SummeRISe - Issue 108

89 Tuesday, Thursday 07 21 June May 2016 2015 Issue 108 GENERAL GENERAL

NURSERY

KG FS

PRIMARY PRIMARY

SECONDARY SECONDARY

PARIS SCHOOL CLINIC

GENERAL Secondary School Movie Night

Reading with dad

IVEI Art Competition Winners

Nursery Concert

FS Graduation

Science Fair Science Fair

DATE

EVENTS June

Wednesday, 01 June—Thursday, 02 June

Year 1 Annual Production

Thursday, 02 June

Nursery Certificate Ceremony

Sunday, 05 June

RIS Open Day

Monday, 06 June

Beginning of Ramadan (TBC)

Thursday, 09 June

Black and White Day—Nursery

Thursday, 16 June

Year 6 Graduation

Thursday, 16 June

Curriculum Information Session (transition Year 6—Year 7)

Tuesday, 21 June

End of Year Reports - Nursery to Year 10

Thursday, 23 June

Students last day

August Thursday, 25 August

New Students Orientation (Whole )

Sunday, 28 August

All students return

September Sunday, 11 September—Tuesday, 13 September

Arafat Day & Eid Al Adha

Thursday, 15 September

Nursery Curriculum Information Session

Sunday, 18 September—Thursday, 22 September

Curriculum Information Session

October Sunday, 02 October

Hiiji New Year

Sunday, 16 October

Professional Development Day

Message from the Principal Promoting a culture of innovation in our school

Dear Parents , In this and the next edition I will be focusing on the importance of innovation and how we promote the same at RIS. This is particularly exciting as innovation is a key feature of the National Innovation Strategy which sets the context for innovation and innovative leadership as the primary tools for delivering a programme of economic development and progress, stimulating creativity, and growing a distinct set of skills and capabilities across the nation in order to achieve the UAE Vision 2012.

HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aptly commented, “More than any other time, we need to boos innovation among young people, build nurturing environments in our society, and encourage our schools and universities to equip our youth with skills in research and discovery methodologies”.

Please find below an edited article that discusses the innovative role that parental engagement can have in education and specifically the development of their children to fulfil their potential.

Schools, like most institutions, whether in the private or public sector, face the challenge of remaining relevant in the face of rapid change and an unpredictable future. While companies unable to change with the times face going out of business, schools seem immune to such harsh realities.

Perhaps this is due to the intangible nature of education’s ‘product’, student learning, or perhaps it is simply because schools are viewed as ‘too big to fail’.

One study about divergent thinking – a key component of creativity – revealed that while 98% of three- to five-year-olds “showed they could think in divergent ways”, the same study revealed that only 10% of 13- to 15-year-olds and only 2% of 25-year-olds were divergent thinkers. Sir Ken Robinson’s comment hits the mark on these results: “The trouble is that nothing rewards people for thinking off-piste. Education is driven by the idea of one answer and this idea of divergent thinking becomes stifled.” Of course, there are many factors at play here, but it is hard to imagine that school isn’t one of them.

So how can schools create new programmes and structures to meet the needs of today’s learner? In my view, lasting change can only be accomplished if all school stakeholders, not just educational leaders, are enlisted as allies and partners in this endeavour. Teachers, students and parents need to feel that they have a real voice in shaping the school’s future.

One successful initiative has been a quarterly workshop series for parents called the Edge in Education. The purpose of these gatherings is to engage and challenge parents in thinking about the major trends and research in education today. Through the series we can communicate what we educators are thinking about and why. Over the years, the Edge series has presented the latest findings in learning, brain and motivational research, trends in curriculum development and the importance of skills such as creative and innovative thinking and a growth mindset.

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One Edge workshop, entitled ‘The Relevance Gap’, focused on the concept of ‘life-worthy learning’, a term coined by David Perkins, author, researcher and a founding member of Harvard Project Zero.

