Weekly Newsletter  

This Week At LOTS: 03-07 June 2024

Term 3 | Week 10

Dear parents,

Success needs arriving at, and there are a lot of related efforts from all ends, over and over again, to get there. Our children are works in progress - and what they are good at and what they are getting better at is a process that will go on long after they are done with school. But while at school, it is on all of us adults together -  to help them retrace their steps when they go wrong, to help them hone out the rougher edges, to help them play to their strengths and attend to their weaknesses, to help them recognize their vulnerabilities and work on strengthening them. Michael Jordan became the greatest basketball player of his era by learning from his mistakes, and recognizing the gaps, and letting his coaches and teammates help him get there. 

Likewise, we love to sing the redemption song.  But while doing our best to counsel and correct and help redeem -  there are limits to which we can support our learners. There are clear zero tolerance areas, and a process laid down where even for forgivable transgressions there is a first strike (warning) and a second strike (suspension) and a third strike (expulsion). Sadly this year we have had to expel 6 students. That is not something we want, but something inevitable when the safety and character of the school needs safeguarding. Empathy is a core value at LOTS but it can only go thus far and no further. The Code of Conduct for students is clear on this. You may refer to it in the Community Hub.

When asked about the secret of his success, Tennis legend Roger Federer kept it simple and said “What I think I’ve been able to do well over the years is play with pain, play with problems, play in all sorts of conditions”. That is the lesson everyone needs to keep in mind - being able to play in all sorts of conditions, and not just in favorable ones.

Talking of favorable conditions, we are going to affect a number of measures for the new academic year starting August 2024 that will make learning and schooling more favorable for our acorns:

• Separate short break and lunch break timings for Primary and Secondary.

• Dedicated homeroom time every morning with mentors to attend to specific student needs

• 30 functioning computers in the computer laboratory.

• More Smartboards in classrooms

• An infirmary with a proper sick bay and trained first aid support

• Technology integration for IGCSE and A level students where students will bring laptops to class.

• A specialized leadership curriculum that will be integrated into the time table and delivered by leadership experts.

• CREED Leadership Camps sponsored by the school

• Separate Annual Productions for Primary and Secondary.

• Enhanced security measures with more security personnel manning both gates and other areas.

• Additional support staff to ensure constant cleanliness and hygiene around restrooms and all other areas.

• More toilets for CP blocks.

• A dedicated Art space.

• Additions to the PE and Music teams to strengthen the school’s sports and music programs.

• Addition of Special Needs and Learning Support specialist to support student needs.

This is a sneak peek. There will be more, as we go along.

Best wishes to all our learners as they commence their examinations, and best wishes to all parents as well.

Warm regards,

Shouquot Hussain

Head of School

CP Examinations

Our CP students are writing their examinations from Monday 10th June. Here is wishing them all the very best. We are providing all the support we can and need to. We advise parents to just be mindful of the examination schedules and help their wards prepare accordingly. A calm and relaxed environment at home will really help keep them focused and energetic.

Reception and CP6 Graduation Ceremonies

The Reception Graduation Ceremony will take place from 8.30 to 10,00 hrs, and the CP6 Graduation Ceremony will take place from 11.00 to 12.30 hrs - on Thursday 20th June.

Parents of all Reception students and CP6 students are cordially invited to attend the graduation ceremonies of their wards. 

End of term examinations have started. As earlier stated our students should take these examinations seriously as we shall use them to promote students to the next grade level. All students to report for examinations in proper school uniform except on days when they have  Physical Education practicals. During this period students will knock off at 13:00 hours. May we ensure that the students are picked on time.

Use of vulgar language is not allowed, we therefore request you to do some counseling sessions to help the students improve their behavior.

Our under twelve(12) athletics team will be traveling to Martin House in Chisamba for an athletics competition. Parents to all the students involved signed consent forms.

Our graduations are on and will take place on the following dates:

Lower Secondary 3 - 21st June, 2024  from 09:00 to 10:30

IGCSE 2 & A-Level - 21st June, 2024   from 11:00 to 13:00

• Please remind your children to look at their examination schedules every day.

• Please ensure your children attend school till the last day of class, which is 26th June.

• Please make it a point to attend the PTCs on 27th June and 28th June, as applicable.

• When making fee payments, please ensure the name of the student is clearly mentioned in the transaction details and PoPs. That helps accounts reconcile the payment correctly.