89 Thursday, Thursday 10 September 21 May 2015 Issue 92 GENERAL GENERAL
NURSERY
SECONDARY
PRIMARY PRIMARY
KG
PARIS SCHOOL CLINIC
GENERAL
Date
Time
Grade
Location
Sunday, 13 September
8:00 - 8:45 am
Grade 1
Multi-purpose Hall
Sunday, 13 September
9:00 - 9:45 am
Grade 6
Lecture Theatre
Monday, 14 September
8:00 - 8:45 am
KG2
Lecture Theatre
Monday, 14 September
8:00 - 8:45 am
Grade 3
Multi-purpose Hall
Monday, 14 September
9:00 - 9:45 am
Grade 7
Lecture Theatre
Tuesday, 15 September
8:00 - 8:45 am
Grade 2
Multi-purpose Hall
Tuesday, 15 September
8:15 - 9:00 am
Grade 8
Lecture Theatre
Wednesday, 16 September
8:00 - 8:45 am
Grade 4
Multi-purpose Hall
Wednesday, 16 September
8:15 - 9:00 am
Grade 9
Lecture Theatre
Thursday, 17 September
8:00 - 8:45 am
Grade 5
Multi-purpose Hall
Thursday, 17 September
8:00 - 8:45 am
KG1
Lecture Theatre
IMPORTANT DATES DATE Sunday, 13 - Thursday, 17 September Wednesday, 16 September Thursday, 17 September Monday, 21 September Tuesday, 22 - Thursday, 24 September Sunday, 27 September - Thursday, 01 October Monday, 28 - Thursday, 01 October
EVENTS SEPTEMBER Baseline testing - Secondary School Peace Day Red Day - Nursery Eid Al Adha Celebration/Assembly Arafat Day and Eid Al Adha* - tbc
Baseline testing - Primary School Council of International Schools Visit
OCTOBER Thursday, 01 October Thursday, 01 October Monday, 05 - Tuesday, 06 October Wednesday, 14 October Sunday, 18 - Thursday, 22, October Thursday, 22 October Monday, 26 - Wednesday, 28 October
Inspire to Teach Programme Nursery Information Morning Grade 2 Field Trip Hijri New Year* - tbc Book Fair Yellow Day - Nursery Arabic Field Trip - tbc
Tuesday, 27 October
Progress Report 1 due
NOVEMBER Sunday, 01 November
Parent-Student Conference
Monday, 09 November
RIS Open Day - 9:00 - 10:30 am
Wednesday, 11 November
RIS Nursery Open Day - 9:30 - 11:00 am
Thursday, 12 November
Staff Professional Development Day - noon dismissal
Monday, 16 - Tuesday, 17 November
KG1 Field Trip
Tuesday, 17 - Wednesday, 18 November
KG1 Planting Days
Thursday, 19 November
Blue Day - Nursery
Thursday, 26 November
Dental talk - Nursery
DECEMBER Tuesday, 01 December
UAE National Day Celebration & UAE National Sports Day
Wednesday, 02 – Thursday, 03 December
National Day Holiday* - TBC
Sunday, 06 - Wednesday, 09 December
KG2 Field Trip
Tuesday, 08 - Thursday, 10 December
Nursery Field Trip
Wednesday, 09 December
RIS Open Day - 9:00 - 10:30 am
Thursday, 10 - Saturday, 12 December
Cambridge World Schools Conference
Wednesday, 16 December
KG1 Winter Concert
Thursday, 17 December
Nursery Reports
Thursday, 17 December
End of Term and dismissal for Winter Break - Full day school
Friday, 18 December - Saturday, 02 January
Winter Break
Message from the Principal International mindedness must ‘permeate every aspect of Raffles International School’ Our Vision Providing world class education Our Mission To empower students with a rigorous, holistic and international education for success in an everchanging world Our Core Values Achievement | Collaboration | Integrity |Respect |Responsibility A t R I S students are expected to 'develop and transform their attitudes and beliefs to those which are in tune with ideals of world citizenship, which 'would include the breaking down of barriers and prejudices .... Transforming t h e focus of young people's thinking from the parochial to the global and from the narrow-minded to the bro a d -minded' (Waterson & Hayden, 1999: 18). Cross cultural awareness and appreciation of diversity are keys to global citizenship this century. ‘International education’ has become an even more important approach to preparing students for active and purposeful lives as global citizens. The essence of international education and a challenge for international school is embracing the concept of `international mindedness’. In fact there lies the success of international education as students of such schools develop a global perspective that is built upon understanding and respect for one's own culture and that embraces knowledge of global issues and their independence and cultural differences. In 1974 UNESCO stated that `international education should teach about peace and human rights in order to enable every person to … promote international solidarity and co-operation, which are necessary in solving world problems" (Hill, 2012). At RIS the aim is to prepare our children for the future and to embed core values such as integrity and respect which will guide them on their educational journey ‘for success in an ever changing world’. At RIS international mindedness goes in tandem with the ideas of collaboration, responsibility and helping others. International mindedness 'is a frame of mind and an approach to issues, an attitude towards oneself, others and the world at large (Ellwood & Davis, 2009), it must permeate every aspect of the school; teaching, extra-curricular activities, celebrations, sports, music, art and community projects. Embedded in t h e R I S mission statement is the concept o f a student centred international school challenging every student to become responsible global citizens. Comprising students representing 90 plus nationalities and teachers 27 nationalities, RIS is by name, definition and make-up a multi-national, multi-cultural community which only strengthens our uniqueness and strengthens our identity because there is so much diversity.