In his book Future-wise, Perkins argues that a meaningful curriculum is one that provides opportunities for “learning that is likely to matter in the lives learners are likely to live”. This particular workshop gave parents an opportunity to grapple with what Perkins calls the ‘relevance gap’: the disparity between what we traditionally teach in school and what really will matter in the future lives of students. Even though many, perhaps most, educators will tell you that schools must change in fundamental ways, they find themselves in a quandary: managing a well-functioning school while leading new initiatives.

In the 1994 classic management book Flight of the Buffalo, authors James Belasco and Ralph Stayer say: “Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.” School change is hard, but it is possible if we alter our tack leading from the top down, to an inclusive model that encourages everyone to take initiative in moving forward. I am not advocating an abdication of leadership; I am advocating courageous and strategic leadership, which recognises that the change needed to remain relevant and viable requires pooling our collective resources and wisdom.

A key step towards meaningful school transformation is a concerted effort to educate, not only teachers, but also parents and students, about why creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and life-worthy learning must be an integral part of a child’s education. Beyond enlightening all stakeholders about why change is necessary, schools must find ways for interested individuals to try things out without, in the process, draining human and financial resources. Research and development and prototyping new ideas are low-impact, cost- effective methods, embedded into the culture of most 21st- century companies. In schools, there is understandable angst about ‘experimenting’ on students.

Nonetheless, research- informed innovation and initiative-taking in schools must become an accepted common practice.

Whether it is through parent engagement programmes like the Edge in Education, design thinking, prototyping or other strategies, transformative change in schools will occur if leaders are given the latitude by governments or governors to nurture grassroots initiative-taking. On a policy level, education authorities should relinquish a one- size-fits-all model and encourage school communities to innovate. Furthermore, those holding the purse strings should incentivise change through ‘innovation grants’ awarded to those proposing ideas with potential. This sends a powerful message that school change is a priority.

By inviting all community members to be change agents, leading by example and building a shared educational vision, even parents who may have felt detached from schools in the past will realise that they too are vital participants in the school-change movement. As Mahatma Gandhi was reported to have said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Reprinted from an article by Arnie For more information, visit Michael William Clack Principal

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Dear Parents, Grandparents and Extended family, “Summer's here, Summer's here.

Another year of school is at an end.

We've learned a lot and grown a lot and made a lot of friends.”

Unknown The above sums up this month. It is hot and work in the classes is at its peak, with laughter and joy providing a rainbow-coloured backdrop to the hot summer days. I find myself at a loss of words as we approach the end of the year. Our little butterflies are fluttering with excitement and confidence, and it is heartwarming for the Nursery team to watch.

What a fortnight it has been. The children have been busy working as we carry on with our Montessori work cycle of activities during this last term. It is an amazing experience, watching the children working peacefully and independently with a range of materials. Children have developed a good sense of order and it is a pleasure to watch their love of work and concentration during the Montessori work time. “The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say that the children are now working as if I did not exist” (Maria Montessori) In the coming week, the children moving from our Nursery to FS in RIS will be making a visit to the FS department as part of the transition process. A big thank you to Ms. Susie Mcshane and the FS team for giving them this experience.

Please read on for some of the most important things you can do to get your child ready for next academic year:  Encourage a love of learning. While kindergarten may be your immediate focus, you are really laying the foundation for lifelong learning. It is more important for your child to enjoy learning than to master facts and figures. Nurture curiosity, encourage questions, support critical thinking and model being a learner yourself.  Help your child get along well with others. Much of school and life involves relating to and working with those around you. Children, who can share, play well with peers and resolve conflicts are starting the game ahead.  Support self-control and planning skills. Young children are just beginning to learn crucial self-regulation and executive functioning skills. Child development experts call this internal “air traffic control” and it is key to success in school. Even such young children have to manage a lot of information, avoid distractions, and carry out plans. Help your child practice remembering a sequence (after breakfast, we brush our teeth, put our shoes on and go to school), curbing impulses (grabbing other children’s toys) and adapting when things do not go as planned.

