SummaRISe - Issue 145

Thursday 21 May 2015 Issue 89 Thursday, 30th August 2018 Issue 145 GENERAL GENERAL

NURSERY

KG PRIMARY

PRIMARY SECONDARY PRIMARY

SECONDARY SECONDARY

PARIS SCHOOL CLINIC

Principal – Tim Richardson Mr. Richardson joined RIS in January 2018. Previously Head of Primary at Dubai International Academy, he has been involved with international education in Dubai as a teacher and school leader since 1994. As a ‘Third Culture Kid’ himself, Mr. Richardson has had first-hand experience of the many challenges (and opportunities) facing expatriate children growing up and starting school far from their country of birth. Mr. Richardson has taught and led schools featuring the UK National Curriculum, The International Primary Curriculum and, most recently, the IB Primary Years Programme.

Regardless of curriculum, his interest has always been in improving learning opportunities for students and providing teachers with a strong platform from which to plan and deliver outstanding lessons.

This year, Mr. Richardson will be focusing on developing school improvement planning and practice at RIS and in this capacity, will be working with the other school leadership teams across the Innoventures group, with the parent association at RIS (PaRIS), the school Advisory Council and the whole RIS staff.

Head of Secondary School – Peter Rowlands Mr. Rowlands Head of Secondary School is now entering his second year at Raffles. Previously he was Head of Secondary at the international school Seychelles, Deputy Principal in New Zealand and the UK. He has two children both enjoying the learning in the Primary School. Mr Rowlands has a love of learning and believes that there is areas all of us can improve. He is a strong advocate of using modern technology to strengthen the learning and students enjoying the learning process. He has a degree in Physics and a masters in educational leadership and teaches GCSE Physics this year. He will be looking particularly at academic excellence, building on the first two years of excellent GCSE results at RIS.

Head of Primary School – Edward Cooper Mr. Cooper (or Mr. Edward as he is known to the students) commenced in role at RIS in September 2017, having been a Headteacher in London for the previous three years. Edward qualified as a Secondary teacher of English and Drama in 1998 in the UK after an initial career in journalism. In 2001 he commenced the first stint of his career in overseas education, working as a Head of English in Doha, Qatar. Edward’s career in the Arab-speaking world ran until June 2010, to include four years in Egypt and three years in Abu Dhabi, UAE. During this time he worked in a variety of roles including teacher trainer for the British Council / Cambridge International Examinations, CPD coordinator, and management advisor. He supported both public and private schools in the region. His first Headship in 2010 was of a British curriculum boarding school in Nigeria’s capital city Abuja. This role also encompassed curriculum training in Nigeria and Ghana. His second (interim) Headship took him to the Algarve, Portugal, and in 2013 Edward became Principal of an all-through American and IB curriculum school in Bolivia. In 2015 returned to the UK, and commuted to Ireland at weekends to be with family. Edward is excited to lead the Primary School at RIS, and loves working closely with all staff to take the school to the next level.

Deputy Head of Secondary School – Bryony Lynch Bryony Lynch joined RIS in 2016 from the UK, and is the Deputy Head of Secondary and the Head of Inclusion across the whole school. She has been an educator for over 20 years in a number of different roles including having responsibility for teaching and learning, head of year and department, SENCO, examiner and presenter for GCSE and A level and as a lecturer at Exeter University, UK. Prior to her position at RIS she worked years at a consistently outstanding school in the UK. This year Mrs Lynch will be working closely with the secondary team to raise attainment and will also be working with the SEN, gifted and talented and EAL departments to support our students across the whole school. She is very excited to welcome new students and returning students back to RIS and is looking forward to the new school year.

Assistant Head, Secondary School – Adam Crossley Having joined RIS in August 2015, Mr. Crossley has been Head of Humanities for the past three years and will combine this role with that of Assistant Head Secondary School for the forthcoming year.

Having taught in the UAE since 2010, Mr. Crossley has developed an understanding of the unique characteristics and benefits that living, working and learning in such a diverse country can bring to students and teachers alike.

With a background of teaching Humanities, Mr. Crossley has a philosophy based on students developing their analytical and evaluative skills which provides benefits not just in the subject but in developing informed thoughts and opinions in their wider lives.

