Weekly Newsletter
This Week At LOTS: 20 -24 Jan 2025
Term 2 | Week 3
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From HoS Desk
From HoS Desk
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind” - Clare Pooley
Dear Parents,
During the Early Years assembly on Thursday, on the way up to the stage, one child stumbled, and immediately another who had already reached the stage came running back to help pick her up - and then both joyously moved up to the stage. The one who stumbled was not embarrassed and the one who helped was not proud. They were just friends and that happy kindness was the natural order of things for them. We need to relearn from them and borrow their sense of wonder, and their unaffected kindness.
In our frenzy to get things done and cover as much ground as fast as possible, we adults begin to disregard the very reason why we worked so hard. Let’s get back to finding joy in small things. Taking the time to smell the flowers along the way. So that when our children look up at us, they emulate our warmth, not our baggage.
The Primary Student Council is going to exhibit that kindness on ground through the community outreach project they have embarked upon. More about it later in this newsletter.
The Secondary Student Council will be exhibiting their kindness and sense of wonder through the Spirit Week they have designed and planned for. More about it later in this newsletter.
We are introducing and inaugurating MUN (Model United Nations) at LOTS. A lot of what delegates/participants confer on here is how to make the world a better place and how to coexist in kindness with other communities and countries. More on this later in this newsletter.
The World Scholar's Cup team selections at LOTS will soon be underway - which involves sorting out and grouping of applicants. There will be a more concrete update next week.
The Leadership Camps will resume next month and we should ensure everyone takes advantage of this cost free opportunity. The February Leadership Camp dates are on the ‘key dates’ section at the end of this newsletter. Please note the dates applicable to your children and make a note - so that preparations are on course and on time.
Till next week, then….
Warm regards,
Shouquot Hussain
Head of School
Principal Academics
Principal Academics
Mock exams are happening next month for IGCSE and A Level board classes. So this is a reminder that these students should keep their focus glued to their academic preparation and performance. There is time and a place for everything and now is the time for curriculum focus. For any further support or clarifications, you may reach out to the Senior Secondary Coordinator at victor_mwaekwa@lusakaoktree.school
The school has a dedicated academic support program with dedicated support lessons in key subjects after lunch. Please ensure your children take advantage of this facility, if they need it to bridge performance gaps in any of these subjects.
Curriculum Overviews are with you. Please access them to be in the loop about what your child is learning in each academic domain.
Principal Pastoral Care
Principal Pastoral Care
Engage - Day Book
As we transition into the effective use of engage, we would like to notify you that we shall use the pupil handbook on engage to report incidents involving our students. Kindly be on a look out for updates and you are free to contact the school for clarity.
Daily Attendance
We have received feedback from a number of parents regarding marking students absent when they have reported for school. As earlier indicated in our newsletter and whatsapp communication, registers are marked during the morning mentorship sessions. The mentorship sessions start at 07:20 and end at 07:40. A student who has missed a mentorship session is marked absent for that day. We therefore encourage you to drop students before 07: 40. Our engage register is marked as follows:
Present
Absent
Absent(Approved Educational Activity)
Absent(Funeral)
Absent(Medical)
Absent(Not Reported)
Absent(Travelled)
Late(Authorised)
Late(Unauthorized)
Whenever a student is absent, get in touch with the class teacher and inform them of the reasons for absence.
When a student is late for three days, the parent or guardian will be contacted for a discussion.
Hair Styles
We kindly remind our school community of our guidelines regarding student appearance. In order to maintain a professional and respectful learning environment, we ask that students adhere to the policy of natural hair colours while in school. This includes shades commonly occurring naturally such as black, brown, blonde. This policy ensures consistency and minimizes distractions, allowing all students to focus on their education. We appreciate your support and cooperation in upholding our school values.
Model United Nations (MUN) Chapter Launch at LOTS
Model United Nations (MUN) Chapter Launch at LOTS
We are excited to announce that Lusaka Oak tree School will be hosting it's first-ever internal Model United Nations Mini Conference on the 27th January, 2025. This event marks an important milestone in our school's commitment to fostering global awareness and diplomatic skills among students. It is a perfect platform to enhance one’s public speaking skills and critical thinking skills.
