of making them ready for the assessments. May we encourage our children to prepare adequately for their assessments.
PARENT SATISFACTION SURVEY
We are currently running a parent satisfaction survey whose aim is to get feedback from parents. May we kindly take time to respond to the survey as this will help us improve on service delivery. The survey has the following questions:
How many children do you have at Lusaka Oaktree School?
What is your child’s grade?
How would you rate the quality of instruction your child receives at school?
How well do the activities offered at school match your child’s interests?
How would you rate the quality of our school’s facilities?
How would you rate the quality of our communication?
Based on your knowledge, how much of a sense of belonging does your child feel at school?
How safe do you feel your child is at our school?
How often do you meet in person with teachers at our school?
How useful do you find talking to teachers about your child?
What suggestions do you have for our school?
What suggestions do you have for our teachers?
This survey is already shared with you in the Whatsapp groups. You can get to the survey by clicking https://forms.gle/WJxvezXySJf5H9p76 We would like to thank parents and guardians who have already taken time to respond. We therefore appeal to all the parents who have not done so to respond to it.
ECAs SIGN UP FORMS
As we prepare to provide a quality service to our students in the second semester, we have distributed the sign up forms for the ECAs. Kindly help the students make correct choices of clubs and sports. We would like all the students to return the forms on Monday 25th November, 2024. Receiving these forms on time will help us group the students accordingly and give feedback to you.
SECURITY
We would like to inform you that no parent will be allowed to go to the classroom area. All children will be picked from the gates leading to the classrooms. Parents using gate B will have to wait at the gate for the children. We therefore encourage all parents wanting to visit administration to use gate A. Special arrangements will be made if you are invited for a meeting with the class teachers or coordinators.
The two student councils (Secondary and Primary) have been busy at work brainstorming events and projects to make a lasting impact and ensure school is growth, and fun.
SECONDARY STUDENT COUNCIL:
EVENTS - The secondary section is gearing up for the first ever LOTS Pep Rally and Spirit Week! The Spirit Week will bring themed dress-up days and activities designed to show off our school pride. The week will culminate in an action-packed Pep Rally where students will celebrate and support their house teams and unite the school community.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PROJECT - The council has identified an orphanage to support throughout the school year, and is in the process of liaising with them to detail the logistics and establish a regular interaction schedule.
PRIMARY STUDENT COUNCIL:
EVENTS - The Primary Student Council is excited to host a community-focused cycling event , promoting fitness, fun, and eco-friendly transportation. Students, families, and staff are invited to participate in this exciting day. Alongside this, it will pursue science based projects - to make scientific inquiry a living engagement.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PROJECT - The student council is launching an Animal Safety Project to raise awareness about caring for local wildlife and pets. This initiative will include workshops, creative activities, and a fundraiser to support a local animal shelter.
A recent survey aimed at gauging students' happiness revealed insightful trends about their well-being. The survey covered key aspects such as academic satisfaction, social relationships, extracurricular engagement, and mental health.
Key Findings:
Academic Satisfaction:
Around 60% of students reported being confident about succeeding academically,and mentioned their homework load to be sufficient. However, some students expressed the need for more support by teachers and staff and this is an area we would like to improve in
Social Relationships:
More than 70% indicated positive social experiences, emphasizing the importance of friendships and community.
Extracurricular Engagement:
66% of students stated happy participation in non sports clubs, and 78% students expressed happy participation in Sports clubs. These activities, they say, really boost their happiness.
Mental Health Challenges:
Despite an overall happiness quotient where 70% students say they are in a very good space, 30 the% of students admitted to facing occasional stress or anxiety and unhappiness, pointing to the need for more mental health resources and interventions
Conclusion:
The survey highlighted LOTS students are generally satisfied with their School experience at LOTS. However, addressing academic pressures and mental health challenges remain crucial for fostering a more balanced and fulfilling student experience and this is what we will strive for in the term to come.
World Scholar's Cup Mega Finals.
Yale University, USA.
50 countries and over 2700 scholars. The results of the Tournament of Champions 2024:
Luumuno Mweemba, LOTS - GOLD MEDAL ASIMOV (High Scores and extensive knowledge across all assessed areas)
Even more astounding is that he was ranked 4th overall in the whole world!
