Table of Contents

I am sure many would agree that 2019-2020 has been an unprecedented year that has presented many challenges and opportunities, and truly showcased the ABS community’s adaptability. Starting the second semester of the academic year, we had a change in the leadership of the school – I was appointed by the Board of Trustees as the Acting Principal, and HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan accepted the role of School Director ad interim. As the community came together and demonstrated its overwhelming support to me personally and to members of the Leadership Team, the COVID 19 pandemic imposed significant challenges on Jordan and the world. Therefore, we completed our school year remotely, highlighting the strength and agility of our teachers and students to adapt to new environments.

ABS was the first school in the Kingdom of Jordan to resort to distance education in Mid March 2020. Our teachers did an incredible job teaching our students remotely, and the feedback from the community was indeed excellent. This had a very positive impact on our admissions as parents from other schools in Jordan and abroad were seeking to transfer their children to ABS even during lockdown. Our goal is to never be complacent with our achievements; we are always seeking ways and methods for improvement and enhancement of our procedures and practices as demonstrated during these challenging times.

All throughout the summer, plans were put in place to ensure the safe return of our students to school campus. Procedures and protocols were devised to enable us to go back to face-to-face learning under safe conditions, considering that the health and safety of our big ABS community is, and will always be, at the forefront of all that we do. The resilience, experience, and adaptability of our ABS community demonstrated our school to be the most reliable, accomplished, and connected place during these uncertain times.

Despite the challenges imposed due to the pandemic and to the cancellation of the IB Diploma External Examination and the MYP e-Assessments, our students surprised us with their outstanding results. We were very happy that the majority of Grade 12 students made their university offers. Overall, we were happy with the university placements of our graduating class of 2020. For more details, please check the section in this report about university placements.

As this is my first introduction to the Annual Report, I would like to express my tremendous gratitude to all members of the ABS community for their support and commitment to the school. I cannot stress enough the wonderful sense of community and the one big family atmosphere, which is really what makes ABS so special. Thank you to all the staff for their dedication, flexibility, collegiality and friendship. Thank you to all the parents for their wonderful partnership and contribution to the special ethos of ABS. Thank you to all the students for their enthusiasm and genuine commitment to learning.

I would like to finally thank our esteemed members of the Board of Trustees for their tremendous leadership, wisdom and support. Thank you to HRH Princess Sarvath El Hassan, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees, for her great support and astute educational vision that has provided the foundation for ABS’ successes over the years.

Thank you to HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan for her guidance and dedication without whom we would not have been able to handle all those unprecedented challenges.

I wish the ABS community the best of health and safety with continued success and progress for the future.

Sincerely,

Bassma Marji Nimri Principal

Primary School Radio Station (Student Voice, Choice & Ownership)

Youth Empowerment – International Mindedness – Bilingualism – Team Work – Achievement

The Primary School successfully launched its first ever Radio Station which will go live in 2020/21. A unique platform for our students to enhance their, agency, leadership, student voice and international mindedness. Students will broadcast school news as well as give commentaries on local and global issues. Students will also interview guests and broadcast events/celebrations throughout the year.

Primary School Stallions Cup

Team work – Achievement

In collaboration with the PE Department, The Primary School House Representatives launched the first ever inter-house competitions. Students across Grades 1 – 5 engaged in activities during P.E. lessons and breaks while exemplifying the IB learner profile and sportsmanship. House points are collected and the Stallions Cup is handed over to the House that receives the highest points at the end of each month during the morning Assembly. Sportsmanship sessions were conducted for all grades in patnership with the well-being team and the PE department.

Wellness Space Holistic Education

The Wellness Space was created based on student initiated action and the greater ABS community. Our Wellness Space provides students and teachers with a quiet space to reflect, relax, recharge, practice mindfulness and self-regulate.

Student Agency Office

Youth Empowerment

The Student Agency Office was created by students for students as a hub where they can come together during breaks to share ideas, concerns and suggestions and work collaboratively to achieve their goals and aspirations during their time in the Primary Years School.

Visual Arts Exhibition

International Mindedness – Holistic Education – Achievement

Our Visual Arts Exhibition, for students of Grades 4 and 5, featured artwork under the theme of “Folk Art”. Students inquired into different forms of Folk Art. Students took pride in their work and reflected their creativity in using a variety of mediums to present their unique art work.