Our aim should be to support each other and to value and promote international mindedness and understanding. Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another's uniqueness.� Ola Joseph We lowered our flags to half-mast as is being done at all government office buildings and schools. http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/government/3-daymourning-period-in-uae-public-private-sector-officesschools-to-remain-open-1.1578631 As a mark of respect there was a flag ceremony 11:15 Sunday, 06th September- a representative group of children attended the ceremony. Throughout the week teachers explained to their children why our flags are at half-mast and that we pay our respects to those that have lost their lives in the service of their country. Those that have lost their lives and their families are in our thoughts and prayers. Michael William Clack Principal
NOTICES
1. Morning main Gates opening: 7:30 am - 8:00 am 2. Please note in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, we will conduct a fire drill in the coming week. 3. May I respectfully remind parents of the dietary regulations and customs of our host country. We are a no nut and chocolate school and I would ask parents to refrain from sending any pork products in lunch and snack boxes. 4. Parents and visitors are requested to dress in a manner that is respectful to local customs and sensitivities. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Sweta Sheth SEN Specialist KG-Grade 2 "Like flowers, every child is special and unique....... that is why gardens are beautiful every day of the week!" I love flowers and I firmly believe in, what I have shared above. Every child is unique and special in its own way. My name is Sweta Sheth, lead KG1 - Grade 3 Learning Support teacher and I am really glad to welcome you and your kid to the new academic year 2015-2016. I have completed my Masters in Counselling Psychology and have been executing my services in the same field for more than ten years. Since it's my first year at RIS, I am looking forward to meet as well as know each and every child of my group and their parents too. Previously I was working in a British school, as "Head of Special Needs Department/Counsellor" for four years. Prior to this job I have been working as a Counsellor back in my home country. I have always been associated with schools and have worked with almost all different types of special needs children. My strengths are communication skills, creativity, curiosity to learn, open mindedness, leadership qualities, listening skills and perseverance. As professional, my objective has always been to identify special needs at an early stage. Guiding/ Counselling parents have been my second objective which is a leading step of success in child's development and progress. Implementing correct protocol and procedures, developing SMART customized plan for each child is the last step for development and progress. Personally, I am social, friendly and fun loving. My hobbies are travelling, learning about different cultures and meeting people. I know three languages with strong work ethics. I am sincere, dedicated and hard working person who enjoy challenges and loves creativity in daily living. In my leisure time, I enjoy reading, listening to music and shopping which helps me to rejuvenate. I have shared quite a bit information about myself with you. Thus, I hope that this information will help you to know me personally and professionally. Moreover, I assure you that I will try, with the best of my abilities, to help each and every child at RIS. As I just do not stick to academics only rather, aim at the overall development of each child. If you would like to meet me to discuss your child's performance or any other problems that he/she is facing in class, you can email me and fix an appointment at swetas@rafflesis.com I will be in room no. F019. I look forward to working with all of you and for your co-operation. Sweta Sheth SEN Specialist KG - Grade 2
Victoria Evette Castro SEN Specialist Grades 3-5 Hello my name is Victoria Castro and I am a LS/SEN teacher for Raffles International School and the Learning Support teacher for Grades 3 - 5. I was born and raised in San Diego, California, U.S.A. I have lived in the U.A.E for two years. I worked for a private school in Abu Dhabi before moving to Dubai. I studied Education at San Diego State University. I earned my Bachelor’s in Education and then went onto graduate school to earn my teaching credential in Special Education. I have been a SEN teacher since 2007 working in America for five years and then moving to the U.A.E in 2012. Working internationally has given me the opportunity to meet a diverse group of people from all over the world which has enabled me to learn about their culture and language. My years of experience have taught me the value of patience, encouragement and self-confidence that is necessary for students to succeed in the classroom. I work closely with each student, providing the individualized support and praise they require. I make sure to stay connected with their teachers, family members and any specialists involved, to maximize the success of each student, both in and out of the school. I cannot imagine having a more fulfilling and rewarding job. On a more personal note, I enjoy meeting up with friends to enjoy a nice meal of Mexican or Japanese cuisine and to enjoy the lovely city of Dubai. I am an active person who enjoys water sports such as snorkelling and kayaking. In addition, I enjoy cooking, dancing, attending concerts, going to the cinema and bowling. However, my most favorite activity is travelling to different locations to explore and learn about other cultures. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Room: F019 Email: victoriac@rafflesis.com
