SummaRISe - Issue 122

th Thursday 21 May 2015 Issue 89 Sunday, 26 February 2017 Issue 122

GENERAL GENERAL

NURSERY

KG FS

PRIMARY PRIMARY

SECONDARY SECONDARY

Primary School—Year 1 Art

PARIS SCHOOL CLINIC

DATE

EVENTS March

Thursday, 02 March 5pm—8pm

International Day

Sunday, 05 March—Thursday, 09 March

Nursery Artist Week

Sunday, 05 March—Thursday, 09 March

Book Fair

Tuesday, 07 March

Open Day

Thursday, 09 March

Nursery Art Exhibition

Sunday, 12 March—Wednesday, 15 March

IT Week

Wednesday, 15 March

Nursery Sports

Tuesday, 14 March—Thursday, 16 march

Years 7-11 Camping Trip

Wednesday, 15 March—Wednesday, 15 March

TechnoRISe

Thursday, 16 March

Staff Professional Development

Sunday, 19 March—Thursday, 23 March

Secondary School—Spirit Week

Wednesday, 22 March

Nursery Mother's Day Performance

Thursday, 23 March

FS Mother’s Day Performance

Thursday, 23 March

No Noon Dismissal

Sunday, 26 March—31 March

Spring Break

April Sunday, 01 April—Satursday, 08 April

Spring Break

Sunday, 09 April

Staff and Students Return

Sunday, 09 April

Nursery Open Day

Message from the Principal The welfare, safety and protection of our students Dear Parents, In 2015/ 2016 we received a joint inspection and one of our key strengths was the provision of protection, care, guidance and support for our students. The impact of this provision was judged to be outstanding and we certainly strive to maintain these high standards. The key points from the KHDA report stated:  Students' learning was enhanced by the excellent physical environment. Throughout the school there were opportunities for students of all abilities to engage in challenging and motivating experiences.  The promotion of healthy living was an important part of the educational provision throughout the school. The curriculum included programmes relating to a healthy diet and lifestyles. Sports and exercise were a regular part of the school's healthy living approach. There were extensive shaded areas for students to participate in physical activities and to socialise.  Highly effective and efficient policies and procedures were in place for safeguarding, including child protection arrangements. Well-organised and delivered educational programmes alerting students of all ages to the issues of cyber-bullying and online safety were an integral aspect of students' learning.  Security had been further enhanced with the implementation of the parents’ and visitors’ ID card system. There were robust security protocols to ensure the school was safe and secure. Staff ensured that the bus travel arrangements were of the highest quality regarding student and adult safety and security.

This was then validated by our British Schools Overseas inspection report:  

The arrangements to ensure pupils’ welfare, health and safety are outstanding. A range of policies are regularly reviewed, updated and consistently implemented to ensure high standards. Keeping pupils safe is taken seriously and is a priority for this exceptionally caring school.

Arrangements for child protection and safeguarding are robust and exceed the current requirements in the United Kingdom and the requirements of Dubai. High quality training is provided for all staff and rigorous child protection arrangements are defined clearly and understood by pupils, staff and parents to ensure pupils are exceptionally safe. Cyber and e-safety are explicitly taught to help protect pupils against abuse.

The welfare of our students continues to be of paramount importance and we are constantly reviewing our policies, practices and procedures to make sure that our students are safe and secure. At RIS we have rigorous procedures for the safeguarding of students including child protection. All our teaching and support staff are trained in child protection and safeguarding and we have 11 fully trained Designated Child Protection Officers (all SLMT, school doctor and counsellor). Our students receive presentations on ‘staying safe’ and who to go to if they have concerns. Our aim is to make sure staff deal sensitively and effectively with students’ needs and concerns. Cyber safety is taken seriously and we make sure that practical steps and safeguards are in place to prevent abuse of students. In terms of attendance, RIS proudly can report that 98+% of students are present in school each day. This figure meets the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau’s target in the outstanding category.