We will thereafter prepare our teams for inter school MUN competitions, both in Zambia and beyond.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Online Record Book Registration
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Online Record Book Registration
Exciting news! This week we saw some of our students finally registering for The Duke of Edinburgh Online Record Book.The Duke of Edinburgh's Record Book is an essential tool for participants in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program. It serves as a personal logbook to track progress and achievements in the four key areas: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Adventurous Journey. Participants use it to document their goals, activities, and completion dates for each section, with validation from assessors.
Secondary Student Council event - Spirit Week
Secondary Student Council event - Spirit Week
This term the high school student council presents ‘Spirit Week’. This is a week that will be full of activities and will push students to use their creativity. The goal is to create school spirit, promote inclusivity and encourage students to take part in school activities.A theme has been assigned to each day of the week. Students will have to dress according to the themes. An activity corresponding to the theme will also be done. Students will be required to pay a fee of K10 for every day they participate. This will be collected by the student council and later used for a community outreach project. The week will begin on the 10th of February and all high school students are encouraged to participate!
Parent Guest Speaker Mentoring Program
Parent Guest Speaker Mentoring Program
We are excited to launch our Parent Guest Speaker Mentoring Program. We kicked off this new program with an inspiring talk from our school leaders, the Board Chair and the Head of School.
A huge thank you to the Chairperson of the LOTS Board Dr Alfred Mwamba who spoke to the IGCSE and A Level students about the value formal education can add to a student’s growth and success, and inspired our senior students to believe in themselves, have goals and pursue them smartly.
The Head of School Mr Shouquot Hussain interacted with the LS students and shared insights on the need to question everything and most of all question themselves - and also about having guiding principles and certain tangible lines to live by.
This special session set the tone for a series of impactful discussions and mentoring opportunities for our students. We shall continue with this series every month. Parents who feel they have valuable insights and expertise they want to share with our students, please write to lauren_njungu@lusakaoaktree.school
Early Years
Early Years
Our first assembly for the term was hosted by reception A.
Theme-Friendship
Friendship: Just as flowers in a garden make our lives more beautiful, friends make our lives more enjoyable and fulfilling.
*Learning the alphabet*: Similarly, just as flowers are a delightful addition to a garden, vowels (A, E, I, O, U) are special "friends" that help make learning and reading more fun and engaging.
This comparison aims to help our students appreciate the value of friendships and the importance of vowels in the alphabet.
Primary school
Primary school
This week has been packed with engaging activities and presentations that showcased our students' talents and knowledge.
Science Presentation: Animal Classification
On Thursday 23rd January 2024, our CP 3B students presented an informative assembly on the classification of animals. They delved into the fascinating world of science, sharing interesting facts and insights about different species. The presentations were engaging, and the students demonstrated a clear understanding of the subject matter.
French Language Presentation: Parts of the Body
In addition to their Science presentations, our students also showcased their language skills in French. They enthusiastically shared their knowledge of body parts in French, pronouncing the words correctly and confidently. Bravo!
Celebrating Creativity: A Core Value
During the assembly, the students also emphasized the importance of creativity as one of our school's core values. We encourage our students to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and express themselves in innovative ways. By fostering creativity, we aim to help our students develop into confident, imaginative, and problem-solving individuals.
CP 2 Cultural Festival Presentations
On Wednesday 22nd January 2024 our CP 2 students proudly showcased their projects on cultural festivals and traditions. They highlighted the diversity of cultures from around the world. The students demonstrated a clear understanding of the significance of these festivals and traditions, and their enthusiasm was infectious. We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work and dedication to learning.
Lower secondary school
Lower secondary school
Learning is never done without errors and defeat-Vladimir Lenin
1. Checkpoint Exams
Our enriched teaching and learning structure for CP6 & LS3 is centered on Endurance learning and revision of past exam papers, please ensure you help our students attempted Questions from the papers teachers will be sending out physically and on Google classroom
NOTE: Payment Deadline for Checkpoint Registration: 31st January, 2025.