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Talk and read a lot. One of the strongest predictors of later success in reading and other school subjects is early vocabulary and oral language skills in general. Talk to your children, use challenging words, describe what they mean, read to them, play word games, make up nonsense rhymes and stories together, teach listening skills, listen to them, sing songs anything that emphasizes language.  Boost independence. Foundation Stage (or even the 2nd year of Nursery) is a big transition into a world of strange adults and peers. But there are lots you can do at home to set the stage: Teach children to fetch and put away their things, remember what they brought to school or carried with them and to carry out basic routines independently.

Garima Kapoor Nursery Coordinator

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FOUNDATION STAGE/YEAR 1 NEWS Dear Parents, It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the school once more to celebrate your child’s achievements this year. For the first time at Raffles your child will take part in an Annual Production for Year 1 students. We will take you back in time as the children sing different songs from many eras. The children will also have a class party on the Thursday, 2nd June, but I would like to remind you school will continue until Thursday, 23rd June; following the Ramadan hours.

As part of the transition into Year 2, the teachers will be coming to the Year 1 classrooms to meet the children. This will give the students an opportunity to ask questions about Year 2.

We saw the Foundation Stage Graduation this week. The children looked so proud of their achievements. The door closes on the Foundation Stage, but opens up to Year 1 and the Cambridge Primary programme. This is a six year programme and will take your child on their academic journey until the age of 11.

As you know, the children have been taking part in the International GL assessments in mathematics and language the past two weeks. These assessments will be marked in the UK, and hopefully we will get the results back before the end of the academic year.

Susie Mcshane Coordinator FS News The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.' Maria Montessori In FS the children have been busy consolidating their learning. They seem more confident and independent as they make useful work choices. All of them have progressed substantially in their own learning journey. They have been enjoying the early year’s center visits that have given them an opportunity to role play and interact with their friends.

The students were introduced to the topic of ‘Rainforests’ during the month of May. They extended their learning about the rainforests, identifying the layers and where various animals live. They used higher order questioning and critical thinking to assess each other’s reasoning and responses. The current theme topic is ‘Mini beasts’ where the students will be learning about various insects and their life cycles.

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The FS Graduation ceremony was a huge success. The students worked so hard and performed with great pride and confidence. It was lovely to see all the parents join in during this special time.

As we come closer to the year end, the FS team would like to thank all the parents for their constant support due to which the students were able to learn and enjoy.

FS & Year Coordinator Year 1 News Time has flown by so quickly. Here we are with only few weeks left of our school year. The term has been hectic and eventful one so far.

Our field trip to Kidzania was an immersive learning experience. The students had a great time. The realistic environment allowed students to enjoy an unforgettable experience whilst they learnt from the different roles they take on. A special thanks to all the volunteer mums who helped us make our trip a success.

Dads played a critical role in their children's literacy development by modeling reading, sharing stories, exploring the world together, and engaging in meaningful conversations that build critical thinking skills. Dads modeling reading behaviour, during our annual event of READING WITH DAD, will surely keep the children on a path toward learning. Various mums also spend a great deal of their special time reading with our children during our class time. The involvement from the parents will help foster a love of reading in the students and the children will respond to your enthusiasm in a very positive way.

The children are super excited to perform in our annual concert themed as the “Musical Time Machine�. After a lot of practice and rehearsals the children look forward to seeing you all there. We are also celebrating our success of the school year by having end of year class parties before we welcome the holy month of Ramadan.

The transition to Year 2 is a big one. We are reviewing concepts learnt throughout the academic year. All classes are taking part in school assemblies to introduce them to the new Primary section, the children will be moving into, in the next academic year. As the students move on to Year 2, there is lot you as parents can do to encourage growth over the summer. Motivate your child to read, write and practise mathematics, using every day experiences. These little things will lead to even bigger success next year.

