FORWARD - Issue 96

General

Primary School News Primary

Secondary School News Secondary

Issue Issue25 59 96 14 September [2017-18] 27 August Thursday, 2015 [2015-2016] 102017 October 2013 Issue

Events & ASA Events-CCA

School SchoolClinic Clinic

Sports Activities

E– Team

Nepal - CAS/DofE Trip Despite an illness that ran through the team for a few days, our students enjoyed a fantastic trip to Nepal over the past two weeks. The highlight of the trip was the volunteer work completed at our project in Nabin Gram high school.

We managed to build a wall to reinforce the foundations of some of the classrooms, painted most of the school as well as the front of the school, and erected a railing along some steps that was very much needed for safety reasons.

There were some great relationships built with the local people and our guys shared some of their own cultures with the Nepali children. After this the students embarked on a 4 day trek in the Helambu region as well as some sight-seeng in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.

Nepal - CAS/DofE Trip

Primary

Message from the Deputy Head, Upper Primary School and Head of Digital Learning Dear Parents, Welcome back to another academic year, after a long and refreshing summer break. Some of you may have noticed that my role at the school has changed slightly, with the addition of the fantastic Mrs. Maccallum to our Primary Leadership Team. Mrs Maccallum will be looking at the pastoral and administrative matters this year and my focus this year is on the teaching and learning in the upper part of the primary school (Grades 3-5).

I will also be focusing on digital learning, picking up on the role that I had in the school before last year with a continued focus on how we can use technology effectively to enhance teaching and learning. As a part of this we have the 21st Century Classrooms programme which we implemented 2 years Primary which focuses on four key areas; innovation, 21st century skills, healthy technology habits and personalised learning. All of these four key areas will continue to be focused upon the year and we will have a number of initiatives to continue our development in these areas.

The final key area of focus for me in my role is the Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) programme. As many of you are aware our CCA programme is aimed at helping to develop holistic students, which is part of our mission statement.

In this role I try to ensure that we have a balance of interesting offerings for our students to access, which will cater for the diverse range of interests and needs in our school community.

I look forward to working alongside many of you over the year, with our school seeing the parents as a key part of the triangle in educational success (school – student – parent). If you every wish to clarify things or discuss any of the above, do not hesitate to contact the school to organize a meeting with me.

Best regards,

Damien Marshall Deputy Head, Upper Primary School and Head of Digital Learning

Message from the Deputy Head of Academics-Early Years

Hello Everyone, As the PYP Coordinator and Deputy Head of Academics - Early Years I spend most of my time in classrooms planning with teachers, speaking to students and finding out what creative learning experiences students are having and wanting. Originally from Canada, this is my third year working with the Primary Leadership Team at RWA, but sixth year with the school. In this time I have seen RWA grow in its commitment and enthusiasm towards teaching and learning.

If you have any inquiries into the teaching and learning at RWA I look forward to having a chat.

Sincerely, Nick Gastaldi Deputy Head of Academics-Early Years

HODs-Team Leaders-Coordinators-Primary School Mrs Najeeb has been working at Raffles since 2010 as a KG teacher and a KG1 team leader. Prior to moving to Dubai she taught in Canada for 5 years. She holds 12 years’ worth of teaching experience in early years and lower primary which has given her a good foundation in developing children’s early mathematics, literacy and artistic skills. Mrs Najeeb holds a degree in early childhood education from Canada and PGCE from Scotland. As an educator, she values her role and the opportunity to be a part of every child’s development. She loves meeting people from different cultures and considers herself fortunate to be teaching amongst such diversity.

Maria Najeeb, KG1 Team Leader

Primary

Ms Naeema Mangera comes from South Africa and has 15 years of experience with the American, British and Primary Years Programme. She has taught across all the Primary Phases; however her passion lies in Early Years.

Naeema's educational philosophy is influenced by the wise words of George Bernard Shaw, 'What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.' She is a strong advocate of - The purpose of learning is not to 'arrive' at a particular level of proficiency 'on time' as we are life long learners and the journey never ends. Naeema has been instrumental in raising teaching and learning standards across KG at RWA during her time as the KG coordinator.

