THE KCC
CONNECTION WINTER 2023
KNOWLEDGE | COURAGE | CONNECTION
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
First 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 MS. NICOLA KCC has had a great term, with many opportunities for our students to showcase our values of knowledge, courage and connection, and to have learning experiences aligned to the IB mission: The IB develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through education that builds intercultural understanding and respect (ibo.org). I am immensely proud of our KCC Cobra sports teams. As a keen sportsperson, it has been a goal to see KCC excel in the sporting circuit. Our Cobras have been recognised as a highly effective and skilled group of students in our leagues in such a short time. The opportunity for our students to be involved in a wide range of sports, to build skills and team spirit, and to experience the ups and downs that come with this exposure adds to the educational experience of our young people. Thanks to Mr Ben, our PE team and sports coaches, Helen and Arabian Swim Academy, Ms Anne, Ms Carolina and our parent team volunteers, who work tirelessly to provide these opportunities. Also, thank you to all our Cobras who embrace the IB learner profiles of balanced, risk-takers, communicators, reflective, and principled young sportspeople. A highlight of this term was our MYP Week Without Walls. Taking 200+ MYP students out of Abu Dhabi to provide them with outdoor experiences of residential camps was such an enriching and memorable experience. The lessons learned during this week will undoubtedly contribute to the personal growth of each student, instilling a sense of adventure and resilience. Thank you to the teachers who took such great care of all these students during this time. The Grade 8 IB service action trip to Kenya was another highlight and an important part of our IB commitment to nurturing global citizens. Witnessing our students actively engage in community work and contribute to a global society showcased the impact of
From the Office of the Principal
an IB education in action. This real-life opportunity to contribute to societal challenges and make a wider difference is something that we want to provide our students at KCC access to. Thank you to Ms Dana, Ms Anna and Mr Malcolm for taking our students to experience this. Another example of student action is our Model United Nations (MUN). This dedicated and passionate group of students, led by Mr Roman, held a successful conference to gain diplomatic understanding, develop research skills, and deepen their knowledge of global ideas and issues. Representing 50 countries, this event was a testament to our student’s curiosity and commitment to shaping a better world. Ms Fatima and the Arabic Heritage team have been busy hosting two events this term. The team worked with our students to perform a fantastic show of dance, song, and celebration for Mawlid Al-Nabi. They also worked alongside our dedicated UAE National parent team to organise our UAE National Day celebrations. This event brought us all together to explore and celebrate this wonderful country we live in. This celebration fostered a sense of respect for our host country and a strong sense of community that extends beyond the classroom. It was a lovely community day. We have had a focus on wellbeing this term and ran many different events, such as Pink Day, Anti-Bullying Week, Osrah House competitions, and the Wellness Walks. These initiatives underscore our commitment to fostering a safe, supportive, nurturing environment for all community members. I want to express my gratitude to everyone for their contributions to making Term 1 such a success. I wish you all a restful and joyous break.
Ms. Nicola
Grade 4 Trip to Mazaara Farm For their Unit of Inquiry, Who We Are, Grade 4 students visited Mazaara Farm where they explored how interaction with nature enhances our personal growth and wellbeing.
Wellness Walks Thursday Wellness Walks are back! We love getting out in the fresh air and showing our collective commitment to our wellbeing.
From the Office of the Vice Principal
FROM MS. ANNA Marhaba KCC Community, Term 1 is always my favourite term at school. Don’t get me wrong, it is also the busiest, and there are times when it feels a little manic, but it is the most rewarding term at school. You start in August with new families, new students, a n d
new teachers, all a little nervous and apprehensive. By December you can’t tell who has only been there a few months and who has been there for years. As September begins you can already see snippets of progress. This could especially be seen with our littlest learners. The Minis have exceeded our expectations this year. They are now confident KCC students, eager to come to school and learn. The Minis are already bringing a new energy to our school and we look forward to nurturing their curiosity and potential as they embark on their educational journey with us. October brought Settling in Meetings and time for reflection. Across the school students reflected on the
Learner Profile attributes and how these have supported them to be better learners. Everyone asking the question ‘What can I improve on or do better next time?’ The focus on how you learn, and not just what you learn is one of the many reasons why I love the IB curriculum. November came around and we welcomed other Taaleem Principals and Vice Principals to KCC for our `Annual Taaleem Review’. The hard work and dedication of our students, teachers and staff was evident in the glowing feedback received during this process. Our success is a testament to the collaborative spirit and commitment to knowledge, courage and connection that defines KCC. We look
From the Office of the Vice Principal
forward to building on these strengths as we strive our journey to excellence. We closed November with celebrations of the UAE National Day. Our school was adorned with the colors of the flag, and students engaged in activities to honor the heritage and culture of the United Arab Emirates. The spirit of unity and connection was felt throughout the campus, fostering a sense of pride and community. As we celebrate these achievements, let us also express our gratitude to each member of the KCC Community for their unwavering support and dedication. Together, we are creating an environment where students thrive academically, socially and emotionally and it is a pleasure to be a part of this. We wish you all a restful break and for those of you that are celebrating we wish you a Merry Christmas.