Janette Glave - SEN Coordinator SEN Specialist Grades 6 - 9 Hello my name is Janette Glave and I am the SEN Coordinator at Raffles International School and the Learning Support teacher for Grades 6 - 8. Originally, I was born in Bermuda, but grew up in Quebec, Canada. Although I have lived and worked in 8 different countries I now call both Canada and the Netherlands home, as my husband is Dutch. In university I studied Biology and then went to the UK to do a teaching degree. I have been teaching since 1996 and have lived and worked - as a teacher in international schools, in the UAE, China, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands. I enjoy working in international schools as it has given me the opportunity to meet so many different people, learn about different cultures and languages, and make some very good lifelong friends. My educational philosophy in a nutshell is that every child should be given the equal opportunity to take part in the learning process, regardless of his or her abilities or learning style. This can be achieved through careful assessment, observations and planning in order to cater for the different learning styles of the class. I also believe children should be encouraged to develop into reflective, independent and cooperative learners. This is possible through activities that offer genuine opportunities for self-reflection, a well organised user-friendly classroom and monitored group related activities. These past three years have been especially rewarding as I had the opportunity to focus on the social/ emotional needs of students. In conjunction with completing a Masters in Counselling Psychology, I was able to offer counselling services to some students at the Amsterdam International Community School in the Netherlands and as the counsellor for Grade 4 and 5, at the American School of Dubai. I look forward to further developing these skills at RIS. More personally, I am an outgoing person, a lover of Japanese and Italian cuisine who enjoys a good laugh and people with a good sense of humour. When I am not working I like to read, cook, dance, go to concerts, and travel. I have been fortunate to have been able to travel to and explore many countries all over the world. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Room: S027 Email: janetteg@rafflesis.com
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KG
NURSERY
PRIMARY
SECONDARY
Casa A I am glad to welcome you and your child to my class this year. I graduated from Gulf Montessori Training Centre in Dubai and have an International diploma in Montessori Pedagogy. This is my seventh year as a nursery teacher in RIS. Nursery years are the most challenging years for both the parents and the child. I will try to make the transition as smooth as possible. I feel that this is the perfect age to impact a child’s life in a positive way, helping them to believe in themselves and become independent. I am looking forward to an exciting and fun filled year ahead. Tasnim Abdulali, Nursery Teacher and Mary Jean Perua, and Ma Cris Destajo, Classroom Assistants
Casa B “One test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child.” Maria Montessori. Hope you have all had a relaxing summer. My name is Jyotsna Jadeja and this is my fourth year as a Nursery teacher at Raffles International School. I have done my Montessori qualification from the Gulf Montessori Nursery. I look forward to welcoming all the children to Casa B to what I hope will be an exciting, eventful and fun filled academic year. It is truly a rewarding experience to observe how the children blossom and develop through the year. Each child is unique and learns in a different way and hence the right environment and care is crucial to their all-round development. Children learn through play and hence play is an important aspect for their physical, social and emotional development. I look forward to sharing the journey together with your children. Jyotsna Jadeja, Nursery Teacher and Meriam Palmes and Jusen Quinlog, Classroom Assistants
Casa C I welcome all the parents to the new academic year. We have seen many tears in the nursery these past few days. It is a very difficult time for the parents knowing that one day you have to let go. This is your first step to loosen the leash on your child’s independence and freedom, to let them explore for themselves. I would also like to seek your cooperation in exercising patience and consideration when dropping off or picking up children so please wait for us to open the door. I am looking forward in knowing each child and their parents. My aim is to create an environment which eases your child’s first step into education and to form excellent relationship among children, families and teachers. We would do our best to help your child to grow and develop into happy, healthy and self-assured individuals. Gitanjali Pathak, Nursery Teacher, Lorena Isip and Jasmien Manalili, Classroom Assistants
Casa D
“Montessori is an education for independence, preparing not just for school, but for Life’’ Maria Montessori
My name is Sarah Mathenge the teacher for Nursery Casa D in Raffles International School. I was born in Nairobi, Kenya. I am the second child in a family of four. I have been teaching for the last 14 years of my life and I love it very much. I have lived in Dubai for the last 8 years and I enjoy it here. I like to meet new people and learn about their language and culture. I hope to make this academic year an educational as well as fun-filled for the children and I. I look forward to a wonderful partnership in your child’s education. Sarah Mathenge, Nursery Teacher, Sofia Cabezas and Catherine Glorian, Classroom Assistants