Thank you for a wonderful year and for your indomitable support during the course of the year. On behalf of us in Year 1, we wish you the best of luck as you continue this wonderful journey with your children.

Year 1 Team

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PRIMARY SCHOOL Dear Parents Did you know that when children read over the summer they are likely to leap ahead when they head back to school? It’s called the “Summer Leap,” and our school has made it a priority to keep our students’ skills sharp by encouraging them to read all summer long.

The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge is a free online reading programme that invites students to log their reading minutes all summer. The goal is for the students in our school to read the most minutes possible. With your help, we can do it. The website offers lots of incentives for the top readers and school will also be awarding prizes on our return in August.

The theme of this year’s programme is ‘Be a Reading Superhero’; as students log their reading minutes throughout the summer holidays, they will unlock stories from some of their favorite authors. Plus, throughout the summer, students will earn digital rewards and learn about great new books to read. You will also find daily tips, book lists, and a new “Ask the Experts” book recommendation feature for parents on the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge website.

All Home Room Teachers will register the students on the Scholastic website and will be given a username. If your child forgets his or her summer reading username, please contact. I invite you to learn more about the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge at www.scholastic.com/summer.

I take this opportunity to wish all parents a wonderful summer with family and friends. Ramadan Kareem to all Muslim families.

Mrs. Zeba Khan Head of Primary School

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Year 2 News We have been very busy over the last fortnight in Year 2. In English, we completed a piece of on demand writing about an animal which we researched on iPads. With our notes, we then created a non-fiction text with as many of the features as we could remember. After this, we moved on to letter writing and we will be using our skills to write a letter to the Year 1 children about their upcoming year.

In mathematics, we started learning about fractions. It was quite easy we found, as soon as we had made the connection with division and sharing a number into equal parts. We could also use our multiplication facts to help us find fractions of a number.

Over the last week we have been revising in all subjects before completing our End of Year assessments. These assessments in mathematics, English and science covered a range of topics learnt over the year. No preparation was needed at home, as the students should have been able to remember what they had experienced previously in class. We did many Kahoot quizzes on the iPads to test what we could remember of our science topics covered. They were great fun.

With only four weeks of learning left, we are determined to work hard right until the end.

Year 2 Team Year 3 News The students have had a busy week last week as they were writing their Cambridge Progression tests. It was good to see the focus, seriousness and enthusiasm the students showed with regards to their tests. Teachers were quite delighted that students were in on time and that everything went off smoothly.

As this is the year of Reading, we are looking forward to having the Dad’s read with the students. We are grateful for all Dads who have offered the students their time and are sure that this will be a fun event. In keeping with the theme of Reading, our ‘Read to Donate’ drive is well on its way. We are receiving so many exciting books. The students are motivated to bring in as many books as possible, so keep those books coming in.

As we draw a close to this academic year, we are all looking forward to the end of year class party later this week. However, work is still underway with exciting experiments, preparing for the next academic year and reviewing concepts so that the students better understand it.

Year 3 Team

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Year 4 News Year 4 students have been busy completing their Cambridge Progression tests. In the classroom we completed lots of revision for these tests and completed some practice tests in English, mathematics, and science. This allowed us to peer assess our work and find out what our strengths and weaknesses were in each topic. With this additional information we managed to prepare effectively for our tests and finish them with a smile on our face.

Aside from the testing, we are eagerly waiting to welcome some of our Dad’s into our classrooms on Tuesday, 31st May 2016 for a “Career Talk”. We are also eagerly awaiting our ‘Read to Donate’ event where we will swap and purchase one another’s books. The money raised will be donated to the “GIVE’’ charity to help the less fortunate.

With Ramadan scheduled to start Monday, 6th June the students will have a shorter school day of 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. During these coming weeks the children will be completing more project based lessons and activities. We will continue to work and improve our research skills in all subject areas. We will also have time to look back over the topics we may have found difficult throughout the year.

