Weekly Newsletter
This Week At LOTS: 09-13 Sep 2024
Term 1 | Week 3
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Weekly Newsletter
This Week At LOTS: 09-13 Sep 2024
Term 1 | Week 3
Access LOTS Community Hub Visit - hub.lusakaoaktree.school
“Talent wins games. Teamwork and intelligence wins championships” - Michael Jordan
Dear Parents,
Together, we can do wonders for our children (your children). To that end, a representative body of parents collaborating with the school to support and ensure the wellbeing of students is a key enabler, and here is the next step. The new PTA (now called PTC) is being constructed, and the AGM to elect the same is happening on Saturday 28th September. Details are as stated below:
SCHOOL PTA (now PTC) ELECTIONS DURING AGM ON 28TH SEPTEMBER
The elective Annual General Meeting of the LOTS PTA (now PTC) will be held on Saturday 28th September, 2024, 10.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, in the school premises.It will be chaired by the incumbent PTC Chair Mr Clancy Chauluka. All those vying for positions will be required to file a nomination. The positions available are:
Chairperson, vice chairperson, treasurer, vice treasurer, publicity secretary, 6 committee members. The executive committee has eleven parents and four teachers. The head of school is the secretary.
All the nominations to be submitted seven days before the AGM. Submit all your nominations to headofschool@lusakaoaktree.school or drop physical copies at the reception. Click the link below to access the nomination form
Martin Luther King Jr said ‘We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now’. And that boat, in the context of LOTS, is the education of your children. Let us be the wind beneath their wings.
The week gone by has been a busily productive one. We had the Science and Math Fair where students displayed and explained and operated their projects, and some of these will now expand into bigger sustainability projects that would benefit the community and the environment.
We had the first Leadership camp of the academic year where the IGCSE 2, AS and A Level students spent 2 nights and 3 days at the CREED School of Leadership honing their leadership skills and discovering facets of themselves they otherwise would not have in a classroom environment.
We had the auditions for our pioneering TEDx event, to shortlist the final participants (speakers and performers). The list will be out during the week. Let us stand with these bravehearts who will soon ensure a global reach for themselves and for LOTS.
The school ECAs commenced this week, and students are beginning to settle into their activities of choice and their team trainings (if they are a part of the school team in any domain). Our earnest request is for every parent and student to ensure your child is signed up for two activities - one that challenges the body (sports) and one that challenges the mind.
We concluded the week with an Awards Assembly where certificates in various domains were awarded to deserving students.
There is a lot coming up in the next few weeks - formative assessments, more Leadership camps, PTCs, Student Council Elections, ISAZ Tennis, Family Fun Day, TEDx, and more. As they have all been explained in detail elsewhere in this newsletter, I shall not elaborate further here. Please read through to the end to take note.
Warm regards,
Shouquot Hussain
Head of School
We want our students to be assessment-capable. The most important qualifier is self-awareness about what I know, what I need to know, and how I can be helped. Please look at the mind-map with your child(ren) and help them to be assessment capable. Curriculum overviews will help you and students to know the topics/learning goals/standards. These are now available in the COMMUNITY HUB.
As we begin the new academic year, it is time for you and your child to make crucial decisions regarding their subject combinations. These choices will play a significant role in shaping their future academic and career path, and we are reaching out to you for your support in guiding them.
We have outlined three main groups, each catering to specific career fields. We encourage you to discuss these options with your child, considering their interests and aspirations, so they can make an informed decision.
This group is ideal for students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare, medicine, engineering, and related fields.
Subjects:
English
Mathematics
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
ICT or PE
If your child is interested in the business world, management, or the hospitality and tourism industry, this group will provide a solid foundation. Subjects:
English
Mathematics
Business Studies
Geography
ICT or PE
For those inclined toward social sciences, humanities, or counseling professions, this group will help build the necessary knowledge and skills. Subjects:
English
Mathematics
Biology or Business Studies
Chemistry or Geography
History
ICT or PE
What You Need to Do:
Discuss the Options: Please take the time to sit down with your child and discuss the groups. Understanding their passion, strengths, and future goals is essential in making the right choice.
Submit Your Decision: After discussing with your child, we will share a form that you will need to fill out
We believe that by working together, we can help your child make the best decision for their future success. If you have any questions or require further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s education.
In order to achieve good results and behavior from a LOTS student, we must first have a happy student. A happy student at Lusaka Oaktree School (LOTS) embodies a well-rounded and fulfilling school experience. They are engaged academically, socially, and emotionally, which is reflected in their overall well-being, positive interactions with peers and teachers, and their ability to embrace both challenges and achievements.
Characteristics of a Happy Student at LOTS:
Emotionally Balanced: Exhibits a sense of contentment and emotional security within the school environment.
Academically Motivated: Curious and excited about learning, asking questions, and exploring new ideas.
Strong Social Connections: Engages with a diverse group of peers and forms meaningful friendships.