Casa E My name is Susanna Allegra, I come from Italy and I have lived in Dubai for almost 8 years. I have been the Teacher of Casa E since joining RIS in 2011 and a Nursery Teacher since 2008. I am a strong believer of the Montessori educational philosophy and method. The prepared and ordered environment of a Montessori classroom is the perfect place for every child’s holistic growth and independent learning. I warmly welcome you all to a new exciting Academic Year in Casa E, together with my two Classroom Assistants, Miss Judee and Miss Vanessa. Susanna Allegra, Nursery Teacher, Judee Carbonel and Vanessa Vinarao, Classroom Assistants.
Casa F
“Help me to do it myself” - Maria Montessori
I look forward to an exciting and productive year with your child. This is my fifth year as a Montessori trained teacher at Raffles International School. I enjoy reading, solving puzzles, cooking, photography, gardening, scrapbooking, music and travelling. I love being a part of children’s nurturing in their early years, providing care and support to them within a secure environment and learning through play. Together we will make this year the best year possible for your child. Joanne Okera, Nursery Teacher, Wilma Suana and Eddeilyn Balagtas, Classroom Assistants
Casa G My name is Safeera Salahuddin and I am the Teacher of Casa G. A Montessori Certified and Trained teacher; this field simply brought to a fore the inherent love I have for working with children of this age group- the Nursery children. What is not to love about a job where you get to go back home knowing you have imparted education be it on a colouring sheet, or by reinforcing a sense of security - to a 3 year old? Looking forward to meeting with you during the course of the coming year. Safeera Salahuddin, Nursery Teacher, Maricel Acierto and Micaela Magtipon, Classroom Assistants
Casa H My name is Meeta Asarpota. I am the class teacher of Casa H. I have 6 years of hands-on, successful teaching experience. I have earned my BA degree (English), as well as I have a degree in Early childhood learning from London Montessori. I have been very successful at accommodating diverse student needs by facilitating all styles of learners, offering individualized and extracurricular support and integrating effective material. I have been successfully responsible in molding the children in their new phase of life through motivation and encouragement activities while disciplining the little ones at the same time. I encourage learning by using number of different manipulative, hands-on activities and various forms of technology. Above all, I love teaching and I am thankful that it come to me naturally. Meeta Asarpota, Nursery Teacher, Sherry Timajo and Jean Mate Classroom Assistants
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KG NEWS Dear Parents, As a parent we look forward to the start of the school year. ‘It’s been a looong summer! It is nice to see the children back into their routines, making friends and organizing play dates. But there is one thing we all dread at the beginning of the new academic year and that’s A HEALTHY PACKED LUNCH. We often get torn between what is healthy and what will my child eat. Do not worry, below you will find some tips to help you prepare a nice healthy packed lunch your child will just love. Balance healthy with fun: In kids’ minds healthy = boring. Challenge this perception by introducing healthy snacks. Try adding a couple of baked crisps or a whole wheat cookie to go with their fruits. Try a banana muffin using whole wheat flour and flax meal or oats. Other fun items that kids like to find in their lunch boxes include popcorn, Actimel and strawberries. Get your kids involved: Having your child help out in the kitchen makes sure they feel good about what they are eating. Getting them involved in the planning process and allowing them to choose from a couple of (healthy) options ensures that they know what to expect in their lunch boxes and gives them a sense of ownership for their own healthy choices. Do not experiment: never add new/experimental dishes in their lunch boxes that they have not tried before. If there is a recipe that you would like to introduce to them, first serve it at home a couple of times before packing it in their lunch box. Children are fussy eaters and sometimes get intimidated when trying new foods. Prepare a weekly meal planner: A weekly planner helps to ensure that all daily nutrient requirements are met. A planner also comes in handy when doing your weekly grocery shop: Make sure to plan ahead to pack enough carbs for each day to help them get the extra energy they need at school. Leave notes: These are a great way to reassure your child that you are thinking about them while they are away from home. After a certain age, lunch time for kids becomes about more than just eating - they are also learning to socialise with other children. Throwing a joke or a riddle into their lunch box allows them to share a laugh with their friends or to break the ice with new peers. May I also politely remind you to respect the dietary laws and customs of our host country. Good luck and remember, ‘We are a NUT and chocolate free environment’. Susie Mcshane KG Coordinator