The Year 4 team would like to take this opportunity to wish all our Muslim families, ‘Ramadan Kareem’, and may the blessings of the holy month bring peace and happiness.

Year 4 Team

Year 5 News Most recently, Year 5 went on a field trip to Fun robotics. Students were able to experience a wide range of skills enabling them to problem solve and analytically think, share and contribute ideas. This was a successful learning experience for all students where they were able to relate to real life experiences.

Students were able to identify machines which are used in everyday use and relate their functions to robotics. Lots of brainstorming and collaborative ideas were shared and students were able to build their own basic robots who were able to perform instructions.

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Soon, Year 5 will be showcasing for the science fair and students have been eagerly working hard to investigate and show off their skills. Year 5 has been able to carefully work through the scientific method steps. Students have been able to identify dependent and independent variables to test before going ahead to carry out the investigation. The science fair enables students to choose a question of interest which they want to investigate. This is part of their self-learning which will involve public speaking and share knowledge, and critical thinking. Students were able to use their self-learning and established information what they need to discover something exciting and new, and to identify and choose the tools that they need to conduct and conclude their projects. All Students have been very excited and looking in anticipation to share and present their ideas on the day.

Year 5 Team.

Year 6 News It has certainly been a busy few weeks for the Year 6 students.

Following on from our excellent field trip to the Arabian Wildlife Centre, the students put on a fantastic display in their Annual Production of ‘Rita & the magic Violin’. Huge congratulations to everyone who took part in a great performance.

After the excitement of these two events, the students had no time to relax with the end of year assessments taking place in the final week of May. This was a significant milestone for the students as it would be the final assessments that they would undertake as a Primary School student. With this in mind, everyone put in an excellent preparation and we look forward to the positive results in the end of year reports.

Looking ahead to next week, we have the exciting prospect of the Annual Science Fair. Students have been presenting their projects to their classmates this week, in preparation for the main event which will take place on Tuesday, 31st May. We welcome parents to join us on this date to celebrate the wonderful creativity and scientific knowledge that is evident across Year 6. We have a taster of some the excellent projects below.

In addition to preparing for this, we will also be putting the final touches to our Graduation ceremony which takes on Thursday, 16 th June from 9am-11am. It goes without saying, this will be a momentous occasion for the Year 6 pupils, as they look back on their successful journey throughout their Primary School years and look ahead to the challenges and excitement that await them as a secondary student.

Year 6 Team

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SECONDARY SCHOOL Message from the Deputy Head—Secondary School It has been an incredibly busy week in the Raffles International School Secondary department. Students in Years 7 to 9 have all taken progress assessments in English, mathematics and science which will provide us with further data to help support and challenge all individuals in the future. Alongside these important assessments, students have participated in the Endicott survey as part of the RIS’s involvement in the Council of International Schools accreditation process.

The Endicott College Research Centre provides educational leaders and policy makers with the development and inquiry capacity to support efforts in the reform of educational policy and practice.

They conduct research and evaluation designed to inform educational policy and leaders at the state, national and international levels. They also serve as a reliable source of research-based information regarding the conditions and performance of educational systems, and promote widespread use of that information, enhancing the research skills of faculty and staff, guest faculty, and, ultimately, students at advanced levels (1). I personally thank all of the students, parents and teachers who have participated in this survey as

As we approach the Holy month of Ramadan, the Secondary School will operate on a different timetable. Students will still have the same number of lessons each week, although each lesson will last 35 minutes. Break times are shortened and all students who are not fasting are encouraged to bring a packed lunch that they can eat in the classrooms. The school canteen will still be open but at all times students, teachers and visitors to the school will be expected to acknowledge, respect and follow the rules associated with Ramadan. I wish everyone celebrating Ramadan an enlightening time during this month.