Naeema Mangera, KG2-Team Leader

Mrs Emma Brick comes from beautiful New Zealand, where she qualified as a teacher and taught for seven years from KG to Grade 5. She has been teaching in the UAE for four years in lower primary and have really enjoyed her time here. Mrs Emma and her husband (a high school teacher at RWA) love to travel the world and discover new cities, food and culture. She looks forward to meeting her next international class here in RWA! Mrs Brick will be leading the Grade 2 team after a very successful first year as a team leader.

Emma Brick, Grade 2 Team Leader

Ms Kiera Slevin in will be leading the Grade 3 team for the second year. The 2017/18 academic year will be her third year at Raffles World Academy and her seventh year teaching in the United Arab Emirates.

Ms Slevin considers herself lucky to be part of such a dynamic and innovative international school. Her aim is to inspire students to reach their goals while gaining the confidence and motivation to rise to any challenge they may face. She is excited to see what the new academic year will bring.

Kiera Slevin, Grade 3-Team Leader

HODs-Team Leaders-Coordinators-Primary School Ms Katie Teahan comes from Ireland and has been living in the UAE for five years. She taught in an international school in Abu Dhabi for three years before coming to Dubai and joining Raffles World Academy.

Ms Teahan holds an MA from Trinity College Dublin and after discovering her love for education, she pursued a PGCE. Ms Teahan loves the outdoors, kayaking and hiking and is an avid reading. This academic year, she will be the team leader for Grade 4.

Katie Teahan, Grade 4 Team Leader

Mrs. Maria Oreagba (Mrs. O) has been at RWA for 4 years now. Prior to this, she taught at the English College and Jebel Ali Primary schools both in Dubai. Mrs O will be leading the Grade 5 team this year. She is renowned for her high Primary quality teaching standards. In her own words ‘My passion for teaching started as far back as I can remember (coming from a family of educators!). After years of a career outside of education, I finally rediscovered my passion and I feel blessed to be in a PYP school packed with enthusiastic and curious minds’.

Maria Oreagba, Grade 5 Team Leader

Mr. Marc Maccallum comes from the city of “sun and surf “called Durban in South Africa. He has been teaching at RWA for 9 years. Mr Maccallum has a passion for science and inquiry teaching and currently leads the science subject area in the primary. His favorite hobby is golf, but he revels in most sports. Mr Maccallum is a renowned teacher and is loved by his students and parents.

Marc Maccallum, Science Coordinator-Primary School

My Name is Narjess Ali Youssef. I am Palestinian from Lebanon and I have been graduated in the faculty of education in 2009.I moved to Dubai in 2010. Currently, I am working as an Arabic B teacher and team leader in primary school. I feel that it's my responsibility to enable my passionate kids to taste the beauty of the Arabic language.

Narjess Youssef, Arabic B Team Leader-Primary School

My name is Hanadi Mohammed Al Zoubi, I am 37 years old. My passion in my life is teaching Arabic, I am working as an Arabic teacher for 15 years and I am the leader for Arabic A in the primary school. I love the work with kids, and love to work very close to them. I feel that each student in the school is one of my kids and I am working to develop their level in Arabic even if they are not my students. I am looking forward to spend a very happy and useful year with my students.

Handy Al Zaaby, Arabic A-Team Leader– Primary School

New staff at RWA Mrs. Shereen moved to Dubai 6 years ago from the USA. She is a highly qualified early years teacher with over 10 years of experience in teaching the early childhood programme. Mrs Shereen graduated from one of the top universities in California with a degree in science & child development. She is also an active member of a positive parenting group at RWA. Mrs Shereen is excited to join RWA as a KG1 teacher and looks forward to a great year ahead.

Shereen Attia, KG1 Teacher

Mrs Garg is a qualified and experienced teacher. She completed her PGCE in primary education at the University of London and holds 11 years of experience in teaching children in all parts of the primary phase in a range of settings.

Mrs Garg has worked in a variety of international schools in Dubai. Before joining RWA, she worked as a special needs educator teaching students from EYFS, primary and secondary at Regents International School. Mrs Garg has been Primary passionate in her commitment to three things: maximizing individual student performance, inspiring student’s interest in technology and instilling a sense of self-worth among all students. In her own words “Teaching at Raffles Word Academy this year, I look forward to getting to know the children and building their understanding of the curriculum in order for them to reach their full potential. I believe it is important to inspire them in an approach that is encouraging and effective”.