Message from KG1 Dear Parents, A warm welcome to you and your children into KG 1. We hope you found the Orientation Day to be a helpful experience. The idea of this session was to give you information regarding your child’s new class and to meet the teacher. The first day of school and in the year ahead is about establishing routines in the Montessori preschool classroom and we all know that preschoolers love routines. Preschoolers thrive on understanding how their day will unfold and predicting what will happen throughout the day. We aim to make the routine and transition as simple and stress-free in the Montessori classroom. It is important to bring the children to school and pick them up on time to establish a firm foundation in routine. It is vital that a swift good morning and goodbye is completed at the door to ensure a smooth transition quickly. Morning greeting, circle time, Montessori work cycle, snack, play time, lunch and the final circle is the main essence of a defined Montessori atmosphere. A basic outline of what to expect from your Montessori classroom in the morning is peaceful music playing while the children are arriving. The children find their personal cubby outside the classroom and put their things away, (weather permitting). They then enter the class, shake the hand with the teacher and in an indoor voice greet each other at the door. They are directed to find a spot to sit on the mat for circle time and the day begins. Please remember that the School Communicator and School Diary are tools to keep you up to date with the school schedule for your child. If there are pressing matters please e-mail your child’s class teacher. Thank you for your support and understanding. KG 1 Montessori Team
Message from KG2 A hearty welcome to our little Kindergarteners and Parents, Hope you enjoyed the summer and are ready to embark on an important milestone in your child’s life. Kindergarten is a year of growing socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Your involvement as a parent, interest, and enthusiasm will help make 2015-2016, a wonderful year of growth for you and your child. Early childhood is a significant period in human development. It is a time when children begin to develop initiative, independence, decision-making ability, creativity, early literacy, numeration skills, the desire to learn, the ability to relate to others, verbal communication skills, and feelings of self-worth. What young children learn in their fifth year will have a major impact on successful learning experiences in school, on their personal development, and on future success and participation in life and society. Parents, teachers and school administrators want this transition to be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Take a moment to imagine the Kindergarten world: letters, numbers, and stories, sharing blocks, puzzles, play, paint and play-dough. Imagination and creativity are everywhere. As you talk with your child about their day and celebrate their best effort on the work they do, remember that Kindergarten is a
"child's garden." Many times the process is more important than the product, and learning is accomplished by doing, touching, and experiencing. We are looking forward to you and your child becoming part of our wonderful school community. We are excited to start the year off right and are eager to get to know your children. . Kindergarten is an exciting time for everyone and we want to make sure everyone – students, families, and teachers – are successful. We urge you to become involved by helping your child with homework and projects, joining PARIS, attending school meetings and conferences, volunteering in the classroom, talking with your child about his or her school experiences, and participating in your child’s education daily. We look forward to working together as a team - student, teacher, and parents - and having a successful year in Kindergarten. The first week of school passed without any hassles and there were fewer tears this year. This week they learnt “All About Myself” and enjoyed talking about themselves and their friends. Settling into their new routines without any hassle, all our kindergarteners had a great time together with their teachers, sharing a beautiful bond of love and joy. Attendance: KG2 students attend school from 7:50 am to 2:15 pm. Children must maintain regular and prompt attendance to ensure academic and social success. If students arrive late, they miss out on learning activities that begin at 8:00 am. Consistent morning routines are imperative to building a child's sense of balance and confidence. KG2's begin the day with the 3-hour Montessori Cycle, so children learn and experiment in a relatively pressure-free environment. To start with, the child is introduced to a concrete material that embodies the concept; this is intended to provide hands-on experience. When the child grasps the concept he/she is introduced to its abstract form. This allows children adequate time to develop and understand the subject holistically and conceptually. We do not start the homework routine immediately. Parents will be notified and updated regarding the homework in KG2, which will start later in the semester. Please view school as a priority, and see to it that your child attends every day except in cases of illness or emergency. Children are expected to be in the school latest by 7:50 am. Kindly inform the teacher or the school regarding any absences. Snack Time: Children will have an opportunity for snacks twice per day. They will have snack time in the morning and afternoon. Please be aware that we have an extended school day and due to this, students often become worn out and hungry near the end of the day. Please send a good healthy snack for the day. Students are encouraged to use reusable water bottles in the classroom. Please make sure to label all water bottles and the items that come to school. May I remind you to respect the dietary regulations and customs of our host country.
