THE RAPTOR
REPORTER WINTER 2023
HAPPY | CARING | CURIOUS | UNIQUE
IMPORTANT DATES 8 Dec
Last Day of Term 12:00pm finish 2 Jan
Term 2 begins
WINTER BREAK REMINDER Admissions and administration offices will remain open over the break. Office hours will be: Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 4:00pm Friday 8:00am - 12:00pm Please note we will be closed on 1 January as it is a public holiday
UAE National Day 2023-2024 It’s always a fun day welcoming new and returning students to the new academic year!
From the Office of the Principal
FROM MRS. PALI Dear Raha Community, As term 1 comes to an end, I would like to take the opportunity to reflect on all the efforts of the entire community. The dedication and hard work of our students, academic staff and invaluable contribution from parents has been appreciated. Memorable experience This term has been marked by numerous memorable experiences. From cultural exchanges to field trips,
these
students’
moments learning
have
journey,
enriched fostering
our a
deeper understanding of the world around them. The grade specific MEX’s (Memorable Experiences) have continued, and we are aiming for 100 MEX’s for this academic year. The Raha Colour Run was one of the most popular events and our Secondary students would also like the opportunity to take part next term. Student Wellbeing This year we have a continued focus on student wellbeing and with a newly formed whole school Student Council of student representatives as we are seeking to encourage more student voice within all aspects of school life. The Student Council will be introducing a ‘Free Friday’ for all grades to support wellbeing and many other initiatives. Our Mental Health Awareness Day and DP Wellbeing Breakfast events have also helped raise awareness and support our DP students. Fitness Fridays have become a weekly event, promoting health and wellness among our students and staff. The enthusiasm for staying active and fit has been truly inspiring, fostering a culture of well-being within our community. Community events A special thank you to our Raha Parent Team and School Advisory Board members, who are working collaboratively to support the school. Events including Pink Day, the Yoga session, Fitness Fridays, Flag Day, National Day, Winter Holiday bazaar and the Teacher Day celebration have helped bring our community together. The SAB focus on
From the Office of the Principal
‘Roadway to Professions’ builds on enterprise, career and innovation partnerships. It has also been wonderful to welcome our parents to several workshops linked to curriculum, wellbeing and learning. Performing Arts and Sport The Black Box and Evening of Arts was a huge success this year. The EY2 & G1 performance of ‘Stella the Starfish’ was truly amazing. I was so proud that so many of our youngest students on stage acquired the talent, as well as the confidence to perform in front of a full house. There are further details shared later of the Performing Arts and Sporting events from Ms Caroline and Ms Andrea. External Speakers We have been lucky enough to host Manchester City , various universities and Daniel Marza who presented to all Secondary student to enhance their social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and expand their personal leadership capabilities. As we conclude term 1, on behalf of the Raha staff, I would like to wish everyone a restful holiday season with friends and family. May this break be filled with making memories, preparing us all for an even more successful and eventful term 2. Warmest regards,
Mrs. Pali
STAY AND PLAY Students took centre stage to share their successes. Celebrating these achievements with a ‘Stay and Play’ unit of inquiry marked the perfect end to an immersive educational experience.
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK During mental health week in secondary school, students explored deep reset relaxation techniques, practicing various breathing exercises to relax our bodies, meditation opportunities and drawing/colouring. The GC Parent Team kindly organised a wellness breakfast for G12 students.
From the Office of the Vice Principal
FROM MS. CAROL Hello Gardens Community, As we bid farewell to Term 1, I am delighted to reflect on the experiences that have shaped our school community over the past few months. From the brilliant performance of ‘Stella the Starfish’, to the heartfelt celebrations of National Day and Flag Day, and the PYP Colour Run, our school has been buzzing with positive energy and enthusiasm. The exceptional performances in various concerts and recitals have showcased the remarkable talents of our students, and I’ve been so proud to see how students have improved in one year. However, we have also faced challenges, such as the issues with the buses and the need to provide support to our community during times of conflict. These situations serve as reminders that caring for each other and developing resilience are integral aspects of our shared school journey. We appreciate your patience and collaboration as we navigate both the highs and lows of our unique educational landscape. The highlight of
any day at Raha, is visiting lessons and watching students engage
in thought-provoking learning that encourages their critical thinking skills, develops creativity, and fosters collaboration. The dedication and passion of our teachers is evident in so many ways and leads to the outstanding learning we see in EY, Primary and Secondary lessons. I am so grateful for the hard work and commitment of our staff. It’s also been a delight to observe the development of the exceptional learning environments in EY1 and EY2 this term. The dedicated Early Years team has created nurturing spaces that stimulate curiosity, exploration, and social development. Through play-based learning and tailored activities, our youngest learners are developing essential skills, setting the stage for a successful educational journey. Equally, the classroom and corridor environments in Primary and Secondary have also been carefully rejuvenated and make our learning spaces inviting and stimulating. As we embark on the well-deserved break, I want to express my gratitude for your ongoing support and partnership in the educational journey of our students. I look forward to the exciting opportunities and growth that the upcoming terms will undoubtedly bring. Wishing you all a restful and rejuvenating break.
