Newsletter Autumn Term - Secondary 2022/2023

51st NATIONAL DAY 2022

CELEBRATIONS IN SECONDARY

MR NIGEL DAVIS THE HEAD OF SECONDARY

What an incredible first term this has been.

This wonderful publication provides a snapshot of some of the things that have happened at BSAK this term. I hope reading this brings parents and students joy - it celebrates a moment in time; the only regret I have when looking through it is that we cannot include more things!

Of course, working hard in class, and putting in the work outside of the classroom, is vital to BSAK Students’ success in their qualifications.

This term, Edexcel contacted the school to tell us about the success of two of our students: Famke Wanningen obtained the highest mark in the UAE for GCSE Art & Design: Graphic Communication; and Ahmad Jallul scored the highest mark in the world for GCSE Arabic (even more impressive as BSAK students sat this in Year 10, a year early!). Congratulations to these two wonderful students. However, what this newsletter demonstrates so well, is that BSAK is so much more than just a school that focuses on qualifications and exams.

This newsletter shows our incredible community, and the opportunities for our students beyond the classroom. The thread through much of this newsletter is leadership; how being a truly active student in the BSAK community means you get a chance to shape it. It is vital for our school that our students’ voices are heard, and it is also vital to take up these challenges as a student, as this helps their own development. The opportunity to develop leadership skills are essential for our young BSAK superstars, and the fact that these opportunities are evidenced throughout this newsletter, makes me truly proud.

Wishing you all a lovely winter break, and looking forward to seeing smiling faces walking back through the BSAK doors in 2023!

ASSISTANT HEAD

This term BSAK hosted Lighthouse Arabia for a 2 day Adolescent Mental Health First Aid course.

Twelve BSAK staff members and staff from other Abu Dhabi schools took part in the training and are now qualified Mental health Firstaiders.

Below you will find some general information they have provided regarding Mental Health, as well as some conversation starters that could help guide your conversations at home.

lighthousearabia.com/ Library” with a monthly theme such as resilience, gratitude, courage etc. Each month there are resources uploaded that provide strategies for building these values into your life.

Lighthouse Arabia also offers support groups to teens and parents as well as webinars and

During the first half term students were given the opportunity to apply for a leadership role within their tutor groups.

The form tutors were really impressed with the house captain presentations and it was a tough decision for their fellow students to make, but a class vote secured the position for two students from each house.

We are passionate about student voice at BSAK and so the role of Form Rep is a very important one.

MISS EMMA HAND HEAD OF YEAR 7

What a first term it has been for Year 7! It has been fantastic to see all of the students settle into their new classes in secondary school.

With Covid restrictions easing the energy has been infectious around school. Year 7 have really immersed themselves into the BSAK community with the return of CCAs, house competitions and many other events across the school. I have loved watching students blossom and grow in confidence as they have absorbed the many opportunities available to them at BSAK with enthusiasm. Whether that be through representing the school in sports fixtures, getting involved with the lip sync house competition or performing in the school music gig ‘Unplugged’. I’m excited for the rest of this year and I’m sure this year group will continue to wow me.

Form tutors selected their student representative after receiving letters of applications from students.

Every half term Form Reps gather feedback from their peers about changes that they would like to see in school. They then have a meeting where they feed this information back to their Year Rep who takes this to our Student Senior leadership team to hopefully make positive changes in the school.

FORM REPS

STUDENT

Congratulations to this year’s Year Rep Evelyn Salisbury who secured the position after a tough round of interviews.

students have been learning about the importance and performing random acts of kindness to spread positivity around the BSAK

I have also been extremely proud of the Year 7 contributions to charity for our Breast Cancer Awareness Pink day this term. The whole year group made an effort to add a splash of pink to their outfits whilst also donating to the charity. Four Year 7 students continued the fundraising into the weekend running their own lemonade sale to raise more money for the charity. Well done to Chloe, Lamar, Aya and Mia for organising this!

BSAK VALUES

MISS LEAH HUNKIN HEAD OF YEAR 8

Time really does fly when you are having fun and Term 1 has proved this!

This academic year has felt like a true return to normal.