Ms. Anna
UAE NATIONAL DAY 2023
UAE 52nd National Day Celebrating National Day is always one of our favorite days of the year!
KCC COBRAS WHAT A TERM!
Our KCC Cobras teams can be proud of their accomplishments this term!
TERM 1 HIGHLIGHTS •
U9 Girls Football had a great season and learned so much. Their skills are developing every practice and game.
•
U9 Touch Rugby had A and B teams, and their season culminated in a fantastic result finishing second at the ADISSA Tournament.
•
U11 Girls Football saw a 100% winning League season. They finished in 6th place in the tournament, and they are well placed to attack the ADEK cup in Term 2.
•
U11 Touch Rugby had A and B teams, and their season in a fantastic result finishing in 2nd place at the end-of-season ADISSA Tournament.
•
U13 Netball had a good League season and played in both BSAK Sevens and end-of-season tournament.
•
U13 Boys football had awesome numbers for practice had 2 teams so many players representing the Cobras Boys A team reaching the Cup Quarter final in ADISSA.
•
U15 Girls won the off-island Division 2 League and performed well in the end-of-season tournament and at BSAK sevens.
•
U15 Boys Football won the League and reached the cup quarterfinal at endof-season tournament.
•
Junior swim squad made it to the final ADISSA Gala in the Top 6 and came a respectable 5th place. Magnificent work in first year in the top division.
•
Senior swim squad managed a 2nd place finish in the final gala, an amazing achievement considering they are missing U17 and 19 age groups due to the school growing.
•
The triathlon team has grown in number and had some awesome results in the first couple of events. They are excited and ready for the main events upcoming.
•
Both Junior NBA Boys and Girls teams are excited and ready for upcoming competitions.
•
Both cricket and badminton started for the first time at KCC.
Scientists in the making Grade 7 students had the opportunity to get some hands on experience when learning about the vascular system in Science.
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.
PINK DAY The KCC Community showed off all things pink for Pink Day!
SWIM GALAS Students showed off their swimming skills and competitive side at their swim galas this term.
Mawlid Al-Nabi The Arabic and Islamic departments prepared a special celebration for Mawlid Al-Nabi this year.
University Fair We were privileged to be visited by BMI Global Ed Fairs with 35 universities represented. Students had the chance to learn more about university options as they look towards life beyond school.
MINIS PICNIC In their first unit of inquiry, ‘Who We Are’, the Minis focused
conclude their unit, the Minis planned a special picnic to
on families. The central idea was, “Family is an important
celebrate their special food from their culture with their
part of who we are”. This sparked a wonderful journey
families. Through this unit they discovered that while our
of exploration into different families, cultures, food, and
families might look different, together we all belong to the
uniqueness. Minis students inquired about where they
KCC community.
come from, and food that is special to their culture. To
ODD SOCKS DAY The KCC community came together to support diversity, inclusion, and diabetes awareness by wearing odd socks and blue. Our community exemplifies the spirit of caring and open-mindedness.
CROSS CAMPUS MUSIC RECITAL Our talented students wowed us with their incredible musical performances in the cross campus
music
recital!
EY SPORTS DAY The Early Years and Minis’ Sports Days were a whirlwind
Support from parents and staff encouraged the children
of cheers, determination and energy. Our littlest
to be risk-takers and challenge themselves to give
learners dashed over hurdles, bounced, and leapt
everything a go even when it was a little bit tricky!
during the sack & moon hopper challenge, showed off their balance during the obstacle course and squeezed
It was wonderful to see how the children’s confidence
sponges to collect water as a team.
grew and new memories were formed. Well done Minis, EY1 and EY2!
The children showcased their budding athleticism, perseverance, teamwork and joy in participation.
WEEK WITHOUT WALLS Secondary students embarked on journies near and far at the end of term during ‘Week Without Walls’. Students explored KCC from the eyes of staff during their internships, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Kenya. We can’t wait to hear all their stories!
THE KCC CONNECTION | WINTER 2023