In addition, we strive to make sure that healthy living is systematically built into and promoted in all aspects of school life. Our school meals are regularly monitored by the school doctor and we invite feedback from student representatives on our Health and Safety Committee as well at the regular ‘Meet the Principal’ sessions. Along with the clinic, our PE and Games Department guide students on leading a healthy lifestyle as well as offering a broad and regular programme of physical education and sport.

We review our policies on a regular basis and monitor their effectiveness through regular safety checks, drills and surveying our students. Recent surveys of all students (over 1,200 student and 500 parent respondents) focused on the following questions: 1. I like being at this school: 91.6% (FS and Yr 1) 95.9% (Years 2 and 3) 94% (Years 4 to 10) 2. The school deals with any bullying that occurs: 92.1 % (Years 2 and 3) 83.1%(Years 4 to 10) 3. The school shall provide appropriate health care and promote practices of healthy living to serve student wellbeing and enhance access to learning opportunities: 84.6% students agreed 93.1% parents agreed 4. School policies and rules are known by parents and students and applied fairly: 90.3% parents agreed.

5. My child’s school is a welcoming and friendly place: 97.1% parents agreed.

6. I know what to do if there is an emergency at my school: 93.6% students agreed.

7. I trust the school’s emergency procedures such as for evacuation and I trust that my child is safe on campus: 96.6% parents agreed.

8. I feel safe going on school trips: 93.4% students agreed 9. I trust that my child is safe on school trips: 97% parents agreed.

10. My child is well looked after and safe at school: 89.5% parents agreed.

Whilst these survey results are very encouraging we are not complacent and continue to look at ways to improve our health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding procedures.

Key terms: Child protection is the process of protecting individual children identified as either suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect. It involves measures and structures designed to prevent and respond to abuse and neglect.

Safeguarding is a term which is broader than ‘child protection’ and relates to the action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Safeguarding is defined in Working together to safeguard children 2013 as:  protecting children from maltreatment  preventing impairment of children’s health and development  ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care and  taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes Mr. Michael William Clack Principal

GIVE UPDATE GIVE SCHOOL NUMBER 1 NEARING COMPLETION

Dear Parents and Students, Our first school in Nepal is nearing completion. Well done to all of you and we thank you for your contributions.

We are looking to recruit six students to volunteer and support the future building of two more school— school number 2 and 3. If you are interested, please contact your IVEI coordinator as soon as possible.

Please see the image below of the current structure of the school.

This school will soon house over 100 Primary and Secondary school students in Western Nepal

Message from the Dean of Students Why it is important to be at school every day Parents can encourage their child to attend school by having a positive attitude towards learning and education. To get the most out of education, children need to go to school every day. School attendance has a major influence on educational outcomes. Children who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve better results at school and are more likely to complete their schooling.

Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success both in school and in life. When you make school attendance a priority, you help your child get better grades, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior and have a better chance of graduating from school.

When children are absent for fewer days, their grades and reading skills often improve even among those children who are struggling in school. Students who attend school regularly, feel more connected to their community, develop important social skills and friendships, and are significantly more likely to graduate from school, setting them up for a strong future.

When children are absent for an average of just two days of school per month even when the absences are excused it can have a negative impact. Poor school attendance patterns can start as early as Year 1. It is important that from the first day of school parents set an expectation that their children will be at school every day. Missing an average of ten days of school a term adds up to missing two full years of schooling by the end of Year 10.

As a parent, you can prepare your child for a lifetime of success by making regular school attendance a priority. By figuring out the reasons for your child’s absences, whether they’re physical or emotional and taking advantage of any support services such as tutoring, student mentoring and after-school activities you can help set your child on the path to success.

TIPS - THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT SCHOOL ATTENDANCE  Talk positively about attending school and learning  Help your child get into a routine for getting ready to go to school stress-free  Help your child to get ready for school in the morning  Talk about the positive social of the school environment:  Talk with your child about their long term goals and dreams and how school can help them achieve their dreams Purdie & Buckley, 2010. Biddle, 2014.