Ms. Carol
Winter Concert We had a wonderful time at the Winter Concert and Holiday Bazaar this year!
UAE NATIONAL DAY 2023
UAE 52ND NATIONAL DAY Celebrating National Day is always one of our favorite days of the year!
RAHA RAPTORS WHAT A TERM!
RAHA RAPTORS Sport plays a fundamental part in every student’s education and personal growth in some aspect. Our Raptors programme offers a variety of different sports that students can get involved in. Not only do we have our Raptors school teams but the ECP’s and external providers that are on campus help to enrich our curriculum and provide extensive opportunities for students. We have had a successful first term with our Raptors sports which consisted of: football, netball, cricket, swimming, triathlon, waterpolo, touch rugby, basketball, badminton and volleyball. Our Raptors have shown dedication, leadership skills, perseverance and trained hard this season, many of the teams winning individual podiums or team successes. Check out our Raptors Report for a review of all Term 1 sports. A special mention to all the coaches who genuinely share their love of the game, their commitment, their passion and dedication to helping our teams continually improve and ensure that sports are an important component of Raha’s educational experience. We encourage all students to sign up for a sports team or ECP in Term 2 or 3 if you haven’t already! Follow us on Instagram @raharaptors to get instant highlights of your Raptors in action throughout the season.
PERFORMING ARTS What a busy first term we have had in the Performing Arts department! All four of our student productions have had their auditions, and the EY2 and G1 performance has already taken place. Their production of “Stella the Starfish” was well received by audiences who thoroughly enjoyed the singing and dancing of 150 students. A huge number of Secondary students were also involved in building the set, making the props, designing the lights and sound, and running backstage and Front of House. Our G2-5 production of “Moana Jr” is well into rehearsal with around 180 students taking part in the cast. The G9-12 production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is also well into the rehearsal process with students assisting in the direction and management of the show. Rehearsals for the G6-8 production of “SpongeBob: The Musical” will being in the new year. The cross-campus Recital Series began in September with the Teacher and Parent Recital, followed by the Secondary Music Recital and Whole School Piano Recital. We are looking forward to the Dance Recital and EY and Primary Music Recitals in the new calendar year. Tuneful Tuesday has made a comeback and you can join us every Tuesday morning in the Raptor’s Nest from 7.30-7.50am for some casual entertainment as you arrive on campus and grab a coffee. Our Primary and EY students have enjoyed live theatre performances by S4K (Peter Pan) and Kevali Productions (Tales of Narnia). We are looking forward to everything that term 2 will bring!
PARENT WORKSHOPS Parents joined school staff to learn more about the specifics of the IB curriculum and how they can support their children in school. Keep an eye out for more opportunities over the next two terms.
UAE FLAG DAY Students and staff celebrated UAE Flag Day on Friday 3rd November. We honoured the vibrant colours of the nation’s flag and the values it represents.
COLOUR RUN It was all fun with colour at our annual colour run!
PINK DAY The Gardens Campus Community showed off all things pink for Pink Day!
FITNESS FRIDAY Our Gardens Campus Community Fitness Fridays have seen so many staff, students, and families join us on the MYP pitch counting the number of laps we can do together. What a great community effort!
MAN CITY FOOTBALL SCHOOLS WORKSHOP Students participated in a workshop with Man City Football Schools, learning about what it takes to stay healthy and how to improve on necessary skills.
THE RAPTOR REPORTER | WINTER 2023