Mr. Crossley is very much looking forward to joining the RIS leadership and working to provide the opportunities for each student to develop, achieve and exceed their potential.

Head of 6th Form – Leena Atkins Mrs. Atkins starts her fourth year with Raffles International School this year and is the Head of Sixth Form and Head of Mathematics. Having read Mechanical Engineering at university, Mrs. Atkins worked as a design engineer for a large oil company before training to be a teacher at the University of Manchester. Mrs. Atkins spent her childhood in Canada, grew up in England and then moved to the UAE to start married life. In her seventh year in Dubai, and through her own children, Mrs. Atkins understands the challenges of growing up in a different country. This first-hand experience will help her to prepare our most senior students for life after RIS, as our inaugural Year 13 cohort start to make their applications to universities around the world. This year the Sixth Form team will be further developing their partnerships with a wide-range of companies and universities to grow our work experience placement offer and pathways to higher education, to ensure we can cater for all of our students’ needs.

Deputy Head of Primary School (Years 4 - 6) – Jasmit Kang Mrs. Kang joined RIS in September 2014. Previously an SLMT member at a UK school in Birmingham, as Key Stage 1 Leader, and Maths leader across the school.

This school was incredibly diverse and she had the privilege of leading Years FS - Year 2 from 2010 - 2013 . Her career has spanned for 13 years in the UK teaching in “Good – Outstanding” schools teaching the UK, National Curriculum. Her other roles have included: Maths Lead teacher, SENDCo, RE coordinator, History Coordinator, University Student Mentor. Her interest has always been and continues to be dedicating her work to ensuring all children are able to reach their full potential and within this, finding the key to unlock this potential through creative and innovative channels of teaching and learning.

This year, Mrs. Kang will be focusing on developing the Year 4-6 curriculum further to ensure innovation is at the forefront of teachers minds when planning lessons. This could include involving the children in the performing arts in a more holistic way ensuring more cross curricular links are being made to truly ensure we provide an all-inclusive education at RIS.

Deputy Head of Primary School (Years 2 - 3) – Emma Commons Mrs. Emma Commons joins RIS this new academic year as Deputy Head of Primary School (Year 2/Year 3). Born in the UK, she has worked in education for over twenty years. Mrs. Commons has been living and teaching internationally for almost 8 years, working in Abu Dhabi, the Channel Islands and more recently South East Asia. She comes to Dubai with her husband and three children who have all joined the Innoventures family group.

This year, Mrs. Commons looks forward to working with all members of the RIS community to continue to develop and enhance all aspects of the curriculum.

She is looking forward to sharing her passion and commitment to provide stimulating, challenging and innovative learning experiences for all.

Deputy Head of Primary School (Foundation Stage - Year 1) – Ralf Furse Mr. Furse joined RIS in September 2018 as Primary Deputy Head FS2/Y1. With a special focus on teaching and learning in the Early Years, Mr. Furse has enjoyed teaching and leadership roles in independent schools in the United Kingdom and Australia. He holds dear the need to create positive, supportive and engaging learning environments that nurture and challenge children to pursue personal excellence. This year, Mr. Furse looks forward to working in partnership with children, families and colleagues to support the development and delivery of learning experiences that excite the creativity and imagination of each young child and which give every child the opportunity to shine.

Assistant Head Early Years – Garima Kapoor Welcome to Raffles Umm Suqeim Montessori Nursery. We feel privileged to be sharing your child’s first stepping stone of education. This is a time for new beginnings, making friends, and learning lots of new and exciting things each and every day. The children’s days will be filled with lots of wonderful experiences and opportunities for learning and growing.

At the helm of the Nursery, Ms. Garima Kapoor (Assistant Head Early Years) began her journey with Raffles International School in 2009 as a teacher. Since then the Nursery has seen many enhancements and developments as it strives to continue to build upon all the good work you have already done with your child during their birth years. Developing the children’s Personal, Social and Emotional skills helps them to feel confident and to achieve their full potential in all areas of learning.

We believe that ‘It’s good to talk’ and this will be embedded each day in Nursery, our aim is for your child to share their feelings, experiences and thoughts with us.