Rupali Garg, KG2 Teacher

Mr Kevin O’Driscoll hails from Ireland. He has a PGCE qualification. Mr Driscoll has taught in Dubai for six years and is really looking forward to joining the team in RWA this September! In his own words “I am relishing the challenge of immersing myself in the IB system and will ensure that every child in my class receives everything they need to further their development”. Mr Driscoll is a very active individual who enjoys most sports and also has a keen interest in music. He looks forward, with great anticipation, to working alongside students, parents and fellow staff to provide the best learning experience to his students.

Kevin O’Driscoll, Grade 2 Teacher

Ms Doonam comes from Ireland. She has completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from University College Cork and obtained her PGCE from the UK. Ms Doonam has approximately 5 years of experience teaching both in London and Dubai. She also holds leadership experience and was most recently the head of English in KS2 in her last school. She has a keen interest in sport and has been involved in many team sports from a young age. She is a member of the Dubai Celts GAA club, where she enjoys playing Gaelic football and camogie. Ms Doonam is looking forward to joining RWA and continuing her journey in Dubai.

Niamh Doonan, Grade 4 Teacher

My name is Tabassum Zahid and I have completed my master’s in Islamic education and bachelor’s in psychology and Islamic studies. I’ve been living in Dubai for the last 20 years, during which time I continued my education of Islamic studies, gaining insight into Islamic calligraphy and obtaining certifications in the field of Tajweed from various institutions.

Recently, I was awarded a degree in teaching. Currently, I am in the eleventh year of teaching in Dubai, where I was privileged to enlighten students in various International schools, ranging from primary to secondary, following the British and the American curriculum and through these years, I’ve worked as a coordinator and head of the Islamic department. As an individual who teaches Islamic studies; I can use my teaching qualifications and experiences to enhance children’s learning and make them experience the core meaning of my subject. I am a very caring and competent teacher who will make a worthwhile and valuable contribution to the lives of students. I always try my best to exceed expectations in my working space, and hope to achieve my goal, which is to make my students practicing Muslims. In my spare time, I enjoy painting, indulging in Islamic art and calligraphy, and reading - excessively. I am excited to get the opportunity to work here, at Raffles World Academy, and at the same time, I am hopeful to create a positive and energetic vibe in the school, giving my students a true essence of Islamic studies through diverse teaching methods that enable them to express their creativity. Tabassum Zahid, HOD-Islamic Studies [Primary School]

News from Grade 1 Team

Grade 1 have been very busy settling into the new academic year and their first unit of inquiry. They have been working hard on cooperative and collaborative learning whilst unpacking the central idea, as well as when ordering numbers to 100. They used their knowledge of place value to represent numbers in different ways.

Grade 1 have also been understanding the Learner Profile and modelling how we can show these qualities.

They have particularly enjoyed being risk-takers by trying all of the new games in Grade 1 and embracing new challenges.

Primary

What a fantastic start!

News from Grade 4 Team

The start of the school year has been very busy and productive for all the students and teachers of Grade 4.

Finding new classrooms, meeting new teachers and getting back into a routine after the long summer break was a challenge for the first few days, but by now we are all settled and ready to take on the new school year. This year our Grade 4 Team is as follows:

Primary

4AA – Mrs. Ayesha Altaf 4PD – Mr. Paul Downes 4RC – Ms. Rachael Charles 4KT – Ms. Katie Teahan, also the Grade 4 Team Leader 4AK – Mrs. Arjumand Khalil Ahmed 4ND – Ms. Niamh Doonan Being in a Grade 4 means that students need to become role models of principled behavior for other students to follow, and our Grade 4 students have really impressed everyone with the great commitment they have shown to this responsibility, especially in the way they use HALL.

In the classrooms, the Essential Agreements that have been

created demonstrate students’

knowledge of the Learner Profile and how to show respect and caring to students and teachers.

Grade 4 have made an incredible start to the year. With lots of inquiry, creativity, fun and laughter already filling the classrooms and hallways in the first few weeks, this is a sure sign that we are in for a great year!