Some DOs and DON'Ts We request the children to swipe their ID cards in the morning. Students attend school from 07:50 am to 02:15 pm. RIS is a nut-free and chocolate-free environment. Please be aware of this when packing your child's lunch. Please do not send birthday party invitations to school unless the entire class has been invited. Although it may seem convenient to help your child distribute invitations this way, it can result in hurt feelings for those not invited. No Hat no play. Finally, kindly check your child's diary every day. Let us work together to make a memorable year. “Have a great Academic year” KG 2 Montessori Team
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PRIMARY SCHOOL Message from the Deputy Head of Primary School (KG2 - Grade 2/Years 1 - 3) Dear Parents, A new year has begun and already the school is bustling with energy and drive. The children are excited and are feeling enthused with the curriculum and the many new subjects and teachers they have to meet. This time of year, the students need to be reminded of our core values and the assemblies this week in the Primary School will be on this theme: Achievement of all our students is of the utmost importance to ensuring all our student strive to be the best they can be. Collaboration is key to learning in all subjects and we pride ourselves on how the children learn together in pairs, or small groups to achieve the end result. Integrity holds such importance in our school where telling the truth and making the right choices in all aspects of school life is expected. Respect of all nationalities within our school and respect of all our staff is important to stress to all the children. We are a multi-lingual school which values all the children regardless of creed or colour. Responsibility comes in all walks of school life and we encourage all children to be responsible learners and independent learners. We hope for all children to be responsible for themselves and the rest of their class. As parents, we need to reiterate the importance of these values at home. I am hoping that all students will remember these values and to be able to apply them readily at RIS. After School Activities are starting this week please ensure you sign up for the range of activities we have on offer. This is the time when children work socially as a team and are able to relax amongst friends in a an environment that they fully enjoy. We look forward to welcoming your children to these activities so they can flourish socially and work collaboratively as a team. Jasmit Kang Deputy Head of Primary School - KG2 - Grade 2/Years 1 - 3
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Grade 1 News
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What an exciting first week back it has been. We are now well acquainted with our new teachers, our classmates and the rooms where our specialist lessons are taking place. We have learned about the importance of team work and have started to learn about each other; where we come from, food from our countries etc. We understand we are all different but that we fit together perfectly like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. We have learned about the class rules and routines and were introduced to the class Dojo reward system where we can earn points daily for being respectful and kind to others, following instructions and trying our best. If we accumulate points by the end of the week/month we can cash in points for a prize. Paid ASA’s have just begun and parents will collect the students from the allocated rooms for the Activities. This can be checked under After School Activities on the school website. This week we are reviewing complete sentences, using capital letters and full stops. We are looking at how we can stretch our sentences by adding “who” “what” and “where” to give more detail. In Math, we are working on counting backwards and forwards to 100 from any given number. We are also learning that if we jump down on the hundred square we are jumping in tens. In Science, we are reviewing the senses and made sensory observations with popcorn, YES popcorn. We are having a blast and ready for more fun learning adventures.
Homework and take home reader will be sent on week four but we encourage parents to practise the sight words through suggested activities sent with the weekly chronicle. One such activity is to create a password card for them when they exit and enter the house. We will keep you updated with more fun ideas to support your child with reading and spellings through in the coming weeks. That’s all from us for now. Grade 1 Team
Grade 2 News It has been a very busy week for students and teachers this week. The children have finally settled into their classrooms. The children are getting to know their surroundings, class mates as well as their specialist teachers.