2. Projects And Presentations
We will be sharing all projects and Presentations students will be doing in the Section every week to keep you updated and appreciate your efforts in meeting our Student Subject Academic goals. In the Pictures below LS3 students making Presentations of different research Questions on a Global Perspectives topic; Can Diseases be Prevented...
3. Parent Teacher Student Feedback
Our Academic interactions are ongoing, please book your appointment with Homeroom teachers, these conversations are important because they will enhance our communication and help further your Child's performance in and outside class.
4. Google Classroom
This learning platform will help students for engagement with their teachers, catch up with missed work and submit tasks and Homework on time. Kindly ensure your child has access to Google classroom.
Please contact Mr Denny (ICT DEPARTMENT H.O.D) for assistance- +260970627630
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES UPDATE
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES UPDATE
New Sports in ECAs
Various students took to their clubs with intense excitement, but few were as excited as the members of our new cubs. These clubs have already captured the enthusiasm of our students, providing them with new opportunities to explore their interests and develop valuable skills.
Skate Club:
Our Skate Club has hit the ground rolling! Students have started learning balance, coordination, and technical skills while enjoying the thrill of skateboarding and rollerblading in a safe and supportive environment. The energy and excitement at each session have been truly infectious with multiple students expressing interest. We have also reduced the skate club from ZMW 1400.00 to ZMW 1000.00.
Netball Club:
The Netball Club has quickly become a favourite among students, offering them a chance to learn teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship. With a growing number of participants, the club is fostering a sense of camaraderie and competitive spirit. This is also being used as preparation for the upcoming ISAZ events.
Hockey Club:
The Hockey Club is off to a fantastic start, with students eagerly taking to the field to learn this dynamic and fast-paced sport. The club provides a wonderful platform for building fitness, coordination, and collaboration.
We are thrilled to see the enthusiasm and commitment from both students and staff in making these clubs a success. These new activities are a testament to our ongoing dedication to providing diverse and enriching experiences for our students.
U14 Match: A Nail-Biting Draw
Despite the rains, the U14 boys team faced off in a highly competitive match against Indian Shool that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Both teams demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, resulting in a thrilling 3 – 3 draw. The players showcased excellent coordination and strategy, leaving us all eagerly anticipating future matchups.
The U13 boys' match was equally exhilarating, with Lusaka Oak Tree School narrowly defeating Indian School in a 3-2 victory. Both teams played with incredible spirit, but it was the Lusaka Oak Tree boys who clinched the win with their well-timed goals and cohesive teamwork.
Man of the Match: Mateja Vlasonjic
Special recognition goes to Mateja Vlasonjic, who was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance as a goalkeeper. Mateja's quick reflexes, strategic positioning, and determination under pressure were instrumental in keeping ISL’s attack at bay, making him a standout player of the day.
IT Corner
IT Corner
Tips and Tools for Parents and Students
Welcome to this week’s IT Corner! Here are some practical tips and resources to keep your tech skills sharp:
Cybersecurity Check: Encourage your kids to update their devices and apps regularly. Updates often include security patches that protect against the latest online threats.
Healthy Tech Habits: Teach kids about the importance of posture while using devices. Consider investing in a laptop stand or an ergonomic chair to support proper alignment during study sessions.
Tech Tip of the Week: Struggling with managing multiple tasks? Use timers like the Pomodoro Technique! Set a timer for 25 minutes of focused work, followed by a 5-minute break. Apps like Focus Booster or Tomato Timer can help!
We’ll be back with more tips! As always, reach out if you have questions or need tech support.
Happy learning,
Your IT Team
REMINDERS
REMINDERS
Please remember to log into our School Information System ENGAGE to view and track your child’s attendance, time table, academic reports, and behavioral record.
Those students who have not signed up for ECAs and do not have Support Lessons, will have to go home after classes. If they are to stay till 15.30 hrs to take the school bus, they have to mandatorily sign up for ECA.
Please update your contact details with Ms Mwango at Communications@lusakaoaktree.school, if there has been any recent change.
Key Dates
Key Dates
Key Contacts at Lusaka Oaktree School
Key Contacts at Lusaka Oaktree School
Primary School
Primary School
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