TERM 1 2018
THE
RAPTOR
REPORTER
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL
FROM MR. IAIN... Dear Parents,
Important Dates:
It’s incredible to think we have reached the end of the first term already. It has been such a busy term that time has flown by and we
JAN 6 CLASSES RESUME
are all looking forward to the winter break.
We have welcomed almost 400 new students and 32 new staff into
FEB 10-12 MID-TERM BREAK FEB 23 INTERNATIONAL DAY
school this year. Everyone has settled in very well indeed and we are proud of the new additions to our Raha community.
The term has been an exciting one with numerous activities going on across the school. Some of the most memorable things for me so far have all been related to ‘Raha’s Exceptional Journey’:
We are training and supporting a large number of teacher trainers from local universities There have been many training opportunities for staff this term, with almost all EY and Primary teachers being involved in the highly impressive Responsive Classroom training, plus a wide range of IB training The release of our first ever chat show aimed at promoting entrepreneurial skills and developing students as business leaders – 'Ask an Entrepreneur' The school has won an impressive number of sports competitions across the city The Raha Singers and Raha Junior Singers performed at the Taaleem Winter Concert and Champions of Tolerance Symposium, sponsored by the Ministry of Tolerance We Hosted The Abu Dhabi Choral Group (which includes a number of Raha staff) for their performance of LIGHTS, CAMERA, SING! A number of wonderful events have also taken place this year including Flag day, National Day and the Holiday Bazaar. We are always incredibly grateful to help of our Parent Team and the many other parents who support such exciting events
STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Many of our staff members participated in professional development training over the summer and in Term 1. Some highlights are below: Ms Ruba, Ms Mary Kay and Ms Fatima were selected by the IB to be School Visit Team Members after several months of training. Primary staff undertook a 4-day Responsive Classroom training All staff undertook Child Protection training All Learning Assistants undertook first aid training Several staff undertook fire training
PYP SPORTS COUNCIL: OUR SPORTS AMBASSADORS An exciting new initiative was started this term for our budding grade 5 sports ambassadors. Students in grade 5 were given the opportunity to apply to be part of the Raha PYP sports council. The interest was high, and all applicants proved their dedication to sport at Raha, along with their passion to include all in extra-curricular activities. With that being said, the below 8 students were chosen to be our PYP sports ambassadors:
Our PYP sports ambassadors have roles and responsibilities in areas such as the following: raise the awareness of sport at Raha; include as many students in our competitive sporting programme; plan and lead inter murals at break times; keep our sports council notice board up to date; judge the Raha sports chant competition; and generally be approachable to all PYP students.
You might notice our sports ambassadors around campus wearing their “sports ambassadors” badge. Stop them to say hello and ask them what they have been up to lately with regards to promoting physical activity at Raha.
"EDUCATION
LANTERN
WAY
WHICH
IN
A
IS
LIGHTS
DARK
-SHEIKH
LIKE
A
YOUR
ALLEY."
ZAYED
TERM 1 SPORTS REPORT
Term 1 Sports have dominated most leagues in Abu Dhabi with over 350 Raha students competing in 6 sports (football, touch rugby, cricket, swimming, triathlon, rugby, basketball and volleyball) and several teams placing within the top 3 schools in the league rankings. Â Numerous hours before/after school were given up to train for the ADISSA Leagues and Tournaments throughout the season and the athletes and coaches should be commended for their dedication and commitment to sport at Raha.
Several of our students were given the opportunity to play for the Taaleem Titians in U13, U15 and U19 Rugby and boys U16 and U19 Basketball. We have 2 students who are attending an overseas tournament in Sweden with Coach Walter to compete as part of the Elite Titans Basketball team. The Titans Rugby team competed in their first tournament this November allowing some of our players to extend their rugby talents with a group of players from Taaleem schools in Dubai.
Special mention to the Triathlon team who have participated in several events, including an Open Water Swim Festival in which athletes were placed in the top 10 positions with some of the athletes achieving podium positions in each age category.
Our U16 boys and girls football teams have excelled this Term! The boys made it to the finals in the ADISSA tournament and took the gold medal in a very close game against BSAK. Raha is one of the few schools in Abu Dhabi to enter the DU Cup and both our U16 boys and girls teams won their games and are now advancing to the Finals – where they will play the top teams across the country.
"IF
YOU
CAN
DREAM
CAN
DO
-WALT
IT,
YOU
IT."
DISNEY
We are looking forward to Term 2 Sports! Keep up the amazing dedication, determination and enthusiasm, Raha athletes and coaches.
MINI BEAST MADNESS Mini Beast Madness descended on Raha earlier this month. This was the first major production that our EYs have been involved in. We are so proud of our EY2-Grade 3 students who put on an AMAZING show!
A BIG thank you and congratulations to all the staff and parents that dedicated their time in putting it all together!
STAFF LIP SYNC BATTLE Our secondary staff members put on an INCREDIBLE show for all secondary students during their annual 'Lip Sync Battle'. Congratulations to Green Oryx who took home 1st place! Be sure to check out the full battle available on our Facebook and Youtube pages soon!
BOOK FAIR RESULTS
Thank you Raha community for shopping at the Book Fair! The wonderful news is that with the number of sales we have succeeded in inspiring and encouraging many of our young minds away from their screens and toward the enjoyment, relaxation and education that comes with a good story. The additional bonus is that with our commissions we have been able to grow our own collection of popular titles. We also achieved the biggest profit ever or over AED 120,000!
“THE
THE
MORE
MORE
KNOW.
YOU’LL
YOU
THINGS
THE
LEARN,
THAT
MORE
THE
YOU
WILL
THAT
YOU
MORE
GO.”
–
READ,
PLACES
DR.
AUTHOR VISIT
SEUSS Award winning author and 'mathematical magician', David M. Schwartz, is coming to Raha International School to share his love of Maths and books with Primary students, staff and parents. It's all about making Maths fun!
Parents will have the opportunity to join David in an evening session where he models ways that parents can promote children’s mathematical learning as part of their everyday activities.
Save the date! Tickets will be on sale after winter break.
Monday 28 January 18:30 - 19:30 Auditorium, Raha Arts Centre Raha International School
1 MRET MORF
Students attend the Interfaith Alliance Forum
STHGILHGIH Students plant UAE Flags in celebration of Flag Day
Raha G11 & 12 students place 3rd in the Curtin University Blockchain Business Cup Challenge
STHGILHGIH 1
MRET
MORF
We had a wonderful National Day Celebration at Raha this year
Grade 5 students put on a fantastic art exhibition
Grade 6s trained with coaches from Man City Academy
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM RAHA! I hope you have enjoyed reading this termly newsletter. I would like to wish everyone a wonderful winter break and to those who celebrate it, have a very Happy Christmas.
Administration offices will remain open from 8am-4pm, Sun-Thurs
We look forward to seeing all students return during the winter break. We will be
to school on Sunday 6th January.
closed on 1 January 2019 as it is a public holiday.
If you are looking to keep your kids busy this winter break, check out the Raha Winter Camp! Find more information on Facebook or in your last Raha Reminders email.