Active Participation in School Life: Involved in extracurricular activities, including sports, clubs, service learning, and leadership opportunities.
MENTORING PROGRAMME
Your child will spend the beginning of each day with their mentor. We are designing a programme where each mentor will have a maximum of 14 students. This grouping will allow students to have space to ask questions which they may not have the opportunity to ask in class. Their mentor will act as a point of contact and be the main link between home and the school.
LATE COMING
We have observed that some of our students report late for lessons. We therefore request you our dear parents to drop the students early so that they can be part of all the activities planned for the day. Registration will now be done during the mentorship programme in the respective classes. This will be done from 07:20 to 07:40. Any student not in class during the mentorship programme will be marked absent.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
All students are encouraged to wear the correct school uniform at all times. For the students whose uniform sizes are not available, they should get a pass from the section coordinator.
ENGAGE DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The school will now use engage as the main communication system. In order to access it, kindly provide the necessary information so that our support team can give you access. Click on the link below to provide your details.
https://lusakaoaktree.engagehosted.com/admissionscontrol/Application%20Form
If you have any challenges call Mr. William Simfukwe on 0770413170.
Celebrating Student Success
A huge congratulations to our students who excelled in the Standard Bank-Matific Math Olympiad 2024! Their outstanding performance is a testament to their hard work and dedication. We are proud to see them receive well-deserved certificates in recognition of their achievements. Their accomplishment brings honour to our school, and we celebrate their success!
Ongoing Initiatives
We are delighted to see how our 'Buddying' program has fostered strong bonds between new and returning students, promoting collaboration and understanding among students and staff.
Stay Informed
Stay tuned for our weekly highlights and forecast, published every week, which will keep you informed about:
- Core subject content covered each week
- Upcoming topics and expectations for the following week
Important Reminders
Please note that our school maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, physical confrontations, and altercations, including those claimed as self-defense. Any incidents will be addressed according to our code of conduct.
Important Update on School Dismissal Times:
- Monday to Thursday:
- 14:20 hours for students not participating in activities
- 15:20 hours for students staying for activities
- Friday: 13:20 hours. To facilitate an earlier dismissal time of 13:20 hours on Fridays, students will utilize the 9th period (originally allocated for lunch) for a lesson instead. As a result, students will have lunch at home and not at school. This adjustment will enable students to knock off earlier on Fridays.
I AM STRONGER WHEN WE ARE TOGETHER
1. SNACK BREAK Introduced
Due to the increased need for an early break for the students, we have introduced a Snack Break at 09:40-09:50 hrs as of next week onwards.
2. September LS Formative Assessment Timetable
We will be sending out all the LS September formative assessment timetables on Monday, please be on the look out and advise the students to prepare adequately. Refer to the calendar to check when our Assessments will begin.
3. Homeroom ADVISORY
Our exciting homeroom mentorship and wellbeing program is taking the right direction as students have continued to give positive feedback on the activities they are doing, we would also like to call upon parents to come on board and join us in these classes through motivational speeches or games that would bring about meaningful progress to the students and enhance our CREED values.
4. Science and Mathematics fair
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Science and Mathematics fair as these projects help students excell in Academic excellence. Looking forward to the ISAZ stem Fair coming up soon.
4. Ted-X
Students in LS at LOTS represent the larger community and as such creative and Innovative entrepreneural ideas form a large part of TED-X, we are proud to announce to you that Lusaka Oaktree school will be the first school in Zambia to host the TED-X talk on 17th October, 2024.
5. LATE COMING
We have noticed that a number of students come in late for lessons which in turn affects their learning,we encourage you parents to ensure the students are in school by 07:10hrs
6. General Assembly
As per tradition, we just held an Assembly for Secondary led by the Head of School and our Principals to acknowledge students for their academic achievements in the following categories; Matific competition, Mathematics and Science fair as well as participation and endurance in the recent CREED camp tour.
IGCSE and A Level students embark on a Leadership Journey at CREED
Students from the Upper Secondary recently attended the CREED School of Leadership camp, a three day experience focused on personal growth, teamwork, and leadership skills. The camp featured interactive activities, team-building and collaborative exercises .
The camp pushed students to step out of their comfort zones, fostering resilience and collaboration.In addition to learning leadership skills, students built strong bonds and formed lasting friendships. LOTS is proud of their achievements and looks forward to seeing them apply these skills in the future.
TEDx LOTS auditions concluded with a diverse range of speakers sharing innovative ideas and personal stories, along with talented performers who captivated the judges. Topics ranged from mental health and technology to sustainability and personal empowerment, while performers showcased everything from music to spoken word.
“We were amazed by the passion and depth of knowledge,” said Mr. Lungu, one of the judges. Both speakers and performers demonstrated impressive creativity and impact.
The final lineup of speakers and performers will be announced soon, with selected participants receiving mentorship before the main event. Stay tuned for more updates as TEDx LOTS promises an unforgettable experience!