All students have celebrated with the form groups this week in class parties. As we come closer to the end of the academic year, it is very important for students to reflect upon the year and spend time with their classes enjoying the stories and memories they have created.

Over the past week, many Secondary students have participated in Innoventures Education competitions. It has been a pleasure to observe our students engage in Art, Arabic writing and Qu’ran recitation activities alongside students from other schools in the IVEI Group. I very much look forward to speaking with the winners from RIS and sharing prizes/certificates with them. As a dedicated sportsman, I fully understand the importance of winning but certainly acknowledge that taking part and trying your best is really what counts in school competitions.

Next week students who have participated in Sports teams at RIS will be presented at the annual awards ceremony. I would like to thank all of the PE staff who have dedicated a lot a time in supporting our young sportsmen and sportswomen this year. I am very proud about the successes and accomplishments of our teams this year and am convinced this will only go from strength to strength next year.

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As always, if you would like to communicate with me regarding anything related to the Secondary School at RIS, please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail, give me a call or stop by the office.

Ian Plant Deputy Head of Secondary References http://www.endicottresearchcenter.net/?page=about

Year 7 News Well done to you all for completing your end of year tests. I trust that you will achieve that which you have worked for. Special recognition to those of you who entered the Islamic and Arabic competitions; your pieces were inspirational and creative. To the students who participated in the Quran recitals, you demonstrated the importance of the spiritual principles that that country is founded on.

Now we can celebrate and be proud of the hard work we have put in throughout the year, with the end of year parties. It is always nice to enjoy our accomplishments and focus on the positive, rather than the areas that we have fallen short in.

During the month of Ramadan, let us remain diligent and respectful towards those around us who are fasting. We could also use the time to reflect on the coming academic year and what we need to do to make it a more successful year for everyone.

Year 7 Team

Year 8 News It has been a very testing two weeks of Year 8 students as the Year 8 examinations took place. Students from Year 8 sat examinations across their subjects, and on top of that they have been sitting more examinations this week as well. Despite the exhausting schedule the Year 8’s performed admirably, working hard throughout the week and showing a very mature attitude. I am sure the results they will be getting over the next few weeks will reflect that.

Students across Year 8 have also been taking part in a range of different competitions, including the IVEI Art competition and Qu’ran recitation competition . Year 8 students Nathalie, Beyoli and Gayoung all took part in the art competition, and all put forward excellent entries. Students Luqman and Aya in Year 8 also took part in the Qu’ran completion on Monday, 30 th May. Well done to them.

Next week also sees the PE awards, and with many students across Year 8 having done so much to represent their school I am sure there will be many winners in our Year group. Congratulations to all the students who have been a part of that, you have made the school proud.

Year 8 Team

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Year 9 & 10 News All students have finished their final year examinations and now they cannot wait to receive their results and feedback. This is the right time for students to reflect on all of their accomplishments from the past year. Time to think of what they have learned and what they can do to improve. Beside the school examinations, Year 9 students were asked to take some more assessments as per KHDA’s requirement.

Students took the computer-based Progress Test in Science (PTS), Progress Test in English (PTE) and Progress Test in Mathematics (PTM) which are standardised assessments and are designed for use year on year to support teachers in benchmarking student’s knowledge and measuring their progress over time. This can help in identifying those in need of extra help, as well as those who are particularly able.

Last Thursday the Parents Association organized a movie night for all the secondary students. It was a much needed event after a busy week of examinations. Students watched “Men in Black” and there was also a photo booth available were students could dress up and take photos.

Kindly be reminded to complete the survey sent to you last week which is part of the CIS accreditation process. The purpose of the survey is to determine strengths and areas of school improvement. You need to go to the following website www.endicottresearchcenter.net and enter the survey code CNP2016855 and click GO. I would like to take this opportunity to wish “Ramadan Kareem” to all the Muslim families in our school.

Andreas Lambrias Year 9/10 Coordinator