With no more social distancing, the removal of masks and the return of a full range of CCAs, the energy across the school has been tangible, and it has been fantastic to see Year 8 students getting involved, working hard and trying new things.

CCA’S & UNPLUGGED CONCERT

At the start of the year, I encouraged the students to take advantage of this year to really learn about their passions and interests and the amazing uptake of CCA activities has really demonstrated that they have taken this on board.

From competing in sporting events to performing BSAK Unplugged to writing in the Tribune, the list of opportunities that Year 8s have seized is endless.

MELS AND TUTOR TIME

SCHOOL PRODUCTION

This enthusiasm was particularly reflected in the incredible amount of Year 8 students involved in the school production this year. Students worked tirelessly day and night to create a fantastic show that truly was a pleasure to watch. We definitely have some budding thespians in our midst. Well done to all of those involved!

8CE & 8CH ASSEMBLIES

The MELS lessons have also been reflected in our assemblies this term with a focus on how to deal with our emotions and recognising our own ability to all be leaders.

A real highlight for me however, has been the tutor group assemblies. 8CH wowed us in October with their assembly on the moral message of never judging a book by its cover, followed by 8CE taking the stage in November on Anti-Bullying and kindness. Students have embraced the opportunity to take the limelight and push themselves out of their comfort zones. I can’t wait to see what Term 2 and 3 holds!

PINK DAY

On Friday 14th October, BSAK became a sea of pink!

This is another event in the BSAK calendar in which I feel incredibly proud of students for their efforts and participation.

It was fantastic to see so many members of Year 8 dressing up and raising both money and awareness on this day for Breast Cancer.

LIP

SYNC

KS3 Lip Sync was truly a With music mash ups and an eclectic range of costumes, I know this was an event in the BSAK calendar to remember. Well done to KS3 Centaur, the KS3 winners for this year!

Well done to all of the Year 8 students for such a fantastic start to the year. Have a great break and I look forward to seeing you all in 2023!

MR JULIAN BRAMMER

HEAD OF YEAR 9

It has been such a pleasure to have taken over this year group and I have so many things to talk to you about.

It has certainly been a very busy start to the Autumn term and we have such wonderful students in BSAK Year 9 and in order for us to be the strongest team, it is vital that every member of a team reflects complete respect and more importantly care for one another every day.

It is a key value and something that will shape them as individuals and young men and women we can be proud of as when they step out into the world outside of BSAK.

YEAR 9 TASTER DAY

A huge, and very important focus for Year 9 this term has been the important GCSE Options process that has begun.

Students have been given many opportunities to think about their possible choices and discuss the process with myself and the Year 9 tutor team. They have also been given time to research career paths they may be interested in and the subjects that may help them on this journey. The taster day in November was a really successful day and from speaking to students, helped to consolidate the choices they made in the Straw Poll.

Staff were really impressed with the enthusiasm of the Year group who conducted themselves brilliantly to get the most out of the day.

GCSE OPTIONS

Next term, options choices continue to be an important point of focus for the year group. To assist them in the lead up to their final decisions at the end of February, we will return to a face to face GCSE Options evening on 12 January.

Myself and tutors will also be there every step of the way to help guide students to make the best choices for them.

TIMELINE FOR THE GCSE OPTIONS PROCESS

REMEMBRANCE

DAY

NATIONAL DAY

Remembrance Day is a very special Day for me and Emma Clews and Millie Looker were immaculate playing the Last Post and Reveille for the whole of the Senior School during the three Key Stage Assemblies.

The approach of the 51st Anniversary of the UAE has been a time of reflection for me and the nine years I have lived in this . On 24 November, BSAK marked this special date in a variety of ways. The students looked wonderful in their National dress for the National Day celebrations.

PINK DAY

Pink Day was a great success and Year 9 really showed their support for the cause with some brilliant outfits! It is always important acknowledge why such events are happening. Breast Cancer is something that affects a huge number of people everyday and we took time out of the day to think about this cause and the origins of Pink Day.

CO CURRICULAR

What a delight to return to a full co-curricular program and Year 9 have made their mark across the spectrum.

Whether on the sports field or on the stage it has been such a positive few months.I have been so proud of the way they have all represented BSAK.