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Thank you to the parents for making the first week a successful one. The children are trying very hard to remember all their routines as well as walking in a quiet line when outside of their classrooms. The children have had fun meeting up with their old friends as well as getting to know their new friends from all around the world. Grade 2 is looking forward to learning new and exciting things as well as having fun this year. Grade 2 Team
Grade 3 We have had a great start in Grade 3. In the first week we focused on getting to know our students and establishing our goals with different activities both academically and otherwise. The upcoming year has a number of interactive events and activities to offer and all of them are focused on developing the ‘whole child’. We have seen much enthusiasm from the students with regard to establishing classroom routines and developing new relationships with teachers and fellow classmates. They are whole-heartedly embracing the brand new academic year and we hope to see this enthusiasm continue throughout the year. In the coming weeks In Mathematics and English we will be enhancing fundamental concepts which will give us a good base as we move forward through the year. We will be learning more about the human skeleton in Science and the Environment in Social Studies. We are all looking forward to the coming year and we are excited to see what it will bring. Grade 3 Team
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Grade 4
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A warm welcome to all parents and students. Since the opening of school, teachers have been working alongside the students to help them settle in. In Grade 4, we have played some getting to know you games, learned the rules of the classroom and discussed behavioural expectations. They have also discovered the theme of our classroom for this year, which is the Wild West. The students have met their various subject teachers and learned all the different venues they will be taught in. We have begun to teach the syllabus for this year and kicked off with an energetic start in Mathematics. Our aim this year is to make learning as fun as possible for all our students and to help them attain their educational goals which they have set for themselves. We look forward to a collaborative year ahead. Grade 4 Team
Grade 5 Well done to everyone for settling into Grade 5 in the first week back. The pupils had a busy first week back, getting to know their new teachers and classmates. It has been a very positive start from everyone and we are now well prepared to meet the challenges for the year ahead. Pupils should now be familiar with their classmates and teacher, feeling happy and safe in a positive learning environment. If you, the parents, have any queries about any aspect of school life or just general inquires as to your child/s progress, please feel free to contact us at any time. During this week, pupils wrote baseline assessments in order for teachers to gauge accurate starting levels for each pupil and focus on specific topics which require the most learning. In order to ensure your child achieves their full potential in Grade 5, please be mindful of maintaining the highest levels of attendance and punctuality; from arriving to school on time (before 7:50 am), to being organized with their books and stationary, having a neat uniform and completing all class/homework to the best of their ability. It has been great to witness the levels of excitement and enthusiasm from the pupils during their first week back, and with your support we aim to maintain this throughout the year in every aspect of school life. Grade 5 Team
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SECONDARY SCHOOL Message from Deputy Head – Secondary School The first week of school came and went within a flash. Students hit the ground running with their new timetables and have now met all of our new teachers in the Secondary School assembly. All students have been allocated lockers and have been informed about the importance of keeping them organised and tidy – regular locker checks will take place throughout the year by the Homeroom teachers. From Sunday, 13th September to Wednesday, 16th September I will be leading Curriculum Information Sessions for all Secondary parents. The schedule for these sessions can be found on the front page of SummaRISe 92. I will be discussing the curriculum, assessment frameworks, Learning Journals, technology and other important aspects of Secondary School life. Tea and coffee will be provided. Over the past week, all Secondary students have been involved in baseline testing. A baseline test is an evaluation of what children know and can do when they begin the academic year. The assessment can be repeated at the end of the year to measure progress. Students have taken tests in English (including the New Group Reading Test), Mathematics and Science. All data from these tests will be used by internally by teachers to inform planning. Please can I empahsise that Raffles International School follows the Cambridge Curriculum for the core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science) and the UK National Curriculum for the non-core subjects. In Grade 9, students study towards the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE’s). The Ministry of Education curriculum is followed in Arabic and Islamic Studies. Last year I introduced QR Codes to the Secondary School SummaRISe. I will continue the QR theme this year and encourage all parents to use them when and where possible. Below is a brief reminder of how to use them. Download a QR Code Scanner (free from the app store – or you can Google “QR scanner”) and then scan the code below. It then links to a file, video, website or other online resource. If you would like to create your own QR codes, it is free and simple to do. Please follow the link below to try it out. http://www.qrstuff.com/
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 School ianp@rafflesis.com
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Grade 6 News
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In Grade 6 ICT lessons, students discussed and set computer lab expectations and joined their class EDMODO groups. The highlight of the week was the Padlet activity in which students shared their views regarding the importance of technology in the classroom. Please see the links below to our Padlet walls http://padlet.com/seemav/k5dgwc9tpvqa http://padlet.com/seemav/smv1gvk0ag3v http://padlet.com/sajnab/s9onb0iq4sxl http://padlet.com/sajnab/2v4lp8zmekv4 In PE, students have been learning about the importance of team work. Students had to work collectively to complete group challenges and team building activities. Students self-evaluated and recognised their efforts during tasks, while identifying the skills and qualities needed for effective team work. In Humanities, students of Grade 6 have been continuing to learn about the key skills for History this week. They have learned how to check whether historical evidence is reliable, how to calculate dates in AD/BC and how to work out centuries from years. As a homework task they will need to pick one area of history they enjoy and describe (in no more than twenty lines) what it is they find so interesting about it and why.