GENERAL

NURSERY

FS

PRIMARY

SECONDARY

10 Facts about school attendance     

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Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year.

Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school.

Absenteeism and its ill effects start early. One in 10 nursery and first Year students are chronically absent.

Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third year.

By Year 7, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.

Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school areas, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That is just two days a month and that is known as chronic absence.

The academic impact of missing that much school is the same whether the absences are excused or unexcused.

Low-income students are four times more likely to be chronically absent than others often for reasons beyond their control, such as unstable housing, unreliable transportation and a lack of access to health care.

When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.

Attendance improves when schools engage students and parents in positive ways and when schools provide mentors for chronically absent students.

Most school districts and states don’t look at all the right data to improve school attendance. They track how many students show up every day and how many are skipping school without an excuse, but not how many are missing so many days in excused and unexcused absence that they are headed off track academically.

Ref http://www.attendanceworks.org/facts-stats-school-attendance/ (cited 20th February 2017) Mr. Gary Williams Dean of Students

Learning Support department February Awareness Month: Low Vision and Irlen Syndrome

What is Irlen Syndrome?

Irlen Syndrome (also referred to at times as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, and Visual Stress) is a perceptual processing disorder. It is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain’s ability to process visual information.

Irlen Syndrome (also referred to at times as Meares-Irlen Syndrome, Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome, and Visual Stress) is a perceptual processing disorder. It is not an optical problem. It is a problem with the brain’s ability to process visual information.

Irlen Syndrome can affect many different areas, including:  Academic and work performance  Behavior  Attention  Ability to sit still  Concentration

“The Irlen Method is a two-step process: problem identification and colour identification and requires two testing sessions. Family members participate with their children in the evaluation process. The colour (which is different for each person) is the key to the success of the program and can only be determined after a diagnostic assessment performed by a certified educational professional trained in the Irlen Method.

Importantly, wearing the wrong colour can actually cause or worsen your problems. The testing to identify your correct collared glasses can only be conducted by Certified Irlen Diagnosticians/Clinics.”

(From http://irlen.com/testing-treatment/ )

Irlen Spectral Filters are individualised, precision-tinted lenses that filter out the offensive wavelengths of light, allowing the brain to process visual information correctly.

‘All children with special needs just need a little help, a little hope, and someone who believes in them’ Mrs. Faryal Saeed Head of Learning Support

Sports Department The U12 and U14 Netball team are participating for the first time in the DASSA League this year. For many of the U12 girls it is also the first time they have played netball. Being part of a major league proved mentally stressful to some students. Nonetheless, our first game with Sunmarke ‘bore fruits’ of the hard work that has been achieved over the last few months as they won their very first match of the season. The score was 3-2 to RIS and Hosai was awarded student of the match. With more upcoming matches, we hope to learn from each experience and foster great friendships between the girls.

The U14’s drew 12-12 with Sunmarke in what was a very exciting game. However, the girls were unlucky not to win the game. RIS won 3 out of the 4 quarters and displayed some fantastic skills and teamwork throughout the game. Sunmarkes sharp shooting allowed them back into the game. Great sportsmanship was demonstrated by all the girls and Michaela Carby was nominated for the best player award for the same.

Sports Team

GENERAL

NURSERY

FS

PRIMARY

SECONDARY

Dear Parents, Grandparents and Extended Family, Although there is no legal requirement for children in the UAE to attend a minimum number of hours at Nursery, regular attendance has been proven to have a positive impact on all aspects of a child’s development. A consistent routine supports the child to feel settled and secure. Children anticipate routine and thrive when they know what to expect next. Unsettled children have higher stress levels which, in turn, prevent them from being able to benefit fully from the learning opportunities available.

Moreover, regular attendance and punctuality also fosters good habits for later academic life and promotes the continuation of good attendance at primary school.

According to Malcolm, H et al (Absence from School) 2003, research shows that children with poor attendance find themselves at a disadvantage later on in life.

