Weekly Newsletter
This Week At LOTS: 17-21 June 2024
Term 3 | Week 12
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Weekly Newsletter
This Week At LOTS: 17-21 June 2024
Term 3 | Week 12
“Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven’t done a thing. You are just talking.”
– Wangari Maathai.
Dear parents,
Intent is good. Making a plan to actualise that intent is better. Putting the plan into action is best. What Wangari Maathai in the quote above is talking about, is doing things - and that, as a metaphor, extends to everything in life. Ultimately, what learners do will define them. All the rhetoric and the bombast will fade away in the sands of time. What will leave behind evidence are the deeds. That seedling a student planted that will become a tree. That sustainable community project a group of students initiated that will become a public library. That newsletter the student journal club started that will become a tradition and a memory keeper. So the verb defines the noun. What they do will define who they are.
In that context, what did our students do this academic year? That would define them as LOTS Acorns?
They established a culture of leadership by making the pioneering Student Council at LOTS an effective body
They exhibited and sustained empathy by supporting and befriending and learning life from their partnership with the orphanage ‘House of Moses’.
They embodied respect by building a respectful and mutually growth inducing relationship with a neighboring local school ‘Bayuni Primary School’.
They brought laurels to the school by getting home the ISAZ trophy in Swimming, reaching the finals in soccer in one category, reaching the Finals and Semi-Finals in Tennis- and more (there is a detailed sports round up later in this newsletter).
They aced the national leg of the World Scholar’s Cup and qualified for the global finals.
They successfully attended and completed the Creed Leadership Camps navigating challenging tasks like the Discovery Course
They are now prepping hard to crack the Math Olympiad in July (we love to look ahead)
They are also training hard to showcase their public speaking skills globally as Zambia’s first school TEDx speakers and performers (again looking to the future).
Event wise, this week was big!
Students completed their examinations.
Then Reception, CP6, LS3 and IGCSE/A levels had their Graduation Ceremonies - each marking a rite of passage transiting from one school program to the next.
The IGCSE/ A levels had their Prom at the Taj Pamodzi.
(You will find all of these well represented pictorially later in this newsletter).
Next week we will release the 2024-25 Academic Calendar, and a few other relevant announcements related to the new academic session.
Warm regards,
Shouquot Hussain
Head of School
Contrary to the erroneous perception that we had an average year in sports, we actually had a very good year! A proud year! And here are the evidences from our ISAZ tournament performances:
ATHLETICS
In our track and field athletes delivered stellar performances, bringing home numerous performances in the following events:
In 100m and 200m Sprints: prince Musugwa scoped 1st position
Long Jump: Kosinati leapt to victory with a remarkable distance, earning first position
Relay Races: Our U 12 Mixed team clinched 2nd position demonstrating excellent teamwork and coordination .
High jump : Adam was in 2nd position with a an outstanding height.
SWIMMING
The swimming team made waves with their swift strokes, with our boys category lifting the trophy in 1st position and the girls 2nd position.
Backstroke Events: Nandipa Moyo won silver in the 50m backstroke race.
TENNIS
On the tennis courts, our players showed finesse and determination:
Singles: Mioni reached the finals in the girls’ singles, earning a silver medal.
Singles: Most of our players reached the semi- finals these include Sami, Joy, Machila, Jenifer, walusungu, Musante and Olivia.
SOCCER
Boys U 9 Team: Advanced to the semi-finals, with standout performances from captain Amir and Nyashadashe scored a hat-trick in the quarter-finals
NETBALL
Our U 16 first appearance in netball displayed exceptional skill and teamwork unfortunately came out 5 th in the group.
Overall, Lots’ participation in the ISAZ events was a testament to the hard work, dedication, and spirit of our students. We are incredibly proud of all our athletes for their outstanding performances and sportsmanship.
We will do even better in the new academic year - and even in the non sporting competition
Congratulations to all our athletes, and a heartfelt thank you to the coaches, staff, and parents who made this possible.
As we wrap up the academic year, our first cohort of student council has been busy making a positive impact in our school community! Here are some highlights of their activities throughout the year.
Anti-Bullying Awareness Week: The student council encouraged learners to wear odd socks to raise awareness and celebrate diversity in school. All proceeds went to the community outreach program.
Community Service: The secondary school council organized a successful donation drive collecting food, clothes, toiletries and stationary within the school which was donated to House of Moses a Child Care facility.
Football Fundraiser: This event was a good opportunity to foster a sense of unity and teamwork among teachers, parents and students. The council sold tickets and an assortment of baked treats and snacks to raise funds. All funds raised went towards the end of year prom for the senior students.
Reading program: Primary Student council led a reading program with Bayuni School. Our learners created great memories, made new friends and discovered new things through the different reading themes
The Student Council has demonstrated exceptional leadership, teamwork, and dedication to enhancing our school experience. Thank you to our student leaders and our community at large for your continued support.
Reception
Delightful performances by the graduates - a skit, poems, dances, student speech by Walukundo Banda, and an insightful elaboration on the school’s core values. Then of course the awarding of graduation certificates to each student. National anthem by the Student Band, opening remarks by the Head of School, an address by the Primary school principal, and vote of thanks by the EY Coordinator rounded up the program.