I have watched them on the Netball Court, Football and Rugby Fields.

In addition to this our Year Group were amazing in both the Unplugged Concert and the School Production of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

The winter break will provide students a much needed break, to have time to relax with their families after an incredibly busy term.

IRISH DANCING

It’s not often we get to celebrate European and Asian Champions at BSAK, but Anders Farrington won in the Under 14 age group at the Continental European and Asian Irish Dancing Championships and World Qualifiers 2022 (Oireachtas) in Aix en Provence; in doing so he qualified for the World Championships which will be held in April 2023; well done Anders!!!

It is also a useful time to reflect on the successes of their first term in Year 9. I hope they come back in January, re-energised, so they may continue to demonstrate what an amazing year group they truly are.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, safe travels to those who are away and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all those celebrating.

MRS SARAH NORAY

HEAD OF YEAR 10

Well, what a term it has been!

The start of the GCSE journey, a full range of CCA’s and of course the removal of masks. BSAK is well and truly back!

There have been lots of moments this term that have been nostalgic for me and made me really appreciate how much BSAK has always had to offer. I am delighted that after such a turbulent few years, we as a school are able to show off all the ‘extras’ that make BSAK such a special place. KS4/5 coffee morning, Lip Sync, all those events that allow our community to thrive and bring communication back as a cornerstone of the success of our school.

HOUSE COMPETITIONS & PERFORMANCES

More than ever, the corridors are alive…. With the sound of music! We have had classical artists of the most accomplished standard playing in concerts and events throughout the term. Almost too much talent to mention!

Notable examples this term are Georgina Ramanayake who was part of a group of students fortunate enough to play at the opening ceremony of the NBA tournament at Etihad Arena in October and Mia, Jude, Sara, Zain and Cameron, our Year 10 rockstars, who appeared in the fabulous Unplugged event in November, absolutely brilliant performances all round. Well done!

SCHOOL PRODUCTION

It was such a joy to see performance back in full force on the BSAK stage and I am looking forward to the next big show already!

YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE

As well as hitting the ground running with GCSE’s, Options and CCA’s, students are being provided with a holistic BSAK experience this year and have the wonderful opportunity of a week's work experience in April, just after the forthcoming Eid Al Fitr holiday. By this stage, all students should have completed their CV’s and started approaching companies to secure their week’s placement.

THANK YOU & WELCOME

BACK

A huge thank you to Miss Fleming who has been supporting 10CE this term as their form tutor. You have done a fantastic job and we can’t thank you enough. Welcome back to 10CE’s lovely Miss Bienka, after her well deserved maternity leave. I know 10CE are looking forward to welcoming you back in January.

Have a wonderful winter break everyone! See you in 2023!

A massive congratulations and well done to all the year 10 students who appeared in Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat at the end of November.

FORM REPS & HOUSE CAPTAINS

HOUSE CAPTAINS

CE Inaya Khan | Paul Rezko

CH Katie Clews | Vishnu Kotthuri

GR Mariam Al Hamed | Krish Sharma

HY Dominique Neivens | Dan Irfan

PE Ellie McGillivray | Mohamed Salih

PH Liyan Sobhi | Hamude Jarrar

MR MICHAEL EDGAR HEAD OF YEAR 11

I write this message on day 2 of the Mock Exams.

I was so proud when I heard our Exams Officer inform the year group, before their Science exam, that they were the best behaved year group she had experienced at BSAK. This is surely a good omen. I have also been really impressed with the increased maturity that I have witnessed during this revision and exam period. I look forward to looking at the results from these Mock exams and moving forward in supporting all our students as they move towards their final GCSE exams. Please do have a rest during the holidays so batteries are recharged ready to begin the hard work that is always waiting for us in Term 2. Happy Holidays,

FORM REPS

Fatima Al Darmaki Mariam Basha Rawda Al Dhaheri Bann Abushamah | Alex Aduku

Rayhan Manoly | Claudia Davies | Maya Telang | Eva Ramshaw-Roberts

Orlagh Traynor | Rishan Mohammed

Congrats to the Year 11 Form Reps and House Captains, these positions are created to improve leadership skills amongst out students.