Aside from affecting achievement, children who have low attendance, even in the early years:  find it harder to make and maintain friendships  are less likely to gain good qualifications  have low self-esteem There are several benefits of sustained attendance including: Good Habits It builds in young children the idea that getting up and going to nursery school is simply what you do. Children who attend every planned session develop a feel for the rhythm of the week and gain a sense of security from some regular elements, even when the actual pattern or focus of their learning may change Secure Relationships Young children find it easier to build and sustain a range of social relationships when they regularly attend their childcare setting, according to the pattern agreed with the family. For some families, particularly at times of stress, the child’s regular attendance at nursery school allows parents to get other things done and helps them enjoy spending time with the child when he or she is at home.

Self-Esteem Children who rarely miss nursery and come on time are more likely to feel good about themselves. This is because they know what goes on and what to expect, feel more confident with the adults and the other children and have more opportunities at nursery school to be valued and praised for their own special achievements and contributions.

GENERAL

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

NURSERY

FS

PRIMARY

SECONDARY

Children who regularly miss nursery or are generally late, can frequently experience a sense of having to try a little bit harder just to understand what is going on and what other children are talking about or doing.

Regular attendance, on time, helps many young children to separate from their parents or other carers at the start of the day and settle more readily into daily life in their nursery setting or school.

Learning and Development  Staff carefully plan every session for each child in their care and want to take every opportunity to help them thrive. Experiences gained in one session are often developed further in the next session, whether or not this is the next day.  Children learn in many different ways through play with others and through being in the company of staff who actively support their learning and development.

As parents, you can help your child to have good attendance by taking note of the following tips:  Make sure their child arrives at school on time, every day. This encourages habits of good timekeeping and lessens any possible classroom disruption.  If your child is absent, it is important that parents let the nursery know why, preferably on the first morning of the absence.  Be familiar with the routines of your child’s class.  Show an interest, attend Drop in days (DIDs), parent teacher meetings (PTCs) and ask your children what they are doing at school.  Where possible, make appointments after school, at weekends or during school holidays. A morning appointment does not mean a whole day of school should be missed. Parents are encouraged to bring their child back to school after the appointment.  Take family holidays outside of term time – familiarise yourself with the Nursery term time dates well in advance and plan holidays around these dates.

Garima Kapoor Assistant Head, Early Years

Montessori worktime in progress

No room for baby roo! - Where is Baby Roo from

Painting the continent Asia using a bubblewrap mitten

Sharing is caring

GENERAL

Nursery

FS FS

PRIMARY

SECONDARY

PRIMARY SCHOOL Attendance and punctuality is extremely important for a child’s achievement in school. At Raffles International we are clear that attendance should be 100% and we share this achievement in our weekly assemblies. The children get very excited knowing that their class may win the attendance trophy of the week and a class certificate. More importantly is the actual academic effects that poor attendance has on a child’s results over time. The more school that is missed, the more the child misses on the curriculum and hence falls behind which then leads to lower results in tests and examinations.

We monitor attendance daily and a school SMS is sent if a child is absent.

Please ensure you inform your class teacher by email on why your child is absent so that our attendance officer secretary is made aware.

Why Does Attendance Matter? Every school day counts in a child's academic life...

A missed school day is a lost opportunity for students to learn.

