Weekly Newsletter  

This Week At LOTS: 19–23 February 2024

Term 2 | Week 7

Dear parents,

Yes -  the darkest hour is just before dawn, the hardest climb is just before the peak, and the most rigorous work comes just before the success we earn. In the context of our students, that is where they are now headed. A busy learning schedule that will culminate in a busy assessment cycle. And the fruits of their labour, your labour, the teacher’s labour - will therein find validation. But it need not be a labour of rigour alone. It can be a labour of love too. We are trying our best to get our learners to enjoy and love their learning, and also own it more. Request you to do the same at home as you help them follow through. In the event you need support, please feel free to reach out to their teachers, and the leadership team.

Talking of enjoying their learning brings me to the wonderful vibe and ambiance greeting us these days at LOTS - children relishing the spacious and shaded amphitheatre during recess, during classes when their teacher decides to run it in the sylvan surroundings of openness and greenery, and during formal occasions like assemblies - and children relishing their morning break and their lunch break in the new and spacious school canteen/cafeteria sitting either in the tabled enclosures or the new and long cemented benches, with sunlight filtering in through the tree leaves.  The joy in their pleasure and ownership of these surroundings is a sight to behold - one that drives all our tiredness away.

This week we had photoshoots for all classes for our first School Magazine/Year Book, and the students were very cooperative through the sessions, making it a smooth run in terms of time and discipline. And they all looked so good! You will see the results in June, when you actually have a copy of the publication in your hand.

As mentioned earlier, LOTS Day on 15th March is the next big event and we are all very excitedly preparing for it. We will share the details of the exact program soon. Request you once again to block this day on your calendars, so that you can wholesomely attend and participate and encourage the students and their efforts.

Again, as mentioned earlier, we will share the TEDx application forms to all Secondary School students and parents next week, so that discussions can happen at home while those interested in being speakers, performers or organizers prepare to apply. 

For any queries on any of the above, and anything that follows in this newsletter - please feel free to reach out to us.

Warm regards,

Shouquot Hussain

Head of School

We are excited to announce that Lusaka OakTree School is now subscribing to and attaining membership of Alliance Française, a prestigious organization dedicated to promoting French language and culture worldwide. This partnership marks a significant step forward in enriching the educational experience of our students and providing them with valuable opportunities for growth and exploration.By aligning with Alliance Française, we aim to provide our learners with several advantages:

Enhanced Language Learning: Membership with Alliance Française will offer our students access to high-quality French language classes, taught by experienced instructors. Through immersive learning experiences, students will develop proficiency in French, a skill that opens doors to global opportunities and fosters cross-cultural understanding.

Cultural Immersion: Through a variety of cultural events, workshops, and exhibitions organized by Alliance Française, our students will have the chance to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of French culture. From film screenings to culinary showcases, these experiences will broaden their horizons and deepen their appreciation for the Francophone world.

Certification and Recognition: Alliance Française offers internationally recognized examinations such as the DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) and DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française). By preparing for and taking these exams, our students can attain official certification of their French language proficiency, enhancing their academic credentials and increasing their competitiveness in an increasingly globalized world.

Networking and Connections: Membership with Alliance Française provides opportunities for our students to connect with fellow Francophiles, both locally and globally. By participating in Alliance Française events and activities, students can build valuable connections and friendships with individuals who share their passion for French language and culture.

We believe that by subscribing to Alliance Française and integrating its resources into our educational framework, we are equipping our students with the linguistic and cultural competencies necessary to thrive in an interconnected world. We look forward to embarking on this exciting journey with our students and witnessing their growth and achievements along the way.

We are thrilled to share a heartwarming journey of compassion and kindness as our students embark on our first community outreach with Alliance for Children Everywhere - House of Moses. https://www.childreneverywhere.org/who-we-are

Our students will visit Alliance for Children Everywhere - House of Moses, not only to donate products but to touch the lives of the recipients by fostering empathy, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. As Empathy is a part of our schools' value.

On Wednesday the 28th of February to Thursday the 13th of March donation boxes will be placed around the school where Parents/teachers and students can place donations. 