The Sixth Form Open Evening held on 3 November was extremely beneficial to Year 11 students and parents and we were delighted to be able to offer this as a live event this year. Students and parents were invited to speak to subject specialists and learn about the the Sixth Form entry process from the Assistant Head, Mr Oakes.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SIXTH FORM

PROSPECTUS

PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS WORKSHOP

In October, Year 13 Photography student, Kathryn delivered a workshop to a group of Year 11 students about Photography skills which focused on position and lighting of photos. ThankyouKathryn.

The annual Breast Cancer Awareness non-uniform Pink Day was supported by students and tutors in Year 11.

YEAR 11 ASSEMBLY

We have enjoyed gathering in person for assemblies now that covid restrictions have lifted. One of our more light hearted assemblies was trying to decipher whether our form tutors were being honest or not?

CORE PHYSICAL EDUCATION

MR STEVE OAKES ASSISTANT HEAD

As the new Head of the Sixth Form, I am delighted to provide you with some updates from the first term.

I want to extend a warm welcome to all our new parents and students reading this newsletter for the first time. This year we have had over 30 students join us in Year 12 from schools worldwide. It’s been fantastic to see how quickly they have become part of the BSAK community and are taking advantage of the many opportunities that Sixth Form offers. Our expert team of tutors has done a fantastic job building team cohesion and supporting students through this transition.

Being part of the Sixth Form gives students many opportunities to develop their leadership skills. We were impressed that over 70 students from Year 12 applied to be prefects this year. These students went through a rigorous selection process and we have 50 students now in prefect positions who will be incredible role models to the rest of the school.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Students have embraced the opportunities that the reduction of the Covid restrictions has brought and have been participating in many co-curricular activities that are back on offer.

The BSAK co-curricular offering is vast and we strongly encourage students to balance their academic work with recreational activities.

What a term it has been!

We are so pleased to see that our students have been able to experience the real 'BSAK'.

Our calendar has been overflowing with events and we are really pleased that our VI Form students have engaged in these events, setting such a good example for our younger students.

We appreciate how busy it has been and we hope you are all able to enjoy a restful winter break and come back full of energy for next term!

MRS ROUGHLEY HEAD OF YEAR 13

On the 31st of October, as part of breast cancer awareness month, the Senior Prefect Team arranged a bake sale to raise money for a breast cancer charity.

PINK DAY

Many Sixth Form students contributed, bringing in a fantastic selection of cakes and cookies for sale.

Students raised 1600 dirhams on the day and Maddy Robinson won ‘Bake of the Day’. Congratulations to everybody involved!

YEAR 12

UGPE

Our Year 12 students have adapted to the rigors of A Level and BTEC courses. The results from the suitability assessments were incredibly positive. Unlike lower down the school, the pressure in Sixth Form is consistent throughout the year. Students will complete university-grade predicted exams at the end of Year 12.

The results are used on student application forms, so they must work hard throughout the year.

UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS

Our Year 13 students have made remarkable progress with their university applications. Over 65% of the year group have already submitted their applications. Universities appear to be responding very quickly and over 70 offers have already been sent out. Many students have also worked tirelessly to submit their applications to the US and other universities worldwide. Unlike the UK system, which only requires one form to be completed, every university in the US has its unique application form with essays that must be submitted with the application.

MELS LESSONS

This term our MELS programme has focussed on university applications, study skills and life skills to help prepare our students for life beyond BSAK.

These life skills lessons have included several informative sessions, including; making a bed, sewing, planning meals and cooking, travel, interview skills and public speaking, plus many more. This is a programme students asked for and our tutors have designed engaging sessions.

Seeing the students fully immerse themselves in these sessions has been great. So there should be no excuse for your son/daughter to make you the occasional meal or even their bed!

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

Every Friday our students have been competing in form challenges.

They have engaged in very different activities. From dodgeball to the 'pointless' quiz, squat challenge to dancing to 90s classics.

It has been great to see our students getting out of their comfort zones and enjoying some healthy competition. They are even coming up with their own ideas which we welcome!

Miss Mell

Mr Oakes Mrs Roughley