Students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels than students who do not have regular attendance. This relationship between attendance and achievement may appear early in a child's school career. A recent study looking at young children found that absenteeism in kindergarten was associated with negative first grade outcomes such as greater absenteeism in subsequent years and lower achievement in reading, mathematics, and general knowledge. National Centre for Education Statistics As a parent or guardian, it is possible to plan ahead in order to limit your child's absences, make school attendance a priority, and help your child from falling behind if it is necessary to miss a day of school. You can do this in the following ways:  Help your child get to school on time every day. .  Follow the school's guidelines and attendance policy, and report excused absences immediately. .  Check homework. Check each night to see that your child understands and completes the day's homework assignments.  Take an active role. Stay involved with your child's daily experiences at school by asking how the school day went, and then listening carefully to what your child shares with you — both the successes and struggles. Make it a point to meet your child's teacher and friends.  Keep updated on school events and announcements. Read the school documents that your child brings home and take note of important announcements and dates, such as back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences.  Try to limit the amount of time that your child misses school due to medical appointments or illness. If possible, avoid scheduling doctor's appointments during the school day. Allow your child to stay home only in the case of contagious or severe illnesses  Schedule family events with your child's school schedule in mind. Plan holiday celebrations or family trips during weekends or school holidays. In the case of family emergencies or unexpected trips, talk to your child's teacher as far in advance as possible and set up a way that your child can work ahead or bring important homework on the trip.

GENERAL

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NURSERY

FS

PRIMARY

SECONDARY

Plan ahead. Encourage your child to prepare for the next school day by laying out clothes the night before and helping to prepare lunch.

Promote good health. Make sure that your child eats a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and has opportunities to exercise every day through a sports team or playtime outside.

Create a restful environment. Finally, make sure that your child can relax before bedtime by doing something quiet like reading rather than something stimulating, like watching television. Ensure that your child gets enough quality sleep — ideal amounts range from 8 to 12 hours. Getting enough sleep will help him/her get up on time, be refreshed in the morning, and feel ready for a full day of learning ahead.

Another important point regarding lateness: Being late adds up to loss of learning. Lateness also disturbs other children’s learning and the smooth running of the lesson. If you are five minutes late every day that adds up to over three days of learning over a year. Fifteen minutes late every day is the same as being absent for two weeks each year.

We hope there are some helpful hints here to support you with ensuring your child gets to school on time. I am sure that you would want to give your children a head start with their learning and that definitely starts with coming to school on time, happy and ready to learn.

Jasmit Kang Deputy Head of Primary School

FS News February has been an eventful month for FS children. Following on from science week, the children enjoyed a morning filled with mathematics games. During ‘Maths Fun Day’, the children were exposed to various activities like ‘Numbers Bingo’, ‘Fun with Shapes’ and ‘Simple Addition’ are to name a few. It was a fabulous opportunity for them to exercise their mathematical minds whilst displaying team work and collaboration throughout the day.

It is an absolute pleasure observing the children during their Montessori work time as they continue to work diligently within the prepared environment, learning through their experiences, whilst growing in independence, maturing cognitively and demonstrating a deeper understanding of their daily routines, which promotes, amongst other things care of self and the environment.

The children in FS have began their homework this month. The homework will promote respect for books, quality of work and time management. The idea of homework for the children in FS is not only to enhance their academic work, but to prepare children for their next phase of development. Please spend ten minutes a day with your child helping them with their homework books. It is recommended that you read to your child every day and practice the ‘sight words’ that are sent home.

FS Team

GENERAL

NURSERY

FS

PRIMARY

SECONDARY

Year 1 News It is very important for all children to attend school every day and to arrive on time. Being punctual plays an important role in all our lives. It helps students to develop their time management skills. Registration of Year 1 students is between 7:40 am and 7:50 am and the first lesson starts at 7:50 am. The children should arrive in school before 7:40 am so that they are prepared for their first lesson. This is essential to ensure that the children benefit fully from classroom learning and that other children’s learning is not disrupted. Holidays should be taken during the official KHDA calendar holidays and not during the term time. When a child does not attend school regularly, they will have difficulty keeping up with their work and this will affect their progress in learning.

Last week we had ‘Math Fun Day’ on Tuesday, 14th February 2017. Children had the opportunity to explore different concepts such as time, simple addition, iPad math games, 3D shapes and graphs using hands on materials.

In science, children are encouraged to use their inquiry skills to explore and investigate different topics.

Children took part in instructional writing, by creating the recipe for making a jam sandwich. They will be making it themselves and will write the step by step instructions.

