LOTS Community Hub - Term 3 | Week 5 -Weekly Newsletter 29 April -03 May 2024

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LOTS Community Hub

Weekly Newsletter

This Week At LOTS: 29 April-03 May 2024

Term 3 | Week 5

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars” — Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Dear parents,

And when the road becomes steeper, that is when we are actually tested on what we have learned and practiced and acquired. Validation of the strengths of our learners happen only when they are put through the rigors of demanding assessment and evaluation processes and cycles.

So weathering the cracks and letting the light in through those cracks is what helps our children actually grow. Hence let us keep them safe but not protect them too much - because that becomes a bubble that could weaken them when they walk out to face the world on their own. Bottom line - let us empower them but not become that shoulder they decide to lean on at the slightest pretext.

We are now nearing the final lap, using that last burst of conserved energy that is needed to maintain the pace - because this is the part where all students are carrying a lot. Academic load, burden of expectations, anxiety of change as they prepare to transit to another class, and also wholesome memories of the year about to pass by. This will be a time where at first we are busy in small doses with many little bricks that would add up to a wall, and then we will be busy in a large big chunk, that would be the session ending examinations. But there are the exciting lead ups and in betweens. Let us focus on those now.

We have been having the Parent Coffee Afternoons, and we are done with Reception, CP5, CP6, IGCSE1, IGCSE2, AS, A Level. The Coffee Afternoons for remaining classes will carry on across the next 2 weeks. We are very grateful to the parents who attended, but honestly, we would have been happier with a larger participation. We understand weekdays are busy. Or perhaps things are going well enough for most parents not to feel the need to voice much. Whatever the constraints may be, we are hoping to see good participation in the remaining Coffee Afternoon sessions. The next ones, for CP 3 & 4 parents, and LS 1,2 & 3 parents - are happening on Thursday 9th May.

We have the Sports Days coming up next, on 17th and 18th May. Our afternoons are now dedicated to practicing for the events as house teams. More about it later in this newsletter. We look forward to your attendance and participation on those days.

IGCSE and A Level Board Exam students have managed to weather the first week of exams fairly well. Here’s hoping the resilience lasts and our collective good wishes bear fruit.

Finally, a humble request - please read this newsletter, to ensure you do not miss out on any important information on curriculum, events, activities, dates, deadlines or announcements.

Warm regards,

Shouquot Hussain

Head of School

Sports Days - 17th and 18th May

As we gear up for the much-anticipated Sports Days, the school is buzzing with energy and enthusiasm. With the sun shining brightly and the spirit of competition in the air, students and staff alike are eagerly preparing for a series of exhilarating events that promise to showcase athleticism, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

One of the highlights leading up to Sports Days is the intense house practices that have become a daily fixture in our afternoon schedule. Each afternoon, students from different houses come together to hone their skills, fine-tune their strategies, and bond as a team.

From relay races to tug-of-war competitions, every practice session is filled with determination and camaraderie as students strive to bring glory to their respective houses.

The atmosphere during these practices is electric, with cheers and encouragement echoing across the field as students push themselves to new heights. Whether they're sprinting towards the finish line or collaborating on team-based challenges, every participant is fully committed to giving their best and representing their house with pride.

As Sports Days draw closer, anticipation continues to build, and excitement levels reach fever pitch. With each passing practice session, students are growing more confident in their abilities and more determined to make their mark on the day of the event. Whether they're aiming for personal bests or aiming to lead their house to victory, one thing is certain: Sports Days will be a celebration of talent, teamwork, and the sheer joy of sport.So let's lace up our sneakers, raise our house banners high, and get ready to unleash our competitive spirit as we embark on this thrilling journey towards the Senior and Junior Sports Days!

The Compass Project: Charting Your Leadership Course with CREED School of Leadership

We are excited to introduce "The Compass Project", a new initiative at CREED School of Leadership (SoL) designed to nurture leadership skills among students at Lusaka Oaktree School. This program follows the "4S Leadership Development Journey," with stages tailored to nurture students from the ground up. At the moment we are trialing a pilot with a few sessions in a few classes. If this goes well, we will run it as a full program in the coming academic year.

Overview of the 4S Leadership Development Journey

1. SEED - Inception Stage: (Grades 1-5)

The Seed stage introduces foundational leadership skills such as effective communication and active listening.