CP 6
An entertaining dancing entry by the graduates, brilliant MCing by 2 graduating students, national anthem by the student band,a rousing speech by the valedictorian Andrej Vlasonijic, an energetic musical performance by the graduates, and the awarding of graduation certificates, academic certificates and co-curricular certificates - made it an occasion to remember. Speeches from the Head of School, the Primary School Principal, The class teacher and a vote of thanks by the CP Coordinator rounded up the proceedings.
LS3
Very fetching attire, excellently choreographed entry, student band, impressive speeches by valedictorians Ankaa Chapaa and Kelly Chungu, scintillating dance performances, awarding of graduation certificates, academic certificates, co-curricular certificates - and speeches by the Head of school and the Secondary School Principal - adorned this graduation ceremony - every graduating student collecting bountiful memories.
IGCSE 2/A Level -
This was the big one - obviously because it was the senior most graduation, with the outgoing A level students heading out to universities and the IGCSE 2 students on the threshold of their first board exam results. So here is where we went the full distance, right from graduates wearing gowns and hats and wafting in ceremoniously to special beats, rousing speeches by the 2 valedictorians Lulu Chilembo and Huda Patel, a special message from the CEO, the Keynote Speech by the Board Chair, co-hosting of the program by the Student Council President, and the climactic throwing of the hats in the air by the graduates at the end. Along with an opening address by the Head of School and a closing one by the Secondary School Principal. And as they walked off stage after the ceremony, they knew it was a walk to remember.
GCSE2/A Level Prom Night.
Friday evening, Lusaka Oaktree School A-Level and IGCSE 2 students celebrated their Prom Night in grand style at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel. The event was a vibrant and well-attended affair, filled with fun and exciting moments. The evening began headily, with students arriving in formal evening attire, setting the tone for a memorable night. The graduates celebrated the completion of their courses, the memories and the friendships, and the glue that held them together - their alma mater - LOTS.
5 staff members from school attended the event to partake in the joyous celebration.The highlight of the evening was the crowning of Simon Muyambo as Prom King and Lulu Chilembo as Prom Queen. A few other fun awards were also given out. A big thumbs up to the parents for their wonderful support that made this enchanting evening possible shine bright.
The graduation ceremonies this week made us realize that change is inevitable and can be celebrated when they are intentional and work towards the betterment of self or others.
Reception students were proud in their new school uniforms and sounded more than ready to go to CP1. CP6 students were excited about the event and their attire and at the same time were a little nervous as they step into a new journey. I say, positive anxiousness is good sometimes as it shows you are preparing yourself for something. We want to congratulate all of them.
Other year levels are doing revision and recapitulation in interesting ways. Some of them used manipulatives to revise math topics, had quizzes in Maths, watched videos, created diagrams and pictures. Students are benefiting from these lessons and we encourage parents to send your children to school everyday. Attendance is being marked on Engage and we will continue to do so till the last day of school.
Please note that the last day of classes for students will be Wednesday 26th June. This day will have the concluding Assembly of the year and class parties thereafter, to close on a happy and celebratory note. Please send food as instructed in class groups.
The PTC for EYD to CP5 will be on Thursday 27th June. And the PTC for CP6 will be on Friday 28th June. Please ensure you sign up to attend. And also ensure you have your login details in order to avail the results on Engage from 26th June evening. This will help you have a more meaningful engagement with teachers during the PTC.
Our Board exam classes finished their exams last week (Results in August from Cambridge), and the rest finished writing the end of academic year examinations this week. Currently our teachers are busy correcting the examinations and the results will be availed to you.
The Parent teacher conference for Secondary School is scheduled for 28th June, 2024. Find time to attend the PTC so as to have full interaction with the teachers. It is during this PTC that we shall indicate whether the student is proceeding or not. Results and student behavior will be used to determine progression.
Students in Lower Secondary 3 and IGCSE 2/A-Level had their Graduation Ceremonies on Friday.. We would like to thank our graduates for the time they dedicated during their preparation. Their great efforts can not go unnoticed. Sincere gratitude also goes to our for the unwavering support rendered by teachers, parents, administration and the Board. Thank you all for your unstinted involvement and for finding time to attend the ceremony and bless and encourage and celebrate this proud rite of passage.
Students in all the classes except IGCSE 2 and A Level 2 should continue attending lessons till 26th June, 2024. We are using these lessons to prepare students for the next academic year. Kindly support the institution by ensuring that the students report for school.
Each class will have an end of year class party. Support this activity by providing food stuff to the students. Class teachers have already shared the list of items required for the party, choose an item and provide for them. All class parties will be held on Wednesday 26th June, 2026 which is the official closing day.
Ensure that you now have Engage login details. This will help you access results before attending the PTC. Accessing results before the PTC will enable you to prepare adequately for your interaction with the teachers. Kindly make a booking with your respective class teacher so that you have a specific time for your meeting. The bookings are currently going on in the respective class whatsapp groups.
Semester reports will be published on 26th June afternoon - please access them on Engage.
Please ensure you attend your ward’s PTC
Please remind your children to return library books (if any) before school closes
Please support your child with the class party.