On Thursday, 23rd February, we celebrated International Mother Language Day. To celebrate this, we had invited dads to read a story to the children in their mother tongue.

Year 1 Team

Year 2 News A student’s attendance and punctuality behaviour affects their own individual performance in a class. It is important in school to develop good attendance and punctuality behaviour from a young age.

Attending school is consistent in all children’s lives at RIS and so is the perfect opportunity to teach and apply these behaviours even in the youngest of children.

In Year 2 we see good attendance and punctuality as a responsibility of our students. We encourage them to attend school as much as possible. Teachers encourage a collaborative approach to attendance where we can all work together to achieve the best for our class. Year 2 even dedicates a certificate each week which is given to the class with the best attendance for the week.

GENERAL

NURSERY

FS

Primary

SECONDARY

Punctuality is also important in the competition in order to win this award. If two classes have the same attendance percentage, then we analyse the punctuality data of students in order to choose who will win the award that week. The fewer absences and late students the more chance of winning.

Year 2 Team

Year 3 News

Firstly, as a year group we would like to commend the parents and children of Year 3 for their fantastic punctuality and attendance. The continued drive for outstanding attendance will no doubt lead to improved student outcomes and progress.

The importance of punctuality cannot be underestimated. It promotes and fosters a positive attitude and ensures students have a bright start to the day. The Year 3 teachers have observed a readiness and enthusiasm for each learning day, which has to be applauded. Recently, we have been learning about non-fiction texts in English, discussing their features and sharing factual information. We have been using prepositions to improve the detail of our writing. In mathematics, we furthered our understanding of elapsed time and began to read time to the nearest minute. Forces has been the focus in science. We have been making real life links to our learning when discussing pushes, pulls and friction.

In Year 3 we will continue to work together to become successful learners. With the continued support from home, there is no doubt this will continue to be a successful year.

Year 3 Team

Year 4 News

Last week the Year 4 students worked very hard to complete their end of unit tests successfully. Many thanks to the parents for ensuring that their child arrive on time for the examination. Punctuality and attendance is always of utmost importance for our students to adjust to correct routine and for exams and lessons to run smoothly.

In science, we are continuing to work on different experiments with electricity and we are gaining knowledge on electrical circuits, their components, insulators and conductors and will be carrying out some research on some famous inventors. We recently had a wonderful field trip where we attended the ‘Ministry of Science’ show in Mall of the Emirates. The children greatly enjoyed this and had the opportunity to see some fun and interesting science experiments.

GENERAL

NURSERY

FS

Primary

SECONDARY

In mathematics, the students have been working on negative numbers and understanding the different uses for these numbers. We have talked about where we might see negative numbers on a daily basis and compared them to regular numbers. We have used our knowledge of negative numbers to crack codes and to solve word problems.

In English, the children worked hard to create their own historical fiction stories for the end of unit assessment and we were very pleased with many of the stories that we read.

Year 4 Team

Year 5 News In Year 5, children are encouraged to arrive at school early to take part in morning activities such as brainteasers, critical thinking challenges, multiplication and spelling games. Some children also use this time wisely to complete unfinished work to a high standard and receive more feedback from their teacher on their tasks. Throughout the Year group we encourage children to take responsibility for their punctuality. However, we also stay in contact with parents to ensure they are overseeing the early arrival of their child to school.

We are lucky in Year 5 to have an overall very high attendance every day. Children in Year 5 take pride in their attendance record. Children should be at school every day to ensure they are keeping to a good routine which is critical during their childhood. Attendance every day ensures children are staying on track in each subject progressing smoothly from topic to topic. Of course we are aware that some absenteeism cannot be avoided. In this case we ask parents to inform the class teacher so they are aware and can help to support whenever necessary.

Every week during assembly, one class from Year 5 receives an award for their attendance and punctuality. This really encourages the children to work as a class on their attendance and punctuality.

Year 5 Team

Year 6 News Within the last fortnight, the Year 6 classrooms have been ‘buzzing’ with a variety of learning activities; debates, surveys and investigations to explore effects of air resistance.

