PDO 

School  Newsletter

  May 18th 2023

Dear Parents,

It has been another fantastic week at PDO school. On Saturday school played host to an absolutely amazing International Market (please see the article below). There has been lots of amazing learning taking place across the phases and the children are well underway in their new IPC topics.  The basketball teams have also been training hard in preparation for their upcoming tournaments. 

Please remember that school will be closed on Thursday 25th May for a teacher training day.

Please take some time to view the Class Pages for more detailed information about your child's learning this week and any class notices here. 

International Market Day 

A huge thank you to the whole community for making this one of the most memorable events in recent times. The turnout was fantastic and there were plenty of smiles and happy faces throughout the day. The stalls were looking fabulous, each and every one of them. There was a prize for the best decorated stall, which went to...  LATIN AMERICA! A huge congratulations to all of the members of the Latin America stall on this achievement. There was lots of delicious food being served and I for one was extremely grateful for that. A special mention has to go to the sourdough bread which was available at the Polish stall as it flew off the shelf as quick as it was displayed. This ensured that the biggest earners on the day were Poland, and they were presented with their trophy of achievement by the PTA team.  We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the volunteers who came and helped on the day. There were so many great pictures taken on the day that it wouldn't be possible to display all of these on the newsletter, so we have included a few and added a link to the folder which contains the rest. Once again, thank you to the whole community and we look forward to celebrating the next event with you all.

International Market Day Photos 

Mr Mohsin and the PTA Team

Phase 1 - IPC

Year 1 have been working hard during their IPC topic 'Superhumans'. This week we watched an informative video and wrote detailed sentences independently. We have enjoyed exploring all the senses and even learned a new Japanese word during our research. We reviewed the parts of the body collaboratively. 

Miss Amy - Leader for Phase 1

Year 3 - English

This week in English we have read the chapter in Mary Poppins called 'Miss Lark's Andrew'. We answered questions and discussed new vocabulary as well as considering Miss Lark's thoughts and feelings. In order for the children to write a diary from Miss Lark's perspective, we completed several learning activities including: finding synonyms for vocabulary; writing a list of events that occurred; role playing an interview with Miss Lark; and hot seating. 

Ms Liz, Ms Malia & Ms Naomi - Year 3 Teachers

Role Play

Interview with Miss Lark

Year 4 - IPC

The children are enjoying our IPC unit about Chocolate. Maksim in Y4A,  extended his learning at home by creating a Google presentation for the students about Cacao and how the beans are produced and manufactured.  He then gave the students a cocoa bean to try.  This led to a discussion about senses and the students recorded the smell, appearance, feel and taste of the bean.  

Ms Arlene, Ms Eimear & Ms Iftin - Year 4 Teachers

Year 6 - PSHE 

Transition: Coping with Change

In our PSHE sessions we have begun to look at coping with change ahead of the Year 6 transition to secondary school. First we identified the many times in our lives when we have already had to cope with change and how we managed them. Then we started to share and map our biggest worries - we found that many of us shared the same concerns while some new ones also came up. Next week we are going to look at ways we can be proactive and be ready to embrace and cope with the changes ahead. In the coming weeks, we will be reading 'Wonder' by R J Palacio in our English lessons - a powerful story about a 10-year-old boy and his own journey into secondary school. 

Ms Leanne & Mr Neil - Year 6 Teachers

Let's Read - Writing Competition

As mentioned in last week's newsletter, Fiadh in Year 4 was the winner in her age category of the Dar Al Atta'a Writing Competition. You can read her soon to be published short story 'Little Miss Oman' here. 


Miss Eimear - Year 4 Teacher

Muscat Choir, Wind and Brass Day

This coming Friday May 19th, around 40 Year 3 to Year 6 children from PDO School Choir and PDO School Band will be participating in the Muscat Combined Choir, Wind and Brass Day at The British School of Muscat. 

Similar events have been held in the past but this is the first occasion that bands and choirs have been combined. The event, which will be attended by several schools in Muscat, will commence at 9.00am and conclude with a short concert to parents  at 1.00pm. 

For parents of those children taking part, please arrive  promptly and ensure that your child has sufficient snacks, drinks and of course their instruments if they are in the band. 

Details were written in the notice to parents but if you have any questions, please contact me on the email below. I will be there all morning and in time to register the children at 9am. Please enter BSM from the top carpark as shown on the map.

Click on the link to view Muscat Choir, Wind and Brass Day Details 

Well done to the children for given up a day of your weekend and we wish them all an enjoyable Day.

Mr Gary - Leader of Music

gruston@pdoschool.com 

Playtimes - Hotter Weather

With the rising temperature this week, children have been spending their lunchtime break inside accessing: crafts, games and sports. As much as possible we would like the children to play outside during morning break, if the temperature allows it - we are keeping a close eye on this. Please make sure they are bringing their water bottle and a hat every day for any outdoor play. 

Thank you for your support.

Car Park Safety

As the weather gets warmer, we understand that more parents may choose to drive their children to school in the morning. Please remember that children must be dropped in the designated areas only. Please do not drop children in the the staff parking area.

Thank you for your support.

Road Safety - Pedestrian Crossing 

It has been reported that children have been crossing the road outside of school while the traffic lights are still on green and red man is showing. If your child uses this route,  please assist us in keeping them safe by reminding them of road safety rules.

Leaving Oman -  please let as know as soon as you can

We request that parents who have plans to move away from Oman, to please provide us with the details as soon as possible by emailing Ms Kath, kmorgan@pdoschool.com or Ms Zoe, zmcintyre@pdoschool.com .  This will allow us time to prepare the Transfer Certificate and other documents your child may require for their application to a new school, as well as to be able to give your child a traditional school farewell.  

Dates for your Diary


Wishing you a pleasant weekend,

Miss Kath - Acting Headteacher

Parental Concerns:

 

At PDO School, we acknowledge that, from time to time, parents may wish to express concerns about specific aspects of their child’s education. We are always happy to investigate and respond to these concerns. Please note that, for the Class Teachers, it is important that even informal discussions take place outside their teaching time. 

What do I do if I have a concern?

Please make the Class Teacher your first point of contact if your concern is not successfully resolved, please contact the school via notices@pdoschool.com to make an appointment with the Acting Headteacher, Ms. Kath Morgan.

Mr. Hamed, our School Manager, is also happy to listen to any parental concerns that have not been resolved successfully.