2 SPROUT - Incipient Stage: (Grades 6-8)

At this stage, students develop skills in emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and teamwork. They learn to navigate challenges and build resilience, crucial for their growth as leaders.

3. SEEDLING- Ascension Stage: (Grades 9-10)

Students continue to refine their leadership capabilities, focusing on collaboration, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making. This stage prepares them for more significant leadership roles and responsibilities.

4. SAPLING - Growth Stage: (Grades 11-13)

In their final school years, students tackle complex concepts like innovation and entrepreneurship, preparing them for leadership in the global community.

Why have The Compass Project:

Understanding the importance of leadership skills in today’s world is crucial. Leadership is not only about guiding others; it’s also about self-awareness, ethical reasoning, and the ability to advocate and negotiate effectively in personal and professional spaces. The Compass Project aims to equip students not just with academic knowledge but with practical skills that will enable them to lead with confidence and integrity, no matter where life takes them.

We are committed to supporting every student in their quest to become a leader. Through The Compass Project, students from CREED SoL and Lusaka Oaktree School will not only excel academically but will also develop the essential qualities needed to navigate the complexities of modern life and make a positive impact in the world.

On April 19th, a pilot session was run involving CP5A students.

During the launch, the students participated in the "Ruffle Shuffle" activity, an engaging exercise designed to foster collaboration and mutual respect among peers. This hands-on activity provided a dynamic learning experience, teaching students the importance of learning from each other, spending time to discover more about one another, appreciating diverse perspectives, and working collectively towards meaningful solutions instead of assigning blame.

Through doing, observing, and reflecting, the students were able to grasp these concepts vividly, setting a strong foundation for their future as empathetic and effective leaders. This initial phase of The Compass Project marks a promising start to a journey of personal and collective growth.

At LOTS, in partnership with the CREED School of Leadership, we are excited to embark on this journey with our students. Together, we will chart a course for success, leadership, and lifelong learning.

PRE PRIMARY AND PRIMARY SECTION

Respect is a fundamental value in human relationships. Although we can say generally students are respectful. However, they may be selective in their approach to adults. As their guardians, it is crucial to help them be reflective about their interactions with different people. Teaching respect can lead to happiness, honesty, and integrity, as it encourages making the right choices. Reflective discussions and moral stories can help students understand and connect their experiences with these values. Moral stories from different sources can be a way of starting a discussion. https://ourlittlejoys.com/blog/moral-stories-for-kids/ has many such stories.

Now, glimpses from other areas- Our NurseryA students had their first presentation to a large audience during their assembly on Friday. They showed us what they know about the letters of the alphabets. They sang and danced and they captivated the audience by their simple act of courage to come in front of almost 100 people. We are proud of our little ones.

In Robotics lessons, robotics kits became the gateway to a world of wonder and learning. With eager eyes and curious minds, students gathered around tables strewn with colorful parts and wires, ready to embark on an adventure in robotics. Students of CP classes followed step-by-step instructions, guided by their enthusiastic teacher, to assemble their own robotic creations. Through this hands-on experience, children not only learned about basic engineering principles and coding concepts but also developed problem-solving skills and teamwork.

SECONDARY SECTION

Academic sessons are going on well with good pupil participation. Our students are always free to engage their teachers to enhance their learning.

Our IGCSE 2 and AS/A-level final examinations are going well. We would like to thank all the parents for ensuring that students report on time, and for looking after their wellbeing through this demanding phase.

Late coming by some students is worrying. We expect the students to report early for school, as this will help them settle before the lessons begin. Tardiness can be avoided if parents take charge.

There is some graffiti around certain areas in the school perpetrated by some of our students. We have counseled students on the effects of such extraneous vandalism. We constantly encourage them to be proud Acorns and remember the key value of ‘respect’ which is a core element of our ethos. The school code of conduct is a good ready reckoner to help students practice this value on ground.. It will be helpful if you too reinforce this at home.

We had an assembly led by Lower Secondary 1 students this Friday. The theme for this assembly was Technology and Entertainment. The play by the students mainly looked at the negative effects of technology. The play was educational as it focussed on the challenges most learners face on a daily basis.