As students become more confident and independent, we feel they can take on more ‘hands on’ activities to enhance their learning and developing their collaborative skills.

In mathematics, students created a variety of tables and interpreted them into pie charts, bar graphs and line graphs. As an extension to their persuasive writing task they also debated topics such as; “Should schools have uniforms”, “should homework be banned”. Proposers and Opposes debated on issues and brought the debating sessions to appropriate conclusions. We think our students have enormous persuasive powers and will carry this forward in future.

GENERAL

NURSERY

FS

Primary

SECONDARY

In science, students made helicopters and investigated the effect of air resistance and how these concepts are applied in real life. They also investigated different surfaces to find which one is best suited to use for Usain Bolt’s running track.

In Social Studies students were able to examine causes and effects of floods in countries like Bangladesh and Australia.

So all in all, a very fruitful two weeks gone. We will continue to work on preparation for Checkpoints with revision of topics from Year 4 and 5 in science as well as a number of English non-fiction writing tasks.

GENERAL

NURSERY

FS

PRIMARY

SECONDARY

SECONDARY SCHOOL Attendance and Punctuality Attendance and punctuality have a direct impact on academic success. Research shows that “missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school areas, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence” (1). At Raffles International School, we monitor student attendance and punctuality rigorously every day. Whether it is lateness in the morning or lateness to class during the day, both our academic and administrative teams work incredibly hard to support students and make them aware of the consequences of such actions.

Figure 1 below provides a simple analyisis of how small cases of poor attendance and punctuality can accumulate over an academic year.

In the Secondary School, students are reminded and consistently encouraged to move quickly along the corridors to lessons. They are also encouraged to organize themselves before and during school to ensure they are prepared and on time for every lesson.

Currently in England, attendance at school is non-negotiable and parents are fined should they decide to take their children out of school during term time. This measure has reduced absenteeism although there are still many loopholes in the system. Perhaps the UAE will follow suit in years to come?

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

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NURSERY

FS

Primary

Secondary

Year 7 News At RIS we recognise that attending school regularly and on time has a positive impact on learning and progress, and therefore creates the best life chances for our students. Excellent attendance and punctuality is vital for our student’s success. Therefore, we must ensure that attendance and punctuality are the highest they possibly can be in order to prepare our students for their future adult life. It is the responsibility of everyone in our school community – parents, staff and students to ensure that they achieve this. Therefore, we monitor and review the attendance of all our students constantly.

We encourage excellent attendance and punctuality for all students, by offering an environment in which our students feel valued and part of the school community. One such way is the honorable attendance cup, which tutor groups gain for a week at a time depending on who had the highest percentage of attendance and punctuality.

Logically if students are not in school, they are not learning and thereby allowing their potential grades to suffer. It is vitally important that it is reinforced from home that if your child is not genuinely ill, then they should be in school working their hardest towards achieving their best, no matter what year group they are in. The process of education is life long and we build on what we already know and therefore, if they ‘skip’ school they are damaging their future. Punctuality goes hand in hand with this concept; think of it this way: if a students is 10 minutes late per day, this adds up to 50 minutes each week and 1800 minutes per year; this equates to 36 lessons.

Year 7 Team

Year 8 News The most important skills that students learn at school are those that will help them in later life. As teachers we always focus on the academic skills that students will need, but just as importantly we need to ensure that students have the life skills that will help them. One of the most simple of these are attendance and punctuality, and they are ones that have a dramatic effect on both school achievement and achievement in later life.

With attendance there is a direct correlation between student attendance and achievement in examinations. The more times a student misses school the harder it is to keep up with the work set and the more likely a student is to fall behind. In other schools and colleges I have worked in I have seen this first hand, with students who scored the lowest in their GCSE and A-levels, being those with the lowest attendance.