Our congratulations to Luumono, the parents and his teachers.
CORE TEAM
DIRECTION: THANDEKA, MARIA
MARKETING TEAM: HUZEFA, ANNAEL, MALCOM.
STAGE MANAGEMENT CREW: JOSHUA, NTANDA, JADE, JUDAH, PETER.
LIGHTS AND SOUND: DABWISO, KAI,
MUSIC: JOSHUA, BUSUMA, ALISHA.
DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY: IYAH, YALA.
MAKEUP AND COSTUMES: ALEX,
PROPS AND SET DESIGN: WENU, TATENDA, JADE, JUDAH, ISAIAH.
CAST:
GLINDA- STELLA
OZIANS- KUTEMWA, ADALYN
FREX- MWAMBUYE
MELENA-ADALYN
LOVER-GABRIEL
MIDWIFE- PHILANI
ELPHABA- AMINA
NESSAROSE- KELLY
MORRIBLE-MWILA/ AARYAH
SHEN SHEN- NAVYA
BOQ-AIDEN
PFANEE -RITISHA
STUDENTS- SUMY, KUTEMWA, AADHYA,
DILLAMOND- SUMY
AVARIC- CHUBO,
FIYERO- JUDAH
PROFESSOR-ELIOR
OZIAN OFFICIAL-SHAUNA
WIZARD- ELIESHA
GUARD-ASIA, ILAMBE,
SCIENTIST- MUSANDE
This last weekend, our U13 and U16/19 basketball teams showcased exceptional talent and determination in a thrilling competition against Rhodes Park School. All matches were intense and filled with memorable moments, as our players left it all on the court.
The U13 team started the day with a spirited performance. Their teamwork, agility, and sharp passes kept the game close throughout. Despite facing tough defense from Rhodes Park, our young athletes held their ground, with standout performances from U13 girls Team captain Natalie and U13 boys team captain Alex Sakala, who led the their teams very well. The match ended in a narrow defeat, but the team’s resilience and growth were evident.
Later, the U19 team took the court with confidence. From the opening whistle, they played with high energy, demonstrating excellent strategy and leadership. Alex Sakala again dominated the paint with strong rebounds and dazzled with precision shooting from beyond the arc. After a hard-fought game, the U19 team displayed strength and passion, securing against a skilled Rhodes Park squad.
Congratulations to both teams for their effort and sportsmanship! We are proud of the commitment and determination shown by our players, and we look forward to their continued success in upcoming matches.
The Extra curricular activities for this term have come to an end and we have already started with preparations for the next term. Sign up forms have been sent home with the learners and we are due back on Monday 25 November.
All forms will be collected and recorded and communication will be sent to the parents on the activities that each child has signed up for.Please note that children that do not sign up will be automatically placed on the “Not Staying/Prep” list. If you need any clarification, please contact Coach Asher (0979 509545).
Holistic growth is our credo, and together we will support our children to be educated in more ways than one - through our sports and ECA programme and ensure that our children get the best out of every opportunity.
Our Middle Class stream went on a trip this week. They had a fantastic time exploring the gardens of Kuzipa farm. They got a chance to plant their own strawberries as we have been learning about plants. They were able to identify the parts of a plant and mention what a plant needs to grow. They also got to feed the fish, rabbits, goats and chickens. And the highlight of their trip was holding the tortoises. Thank you Parents for being open minded and allowing our babies to experience all this first hand.
We take this opportunity to once again celebrate and thank our 12 TEDx presenters who have established a tradition by pioneering the first ever school TEDx event in Zambia.
Here is to the legacy they leave behind for other acorns to follow.
Here they are - the pioneering dozen.
ECA sign up forms for semester 2 need to be signed and returned on Monday 25 November.
Only single entry and exit for students on exam days. On a given day, a student cannot knock off after one exam and come back again for the next, even if there is a substantial time gap between the papers. The student has to be in the designated study area to prepare and revise.
There will be no retests or make up exams for anyone who misses any exam. Final semester reports will be based on summative and formative assessments already conducted throughout the semester.
Library books are to be returned to the library immediately, if not yet done.