We are thrilled to announce the much-anticipated return of after-school activities beginning March 4th! After a period of anticipation, we are excited to bring back a diverse array of engaging clubs, activities, and ECAs (Extra-Curricular Activities) to enrich our students' academic experiences and foster their personal growth.

We encourage students to actively participate in these after-school programs to make the most of their academic journey and holistic development. Sign-up forms have just been released and are being shared with parents and students. Please help them choose happily and bravely.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Together, let's make this upcoming session of after-school activities a memorable and rewarding experience for our students.

For elementary students, social emotional learning (SEL) is crucial, as they are at an early stage of developing their self-awareness and social skills, knowing themselves well and the world around them. 

Therefore, giving them the support and tools they need to navigate their emotions and relationships can greatly benefit their overall well-being and academic success in the future. In school, students practice and refine these skills through various activities and interactions with their peers and teachers. At home , as parents, you can support the development of these skills by encouraging open communication, providing opportunities for problem-solving, and modeling positive behavior. Activities such as reading time with them, playing puzzle games, and spending time reflecting on the day's activities are some of the many things that can be done. 

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1662639594/calvertnetk12mdus/aws39jdlhryjee1cbhkf/SEL-Toolkit-For-Parents.pdf for you to explore a little more into this and the resource has some tips to enhance Self-Management.

For support and interaction on these aspects, please feel free to reach out to the School Psychologist and Behavioral Counselor Ms Lauren Njungu at 0979771847 or lauren_njungu@lusakaoaktree.school

Students’ pick up: Students must be picked up by 15:45 or latest by 16:00. Teachers on duty will not wait beyond 16.00 hrs, and students who are not picked up by 16:00 will remain at the school in the designated area (benches in the play area on the right side of the gate as you enter school)  and will be monitored by the security guard only. 

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” – Aristotle. 

Our students should continue working hard in order for them to have a better future. Teachers have a duty of making lessons simple in order for the students to follow and understand. We therefore encourage our students to engage their teachers when they need learning support. A learning support committee has been constituted to identify and support the students.

We will be winding up the afternoon lessons next week to create room for the much wanted extracurricular activities. Afternoon lessons will continue for all the students who joined the school this term as this will help them catch-up on the work done during the first term. Remedial lessons will also be available to the deserving returning students.

We would like to thank all our parents for ensuring that students were smartly dressed during the yearbook photo session. Look out for the first ever yearbook at Lusaka Oaktree School.

We have recorded a great improvement in the wearing of proper uniforms by the students. We shall not allow students in the wrong uniform to attend lessons with effect from Monday.

The student’s code of conduct is a document which guides how students must behave at Lusaka Oaktree School. It outlines the common offenses and the penalty for each offense. Kindly find time to go through the code of conduct with your child/ward. Let us encourage good behavior to all the students.

All examination entries for the IGCSE 2, AS and A Level classes were submitted to Cambridge and entries were successful. Our focus now is on the mock examination which will help gauge the students.

This is an earnest request to parents to please mention the name of the student and his/her class, when making bank transfers for fee payment. Yes most of you do but sometimes some of you fail to mention, and this delays the sending of payment receipts. So please help us help you by always mentioning these two details.

Student daily attendance records, class timetables, student enrolment details, curriculum overviews and semester reports will all be on the ‘Engage’ portal from now on. Soon we will also add student behavioral incident records and student assessments to it. The entire admission process will also go fully online and paperless as we transit all enrolment processes to Engage from next month. 

The advantages are huge, for all concerned. Parents, students and the school - all can access it, anytime and from anywhere on earth. Nothing ever gets lost, because once posted, it will be there forever, until we archive things at our end at the end of an academic year.

More details on this will go out separately soon, for parent onboarding.

Requesting all parents again to ensure you drop your children at school on time in the morning, so that they do not miss out on their registrations, warm ups, or the opening portions of their first lesson. This is happening for quite a few students, hence this reiterated plea. This is not in the student’s hands, this is in your hands. Thank you for the understanding and the support, as always.

KEY DATES FROM FEB TILL THE END OF THE ACADEMIC YEAR