Secondly punctuality is not just a matter of respect – just as it is not acceptable for a teacher to be late neither is it acceptable for a student – but one of developing the right attitude. Students who are not punctual betray their own lack of organisation and seriousness, and that if not corrected will have a severe impact on the student’s later ability to find and hold on to a good job. This is why in Year 8 we ensure that all attendance is properly recorded a the start of every day, and that students who are not on time to lessons are dealt with accordingly.

Year 8 Team

GENERAL

NURSERY

FS

Primary

SECONDARY

Year 9 News Attendance and punctuality play a huge role in increasing children's academic success. It is obvious that when students are not in class they miss out on learning. One absence can cause a student to miss out on a wealth of knowledge. Studies show that poor attendance can be a red flag for student becoming disengaged with learning. When students miss school for no good reason, they usually lack the motivation to not only come to school, but to complete the work they missed from being absent. Too many absences can lead to a great deal of missing assignments and failed classes. Consequently, affecting their results.

We need to teach students the importance of being present in school. Having students practice attendance and punctuality at school is great preparation for their future careers, where showing up at work on time will not only make them dependable, but will also grant them a paycheck.

There are strategies that we can teach to improve punctuality. Whilst acknowledging that there are problems that lead to legitimate lateness—a late bus, misplaced shoes, a crowded bathroom, such troubles can be decreased with appropriate strategies. However, these strategies that must be explicitly taught to your children if you would like them to be present and punctual. For example, preparing clothes the night before can save time when a bathroom is shared. Waking up earlier may allow for extra time for traffic or to find a lost shoe before walking out the door. Children do not come equipped with these strategies. Therefore, parents must teach them, so they have the appropriate tools to use in order to increase their chances for perfect attendance.

Teach your child that good attendance is not just something that happens. It takes planning, preparation, and persistence, but eventually it pays off.

This message is even more important as the Year 9’s approach their Checkpoint examinations. They have now received their mock results and will have been given clearly, defined targets to enable them to attain their target grades. Consistent attendance and punctuality are essential if each student is to achieve their expected grade or higher. In addition, each student now has their own personal revision timetable, which was done with their tutors. Please encourage them to use this. A little focused revision each night is far better than cramming the night before the examinations If you wish to discuss these or any other issues with any member of the Year 9 team please do not hesitate to contact me bryonyl@rafflesis.com

http://mobile.austinweeklynews.com/News/Articles/2-19-2013/Teach-your-child-to-be-punctual-andpresent/ Year 9 Team

GENERAL

NURSERY

FS

Primary

SECONDARY

Year 10 News At Raffles International School we recognise that attending school regularly and on time has a positive impact on learning and progress. Excellent attendance is a very important parameter for our student’s success. Therefore, we must ensure that attendance is the highest possibly can be in order to prepare our students for their future adult life. Logically if students are not in school, they are not learning and thereby allowing their potential grades to suffer. Everyone is genuinely ill at some point and this may lead students to miss a day or two of school which is permissible, but that should be a very rare occurrence.

Punctuality is another important factor that students should keep in mind. Being on time in the morning gets your day off to a good start and puts you in a positive frame of mind so that you can make the most of the learning opportunities. It also sets positive patterns for the future; you cannot expect to keep a job if you are always arriving late. Most importantly being punctual helps you develop a sense of responsibility for yourself and towards others and is a sign of good character.

Here are some tips that may help to get you to school on time:  Make sure you have everything ready the night before e.g. PE kit, books, school uniform.  Make sure you do homework the night before, not at the breakfast table.  Ensure that you always get a good night’s sleep and therefore awake rested the next morning.  Make sure you allow plenty of time for the journey to school (traffic varies from day to day) Our Year 11 students received their mock examinations results recently. The students need to use their results to plan their study from now until the actual IGCSE examinations in May. Mock examinations reveal weak spots for the students to strengthen, areas for improvement and gaps in their knowledge.

Most students make a grade higher between mocks and the examinations; however this is only generally true if students take their teachers’ feedback into consideration and pull their ‘socks up’ from now until May. Year 10 Team