This year, Ms. Garima Kapoor’s focus will be to look at creative ways of developing the children’s skills through exploring and working with the Montessori materials and other selected equipment in conjunction with the Early Years Foundation Stage. The Nursery values close partnerships with its parents and will keep parents updated with the Nursery Weekly Chronicle and the school newsletter, SummaRISe, which will be available on our website. With a strong commitment to an open door policy, parents are encouraged to contact Ms. Garima Kapoor if they have any questions or concerns.

Important dates for September 2018 DATE

EVENTS

Sunday, 2 September

Orientation Day for new students (Nursery to Year 13)

Monday, 3 September Sunday, 2 or Monday, 3 September

Regular lessons starts for Year 1 to Year 13 ( full day) Nursery & FS 2 Parent and Student Introductory meeting

Tuesday, 4 - Thursday, 6 September

FS2 Phasing-in shortened hours, 7:40 - 11:00 am

Tuesday, 4 - Thursday, 13 September

Nursery Phasing-in shortened hours, 8:00 - 11:00 am

Sunday, 9 September

Regular lessons starts for FS 2 (full day)

Tuesday, 11 September

Hijri New Year*

Wednesday, 12 September

Paid CCA Fair

Sunday, 16 September

Regular lessons starts for Nursery (full day)

Raffles International School would like to extend a warm welcome to our new staff members

Lisa Fernandes Year 4 Teacher

Ushma Dhakan Year 5 Teacher

Simimol Jacob ICT Teacher

Leah Walsh SENDCO - PS

David Normansell Mathematics Teacher

Janet Bailey Mathematics Teacher

Hannah Jones Year 5 Teacher

Ian McMechan English Teacher

Tessa Mostert Mathematics Teacher

Chris Jones Year 6 Teacher

Holly Forman English Teacher

Clare Downes Science Teacher

Raffles International School would like to extend a warm welcome to our new staff members

Allan Carter HOD Science - SS

Aliya Shakil Humanities Teacher

Sameh Ismail Arabic/Islamic Teacher

Kieran Foxe Humanities Teacher

Marwa Abdelhakam Teaching Assistant

Abdelrahman Ashoor Arabic/Islamic Teacher

Alison Bryne Art Teacher

Wafa Abuarqob Teaching Assistant

Hala Elsayed Arabic Teacher

Katalin Black Music Teacher

Infrastructure and Resources A number of enhancements have always been through the summer break to improve the learning environment for children at Raffles International School. Below is a list of highlights: Branding Raffles International School signage has been changed at the front entrance with additional signages added around on the external as well for better identification.

6th Form study center The aim is that every Sixth Form student will leave with a range of skills, interests and academic achievements. This will allow the students to focus on A level and explore the most appropriate path in life whether at a university in Dubai or abroad, college, taking a gap year, doing an apprenticeship or going into employment. The emphasis is on self-motivated, independent learning, developing new skills and taking a greater responsibility for your own work.

Science Labs Two additional new science labs well equipped as per requirements based on the increase in Secondary students. These labs will enable the students to experience more practical’s giving exposure to the actual expectations.

Internal School Painting The school internal painting has given a fresh look with the start of the new academic year.

Additional Fume Cupboard and sink facility The requirement for additional fume cupboard is for one of the existing prep room that will support in preparation of the lessons without disrupting the current sessions and saving time.

This further gives more attention teaching and learning without wasting time on preparation. This will be having gas connection too.

Blinds for classrooms These will reduce the heat level for classrooms facing outside. Further this will also support on avoiding any distraction for students when lessons are on. Should there be a drill for Lockdown then this is a requirement as well.

Blinds for 1st Floor Gym Installation of blinds in the 1st floor gym for upper windows will reduce the heat. This will further also support the PE staff for teaching and learning as well as should there be any meeting sessions with parents/ staff then there could be options on reduction of light for proper display of presentation.

Shades in school Reinforcing of shade wires and check on the hooks and wall clamps.

Damaged shades replaced.

Compacting The sand parking area has been compacted to create a hard surface for vehicles to park during pick and drop as well as level area that is being used as a School bus bay area. The area has been marked with parking spaces to enable parents park in designated locations as well as bring discipline.

Procurement of Resources and Textbooks To ensure teaching and learning is up to date and of immaculate quality.