Grade 7 News Students have been learning about the importance of team work in PE. Students had to work collectively to complete group challenges and team building activities. Students self-evaluated and recognized their efforts during tasks, while identifying the skills and qualities needed for effective team work. In Humanities, the students of Grade 7 have been continuing to learn about the lives of the Aztec civilization. The focus has been on the different aspects of Aztec life such as life in the main city of Tenochtitlan, the types of jobs the Aztecs would have had and the cultural differences between the Aztecs and the Spanish. For homework, students have been asked to write a short piece from a Spanish viewpoint about their discovery of the Aztecs.
Grade 8 News Students have been learning about the importance of team work in PE. Students had to work collectively to complete group challenges and team building activities. Students self-evaluated and recognized their efforts during tasks, while identifying the skills and qualities needed for effective team work. In Humanities, the outbreak of war in 1914 is the main topic for Grade 8 this week with the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand playing a major role. Students will be analysing how the events of June and July 1914 caused a relatively local dispute between Austria and Serbia soon caused the breakout of full-scale war across Europe within the space of a month. The question of causation is an important one and the students ended the week looking at the contrasts in long- and short-term causes of the war. Students have been asked to look at a question about the First World War for homework to evaluate whether they think the war could have been avoided.
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Grade 9 News
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Students have been learning about the importance of team work in PE. Students had to work collectively to complete group challenges and team building activities. The students have responded well to working collectively. Many classes demonstrated effective team work, numerous ways of communicating and some students showed good leadership qualities that will certainty add to their participation in PE lessons and school sports teams. Grade 9 History and Geography have been affected by the baseline testing this week, meaning that only one lesson has taken place. The continuation of week one topics such as the Paris Peace Conference in History and the key skills aspect of Geography has been the focus of the time in class. In their own time, the History students have been set a task to look at the German reaction to the Treaty of Versailles and the Geography students have been asked to do some pre-reading about the map reading skills they will be learning about next week.
ASA’s ASA’s have kicked off this week with many students getting involved in the variety of sports and clubs that are on offer. Trials for football, netball and swimming have also commenced for both boys and girls school teams. Students have showed up in numbers with enthusiasm to have a fun and competitive season ahead.
Art Department In Grades 6, 7 and 8 we spent the first week getting to know each other through creative activities. Students were paired up and asked to ‘draw without looking’. In their pairs one student described to their partner what image they saw on the board while the other drew without even a peep at the board. They took it in turns to describe and draw and after a few turns they soon understood the importance of team work and collaboration. The student’s thoroughly enjoyed this activity as it allowed them to revise their drawing skills and art vocabulary. We also touched upon the French artist Henri Matisse and created abstract postcards inspired by the technique of collage. Students were not allowed to use a pencil for this exercise which some found challenging, but as Matisse once said ‘draw with your scissors’. We are currently working on baseline assessments. Students are drawing still life composition using their knowledge an understanding of formal elements. I look forward to seeing their completed drawings.
Science Department Grade 6 A/B students started this year with a “Health and Safety” training session were they were informed about the safety rules of the Science Lab and learned how to prevent and deal with accidents. After that, we started Biology were students identified the seven characteristics of living things and related them to a wide range of organisms in the local and wider environment. Next, we will be investigating the structure of animal and plant cells on the microscopes and compare their structure.
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Grade 9 students started IGCSE Physics by studying motion. Students took measurements and calculated their walking and running speed. Then, they have related this knowledge in order to understand how the speed cameras work. Next, we will be learning how to plot and interpret distance/time and speed/time graphs.
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Photo: Grade 6 A/B played dominoes to practice their knowledge in Hazard Symbols
Modern Foreign Languages department launching the RIS ‘Language-a-Week’ challenge To celebrate the wealth of linguistic experience in the school, next week we will launch ‘Learn a Language a week’. Our first language will be Arabic. Please see below for the basic greetings guide. Next week in class and around school, students, teachers, parents and the RIS Leadership team will be expected to greet each other using these phrases. You have this weekend to get studying. Even better if you can extend your learning beyond this list.
Basic Arabic Greetings Assalaam Alaikum -Peace be up on you To which the reply is: Wa Alaikum assalaam -And peace be upon you Marhabbah - hello Shukran (jazeelan) -thank you (very much) To which the reply is: Aafwaan -you're welcome Kaifa haaluk? -How are you? To which the reply is: Al hamdu lillah (bi khair) - praise be to Allah (well)
References http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/10126883/Why-learn-a-foreign-languageBenefits-of-bilingualism.html