Student Council Elections!
We are thrilled to announce the official formation of our new Student Council. A team of students dedicated to amplifying student voices and fostering a sense of community within our school.
The Student Council will:
Provide a platform for students to share ideas and concerns
Organise events and activities that promote inclusivity, wellness and fun
Collaborate with teachers and staff to enhance school experiences
Develop leadership skills and teamwork among members.
We encourage all students, parents, and teachers to support students in upper primary (CP6) and Upper secondary (IGCSE 2 to A.levels) to apply for student council positions. Applications can be collected from their specific homeroom teachers or the counsellors office and must be returned by *Monday 16th September*
If you have any questions or suggestions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the committee.
Ms Lauren
Mr Denny
Ms Thole
Mr Manda
Coach E.B
We have finally kick started the Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) at Lusaka Oaktree and so far, we can say it has been a fair success. As a team we continue to look for ways to do better and make the activities that our children do more meaningful and exciting. After reviewing the first few sessions, a few changes have been made. These are as follows:
Ballet: Ballet has been moved to Monday and will only be a single session (once a week)
Signing up: Following some of the challenges faced by some of our parents in regards to the online sign-up sheet, we have resolved to use blended sign ups that allow for online and physical sign ups. Blended sign up will be in effect starting Thursday 12/09/2024. This means that parents have the option to sign up online or by completing a physical print out that will be sent home with the children. NOTE THAT ONLINE SIGN UPS WILL END ON FRIDAY THE 13TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2024 AND FORMS WILL BE RECEIVED TILL THE 18TH OF SEPTEMBER, 2024.
Football: Football sessions will run once a week for all age groups except for early years (EYD) who will have two sessions a week. Sessions are also capped to a certain number to ensure that we are able to have meaningful and productive session.
ECA REVISED TIMETABLE: Please click on the link to view the revised ECA schedule.
STUDENTS NAMES PER ACTIVITY: We have compiled the list of students that are doing a particular activity in each category. The various list detailing which activity that the students have signed up for will be shared as soon as possible in the various WhatsApp groups. If your child is not on the list and a sign-up was initiated, please contact Coach Asher via email (asher_kapalaula@lusakaoaktree.school) or via mobile on 260979509545 (also available on WhatsApp).
This week students were guided to the next level of academics.
During the A level Program the most important point is that students should choose the subjects keeping in mind the careers and opt for a minimum of 4 courses that have been studied in IGCSE. The Universities look at the scores from IGCSE level 1 onwards for considering the admission.
Students must complete the A levels and then enter the university for a Bachelor’s Degree program. Students opting for University education after IGCSE do not get enrolled for a Bachelor’s degree program directly but enter Foundation, Diploma or Pathway Program for 2/ 3 years that will then lead them to enrolling for their Degree. It's a long process then during which the student loses focus, as the foundation for the subject is not laid, and it also implies financial burden on the parents. So all students are encouraged to step on to the two year A level program after IGCSE, as the smoothest pathway to step into university education.
At LOTS we are constantly making connections with Universities the world over. On 16th September our team will interact with Massey University - New Zealand for opportunities that LOTS students can gain.
The students will be counseled one on one and also in a group to steer them into the College Guidance process.
Breaking News: Lumuno Mweemba Qualifies for the Round of Champions at Yale!
Remember Lumuno Mweemba, a LOTS student representing us at the World Scholars Cup in Bangkok? Well he has just made history by qualifying for the prestigious Round of Champions at Yale University as part of the World Scholar's Cup! This is an extraordinary achievement, placing him among the world’s brightest young minds in a global arena where only the best make it.
This momentous accomplishment is a source of immense pride for the entire LOTS community. We are confident that our scholar will shine even brighter as he prepares to take on this exciting challenge at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Let’s come together to celebrate this remarkable milestone and cheer our scholar on as he heads to the grand stage at Yale! The future looks incredibly bright.
On Friday the 13th (I know!), we had a special Awards Assembly where certificates of appreciation were awarded to:
Medal winners of the inter school Matafic (Math Olympiad) championships.
Participants of the Science and Math Fair.
Secondary School avid readers
Participants of the Leadership Camp for IGCSE 2, AS and A Level students.
The idea is to acknowledge, appreciate and encourage those who receive these, and to inspire the rest towards more enthusiastic participation.
PTA (PTC) nomination form submission by 21st September.
ECA sign up for remaining students (if any)
Arriving on time for school - by 7.10. The homeroom mentoring time of 7.20 to 7.40 is absolutely crucial and mandatory to attend.
Please remember to click on the Community Hub tab and read through all that is there.
Dear LOTS Families,
We strongly urge you to prioritize your child's immediate return to school. Every day of missed classes results in academic loss, which can be challenging to recover from. Consistent attendance is essential to ensure your child does not fall behind in their studies and can fully participate in the school community.
Kind Regards,
Lusaka Oaktree School